HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994 06-22 PRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
FOR THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN
AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA
REGULAR SESSION
JUNE 22, 1994
CITY HALL
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting of the parks and recreation commission to order at
6:35 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chairperson Sorenson, Commissioners Peterson, Lasman, Pollack, Mead and Knutson were present.
Also present were Director of Public Services, Diane Spector, Director of Recreation, Arnie Mavis,
and residents Karen and Nolan McNamara. Commissioner Shinnick was excused from this meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES, MAY 17, 1994
Commissioner Mead noted a correction needs to be made in that the motion to meet all summer
should read, "the commission would meet in June." Chairperson Sorenson also noted Commissioner
Lasman's name was misspelled several times. There was a motion by Commissioner Pollack and
seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to approve the minutes as amended. The motion passed.
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
Director of Public Services, Spector said that on Monday, June 27, the city council would be
considering the bids for the playground equipment at Willow Lane school. She also mentioned that a
survey had been sent out to the residents of Willow Lane park asking their view of what should be in
Willow Lane park. This was the result of one neighbor of Willow Lane park sending out a flyer
saying the city was ruining the park with its plans. Commissioner Lasman said she thought we
should keep the basketball court. Chairperson Sorenson said he agreed with this, and there should be
some playground equipment left in the present area. Commissioner Mead thought we should wait
until the survey results come in before making a decision on what to do. The McNamaras both said
they would like to see the basketball court saved. It was agreed upon by the commission to wait for
the survey results.
CIP
Director of Public Services, Spector said that Bill Morris from Decision Resources met with city
council members at a work session to talk about the bond issue. One result of the meeting was that
the city manager is to start putting together the costs incurred with a bond issue. There was a
discussion among the commissioners about a bond referendum and what the commission would like to
see included. Ms. Spector said the city council needed feedback from the park and recreation
commission about a bond referendum. She said that they needed action right away.
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Commissioner Peterson moved and Commissioner Pollack seconded a motion to adopt the following
resolution:
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING
CONSIDERATION OF A PARK BOND ISSUE
WHEREAS, the Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission sees Brooklyn Center as a city
with a bright future which has the potential to attract young families; and
WHEREAS, comprehensive upgrading of park facilities would enhance the City's image and increase
its attractiveness.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE BROOKLYN CENTER PARK AND
RECREATION COMMISSION that this commission strongly recommends that the city council
consider a park bond referendum in Spring 1995, or at the soonest possible date. We see the
following items, in priority order, as essential for consideration:
A. Replacement of aging playground equipment in all City neighborhood parks as
soon as possible, taking into consideration neighborhood and ADA needs.
B. Repair or replacement of all shelter buildings as soon as possible, to meet ADA
accessibility requirements, and recreation and operational needs.
C. Implementation of general and operational park improvements, such as replacement or
addition of lights, athletic field maintenance, restroom facilities, and storage buildings.
D. Construction of a field house and activity center at the community center.
E. Acquisition and development of new park land, including the Willow Lane
redevelopment area and the Joslyn site.
F. Construction of a hockey arena.
G. Development of the Twin Lake/Preserve/Kylawn nature area and Twin Lakes
Trail system, in cooperation with the cities of Crystal and Robbinsdale.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That the park and recreation commission stands ready and willing to
provide advice and counsel on this matter, and requests to be involved in the development of this
bond referendum.
The following commissioners voted in favor of the resolution: PETERSON, LASMAN, KNUTSON,
MEAD, POLLACK and SORENSON.
The following commissioners voted in opposition to the resolution: None
The following commissioners were absent from voting: SHINNICK
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The park and recreation commission then prioritized what they would like to see done first. New
park land was rated an "E", shelter building was rated a "B", playground equipment was rated an
"A", a field house was rated a "C", hockey arena was rated an "17", Twin Lakes trail system was
rated a "G". Director of Public Services, Spector said the action taken tonight was very important to
have the council start moving on the bond issue.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER PROJECT/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
This item was carried over to the September meeting.
TREE BOARD
Director of Public Services Spector said she would like to see the City have a tree board to help
citizens in planting trees, bushes, etc. She will give more information about this board at the
September meeting. There was some discussion about this program, and the park and recreation
commission wants to hear more about this item.
OTHER BUSINESS
Chairperson Sorenson said the commission should start working on a "Vote Yes" committee, so if the
bond issue becomes a fact, there would be a head start in this area. The commission agreed with this
idea.
Commissioner Pollack made a motion which was seconded by Commissioner Lasman to adjourn.
The motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
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