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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994 05-17 PRMMINU'T'ES 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 MAY 17, 1994 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting of the park and recreation commission to order at 6:32 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Sorenson, Commissioners Peterson, Lasman, Pollack, Knutson, Shinnock. Also present were City Council Liaison Kristen Mann, Director of Recreation Arnie Mavis, Director of Public Services Diane Spector, City Engineer Mark Maloney and Recording Secretary Kim Moore-Sykes. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - APRIL 14. 1994 Commissioner Lasman noted a correction needs to be made at Park Status where she said they could be running into trouble instead of they are running into trouble. Also there is a correction to the meeting date for May. It should be May 17, 1994, instead of June 21, 1994. There is also a correction to the agenda where the meeting date for June should be June 22, 1994, instead of June 21. There was a motion by Commissioner Mead and seconded by Commissioner Peterson to approve the minutes of April 14, 1994, and the agenda of the May 17, 1994, meeting. The motion to approve the minutes as amended passed. GUESTS There were various groups in attendance at the May 17 meeting. They were the Brooklyn Center Hockey Association, homeowners of the Willow Lane neighborhood and homeowners of the Riverdale neighborhood. Mary Ronnebaum, 4712 67th Avenue North, spoke first to the commission regarding the need of financial assistance of the Brooklyn Center Hockey Association from the City. They coordinate the community's hockey program for youths from the ages of 5-15 years. They have seen an increase in the interest in this program as they have more traveling players than they have ever had. They have discovered an increased need to upgrade equipment that is eight years old. They also need to purchase jerseys to outfit their squirt teams. They plan to purchase inexpensive jerseys that will not be re-used. The most inexpensive jersey they have found is $20 a piece and each child will need two - one for home games and another for away games. In addition, they have a need for socks and breezers (pants) for each player, replacement uniforms, and enough equipment to outfit two goalies. It cost an average of $1,500 to equip a goalie but 0 05/17/94 -1- Ms. Ronnebaum felt they could do it for $800/goalie. They are requesting $2,500 from the City to their uniform fund. She reported that they do have various sponsors, including Dave's Sporting Goods and Crystal VFW, but usually their contributions are between $250 - $500 annually. They also have a very active fund raising program but they still need $2,500 to offset their $5,000 equipment budget. When asked about their financial needs for 1995, Ms. Ronnebaum reported they have budgeted $28,000 for 1995. She said of this, 95 % of the money will go to ice time since Brooklyn Center does not have an indoor ice skating rink. She said they rent from Osseo and it is estimated that it will cost the Hockey Association $20,000 next year for ice time alone. Discussion. Chairperson Sorenson directed staff liaison Sykes to send Ms. Ronnebaum the City's Contract for Services application and the Hockey Association's request should go before the council for consideration. Commissioner Mead asked that in the future these types of requests be handled through the contract for services process before they go to council. Discussion. Jill Schendel, 7242 Willow Lane: Ms. Schendel came before the commission to request that their playground upgrade be expedited. She said that she was told that their playground and park is not scheduled for any update until summer of 1997. She said the playground needs to be done now as it is simply unsafe for children to use. They have to use the Riverdale Park or do as she does, which is to drive her children to other parks so they can play at a playground. Ms. Schendel said that she does daycare from her home and it is not possible to have the children play at their neighborhood park because of the unsafe playground equipment. She said by the time the playground is updated, it will be too late for many of the children as they will be too old. She then directed questions to the commission with Director of Public Services Spector addressed. Kim Schmitt, 7243 Willow Lane: She said they:iive in-an isolated neighborhood and are unable to use their playground because their equipment is old and unsafe. In order to use a playground, she and her children have to cross Highway 252 at 70th Avenue, which is a very busy intersection. The closest park is Evergreen Park and because of the traffic situation, it is very difficult to walk to. There was discussion about the possibility of a bond issue which could then be used to upgrade and install new equipment in more parks. Director of Public Services Spector said the earliest a bond issue could be put together would be the spring of 1995. If it is passed, then the parks in Brooklyn Center could be upgraded next year. Discussion. There was a motion by Commissioner Mead and seconded by Commissioner Peterson to recess the meeting. The motion passed. The park and recreation commission recessed at 7:35 p.m. and reconvened at 7:52 p.m. PLAYGROUNDS AND EOUIPMENT The City Engineer Mark Maloney presented his report on the progress of playground equipment and planning of projects. He then introduced Tim Erkilla of Westwood Professional Services. Mr. Erkilla provided a drawing of the plan for Willow Lane Park. He said he looked at the 05/17/94 -2- 0 , activities that are available for the users such as equipment that enhances motor skills and promotes physical fitness and will also provide play value. Discussion. Mr. Erkilla reported the estimated completion date is September 1, 1994. He indicated they have been working with the school and the children to develop a playground that will be to their liking as well. Some of the equipment listed on their wish list may be available with different manufacturers from the catalogs they use, but he will try to provide as much of the equipment as possible. The only stumbling block may be the color as they have to take into consideration the neighborhood and the proximity to residents who live close to a playground. He then reported that he is estimating- about 25 % of the playground will have a tot lot and went on to describe the equipment for that area. Commissioner Lawman indicated she thought that 25% of the total playground area at the school was too much for a tot lot. Discussion. There was a motion by Commissioner lawman and seconded by Commissioner Knutson to recommend that the tot lot be between the range of 20% and 25% of the playground area at the Willow Lane playground. The motion passed. The commission felt that they are comfortable with the direction of the planning and the parameters as described. They would like to see the project continue and be done by the fall. Chairperson Sorenson asked about the progress of the other three parks. Maloney indicated that he didn't know. He reported other decision making bodies, the neighborhoods, schools, etc., may need to be asked. Council liaison Mann also suggested that neighbors who live in proximity to other parks be asked their opinions with regard to the parks. Discussion. The group from Orchard Lane said they would like to try to put together a steering committee to work with the city engineer, city staff, etc., in order to get their park improvement project going. Discussion. There was a motion by Commissioner Pollack and seconded by Commissioner Knutson for the City Engineer, Mark Maloney to recommend that professional designer services such as those provided by Mr. Erkilla and Westwood professional Services be used for other playground projects. The motion passed. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Council liaison Mann reported that Brooklyn Center received the Tree City award at the Arbor Day celebration on May 24, 1994, at Grandview. She also reported that Brookdale Car Was will become a full service car wash; T. Wright's will be renovated and will be a Chuck E Cheese Pizza restaurant. The council is considering bond work for the storm ponds. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Master will be expanding and Prudential may be moving into Westbrook Mall and an Office Max will going into space that was originally used by T.J. Max. At the work session, the council discussed the acquisition of the property on Brooklyn Boulevard for redevelopment; the acquisition of the property near Willow Lane and the Brookdale Motel; discussed the CDBG grant requests that they have had in order to pick up the slack where there 05/17/94 -3- ► ► has been little or no funding provided to those requesting. Perry decided to move ahead on the Perry Avenue reconstruction project and to implement the use of stop signs. Mann also reported that the water environmental group is willing to work as a task force as needed for appropriate pending solutions. PARK WATCH GROUPS There was a report the Park Watch Group meeting had been held and that seven citizens, Sergeant Dave Grass, Tom Shinnock, Bud Sorenson and Art Mead attended. They had a discussion regarding when it was appropriate to contact the police and what they could do as neighbors to keep their park secure. Mavis reported that graffiti in the parks is becoming a problem this summer. PARK CLEANUP Mann reported that the high school group cleaned along the highway adjacent to the golf course. Mavis spoke about the cleanup schedule for the fall. He said he wants to have it on the agenda for June. Mavis also reported the golf course supervisor Kurt Johnson, had accepted a position in Mounds View. He is looking at the alternatives for this position. SUMMER MEETING There was discussion on if it would be useful to meet this summer because projects such as the playground improvement and park watch need to be worked on. There was a motion by Commissioner Lasam and seconded by Commissioner Mead to continue meeting as the Park/Rec Commission through the summer. The motion passed. There was a motion by Commissioner Knutson and seconded by Commissioner Mead to continue meeting as the Park and Recreation commission throughout the summer. The motion passed. 45/17/94 -4- 0