Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994 04-14 PRMx MINUTES 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 APRIL 14, 1994 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting of the park and recreation commission to order at 6:33 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Sorenson, Commissioners Peterson, Lasman, Pollock, Knutson, Mead. Also present were City Council Liaison Kristen Mann; Director of Recreation Arnie Mavis, Public Works Coordinator Diane Spector, and Recording Secretary Kim Moore-Sykes. Absent and excused: Commissioner Shinnick. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MARCH 15. 1994 • There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Pollock to approve the minutes of the March 15, 1994, meeting. Chairperson Sorenson said that it should be added to the section on playground equipment that feedback needs to be given to the children on their suggestions about playground equipment The motion to approve the minutes as amended passed. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Council Liaison Mann reported on the recent department reorganization. She said that this reorganization was basically a combining of departments that have many functions which overlap. Council Liaison Mann also reported that a town meeting is scheduled for May 5 to discuss youth crime prevention in keeping with the National Crime Prevention Week. The City is looking at options for remodeling city hall. A cost comparison is being done to determine the best alternative interim remodeling solution for the police department. She also reported that a compromise has been worked out at Fair Oaks regarding the 'cut-through' traffic problem they have experienced. The Council also. approved the February 8, 1995, date for the Joint Council/ Commissions meeting. PLAYGROUND EOUIPMENT The Public Works Coordinator presented a report on Willow Lane Park and advised that Tim Erkkila will be working with the City on this project as the Council has approved his contract and bid. He will be invited to the May meeting to discuss the concept of "performance concepts", which provides the design concepts and ideas based on the characteristics of the park. Willow Lane Park has been designated as an accessible playground, and as such, ADA requirements must be considered. Mr. Erkkila will be responsible for setting up the evaluation process for the bidding procedure and will come back to the City with a bid and a design for that 04/14/94 - 1 - particular playground. If this process works well, it will then be applied to the other three parks scheduled for improvement. The school districts will be asked to be responsible for maintaining the parks. Discussion. The Public Works Coordinator then went on to report that the tennis court on the southeast is corner of Willow Lane Park is too costly to repair, and it is the staff s recommendation that it and the basketball court be removed to enlarge the parking area. The staff will also recommend that funding for this improvement work be outside of the Capital Improvement Fund and be funded through the playground fund. She reported that staff further recommends funding of the trails also be from the playground fund or the trail/parkway fund. The Director of Recreation reported that additional pathways are being planned for Willow Lane Park as well. Discussion. There was a motion by Commissioner Mead and seconded by Commissioner Knutson that the tennis and basketball courts be removed from the southeast corner of Willow Lane Park as a part of the overall renovation plan to allow for the expansion of the parking lot. The motion passed. There was a motion by Commissioner Pollock and seconded by Commissioner Lasman to recommend to the Council that the basketball and tennis courts removal and parking lot expansion be funded through the Capital Improvement Program funds. The motion passed. There was a motion by Commissioner Pollock and seconded by Commissioner Peterson that the trail work be constructed through the annual sidewalk/trail project funded by the local and state aid fund. The motion passed. The Public Works Coordinator then reported that staff has recommended that the commission • consider doing the renovation of Firehouse Park this year instead of West Palmer. Their reason was that the equipment at Firehouse Park is very old, and staff is concerned that the equipment is very unsafe and is not being used. Discussion. There was a motion by Commissioner Pollock and seconded by Commissioner Knutson that the commission recommend that Firehouse Park be scheduled for renovation this year instead of West Palmer Park. Discussion. The motion passed. There was a motion by Commissioner Pollock and seconded by Commissioner Knutson to recess the meeting. The motion passed. The park and recreation commission recessed at 7:35 p.m. and reconvened at 7:50 p.m. PARK WATCH The Director of Recreation reported that Sergeant Grass moved the meeting dates to later in May. Discussion. It was agreed to have a meeting at the club house at Lions Park on May 11 at 7:00 p.m. A newsletter and flyer will be distributed to the neighborhood seven to ten days before the meeting. The other parks will have their park watch meetings in the fall. The Director of Recreation will notify Sergeant Grass of the scheduling changes. There was a motion by Commissioner Mead and seconded by Commissioner Peterson that the Park Watch Program be initiated at Lions Park acid that it be used as a pilot program to determine the success and interest of the neighbors in the Park Watch Program and to 04/14/94 -2- delay the Park Watch programs for Bellevue and Evergreen until fall. Discussion. The motion passed. 10 MISSISSIPPI RIVER PROJECT/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Chairperson Sorenson reported that the Mississippi River project has been scaled back; the federal government was trying to do too much in too short a time. The Director of Recreation passed around an amended report he recently received that reflects the downsizing of the project. PARK STATUS • Riveridge - The Director of Recreation said he had no report. Discussion. • Park Cleanup - Commissioner Lasman reported that the date is set for April 30th at 9:00 a. m.. She said they are running into problems getting volunteers as the City auction and the Little League clean-up activities are also scheduled for that day. Discussion. • Coon Rapids Dam - There is a bill in legislation to get additional money for its renovation plan. STUDENT REOUESTS FOR PROGRAMS Council Liaison Mann reported that she met with Sergeant Roth at a substation. She said the consensus is that the kids want a gymnasium to play basketball. In order to do this, they would need to have volunteers, a place to play or a senior/youth center. Discussion. SET NEXT MEETING, The next meeting of the parks and recreation commission is scheduled for June 21, 1994, at • 6:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Lasman to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center park and recreation commission adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Chairperson • - 3 - 04/14/94