Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994 03-15 PRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION MARCH 15, 1994 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting of the park and recreation commission to order at 6:37 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Sorenson; Commissioners Peterson, Lasman, Pollock, Knutson, Shinnick. Also present were City Councilmember Kristen Mann; Director of Recreation Arnie Mavis; and Program Supervisor Sue LaCrosse. Absent and excused Commissioner Mead. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - FEBRUARY 15. 1994 There was a motion by Commissioner Shinnick and seconded by Commissioner Knutson to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Commissioner Lasman said there were some corrections to be made. She said it is not correct that Willow Lane School has no money . for playground equipment. The PTA is attempting to assemble $5,000. In fact, they are committing to $5,000. The Director of Recreation said Osseo School District is giving $30,000, the City is matching with $30,000 and Willow Lane PTA is giving $5,000. The motion to approve minutes with corrections passed. PARK WATCH GROUPS Commissioner Lasman said Officer Dave Grass will be here between 7:30/7:45 p.m. Chairperson Sorenson said we will wait for Officer Grass before discussing. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE Chairperson Sorenson asked Councilmember Mann to give a council update. She said they funded the band for this year. They have adopted a contractual services policy and have a form for contractual services. The Director of Recreation said groups could request things like ice time for hockey or football helmets. The group would send us the bill and we would pay it. PARK CLEANUP Commissioner Pollock asked about cleanup this year. The Director of Recreation said he would like to do the golf course on April 30. Councilmember Mann said she will be working that day and asked if it could be done a different day so she could help. The Director of Recreation said we have enough people. Commissioner Shinnick said Little 0 03/15/94 - 1 - League will furnish treats. Everyone should meet at the Little League concession stand at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 30. 0 City Manager, Gerald Splinter joined the park and recreation commission meeting. PLAYGROUND EOUIPMENT Chairperson Sorenson asked for a clarification on the playground equipment at Willow Lane. The Director of Recreation said the school district will provide $30,000, the City 30,000 and Willow Lane PTA $5,000. The City will take care of construction, bidding and designing with the school's recommendations given consideration. Willow Lane will be done this summer and playground equipment will be removed. If there are any good pieces of equipment, they will be used at other parks. The equipment will be put southeast of the school near the ball field. The other three parks, West Palmer, Lions and Orchard Lane will not be done until fall. If there is any extra money, Grandview would be done. The Director of Recreation said Central Park is done. Chairperson Sorenson asked what Willow Lane will be looking at. The Director of Recreation said all of the playground equipment from the different companies is essentially the same. The City Manager addressed the issue of ADA. He said it may not be necessary -to make all parks accessible as long as one of the parks in general areas is accessible. Commissioner Knutson said she knows someone at the State Council For The Handicapped. The City Manager said he would welcome their input. He said we will get the same number of accessible portable restrooms as in the past. No more are being built because the new standards have not been set. The Director of Recreation said the new proposed standards require room for two people to be on either side. He said they really aren't portable when built that big. Chairperson Sorenson said restrooms should be looked at when replacing shelter buildings. The Director of Recreation said the buildings get vandalized and who would lock the doors. Chairperson Sorenson said there are automatic locks. The Director of Recreation reported the cost for a regular unit is $56, the cost of the handicapped unit is $134. The City spends about $35,000 a year on portable restrooms. Chairperson Sorenson asked if the children at Willow Lane School thought they would be picking out equipment. Commissioner Lasman said it was made very clear to the Willow Lane people their input would be taken as suggestions. The Director of Recreation said he was pretty sure some of their suggestions would be used. The Director of Recreation said the City will pick out the appropriate design features and he has had nothing but compliments on Northport. Chairperson Sorenson asked Councilmember Mann if Councilmember Rosene was satisfied with the equipment. She said she didn't know. The Director of Recreation said he would like to bid all three parks together. He said the park and recreation commission will see the design and make recommendations. Councihnember Mann said 03/15/94 -2- 0 she will check will all council members to see if there is anything specific they are . interested in. MISSISSIPPI RIVER PROTECT/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE The Director of Recreation said it is the same as last month, nothing has moved and there have been no meetings. Councilmember Mann asked if there was any reason. The Director of Recreation responded that there is probably no money. RIVERIDGE PARK The Director of Recreation said the City can't get the DOT to sign over the deed so City can give to county. STORM SEWER PROTECT Councilmember Mann gave a brief report on the Brookdale storm sewer ponding project. The plans include working with Minneapolis. The plans could affect ponding at the golf course. COON RAPIDS DAM The Director of Recreation reported that Hennepin County wants to repair the dam and is trying to get the money from the legislature. The dam would be used for recreational purposes only. • GOLF COURSE The Director of Recreation said they might get some complaints about the price increase, about 50C. He added the course is already $30,000 in the hole because the bridge had to be repaired and some of the tables had to be made ADA accessible. RECESS There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to recess the meeting. The motion passed. The park and recreation commission . recessed at 7:30 p.m. and reconvened at 7:40 p.m. PARK WATCH GROUPS Officer Dave Grass discussed the possibility of a park watch group at Bellvue, Evergreen and Lions parks.. He described how the neighborhood watch groups work. He said they require an initial meeting where at least half the homes are represented and a yearly meeting. He would like to have a meeting with neighbors at the park shelter buildings if possible. Eventually he would like to have a park sign with logo, perhaps have a contest to design a logo. The signs could be made at the garage. Officer Grass said the sign would encourage people in park to contact a neighbor (knock on their door), and hopefully, the neighbor would call police. Commissioner Knutson asked about bringing all three parks together for a meeting. Commissioner Lasman thought it should be closer to home so people are more apt to 0 03/15/94 -3 - come. She was concerned about houses being identified on the sign. Would it be an easy target for troublemakers? Officer Grass said it could be a general statement to , indicate many houses bordering the park. Chairperson Sorenson said he would like to see guidelines written up so people know who to call for non-emergency things, like maintenance. Officer Grass said the police department would like to communicate to people to call police if they see any problems. Chairperson Sorenson reported the Bellvue meeting will be hosted by Commissioner Mead, the Lions meeting by Commissioner Shinnick, and the Evergreen meeting by Commissioner Pollock. Commissioner Knutson would like to see something in the City newsletter. Flyers would also be distributed to residents. The dates for the initial meeting are: Wednesday, May 11, Lions Park, meeting at Clubhouse; Tuesday, May 10, Evergreen Park, meeting at school; Bellvue to be determined. All meetings are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. STUDENT REOUESTS FOR PROGRAMS The Director of Recreation passed out information about what has happened over the past year. The information had been requested by Councilmember Kalligher. The Director of Recreation said the "have not's" want basketball and music and the "have's" want other things but they are involved. Councilmember Mann asked if some programs for the "have not's" could be tied to community oriented policing? The Director of Recreation answered yes. He said they are doing some things. Swimming was mentioned but how do you decide who goes for free. Chairperson Sorenson said to get • the money from somewhere else and use it for swimming. The Director of Recreation reported the council has funded the band for one more year. They can use the form if they want to request future funding. The following programs are also subsidized: Senior citizens, playgrounds, Entertainment In The Park, Sunday In Central Park and skating rinks. Commissioner Shinnick said Entertainment In The Park is one of the greatest things. Councilmember Mann said maybe some of those things for the "have not's" should come from the police budget. Chairperson Sorenson asked commissioners to review the information about student requests for programs and come prepared to discuss. This subject and the park watch group will be on next month's agenda. Commissioner Knutson asked about the adopt a park program. A status report should be on the agenda for the April meeting. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the park and recreation commission is scheduled for April 19, 1994, at 6:30 p.m. 03/15/94 -4- ADJOURNMENT . There was a motion by Commissioner Shinnick and seconded by Commissioner Peterson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 8:29 p.m. Chairperson is 03/15/94 -5- •