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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994 02-15 PRM i ~r MINUTES 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 FEBRUARY 15, 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 Lasman, Shinnick, Peterson, Mead, Pollock, and Knutson. Also present were City Councilmembers Kristen Mann and Barb Kalligher; Director of Recreation Arnie Mavis; and Administrative/Personnel Assistant Kim Sykes. Guests were Mary Purdham, Palmer Lake PTA, and Neesa May, President, Palmer Lake PTA. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - FEBRUARY 1. 1994 There was a motion by Commissioner Mead and seconded by Commissioner Peterson to • approve the minutes of the February 1, 1994, park and recreation commission meeting. The motion passed. PALMER LAKE PTA Purdham reported that she came before the commission two years ago to request money to upgrade playground equipment at Palmer Lake. At that time, she was turned down because the commission had no policy in place to deal with this kind of request. She has returned to follow up on that policy concerning playground equipment. They have a plan from Flannigan, and the PTA has set aside money for the equipment upgrade with 40 percent matching funds from the school district. Since community education and Brooklyn Park also use the playground, Councilmember Mann asked if the PTA has gone to Brooklyn Park. Purdham answered yes but that they didn't have any money for this project. Commissioner Lasman asked how much more did they need; Purdham indicated they had all the money needed for the playground upgrade, but were looking for additional money to put towards upgrading the school's computers. The Director of Recreation advised that the park and school are in Brooklyn Park, not Brooklyn Center. The City has already scheduled five parks for upgrading this year, one of which is West Palmer Lake. Commissioner Pollock asked what age group they are working with; Purdham said they were sixth through eighth graders. Councilmember Mann indicated she didn't think there was any money available at this time but would go back to the Council with a request to create a policy enabling the Council to work with the school district on this problem. The Director of Recreation noted he doesn't foresee any project like this being taken on much before 1996. 02/15/94 - I - V Councilmember Mann asked if there is any equipment there now. Purdham answered there is, but it is outdated and unusable. It's all wooden equipment and very dangerous. 40 Commissioner Shinmck asked how many Brooklyn Center children attend school at Palmer Lake. Purdham didn't know but said she had tried to get that information for tonight's meeting but the school indicated they didn't have those figures currently. Councilmember Mann suggested they go through the process being developed through contracting City services for nonprofit agencies. The Administrative/Personnel Assistant was instructed to send Purdham a copy of the policy draft. Chairperson Sorenson advised the Palmer Lake PTA file an application for the additional money needed for the computers. PLAYGROUND EOUIPMENT The Director of Recreation reported that while Willow Lane has no money for upgrading playground equipment, they need $30,000. Commissioner Lasman reported that they are also meeting, which indicates that despite not having the funds, they are working to continue this project forward. The Director of Recreation reported this is true and that they have had the kids look at the different playground equipment and setups to get their ideas. They intend to take these ideas to an independent planner. They have approached the PTA for $30,000 to $35,000. The Director of Recreation advised that as a commission, they should make some recommendations to Willow Lane incorporating the requirements of ADA, what equipment is age appropriate, and what money is available for their project. The City will build the playground according to the plan. Since this is a joint effort with the school district, the city will be following the required guidelines. Commissioner Lasman saw this as encouraging; it is an attempt by both the city and the school district to save the taxpayers' money. It is a very . good partnership in every way. Chairperson Sorenson asked for further comments on the topic, and Commissioner Mead added that a report should be sent to the Council regarding this joint effort and that more input from the community and children should be sought. Councilmember Mann felt the commission has done a good job with the parks in the scheduling and prioritizing of the park upgrades. RECESS There was a motion by Chairperson Sorenson and seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to recess the meeting. The motion passed. The park and recreation commission recessed at 7:20 p.m. and reconvened at 7:36 p.m. PARK WATCH PROGRAM The Administrative/Personnel Assistant reported that Kathy Flesher of the park and recreation department had given her copies of the police report regarding criminal activity in the city's parks; these were distributed to the commission. The Administrative/Personnel Assistant also reported that Officer Dave Grass of the Brooklyn Center police department had been contacted about attending tonight's meeting but was unable to attend due to a prior commitment. He advised the Administrative/Personnel Assistant he could attend the March 15 meeting. There was discussion about the criminal activity report. The commission felt the statistics were lacking and that there was a lot of criminal activity not being reported. The three parks the commission wants to target for the park watch program are Belivue, Evergreen, and Lions. The commission feels these parks would benefit most from the park watch program. It is the commission's feeling that Officer Grass should be asked to talk with the commission about 02/15/94 -2- R getting the program started; some of the issues they should discuss with the neighbors who volunteer to watch their parks; and what a volunteer should do in the event they witness criminal activity in their park. Commissioner Mead said the key to the success of this program is to inform the people involved of what is presently going on in the parks so they are more aware of potential criminal activity and when it is likely to occur. It was agreed that Commissioner Shinnick would meet with the park watch volunteers for Lions Park; Commissioner Pollock would meet with the park watch volunteers for Evergreen Park; and Commissioner Mead will meet with the park watch volunteers for Bellvue. There was discussion on organizing the park watch program and brainstorming of ideas to solicit neighborhood involvement. GOLF COURSE CLEANUP There was discussion regarding dates for the cleanup of the golf course. It was decided to set the date for the clean-up activities at the next meeting. By then other groups who will be cleaning their parks will have been contacted about their clean-up dates and perhaps these activities could be coordinated with them. A question was then raised about follow-up - is there someone who checks to make sure these parks are being cleaned? The Administrative/Personnel Assistant was asked to check with Public Works Coordinator Diane Spector to get information regarding park clean-up scheduling and any follow-up procedure that is done to ensure parks are being cleaned. Commissioner Pollock felt that as part of the clean-up activities, the commission could plan to recognize each • group's efforts for the season and in some way thank them. JOINT COMMISSION/COUNCIL MEETING There was discussion regarding the joint commission/council meeting. It was agreed that it went well and many ideas were discussed for the meeting in 1995. Chairperson Sorenson thought next year the presentation could be divided among the commission members and also have a couple of people do the presentation for the park and recreation commission. He also thought the commission presentations should be expanded to ten minutes to give each commission an opportunity to talk more about their activities from the past year. Others felt each commission should be assigned seating so they can all sit together, and cold drinks like lemonade could be provided for those who don't drink coffee but would like something other than water. STUDENT REOUEST FOR PROGRAMS There was discussion regarding student ideas for programs, where activities could be held, transportation for students who don't drive, and where the funds will come from. The Recreation Director said there should be an item in the budget every year that would provide money - about $3,000 to $4,000 - for programs and activities for these students. It was reported that Northview has a dance for the students once a month from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and it is very popular. They have had some problems but not to the level expected, and they have been easy ones to take care of. No one hesitates to call the police when it looks as if there might be some trouble, and this has been effective in controlling the situation. Councilmember Mann suggested the commission think about some ideas for this project for the next meeting. She knows the football program also needs helmets. Donations could be collected at events such as Earle Brown Days. 02/15/94 - 3 - IV' The Administrative/Personnel Assistant was asked to look for the policy that was slated to be sent to finance for review. Chairperson Sorenson advised it should be put on the Council 40 agenda. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the park and recreation commission is scheduled for March 15, 1994, at 6:30 p.m. 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 9:00 p.m. Chairperson • • 02/15/94 -4-