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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 11-16 PRM• 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 NOVEMBER 16, 1993 CITY HALL • Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting of the park and recreation commission to order at 6:35 p.m. CALL TO ORDER present were City Councilmember Kristen Mann, Director of Recreation Arnie Mavis, and Personnel Coordinator Geralyn Barone. Guests from the Brooklyn Park Athletic Association were also present. ROLL CALL Chairperson Sorenson, Commissioners Pollock, Russell, Shinnick, Peterson, and Mead. Also Chairperson Sorenson noted the new commissioner, Margaret Knutson, had another commitment and was unable to attend this evening's meeting on short notice. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 19. 1993 There was a motion by Commissioner Shinnick and seconded by Commissioner Russell to approve the minutes of the October 19, 1993, park and recreation commission meeting. The motion passed. Councilmember Mann noted the city council has been going through the 1994 budget proposal, and the council is looking at zero operating increases. BROOKLYN PARK ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION/BASKETBALL REQUEST FOR FUNDS Chairperson Sorenson recognized Mark Weston of the Brooklyn Park Athletic Association, who said the BPAA is looking for funding to cover the cost of providing gym space for its program. The Director of Recreation said the school district requires having a supervisor in the schools when being used by the athletic association. Weston noted the Brooklyn Park park and recreation department does not charge a fee to BPAA and provides approximately 110 hours of supervision per week. He noted in the past, Brooklyn Center has provided supervisors and billed Brooklyn Park. This year, Brooklyn Park is unwilling to pay these fees. Weston said BPAA is looking for 15 hours per week at a cost of about $1,500 from the City of Brooklyn Center to cover the building supervisors' time during the open gym period. The schools in use would be Garden City, Palmer Lake, Fair Oaks, and Orchard Lane. Weston said approximately 15 percent of the kids who participate in the program reside in Brooklyn Center. He added Brooklyn Center does not have a recreational basketball league for kids. The Director of Recreation responded this is because there were not enough Brooklyn Center kids to form a league. Commissioner Shinnick noted Willow Lane and Garden City 11/16/93 - 1 - R - ti Schools have no building supervisors, but there is a custodian in the building. The Director of Recreation noted the Osseo school district's policy requires a supervisor to be present. Commissioner Russell pointed out if the doors are open, kids get into the school and custodians should not be there to watch traffic. Weston said the BPAA is asking the Brooklyn Center park and recreation department to fund $1,500 for its program. Commissioner Pollock asked how many Brooklyn Center students are involved in the program, and Weston responded there are approximately 80. He added there are a number of Brooklyn Center children who play in Crystal and New Hope and pay nonresident fees. Weston said a parent volunteer cannot be substituted for a paid building supervisor according to the Osseo school district's policy. Another representative of the BPAA said it is a shame to see the schools empty when the kids could be using them. He noted the cities are preaching supporting our youth, but kids are being turned away for small amounts of money. Commissioner Pollock asked if the 80 participants are both boys and girls. Weston said there are 80 percent boys and 20 percent girls participating in the program for grades three through six. He added the gym times have been available at 9 to 10 p.m., which is too late for elementary kids. Commissioner Shinnick asked if there is any way the City can fund this request. The Director of Recreation said money is not available in the budget to pay for this and a special appropriation would have to be made by the city council. Another representative of BPAA said one of the girls on his team attends Garden City School and wants to be on the team. If BPAA is unable to use the Osseo schools, these kids would have to be squeezed into the Brooklyn Park schools which would make it more difficult for kids to get from Brooklyn Center to Brooklyn Park. The intent is not to restrict kids from participating in the program. Councilmember Mann said she wished money was there to give to all kids programs, and she asked if it would be possible for BPAA to raise half of the money. A representative of BPAA said it is almost too late now to do so. Commissioner Pollock asked how the Maple Grove schools finance the building supervisors, and Weston said he is not sure. Commissioner Russell asked if BPAA has asked any civic organizations for funding, and Weston said they had not. Councilmember Mann noted that even if this commission does not recommend approval of the funding, BPAA representatives can still go to the city council to request the funding. Commissioner Pollock suggested for this year, BPAA may try to get a civic organization to fund its program. Weston noted supervisors are on line to run this program, and BPAA is hoping to get it funded this year. He would like to have the fate of the program in future years discussed by the involved parties. The Director of Recreation pointed out if the city council approves funding for this program, it will be setting a precedent and other groups like the hockey and football associations will be in line to make similar requests. Chairperson Sorenson pointed out there is a long-term problem for upcoming years, but the short-term concern is that money is needed now. Barone asked what the season for the BPAA basketball program is, and Weston said it is from December until March. Barone pointed out that only $360 would be needed from the 11/16/93 -2- 1993 budget, and the balance would have to come from the 1994 budget. Councilmember Mann said she would be willing to support funding $360 for this year. Chairperson Sorenson said one recommendation could be to fund $360 in 1993, and a second recommendation would be related to funding the balance in 1994. She suggested the BPAA use the process requesting contractual services for additional money. There was a motion by Commissioner Russell and seconded by Commissioner Mead to recommend the city council appropriate $360 in 1993 to pay for December expenses for the BPAA basketball program. The motion passed. This item will be placed on the November 22, 1993, city council agenda. GOLF COURSE FEES Chairperson Sorenson recognized Mr. Howard Smith who noted he had mentioned to Chairperson Sorenson that Centerbrook Golf Course does not have a residents' fee. He noted at many places where he has golfed, there are residents' fees which are lower than for other groups. The Director of Recreation said he opposes having a residents' fee and said he does not feel our current fees are out of line. He added the City is comparable to other courses, and Brooklyn Center has the finest par three course in the state. Chairperson Sorenson asked what the mix of Brooklyn Center residents and nonresidents are for use at the golf course. The Director of Recreation said 70 percent are nonresidents and 30 percent are residents. He noted it would be difficult for youth to prove their residency. Commissioner Peterson said if the current fee system is successful, why change it. Smith said taxpayers fund the golf course, and the Director of Recreation said although this is a city course, it is funded by users fees and not tax dollars. Smith said he is not dissatisfied with the current fees, but he hears people asking why the residents do not get a break. The Director of Recreation said residents would be asking for discounts at the community center if one is already available at the golf course. Councilmember Mann asked if there is a lot of extra money to work with to provide a residents' fee structure, and the Director of Recreation said there is not. Councilmember Mann said the principle is a good idea, but she could not recommend a residents' fee because the current fees are already reasonable and senior discounts are available. Commissioner Pollock asked what type of discount Smith is looking at, and Smith said he hadn't thought of this. Commissioner Shinnick said he is firmly against any sort of residents' fee. The consensus of the commission was to not make any recommendation regarding a residents' fee. RECESS There was a motion by Commissioner Russell 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 7:42 p.m. PARK WATCH GROUPS The commission reviewed the park watch program consideration. The commission agreed that an initial meeting of neighbors should be required, and the park service area commissioner 11/16/93 -3 - should attend as well as a city staff member. Commissioner Mead suggested a police department representative attend the meeting representing the staff. Commissioner Pollock suggested a statement of purpose should be developed for the park watch program. The commission agreed the neighbors who participate in a park watch program should include those whose property touches the park, those on the other side of the street, and any residents who can see the parks from their homes. Commissioner Pollock suggested including anyone who regularly walks through a park, since no one should be turned away from participating in the park watch program. The commission agreed there should not be a specific percentage of neighbors who come to a meeting or express interest before the watch program goes into effect. Councilmember Mann said even one family participating in a park watch program could make a difference. The commission suggested holding an annual meeting in which the crime prevention officer and the park service area commissioner would attend. The Director of Recreation asked if all park watch program participants would be brought together in one spot, and Commissioner Pollock said it could be a joint meeting of all the watch program participants. The commission agreed there should be park watch program signs erected in the park, and Councilmember Mann noted the city garage has made signs in the past. Barone said there is a cost to this, and Chairperson Sorenson suggested this could come from either the police department or the parks maintenance budget. The commission felt a newsletter would be nice which would be available to all participants. The commission said the park service area commissioner should be the contact person, and Chairperson Sorenson noted if there is trouble in a park, 911 should be called immediately. Barone suggested there should be a resident as a contact person for the City. Chairperson Sorenson and the Director of Recreation agreed that the park watch leader should be the park and recreation commissioner living in the park service area. Commissioner Pollock said leadership and ownership should come from the community. The commission agreed the crime prevention officer would be the appropriate person to maintain the paperwork, and Chairperson Sorenson said some people may not want to be on a list of contact numbers. There was discussion regarding organizing and publicizing park watch groups. The Director of Recreation said information could be publicized in the City's newsletter, and Commissioner Mead said some of the adopt-a-park groups may be target groups also. Chairperson Sorenson suggested the goal should be to have the program operational by June. The commission requested Barone to prepare a proposal for the next meeting. MISSISSIPPI RIVER PROJECT/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE The Director of Recreation said he has no additional information regarding this. TWIN LAKES' TRAIL PROPOSAL Chairperson Sorenson reviewed a summary of the October 19 meeting conducted by Westwood Engineering. He noted the meeting held in Crystal had 50 to 60 people in attendance, and there was a hostile and desperate atmosphere. The Director of Recreation said the City of Crystal is not ready to move in the direction of developing a trail system. However, Brooklyn 11/16/93 -4- Center will do what it can as money and opportunity arise. Chairperson Sorenson reviewed the results of the Robbinsdale meeting. Commissioner Russell noted the Minneapolis connection to Brooklyn Center trails has been completed; it is paved in some spots and wood chips are in others. PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT Chairperson Sorenson requested this item be moved to the next commission agenda. The Director of Recreation noted he met with the principal from Willow Lane Elementary School, and a joint venture between the school, the City, and the PTA is being planned. POLICY RELATING TO CITY CONTRACTUAL SERVICES/NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS Chairperson Sorenson noted the park and recreation commission's and human rights and resources commission's policies relating to contractual services for nonprofit organizations have been combined to make a generic form. He suggested on page 2 of the policy, under "Contractual Service Request Guidelines", item 1, the "for" in the third line should be changed to "from". He also suggested item 4 in that section be amended to read as follows: "The city council may designate an appropriate city advisory commission to research and monitor groups requesting and/or receiving city contractual services. At the request of the city council, the designated commission shall monitor and/or evaluate the requesting organization by methods available at the time of assessment." Commissioner Pollock asked what type of reception there has been with this process, and Barone reviewed the process that appears to be successfully used by the human rights and resources commission. Chairperson Sorenson noted item 2 on the application is a new item, different from the park and recreation commission application. Barone said the human rights and resources commission has recommended including the current year request under the budget section. Chairperson Sorenson asked what an "in kind" contribution is, and Barone noted this is any type of contribution other than cash. Chairperson Sorenson requested that item 10.b. on the application be amended to read, "Describe how the use of volunteers affects or reduces your budget." Chairperson Sorenson suggested changing item 3. on page 5 of the application to read, "Data (backup documentation) substantiating the need for this service in Brooklyn Center." He noted item 4 which requires proof of nonprofit status means that articles of incorporation must be attached. There was discussion regarding the evaluation form on whether or not to leave the first item in "Program Overview" in the form. Commissioner Mead noted this allows groups to come in after the fact, and they should be penalized. He said it serves only as a slap on the wrist but is a reminder to groups that the City does have an annual budget process. Commissioner Russell agreed this item should be left in, and Chairperson Sorenson suggested deleting the points and changing this item to a yes/no response. There was consensus by the commission that a yes/no response for item A.1. on the evaluation form should be substituted for the 11/16/93 -5 - current five points. The commission also agreed to recommend changing C.3. under "Community Need" to be worth 15 points rather than ten. There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to forward to the financial commission the draft policy and forms related to contractual services with the recommended amendments as discussed by the park and recreation commission this evening. The motion passed. City Councilmember Dave Rosene entered the meeting at this time. OTHER BUSINESS The Director of Recreation said he called the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requesting information regarding cross-country ski trails. He also contacted the Hennepin County parks and was told that if the trails are groomed, people using them must have a license. There is a $44 fine if users are not licensed. He added it is necessary to groom the trails every day if it snows, and groomers cost approximately $15,000 to $25,000. Councilmember Rosene said he is interested in something that would set tracks. The Director of Recreation said you are supposed to notify the State if you are grooming trails. Councilmember Rosene said cross-country skiing is a healthful, nonpolluting activity and it ought to be something the citizens should have easy access to. Therefore, he said he will contact Representative Phil Carruthers regarding this. Chairperson Sorenson suggested Councilmember Rosene ask Representative Carruthers to provide a history on why the state law is as it is. Commissioner Pollock asked what the cost of a license is, and Commissioner Mead said it is nominal. There was discussion regarding the need for a trail patrol. The Director of Recreation said he will have more information on this at the next meeting. Chairperson Sorenson suggested adding as a future agenda item student requests for programs. Councilmember Mann said she went to Brooklyn Center civics classes and found that kids are looking for a "teen center" concept. The Director of Recreation noted one group wants basketball courts available and another wants a teen center. This item will be added to the next commission agenda. NEXT MEETING There was discussion on whether or not to hold a commission meeting in December. There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to cancel the December park and recreation commission meeting. The motion passed. Commissioners Mead and Pollock abstained from voting since they would have been unable to attend the December meeting if scheduled. The next commission meeting is scheduled for January 18, 1994. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Russell to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center park and recreation commission adjourned at 8:57 p.m. Chairperson 11/16/93 -6-