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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 05-18 PRMf 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 MAY 18, 1993 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting of the park and recreation commission to order at 8:05 P.M. ROLL CALL Chairperson Sorenson, Commissioners Pollock, Russell, and Mead. Also present were City Councilmember Kristen Mann, Director of Public Works Sy Knapp, Director of Recreation Arnie Mavis, Supervisor of Streets and Parks Bob Cahiander, Public Works Coordinator Diane Spector, and Personnel Coordinator Geralyn Barone. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - APRIL 20. 1993 There was a motion by Commissioner Russell and seconded by Commissioner Pollock to approve the minutes of the April 20, 1993, park and recreation commission meeting. The motion passed. The minutes of the May 5, 1993, special session of the park and recreation commission were tabled. OTHER BUSINESS Chairperson Sorenson asked where the new playground equipment will be installed at Northport Park. The Director of Recreation responded it will be at the same location as the old equipment, and Chairperson Sorenson expressed concern regarding duplicating apparatus from the school playground. The Director of Recreation noted the city's equipment is a little different from the school's equipment. Chairperson Sorenson suggested installing apparatus for younger tots since the school's equipment is geared towards older children. The Director of Recreation pointed out the city's new apparatus is accessible to persons with disabilities. The Director of Recreation reviewed a letter with 47 signatures of neighborhood residents who are requesting playground equipment at Willow Lane Park. The Supervisor of Streets and Parks noted the city has removed the tire swing and animal swings from this park for safety reasons. Chairperson Sorenson noted the equipment at Willow Lane Park is scheduled for replacement in 1994. There was discussion regarding safety standards and what playground designs should include. The Director of Recreation said he will inform the resident who routed the petition of the proposed schedule for replacement. 0 05/18/93 -1- w Commissioner Mead asked if merry-go-rounds are dangerous, and the Supervisor of Streets Parks said they are only if there are sharp pieces or the bearings are shot. Chairperson Sorens* expressed concern that the new equipment may not be fun for older children. Councilmember Mann asked if any merry-go-rounds would be installed, and she was informed these are not outlawed but there are new standards for safety reasons. Councilmember Mann asked if the equipment is functional, would it stay in place unless it is banned. The Supervisor of Streets and Parks responded affirmatively. The Director of Recreation discussed the new playground fill which will make the playground apparatus accessible to persons using wheelchairs. He noted the Consumer Product Safety Guidelines set the national standards regarding safety of equipment. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM (CIP) The Public Works Coordinator asked the commission to review the park shelter needs request. She proceeded to review the six options suggested for improving park shelter buildings. The Public Works Coordinator said at the last commission meeting, she reviewed the facilities at each park and is now requesting the commission to make its recommendations with the knowledge of what staff suggests. Chairperson Sorenson recommended option 5, which is replacing the current facility with a picnic shelter, as the way to address the issue of park shelter needs except where there is winter use of the buildings. He said he would like to see a combination of shelters and bathrooms with timer locks. The Director of Public Works pointed out option 5 varies in cost depending on the locatio The Supervisor of Streets and Parks noted the parks with winter shelter use include Evergr V Brooklane, Garden City, Grandview, Kylawn, Northport, Orchard Lane, and Willow Lane. Chairperson Sorenson asked why the shelter at Brooklane Park is not owned by the school, and the Director of Public Works said the City owns it as part of a cooperative effort between the school and the City. Chairperson Sorenson pointed out Bellvue and West Palmer Lake Parks are the only two locations without winter use recommended for replacement by City staff. The Director of Recreation said a lot of equipment is stored in the Bellvue shelter building. Chairperson Sorenson suggested a new building would be an expensive storage area. The Director of Recreation said something less than a full shelter building could be placed at this location, and Chairperson Sorenson agreed. Commissioner Mead asked if satellites are present in the parks, what the need is for bathrooms. There was discussion regarding this. The Director of Recreation noted the information provided tonight is preliminary and details will be worked out at a later date. The commission agreed to proceed with reviewing the staff recommendations and establishing commission recommendations regarding park shelter needs. 05/18/93 -2- 0 s There was a motion by Commissioner Russell and seconded by Commissioner Mead to recommend to the city council the following preferred options and timetables for the park shelter needs. The motion passed. • OPTION DESCRIPTION 1 Basic Repair 2 Repair Plus ADA Compliance 3 Remodel 4 Replace 5 Replace with Picnic Shelter 6 Remove and Do Not Replace PARK OPTION YEAR COMMENTS Bellvue 5 1995 High Cost Brooklane 2 1994 Evergreen 4 1994 Firehouse 2 1994 Garden City 1 1996 Grandview 3 1994 Happy Hollow 5 1995 Low Cost Kylawn 4 1994 Lions 1 1994 Northport 4 1996 Orchard Lane 4 1995 East Palmer 5 1994 High Cost West Palmer 5 1995 Moderate Cost Riverdale 5 1995 Low Cost Twin Beach 1 1994 Willow Lane 4 1994 RECESS The Brooklyn Center park and recreation commission recessed at 9:07 p.m. and reconvened at - 9:14 p.m. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM (CIP) [Continued] The Public Works Coordinator reviewed preliminary information regarding park, sidewalk and trail, and government buildings improvements as part of the 1994 capital improvements program. The following amendments were made at the suggestion of the commission. 0 05/18/93 -3- Park Improvements Acquisition and development of Joslyn site Golf dome in 1997, $200,000 ,j Kylawn Park - Delete ball field lights, add hockey rink lights Nature area at South Palmer - Add picnic shelter ,/f Willow Lane - Delete ball field lights, add hockey link lights -,f Centerbrook Golf Course - Picnic shelter, 1994 4 Centerbrook Golf Course - Expand clubhouse, 1998 Sidewalk and Trail Improvements Off-street trail - 69th Avenue, Oliver to Dupont (delete T.H. 252) ,f Off-street trail Add Twin Lake trail ,,f Off-street trail - Palmer Lake dual trail, move from 1996 to 1994 Public Building Improvements ,j Community Center - Change title from senior center to activity center ,f Community Center - Add gymnasium/track/handball court for 1999-2003 -NJ Hockey Arena, 1996, $4 million OTHER BUSINESS (Continued) The Director of Recreation noted there are 239 tax-exempt parcels in Brooklyn Center valued at $108,382,200. Chairperson Sorenson asked if the City should be concerned about the amount of tax-exempt property. The Director of Public Works noted compared to other cities, Broold Center has a low amount of tax-exempt property. Chairperson Sorenson noted he received a letter asking if the commission should expand from seven to nine members. He said he feels it becomes too unwieldy beyond seven members. Commissioner Mead said he thinks seven is adequate because with more than that, there will be difficulty getting a quorum. Commissioner Russell concurred. Commissioner Pollock suggested it would be nice to have another female member on the commission. The Director of Recreation said if there are nine members, five will be needed for a quorum. Chairperson Sorenson noted of those present, 25 percent favor expanding the membership to nine, and 75 percent do not feel it is necessary. Chairperson Sorenson said neighborhood committees in each park service area used to be in existence, and an alternative would be to use groups like this more often. He suggested tapping into the neighborhood watch group organizations by asking these members to help keep an eye on activity in the parks. Commissioner Mead noted he served on the planning commission's neighborhood advisory group which worked well for about one year and then fizzled. Commissioner Pollock suggested calling upon the adopt-a-park groups to help watch the parks. This item will be added to the September commission agenda. The Director of Recreation noted the first entertainment in the parks' event is scheduled for Tuesday, June 15, at 7:00 p.m. Ruben Ristrom is scheduled to appear. 05/18/93 -4- 0 NEXT COMMISSION MEETINr There was a motion by Commissioner Russell and seconded by Commissioner Pollock to cancel the June, July, and August park and recreation commission meetings. The motion passed. The next meeting of the park and recreation commission is scheduled for September 21, 1993, at 7:30 p.m. Agenda items for the September meeting will include discussion regarding neighborhood advisory groups, Mississippi River Project/National Park Service, and starting time of commission meetings. OTHER BUSINESS (Continued) Commission Pollock asked when the next adopt-a-park cleanup will be at the golf course, and the commission agreed to set it as May 8, 1993. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Russell and seconded by Commissioner Mead to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center park and recreation commission adjourned at 10:36 p.m. Chairperson • 0 05/18/93 -5-