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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992 04-21 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 APRIL 21, 1992 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting of the park and recreation commission to order at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Sorenson, Vice Chairman Peterson, Commissioners Shinnick, Russell, Mead, Pollock, Rickart. Also present were Director of Recreation, Arnie Mavis, City Councilmember Jerry Pedlar, Kristen Mann of the Twin Lake Task Force, Captain Joel Downer, Brooklyn Center Police Department, Kay Lachman, a citizen of Brooklyn Center assisting Commissioner Pollock with the Shingle Creek Clean Up project, and recording secretary, Joyce Bocksell. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MARCH 17, 1992 There were a few changes in the minutes suggested as follows: Page 2, Commissioner Mead questioned if there had been a recommendation for a request to be taken to the council for algae treatment for Twin Lake to be put on the next council agenda. Director of Recreation Mavis informed Commissioner Mead the correct procedure is for Mr. Mavis to take the request to the council, but he was sick and missed the park and recreation commission meeting last month. He will be taking it to the May council meeting. Commissioner Mead also questioned wheather money was given to the hockey association. This did not happen and the hockey association is back on the list for prioritization of funds. Jerry Pedlar's name was added to the list of people who missed the March meeting. Chairperson Sorenson asked for a motion to approve the minutes. A motion was made by commissioner Shinnick and seconded by Commissioner Russell. TWIN LAKE ASSOCIATION Kristen Mann, the representative for the Twin Lake Task Force stated that the police are doing a fine job around the lake, but that the laws differ in different areas of the lake and there needs to be consistency in the laws for the whole lake. is -1- Kristen went on to say that the city of Robbinsdale did update their snowmobile policy on Lower Twin Lake and that the people are comfortable with the winter rules. The jurisdictional problem of winter use on middle and upper Twin Lake is complicated due to Crystal and Brooklyn Center laws differing regarding hours, speeds and conformance. Captain Joel Downer explained the problems and that currently the police cannot enforce laws on water. The DNR and the sheriff are the only ones with control on the water. The police have 12 hours per week to patrol and are using code enforcement officers. In 1991 they used ATV, in 1992 they used a snowmobile. The sheriff department may house a unit at Twin Lake beach to cover the north and northwest county area; not just Twin Lake. This is in the talking stages now. State statutes apply. Maybe a recommendation should be made to the council to make changes in the laws on the lake. Captain Downer stated that the police intend to have a presence out there. Captain Downer commented that they may have bought a boat by now, and that the cities of Robbinsdale, Crystal and Brooklyn Center are sharing the cost. Commissioner Rickart asked who had written the ordinance and Director of Recreation Mavis explained that city staff had done so. Chairman Sorenson questioned the jurisdiction in the area. Captain Downer further explained the need for uniformity in jurisdiction. Chairman Sorenson asked when this would be resolved. Captain Downer said they expected to be done in June and hopefully have powers of enforcement. Chairman Sorenson asked if we should be merging ordinances. Captain Downer said he would get more information and check with the police department and see what progress is being made. Chairman Sorenson stated that he would like to see city staff see what differences there are between the Brooklyn Center and Robbinsdale ordinances. Director of Recreation Arnie Mavis explained that until Highway 100 went through, it was only one lake, but because two cities are involved, Hennepin County patrols the area. Kristen Mann explained that they want to keep motors on the lakes, but have safe boating. Captain Downer stated that they can enforce the snowmobile ordinance. Commissioner Rickart suggested we shouldn't look at the water issue, maybe just the snomobiling. Chairman Sorenson recommended a motion be made directing staff at looking at revising the Brooklyn Center ordinance with the Robbinsdale ordinance. Commissioner Mead suggested that it would be appropriate since Robbinsdale has recently updated theirs, and that it would be logical to reconcile Crystal's and Brooklyn Center's with Robbinsdale. Commissioner Mead made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell to recommend to the city council that Brooklyn center look at revising our ordinance so it is the same as Robbinsdale's. -2- SHINGLE CREEK CLEAN UP DATE. Commissioner Pollock explained that Kay Lachman is handling the details for the clean up. The Brooklyn Center Environmental Core wants to help. Commissioner Pollock showed the map for the clean up showing sections, etc. and stated that they were planning on having seven teams to help out. There will not be a pre- registration this year and they still need team leaders. Director of Recreation Mavis asked how many were expected on Saturday. Commissioner Pollock stated that she wasn't sure of the number, she also mentioned location changed to West Palmer Park. Kay Lachman requested a person with a sign be at the auction site for questions. Director of Recreation Mavis stated that he would put up a sign and that the people at the auction will tell them where to go. Discussion followed on procedures for the clean up and on a sign with information on it also for East Palmer. Commissioner Pollock asked about refreshments for the clean up. Director of Recreation Mavis said there would be coffee and donuts in the morning and hot dogs and pop at noon served from the shelter building donated by the Lions Club. Chairman Sorenson asked about the pick up of bags. It was explained that last year the bags were left on the field and Commissioner Pollock commented that that had not been a problem and that leaving them over the weekend was fine. Director of Recreation commented that it was a cost factor to leave them and have them picked up after the weekend. More discussion followed on the procedures of the clean up. Kay Lachman stated that there would be 15 members of the Brooklyn Center High School Environmental Club and the Park Center High School club would be helping out. Commissioner Mead asked for a confirmation of the hours for the clean up and Commissioner Pollock stated that it was scheduled from 9 - noon with assignments given at 8:30 a.m. The helpers then would go back to West Palmer at noon for refreshments. There was a question if the Girl Scouts were helping this year. Kay Lachman stated that the Girl Scouts may participate with a five to one adult ratio. Commissioner Pollock stated that she would have maps marked out for the teams also showing parking areas and that Ron Bowman will have 1st Aid in the fire apparatus. Director of Recreation Mavis stated that Diane Spector from the engineering department is taking care of the Adopt-A-Park program. Chairman Sorenson recapped the date, time and location for the clean up and discussion followed on the need of pokers, ties, gloves, etc. -3- Commissioner Pollock asked if name tags would be a good thing. Councilman Pedlar questioned if anyone was giving anything away with it being Earth Week. Director of Recreation Mavis said he would try BFI for a give away. Chairman Sorenson asked if there were anymore comments regarding the Shingle Creek Clean Up. Director of Recreation Mavis said he would check with cable for coverage on the clean up. RECESS The park and recreation commission recessed at 8:30 for a 5 minute break. WATER SLIDE Director of Recreation Mavis discussed the Grand Opening for May 17 of the Water Slide; that we're getting geared up for a crowd, and that there will be a half hour ceremony with ribbon cutting and refreshments. Commissioner Mead stated that he hoped the revenue from the water slide will go back into the park and recreation programs. PLAYGROUND UPDATE Director of Recreation Mavis discussed the Evergreen school playground and recommended we don't spend any more on the Evergreen Park playground now. He also mentioned he will be looking at other playgrounds in the 1993 budget, which looks better than it did. Mavis said that it looks like we will get state aide, but will have to pay sales tax. Councilman Pedlar stated that we'll be in pretty good shape for 192 - and that the state has dropped the levy limits starting in 1993. Councilman Pedlar explained the levy limits in regards to city department costs and cuts. He also mentioned that the financial tax force is doing a good job. He also stated that 1993 will be as bad or worse and that communities will have to rely on themselves. Further discussion went on about how the tax raising levy, etc. works, prioritizations, also on capital projects funds and how they work. Commissioner Rickart asked if the handicapped availability had been addressed on the park playground equipment. Director of Recreation Mavis stated that he will keep the committee informed on the handicapped program. CO-OP BROOKLYN CENTER/BROOKLYN PARK POLICE PROGRAM !COP) Director of Recreation Mavis said that Brooklyn Park has the program up and running and that the police department will be involved by putting police in there to walk the Ponds and Century Courts apartments along with some recreation people to do some work with the apartments. Commissioner Pedlar stated that there would be some networking with metro gangs. Brooklyn Center involvment in the program is still not determined. -4- Director of Recreation Mavis explained that the Brooklyn Center Police Department is doing an outreach program at Firehouse Park. Commissioner Mead asked if our park and recreation activity is zero in this program. Director of Recreation answered yes. Councilman Pedlar stated that we have a separate COP program in Brooklyn Center. BELLVUE PARK PRACTICE FIELD Director of Recreation Mavis told of a 12 year old writing a letter to the mayor asking for a field at Bellvue Park. Commissioner Shinnick said that he had brought it up one year ago because they practice there, since there is a lot of open land. Director of Recreation Mavis said that there was not enough parking and that if a field was put in there with the city ordinances as they are, we would have to supply parking thereby getting complaints from the neighbors. Commissioner Shinnick commented that he can see where Mavis is coming from. The Director of Recreation Mavis said that the building had been damaged there. Commissioner Shinnick said that with the new Little League rule and having so many kids, they do use Riverdale, Earle Brown school, the high school, and Bellvue, and are running out of places to play. Director of Recreation Mavis discussed the Joslyn site. Chairman Sorenson talked about the closing of the Bellvue parking so it would be a neighborhood park about 10 years ago. Chairman Sorenson said there was no recommendation for this item, and to drop further discussion at this time. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - PRIORITZATION COMMISSION, Director of Recreation Mavis suggested holding off on this. Chairman Sorenson commented on this some and decided to put it on next month's agenda. Director of Recreation Mavis stated that he wants Geralyn Barone from administration to come and explain the program andmaybe to refine the forms somewhat. Commissioner Peterson commented that the forms needed to be condensed. Commissioner Mead asked if the intent of the forms was to standardize requests for funds. Chairman Sorenson also stated that this is an attempt to come up with a standardization process to come up with funds. Director of Recreation Mavis said he would try to get Geralyn to come to the May meeting. OTHER BUSINESS Comments were made about the Hockey Boosters money being denied. Councilman Pedlar stated that there are a lot of services we need to continue, but when jobs are on the line and with layoffs, we need to prioritize. 0 -5- Commissioner Peterson asked if the water slide funds will free funds. Councilman Pedlar said no, it won't happen. Director of Recreation Mavis said that with the current budget, no it will not free up funds. Chairman Sorenson stated that water slide money will be absorbed into other budgets. Councilman Pedlar said no, it will stay in the park and recreation budget for two to three years. Discussion followed regarding the slide. OLD BUSINESS Twin Lake Task Force - One question asked was, will each council put something into it? It will need seed money. Chairman Sorenson stated that reality is getting the information in to MN DOT. This is a long range project. Chairman Sorenson asked if there was anything else? After no comments were made, Chairman Sorenson asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Peterson made a motion to ajourn which was seconded by Commissioner Russell. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:30 p.m. -6- • • 0