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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991 10-16 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 OCTOBER 16, 1991 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting of the park and recreation commission to order at 7:49 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Sorenson, Commissioners Pollock, Shinnick and Russell. Also present were City Councilmember Jerry Pedlar, Director of Recreation Arnie Mavis and Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone. Commissioners Mead, Skeels and Peterson were absent from this evening's meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 17. 1991 There was a motion by commissioner Shinnick and seconded by Commissioner Russell to approve the minutes of the September 17, 1991, park and recreation commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed. BROOKLYN CENTER YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION REOUEST Chairperson Sorenson recognized Mr. Wayne Finley, a representative of the Brooklyn Center Youth Hockey Association (BCYHA) and a teacher at Earle Brown Elementary School, who said BCYHA is asking for help to maintain its organization in the absence of a local arena. He said there are about 100 players in the association, and the 1991-1992 operating budget is approximately $24,000. The per-child cost for participating in the program ranges from $65 to $305. Mr. Finley said in a letter sent to City Manager Gerald Splinter, the BCYHA requested assistance from the City in the amount of $10,350 (50 percent of one year's budget). He said this would cut the participation cost in half for Brooklyn Center kids, and he reviewed what could be done with this additional assistance. Mr. Finley posed the question of why the City of Brooklyn Center should pay, and said BCYHA is the only hockey organization in 'Brooklyn Center, the park and recreation department used to have a hockey program, and there is no on-site arena. He reviewed past fund-raising efforts and noted BCYHA has no pull-tab money available to assist in its budget. He added BCYHA has never asked the City to help run the program in the past. Chairperson Sorenson asked what the history of the park and recreation program has been, and the Director of Recreation said 23 years ago the City began running a hockey program in six parks, 10-16-91 -1- with two teams in each age group. He added there were many children who participated. Gradually, the program was downsized as the number of area children dwindled. The Director of Recreation said approximately eight years ago there were ten teams, and Brooklyn Center joined with neighboring cities to run a league. He added approximately two years ago, the schools began participating more, and the program was eliminated by the City because there were not enough children participating. Chairperson Sorenson asked how much money the City of Brooklyn Center contributed to a hockey program, and the Director of Recreation said the City budgeted a couple thousand dollars for the costs of referees and a program coordinator. Mr. Finley said the costs have increased immensely, especially with insurance and registered officials adding to expenses. The Director of Recreation noted the park and recreation department wanted to run a program, but no one wanted to play in it. Councilmember Pedlar asked how many Brooklyn Center children are in the BCYHA, and Mr. Finley said there are 98 kids from all over Brooklyn Center. Councilmember Pedlar asked how many Brooklyn Center children do not make the team after tryouts. Mr. Finley said several kids are cut from teams, but arrangements are made for them to play on another league team in Brooklyn Park or elsewhere. Councilmember Pedlar asked for clarification between the "C" league and other teams, and Mr. Finley explained the differences between the "A," "B" and "C" teams. Chairperson Sorenson asked if BCYHA is affiliated with a certain hockey association, and Mr. Finley responded it is part of the Minnesota Amateur Hockey Association. Chairperson Sorenson asked what the relationship of the hockey program is to the schools, and Mr. Finley said it is a feeder program. Chairperson Sorenson asked when teams start in schools, and Mr. Finley said the program starts at the tenth grade level. The Director of Recreation said there were programs in the junior high schools at one point in time. Councilmember Pedlar asked if the hockey program will eventually die out if the City does not contribute, and Mr. Finley said this is his perception. Councilmember Pedlar asked if the total cost to play is over $300 per player, and Mr. Finley responded affirmatively. Councilmember Pedlar asked if this proposal is recommended to the city council, would the BCYHA see this as an annual or a one-time contribution. Mr. Finley requested an annual contribution. Chairperson Sorenson confirmed that the association is requesting $10,350 for this season. Councilmember Pedlar asked what the costs are for a "C" team in Brooklyn Center and if there is an opportunity to run such a team. Mr. Finley said there is enough interest for two teams. Councilmember Pedlar asked if there are a lot of children who wish to play but do not do so 10-16-91 -2- • because of competition, the fear of being cut, and the prohibitive cost. Mr. Finley responded affirmatively. Commissioner Russell asked how much of the uniform is provided, and Mr. Finley said uniforms and equipment are supplied. Mr. Finley said equipment costs are approximately $400 to $500 per player. The Director of Recreation said he feels the hockey program is great; but from a budget standpoint, it may be difficult to find the money. He said he is not against the proposal, but it is up to the city council to find the money to fund this program. He added the City has already cut its budget by $240,000. A resident said the City must realize it is a tier-one city, so it is important to provide opportunities to bring families into our community. He added youth sports provide this opportunity and said BCYHA needs the help and support of the City for the children who want to play, since there are many children who want to play and cannot. He added when kids are playing sports, they are off of the streets. Chairperson Sorenson said at one point, the park and recreation commission recommended to the city council that it fund a feasibility study for an ice arena. There was brief discussion on the status of this study. Mr. Noah Bridges said he sees the City shoving away young families if it does not choose to assist the hockey association. Commissioner Russell said he does not know where the City will come up with the money. Commissioner Pollock said BCYHA has a very valid argument, and the City needs to be supportive of it. However, coming up with the money is a problem. Chairperson Sorenson discussed the payment of nonresident fees for kids to play in Brooklyn Park. Commissioner Shinnick said the City should find the money to assist the hockey association. Chairperson Sorenson agreed it would make the community more attractive to new residents. Councilmember Pedlar said he hears consensus for support of the BCYHA request and said the commission can approve a recommendation to the city council. He feels it would behoove the city council to hear the arguments presented by the hockey association. There was a motion by commissioner shinnick and seconded by commissioner Pollock to recommend to the city council that it assist the Brooklyn Center Youth Hockey Association in the amount of $10,350 for 1992. There was further discussion on the revenue and budget situation. Ms. Donna Stoderl encouraged residents to provide input to the 0 10-16-91 -3- city council during the budget process to assist them in making funding decisions. Upon vote being taken on the foregoing motion, the motion passed. Councilmember Pedlar reviewed the role of the City's financial task force and said he would mention this recommendation to the task force. 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 8:36 p.m. and reconvened at 8:45 p.m. WATER SLIDE PROPOSAL - STATUS REPORT The Director of Recreation said the bids for the water slide will be opened tomorrow. He reviewed plans approved by the Minnesota Department of Health. Construction will start on December 2, 1991, and the pool should open with the new water slide on January 24, 1992. The Director of Recreation said he met with the Brooklyn Swim Club (BSC), and an agreement was reached for the City to receive 20 percent of the gross revenues, up to $800, for the June swimming meet. Chairperson Sorenson said he feels the City would not be getting much more than it had in the past from BSC. The Director of Recreation said the City received about $300 from past meets. Commissioner Shinnick pointed out the hockey program runs with volunteers, while BSC pays approximately $35,000 for coaches' salaries. Councilmember Pedlar noted in order for BSC to compete at state and national levels, there is an absolute need for top coaching. He felt as long as some agreement was reached, this is a positive step. It was noted there will be one less lane for swimming competition and less visibility for spectators at the swim meet due to the water slide. The Director of Recreation said more details about the schedule for the water slide should be known after next Monday's council meeting. WANGSTAD PARK PLAYGROUND EOUIPMENT The Director of Recreation said he received a phone call from a resident who had some concerns regarding the playground equipment at Wangstad Park. - He invited the resident to attend the park and recreation commission meeting, but she is not in attendance this evening. He added the City's maintenance staff did investigate the concerns. Chairperson Sorenson asked if any improvements have been recommended for this park, and the Director of Recreation said routine maintenance is the only request. REPLACEMENT OF PLAYGROUND EOUIPMENT The Director of Recreation said by April of each year, the City should determine which playgrounds need repairs and upgrades. 10-16-91 -4- Chairperson Sorenson said this item will be moved to next month's agenda for further discussion. He requested that some recommendations from the supervisor of parks be available and that the inventory of park equipment be included with the next agenda packet. There was brief discussion regarding school playgrounds and City parks that are adjacent to each other. The Director of Recreation noted there are some shelter buildings in need of repair. Chairperson Sorenson asked what these buildings are used for, and the Director of Recreation said they are used mostly for equipment storage. Chairperson Sorenson suggested if the buildings are only used for storage, perhaps a different type of building could be used. The Director of Recreation said the City is looking into this. LIONS PARK SHELTER BUILDING The Director of Recreation said he met with commissioners Shinnick and Russell as representatives of the Lions Club. There is interest in building a shelter that could be jointly paid for and used by both the Lions Club and the City near Lions Park and Centerbrook Golf Course. MAINTENANCE STAFFING LEVELS The Recording Secretary noted several years ago the special levy for maintaining a certain maintenance level was eliminated by the legislature. The Director of Recreation said additional park maintenance was deleted from the 1991 budget, and there has been one additional reduction through retirement. ADOPT-A-PARK PROGRAM The Director of Recreation said he feels an Adopt-A-Park Program may help reduce the City's maintenance costs. He said in some cities, cleanups are held two-to-three times a year or once a month. The Director of Recreation said a proposal can be prepared to disseminate to civic groups and other interested parties in January, so such a program could begin promotion at that time. Commissioner Pollock suggested signs be erected to acknowledge the work done by certain groups. She suggested the City should check with the City of Champlin to see how its program works. The Director of Recreation said he will obtain this information. Chairperson Sorenson said this item will be discussed further at the next meeting. TWIN LAKE COMMITTEE UPDATE The Director of Recreation said the next meeting is scheduled for November 7 at 7 p.m. in Brooklyn Center. RIVER RIDGE PARK The Director of Recreation said there is no news from the county on this park. 10-16-91 -5- OTHER BUSINESS The Director of Recreation said the golf course has not had as good of a year as in the past because rain has hampered business. There was brief discussion regarding the Little League Program, and this item will be further discussed at the next commission meeting. NEXT MEETING DATE AND AGENDA The next park and recreation commission meeting is scheduled for November 19, 1991, at 7:30 p.m. Agenda items will include: replacement of playground equipment, maintenance staffing levels, Adopt-A-Park Program, and a request from the American Little League. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by commissioner Shinnick and seconded by Commissioner Russell to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center park and recreation commission adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Chairperson is 10-16-91 -6- 0