Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991 02-19 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 FEBRUARY 19, 1991 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Sorenson, Commissioners Shinnick, Peterson, Mead, and Russell. Also present were Director of Recreation Arnie Mavis and Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone. Commissioners Pollock and Skeels were excused from this evening's meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 15, 1991 There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to approve the minutes of the January 15, 1991, park and recreation commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed. STATUS REPORT - EVERGREEN PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTO REOUEST_ The Recording Secretary noted the City Manager sent a letter to Evergreen Park Elementary School Principal Ken Berg containing a rough cost estimate on the items discussed for improving the playground area of the park and school. Chairperson Sorenson suggested this item be included on next month's commission agenda for further discussion and review. SHINGLE CREEK AND PALMER LAKE CLEANUP The Recording Secretary said on February 11, 1991, the Brooklyn Center City Council approved the concept of a spring clean-up day for the area in and around Palmer Lake and a short stretch of Shingle Creek. The Council has asked the park and recreation commission to prepare a formal proposal to be presented to the City Council before final approval is granted by the Council. She said further information is needed regarding actual City costs that will be requested in order for the City Council to grant final approval to the proposal. Chairperson Sorenson requested the Recording Secretary notify Commissioner Pollock and ask her to prepare more information and present a firm plan at the March 19, 1991, park and recreation commission meeting. EUGENE HAGEL ARBORETUM - DEDICATION The Recording Secretary noted Arbor Day is scheduled for Friday, April 26, 1991. The Director of Recreation said if the dedication for the Hagel Arboretum is done on April 26, it may be possible to 2/19/91 1 get some participation from the local schools, including the possibility of having a singing group present. After a brief discussion, the commission agreed the dedication should be scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on April 26, 1991. The Director of Recreation said-he will talk to the principal at Orchard Lane Elementary School about having some participation by school children at the dedication, and he will report back at the next commission meeting. The Recording Secretary suggested past park and recreation commissioners and other interested parties should be invited to the dedication and asked the commissioners to think about those people who should be invited to the dedication. TWIN LAKES - REVIEW AND DISCUSS SUMMARY OF ISSUES The Director of Recreation noted the patrolling of Twin Lakes by the cities of Robbinsdale, Crystal and Brooklyn Center is going well. Chairperson Sorenson asked what the relationship of the proposed housing project near Twin Lakes is to the lakes and how it will affect the proposed trail system. There was discussion regarding the planning commission application project mentioned by Chairperson Sorenson. The Director of Recreation said as far as he can tell, the project will not impact the proposed trail system. He added more information may be known after the next City Council meeting. Chairperson Sorenson asked what the status is of the Thompson property. The Director of Recreation said the City has not heard any information about this property lately. Chairperson Sorenson inquired about the status of Robbinsdale's special legislation relating to Twin Lakes, and the Director of Recreation noted it is already in effect. The Director of Recreation noted that the cities of Crystal, Robbinsdale and Brooklyn Center are working together to set up a joint meeting of the park and recreation commissions. Chairperson Sorenson asked what the status is of T.H. 100 improvements, and the Director of Recreation said he has no specific dates available regarding any improvements that may be made to this highway. The Director of Recreation noted the Department of Natural Resources plows a strip down the center of the ice on Twin Lakes, and this is usually done very promptly. Commissioner Peterson asked if the airplane on the lake is legal, and the Director of Recreation said this is a question that seems to have inconsistent answers. The commission proceeded to discuss the north end of upper Twin Lake and the island. They also discussed the quality of fish. Chairperson Sorenson asked if there are any springs in the lake and wondered how the lakes are filled besides storm sewers. The Director of Recreation noted there is a spring in middle Twin Lake. The Director of Recreation said the City is working on controlling purple loosestrife. Chairperson Sorenson 2/19/91 2 asked how this is controlled, and the Director of Recreation said chemicals are used to control it. Chairperson Sorenson inquired about the goose population, and the Director of Recreation noted the golf course has the worst situation. He added the City is in the process of signing a new contract with Dr. Cooper of the University of Minnesota to assist in controlling the goose population. Commissioner Peterson asked what has happened with the Twin Lakes' study results. The Director of Recreation noted the study is complete; however, no funding is available for the proposal at this time. WATER SLIDE PROPOSAL The Director of Recreation distributed information regarding the proposed water slide and requested the commission to review the information and be prepared to discuss it at the March commission meeting. He said although there is a great deal of information provided to the commissioners, more can be obtained if necessary. RECESS There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Chairperson Sorenson to recess the meeting. The motion passed. The park and recreation commission recessed at 8:24 p.m. and reconvened at 8:40 p.m. COMMUNITY CENTER MEMBERSHIPS Because Councilmember Pedlar is the person who requested having this item on the agenda, the commission agreed to table it to the next meeting when Councilmember Pedlar may be^present. SET NEXT MEETING AGENDA The items to be discussed at the March 19, 1991, park and recreation commission meeting will include the Evergreen Park Elementary School PTO request, Shingle Creek and Palmer Lake cleanup, Hagel Arboretum dedication, water slide proposal and community center memberships. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Russell asked if the City is still considering updating the park equipment in Central Park. The Director of Recreation said some day this may be accomplished. He noted the city is going to need assistance in planning the replacement of playground equipment in the parks. Chairperson Sorenson suggested the City establish a fund for replacement of playground equipment. He noted it is inevitable that the equipment will not last forever, and by setting up a special fund, replacements can be made each year as needed. Chairperson Sorenson suggested the commission work on establishing a timetable for replacement and funding to replace the equipment. There was brief discussion 0 2/19/91 3 regarding monies that may be available from organizations that participate in charitable gambling. Commissioner Mead asked when the City plans the number of hockey rinks and skating rinks to maintain, whether or not records are kept on the number of people who are using the rinks. The Director of Recreation said these statistics are maintained and a report will be presented to the commission at the end of the season. Commissioner Mead expressed his concern regarding the lack of use of the skating rink at Northport Park. There was discussion of the use of skating rinks and hockey rinks in the city. Commissioner Mead said he feels this is an area where funding can be reduced. Chairperson Sorenson explained that usually a group of neighbors signs a petition requesting that a rink be opened for a trial period of about one year. Then the park and recreation department reviews the gsage numbers .to determine whether or not the rink should remain open in future years. There was further discussion of usage of skating rinks at specific parks. Commissioner Mead said on behalf of the entire commission, he would like to note that the City has done a great job plowing the paths around Northport Park. The Director of Recreation pointed out that this has been a good winter for maintaining trails. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Russell and seconded by Commissioner Peterson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center park and recreation commission adjourned at 9:10 P.M. Chairperson 2/19/91 4 •