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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990 11-20 PRM• F r 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 20, 1990 .CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Sorenson, Commissioners Russell, Shinneck, Peterson, and Skeels. Also present were City Council Liaison Jerry Pedlar, Director of Recreation Arnie Mavis, and Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone. Commissioners Pollock and Mead were excused from this evening's meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 16. 1990 There was a motion by commissioner Russell and seconded by Commissioner Shinneck to approve the minutes of the October 16, 1990, park and recreation commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed. REOUEST FROM EVERGREEN PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTO David Helfinsteine, Keith Carlson, and Gary Mattson of Evergreen Park Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) introduced themselves to the Commission as representatives of the playground committee from the PTO. They reviewed a written request asking the City to assist in financing a new creative play area, running track, and fitness station course on the Evergreen Park Elementary School grounds. Helfinsteine said the school district is willing to match funds raised by the PTO, so the PTO is trying to raise 50 percent of the costs. He noted the committee feels by enhancing the school grounds, the whole area around it will benefit. Chairperson Sorenson asked what the arrangement between the City and Garden City School was in the park development there. The Director of Recreation said city crews assisted in the installation of playground equipment. Commissioner Russell pointed out the Lion's Club donated $3,500 to the Garden City School for playground equipment. Carlson said the cost cited for the creative play area is for equipment only, and it is expected that volunteers will provide the labor to install the equipment. Commissioner Russell asked if any handicapped equipment will be installed, and Carlson said approximately one-third of the creative play equipment will be handicapped accessible. 0 11-20-90 1 The Director of Recreation asked about the size of the running track, and Carlson said it will be 440 yards. The Director of Recreation inquired as to the type of material that would be used for the track, and Carlson said it is expected to be an aggregate limestone. He noted half of the cost will be for excavation, and the remaining cost will be for the track itself. He noted it would be necessary to expand onto City property to install the running track where desired. Mattson said the PTO is planning to complete this project by spring so the equipment can be used in the summer of 1991. Carlson noted the track would not be needed until the next school year starting the fall of 1991. The Director of Recreation noted that it may be difficult to fund the project in 1991. Councilmember Pedlar noted the City's proposed budget has already been presented by the City Manager to the City Council. He noted it has been a very difficult year for working on the budget. The Recording Secretary asked what the actual request is of the City. Carlson said the PTO is requesting a maximum of $15,000, although any amount of assistance, including labor, would be accepted. Chairperson Sorenson asked if there is anything in the budget to improve Evergreen Park, and the Director of Recreation said there is nothing planned at this time. Councilmember Pedlar said he can bring this proposal forward to the City Council on behalf of the Commission. Chairperson Sorenson said he is in favor of projects like this, particularly when the groups involved raise part of the money themselves. There was a motion by Commissioner Shinneck and seconded by Commissioner Russell to recommend to the City Council that $15,000 be committed to the Evergreen Park Elementary School playground additions in 1991 plus the provision of any assistance by City personnel in providing labor for the project. The motion passed. Councilmember Pedlar said he will forward this information on to the City Council and the City Manager. 1989 COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS The Commission had before it excerpts from the residential survey done for the City of Brooklyn Center in May 1989 by Decision Resources, Ltd. Chairperson Sorenson referred to page 103 and asked what SD #11 refers to. The Recording Secretary said that is School District Number 11, better known as Anoka-Hennepin School District. Chairperson Sorenson referenced page 105 and asked what the definition of a senior citizen is. He said depending on the definition, he has a concern that the age group of 55 to 64 year olds were those most opposed to the construction of a senior citizen drop-in center. Chairperson Sorenson referenced page 109 and pointed out some discrepancies between the acceptable level of a property tax increase, where it appears that both $25 and $30 would be acceptable levels. 11-20-90 2 9 Councilmember Pedlar said he questions the survey validity for any decisions made now, because since the survey was done in May 1989, the economy has changed and there are more spiraling costs. There was a brief discussion on when the next survey should be conducted. Chairperson Sorenson noted that in 1991, two years will have passed since the last survey was done. Councilmember Pedlar suggested asking Decision Resources, Ltd. how long such a survey is valid. He said he does not see the demographics changing significantly over this period time. Chairperson Sorenson noted the current in-migration suggests there are more white-collar residents in the city. Councilmember Pedlar said he personally challenges this. The Director of Recreation noted that in some areas of the city, older residents are moving out and younger residents are moving into the city. Chairperson Sorenson asked if it is really true that the city is gaining more white-collar residents, and if so, he feels this is good for the city. The Director of Recreation noted the city has had more problems with "at risk" kids since the survey was conducted. Commissioner Peterson said he feels the information provided by Decision Resources, Ltd. has been very accurate. He noted the parks received very high ratings, and he finds this to be very gratifying. Chairperson Sorenson noted the responses regarding Brooklyn Center as being a complete city with parks, shopping, and residential areas. There was a brief discussion regarding the transportation system in the city. TWIN LAKES AREA DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL (JOSLYN SITE) The Director of Recreation said he has no update at this time regarding the Joslyn site. Chairperson Sorenson said he is interested in having the commission determine what strategy to use with regard to publicity if the City continues its interest in the site. He suggested tabling this item to the next Commission meeting when more information may be available. RECESS The Brooklyn Center park and recreation commission recessed at 8:20 p.m. and reconvened at 8:27 p.m. OTHER BUSINESS The Recording secretary presented the commission with a summary of issues related to Twin Lakes that was developed by members of the City staff who are involved in various aspects affecting Twin Lakes. She requested the Commission to review the summary and at the next meeting be prepared to discuss any additions to the list. The Recording Secretary noted the intent is to have the cities of Brooklyn Center, Crystal, and Robbinsdale work together, first at a staff level and then at the Advisory Commission and City Council levels to work on resolving some of the issues related to Twin Lakes. This item will be brought back for discussion at the next Commission meeting. 11-20-90 3 SET NEXT MEETING AGENDA The Recording Secretary said the next meeting is scheduled for December 18, 1990, at 7:30 p.m. There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson to cancel the December meeting. The motion died for lack of a second. Chairperson Sorenson suggested the Twin Lakes' Area Development Proposal and the Twin Lakes' - Summary of Issues list be presented for discussion at the next meeting. OTHER BUSINESS Chairperson Sorenson asked if a sign had been posted at Lion's Park prohibiting the use of the ball fields by older kids, and the Director of Recreation said a sign should be posted by spring. Chairperson Sorenson asked if there was any information on the Palmer Lake Trail improvements as related to the 69th Avenue North improvement project and trail system. The Director of Recreation had no additional information. SHINGLE CREEK AND PALMER LAKE CLEANUP The Director of Recreation said commissioner Pollock has met with Kay Lasman, and the two of them are working on a plan for a clean- up project of the Shingle Creek/Palmer Lake area. OTHER BUSINESS (Cont'd.) Councilmember Pedlar suggested the deterioration of existing park equipment and new standards for such equipment be discussed by the Commission, and Chairperson Sorenson said this is a good idea for a future meeting. After some discussion, there was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Shinneck to recommend to the City Council to name the arboretum after former Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel. The arboretum would be called the Eugene H. Hagel Arboretum. The motion passed. The Director of Recreation suggested a dedication of the arboretum could be done in the spring, and Commissioner Peterson suggested the dedication occur on Arbor Day. The Director of Recreation suggested having a Eugene H. Hagel Day designated by the governor. The Director of Recreation said he has started a preliminary investigation of installing a waterslide in the Community Center. He suggested something is needed to boost attendance at the Center. Chairperson Sorenson inquired about the liabilities of a waterslide, and Councilmember Pedlar suggested there would be a great deal of liability for such a feature. Commissioner Shinneck commented about the litigious society we live in. Councilmember Pedlar suggested since the swimming pool is not getting a great deal of use that as an incentive to employees, free memberships should be provided to them. He said Hennepin County used to offer health club memberships to its employees. The Director of 11-20-90 4 CORRECTION Recreation said he disagrees with free memberships because it ould be difficult to draw the line. He said a City employee should not receive a benefit the taxpayer does not get. It was suggested that be added as a discussion item at the next Commission meeting. The Director of Recreation said "Holly Sunday" is scheduled for December 2, 1990, at the Community Center. He distributed a flyer announcing the activities for the day. The Director of Recreation said at this point in time, there have been more than 39,000 rounds of golf play at Centerbrook Golf Course this year. COMMISSION PLAN OF ACTION ' The Director of Recreation proceeded to provide the Commission with an update on the status of the Commission's plan of action items. He said issues affecting Twin Lakes are being studied, and an effort is being made to work together with the other affected cities. He noted the city is working with Crystal on the Kylawn Preserve. With regard to other park improvements, the Director of Recreation said all park equipment will be reviewed and requests will be placed in the 1992 City budget. He said the trail system is moving ahead, and as roads are repaved or added, the trail system is enhanced. He noted nothing will be done on 69th Avenue North until the work on the roadway is near completion. The Director of Recreation said Commissioner Pollock is working hard to coordinate a clean-up effort of Shingle - %Creek. Councilmember Pedlar noted that the creek is a beautiful part of the city which continues to deteriorate, and he does not like the "it can't be done" attitude. The Director of Recreation said anything can be done if the money is spent on it. He noted Shingle Creek carries a great deal of debris, so any clean-up efforts would have to be continued on a regular basis. The Director of Recreation said efforts are being made to increase the involvement of the park and recreation commission and cited the Twin Lakes' issues as an example of this. Chairperson Sorenson said the City is doing a very good job now of including the park and recreation commission. He noted a few years ago, too much of the commission's work was just to rubber stamp proposals that had already been established. The Director of Recreation noted that better use of the facilities at parks has been indicated by a higher usage of the facilities. The Director of Recreation proceeded to review the priorities of pending items. He noted the safety of the Shingle Creek Trailway crossing at 69th Avenue North will be considered as part of the 69th Avenue North upgrade plan. He said Central Park improvements will be considered as part of the City's equipment upgrade at the parks. He said lighting is being added to parks when it is feasible. Councilmember Pedlar noted he had received some 11-20-90 5 complaints regarding the geese in the parks and asked if there are any efforts for controlling them. The Director of Recreation said the City Council will consider extending the contract with the University of Minnesota's Dr. Cooper, who has been providing assistance to the City in dealing with this issue. There was some discussion regarding the problem with the geese in City parks. The Director of Recreation said there may be some additions to the arboretum. He noted the senior center is on the back burner because, at this time, it is not financially practical to construct one. He noted a few bicycle bollards have been added, although no one seems to use them very much. He said the expansion of parking at East Palmer Lake Park could be a possibility. The rest of the items on the priorities of pending items' list appeared generally not to be feasible at this time. Chairperson Sorenson said he has used the trail system quite extensively, especially near the golf course. He noted the area of the trail near the library is flooded more than it is open. The Director of Recreation said the City would need a dry year to do any work on this part of the trail. There was a motion by Commissioner Skeels and seconded by Commissioner Russell to add to the priorities list as a short-term priority for 1992-1993 a recommendation to upgrade the trail system south of the county library to alleviate flooding and make it useable. The motion passed. Commissioner Skeels suggested the City is making pretty good progress on the Plan of Action List. Chairperson Sorenson noted the Commission Plan of Action does not have to appear on the Commission's agenda in order to add items to it. NEXT MEETING There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to cancel the December 1990 park and recreation commission meeting. The motion passed. The next park and recreation commission meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 1991. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Shinnick and seconded by Commissioner Peterson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center park and recreation commission adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Chairperson • 11-20-90 6