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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990 01 16 PRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN 0 AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION JANUARY 16, 1990 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Chairman Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Sorenson, Commissioners Pollock, Skeels, Russell, and Shinnick. Also present were City Engineer Mark Maloney, Director of Recreation Arnie Mavis, Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone, and Tim Erkkila and Anne Duering of Westwood Professional Services, Inc. Commissioners Mead and Peterson were excused from this evening's meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NOVEMBER 21, 1989 There was a motion by Commissioner Pollock and seconded by Commissioner Russell to approve the minutes of the November 21, 1989, park and recreation commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed. TWIN LAKES AND PRESERVE STUDY - STATUS REPORT Mr. Erkkila said as a part of tonight's final presentation on the Twin Lakes study, he and Ms. Duering would review graphic plans, the summary report, and a cost estimate of the proposal. Ms. Duering proceeded to review a summary of the study area and the park concept plan. She said there would be a long process for obtaining approval for the on grade trailway crossing over the railroad tracks. Ms. Duering reviewed features of the area, including the neighborhood park, the active park, and access to the location. She said the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is reviewing the concept plan and will give written approval or disapproval. Mr. Erkkila reviewed several assumptions on which the cost estimate has been based and then proceeded to review the cost estimate. He then reviewed an eight-step process for implementation. Commissioner Pollock asked if the trailhead would be an enclosed shelter, and Mr. Erkkila said at this point it is just a turnaround from the driveway with a few parking spaces. He noted a picnic shelter is a possibility, but there was concern over creating a dead end which would turn into a party area. Commissioner Russell asked if the only current access to the peninsula is from the west side, and Mr. Erkkila responded affirmatively. Chairman Sorenson asked what the attraction of having the peninsula would be for the park, and Mr. Erkkila explained how the area might be used. 1/16/90 -1- Commissioner Skeels asked what the health issues for active participation over contaminated land would be, and Ms. Duering said after the remediation process is finished, the land will be covered with clean soil and vegetated, which should provide no contact with contaminated soil as long as it is not overturned. Commissioner Shinnick asked how far down the bad soil is, and Mr. Erkkila said there would be an eighteen-inch cap of good soil. The director of recreation pointed out that already people are using this property whether it is contaminated or not. Mr. Erkkila explained that no one will be able to purchase the site to build a structure because of the soil problems and noted any liability goes back to Joslyn. Chairman Sorenson asked what the specific hazard of the soil is, and Ms. Duering said contents of the soil could cause cancer. The city engineer said the soil contains volatile benzine. Mr. Erkkila noted that continued exposure to the chemical would be cancer causing, but with the type of recommended use, there would not be continuous exposure to those using the area. Commissioner Shinnick said he feels the technology is available to make the area safe, and Commissioner Russell said the park does seem like the best use for the property. Commissioner Pollock asked if the contamination reaches the special use area, and Ms. Duering said the ground water does but not on the surface. Chairman Sorenson asked what is in this for the Joslyn Company, and Mr. Erkkila said the company would have a caretaker of the property if the City were to pursue this use. Chairman Sorenson asked how stable Joslyn is, and Mr. Erkkila said as a national company, it appears to have a great deal of financial strength. Chairman Sorenson expressed concern over entering into a twenty- year lease with a company that might eventually fold. The director of recreation said if there were problems with Joslyn, the City would probably get the land because it would be tax delinquent and no one else would purchase it. Mr. Erkkila said he suspects that if Joslyn went out of business and the City ended up with'the property, he feels the federal government would have to become involved in the project in some way. He added he is certain the city attorney would take keen interest in a lease agreement that would protect the City's interest. Commissioner Russell asked what the location of the wells are on the property, and Ms. Duering reviewed the locations. Mr. Erkkila said ball fields can be better placed amongst the wells as opposed to soccer fields. Commissioner Skeels asked what the expected method of financing this project would be, and the director of recreation said it would be a bond issue. Commissioner Russell asked how many total acres, including the peninsula, this project would cover, and Ms. Duering said it is about thirty acres. Commissioner Shinnick said this seems like a good idea, and Commissioner Russell said he likes the idea of the fishing piers and being able to access the lake. Commissioner Pollock asked if it would be better to combine a bond issue with another project in order to get support from the 1/16/90 -2- entire city. Chairman Sorenson said linking the trail further to the north would help gain approval of the bond issue. Mr. Erkkila said the City may wish to include the additional trailway system in the bond issue. The city engineer asked how this project would tie into the regional trails, and there was a review of the proposed trail system. Chairman Sorenson said he would like to see the trail link at least to Bass Lake Road. Chairman Sorenson asked if the city were to approve the concept plan, would the MPCA move along more quickly in approving this. Mr. Erkkila said he feels it would help if the City's input was given to the MPCA. There was a motion by Commissioner Pollock and seconded by Commissioner Skeels to recommend to the city council to accept the concept plan proposed by Westwood Professional Services, Inc. regarding the Twin Lake park study in conjunction with the entire trail system. The motion passed. RECESS There was a motion by Commissioner Russell and seconded by commissioner Skeels to recess the meeting. The motion passed. The park and recreation commission recessed at 8:40 p.m. and reconvened at 8:50 p.m. SKATEBOARDS The director of recreation said in his investigation of classes on skateboarding, he has found that no one has really done anything on this topic. He has found no media projects such as filmstrips on this. He noted other cities have had a small problem with skateboarders, but they are doing nothing about it. He added that in talking with staff at the local junior high school, the kids who are abusing skateboards probably would not attend any classes that might be held. Commissioner Shinnick noted that in downtown Minneapolis near the Federal Reserve Building there are skateboarders who are shooed away on occasion by the police, but as soon as the police leave, the kids are right back at it. He pointed out that in general, it is usually the same kids all the time. Chairman Sorenson asked why the employee safety committee referred this to the park and recreation commission, and the recording secretary said reports of abuse involving skateboards had been reported in the Central Park trails and at the community center. The director of recreation reviewed the problems at the community center, which have generally occurred on the outdoor stairway. There was a motion by Commissioner Shinnick and seconded by Commissioner Pollock to recommend to the city council to monitor the problem of misuse/abuse of skateboards in City parks and property to determine if the situation warrants further action. The motion passed. Commissioner Shinnick suggested the commissioners keep an eye out in the parks in their areas to monitor any problems that might occur. 1/16/90 -3- OTHER BUSINESS The director of recreation said 1989 was the worst year ever of attendance at the community center, which he felt was attributable to the competition from the local health clubs and the summer highway construction projects. He added that participation has increased during the first part of this year. The director of recreation reviewed the composition of the current community center memberships and those attending the classes sponsored by the community center. He noted that if it were not for nonresidents, the City would not be able to offer as many things to our own residents. The director of recreation said he will have a final 1989 financial report on the golf course at the next commission meeting. Commissioner Shinnick noted that someone tried to steal the aluminum bleachers at the Little League field near Lyons Park. STATUS REPORT ON COMMISSION PLAN OF ACTION Chairman Sorenson requested commissioners to review the updated list on the commission's plan of action, especially those pending items, to determine if there is anything that can be done by the commission to move these projects along. He said this will be done at the February meeting. Commissioner Pollock said each of the commissioners should look at their area parks and survey them. Chairman Sorenson suggested each commissioner watch the parks in their own park service area and report any problems to the director of recreation. The recording secretary will send maps of the park service area to all commissioners. Chairman Sorenson asked what the status of the city council priority listing is, and the recording secretary said she will try to obtain information and pass it along to the commission. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Russell and seconded by commissioner Skeels to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center park and recreation commission adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Chairman • 1/16/90 -4