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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989 11-21 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 NOVEMBER 21, 1989 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Chairman Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Sorenson, Commissioners Mead, Peterson, Pollock, Shinnick, and Russell. Also present were city council Liaison Jerry Pedlar, Director of Recreation Arnie Mavis, and Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone. Commissioner Skeels was excused from this evening's meeting. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONERS Chairman Sorenson welcomed new park and recreation commissioners Tom 8hinnick and John Russell, who introduced themselves to the commission. Those in attendance introduced themselves to the new commissioners. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 17. 1989 There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Mead to approve the minutes of the October 17, 1989, park and recreation commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed. SKATEBOARDS The recording secretary said the Brooklyn Center employee safety committee received a complaint regarding the hazardous use of skateboards in Central Park. The safety committee recommended this be passed onto the city council for its review, and the recording secretary noted the city manager had instead referred it first to the park and recreation commission for its review and discussion. The director of recreation said if any ordinance is passed regarding the use of skateboards, there would be enforcement concerns. Chairman Sorenson said some controlled activity is needed for the junior high age group, and the director of recreation said there have been summer programs run for this age group, but it is difficult to get them to participate. Chairman Sorenson said these children want to be involved in individual activities, and there has to be something that can be done to help them. Councilmember Pedlar said the problem of skateboards would not be alleviated even if appartus was built in every park for skateboard use. He added that it is difficult to legislate against the use of skateboards and the liability for the City to create any apparatus for skateboards would be tremendous. There was some discussion as to the extent of the problem in Brooklyn Center. 11-21-89 -1- r Councilmember Pedlar suggested the commission discuss a skateboard awareness education program for children in which safety, courtesy, and skills could be taught. Commissioner Russell suggested an exhibit could go along with the program. Commissioner Pollock suggested encouraging skateboarders to participate in the parade. Commissioner Russell suggested opening a competition and awarding prizes to skateboarders. There was a motion by Commissioner Russell and seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to investigate the possibility of developing a skateboard education program for next spring. The motion passed, with Commissioner Peterson voting against it. The director of recreation said he would look into the possibility of such a program and report back to the commission at its next meeting. COMMISSION PLAN OF ACTION Chairman Sorenson asked what the status of the City's planning process is, and Councilmember Pedlar said the city council happened to review the priorities at its last meeting. He reviewed the top priorities, which include crime, housing, budgetary concerns, and economic development. He said the city manager is preparing a work plan which will be used in setting 1990 goals and objectives. Councilmember Pedlar noted the city hall and parks expansion was not a high priority. The director of recreation noted that the original request for expansion came from the park and recreation commission, and an expansion of 'the community center should be separate from any city hall expansion. Councilmember Pedlar noted that expansion did rank twelfth in the process. The director of recreation proceeded to review the status of items listed on the 1989 Brooklyn Center park and recreation commission recommended plan of action, and there was some brief discussion on several items. Chairman Sorenson suggested the commission review the city council's plan of action at the January commission meeting and determine how the council's priorities fit in with the park and recreation commission's priorities. He requested the park and recreation commission plan of action be updated for the next meeting. OTHER BUSINESS The director of recreation reviewed the past history of the City's involvement in a request for an ice arena. He said recently a group of residents from Brooklyn Center School District have generated the idea of building an indoor ice arena, and the recommendation has been part of the City's planning process. Councilmember Pedlar said the commission recommended to the city council that it authorize money to fund a feasibility study, but the city council said such a study would be considered with the overall study of City facilities. Commissioner Shinnick 11-21-89 -2- expressed concern over some of the information that he has heard, much of it conflicting. The recording secretary said she would send background information regarding the ice arena to the new commissioners. There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Pollock to cancel the December 1989 park and recreation commission meeting. The motion passed. The director of recreation said 37,000 rounds of golf were played at Centerbrook Golf Course this year during seven months of operation. He said the only complaint he has heard is that play is slow at times. Chairman Sorenson suggested that flower boxes be installed on the tees. The director of recreation noted the prices will increase fifty cents per round in 1990. Chairman Sorenson noted there is heavy traffic from the clubhouse to the first tee and from the fifth to the sixth holes. The director of recreation reviewed the 1990 program schedule for Entertainment in the Parks. Commissioner mead asked if the plowing of some trailways will continue during the winter months, and the director of recreation said this will be done._ Commissioner Peterson asked what the status of the Joslyn site is, and the director of recreation said the consultant is finalizing his report which should be ready for the January meeting. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Russell to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center park and recreation commission adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Chairman • 11-21-89 -3-