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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988 11-15 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 15, 1988 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Chairman Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Sorenson, Commissioners Skeels, Mead, Peterson, Pollock, and Propst. Also present were Councilmember Bill Hawes, Director of Recreation Arnie Mavis, and Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone. Guests at the meeting included Bill Hawkes and Jeff Stottlemyer. Commissioner Burnes was excused from this evening's meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MAY 17, 1988 There was a motion by Commissioner Pollock and seconded by Commissioner Mead to approve the minutes of the September 20, 1988, park and recreation commission meeting. The motion passed. BORN AGAIN JOCKS PROGRAM Chairman Sorenson recognized Mr. Hawkes, a Brooklyn Center resident, and Mr. Stottlemyer, older adult recreation supervisor with the City of Bloomington. Mr. Hawkes said he is a semi retired person and a very active senior citizen who does not care for Brooklyn Center's recreation programs. He said he drives to Bloomington to be involved in its Born Again Jocks program, and he proceeded to describe the program which involves participating in athletic activities. He said there are approximately 500 members in the program from all over the metro area. Mr. Stottlemyer distributed a brochure about the program and said it is available to men 55 years and older, and the oldest active participant at this time is 79 years old. He said the program is .sponsored by the City of Bloomington and there are no membership dues, although members do pay fees for golfing and some other activities. In addition to the athletic activities, there are social events such as a Christmas and spring banquet. The program has a $10,000 budget, which does not include Mr. Stottelmyer's salary, and the funds pay for some trips and a weekly newsletter. The commission viewed a short video tape about the program. Councilmember Hawes asked if the program is for men only, and Mr. Stottlemyer responded affirmatively. He added Bloomington is working on developing a program for women. Councilmember Hawes asked what facilities Brooklyn Center would have to provide for a similar program, and the director of recreation said there would be no place for volleyball programs during the day, but the City does have a 9 hole golf course. • -1- Mr. Hawkes suggested there are a number communities in this area that could work together in sponsoring a similar program, and he suggested the use of the Robbinsdale High School for the activities. The director of recreation said he could check if other park and recreation departments are interested in such a program, although Brooklyn Center does not have facilities available at this time. He added the city council would have to appropriate funding for such a program. Commissioner Propst asked Mr. Hawkes what his objective is, and Mr. Hawkes responded it is to start a program like the Born Again Jocks in this area. Commissioner Propst asked why 55 years of age is the minimum requirement, and Mr. Stottlemyer said many people are retiring at age 55 these days. He added older adult recreation programming is relatively new, and 'suggested the City work with other cities in starting such a program. Commissioner Propst asked why a program for women has not been developed in Bloomington, and Mr. Stottlemyer said women do not wish to be involved in the same type of activities as men. Commissioner Pollock said women do like to participate in certain athletic activities, and they may be offended by the program offered in Bloomington. Chairman Sorenson said the commission is working on a list of community needs and issues, and suggested this program would fit in with what is being researched at this time. Commissioner mead asked Mr. Stottlemyer what other programs he works with, and Mr. Stottlemyer said he works with the Senior SportsArama (senior olympics), exercise programs, and a hiking club. The director of recreation asked how many hours a week Mr. Stottlemyer spends on this program, and Mr. Stottlemyer responded that it depends on the season and the activities going on at the time, but anywhere from 8 to 30 hours a week is average. Councilmember Hawes asked how many seniors are playing golf at -the Centerbrook Golf Course, and the director of recreation said approximately 90. He added the current programs available in Brooklyn Center for seniors include golf leagues and exercise classes. He noted the City may try an over 55 volleyball league, but there is a problem obtaining available gymnasium space. In addition, the director of recreation said there is a small group of seniors that comes to the community center to swim on a regular basis. Mr. Hawkes asked what happened with the horseshoe program, and the director of recreation said this now takes place in Brooklyn Park. Commissioner Propst asked about the costs of the Born Again Jocks program, and Mr. Stottlemyer said it is $10,000 plus approximately 60% of his salary. Chairman Sorenson asked if Bloomington receives any financial support from other cities, and Mr. Stottlemyer said it does not. The director of recreation noted there are two senior programs in Brooklyn Center, including Leisure Time and Brooklyn Twins. Mr. Hawkes said he does not-find any programs in Brooklyn Center that appeal to him to keep him physically active. The director of recreation said this is one reason why the City is in the process looking at the feasibility of a field house. -2- Commissioner Peterson noted the Born Again Jocks was started by 40 volunteers, and asked what is needed in Brooklyn Center. He suggested other cities could participate with the City. The director of recreation noted ` there is a program available to area cities for retarded persons, and the city pays one agency to coordinate the program. Mr. Hawkes said if he were completely retired, he would help organize this. However, he has other commitments and can only volunteer what time he has left available. The director of recreation said the City should meet with other park and recreation departments to determine if they are interested, but someone would have to coordinate the program. Chairman Sorenson asked Mr. Hawkes if there is anything specific he wants the park and recreation commission to do, and Mr. Hawkes said he would like to get names of those who might be interested in such a program. Commissioner Propst suggested the local newspaper be notified to write a story on this and ask people to notify Mr. Hawkes if they are interested in the program. RECESS There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Propst to recess the meeting. The motion passed. The park and recreation commission recessed at 8:24 p.m. and reconvened at 8:29 p.m. OTHER BUSINESS The recording secretary reported on the city council's action regarding the park and recreation commission's recommendations to approve the trailway system concept and the resolution requesting the City of Minneapolis to connect its trailway to Brooklyn Center. She noted the city. council did approve both of these items. The director of recreation said the golf course is officially closed, and he has no final reports available yet. Commissioner Pollock asked if there is cross country skiing available at the golf course, and the director of recreation said no because then the City would have to groom the trails and check for licenses as required by the state. Commissioner Propst asked if there are any penalties for trespassing on the golf course, and the director of recreation said it is a misdemeanor. Commissioner Pollock said she had someone complain to her about how cold the locker rooms are at the community center, and she wanted to convey this to city staff. The director of recreation said he will investigate if there is a problem. Commissioner Mead asked if there was a meeting in October, and the recording secretary said a meeting was scheduled, but there was no quorum. Commissioner Propst said there are still problems with parking at Lions Park in the area of 54th and Russell Avenues North. He said vehicles are parking on the grass, and he has called the police several times. He added a code enforcement officer has investigated, but this does not seem to deter violators. He suggested something needs to be done here. -3- Commissioner Propst suggested signs be posted telling people not to park on the grass. Chairman Sorenson noted if a sign is posted for obvious things such as this, then where there are no signs, people will think it is all right to violate a law. Commissioner Propst suggested the City may wish to put up barriers close to the road, although he did not feel totally comfortable with this solution. He suggested further enforcement is needed. Commissioner Propst noted there have been three trees planted in the area, which is a good move, although one is already dead. He added planting trees might be a good solution to keep people off of the grass. The director of recreation said the City is moving ahead with preparing proposals for a senior center/field house, and the commission will be hearing more about this. He added the City is working on the Twin Lake area study. There was a motion by Commissioner Skeels and seconded by Commissioner Pollock to cancel the December 1988 park and recreation commission meeting. The motion passed. COMMISSION PLAN OF ACTION Chairman Sorenson suggested the commission review each of the items on the November summary of the survey of community needs and issues related to Brooklyn Center parks and recreation and discuss each item if further explanation is needed. The commission proceeded to review these items. Because of time constraints, this item will be continued for further discussion at the next commission meeting scheduled for January 19, 1989. OTHER BUSINESS The director of recreation and members of the commission thanked Councilmember Hawes for all of his efforts in working with the park and recreation commission. -ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Propst and seconded by commissioner Peterson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center park and recreation commission adjourned at 9:32 p.m. Chairman • • • -4-