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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988 09-20 PRM16 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 SEPTEMBER 20, 1988 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Chairman Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Sorenson, Commissioners Burnes, Mead, Pollock, and Skeels. Also present were Councilmember Bill Hawes, Director of Recreation Arnie Mavis, Director of Public Works Sy Knapp, and Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone. Commissioner Propst was absent from this evening's meeting. RECESS The park and recreation commission recessed at 7:32 p.m. and reconvened at 7:40 p.m. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONER Chairman Sorenson welcomed new Park and Recreation Commissioner Sarah Pollock. Those in attendance introduced themselves to Commissioner Pollock, who replaced Commissioner Manson on the commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MAY 17, 1988 There was a motion by Commissioner Burns and seconded by Commissioner Skeels to approve the minutes of the May 17, 1988, park and recreation commission meeting. The motion passed. REPORT ON 1988 ENTERTAINMENT IN THE PARK PROGRAMS The director of recreation reviewed the entertainment in the park programs from the summer of 1988. He noted the budget for 1989's programs has been approved, and if the commissioners have any ideas for programs for 1989, they should notify Program Supervisor Sue LaCrosse as soon as possible. Chairman Sorenson asked if there was any plan to improve the seating, particularly for those who ride their bicycles to the park, and the director of recreation responded to this inquiry. Commissioner Mead pointed out that having the fireworks prior to the fourth of July has worked out well. The director of recreation noted there will be the same number of program weeks in 1989 as there were in 1988. He added there will no longer be money available through the Metropolitan Council's grant program. He discussed the use of cable television for advertising. Commissioner Mead asked if the number of people who turn out for these programs is a factor of the weather more than anything, and he asked how it would be possible to advertise the programs to more people. The director of recreation said the weather probably is a factor, especially with the heat from this past summer. He added the recreation department tries to advertise the programming in numerous ways throughout the summer. 1 - I OTHER BUSINESS Chairman Sorenson asked about the status of the Twin Lake area, and the director of recreation said staff met with representatives of Robbinsdale and Crystal to explain what the City of Brooklyn Center is investigating. He said Crystal is very interested in improving the area. He added staff is working with a consultant to develop a plan which may include bicycle trails and other amenities in the area. There was brief discussion on what the plan might include. Chairman Sorenson asked about the status of the senior center/fieldhouse. The director of recreation said staff has been meeting with the architect to discuss recommendations of city staff. Chairman Sorenson asked about the timing of the proposal, and the director of recreation said it may be ready by next spring. Chairman Sorenson asked about the status of Commissioner Propst's request for a four way "stop" intersection at 54th and Russell Avenues North. The recording secretary said the administrative traffic committee reviewed the request and authorized the installation of "stop" signs for vehicles leaving the little league parking lot along Russell and 54th Avenues North. The director of recreation noted there will be more trees planted at Lions Park and the golf course in order to help alleviate the concerns of Commissioner Propst. Commissioner Pollock asked what the effects of the drought have been on the golf course. The director of recreation said there were no problems, especially since the golf course was watered quite a bit during the evening hours. Commissioner Mead asked what the replacement policy for trees is, and the director of public works said the trees must live for one year after they have been planted; if they do not, the contractor replaces the trees once, and after that the trees are the City's responsibility. Commissioner Mead asked about the trees along Shingle Creek Parkway, and the director of public works said the City has appropriated funds to replace the trees affected by the drought. BICYCLE PATH PLAN The director of public works referred to the paved trailways and park access plan, noting he had presented the plan to the commission at its April 1988 meeting. He noted based on the park and recreation commission's recommendations to the city council, there is a study in progress on the Twin Lake area and the arboretum. He noted a substantial part of the study would include development of a trail system around the lakes. He added this report should be ready in approximately one month. The director of public works noted staff would like to incorporate the lakes' plan with the plan for the rest of the city. The director of public works distributed copies of a bikeway design manual printed by the State of Minnesota Department of Transportation with the assistance of the Department of Natural Resources. He said as the City becomes more involved in the design of the bikeway system, he recommends use of the standards established in the manual to the extent possible. - 2 - Commissioner Skeels asked for 'an update on the road projects in progress over the summer months. The director of public works proceeded to review these projects, including the I-694 bridge over the Mississippi River, Logan Avenue North between 57th and 59th Avenues North, Lilac Drive, and France Avenue North. Chairman Sorenson asked if there would be any better way to cross Bass Lake Road from the south to the north at Shingle Creek Parkway, because there are no walk signals and no buttons for pedestrians to push to change the traffic signal. The director of public works said there are marked crosswalks and he was under the impression that there were crossing signals, but he will investigate the situation further. The director of public works noted the plan presented to the park and recreation commission is recommended as a concept plan, and as work is done on each segment, the specific details of each area will be further reviewed. Chairman Sorenson asked about the area of Brooklyn Boulevard north of I-694, and the director of public works briefly discussed this. Commissioner Burnes asked about the trailway system near Palmer Lake, specifically whether or not the City has tried to connect with Brooklyn Park's trail. He mentioned there is a possibility of a new trail in Brooklyn Park near Brookdale Park. The director of public works said the City did try to match up with Brooklyn Park's trail system, and he will further investigate this situation. The director of public works noted as part of the I-694 improvement project, the existing Xerxes Avenue bridge will be removed and replaced with a longer, wider bridge which will allow sidewalks and an on-street bike path. The director of recreation asked when work will begin on this project, and the director of public works said it is supposed to start in 1989. The director of recreation pointed out that this will affect traffic on Brooklyn Boulevard and Shingle Creek Parkway. Chairman Sorenson asked if there has been any progress with connecting the City's trailway system to that in Minneapolis, and the director of public works said nothing has been heard from Minneapolis in several years regarding this matter. He added the City had been in contact with the Minneapolis park board and the area Minneapolis city council representative asking them to have the job completed, but there seems to be lack of interest on their part. The director of recreation asked if the wood chip trail south of the fifth tee at the golf course has ever been considered for blacktopping. The director of public works said the city council preferred the wood chip trail because of the difficult soil conditions and the expense of constructing a blacktop path. He added sometime in the future, the council should review this again. • - 3 - Chairman Sorenson asked about the schedule for upgrading 69th Avenue North. The director of public works said there is an engineering study in progress on whether or not the road should be changed, and, if so, how it should be changed. He said the results of the study should be presented to the city council within the next three to four months. The most optimistic scenario would be to start construction in 1991 because of the possible need to acquire property in the area. He added Hennepin County has been requested to make changes at the intersection of 69th Avenue North and Brooklyn Boulevard to improve the traffic signal phasing at this intersection. Chairman Sorenson noted that at the northeast corner of this intersection, it is difficult to cross west across Brooklyn Blvd. because the right turn traffic cannot see pedestrians. Commissioner Burnes asked if there has been any discussion on improving the intersection of 69th and France Avenues North, and the director of public works said that intersection is included in the 69th Avenue North study. There was a motion by commission Burnes and seconded by Commissioner Mead to recommend to the city council the concept of the bicycle path plan. The motion passed. There was a motion by Commissioner Skeels and seconded by Commissioner Burnes to recommend to the city council that the Brooklyn Center city council make a formal request to the Minneapolis park board to complete the missing link of the trailway system from the Penn Avenue bridge north to 53rd Avenue North in Brooklyn Center. The motion passed. The director of public works said these items will appear on the city council agenda at either the second meeting in October or the first meeting in November. The park and recreation commission will be notified as to when this will be on the agenda for discussion. OTHER BUSINESS (CONTINUED) Chairman Sorenson asked about the availability of the golf course clubhouse during the winter months. The director of recreation said nothing has been put in writing at this point, but proposed fees will be for civic groups to pay $7.50 an hour with a two hour minimum and other groups to pay $15.00 an hour.. He added that the clubhouse will seat 40 people and no liquor will be allowed. Councilmember Hawes pointed out there are three new lights at the golf course parking lot. COMMISSSION PLAN OF ACTION, The recording secretary reviewed the process for working on a commission plan of action, and the commission agreed with the process. It was agreed that the recording secretary will send a survey form to the commissioners along with a year 2000 committee report, the City's priority plan of action for 1988, and sections of the City's comprehensive plan that applies to parks and recreation. Once all surveys are returned, information will be presented at the next commission meeting. Commissioner Burnes asked about the use of Durnam Island in the Mississippi River, and there was brief discussion about this. - 4 - OTHER BUSINESS (CONTINUED) The director of recreation noted there have been over thirty thousand rounds of golf played this summer, and there have been no major complaints. Chairman Sorenson raised some concerns about management of the golf course, and the director of recreation said he is aware of these concerns. Chairman Sorenson noted the construction and the greens are excellent. There was further discussion on the condition of the course and additional improvements of it. Commissioner Mead said with the drought, the grass in the parks took a beating, and now with the recent rain, the weeds are back. He asked if the City treats the parks with weed killer, and the director of recreation responded affirmatively. Chairman Sorenson asked when actual revenues and expenses will be available for the golf course, as well as a comparison to projections. The director of recreation said the projected revenue for the first season was $73,000, and the actual amount collected to date is $180,000. Councilmember Hawes asked how many more rounds of golf could be played without crowding the course, and the director of recreation said the course could handle over forty thousand rounds in a summer. The recording secretary said when a financial report on the golf course is available, this will be distributed to the park and recreation commissioners. 41 ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Burnes and seconded by Commissioner Pollock to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center park and recreation commission adjourned at 9:37 p.m. Chairman • - 5 -