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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988 01-26 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 26, 1988 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Chairman Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Sorenson, Commissioners Skeels, Krefting, Peterson, Burnes, and Propst. Also present were Councilmember Bill Hawes, Director of Recreation Arnie Mavis, Mayor Dean Nyquist, and Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone. Commissioner Manson was excused from this evening's meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 27. 1987 Commissioner Krefting referred to discussions in the minutes regarding the ordinance related to grills in the parks. He expressed some concern about some issues that had not been discussed related to this. The recording secretary asked if these concerns were actually discussed and not included in the minutes, or if they were new concerns not previously discussed. Commissioner Krefting said these were issues that needed to be discussed and the minutes were all right as is. There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by commissioner Burnes to approve the minutes of the October 27, 1987, park and recreation commission meeting. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NOVEMBER 17, 1987 There was a motion by Commissioner Burnes and seconded by Commissioner Krefting to approve the minutes of the November 17; 1987, park and recreation commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. RESOLUTION/BYLAWS The recording secretary said the park and recreation commission's recommendation for a change to article VII of the advisory commission bylaws was presented to the city council. The council requested the commission to once again review the bylaws and prepare alternative language for an amendment if one is still desired. The recording secretary distributed a letter regarding alternative language received from the city attorney, and the commissioners reviewed the letter at this time. Chairman Sorenson said if the city council wants -to leave the article of the bylaws as it originally is, the council is shooting itself in the foot. He said if that is what they wish to do, then so be it. Commissioner Krefting said he does not 0 1-26-88 -1- like the alternative language suggested by the city attorney. Commissioner Peterson said he is willing to go along with the city council. Commissioner Burnes said he feels the language suggested by the city attorney is too restrictive, but the language in the existing bylaws is too vague. Commissioner Propst said he feels the revised recommendation sent to the city council from the park and recreation commission is a good one and feels the language suggested by the city attorney is too restrictive. Councilmember Hawes expressed the concerns of the city council and said he is not sure which is the best way to go. Chairman Sorenson said there is a discrepancy between the enabling resolution and the bylaws; the chairperson is required to represent the commission, yet the language in the bylaws is very restrictive. Mayor Nyquist expressed his satisfaction with the existing language, and he and Chairman Sorenson proceeded to discuss their differences. Chairman Sorenson said he felt every statement by a commissioner must be approved by the commission, and Mayor Nyquist asked if that is not what the City should want. Commissioner Propst said the proposal presented to the city council is good because it eliminates the vagueness while allowing the restrictions to still be imposed. Councilmember Hawes said he would like to see the language more in line with what the park and recreation commission has already recommended to the city council. Commissioner Propst said individuals not speaking on behalf of the commission should still be able to represent their own views. There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson to leave the original bylaws as they are and refrain from making any recommendation to the city council. The motion died for a lack of a second. There was a motion by Commissioner Propst and seconded by Commissioner Krefting to resubmit to the city council the original recommendation regarding the change to article VII of the advisory commission bylaws. Commissioner Burnes asked if the language would allow commissioners to speak their own individual views when not representing the commission. There was discussion on whether or not such a statement should be added to the bylaws. There was a motion by Commissioner Propst and seconded by commissioner Krefting to amend the previous motion to insure the meaning of the bylaws will allow commissioners to speak as individuals on issues. The motion passed with Commissioner Peterson voting against it. Commissioner Skeels asked Mayor Nyquist what his personal feelings are, as it appears the city council does not think this change is needed. Mayor Nyquist said he does not see a problem with the existing language and feels individuals already can speak on behalf of themselves without this being clarified. 1-26-88 -2- 0 Commissioner Skeels said the article in the bylaws appears to be contradictory. Mayor Nyquist said he does not understand what the big problem is. Upon vote being taken on the amended motion to reaffirm the recommendation and include language that says the provision does not prevent any member from speaking for or on behalf of himself or herself, the motion passed with Commissioner Peterson voting against it. Mayor Nyquist pointed out in the letter from the city attorney the word "standard" should be "statement." TRAILWAYS The director of recreation said he had received a request to have the trail system plowed in the winter months. There was discussion of the problems associated with plowing, including costs, liability, and the problem of wind blowing over the plowed trailways. Mayor Nyquist said he agreed that there is a liability concern if the trail system is plowed. Commissioner Peterson asked if Minneapolis plows its trails, and the director of recreation responded affirmatively. Councilmember Hawes asked if the City has the same liability if someone falls on a sidewalk that has been plowed by the City. Mayor Nyquist responded affirmatively, but said there is a question of reasonableness which would apply. The director of recreation told the commissioners they may receive phone calls from people requesting the trailways be plowed. Commissioner Propst asked if the trailways are not plowed, is the City liable. Mayor Nyquist said if the trailways are not technically open, then people proceed at their own risk. Chairman Sorenson requested the director of recreation to prepare for the next meeting an estimate outlining the cost of winter maintenance of the trailways. The director of recreation said there may have to be a choice of maintaining the skating rinks or plowing the trailways, because there may not be enough resources to do both. Commissioner Propst requested a legal opinion be obtained to determine what the City's liability is if a trailway is not plowed. REVIEW OF GENERAL ORDINANCES RELATED DIRECTLY TO PARKS, Chairman Sorenson asked if there was any interest in changing section 13-103 of the ordinance, and there was none. The commissioner proceeded to discuss section 13-102 regarding the curfew in the parks. Chairman Sorenson said with the 6 a.m. curfew, there are violators of the curfew during the summer months. There was discussion over what would be acceptable hours to change the curfew. Commissioner Propst said in reality, if someone is jogging through the park after curfew, the police probably will not stop them unless there is trouble being 0 1-26-88 -3- created. Chairman Sorenson said this advocates arbitrary and capricious enforcement of the law. Mayor Nyquist said if the curfew hours are posted, then enforcement should be made for everyone. The director of recreation said it would be nice to accommodate the joggers, but the City also wants to be able to handle those who are causing trouble. Commissioner Skeels noted at the time the ordinance was first passed, there were definite problems. He added there are other ordinances covering other violations and he does not think a curfew law is doing much for the City. Commissioner Burnes suggested eliminating the curfew for the trailways. The commission requested a legal opinion be obtained to prepare wording that would allow for use of the trailways and paths in the City to be utilized for jogging, bicycling, and walking with an exemption from the curfew. Further discussion of this will be deferred until the next meeting. The commission discussed section 13-113 regarding use of grills in the parks. Commissioner Krefting said the ordinance does not say anything about disposal of coals. The director of recreation said it is not practical to have a spot to dispose of the coals. He said he has no knowledge of problems associated with this, but if there would be problems in the future, then the commission may consider making a change at that time. FACILITY NEEDS The director of recreation said the City, is running out of gym space, and a multipurpose facility is needed which would include a running track, a couple of gyms, handball courts, and a meeting room. He said Brookdale is available for walking, although it is not the best place to do so. He said such a multipurpose facility could be open during the day and the evenings. Commissioner Peterson asked if this would be used on a fee basis, and the director of recreation responded affirmatively. The director of recreation said the availability of gym space in the schools is a problem, and he sees future problems with not being able to handle everyone who would like to use the facilities. Commissioner Propst said a committee could be formed to look at specific planning for such a facility. The director of recreation noted the Hiway 100 Health Club cannot handle all of its demand and it is a very well-used facility. Mayor Nyquist said the use of the gym at the Hiway 100 Health Club is not high during the day, and the City might work with the club to use the facility during the day. Councilmember Hawes said there is warehouse space south of 69th Avenue North and north of Shingle Creek Parkway that is vacant and could possibly be utilized for activities. Chairman Sorenson requested the director of recreation to prepare a report on the needs for such a facility, -including a justification for it and what other locations are available in 1-26-88 -4- 0 the City at this time. The director of recreation said he will Is prepare this for the commission. Commissioner Propst said the City needs outdoor handball courts in some of its parks. The director of recreation said platform tennis is getting to be big. He added there could be more time available for swimming. Commissioner Krefting asked where a new facility would be built, and the director of recreation said the only large piece of land the City owns is near Evergreen Park. Commissioner Peterson asked where the commission should start with this, and Chairman Sorenson said the first step is a justification report prepared by the director of recreation. Commissioner Skeels said the report should contain looking at other alternatives, including existing facilities. He stressed the importance of looking for something that can be used in the interim between now and construction of a multipurpose facility. Mayor Nyquist pointed out there are churches in Brooklyn Center with gyms, and the City should pursue the use of them. OTHER BUSINESS The director of recreation said a petition has been received by residents near the Happy Hollow Park area requesting a skating rink. He noted that based on the usage of the skating rinks at Lions Park and Riverdale Park, he would not be interested in opening another skating rink. Commissioner Propst asked how expensive it is to flood and clean off the ice and asked if volunteers can be used. The director of recreation said volunteers are not always very reliable. Chairman Sorenson said a skating rink is a high maintenance project. There was a motion by Commissioner Propst and seconded by Commissioner Skeels to recommend opening the skating rink without a warming house at Happy Hollow Park for 1988-1989. Chairman Sorenson suggested a cost analysis be prepared first before making a decision on whether or not to open the rink. The director of recreation suggested the original petitioner may wish to come to the next park and recreation commission meeting to discuss this. Commissioner Propst withdrew his motion and Commissioner Skeels withdrew his second regarding the opening of Happy Hollow Park for a skating rink, and there were no objections to this. NEXT MEETING The recording secretary noted there is a public hearing regarding the Bill Kelly House scheduled for the same evening as the next regularly scheduled park and recreation commission meeting. After some discussion, there was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Propst to cancel the February 1988 park and recreation commission meeting. The motion passed. 0 1-26-88 -5- The next meeting of the park and recreation commission is scheduled for March 15, 1988, at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the golf course clubhouse. COMMISSION PLAN OF ACTION Chairman Sorenson said at its next meeting, the commission will discuss what plans it should make in the next year and the next five years. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Propst asked if there has been any word on the Twin Lake area. The director of recreation said the City will be meeting with its consultant in the near future to discuss this. The director of recreation said everything is falling into place for the golf course. Commissioner Peterson asked if there will be a grand opening, and the director of recreation responded affirmatively. He said there are several groups interested in using the course for special events, and registration for leagues will begin shortly. Commissioner Burnes asked how much time will be allotted for open golfing, and the director of recreation said 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week and all hours on the weekends will be available for open golfing. Commissioner Burnes asked if there will be lessons available, and the director of recreation responded affirmatively. ADJOURNMENT There was a Commissioner The Brooklyn 9:10 p.m. motion by commissioner Peterson and seconded by Burnes to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. Center park and recreation commission adjourned at Chairman 1-26-88 -6- 0