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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987 04-21 PRM• 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 APRIL 21, 1987 CITY HALL • CALL TO ORDER Chairman Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Sorenson, Commissioners Peterson, Krefting, and Manson. Also present were Councilmember Bill Hawes, Director of Recreation Arnie Mavis, and Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone. Commissioner Skeels was excused from this evening's meeting, and Commissioner Propst was absent from the meeting. Guests in attendance included Mike McLennan representing the Northwest Hockey Association, and Bill Lakotas, Chairman of Brooklyn Center's Constitution Bicentennial Committee. OPEN FORUM Chairman Sorenson recognized Mr. McLennan of the Northwest Hockey Association, who said the association represents the cities of Brooklyn Center, Crystal, Golden Valley, and Robbinsdale. McLennan said the association is sponsoring a softball tournament in June at Evergreen Park, and they would like to sell beer at this event. He said he had heard this Commission would be discussing the ordinance regarding beer in the parks, and he had some concerns regarding this. The Commission discussed, the relationship of this request to the ordinance. Councilmember Hawes recommended that McLennan contact the Police Department, as this request relates to obtaining a license to sell an alcoholic beverage. Such a request would best be handled by the Police Department rather than by the ordinance related to beer in the parks. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MARCH 10, 1987 There was a motion by Commissioner Manson and seconded by Commissioner Krefting to approve the minutes of the March 10, 1987 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The motion passed. CONSTITUTION BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE REOUEST, Bill Lakotas, Chairman of the Constitution Bicentennial Committee for Brooklyn Center, said in the fall of 1986, he was asked by the Mayor to chair the Constitution Committee. The Committee was given some suggestions for activities from the state and national Constitution committees with the overall goal of educating people on the constitution. He stated that Barbara Sexton, a member of the Committee, suggested changing the name of Central Park to 0 4-21-87 -1- Constitution Park, which would include a dedication ceremony, band concert, fireworks, and installation of plaques on each of the seven articles of the Constitution along the walk paths. Lakotas noted that money is budgeted for these activities from Earle Brown Days, Inc. He added that he went to the City Council recommending the name change, and the Council referred this to the Park and Recreation Commission for review and recommendation. Commissioner Peterson said the name of Constitution Park does not do anything for him, and Central Park does. The Director of Recreation pointed out that people are starting to know what Central Park is, especially since there is Sunday in Central Park, Entertainment in the Park, and so on. Lakotas noted that having a number of Central Parks in the area is confusing. The Director of Recreation agreed, but said he feels the Park is finally getting an identity as Central Park. Other suggestions he could make include doing something out front of City Hall or in the plaza area of Central Park, such as naming it Constitution Plaza. Chairman Sorenson said the idea of naming Constitution Plaza was a good one, and also suggested naming the golf course after the Constitution. Commissioner Krefting said he likes the idea of the plaques along the trailways. The Director of Recreation pointed out that there will be problems with vandalism if the plaques are installed along the trailways. He suggested that the plaques may be better off if they are put up in areas where they are watched, such as in front of City Hall or in the plaza in the park. Lakotas said he recognized there are some dangers, but the plaques would not be something that could be easily broken. The Director of Recreation noted that the City will be remodeling the Social Hall in the Community Center, and the City may want to rename the Social Hall as Constitution Hall and erect the plaques inside the hall. Lakotas said this may not be a bad idea, and suggested that a sign could be installed outside the hall to designate it as Constitution Hall. There was general discussion about this idea, and Lakotas said he could bring this idea back to the Constitution Committee. There was a motion by commissioner Peterson and seconded by commissioner Manson to postpone further discussion on this request until the May 19, 1987 Park and Recreation commission meeting. The motion passed. REVIEW OF PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION ENABLING RESOLUTION AND BYLAWS Chairman Sorenson proceeded to review the resolution changing the current enabling resolutions for the Park and Recreation Commission. He noted the Conservation Commission would be eliminated, and the Park and Recreation commission would assume some of the responsibilities of the defunct commission. Under Section V, Subdivision 10 of the resolution, Chairman Sorenson 4-21-87 -2- pointed out that the Park Service Area Committees have not met for some time, and questioned the continued need for them. He suggested that the functions of these committees may be combined with the Planning Commission's Neighborhood Advisory Groups. After some discussion, the Commission recommended changing Subdivision 10 to read "Monitor and reflect attitudes and concerns of citizens relative to the park system, recreation programs, and conservation matters through informal contacts and meetings of Neighborhood Advisory Groups." There was discussion by the Commission regarding attendance at the Commission meetings, particularly the attendance of Commissioner Propst who has not been at the last three meetings. The Commission requested the Recording Secretary to send a letter to Commissioner Propst asking about his intentions for continued service on the Commission. The Recording Secretary said unexcused absences are noted when Commissioners do not call to say they will not be in attendance at a meeting. This will be conveyed to Commissioner Propst in the letter. Proceeding to review the resolution, Chairman Sorenson pointed out that in Section VII, Subdivisions 2 and 4, the conservation function is not included. This should be added to this section. Chairman Sorenson noted that there are some inconsistencies throughout the resolution on the use of "his" and "his/her". To be consistent throughout, one or the other should be used. Chairman Sorenson suggested the section on Commissioners serving without compensation should be discussed further, and it was decided that this would be a discussion item at the September Park and Recreation Commission meeting. r The Commission recommended the portion of Subdivision 11 of the enabling resolution regarding the responsibilities of Park Service Area Committees be deleted. However, the definition of the Park Service Areas should remain in the resolution as these are necessary for determining the appointments to the Commission. There was a motion by commissioner Manson and seconded by Commissioner Peterson to accept the changes just recommended by the Park and Recreation Commission, and to forward these recommendations on to the City Council. The motion passed. The Commission then proceeded to review the commission bylaws. Chairman Sorenson suggested that in Article 2 regarding meetings, the word "monthly" be deleted. The Commission discussed provisions. Chairman Sor section, as stated, puts especially the chairperson, 4-21-87 Article VII regarding general enson expressed concern that this a muzzle on the Commissions and and is in direct conflict with the -3- duties of the chairperson as outlined in the enabling resolution. There was discussion on the effect of this statement, which has good and bad points. One good point is that it maintains control over the abuse of a commissioner's role. Commissioner Peterson said he feels this statement is too restrictive, and Councilmember Hawes suggested leaving a general statement in the bylaws, but loosening the current wording up a bit. Chairman Sorenson suggested an exclusion for the chairperson, and the Commission agreed with this statement. Under Article VIII, Chairman Sorenson recommended adding the statement "Newly Revised" after "Robert's Rules of Order". Regarding Article IX, Chairman Sorenson suggested that the vote by the City Council to change the bylaws be made consistent with the past bylaws, which required more than a majority vote for approval of changes. The Commission agreed that the vote by the City Council should be a 4/5 vote, as opposed to a majority vote. There was a motion by Commissioner Manson and seconded by Commissioner Peterson to recommend to the City Council these changes to the bylaws as recommended by the Park and Recreation Commission. The motion passed. RECESS The Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:55 p.m. and reconvened at 9:00 p.m. 0 TELEVISING COMMISSION MEETINGS ON CABLE TV The Recording Secretary reviewed the City Council minutes from March 23, 1987, which noted staff was assigned to investigate the options available for televising the meetings. There" was discussion on the status of the research of this issue. Chairman Sorenson pointed out that he would like to see the City Council liaison to each commission give a short comment or review on the activities of their last commission meeting at the City Council meetings. The Recording Secretary said she would forward this suggestion on to the City Manager. YEAR 2000 ASSIGNMENTS The Recording Secretary reviewed her memorandum to the Commission dated April 21, 1987. There was a motion by Commissioner Manson and seconded by Commissioner Peterson to recommend to the City Council to include as a 1988 budget request item funding for retaining a professional consultant to conduct a feasibility study of the undeveloped parkland areas at North Twin Lake, including the peninsula, island, beach, and northern end, as well as the Kylawn Preserve area. The motion passed. NORTH MISSISSIPPI REGIONAL PARK Councilmember Hawes said the City Council passed a resolution that approves everything east of Lyndale Avenue North as a bike 4-21-87 -4- path, with some conditions placed on this. The Recording 49 Secretary will send a copy of the resolution to the Park and Recreation Commissioners. GOLF COURSE UPDATE The Director of Recreation discussed the vandalism problems occurring at the clubhouse several weeks ago. He noted that there are some problems with the dust because of the dryness. Chairman Sorenson asked when the trail will be connected back again, and the Director of Recreation said as soon as possible. The Recording Secretary noted that a video tape of a City program on the golf course is available to Commissioners who wish to view it. Several members expressed interest in viewing the tape. The Recording Secretary will see to it that the Commissioners have access to the tape. Commissioner Krefting asked if there will be season passes at the golf course, and the Director of Recreation said there will not be, as it will be pay for rounds. Commissioner Manson asked if there will be leagues, and the Director of Recreation responded affirmatively. Commissioner Peterson asked what the background of the new Golf Course Manager is, and the Director of Recreation reviewed his job history. Commissioner Manson asked if the golf course will be ready in 1988, and the Director of Recreation said it would be. OTHER BUSINESS Chairman Sorenson requested that discussion on facility needs, review of general ordinances related directly to parks, and further -discussion on the proposal from the Constitution Bicentennial Committee be tabled to the May 19, 1987 Commission meeting. There was general discussion on a variety of items, including the drinking water system, the remodeling of the Social Hall, and a new program started at the Community Center called Saturday Night Live. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Manson and seconded by commissioner Peterson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:50 p.m. 4-21-87 -5-