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
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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
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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,
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Article VII regarding general
enson expressed concern that this
a muzzle on the Commissions and
and is in direct conflict with the
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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
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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.
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