Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986 10-21 PRM I 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 OCTOBER 21, 1986 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Chairman Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:32 P.M. ROLL CALL Chairman Sorenson, Commissioners Manson and Peterson. Also present were Councilmember Bill Hawes, City Manager Gerald G. Splinter, and Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone. Commissioners Skeels and Propst were not able to attend the meeting this evening. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MAY 20. 1986 There was a motion by Commissioner Manson and seconded by Commissioner Peterson to approve the minutes of the May 20, 1986 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 16, 1986 Chairman Sorenson stated that this item will be held over to the next Commission meeting when members who were in attendance at the September meeting will be present at the November meeting to vote. REPORT ON PARK BOND PROJECTS The City Manager reviewed his memorandum and report to the Park and Recreation Commission dated October 15, 1986, highlighting changes or modifications to the original plan, such as the horse shoe courts and trailways. He proceeded to review specific changes made to the Palmer Lake Nature Area, the trailway system, and Central Park. He also reviewed the finances for the bonding projects. The City Manager pointed out several areas that are left to be completed, including further work on the trail system, the vacant area around North Twin Lake including the peninsula and the island, the trailway near 69th Avenue North and in the southeast part of the City, the area along the Mississippi River, and further development of the Entertainment in the Parks programming. Chairman Sorenson pointed out that the number one priority of the Park Bond Projects, that of the neighborhood parks, did not come out short on the funding of the projects. SKATING RINK AT FREEWAY PARK The Commission reviewed a petition from the residents living near Freeway Park requesting the addition of a skating rink for this winter. Chairman Sorenson asked what annual flooding costs are, and the Recording Secretary did not know. One resident in attendance said there are many younger families back in the 0 -1- t neighborhood, and because she does not want the children crossing at 69th Avenue North to use the skating rink near Palmer Lake, she feels Freeway Park would be convenient and a safe place for the children to skate. Commissioner Peterson asked where the children would change their skates, and one resident said the kids will put their skates on at home and walk on the streets to the rink, which is not that far from any of the homes in the area. Councilmember Hawes asked if there are any lights in Freeway Park and Chairman Sorenson stated there are not. A resident noted there is a street light in the parking lot at the park. One resident said there is a very positive response from residents in the area, as indicated on the petition. One person said the residents would like to see the money put into an area park, adding that the children are out of school around 2:00 p.m., so there are enough daylight hours for afternoon skating. Commissioner Peterson expressed concern about skating in a nonsupervised area because some kids will be playing hockey. A resident pointed out that there will be kids playing hockey, but there will also be a lot of children skating. One resident said there are enough people who want this skating rink and there should not be any problems. Commissioner Peterson expressed concern about the City's liability with an unsupervised skating rink, and Chairman Sorenson pointed out that Lions Park skating rink has been unsupervised. One resident asked if the City can state a disclaimer, and the Recording Secretary said this is not effective. The Commission discussed the City's liability and concern over hockey players and young children skating in the same area. One resident-pointed out that some of the parents do skate with their children. Chairman Sorenson said he is in favor of flooding the rink because of the access problem to other neighborhood skating rinks, and recommended a one-year trial period. There was a motion by Commissioner Manson and seconded by commissioner Peterson to recommend to the City Council to flood Freeway Park and open it for a one-year trial period without supervision, and to review the survey by the Park and Recreation Department regarding usage after completion of the trial period. The motion passed. The Recording Secretary said this item will be recommended to the City Council at its November 10, 1986 meeting. RECESS The Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:30 p.m. and reconvened at 8:43 p.m. BIKE PATHS ON ROADWAYS The Recording Secretary said that the Director of Public Works, Sy Knapp, will be reviewing the entire sidewalk and bike path system in the City in the next few months, and will work in cooperation with the Park and Recreation commission in reviewing this. 0 -2- .p Councilmember Hawes stated that he did not receive his agenda packet for the meeting this evening, and the Recording Secretary said she would determine what the problem was. TRAILWAY SYSTEM - REVIEW OF UNDEVELOPED PORTION The Recording Secretary said that the Park and Recreation Commission could recommend blacktopping the remaining portion of the trailway on the east side of Palmer Lake. Councilmember Hawes asked that this item be discussed more completely at the next commission meeting, discussing both pros and cons of the proposal. This item was deferred to the next meeting. FUTURE DISCUSSION ITEMS Chairman Sorenson said he would like to discuss parking problems related to the boat launches on Twin Lake North. Councilmember Hawes said the neighbors are angry about the lack of parking near the Twin Lake beach area, and this should also be discussed. Chairman Sorenson said there should be some happy medium between no parking and allowing parking everywhere. Chairman Sorenson also requested that a review of the general ordinances related to the parks directly be done and discussed at the December or January Commission meeting. Councilmember Hawes asked why the pages of revisions to the Ordinance book are not dated, and the Recording Secretary said she would look into this. Chairman Sorenson said he would also like to discuss parks maintenance, and expressed concern because the park maintenance manual is not being used.- NORTH MISSISSIPPI REGIONAL PARK The Recording Secretary said that it was preferred that Chairman Sorenson represent the current Park and Recreation Commission on the ad hoc committee for the North Mississippi Regional Park because he is chairman of the present commission and has some background of the park plan development. Councilmember Hawes noted that the entire project is still in limbo, and the Commission discussed this proposed park area. VANDALISM IN PARKS Chairman Sorenson and the Commission discussed the vandalism problems in the parks. Chairman Sorenson suggested the possibility of adding park police or extra patrols in an effort to stop the vandalism. Commissioner Manson asked if it is known when the vandalism is occurring, and Councilmember Hawes stated that probably after dark, until midnight. Commissioner Manson stated that it is probably worse on the weekends. Chairman Sorenson said an effort ought to be coordinated with the residents to get them to pay more attention and get involved in solving this problem. The Recording Secretary suggested that a representative from the Crime Prevention Fund work with the Park and Recreation Commission in coordinating efforts targeting on 0 -3- a A04 - vandalism in the parks. She will make arrangements with the Chief of Police to schedule this for a future commission meeting. ITEMS DEFERRED TO NEXT COMMISSION MEETING Chairman Sorenson suggested that the following items be deferred to the next meeting for further discussion: trailway system, bike paths on roadways, and vandalism in the parks. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Manson to adjourn. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Chairman 0