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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985 11-19 PRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION NOVEMBER 19, 1985 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Chairman Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Sorenson, Commissioners Skeels, Peterson, Bloomstrand, Manson, and Propst. Also present were Councilmember Bill Hawes, Director of Recreation Arnie Mavis, and Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 17, 1985 There was a motion by Commissioner Skeels and seconded by Commissioner Bloomstrand to approve the minutes of the September 17, 1985 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. PETITION REGARDING RIVERDALE PARK SKATING RINK The Director of Recreation explained why certain skating rinks were closed in past years. He pointed out that in 1984, the skating rink at Lions Park was put in without a warming house, and stated that at this time there are no plans to put a skating rink with a warming house at Riverdale Park. A resident attending the meeting pointed out that without a warming house, there will be little activity. The Director of Recreation noted that if the warming house at Riverdale Park is open it would be necessary to open all warming houses. Another resident pointed out that Evergreen Park's skating rink is not used by their children because they have to cross T.H. 252, and the Director of Recreation said the City is aware of this problem. One resident asked what the cost is for keeping the warming house open, and the Director of Recreation stated the total cost would be approximately $3,500. Commissioner Propst asked if any laws exist prohibiting the neighborhood people from staffing the warming house or for the neighborhood to contribute the money for the warming house. The Director of Recreation stated that past history has shown that using volunteers does not work effectively. A resident asked if it would be possible to open the warming house on weekends and holidays only. The Director of Recreation stated that the Park and Recreation Commission would have to make such a recommendation to the City Council and final action would be taken by the City Council. Commissioner Bloomstrand asked if any studies are still being performed on usage,of the skating rinks, and Councilmember Hawes reviewed the results of a 1982-83 study. The Director of Recreation noted that in 1984, Evergreen Park had the second highest participation and Garden City Park had the lowest participation. Commissioner Skeels asked what the condition of the present warming house is, and the Director of Recreation stated it is in good condition. One resident stated that the neighborhood feels that their park is being neglected, particularly since there are no summer programs there. It was pointed out that there are many more children in the neighborhood at this time than in recent years, and this is the reason for the request of opening the warming house and skating rink at Riverdale Park. 11-19--85 -1- Commissioner Bloomstrand asked what the cost would be to open the warming house on weekends and holidays only (which would also include when children are out of school for Christmas Vacation),. and the Director of Recreation approximated the cost at $1,500. He added that if Riverdale Park is opened during these times, the residents around Lions Park will also make the same request. Commissioner Peterson pointed out that opening of the warming house will be predicated on whether or not the City Council has money to spend on this. A resident requested that special funding be provided for opening the warming house at Riverdale Park this winter on weekends and holidays only. It was also requested that statistics be kept that will hopefully prove the neighbors correct and allow for full budgeting of the warming house in 1987. The Director of Recreation stated that the City bases its decision to keep certain warming houses open based on the usage. One resident asked if the warming house is not open, whether or not the lights at the skating rink would still be turned on, and the Director of Recreation stated they would be. Commissioner Skeels noted that he has seen a change in his neighborhood in the last five years, as there are more children living there. He supports making a recommendation to the City Council that the warming houses at Riverdale and Lions Parks be opened for weekends and holidays this winter. One resident spoke against the use of volunteers, pointing to the liability involved. The Director of Recreation agreed with this statement. Commissioner Propst asked if there is enough interest in the neighborhood for the residents to fund this program. A resident stated that if the neighborhood is expected to fund the warming house, then it would be necessary to ask other residents around other parks to do the same. He added that this situation should not be isolated. Chairman Sorenson added that it is not practical to request residents to fund the program. He suggested that the opening of Riverdale Park be made a pilot program, and if successful the program may continue. There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Bloomstrand to open the Riverdale Park skating rink and warming house on weekends and holidays for the 1985-86 winter. Commissioner Skeels asked Councilmember Hawes how the City Council would feel about this recommendation, and Councilmember Hawes stated that.it may be possible to find some additional money for this. There was a motion by Commissioner Manson and seconded by Commissioner Bloomstrand to amend Commissioner Peterson's motion to include Lions Park in the recommendation to the City Council. Commissioner Skeels stated he disagrees with the amendment as it may hurt the effort of opening Riverdale Park. Commissioners Bloomstrand, Peterson, and Propst agreed with the amendment. Upon vote being taken on the amendment, the motion passed unanimously. Upon vote being taken on the amended motion, the motion passed unanimously. RECESS The Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:15 p.m. and reconvened at 8:20 p.m. Chairman Sorenson introduced the newest member of the Park and Recreation Commission, Mr. Larry Propst. 11-19-85 -2- UPDATE ON GOLF COURSE PROPOSAL FOR LIONS PARK WEST AREA The Director of Recreation reviewed the current status of the golf course project and stated that the opening date of the golf course has been pushed back to the spring of 1988. Commissioner Propst complained about several holes in the area of the proposed golf course that have not yet been filled in and asked what would be done with the Little League ball fields. The Director of Recreation responded saying that the Major Little League field would be used in 1986 and the Lions Park field will not be used. He added that the new ball fields should be ready in 1987. Commissioner Propst expressed concern that the loud speakers at the ball fields will create noise pollution, and the Director of Recreation stated there will be one speaker behind home plate at the Major League field. Commissioner Propst asked if this loud speaker will be controlled by the City, and the Director of Recreation stated it may not be, unless specific complaints are received from the neighborhood. Commissioner Peterson asked how many hours per day the loud speakers will be used, and the Director of Recreation stated that normally the fields are used for 3-4 hours, from 6:00 p.m. until dark in the summer. Commissioner Propst stated that he did not see a practice area included in the proposal for the golf course, and the Director of Recreation said that there will be a practice green but there is no room for anything more than that. Commissioner Propst noted that the parking lot seems large, and the Director of Recreation pointed out that the clubhouse will also be used during the winter months for meetings, and the additional parking may be necessary. The Director of Recreation noted that a golf course manager will be hired for 1987. Commissioner Propst asked if the City plans to sell season tickets for the golf course, and the Director of Recreation stated that plans have not reached that point yet. Commissioner Propst asked what is happening with the dirt being delivered to the golf course site, and the Director of Recreation noted that the City purchased the excess dirt from the Target site and the dirt is being moved at this time. OTHER BUSINESS The Director of Recreation noted that the swimming pool is now open again, as well as the sauna. Councilmember Hawes asked if the new sports club on Highway 100 and France Avenue North has hurt the usage at the Community Center, and the Director of Recreation said that he does not think it has. The Director of Recreation stated that the City sponsored a Halloween party with 250 participants, adding that it was very successful for a first time event for the City. Commissioner Skeels asked if the City has turned off the fountain in the pond at Central Park yet, and the Director of Recreation responded affirmatively. Commissioner Propst asked if any progress is being made on the Fine Arts subcommittee. The Director of Recreation noted that this is called the Entertainment in the Parks subcommittee, and the City has budgeted some money for this. He added that the City is also planning to purchase aportable stage unit, and planning has started for summer programming. The Director of Recreation noted that the City has experienced a streak of vandalism in the parks, and City staff will be working with the Crime Prevention Fund in an effort to curb some of this acitivity. Members of the Commission discussed the situation of vandalism in the parks and possible alternatives for what may be done. 11-19-85 -3- - A ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Skeels to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Chairman • • 11-19-85 -4-