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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983 12-20 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 DECEMBER 20, 1983 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Sorenson at 7:55 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Sorenson, Commissioners Skeels, Bloomstrand and Peterson. Also present were Director of Parks and Recreation Gene Hagel and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Chairman Sorenson noted that Commissioners Albright and Streitz were absent from this evenings meeting and were excused. REVIEW OF PARK CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM For the benefit of new and recently appointed Commission members the Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed the Park Classifi- cation system which included neighborhood parks, playgrounds, communitiy parks, linear parks, nature interpretive parks, and special use parks. The Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed for Commission members a map showing the park system and the rationale for locating specific types of parks. He then reviewed the radius of influence and planned uses for each type of park. At the request of Chairman Sorenson the Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed the existing facilities at River Ridge park, pointing out that the only major facility at this park is a boat launch. He added that, although the area is not owned by the City the City does maintain the area and he noted that Hennepin County may develop this area in the future, particularly in.light of the scarce river access areas. He pointed out that the area is owned by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. In terms of past development in the area the Director pointed out that picnic areas had been developed by the City's Jaycees but were vandalized and also flooded out. RECESS The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:25 p.m. and reconvened at 8:45 p.m. PETITION RECEIVED FROM LIONS PARK NEIGHBORHOOD REQUESTING SKATING RINK IN LIONS PARK The Director of Parks and Recreation submitted to Commission members a petition from the citizens in the Lions Park area regarding a request for an ice skating area in Lions Park. He pointed out that he had been in contact with Mr. Lou Howard, 2218 55th Avenue North, who had been involved in organizing the petition. He added tht Mr. Howard conveyed his apologies 12-20-83 -1- to the Commission for not having the petition ready for the last Commission meeting in November. The Director added that he was submitting the petition this evening to the Park and Recreation Commission to acknowledge the receipt of the petition. The Director of Parks and Recreation then reviewed the Commission's decision on the opening of rinks for the 1983-84 season and the rationale for their list of rinks. Chairman Sorenson asked what the cost of maintaining ice at rinks would be. The Director of Parks and Recreation explained that the cost of maintaining ice is approximately $1,200 to $1,400 per rink per season. He added the rinks are swept daily and fogged every day when in heavy use. The Commission reviewed rink locations nearest the Lions Park neighborhood. Chairman Sorenson inquired whether the rinks could be maintained on weekends only. The Director of Parks and Recreation expressed a concern that the rinks would be more difficult to maintain if they were let go for a number of days. The Commission continued its discussion regarding skating rinks and the Director of Parks and Recreation suggested that the Commission may want to experiment next year and also look at some recent census figures which are now available on a block by block basis. Given the attendance figures of skating rinks Chairman Sorenson noted that they appear to be open and located in the proper locations. He added he would like to experiment next year to perhaps open more rinks. There was a general consensus of Commission members present to stand by the Commission's previous decision regarding the rink opening schedule for the 1983-84 season. The Commission then requested the staff to convey their decision to Mr. Howard and the other petitioners in the Lions Park area. GOLF COURSE STUDY The Director of Parks and Recreation explained that it is the staff's intention to attempt to update the statistics contained in the previous golf course study on an in-house basis. He added that since the golf courses in New Hope and Roseville are similar he would recommend that these courses be analyzed to obtain as much information from their operations as possible. The Commission discussed the update of the golf course study and reviewed the various portions of the study which would be updated including traffic counts, budget, staffing, feasibility, projected income, etc. The Director of Parks and Recreation recommended that the Commission could recommend to the Council that the study should be updated. Chairman Sorenson inquired of the Commission members whether they felt the course would have to be self supporting. He added that he believes it is important that this question be discussed by the Commission and some agreement made on it. 1.2-20-83 -2- He added that he feels it is important that the golf course should make a profit. The Director of Parks and Recreation explained that the objective of the golf course should be to make a profit and that potentially a golf course could do this. • Chairman Sorenson polled the Commission members regarding their thoughts on the topic of the profitability of a golf course. Commissioner Peterson stated that he believes the golf course should break even and that this would be a minimal requirement. Commissioner Bloomstrand stated that he believes the golf course should break even. Commissioner Skeels stated he believes the golf course would make a profit due to the fact that it is aimed at a special group of people. Commissioner Bloomstrand stated that he wished to qualify his answer in that the golf course should be entered into with the expectation of making a profit. Chairman Sorenson inquired when the update information would be available. The Director of Parks and Recreation explained that it would not be less than two months before a good deal of the information would be available and that he could not respond for the portion required to be updated by the City's Engineering department. There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Bloomstrand to recommend the proposed par 3 golf course study be updated by the City staff to determine it's feasibility. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner by Commissioner Skeels to adjourn passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Commission adjourned at 4:38 p.m. Bloomstrand and seconded the meeting. The motion Center Park and Recreation Chairman • 12-20-83 -3-