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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983 11-15 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 15, 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 7:40 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Sorenson, Commissioners Albright, Streitz, Denissen, Bloomstrand, Skeels, and Peterson. Also present were Councilmember Bill Hawes and Administrative Assistant-Tom Bublitz, and Director of Parks and Recreation Gene Hagel. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -MAY 24, 1983 There was a motion by Commissioner Skeels and seconded by Commissioner Bloomstrand to approve the minutes of the May 24, 19-83 meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSION MEMBER Councilmember Hawes introduced Mr. Don Peterson as the Commission's new appointment. Mr. Peterson stated that his particular interest in the Commission's activities was in the area of the golf course. He added that he has been a resident of Brooklyn Center for the past 14 years and is interested in serving the City in some capacity. RESIGNATION OF COMMISSIONER DENISSEN Commissioner Denissen stated that she has recently moved to the City of Champlin and has submitted her resignation from the Park and Recreation Commission. She thanked the Commission members for the experience for serving with them over the past few years as a member of the Commission. Chairman Sorenson thanked Commissioner Denissen for her participation on the Commission over the past few years. REVIEW OF 1984 PARK AND RECREATION BUDGET The Director of Parks and Recreation proceeded to review the 1984 Park and Recreation budget and explained the budget contained no major changes from the 1983 budget with regard to either programming or capital items. He reviewed the appropriations and explained that there is a $40,000 increase in appropriations over the 1983 budget with an anticipated increase of $40,000 in revenue. The Director then reviewed several capital items in the 1984 budget including a lighted reader board located outside the Community Center for announcements of activities. He then reviewed the departmental appropriations for Recreation Programs including children, youth, and adult programs. He the reviewed the Community Center budget, 11-15-83 -1- along with additional capital outlay items including the replacement of the diving boards, improved ventilation in the weight room and other repair and replacement items in various parts of the Community Center. 0 The Director of Parks and Recreation then reviewed the Parks Mainte- nance Budget and proposed developments for Central Park, including the construction of tennis courts. Chairman.Sorenson inquired if any Commission members had any questions regarding the 1984 budget. Commissioner Skeels inquired how the $50,000 in professisonal services for the softball program would be spent. The Director of Parks and Recreation explained that this $50,000 item is for the hiring of umpires and that the fees for the softball participants pays for hiring of umpires. 1983 PARK IMPROVEMENTS The Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed the park improvements installed in City parks in 1983 including the planting of 1,600 trees, construction of blacktop and woodchip trails in the Palmer Lake area, construction of observation areas at Palmer Lake, dredging, and planting of 857 trees and schrubs and 850 ground cover plants in the Palmer Lake area. He explained that the City of Brooklyn Park is applying for a grant to complete their segment of the trailway which would extend to the Coon Rapids Dam. He added that the construction of this portion of the trailway could begin as soon as next year. The Director of Parks and Recreation pointed out that the trailway bridge over Highway 100 is now complete making Brooklyn Center's portion of the trailway system complete. Chairman Sorenson noted that additional signing marking the trail is needed at County Road 10 and Shingle Creek Parkway in the Brookdale area. The Director of Parks and Recreation agreed that this is a difficult area and that he would check the signage in this area of the trailway. REVIEW OF PLANS FOR PLAZA AREA IN CENTRAL PARK The Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed the plans for the proposed plaza area outside the Community Center and explained that the goal of the plan is to maintain the integrity of the open space in the area and still allow the use of the area for activities which would attract a great number of people such as fairs, festivals, art shows etc. The Director of Parks and Recreation stated that, currently the purchase of a'Showmovile" for band concerts and dances is being contemplated. He added that the modifications to the entrance to the Community Center has been proposed to soften the area and to eliminate the large concrete area immediately adjacent to the Community Center. • 11-15-83 -2- Commissioner Skeels inquired as to the time frame for the proposed improvements. The Director replied that hopefully construction would begin next year with the funding for the project coming out of the bond proceeds. He added that this would of course be contingent on the cost of the tennis courts in Central Park. Cost estimates for the plaza area include $160,000 for the plaza area and between $50,000 and $60,000 for the redesign of the Community Center entrance. RECESS The Brooklyn Center. Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:40 p.m., and reconvened at 8:50 p.m. REVIEW OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 13 OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER BY REGULATING THE USE OF CITY PARKS.AND OPEN SPACE Administrative Assistant Bublitz reviewed the three major points o the ordinance which included the provision allowing the City Manager to erect certain signs to address specific situations in parks, such as the nesting of water fowl, the prohibition against glass beverage containers in the parks and the prohibition against the bringing in and dumping of trash in.City park trash containers. Chairman Sorenson noted a problem with section 1-116 of the ordinance which seems to duplicate State law regarding littering. Administrative Assistant Bublitz noted that the state law addresses littering and the City ordinance addresses the depositing of litter in containers in the park. REVIEW OF PROPOSED LIQUOR ORDINANCE AMENDMENT Administrative Assistant Bublitz reviewed briefly the ordinance changes which would affect City park activities and explained that the amount for a temporary beer license is $10 per location while the fee for a set up license is $10 per year. ' The Commission briefly discussed the temporary license provisions of the proposed ordinance. REQUEST FOR SKATING RINKS AT RIVERDALE PARK AND LIONS PARK The Director of Parks and Recreation explained that he had received phone calls from individuals in the Lions Park area and Riverdale Park area requesting skating rinks. He noted he received one call from each area. He then reviewed the formula upon which rink attend ance is taken at the various skating rinks. He noted that the formula consists of counting the rink attendance at the peak time of day and multiplying by 1~. He added that this formula gives a fairly accurate picture of the usage of the skating rinks. He then reviewed the past rink attendance at various skating rinks and noted that there is a cost of $1,400 to $1,600 per rink per season to maintain a skating surface. Chairman Sorenson noted the problem at Riverdale park in that small children have to cross Lyndale Avenue to get to Evergreen Park to skate. Commissioner Albright stated that she would like to open all the skating rinks but a decision was made to close certain rinks and not many complaints have been received at this point. She added that the Commission may be creating a problem by opening the rinks 11-15-83 -3- again and that she did not see that we have that much of a problem at this point to be going backwards again. The Commission continued its discussion of the order at the rinks particularly with regard to from older children picking on smaller children problem of maintaining the conflicts arising at the rinks. The Director of Parks and Recreation explained that at the peak times at some of the problem areas two attendants could be used for one rink, one for the warming house and one for the rink. Commission members Albright and Sorenson concurred with the use of two attendants at rinks if necessary. Commissioner Streitz suggested polling the Commission on their thoughts on opening more skating rinks in the City for this season. Commissioner Albright stated that she would vote for leaving the rinks as they are with more attendants. Commissioners Peterson, Streitz, Skeels and Bloomstrand all agreed that the rink schedule should stay as it is for this season. Chairman Sorenson noted that the concensus of the Commissiosn is to keep the rink schedule unchanged for the 83-84 skating season. He added that he agreed with Commissioner Albright to monitor.the rinks and go with two attendants at peak times. GOLF COURSE STUDY The Commission briefly reviewed the 1980 golf course feasibility study and Chairman Sorenson stated that his initial view was to form a subcommittee of the Commission to address the issue of a golf course. MEETING SCHEDULE AND ATTENDANCE Chairman Sorenson noted that only two persons attended the August and September meetings and inquired whether there was a problem with the meeting schedule as set out. He added that perhaps these schedules should be changed so that the first meeting after the summer break is in October and not September. The Commission briefly discussed the meeting schedule but took no formal action to change the schedule. Chairman Sorenson noted that the next meeting is scheduled for December 2.Oth. Councilmember Hawes stated that he would like to discuss at a future meeting a short range and long range work plan with specific goals for the Commission. He added that in order to maintain the interest of Commission members that the Commission look at some short range projects. He suggested a formation of an ad hoc committee to work with the Director of Parks and Recreation and the City Manager on certain matters. • 11-15-83 -4- Commissioner Albright noted that the Commission has not had any real input on the City Park and Recreation budget in past years. Councilmember Hawes noted that he believed the ad hoc committee could address this issue. Chairman Sorenson noted that the next Commission agenda would include a-discussion of the golf course study. He added that he believes it is the Council's job to advise the Commission and give certain direction to the Commission. Commissioner Albright suggested looking at the issue of rejuvenating the Park Service Areas. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Albright and seconded by Commissioner Bloomstrand to adjourn the- meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 10:12 p.m. • i Chairman 0