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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983 05-24 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 MAY 24, 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 7:50 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Sorenson, Commissioners Denissen, Bloomstrand and Skeels. Also present were Councilmember Bill Hawes, 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - APRIL 19, 1983 There was a motion by Commissioner Denissen and seconded by Commissioner Skeels to approve the minutes of the April 19, 1983 meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. COMMUNITY EDUCATION SURVEY The Director of Parks and Recreation proceeded to review the compiled summaries of the Community Education Surveys and noted that the results of the survey showed a distinct difference between the type of programming in Park and Recreation programs and Community Education programs. He explained there were a total of 976 activities listed in the school districts surveyed, 83 of which were classes for women, 6 for men only, 66 for pre-school, 71 aimed at elementary age and 28 designed for elderly. Commissioner Denissen commented on the apparent lack of programs for the 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. time slot for young children. She noted that this time period would be attractive to working parents. Chairman Sorenson thanked Commission members"Denissen and Albright for their work on the project which consisted of assembling and surveying all the Community Education information and class schedules for the school districts surveyed. Chair- man Sorenson raised the question as to whether the Park and Recreation department should attempt to distribute brochures of other school districts throughout the entire City. Administrative-Assistant Bublitz suggested providing the information as to where the brochures can be obtained. Chairman Sorenson suggested that perhaps the boochures could be made available at the Community Center. There was a general concensus of the Commission to agree that the brochures should be made available to people visiting the Community Center.- Chairman Sorenson commented that, when the survey of Community Education programs was originally discussed by the Commission a survey of facilities was also considered at that time. The Director of Parks and Recreation stated that the 5-24-83 -1- facilities survey or inventory was initially discussed especially with regard to the use of gymnasiums. He noted that the gymnasiums are solidly booked throughout the year and that this information is generally available now so that no additional survey would really be necessary. He added that, if the school use of gymnasiums increases, programs may be pushed out and the City may want to consider such a facility in the future. Discussion continued among Commission members regarding additional physical facilities for the future. With regard to the Community Education Survey Chairman Sorenson inquired whether the Commissioners had any specific recommendations. Commissioner Denissen replied that her recommendation would be that the City concentrate on promoting children's activities since the Community Education does not focus on this area. RECESS The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:23 p.m. and reconvened at 8:40 p.m. PARK REGULATIONS The Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed for Commission members the City's existing Park Ordinance and explained that several changes were being considered at the staff level with regard to park ordinances. One of the areas he point out, which is becoming a serious problem in parks, is broken glass especially since it is difficult to remove from grassy areas. Another problem pointed out by the Parks Director involved people emptying trash from home into the park trash containers. He reviewed a draft of proposed language prohibiting the dumping of trash in City parks. Commissioner Bloomstrand inquired how the ordinance would be publicized. The Director of Parks. and Recreation replied that signs would be placed at the* entrance to parks and that hopefully the signs could be designed in an attractive manner to cover the most important information. He added that the City Manager is also working with the attorney on proposed language to allow the City Manager to post certain signs in.a•number of areas in parks including such signs as no swimming,. no boating, no skating and nesting-areas. Administrative Assistant Bublitz commented that the ordinance amendment would allow the City Manager some discretion in establishing certain regulations and signs within City parks, on a limited basis. Councilmember Hawes inquired whether the signs would be permanent or temporary. The Director of Parks and Recreation explained that signs, such as no swimming or no skating would likely be permanent signs. Administrative Assistant Bublitz noted that some of the signs would be of a tempory nature to address a particular situation.such as parking or nesting birds. Discussion continued among Commission members regarding the signs and the proposed park ordinance amendments. Chairman Sorenson expressed a concern that only ordinances unique to Brooklyn Center should be posted and not the more common laws, such as no fireworks,. which is a state law. He added that if such an ordinance is passed he would like to see some automatic review by the City Council. There was.a general concensus of the Commission members'to agree with Chairman Sorenson's comments. There was also a general concensus of Commission members present to agree with the intent of the ordinance dealing with the prohibition of glass beverage containers. Commission discussion continued regarding the proposed ordinance amendments dealing with the dumping of refuse and Chairman Sorenson questioned whether a locked dumpstee would be adequate, combined with tagging•for littering if garbage is piled next to 5-24-83 -2- .the container. There was a general concensus of Commission members to agree with the addition of the ordinance amendment if the problem is not already addressed by existing ordinance language. The concensus of the Commission was also to perform the necessary legal research on the problem to determine whether existing language did not already address the situation. ' PARK TOUR The Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed for Commission members the past park tours conducted in early spring and noted the poor turnout at last year's tour. He added that he would not recommend using a large bus if the Commission did decide to go on tour and suggested a walking tour through the Palmer Lake Area. Commissioner Denissen stated that she would like to see more input from the Commission on the annual budget. Chairman Sorenson stated that he liked the concept, but as a practical matter the Commission cannot devote the time needed to do such a task. Also he pointed out the Commission receives it direction from the Council and that he would not consider it appropriate to do this without Council direction. Administrative Assistant Bublitz reviewed the Park and Recreation Commission by-laws and resolution and noted the advisory role of the Commission. Discussion developed among Commission members concerning City skating rinks. Commissioner Denissen questioned how a particular rink could be reopened and inquired what criteria are used to determine whether rinks should be reopened. The Director of Parks and Recreation explained that the staff is aware of the youth population in the various neighborhoods and that the use of the rinks is monitored throughout the season. With regard to the tour through the Palmer Lake area Chairman Sorenson noted that .there was a general concensus among Commission members to take a walking tour. It was decided that the tour would be held on June 14 at-7:00 p.m. Chairman Sorenson requested that the Commission be able to review the Park and Recreation budget at a meeting at the end of August, or the first Tuesday in September, depending on the budget schedule. OTHER BUSINESS Councilmember Hawes suggested that the Commission pursue some type of long term project at least on an annual basis. He added that perhaps the Commission could devote a session to developing a long range project. Chairman Sorenson suggested that the Commission could do this in September or October of this year. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Denissen and seconded by Commissioner Bloomstrand to adjourn the meeting. The motion-passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 10:25 p.m. Chairman • 5-24-83 -3-