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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983 01-18 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 JANUARY 18, 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, Bradford, Bloomstrand and Denissen. Also present were Councilmember Bill Hawes, Director of Parks and Recreation Gene,Hagel, and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Chairman Sorenson noted that Commissioner Streitz would be absent from this evenings meeting and was excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - AUGUST 24, 1982, NOVEMBER 16, 1982 There was a motion by Commissioner Bradford and seconded by Commissioner Bloomstrand to approve the minutes of the August 24, 1982 meeting as submitted. Voting in favor: Chairman Sorenson, Commissioners Bradford and Bloomstrand. Voting against: none. The motion passed. Commissioners Albright and Denissen abstained from the vote as they were not present at the August 24, 1982 meeting. There was a motion by Commissioner Albright and seconded by Commissioner Bloomstrand to approve the minutes of the November 16, 1982 meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. UPDATE ON PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR 1983 The Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed for Commission members the park improvement projects planned for completion in 1983: -He explained the projects scheduled for neighborhood parks would be completed.and also the trail system in the City would be completed. With regard to Central Park he pointed out that picnic tables will be intstalled, fencing.will`_be'installed in front of the players benches on the ball fields, litter receptacles will be placed, and landscaping and satellite screening will be undertaken. The Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed the proposed.projects for the neighborhood parks which include the installation:of bike posts, benches, seal coating basketball courts in various parks, anditennis court resurfacing _ in various parks. He explained other items scheduled.for 1983 include the installation of an observation point in Central Park,-construction, of tennis courts in Lions Park-'and renovations to various,-park--shelter buildings including°.. the reroofing of the Bellvue Park shelter building. Councilmember Hawes stated the Council authorized $3,000 for a contract with Brauer and Associates to prepare the proper applications required by various State and Federal agencies to do site work in the. area of the proposed golf course agencies site, The Director of Parks and Recreation added that the ag o with jurisdiction in the area include the State DNR,, the Army Corp of Engineers, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1-18-83 -1- REVIEW OF HENNEPIN COUNTY FIVE YEAR PARK PLAN 1982-1986 Administrative Assistant Bublitz pointed out that there have been some changes in the plan since it was published. He explained that the developments proposed for Fish Lake, Elm Creek and Eagle Lake have been moved into the next five year planning period and will not be included in the 1982-1986 plan. He explained that the plan was reviewed by the Council and a representative from the Hennepin County Park Reserve District and that the City Manager requested information from the Park Reserve District representative concerning the regional corridors proposed for Hennepin County. Administrative Assistant Bublitz pointed out that the regional corridors are trailways and that the City Manager pointed out at the Council meeting that certian cities, such as Brooklyn Center and Minneapolis have been very agressive about completing their trail systems and that it appears that these cities have been punished for completing their trail systems in light of the fact that the County is planning regional corridors for other areas of the County. He also requested the Park Reserve District to consider development of the River Ridge Park in the City and that the City has also gone on record as supporting the maintenance of Durnam Island as a wildlife area. Commissioner Albright inquired whether the staff had any comment on the River Ridge Park. The Director of Parks and Recreation explained that MN/DOT owns the land now but that the City has an agreement with the DNR to maintain the river access. He added that the Park Reserve District is still interested in upgrading it as a launch site but because of budget problems nothing has been developed in the area. KALEIDOSCOPE The Director of Parks and Recreation explained that Kaleidoscope will be held on April 10th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. this year. He explained the Park and Recreation Department will be represented and that the focus this year will be on the Community Center and Central Park. He added that all City Commissions have been invited to participate in Kaleidoscope and he inquired whether the Park.and.Recreatamn Commission would like to participate again this year. Commissioner Albright commented that she would have her own booth at Kaleidoscope this year. Chairman Sorenson suggested that the Recreation Survey may be something that could be pursued at Kaleidoscope. The Director of Parks and Recreation noted that Jim Norwick suggested a shuttle bus between the High School - Central Park and the Community Center for Kaleidoscope. He also noted that during Earle Brown Days this year a park dedication is planned for the park system. Chairman Sorenson suggested-that the discussion of Kaliedoscope be placed on next months agenda and discussion continued at that time. RECREATION SURVEY The Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed for Commission members the three survey forms which he prepared, including a survey of Community Education and Recreation Department Leisure and Recreation prgorams, Recreation program survey and Community Center Facilities and Needs survey. Chairman Sorenson asked who the respondent would be for the Community Center Facilities and Needs survey. The Director of Parks and Recreation explained that the persons to be surveyed by this questionnaire would be Community Center users to be interviewed by Commission members. Commissioner Albright questioned why the Commissioners should conduct this survey at the Community Center noting that she can understand the Commissioners participation in the Community Education survey but not the Community Centers survey. She suggested that perhaps the Recreation staff could conduct the Community Center survey. 1- 18-83 -2- A. Administrative Assistant Bublitz noted that a personal interview is often helpful in doing surveys in order to discuss the survey questions in detail since surveys are never completely applicable to each individuals needs and opinions. Councilmember Hawes added that he believes participation in the survey is important and that he would be willing to take time to work on the survey. Discussion continued among Commission members regarding the surveys developed by the Director of Parks and Recreation and the type of sample sought for each survey.. A discussion of a purely random survey of community center members was discussed and also the limiting of the survey questions to those who use only one or two specific facilities. It was also pointed out that many people do not personally use the Community Center facilities but their children parti- cipate in various programs. Discussion continued regarding the survey questions and the sample to be surveyed. Chairman Sorenson stated that he believes the first issue to be resolved and addressed with regard to the original project was the Community Education survey and he suggested that this be given the highest priority. Commissioner Albright suggested giving the survey to only persons using tokens to go down stairs since this will give information about the persons using the swimming pool, sauna and exercise room. She added that these are the facilities which the survey is focusing on and that by interviewing only those people using the facilities a better sampling could be achieved. She added that a second survey could be conducted and persons entering the Community Center could be asked what facility they are planning to use. It was decided that the discussion of thb survey would be placed on the next agenda. Chairman Sorenson stated that the next Commission agenda for February should include a discussion of the two surveys one to be conducted at Kaleidoscope and the other to be conducted at the Community Center. He noted that from the Commission's discussion this evening the survey to be conducted at Kaliedoscope would include basic questions such as do you use the Community Center, if so what facility and if you do not use the Community Center, why not. He explained the second survey at the Community Center would be more detailed and would survey people now using the Community Center facilities. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Denissen commented she has. observed that since the consolidation of the ice skating facilities this year more people are required to go to skating rinks by auto and that she had noted complaints in the Evergreen Park area regarding the parking lot and that it was not adequately cleared of snow. She added that she observed only four cars could park in the lot at one time. 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 9:56 p.m. Chairman • 1-18-83 -3-