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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982 09-21 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 SEPTEMBER 21, 1982 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 7:30 P.M. ROLL CALL Chairman Sorenson, Commissioners Streitz, Bradford, Denisson, and Bloomstrand. Also present were Councilman Bill Hawes, Director of Parks and Recreation Gene Hagel, and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Commissioner Sorenson noted that Commissioner Kiefer was absent and excused from this evening's meeting and that Commissioner Albright would be arriving later. FREEWAY PARK SHELTER BUILDING Administrative Assistant Bublitz reviewed the comments made at the August 24 Park and Recreation Commission meeting regarding the Freeway Park shelter building. He reviewed the comments made by those in attendance from the Freeway Park neighborhood and also commission members. He noted that at the August. meeting, the Commission deferred action on the issue until the full commission could review it. Commissioner Sorenson briefly reviewed the proposals.discussed at the last meeting regarding the shelter building and which included: a renovation at a cost of $10,000; construction of an open shelter at a cost of $7,000; an exterior facelift for $5,000-$6,000; tearing down the existing building and replacing the structure; tear- ing down the existing shelter and using.temporary shelters; and construction of a complete warming house without plumbing facilities at an estimated cost of $20,00Q. The Director of Parks and Recreation pointed out that the cost of temporary shelters would range from $300 to $500 to rent for a season. The Director of Parks and Recreation commented that the 1983 Budget Recommendation .recommends eight areas for ice rinks with full time attendants and includes the six areas with hockey rinks and orchard Lane and West Palmer. He also pointed out that the budget recommends the maintenance of ice at Brooklane Park because of its proxim- ity, to Garden City School. Chairman Sorenson recognized Mr. Jim Smith, 6807 Abbott Avenue N., who spoke in favor of maintaining a shelter at Freeway Park and stated that he_would like to see as many facilities in the area as possible including ice skating. He stated that if $20,000 is spent on a building, he believed it should be used more than just a few months out of the year. Councilmember Theis, who was present at the meeting, inquired whether the condition of shelter buildings has been a factor in recreational programming at parks. The Director of Parks and Recreation stated there was no correlation between the amount of programming at a park and the condition of the shelter building. Councilmember Theis stated that he does not see a lot of function for an open shelter building. The Director of Parks and Recreation stated that the open shelter is intended as an attraction and some shelter from the sun and rain. He stated that the shelter serves as a focal point for programming and the park in general. 9-21-82- 4 Commissioner Bloomstrand inquired whether there was any money in the budget for- a shelter building at Freeway Park. The Director of Parks and Recreation stated that $9,000 had been budgeted and is available for renovation or construction of an open shelter. Commissioner Sorenson again reviewed the various options for the shelter building at Freeway Park and polled the Commission members as to their preference. Commis- sioner Bradford favored an open shelter. Commissioner Bloomstrand favored an open shelter with the hopes of enclosing it in the future. Commissioner Streitz favored an open shelter. Commissioner Dennison favored an open shelter. There was a motion by Commissioner Streitz and seconded by Commissioner Bloomstrand to recommend to the City Council that the funds budgeted in the 1983 budget for the shelter building in Freeway Park be used to construct an open shelter of a type that can be converted to an enclosed shelter if it becomes necessary in the future. The motion passed unanimously. RECESS The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:09 P.M. Commissioner Albright arrived at 8:20 P.M. The Commission reconvened at 8:29 P.M. Councilmember Hawes reported on the Council's recent action regarding the Lion's Park tennis courts and noted that the Council reviewed the cost of the Lion's Park tennis courts and the bid-for the soil correction work. He explained that he reviewed this cost with Mr. Lou Howard who had initially requested the tennis court in the area. He explained that Mr. Howard agreed that the cost for the soil correction work was extremely high, and that the current status is that the soil correction work was placed on another contract in the hope of reducing the cost. He also pointed out that the bridge connecting Lion's Park to the trailway system will be built and a woodchip trail will be installed. He added that the completion of the trails, bridge, and landscaping for the Central Park project has been approved by the Council. Councilmember Hawes stated that the Babe Ruth League who operates.in the concession stand at Grandview Park is currently considering rebuilding the stand. He added that it is hoped that the services of an architect can be contributed to design the new. building. He added that at the last Council meeting, it was.learned that the Army Corps of Engineers is requesting review of the Palmer Lake Basin project, and as a result, the plans for this area have been delayed. The Director of Parks and Recreation added that the final two stations of the Exer- cise Trail will also be constructed. He added that the Grandview Shelter Building is currently being renovated, and the shelter building at Happy Hollow Park will be getting a new roof. He noted that playground equipment has been installed at all city parks except for Marlin Park, and that is'now being installed. PARK AND RECREATION 1983 BUDGET Commissioner Sorenson inquired whether any of the commission members had any comments or questions, on the 1983 proposed Park and Recreation budget. The Director of Parks and Recreation stated that he considers this budget a realistic budget particularily with regard to the state aid cutbacks experienced by the City. He added that the 1983 budget reflects the programming in the 1982 budget with a few minor changes.- The Commission reviewed the recreation and parks administration budget and also budget number 62, the adult recreation programs. The Director of Parks and Recrea- tion pointed out that the programs in the adult recreation budget are all self- supporting. The Superintendent of Recreation pointed out'there would be additional revenue in the adult recreation program budget.as a result of adding mixed leagues and the volleyball program.' 'j 1 • • 9-21-82 -2- C O R R E C T I O N The Commission reviewed budgets 63 and 64, the teen recreation programs and children's recreational programs. Councilmember Hawes commented on the excel- lence of the children's chorus and Harmonettes and pointed out that the City can be very proud to have these groups. Commissioner Dennison requested a clarification of the $3,000 budgeted for play- grounds. The Superintendent of Recreation stated that the $3,000 was for four play centers, the puppet program, and seed money for other programs. He explained this amount was cut from $12,000. 'He added that in 1982, every playground in the City had some type of program at least three or four times throughout the season. Commissioner Albright suggested coordinating the playground programs with summer school. The Superintendent of Recreation pointed out that there is a problem in this area with regard to staff, and that in order to keep quality people, they need to work a full day, both morning and afternoon, and as a result may conflict sometimes with summer school programs. He added that he would look at the schedule again summer. The Commission reviewed the general recreation programs budget number 65. Commis- sioner Bloomstrand requested clarification of the supervisor hired at Northview Junior High. The Superintendent of Recreation explained that the City pays half of the supervisor's salary when the building is open for recreation programs. Com- missioner Dennison then inquired as to the number of handicapped children from Brooklyn Center participating in the handicapped recreation program. The Super- intendent of Recreation stated that the program is a joint program with Crystal and Brooklyn Park and other northwest suburban areas, and that the cost of the program for each city is based on the number of people participating from each community. He added that the charge is based on cost per person from each community participat- ing. The Commission reviewed budget number 66, the Community Center budget. Chairman Sorenson commented that according to his calculations, the cost of the Park and Recreation Program after revenue is deducted is approximately $800,000 or approxi- mately $25.00 per person in Brooklyn Center. He requested the City staff to prepare some comparable figures on a cost per capita basis from other cities. The Commission reviewed budget number 69, the Parks Maintenance budget. Chairman Sorenson commented on the high cost of renovating the Bellvue Park shelter building at $27,000. The Director of Parks and Recreation stated that the building is in a condition which necessitates either repairing or tearing the building down. He added that the renovation would include a steel roof and would entail less maintenance in the long run for the City. He added that the $17,000 cost is an architect's esti- mate, and that the building would deteriorate if it is not repaired soon. Commissioner Sorenson inquired whether any of the commissioners had any additional comments or questions on the budget. There being none, the Commission concluded its review of the 1983 Park and Recreation budget. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Bloomstrand and seconded by Commissioner Streitz to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:50 P.M. Chairman 9-21-82 -3-