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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982 04-19 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 APRIL 19, 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 7:37 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Sorenson, Commissioner Kiefer, Streitz, and Bradford. Also present were Councilman Bill Hawes, City Manager Gerald Splinter, Director of Parks and Recreation Gene Hagel, and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. APPROVAL, OF MINUTES - MARCH 16, 1982 There was a motion by Commissioner Streitz and seconded by Commissioner Bradford to approve the minutes of the March 16, 1982 Park and Recreation Commission meeting as submitted. Voting in favor: Chairman Sorenson, Commissioners Streitz and Bradford. Voting against: none. The motion passed. Commissioner Kiefer abstained from the vote as she was not present at the March 16, 1982 meeting. 1983 BUDGET DISCUSSION In addressing the Conunission the City Manager stated that he generally likes to make himself available at least once a year to each of the City's Commissions to review the current projects in the City and to update the Commissions on various City projects and activities. He pointed out that in 4-8 weeks the road construc- tion will be ccuplete on I-94 noting that a June 1 target date has been set for completion. COMMissioner Albright arrived at 7:42 p.m. The City Manager explained that the Xerxes Avenue reconstruction is scheduled for completion by July of this year and that it will be a phased construction so that at least one Brookdale access off Xerxes will remain open at all tliates-. He also informed Commission members that the trailway bridge at Brookdale, over Highway 100 to Lions Park, is in the final stages of Federal approval and that the project is still high on the Federal funding priority list. He explained that when the trail- way bridge is complete Minneapolis has agreed to complete its portion of the trail. He stated that the City has also negotiated for the property lying west of Lions Park and that this acquisition should be complete by July. With regard to the north-south I-94 freeway construction, the City Manager pointed out that the roadway should be complete all the way up to the Camden area by the fail of 1982 and that the raadway should be totally completed by the fall of 1983. In reviewing the proposed reconstruction of Highway 252 North, the City Manager explained that construction on this project will begin in approximately four years. He also pointed out that the Council has approved the realignment of the 69th and 70th Avenue roadways in the Evergreen Park area. He added that the City is also proposing to acquire property at 69th and Shingle Creek Parkway to straighten the existing hazardous curve on 69th and eliminate the bottleneck at 69th and Shingle Creek Parkway. 4-19-82 -1- ' Commissioner Denissen arrived at 7:55 p.m. The City Manager proceeded to review the State Aid cutbacks experienced by the City in 1982. He pointed out that in the first quarter State Aid was cut by $220,000 and in the second quarter by $69,000. He noted that this represents approximately 4% - 5% of the total revenue of the City. He added that cuts were made in all departments and he reviewed specific cuts which included one full time position in the City Manager's department, reductions in the legal counsel and audit budgets, reduction of one full time custodian to a part time position, $45,000 in the Police Department, which constituted two full time position, $4,000 in the Fire Department, $2,000 in the Planning Department, $11,000 cut in Engineering, $2.5,000 in the Street Maintenance, $10,000 for vehicle maintenance, $50,000 in Park and Recreation cutbacks and $14,000 - $15,000 in unallocated expenses. The City Manager pointed out that he has a statutory re ent and also a requirement of the City Charter to submit a specific budget to the Council from his office on an annual basis. He stated that by July llof this year-he should have a better idea of whether current State revenue estimates are accurate. He noted that 22% - 25% of the City's revenue comes from the State of Minnesota. Commissioner Kiefer requested the City manager to elaborate on the $50,0.00 cut from the Park and Recreation budget. The City Manager painted out that one of the effects of the budget cuts in the Park and Recreation area has been that Brooklyn Park has indicated they have an interest in supporting funding of the Band, Harmonettes and Children's Chorus for the portion of the year from September through December for which funding from the City of Brooklyn Center has been cut. He added that the approximate breakdown of the funding for the groups is one-third from the members, one-third from Brooklyn Park, and one-third from Brooklyn Center He added that the puppet program and also the summer playground program has been cut back this year. Other cuts reviewed were cutbacks in the skating rinks program, cutbacks in part time personnel hours, elimination of over time work on park main- tenance on the weekends, and the cuts in the shade tree reforestation program. Commissioner Albright inquired whether any other sources have been sought for the continuation of the puppet program such as the North Hennepin College theater group. The Director of Parks and Recreation stated that',he talked to various service clubs in the area and also the Hennepin County Library regarding the continuation of the puppet program. He indicated that the Hennepin County Library will be doing some puppetry in the parks this summer. Commissioner Albright inquired what the City was planning for its current summer program. The Director of Parks and Recreation stated that four playground areas will be open, Evergreen, Orchard Lane, Northport, and Grandview. He stated that these parks will have playground leaders and he reviewed the programs planned for the summer programs in the parks. The City Manager stated $3,000 will remain in the budget for the summer playground program. Commissioner Albright inquired as to the cost of the puppet wagon. The City Manager stated that the cost is approximately $1,600. Commissioner Albright asked whether the funds for daycare (Super Summer Program) will come out of the $3,000 for the playground program. The Director of Parks and Recreation stated that funds for this activity will not come from the $3,00 1 0 budgeted for the playground program. The City Manager noted that the State of Minnesota has many requirements for licensing daycare which would have to be met by the Super Summer . Program; and that he does not know if it is really practical for the City to be proposing a summer program that may place the City in competition with actual daycare programs. Commissioner Albright stated that when other recreation programs are being-cut she does not think that it is appropriate for the City to spend 4-19-82 -2- funds to comply with licensing for day care. The City Manager stated that the staff is having the same problems and questions and is trying to get a definite commi.ttment from the State on its requirements for licensing. He-stated that the requirements seem to change constantly. Commissioner Albright asked if $1,600 could be raised would the City put the puppet program back in the summer playground program. The Director of Parks and Recreation stated that it would. Commissioner Denissen stated that she wou16 like to get back to her original question regarding the purpose of the Park and Recreation Commission. She stated that she believes the Commission should have some input in programming and also that the Commission wants to know how the money is being spent for Park and Recreation activities. The City Manager stated that the State Aid cutbacks came rather quickly and that the reductions in State Aid were a unique. situation not experienced before to this extent. He stated that the budget was revised three times due to the State Aid reductions and that he believes the Commission has had input, but that the situation of the State Aid cutbacks is unusual, Commissioner Denissen then inquired about the playcorner program. The Parks and Recreation Director stated that the parents using this program are signed up for Civic Center classes and that at least 30% of the people signing up for classes would not have participated if the program were not offered.. The City Manager stated that he hopes the Commission gets input from City residents on what is missed with regard to programming this summer. Chairman Sorenson inquired when the City budget was submitted to the City Council .for their review. The City Manager stated department heads. generally begin in May to prepare their budgets and that they are finalized by the City Manager by August and presented to the Council in September. He stated that by law the budget must be approved by the Council in October. Chairman Sorenson commented that if the Commission is to look at the programs in the budget it appears that they would have to do it in August. The City Manager stated that the City Council considers the budget at its second meeting in September and that the Commission should be in good shape if their concerns are expressed by Labor Day. Chairman Sorenson inquired whether this was a realistic time schedule if the Commission is to have any input into the budget process. The City Manager stated he believes the Commission has had the Council's attention in the past and that he believes they will again have it during this budget session. RECESS / The Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:40 p.m. and reconvened at 8:55 p.m. ARBORETUN OPEN HOUSE The Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed the agenda for the opening of the Arboretun and noted that the Commission, Council and the Park Bond Committee have been invited to the opening. He pointed out that a merit award has been received for the Arboretun design by Brauer and Associates Inc., the designers of the Arboretun. SPRING TOUR -The Director of Parks and Recreation asked Commission members if there was anything in particular that they would like to see on this years tour and whether or not a 6:00 p.m. starting time on a regular meeting date was acceptable-for the tour: There was a general Commission concensus that a 6:00 p.m. starting time for the 4-19-82 -3- tour on Tuesday, May 18th would be acceptable. Commissioner Albright suggested including the Conservation Commission on the tour, and Councilmember Hawes suggested inviting the Planning Commission and Council on the tour. Chairman.Sorenson stated that a short meeting could be held after the tour is completed. He stated that the Marlin and Lakeside survey could be discussed at that time. SURVEY OF MARLIN AND LAKESIDE NEIGHBORHOODS The Director of Parks and Recreation distributed maps to Commission members for use in their survey work and he also reviewed the definition and classification of parks for Commission members. There was a general discussion among Commission members regarding the survey and the Commission generally agreed that both areas should be surveyed. The Commission proceeded to outline the area they were intend- ing to survey and requested examples of the playground apparatus which they could bring with them to show to residents when they were conducting the survey. Commi- ssion members generally agreed to use the same questions used by the Park and Recreation Department when they conducted their mail-out'survey. Chairman Sorenson appointed Commissioner Bradford as coordinator of the survey in the Lakeside area and Commissioner Kiefer as coordinator for the Marlin area. He noted that approxi- mately 80 homes in each area would be surveyed. He stated that the group in the Marlin area would consist of himself, Commissioner Kiefer and Denissen and also Dale Bloomstrand if he is appointed by the Council in tia to conduct the survey. The Lakeside group, he point out would consist of Commissioner Bradford, Council- ; member Hawes, and Commissioners Streitz and Albright. OTHER BUSINESS Chairman Sorenson inquired if any other Commission members wished to discuss any other business, there being no requests for discussion, he entertained a motion to adjourn. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Streitz and seconded by commissioner Kiefer to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Chairman 4-19-82 -4-