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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981 12-15 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 DECEMBER 15, 1981 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Johnson at 7:36 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Johnson, Commissioners Kiefer, Sorenson, Bradford, and Denissen. Also present were Councilmember Tony Kuefler, Director of Parks and Recreation Gene Hagel and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. -Chairman-Johnson noted that Commissioners Albright and--Streitz would- beabsent - from this evenings meeting and were excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - September 15, 1981 - October 13, 1981 _ There was a motion by Commissioner Denissen and seconded by Commissioner Kiefer to approve the minutes of the September 15, 1981 Park and Recreation Commission meeting as submitted. Voting in favor: Chairman Johnson, Commissioners Kiefer, Denissen, and Sorenson. Voting against: none. The motion passed. Commissioner Bradford abstained from the vote as he was not present at the September 15, 1981 meeting. There was a motion by Commissioner Kiefer and seconded by Commissioner Bradford to approve the minutes of the October 13, 1981 Park and Recreation Commission meeting as submitted. Voting in favor: Chairman Johnson, Commissioners Kiefer, Bradford, Sorenson, and Denissen. Voting against: none. The motion passed. CENTRAL PARK DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES The Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed for Commission members the notifi- cation received from the State Planning Agency regarding the availability of $54,040 in funding for Central Park development and improvements for landscaping and screening of satellite toilet facilities. He noted that the City has applied for these funds and is optimistic about the chances for funding. The Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed the current development in Central Park and noted that three major items remain in the Central Park plan, those being the plaza, tennis courts, and the main facilities building. He proceeded to review the status of all development items proposed for Central Park and explained that the staff recommendation for prioritizing the three major items were to place tennis courts as the highest priority, the plaza as second priority and the main facilities building as the third priority. He explained Central Park neighborhood is an area which does not have as good an access to tennis courts as other areas of the City. He pointed out that pedestrian access to courts near the Central Park area are blocked by barriers including major highways. 12-15-81 -1- The Director of Parks and Recreation read a letter fram Mrs. Joseph M. Wetzel of 2724 O'Henry Road requesting tennis courts in, the Central Park area. In continuing the review of the priorities he explained that the pl za area is planned to balance out the overall park facility and would include furniture, play areas, benches, game tables, and a small bandstand. He explained that it has not yet been determined what the main use of the facilities building would be, whether it would be.. designed as a shelter, concession stand with or without rest rooms or primarily a storage area. Councilmember Kuefler stated that he does not feel that indoor toilets are essential to the facility if the satellites are accessible and serviceable. ~he Director of . Parks and Recreation also added that the threat of vandalism in penianent toilet facilities also discourages their construction. Commissioner Bradford inquired as to the status of the tennis courtElay roposed for Lions Park. The Director of Parks and Recreation stated that the C cil will consider this project after the first of the year when the -capital items are considered for 1982. Commissioner Kiefer inquired whether the Arboretum was approved for cross country skiing. The Director of Parks and Recreation stated that he though it would damage the wild flowers and other plantings in the area and would r.commend discouraging any cross country skiing in the Arboretum. Commissioner Bradford asked the Park and Recreation Director to des_•ribe the plaza area in more detail. The Director of Parks and Recreation st ted that .several plans have been discussed for the plaza ncluding,a sun she ter or arbor that is not fully enclosed all the way up to an enclosed stru.ture. Commissioner Kiefer stated that she would like to be assured that all the develop- ment items currently under way and funded would be completed and us le before the plaza, facilities building and tennis courts are developed in Central Park. After continued discussion of the staff recommendations regarding tie priorities for Central Park development there was a motion by Commissioner Kieer and seconded by Commissioner Bradford to approve the staff priorities for the development of the tennis courts, plaza and main facilities building in Central Pa.rk. The motion passed unanimously. REAPPOINTMENTS TO PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION Chairman Johnson noted that two Commission members were up for reappointment this year, Commissioner Sorenson and Commissioner Albright. Councilmembor Kuef ler stated that Commissioner Albright has informed him that she would sorve another term on the Commission. Commissioner Sorenson commented that his continuation on the Park and Recreation Commission would be dependent can 'the outcome of his application to the Planning Commission. COMMENTS BY COUNCILMEMBER KUEFLER REGARDING HIS TERM AS CDUNCIL LIAISON TO THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION Councilmember Kuefler thanked the Commission members for their work over the past nine years. He pointed out that the Commission's wol k in preparing a 12-15-81 -2- comprehensive park plan resulted in the development of an excellent plan and he believes the parks in Brooklyn Center will be outstanding as a result of it. He added that he has enjoyed working with the Commission over these many years and that he will certainly miss his involvement with the Commission. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Kiefer and seconded by Commissioner Bradford to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Chairman 0 12-15-81 -3- Commissioner Sorenson introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION REGARDING SKATING RINKS FOR THE 1981-82 SEASON WHEREAS, the Park and Recreation Commission serves as an advisory body to the Brooklyn Center City Council; and WHEREAS, the Brooklyn Center City Council has requested that the Park and Recreation Commission review the City wide skating rink program for the 1981-82 season; and WHEREAS, the Park and Recreation Commission considered the matter of skating rinks at it's October 13, 1981 meeting, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION of the City of Brooklyn Center as follows: In addition to opening and supervising the warming houses at Evergreen, Willow Lane, Garden City, Kylawn, Northport, Grandview, West Palmer and Orchard Lane parks the Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission recommends that warming houses at Bellvue, Brooklane, East Palmer, Firehouse, Freeway, Lions, and Riverdale parks be opened and supervised on Friday evenings from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday from 1:00 p.m.to 9:00 p.m., Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and school vacation days from 1:00 p...m. to 9:00 p.m. during the 1981-82 season. The Park and Recreation Commission also recommends that satellite toilet facilities be maintained at these locations for the 1981-82 season and that the warming houses at Happy Hollow and Twin Beach parks remain closed for 1981-82 season. D~Lte 97an The motion for the adoption of the foregresolution was duly seconded by Commissioner Streitz, and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Gerald Johnson, Michael Streitz, Jacqueline Albright, Vicki Denissen, Arvid Sorenson, Dawn Kiefer, Harry Bradford; and the following voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.