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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981 10-13 PRM` MINUTES 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 OCTOBER 13, 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 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Johnson, Commissioners Kiefer, Albright, Streitz, Sorenson, Bradford, and Denissen. Also present were Councilmember Tony Kuefler, Director of Parks and Recreation Gene Hagel and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - April 8, 1981 - May 19, 1981 There was a motion by Commissioner Sorenson and seconded by Commissioner Bradford to approve the minutes of the April 8, 1981 Park and Recreation Commission meeting as submitted. Voting in favor: Chairman Johnson, Commissioner Albright, Sorenson, and Bradford. Voting against: none. The motion passed. Commissioners Streitz, Kiefer and Denissen abstained from the vote as they were not present at the April 8, 1981 meeting. There was a motion by Commissioner Streitz and seconded by Commissioner Denissen to approve the minutes of the May 19, 1981 Park and Recreation Commission meeting as submitted. Voting in favor: Commissioners Albright, Streitz, Sorenson, and Denissen. Voting against: none. The motion passed. Chairman Johnson and Commissioners Kiefer and Bradford abstained from the vote as they were not present At the May 19, 1981 meeting. CONSIDERATION OF SKATING RINKS FOR 1981-82 SEASON The Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed his memorandum on the 1981 proposed skating rink schedule outlining the parks where warming houses would not be open. He noted that the 1982 budget calls for a reduction in the number of warming houses open at skating rinks. Based on last years attendance and area location, the rinks recommended to be supervised are the six hockey locations at Evergreen, Willow Lane, Garden City, Kylawn, Northport and Grandview plus West Palmer and Orchard Lane. He noted that even though warming houses at other park areas were not proposed to be open all rinks in the City would be maintained. In discussion of the measurement of skating rink attendance Commissioner Albright inquired why the skating rink attendance was based only on last years figures. She suggested that the high and low attendance figures for the past several years be excluded and a five year average of the remaining years used to determine an overall average for each rink location. Commissioner Kiefer pointed out that the population has changed since the attendance figures were taken in 1972 and 1973. She noted that family sizes decreased and using an average over several years would not be completely equitable in calculating the current average attendance. 10-13-81 -1- w Commissioner Denissen noted that skating was one of the few recreational activities in the City that residents can enjoy without paying a fee. Commissioner Albright noted that the attendance at the rinks with hockey boards would be greater than those without hockey facilities and stated that it is not fair to average non-hockey rinks with hockey rinks with regard to attendance. Councilmember Kuefler noted that the options for skating rinks appear to be ice only, ice only with a satellite facility, ice with a warming house and satellite facility, ice with indoor toilet facilities or open the warming house on weekends only. Commissioner Sorenson inquired if there were any calls regarding last years skating program. The Director of Parks and Recreation stated that he had not received any calls on the warming house closings or with regard to the weekend operation of the rinks. Commissioner Denissen suggested that some neighborhood rinks be kept open for small children who have difficulty in traveling too f;r to a skating rink. For example, whe stated that she would like to see Firehouse and Riverdale open on weekends. Commissioner Sorenson stated he likes the idea'of making satellite . toilet facilities available and opening the warming houses with heat on weekends and to continue to use the staellite facilities even when''the warming houses are open. Commissioner Albright stated that she would like to see at least one play field open per area, other than hockey rinks, for skating'. Chairman-Johnson stated that the choices regarding skating rinks appear to be either to close the warming houses completely, open them on weekends, or open them full time. Commissioner Sorenson stated he would support opening the S warming-houses on weekends with the use of satellite toilet facilities full time throughout the week. Commissioners Bradford, Albright, and Streitz agreed with Commissioner Sorenson's suggestion and Commissioner Streitz stated that the Commissioner should review the attendance of the 1981-82 season next year. Commissioner Denissen stated that she supports the opening of the warming houses on weekends with the use of satellite facilities. Chairman Johnson stated that a resolution would be in order regarding the Commission's recommendations regarding the 1981-82 skating-rink program and that it should be forwarded to the City Council for their consideration.. There was a motion by Commissioner Sorenson and seconded by Commissioner Streitz to recommend by resolution to the City Council that in addition to opening and super- vising 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, Brdoklane, East Palmer, Fire- house, Freeway, Lions, and Riverdale 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 the 1981-82 season. The motion passed unanimously. I* 10-13-81 -2- r r SNOWMOBILE REGULATIONS The Director of Parks and Recreation explained that the City Council referred consideration of City Snowmobile Regulations to the Park and Recreation and Conservation Commissions for their recommendations. He proceeded to review his memorandum regarding snowmobile regulations and pointed out that there is a problem with regard to permitting snowmobiling in areas where there is planned park development. Commissioner Sorenson inquired what the demand for snowmobiling is presently in Brooklyn Center. The Director of Parks and Recreation explained there has been a decline in the use of snowmobiles over the past few years in the City of Brooklyn Center. He pointed out the reason may be that there are better maintained and more interesting trails in outlying county parks. Commissioner Streitz stated that he agrees with the recommendation of the Park and Recreation Director that there is a problem with allowing snowmobiles in the City parks particularly with regard to existing and planned developments in the parks and also with the natural enviornment. Commissioner Kiefer agreed with Commissioner Streitz's comments. A general discussion ensued among Commission members regarding the use of snow- mobiles in City parks and Chairman Johnson concluded that there was a general consensus among Commission members that the recommendation from the Park and Recreation Commission to the City 'Council would be that snowmobiling appears to be incompatible with the current development in.City parks. Chairman Johnson stated it would be appropriate for the Commission to make a motion regarding their recommendations on snowmobiling. There was a motion by Commissioner Streitz and seconded by Commissioner Kiefer to recommend to the City Council that because the remaining areas permitted for snow- mobiling in the City have either been or are in the process of being improved, that the City has committed itself to the enhancement and preservation of wildlife in natural wildlife areas, that continuted use of snowmobiles on remaining permitted areas constitutes a danger to the natural enviornment and ecology of the areas, prohibition from the remaining permitted areas would be consistent with City Ordinance 27-903.4 which prohibits snowmobiles from all other publicly owned lands including parks. It isstherfore the recommendation of the Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission that snowmobiles be prohibited from all City park properties without regard to their present or future stage of development. The motion passed unanimously. RECESS The Brooklyn Center Parks and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:30 p.m. and reconvened at 8:50 p.m. CONSIDERATION OF CITY ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY LYING WEST OF SHINGLE CREEK ACROSS FROM LIONS PARK The Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed the location of the parcel proposed for acquisition and noted that the property lies west; of Shingle Creek across from Lions Park and that the City has an option on this property and that the City Council has requested the Park and Recreation Commission for a recommendation regarding the 10-13-81 -3- 4 purchase. He pointed out that notice of the Commission's consideration of this item has been publicized in the Brooklyn Center Post and notices have also been sent to residents in the Lions Park neighborhood. The Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed a transparency showing the._location of the site proposed for purchase and explained the purchase price specified in the option was $60,000 and that the site is approximately 12 acres in size. He explained the Council action on the purchase of the parcel; is required by October 19, 1981. Chairman Johnson stated that this evenings meeting to consider the acquisition of the property was essentially to receive public input on the proposed acquisition. He explained the Park and Recreation Commission generally 'supported the acquisition of the parcel at its last meeting but that this approval Nras contingent upon receiving input from Brooklyn Center residents. He noted that there are no.residents in attendance at the meeting this evening to speak either for or against the acquisition and that a motion would be in order from the Commission. There was a motion by Commissioner Sorenson and seconded by Commissioner Streitz to recommend to the City Council that the City of Brooklyn Center purchase the property lying west of Shingle Creek across from Lions Park on which the City has an option. The motion passed unanimously. PLAYGROUND APPARATUS INSTALLATION Commissioner Kiefer requested the Director of Parks and Recreation review the installation of the playground apparatus in neighborhood parks. The Director of Parks and Recreation explained that half of the apparatus areas have been installed* in neighborhood parks and the.second half will be completed in the summer of 1982. He noted that installation had been planned for two construction seasons, 1981 and 1982. He also noted that curbing around the play areas in parks completed this year will be accomplished this fall. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Sorenson and seconded by Commissioner Bradford to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Chairman • 10-13-81 -4-