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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981 09-15 PRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN TBE _v COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION SEPTEMBER 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 7:30 p.m.- ROLL CALL Chairman Johnson, Commissioners Streitz, Sorenson-, and Den ssen. Also present were Parks and Recreation Director Gene Hagel and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Chairman Johnson noted that Commissioners Kiefer, Albright, and Bradford would. be absent from this evenings meeting and were excused. He also noted that Councilmember Kuefler would be late for this evenings meeting but would be in attendance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - April 8, 1981 - May 19, 1981 Chairman Johnson noted that the approval of the April and May minutes would have to be deferred until the next meeting since a quorum of commissioners present at those two meetings are not present at this--evenings meeting and therefore cannot approve the minutes. REVIEW OF PARK DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES The Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed a memorandum from himself to the City Manager regarding a review of park bond monies for neighborhood, Palmer Lake and Central Parks. He noted that with the demise of the Federal LAWCON program the local share of any park grant monies has increased to 50%. Formerly he pointed out, the local share was only 25% with 50% being provided by the Federal Government through LAWCON and 25% through the State LCMR funds. In review of the grant program demise the staff is recommending certain items be deferred in the development of.the parks. He pointed out that in the development proposed for the neighborhood parks there are no federal dollars involved and that a balance of $19,659 remains unexpended in this area. He explained that in the Palmer Lace Nature Area a grant has been virtually assured and that the development of the area as per the Brauer study would leave a net deficit of approximately $29,300. He noted the deficit was due to the demise of the Federal LAWCON program under which funds were anticipated in the original plans and would have increased the funding by an additional 25% or approximately $60,000. In Central Park he pointed out the staff is recommending deferral of certain items which they believe would not be detrimental to the overall quality of the park. The items which are recommended for deferral include baseball field lighting, • 9-15-81 -1- i the building at the baseball diamond, a parking lot for the archery range, the amphitheater, and the fencing to enclose the baseball and softball diamonds. The Director of Parks and Recreation then proceeded to review several projects which were not contemplated in the original bond issue including tennis courts at Lions Park, toilet screens for the neighborhood parks, parkway lighting along the Palmer Lake Nature Area and the dredging of Palmer Lake.as recommended by the Brauer study. After the report made by the Director of Parks and Recreation the Commission disucssed the staff recommendations contained in the Diredtor's memorandum. Chairman Johnson asked the Commissioners if they were ready to act on the recommended modifications and priorities for park development. He pointed out that the Commission should be reminded that deferring the ''lighting on the base- ball field in Central Park may not remove the pressure on 'the Grandview field as was indicated to the residents in the Grandview Park neighborhood during the meetings conducted in the various City parks at the time of the bond issue. The Director of Parks and Recreation noted that he will be talking with the residents in the Grandview area regarding this subject. There was a motion by Commissioner Streitz and seconded b~ Commissioner Sorenson to recommend that the City Council approve the modified priorities in park development items as recommended in the Director of Parksland Recreation memo randum dated September 8, 1981. The vote on the motion was unanimous. REVIEW OF CITY PARK PROPERTIES The Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed a memorandum regarding the recom- mended ratio of acres of park land to population based on!current population statistics. He noted that the City Council had requested the Park and Recreation Commission to review all City park property with regard to future parkland requirements in an effort to determine the current and future need for park property. Administrative Assistant Bublitz pointed out that the Council is looking for feed- back from the Park and Recreation Commission regarding the total amoung of parkland in Brooklyn Center and whether or not the Commission believes there is too much or too little parkland based on standards used in the Park and Recreation field. Discussion developed among Commissioners regarding usage of parks in Brooklyn Center. There was a general consensus among Commission members that the parks in Brooklyn Center are used extensively. Chairman Johnson noted that the distribution of City parks is well balanced and that in general playgrounds are within 1/4 of a mile of most homes. Commissioner Sorenson questioned whether the parkland ratio to population in the southeast neighborhood would be considerably less than the rest of the City. The Director of Parks and'Recreation stated that it probai)ly would be less than other areas of the City. Commissioner Sorenson suggested that this area may experience a high turnover in its population due to the m unber of younger families moving into the area. Administrative Assistant Bublitz reviewed the proposed elderly housing project which is designed to allow elderly persons desiring to leave their single family home to live in a townhouse or condominimum style dwelling while allowing younger families to purchase theilt single family homes. 9-15-81 -2- I The Director of Parks and Recreation noted that people in the southeast neighbor- hood may experience some disadvantage compared to other areas of the City with regard to distance to City parks. Administrative Assistant Bublitz stated the Council's inquiry is whether or not the Commission believes there is a need for any less parkland or more parkland in Brooklyn Center. After some discussion the Commissioners arrived at a concensus that there was not an excess amount of parkland in the City of Brooklyn Center. Chairman Johnson stated a review of the amoung of parkland in the City will be an ongoing discussion but at this point in time the Commission does not believe there is an excess of parkland in the City. Also he pointed out the Commission appears to agree that the southeast neighborhood may require additional parkland. . RECESS The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:30 p.m. and reconvened at 8:45 p.m. PROGRESS REPORT ON PARK DEVELOPMENT The Park and Recreation Director reviewed the status of park development in the City including the Shingle Creek Trailway bridge over highway 94.which is to open in the fall of this year. He stated that bids were let on the F & M exercise trail and that this will be completed by the fall of 1981. He reviewed the status of development in neighborhood parks noting that the apparatus areas in 8 of the neighborhood parks are complete to date and that curbing around the apparatus areas will be completed within two weeks. Councilmember Kuefler arrived at 8:50 p.m. PARK LAND ACQUISITION The Director of Parks and Recreation informed Commission members that the City had obtained an option on a portion of a parcel of land lying west of Shingle Creek across from Lions Park. He noted the area is approximately 16 acres and that the City has the option on the majority of the project area. Administrative Assistant Bublitz noted that the Council has requested the Park and Recreation Commission to review the acquisition of this parcel as public land. He noted that the land could be used for future park purposes and also to gain control of the flood plain in the area pointing out that the entire area is within the flood plain. He noted that October 19, 1981 is the last regular Council meeting at which the option to purchase the property could be exercised. Chairman Johnson inquired if there was any merit in holding a public meeting regarding the purchase of the property. Administrative Assistant Bublitz stated that community wide input with notices sent to a targeted area would be a possible way of approaching the public meeting. Commissioner Sorenson then inquired what the reason was for obtaining public input. Councilmember Kuefler stated that the impact of acquiring more land by the City is really a community wide issue. Chairman Johnson suggested that notice of public meeting be published in the Brooklyn Center Post and that specific letters be sent to the neighborhood bordering the area in question. The Park and Recreation Commission discussed the acquisition of the property and an informal polling of Commissioners present indicated a high degree of support for the acquisition of the property but the Commission would first like to invite further input from the community. Chairman Johnson recommended the October Park 9-15-81 -3- *0 and Recreation Commission meeting be held on the 13th of October and that this meeting be used as a public forum to consider the park land acquisition. REVIEW OF PROPOSAL FOR LOCATION OF SOCCER FIELDS The Director of Parks and Recreation presented a proposal for the location of the soccer fields proposed under the park improvements plan in conjunction with the bond issue. He noted that the soccer fields had originally been proposed for Central Park but that sail conditions and other space considerations made their location in Central Park inadvisable. He explained the proposal is to place the soccer fields on the property currently occupied by the City Maintenance Annex and on property owned by Evergreen School. He explained the City Maintenace Annex would be relocated to tax forfieted property acquired by the City along Camden Avenue east of Evergreen Park. After a brief discussion of the proposal presented regarding the relocation of the soccer fields there was a consensus of Commission members present to endorse the proposal. I ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Streitz and seconded by Commissioner Denissen to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. ~he Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:40 p.m. 0 Chairman 9-15-81, -4-