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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981 05-19 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 MAY 19, 1981 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Commissioner Albright at 7:40 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioner Albright, Sorenson, Bradford, and Dennisen. Also present were Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel, Superintendent of Recreation Arnie Mavis, and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Commissioner Albright noted that Chairman Johnson and Commissioner Kiefer were absent from this evenings meeting and were excused. She also noted Councilmember Kuefler would not be present at this evenings meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MARCH 17, 1981 There was a motion by Commissioner Dennisen and seconded by Commissioner Bradford to approve the minutes of the March 17, 1981 Park and Recreation Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed. • Commissioner Albright suggested that the approval of the April 8, 1981 Park and Recreation minutes be deferred since a quorum of the Park and Recreation Commission members present at the April 8, 1981 meeting were not present this evening. REVIEW OF RECREATION PROGRAMS The Park and Recreation Director referred Commission members to a handout showing a summary of the program cost, revenues, and net cost of all Park and Recreation programs. Commissioner Sorenson inquired whether any feedback had been received. from the Band on the proposed fees to be charged to band members. The Park and Recreation Director explained he had received some comments from the Band and that they had been opposed to the fees. He added the band has been recruiting new members and is looking forward to performing concerts ina fixed location such as Central Park. Commissioner Albright inquired whether a continuance of tho subsidy for the City Band, Children's Chorus and Harmonettes would affect other recreation programs. The Park and Recreation Director stated that the majority of recreation programs are self supporting and that the continuance of the subsidy for these &hree programs would not affect other recreation activities. Commissioner Albright stated she believes the Children's Chorus and Band do much for the City in terms of promoting good will and publicity for the City. She added that the Harmonettes are also an excellent group but as adults they could continue without.subsidy easier than the other groups. She added she would not like to see any of the three groups cut from City support. Commissioner Sorenson inquired what the proposed fees were for the three groups. The Superintendent of Recreation expalined the proposed fee for the Band would be $10, $15 for the Harmonettes and $5 - $6 for the Children's Chorus. Commissioner Streitz arrived at 7:55 p.m. 5-19-81 -1- w Commissioner Albright stated in her discussions with some of the families with children in the chorus stated that they believe the program is worth more than the present fee charged to participate in the program. The Superintendent of Recreation reviewed the history of the Children's Chorus and explained that originally, participation in the Chorus was free. He noted a small fee was then initiated but as attendance dropped the fee was eliminated. He added that the intent is to increase the fee gradually thereby hoping to maintain the membership. Commissioner Albright requested clarification of the City Council's assignment to the Commission with regard to recreation programs. Administrative Assistant Bublitz stated the Council is looking for a recommendation from the Park and Recreation Commission regarding the policy for financial support to the City Band, Children's Chorus and the Harmonettes. He stated if the Park and Recreation Commission is comfortable with the current policy on these programs they could relay that to the City Council. There was a general concensus among Commissioners that the,'support of the programs by the City should remain as they are. There was a motion by Commissioner Streitz and seconded by Commissioner Bradford to support the current policy of financial support for the City Band, Children's Chorus and Harmonettes. The motion passed. REQUEST FOR TENNIS COURT AT LIONS PARK The Park and Recreation Director stated that with regard to this item there is no further information from the City staff except a map showing the City's existing tennis courts along with a 3/4 mile radius drawn around the courts which is the recommended maximum distance for neighborhood courts. He added that the area lying outside the 3/4 mile radius include Lions Park, Bellvue Park, Happy Hollow Park, Twin Beach Park, and Garden City Park. He added that Garden City Park will be served by tennis courts in Central Park when they • are constructed. Commissioner Streitz also noted that access to Lions Parkjfrom Happy Hollow Park is also easy and that the court at Lions Park should be able to support this area also. Commissioner Albright stated if tennis courts are recommended to be constructed in Lions Park she would recommend more than one court be built in order to serve areas near Bellvue Park. The Park and Recreation Director reviewed the possible placement of courts at Lions Park and noted that if the Commission recommends the courts it would then be the City Council's responsibility to determine the financing. Commissioner Albright stated she would like to poll Commission members with regard to their feelings on the Lions Park courts. Commissioner Sorenson stated he would support the construction of double courts at Lions Park. Commissioner Bradford stated that he has some concerns that existing courts are not being used presently. Commissioner Streitz stated he would support construction of courts at Lions Park and that this would also help residents near Happy Hollow and Bellvue Park. Commissioner Denniseh stated she would support construction of teenis courts at Lions Park. Commissioner Albright stated that she concurs that double courts should be constructed at Lions Park. There was a motion by Commissioner Streitz and seconded b~ Commissioner Sorenson to recommend to the City Council that a double tennis count be constructed at Lions Park. The motion passed. 5-19-81 -2- 00 RECESS The Park and Recreation commission recessed at 8:30 p.m. and reconvened at 8:45 p.m. GRANDVIEW PARK CONCESSION STAND Vice-Chairman Streitz requested the Park and Recreation Director to report on the future feasibility of a new concession stand at Grandview Park. The Park and Recreation Director reviewed the history of the current stand noting that Brookdale donated an old "key shop" which was renovated by the City and used by the Babe Ruth and the football league as a concession stand. He stated representatives of Babe Ruth contacted Councilmember Kuefler and that the City Manager subsequently directed the Park and Recreation Commission to consider the future possibility of a new concession stand at Grandview Park. He stated that the Park and Recreation Commission has been asked to determine whether a concession stand should be a part of the long term plans for Grandview Park. He stated the current stand was never designed as a permanent fixture and would have to be rebuilt if a concession were to become part of the park. Commissioner Streitz stated the present stand is used by Little Legue, Babe Ruth and Youth Football. Commissioner Albright stated that, at the original meetings held to discuss the park bond people were told that the pressure would be taken off Grandview for organized sports with the addition of Central Park. The Park and Recreation Director explained that football will be moved out of Grandview Park. Vice- Chairman Streitz noted that Grandview Park, when school is out, is the main playing field. He stated competition for the high school field is great and that it is generally occupied by the Legion team. He stated the Babe Ruth League has grown and that in the future all fields will be in demand. Vice-Chairman Streitz introduced Jan McCarthy who represented the Babe Ruth league. She stated there is currently a stand at Evergreen Park.which was built by the Babe Ruth League. She stated the League would cooperate with'the City in building a concession stand at Grandview and that the concession stand is a major source of revenue for the League. She added that the Babe Ruth League is aware that the building must comply with the City's overall park plan. Commissioner Streitz inquired what amount of revenue is now received by the Babe Ruth League from the concession stand. Ms. McCarthy explained that as much as $1,000 in revenue is obtained through the existing.concession but that the current building is deteriorating and really cannot be repaired. Commissioner Albright inquired whether the Babe Ruth would always be playing at Grandview Park. Vice-Chairman Streitz stated that with the lights at Grandview the League will use the field for some time to come. Commissioner Sorenson inquired whether the concession stand would be an advantage to any other Park and Recreation program. The Superintendent of Recreation stated that generally it would not noting that football will be moving to Central Park and that the building at Greadview will be used primarily by the Babe Ruth League. Vice-Chairman Streitz asked whether or not the Babe Ruth League could be allowed to build the concession stand on their own. The Director of Park and Recreation stated if the Babe Ruth League would construct the stand it would then be a matter of getting the City's approval. Commissioner Sorenson stated that he believes the City should be involved with regard to the addition of a concession stand at Grandview Park but that he also believes City funds should not be used to support the construction. Commissioner Bradford stated that he would support 5-19-81 -3- a Commissioner Sorenson's recommendation. Commissioner Albright stated she is not in favor of the City supporting a building but that she is in favor of the City supporting such groups as the Babe Ruth League, and the Chorus noting that these are programs not structures. Commissioner Denissen stated that she would oppose the City building a concession stand but that she would support the Babe Ruth League in constructing their own concession stand at Grandview. Ms. McCarthy stated that she would attempt to find out if materials f?or the. construction of the stand could be obtained to build a structure to meet the City's requirements. Vice-Chairman Streitz noted that there appears to be a concensus among the Park and Recreation Commission to support.the construction of a concession stand if it is constructed and donated by the Babe Ruth League. PARK SHELTER REMODELINGS ° The Park and Recreation Director reveiwed the cost estimates for the remodeling of the shelter buildings at Freeway Park, Riverdale Park,'and Happy Hollow Park. He noted the Riverdale and Freeway Park buildings are wood frame structures and that the staff believes it is not economically feasible to put the estimated amount of renovation into these buildings. He noted the estimated cost for Riverdale Park would $15,585 and the renovation of the Freeway Park building would be $14,460. Commissioner Albright stated she would not like to see this amount of money spent on restrooms'at,these parks when they are often not open and available. The Park and Recreation Director stated that the funds committed to Happy Hollow Park:•for toilet facilitie's were part of the bond issue but this was not the case with Riverdale and Freeway. Commissioner Sorenson stated he does not believe the i installation of toilets is a mojor priority in the Freeway Park building. The Park and Recreation Director explained the City Manager is requesting the Commission's recommendation on the use of money budgeted for Riverdale Park at Happy Hollow Park.' He stated $10,000 from the City's general fund had been allocated to the renovation of Riverdale Park and that this was not part of the bond issue but was a regular budget item. Commissioner Albright stated that she would support the use of the funds at happy Hollow Park. Vice-Chairman Streitz noted there was a general concensus among Commission members to support the use of the funds originally planned for the renovation of the Riverdale buildings to be used for the remodeling of the Park building at Happy Hollow Park. PARK IMPROVEMENT DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE The Park and Receation Director reviewed the current status of the park improvements as part of the Bond issue for the Commission's,information. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Dennisen and seconded by Commissioner Albright to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Commissioner Streitz noted that the Park and Recreation Commission would adjourn for the summer and would meet in the fall. Chairman 5