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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 12-16 PRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. REGULAR SESSION DECEMBER 16, 1980 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, Strietz, Sorenson, Bradford and Denssen. Also present were Councilmember Tony Kuefler, Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel, Superintendent of Recreation Arnie Mavis, and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 10-14-80 - 11-18-80 There was a motion by Commissioner Strietz and seconded by Commissioner Kiefer to approve the minutes of the October 14, 1980 Park and Recreation Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. The Park and Recreation Director noted that, in the November 18, 1980 minutes on page 2 in the third and fourth paragraph the references to City Chorus should be changed to Children's Chorus. There was a motion by Commissioner Sorenson and seconded by Commissioner Strietz to approve the minutes of the November 18, 1980 Park and Recreation Commission meeting as corrected. The motion passed unanimously. REVIEW OF CHILDREN'S RECREATION PROGRAMS Chairman Johnson introduced Arnie Mavis, the Superintendent of Recreation, to Commission members. The Superintendent of Recreation reviewed the process used to select recreation programs and explained, the process begins by researching a particular recreation program to determine if it has a likelihood of suc- ceeding. After the first step the estimated cost of the program is determined and it is then determined if the program can be generally self-supporting, although there are.some costs in some of the programs that cannot be recovered by-fees. The final step in the process is to run the program and monitor the participation to assure there is enough participation to warrant the contin- uation of the program. Chairman Johnson inquired whether the recreation staff looks for programs that will generally pay their own way. The Superintendent of Recreation stated that he generally likes to see the programs at least break even but he added, we must also look at what the going rate in terms of fees are for a particular recreational activity. Commissioner Albright inquired whether any of the City's recreation programs are duplicated in other areas. The Park and Recreation Director stated, the park and recreation staff meets with other cities and school districts in the area to avoid duplication of programs; . pointing out that the Harmonettes and Children's Chorus are not duplicated by other organizations. Commissioner-Kiefer.asked what the fees were for 12-16-80 -1- the Chorus and the.Harmonettes. The Superintendent of Recreation stated, the fee for the Chorus members was $5 from September thru May and-the fee for the Harmonettes is $12.50 for January thru December of each year.. Commissioner Kiefer then inquired what the cost was for Soccer registration. The Superintendent of Recreation replied it was $8.00 for May thru August. Commissioner Kiefer noted, she sees a problem with the discrepancy in the fees in that the $8 Soccer fee covers a 12 week period and the $5 fee for the Children's Chorus covers a period of 9 months. June Scofield, former director of the Children's Chorus pointed out, the fee for the Children's Chorus is minimal since the majority of time spent by the children over the nine month period is for practice and preparation for concerts. Ms. Scofield introduced Jane Vigue as the new director of the Children's Chorus and explained she would be interning for a year with her. Commissioner-Albright inquired how many appearances per year the Children's Chorus makes. The Park and Recreation Director replied, the Chorus makes approximately 10 - 15 performances a year. Ms. Scofiled addressed the Commis- sioners and noted it was gratifying to her that so many other former Chorus members continued to perform in High School choruses. Commissioner Albright inquired what the ages. of Chorus members were. Ms. Scofield replied the Children's Chorus included students in grades 1 - 9. Commissioner Kiefer inquired what the enrollment of the Chorus was at this point. Ms. Vigue stated, the current enrollment was 60 children., Commissioner Albright then inquired whether there was any revenue gained from the combined concerts-of the Chorus and Harmonettes. Ms. Scofield noted, the Chorus was the guest of the Harmonettes and did not receive any revenue from the ~oint concert. Commissioner Sorenson stated he had a problem with the fadt that the City subsidized programs were open to non-residents: The Superintendent of Recrea- tion stated, there are certain numbers of participants required for wane programs to be successful and if the programs were opened only to residents many of the recreation programs could not be offered. He added, the programs are similar to the City's Community Center which is open to residents and non- residents alike. Ms. Scofield pointed out that 75% of the Harmonettes live in Brooklyn Center. Commissioner Sorenson stated his only concern was that some recreation programs might have to be eliminated because o the opening of the subsidized programs to non-residents. The Superintendent of Recreation stated, the majority of the City's recreation programs break even on a cost basis and are not subsidized by the City. Commissioner Bradford inquired when the Chorus director last received a salary increase. Ms. Scofield replied her salary has been $100 for the past 7 years. Commissioner Albright stated, the three groups being disc ssed, the Chorus, Harmonettes and the Band are providing excellent public relations for the City and she would suggest looking at other sources of revenue for these programs before consideration is given to eliminating them. Councilmember Kuefler left the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Chairman Johnson inquired whether there were any more comments on the programs. Ms..Scofield stated the annual spring concert at Park Center High takes up two nights and that the Chorus generally rehearses from January thru May for this I* 12-16-80 -2.. performance. She added, she believes the program is worthwhile and that it is specially gratifying for her and the Chorus to perform at the-various nursing homes in the area. Ms. Vigue concurred with Ms. Scofield's comments and added, the Children's Chorus is the only one of its kind in the entire area. Commissioner Strietz inquired whether the cost for the programs has increased. Ms. Scofield replied, the spring concert is paid for by the Harmonettes and the profit is quite small, perhaps $300 or less, adding, this profit is kept com- pletely by the Harmonettes. RECESS The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:30 p.m. and reconvened at 8:50 p.m. Chairman Johnson noted, there is a high percentage of Brooklyn Center residents involved in the various park and recreation programs.discussed this evening and he also noted, if the cost of the playground programs is eliminated the net cost of the remaining programs is $6,600. The Superintendent of Recreation noted the recreation staff is planning to review more of the recreation pro- grams at upcoming meetings including the teen, adult and general programs. Chairman Johnson noted it is important for the Commission to reach a reso- lution on the programs but that he would suggest tabling a decision on the programs presented this evening until all the presentations are made. There was a general concurrence among Commission members to agree with the Chairman's recommendations on tabling a decision on the programs until all the presentations on the recreation programs have been made. OTHER BUSINESS The Park and Recreation Director stated he would-like to show a movie at the next Park and Recreation Commission meeting showing various promotional ads for general participation in park and recreation activities. He explained, the promotional ads had originally been shown in-Australia and are now being shown in America with the theme of-the ads being "Life. Be in it". The Park and Recreation Direction informed Commission members that the National Recreation and Park Congress will be held in Minneapolis next year, and that a tour of the Brooklyn Center Community Center is scheduled in conjunction with that conference. Administrative Assistant Bublitz stated, in recent discussions with the City Manager it was felt that an appearance by the City Manager at the various Commission meetings might be advisable and helpful for Commission members. He added, he would like to put the City Manager on for the January Agenda. Chairman Johnson'pointed out that the two members whose terms expire on December 31, 1980 are willing to serve another term on the Commission, those members being Commissioner Strietz and Commissioner Bradford. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Strietz and seconded by Commissioner Sorenson to adjourn the Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Chairman 12-16-80 -3-