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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 11-18 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 NOVEMBER 18, 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 7:35 P.M. ROLL CALL Chairman Johnson, Commissioners Strietz, Bradford, and Denissen. Also present were Councilmember Tony Kuefler, Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel, and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Chairman Johnson noted that Commissioners Kiefer and Albright were absent from this evenings meeting and were excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 9-16-80 There was a motion by Commissioner Strietz and seconded by Commissioner Bradford to approve the minutes df the September 16, 1980 Park and Recreation Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION OF TENNIS COURT SITING CRITERIA The Park and Recreation Director reported to Commission members that he had surveyed • other cities with regard to their approach to siting tennis courts and found that there was no consistent policy used by-municipalities in locating tennis courts. He noted, Mr. Ron Stave of the High School indicated there was no great change in court usage at the High School. He added, Mr. Harvey Feldman of the Minneapolis Park department noted there was a decline in tennis court usage in Minneapolis. The Park and Recreation Director pointed out that tennis retailers have indicated that tennis related equipment sales have peaked approximately two years ago. Councilmember Kuefler noted that the greatest deficiency in the ratio of house- holds to tennis courts appears to be in the southeast neighborhood and that the southeast neighborhood is also isolated by Highway 100, explaining the highway acts as a barrier between the southeast neighborhood and other areas of the City. He added, he believes the value of a tennis court is in its usage and that a case could be made for the addition of a court in Lions Park. Chairman Johnson stated there appears to be a potential for a golf course to be located in the general area adjacent to Lions Park and that if the golf course becomes a reality this would add to the case for locating a tennis court in Lions Park. He suggested_ waiting for the 1980 census data which will become available in April and also for more information on the possible development of the golf course site before a decision is made on the tennis court in Lions Park. He stated, if the golf course site becomes a reality the entire area including Lions Park could be looked at in terms of a recreational complex. Commissioner Sorenson arrived at 7:55.p.m. 11-18-80 -1- CORRECTION Discussion among Commission members ensued regarding the October meeting and the Commissions intent to establish criteria for siting courts by January of 1981. Dicussion developed regarding the development of criteria for siting courts in neighborhood parks. Councilmember Kuefler pointed out that he believes that the 40 important factors in determining whether the court should be located in Lions Park are the household count in the area, the geographic area in general, and the Highway 100 barrier to the southeast neighborhood. Chairman Johnson suggested contacting Mr. Howard regarding!,the various factors which will be considered by the Commission with regard to the siting of the tennis court and also to explain that the Commission will await the final census data in April to make its determination. REVIEW OF RECREATION PROGRAM: CHILDREN'S CHORUS - HARMONETTES - CITY BAND The Park and Recreation Director explained that, in accordance with the Council's and City Manager's request the Park and Recreation Commission will be reviewing all the City's recreation programs but since the Chorus, Band and Harmonettes have the highest participant cost they were a logical choice to review first. At the request of Chairman Johnson the Park and Recreation Director reviewed the detailed costs of the Children's Chorus which included expenditures for a director, pianist/accompanist, transportation (approximately 8 bus trips per year) and music supplies. Commissioner Sorenson inquired what the difference was between the Children's Chorus and the School Chorus. The Park and Recreation Director explained the Chorus is generally composed of elementary age school children and it is in addition to the School Chorus. Commissioner Denissen suggested raising the membership fee of the Chorus to bring it in line with the standard four month recjreation programs noting that the Chorus is a nine month program rather than a standard four month program. • Chairman Johnson inquired what kind of recommendation is e::pected of the Park and Recreation Commission regarding these recreation programs. The Park and Recreation Director stated that the City Manager has reque;ted and the Council has authorized the Commission to review the various recreation programs in the Park and Recreation Department. Councilmember Kuefler added that he believes the Commission should look at recommending some kind of percentage of subsidy the City should pay to support these types of groups. He noted the development of the rate of subsidy is the task for the Commission and he believes this is what the City Manager intended in the review. Chairman Johnson stated, he felt the Commission needed some kind of comparison to" judge the programs by. Council- member Kuefler noted that these comparisons are contained in the budget pages and that the budget explains the percentage of subsidy theCity is paying to various recreation programs and groups. Chairman Johnson stated he would like to devote a full meeting to the review of the recreation programs and noted the December Park and Recreation meeting could be used to review these programs. Councilmember Kuefler suggested inviting a representative from each group to a Commission meeting to obtain information from them on their particular group. Chairman Johnson requested the staff to prepare a "spread sheet" showing a comparison of the City subsidy to the three programs to be reviewed compared with other Park and Recreation programs. Commissioner Sorenson indicated that he had a problem with ',the residents of other cities being subsidized by Brooklyn Center in such groups `s the City Band. The Park and Recreation Director explained that the goal of th$ City Band was to develop a full complement of-musicians to represent the City and that it was sometimes necessary to go outside the City to obtain the required number of musicians. 11-18-80 -2- RECESS The Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:45 p.m and reconvened at 9:00 p.m. RIVERDALE AND FREEWAY PARK SHELTER BUILDINGS Chairman Johnson introduced the next agenda item which was a review of the use of the Riverdale and Freeway park shelter buildings. The Park and Recreation Director explained that the Commission has been requested by the City Manager and Council to consider the future use of the park shelter buildings at Riverdale and Freeway Parks. He explained, the Commission has been requested to project how long the buildings should be maintained or remodeled or whether they should be completely replaced. The Park and Recreation Director reviewed for Commission members a memorandum regarding Blumentals Architects recommendation regarding the remodeling of the buildings. Chairman Johnson inquired what the architect is saying the remodeling will do for the buildings. The Park and Recreation Director explained the architect's recommendation generally involved only cosmetic remodeling but he pointed out the structures are structurally sound. Chairman Johnson invited comments from the Commission regarding the review of the buildings use and noted that since the buildings are structurally sound they should last considerably longer. Councilmember Kuefler stated that, if the Commission believes the building is large enough for the intended use and it is structurally sound, the Commission should project an expected life for the building to assure that the remodeling will be worthwhile. Chairman Johnson stated he would like to receive more information on the current condition.of the buildings to find out if the buildings are worth putting any money into. He explained he would like an analysis done by an architect on the structural condition of the buildings. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Sorenson requested input from Commission members on recommendations • for the expenditure of Community Development funds. Councilmember Kuefler stated that he believes the City will receive some CD funds on the walkways and trails for handicapped accessibility and that he would continue to request that CD funds be directed to Parks to the extent allowable under HUD regulations. . ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Sorenson and seconded by Commissioner Strietz to adjourn the Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 9:44 p.m. Chairman 11-18-80 -3-