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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 10-14 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 OCTOBER 14, 1980 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Commissioner Kiefer at 7:40 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners Kiefer, Albright, Sorenson, Bradford, and Denissen. Also present were Councilmember Tony Kuelfer, Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel, and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Commissioner Kiefer noted that Chairman Johnson and Commissioner Strietz were absent from this evenings meeting. The.Park and Recreation Director introduced Joanne Kosciolek and explained she - was an intern from the University of Minnesota working with the Park and Recre- ation Department. The Park and Recreation Director also noted that he had several slides showing the progress of development at the neighborhood parks and proceeded to present them to Commission members. After the slide presentation the Commissioners rioted that generally, the responses they have been receiving from residents have been favorable to the park development. PARK MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE The Director of Park and Recreation reviewed the park maintenance manual for Commission members and explained that it had been revised to correspond to the park maintenance schedules. He also reviewed the inspection report forms and explained these forms would be used as a control device to assure proper main- tenance. He explained, the park director would receve a copy of the inspection report along with the supervisors and the maintenance crew. Commissioner Kiefer inquired who decides what maintenance is needed, the main- tenance crew of the inspector. The Park and Recreation Director explained, the inspection would be done by the supervisors and the results would be judged by the Park and Recreation Director. Ile explained, the daily inspection is primarily .for major items such as vandalism, break-ins, graffiti etc. He noted the weekly inspections would involve a more thorough examination of park facilities. Commissioner Albright noted that at a recent visit to East Palmer Lake lark she noted the rim on the childrens slide appears to be dangerous for small children because of the angle of the slide. The Park and Recreation Director stated .that he would check this out and also requested Commission members to call him immediately if they become aware of or notice any problems in the parks. lie explained that if he is notified immediately of these problems he can take action quickly to correct.them. There was a general concensus among Commission members that the park maintenance manual and schedules prepared by the Park and Recreation Director were excellent and would be useful to help properly maintain the parks in the future. 10-14-80 -1 Commissioner Albright stated that she would like to make the staff aware of a problem area south of County Road-10 on the Brookdale property where debris has been accumulating in Shingle Creek. CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR TENNIS COURT AT LIONS PARK Commissioner Kiefer stated, at last months meeting the request for the tennis court at Lions Park was carried over to the. October meeting in the hope that the staff could find some demographic data to base a decision on tennis court location. Administrative Assistant Bublitz informed Commission members that the only available demographic data was 1970 data and that the 1980 census data would not be available until at least April of 1981.' Councilmember Kuefler inquired what the general tennis playing age was. The Park and Recreation- Director explained it is generally Junior high through 40lyears of age. The Park and Recreation Director stated he would also like to compare the population of the Orchard Lane and East Palmer area and other areas that have requested tennis courts, in this way the Commission could consider the entire City rather than just one isolated area. Commissioner Denissen noted that Park Service Areas 1 and 5 have only two tennis courts and the other PSA*s have four. The Park and Recreation Director explained that there are several factors to be considered in locating tennis courts, one being the distance between existing courts, the accessibility of courts and the user population. He explained,, decisions must be made based on standard facts and criteria in locating the courts. Mr. Lou Howard of 2318 55th Avenue North stated that he believed the age break- down of the potential tennis players had little to do with participation with tennis. He added that the residents in Lions Park area ale going to Webber and Shingle Creek Parks in Minneapolis to play tennis. He pointed out there are really few recreational activities in Lions Park due to the lack of facilities for adults in this park. Commissioner Kiefer inquired whether there was room for ,a tennis court at Lions Park. The Park and Recreation Director stated there is room for a single court at Lions. Councilmember Kuefler suggested that the Commission develop specitic_criteria for, siting tennis courts and then see how the population data fits into these criteria. Commissioner Kiefer stated the Commission could establish the criteria over the winter months and suggested that the staff could begin developing these criteria. Councilmember Kuefler stated that a review of the criteria could be completed by January to take advantage of the next construction season. Commissioner Sorenson stated that from observation in Park Service Area 1 the area appears to be heavily populated and certainly lacking in tennis court facilities. Councilmember Kuefler pointed out that statistics would be useful in determining an overall plan for tennis courts and to establish a fair'criteria for siting courts. Commissioner Kiefer stated she believes it is good to have a definite criteria and guidelines to base a decision on. The Park and Recreation Director stated he would survey other cities with regard to siting tennis courts and also review the national standards for tennis court location. Commissioner Kiefer stated, the discussion of siting tennis courts would be carried over to the next meeting and also requested Commission members to''develop their personal criteria for tennis court location. 0 10-14-80 -2- RECESS The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 9:15 p.m. and recovened at 9:35 p.m. REVIEW OF SKATING RINKS FOR 1980-1981 SEASON The Park and Recreation Director reviewed, for Commission members, a hand out on skating rink attendance over the past few years. Commissioner Denissen commented that with the warming house closed at Firehouse Park and no supervision, the hockey players took over the rink to the extent that other children were excluded from skating. She noted that the hockey players consisted of primarily 7-10-• years olds and not older youths. The Park and Recreation Director stated that the residents around Lions Park are also interested in reopening the warming house and that this could be undertaken possibily on a weekend or trial basis. Councilmember Kuefler suggested opening the warming houses at certain parks on weekends and holidays on a trial basis. Commissioner Bradford stated that he would suggest trying Firehouse Park on a weekend and holiday basis. The Park and Recreation Director suggested including Lions Park on a trial basis also. Commissioner Denissen suggested opening Freeway Park on a part time trail basis also. Commissioner Sorenson pointed out that he believes it is important to' make persons using rinks aware that the warming houses would only be open on a part time basis. The Park and Recreation Director summarized the Commissioners comments stating'that Firehouse, Lions, and Freeway Parks could be opened on a trial basis and Happy Hollow and Twin Beach would remain closed. However, he pointed out, ice will be maintained at all the rinks. Commissioner Kiefer commented there was a general consensus among Commission members that Freeway, Firehouse, and Lions Parks should be opened on weekends and Holidays with heat, an attendant, and water. Councilmember Kuefler suggested that these three trial basis areas be provided with full service when they are open on weekends and holidays and there was a general concurrence among Commission members that these three rinks should receive full service when they are open. Commissioner Bradford suggested keeping records on these three parks for one year. REVIEW OF 1981 PARKS AND RECREATION BUDGET Administrative Assistant Bublitz explained to Commission members that at this years budget meetings held by the City Council the City Manager recommended that the Park and Recreation Commission review certain Park and Recreation. Programs including the City Band, Harmonettes, and the Choir. He explained the City Manager's suggestion was accepted by the Council and the intent of this review would be to evaluate the programs benefits in realt:on to their cost to the City and to make recommendations regarding the programs to the City Council. In addition, he pointed out that the City Manager and Council agreed that the Park and Recreation Commission should review the future use of the buildings at Freeway and Riverdale Parks, the alternatives.being to either.remodel.and reapir the existing buildings including toliet facilities or to replace-the buildings with new structures. He explained, the Commission is requested to make recommendations to the Council on both these items. He added, in addition the staff will review with Commission-members-all other recreation programs currently being operated by the Park and Recreation Department. Counc:ilmember Kuefler suggested putting this item on the agenda for the November meeting and suggested that it might be advisable to invite representatives from each of the three 10-14-80 -3- organizations to a future Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The Park and Recreation Director stated that the staff will prepare data for Commission members regarding review of these three programs. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Albright and seconded by Commissioner Bradford to adjourn the Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 10:38 p.m. Chairman 10-14-80 -4-