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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 09-16 PRMI. MINUTES 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 SEPTEMBER 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 7:38 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Johnson, Commissioners Kiefer, Albright, Strietz, Sorenson, and Dennison. Also present were Councilmember Tony Kuefler, Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel, and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Chairman Johnson noted that Commissioner Bradford was absent from this evenings meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 4-15-80 - 5-20-80 There was motion by Commissioner Strietz and seconded by Commissioner Albright to approve the minutes of the April 15, 1980 Park and Recreation Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. There was a motion by Commissioner Albright and seconded by Commissioner Strietz to approve the minutes of the May 20, 1980 Park and Recreation Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. ® REQUEST FOR TENNIS COURTS AT LIONS PARK Chairman Johnson recognized Mr. Lou Howard of 2218 56th Avenue North who presented a petition to the Commission from the southeast neighborhood requesting a tennis court for Lions Park. He explained the petition covered the area roughly from 53rd to 57th Avenue and from Russell to Logan and Knox. -He commended the Commission and City staff on the current park development taking place in the City and also introduced Ms. Ginger Stees of 5524 Logan Avenue North. Ms. Stees addressed the Commission and stated that she is concerned that the plans developed for the park bond issue focused on the northern area of the City and added that she and Lou canvassed the southeast neighborhood and found some disatisfaction in the southeast area with the park development proposed in the park bond issue. Commissioner Albright inquired if there were any other things they learned in their survey of the southeast neighborhood. Mr. Howard explained that residents of the area were concerned with problems at Lions Park, those being the traffic on 55th and the drinking and rowdyism in the parking lot at Lions Park. He explained parents are fearful of allowing their children to go through the park at some times. He added, parents also want hockey in the area and stated he believes a warming housc is needed in the area and that the neighborhood is very concerned about this. He also noted the basketball court in Lions Park appears to be deteriorating and is not in satisfactory condition. Mr. Howard pointed out the older people in the area especially feel left out of the bond issue and that he believed the facilities were generally targeted for the northern part of the City. In response to Mr. Howards comments on the closing of the warming house at Lions Park Councilmember Kuelfer noted that the statistics gathered on the warming house attendance in the past were gathered when the Lions Park warming house 9-18-80 -1- was open. Mr. Howard explained the southeast neighborhood was generally concerned with the closing of. the warming house, the lack of policing in the park, and the people walking across the ball fields while games were in session. Chairman Johnson requested the Park and Recreation Director to comment on the general usage of tennis courts in the City. The Park and Recreation Director explained the records he had for tennis participation were derived from the tennis lessons registration and that in 1978 there 121 registered in Spring and 147 in Summer, in 1979 141 in Spring and 124 in Summer, and in 1980 there were 105 registrants in Spring and 74 in Summer. He explained the Park and Recreation staff has noted the tennis attendance appears to be in a downward trend. He explained, nationally tennis has. declined and leveled off as a participation sport. Commissioner Albright stated that the southeast area is tho most densly populated area in the City with at least 1651 single family homes and that it is also one of the oldest areas of the City. She explained that people in the southeast neighborhood often use the Camden tennis courts in Minneapolis. She added, if there is a need for additional tennis courts in this area the Commission should be examining the situation clearly and at the same time be ',aware that the Commission could be setting a precendent for other parks irk the City. Mr. Howard stated that many people in the southeast neighborhood have',to leave their own area of the City to play tennis and the use of tennis courts might increase if the facilities were more readily available. He explained, the'City may be losing people in the southeast area to other areas-of the City and outside the City. Commissioner Albright stated, she agreed the Lions parking lot is a problem area. The Park and Recreation Director commented that the problem in City park parking lots seems to arise because as soon as violators are chased from one parking lot they end up moving to another lot and creating the same type of problem all over again. He explained the development plans associated with the park bond issue will assure that all parking lots will be lighted. Councilmember Kuefler noted that the most effective technique for controling parking lot disturbances is to have the Police Chief and other department staff meet with the local residents, adding that this seems to be the most affective way to discourage these types of problems. Mr. Howard stated that the residents living on Lilac Drive Hillsview, Russell and 55th appear to have the most problems with the parking lot problem. Chairman Johnson stated that he appreciated Mr. Howard and Ms. Stees attendance and comments at this evenings meeting and invited them to return to a future meeting. Councilmember Kuefler inquired of Mr. Howard what his feeling was on a single court at Bellvue Park and another single court at Lions Park. Mr. Howard stated that the economics would seem to dictate that it would be cost effective to build one double court rather than two single courts. Councilmember Kuefler,inquired whether two courts in the area would be sufficient. Mr. Howard stated that he believed two courts would be sufficient for the neighborhood. Commissioner Strietz stated, he believes that two courts located at Lions Park would be heavily usedlsince the Grandview courts are often full. Commissioner Albright commented that activities for younger people are usually centered around Lions rather than Bellvue and she believed the courts at Lions would receive more use. Additionally Commissioner Albright commended the City staff on the summer program that they put together this past, summer at the neighborhood parks. Mr. Howard added the comment that he appreciated the work the Commission has done on the bond issue. RECESS The Brooklyn Center reconvened at 8:45 Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:25 p.m. and P.M. 9-18-80 -2- N UPDATE ON PARK CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES Chairman Johnson requested the Park and Recreation Director to give an update to the Commission on the activities of the current park development. The Park and Recreation Director proceeded to review, for Commission members, the current development taking place in City parks and reviewed the development of the arboretum, the shelters being planned for Brooklane, Garden City and Central Park. He pointed out the playground equipment for the neighborhood parks has been ordered and will be installed next Spring when parttime summer help is available: He proceeded to review the Central Park plans, the redesign of the access to the Civic Center, the development of neighborhood parks, and added that the Farmers and Mechanics Bank has donated to the City an exercise trail which will be located in Central Park. PARK MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE Chairman Johnson requested the Park and Recreation Director to briefly review the development of the park maintenance schedule for Commission members.' The Park and Recreation Director briefly introduced and reviewed the park maintenance schedule he had developed. Councilmember Kuefler commented that the park maintenance schedule is a very professional document, noting that he believes something of this caliber could possibly win some type of award from the Park and Recreation Directors professional association. Chairman Johnson requested that the park maintenance schedule be placed on the October meeting agenda for further discussion. Chairman Johnson inquired if any Commission members had any other business they wished to discuss at this evenings meeting. Chairman Johnson recognized Commissioner Sorenson who inquired about the location of the proposed soccer'field. The Park and Recreation Director replied that, two options are currently pending for the location of the-soccer field, noting that the Central Park site does not appear viable because of soil conditions at this point. He explained the other options are not formalized yet but one of the sites includes the newly acquired land east of Evergreen Park. Chairman Johnnon inquired if any Commission members had any other business they wished to discuss, there being none, Chairman Johnson entertained a motion for adjournment. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Strietz and seconded by Commissioner Kiefer to adjourn the Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 10:04 p.m. Chairman 0 9-18-80 -3- 1 Member Dawn Kiefer introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 80-2 RESOLUTION EXPRESSING RECOGNITION FOR THE OUTSTANDING WORK OF THE PARK BOND CITIZENS COMMITTEE WHEREAS, the Park Bond Citizens Committee was formed to promote the Brooklyn Center park bond election; and WHEREAS, the Committee consisted of individuals who contributed their personal time and resources to the promotion of the park bond election; and WHEREAS, the work of the Committee has resulted in the success of the park bond election; and WHEREAS, the efforts of the Committee will contribute to the improvement of parks in Brooklyn Center; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission that the work of the Park Bond Citizens Committee is recognized and appreciated. 1 ~ June 17, 1980 Date ~irman the motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Jacqueline Albright , and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Gerald Johnson, Bud Sorenson, Michael Streitz, Dawn Kiefer, Jacqueline Albright, Harry Bradford, and Vicki Denissen; and the following voted against the same: none; whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.