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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 04-15 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 APRIL 15, 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, Streitz, Sorenson, Bradford and Denissen. Also present were Councilmember Tony Kuefler, Park and Recrea- tion Director Gene Hagel, and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Chairman Johnson introduced Vicki Denissen to the Commission and noted that she had been appointed to the Park and Recreation Commission at the April 7, 1980 City Council meeting and will be representing Park Service Area II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 3-18-80 There was a motion by Commissioner Albright and seconded by commissioner Kiefer to approve the minutes of the March 18, 1980 Park and Recreation Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. STATUS REPORT ON BOND ISSUE Commissioner Kiefer stated that the Citizens Committee is busy promoting the bond issue and has placed approximately 20-30 lawn signs in prominent areas throughout the City. She explained that the Committee is intending to distribute flyers and is seeking some group to distribute them the weekend before the election: She added that the Committee meets every Wednesday night at City Hall. Commissioner Sorenson noted that the Jaycees will be .handling the distribution of the flyers. Commissioner Kiefer stated that the Post has given good coverage to the park bond issue and that Tom Howard, the ad chairman, will place a full page vote yes ad in'the Post. She noted that Committee members will be involved in the various Park Service Area meetings and the City staff will attend along with the representatives from the Citizens Committee. Commissioner Kiefer noted that the Citizens Committee is still seeking funds and that Council members have already made personal contributions to the Committee. In response to a question from Chairman Johnson the Commission members stated that they plan on attending their respective Park Service Area meetings, Councilmember Kuefler inquired what general feedback the Commission members had been receiving on the park bond issue. Commissioner Albright stated that she had received no negative feedback on the park bond. Commissioner Streitz stated that he had received no negative feedback and that he believed it was very important that people get out to vote. Commissioner Sorenson stated that the feedback he is receiving from people is that there are no strong feelings either one way or the other regarding the park bond. He indicated that the persons he has had contact with have no problem with the overall plan but that some are questioning the paving of the parking lots, feeling it is not essential. Councilmember Kuefler noted that persons 4-15-80 -1- living close to the parks may prefer the lots to be paved because of the dust, and added that the overall maintenance and appearance of the parks is improved with paved lots. The Director of Parks and Recreation stated that most people appear to want the lots paved and that most complaints arise from the dust and mud in the present parking lots. He added that it is also important to contain traffic within the parks and the paved lots will help to do this. Commissioner Sorenson stated that he would like to be assured that the feedback received from residents at the various Park Service Area meetings be followed up after the meetings.* Commissioner Albright recommended that a police rep- resentative be present at the various Park Service Area meetings. RECESS The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:16 p.m. and reconvened at 8:35 p.m. PARK MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE Chairman Johnson introduced the next item on the agenda which was a discussion of a park maintenance schedule. Chairman Johnson requested that Commissioners commenting on a park maintenance schedule should address specific items related to park maintenance rather than a general discussion of park mainten- ance. Commissioner Bradford noted that he toured the parks in his Park Service Area last Sunday and stated that the overall appearance of the parks, including the softball diamonds, looked good.. He did note however that some of the buildings are in need of repair and paint and that one swing was missing at Happy Hollow Park. Chairman Johnson inquired, that, in consideration of the bond issue, would there be any changes made in the park maintenance schedule. The Director of Parks and Recreation stated that normal maintenance would be conducted which would include: (1) cleanup of grounds; (2) removal.of hockey boards; (3) cleaning of park buildings; (4) inspection of playground apparatus; (5) repair of tables and benches; (6) athletic field preparation; (7) tennis court pre- paration. Chairman Johnson inquired whether the swing at Happy Hollow would be replaced. The Park and Recreation Director indicated that it is an animal swing and will be replaced. Commissioner Sorenson inquired how the park maintenance check list would be used. The Park and Recreation Director indicated that the check list is a draft model and as yet is not in use. Commissioner Sorenson stated he has some problems with using the same person to inspect as well as make repairs in the parks. He suggested having one individual inspect parks and other individuals make repairs. Commissioner Streitz indicated that the parks used by the Little League are generally in good shape and that he sees no problems and has received no complaints. Chairman Johnson questioned whether Commissioner.Streitz believes more attention is paid to athletic fields than apparatus areas with regard to maintenance. Commissioner Streitz indicated that he did not believe the apparatus areas were being neglected for the athletic field maintenance. Commissioner Albright indicated that it is still too early to make an evaluation of park maintenance and that her concern is keeping the maintenance consistent throughout the summer. She noted that glass is a particular problem in parks and thinks that some type of improved maintenance system could be set up in the parks. 4-15:-80 -2- Chairman Johnson inquired whether there was anything specific that the Commission could focus on with regard to maintenance. Commissioner Kiefer stated that she had toured Kylawn, Orchard Lane, Brooklane and Wangstad parks and indicated that Wangstad looked to be in the best shape with regard to equipment. She noted that the parking lots were graded at Kylawn but that broken glass and cans seemed to be the biggest problem. The Park and Recreation Director stated that a new vacuum manufactured by the Tenant Company will be demonstrated to the Park and Recreation staff and that the vacuum is designed to pick up glass in the parks. Commissioner Kiefer noted that she agrees with Commissioner Sorenson with regardsto the separa- tion of the inspection duties from the repair duties in the parks. The Park and Recreation Director stated that he would like to make it clear that the repairs are not left exclusively to persons inspecting the parks and that major jobs are assigned by the Park Foreman. He added that the maintenance men inspecting the parks generally are inspecting for routine maintenance • jobs. Commissioner Denissen stated that Firehouse Park looks to be in good shape and that she saw no severe problem in 1979 with broken glass at Firehouse Park. Chairman Johnson stated that he does not believe the Commission has resolved the maintenance schedule issue and that he would like to schedule a tour of the parks for Commission members some time in June with the intent that the tour will aid Commission members in an evaluation of a maintenance schedule. Commissioner Kiefer stated that a maintenance check list would be helpful in evaluating the parks on the tour. She also requested that maintenance men in the parks concentrate on glass pickup since this is a serious problem in the parks. Commissioner Denissen suggested that broken glass may be a vandal problem and that it.might be advisable to make the Police Department aware of this problem. Chairman Johnson stated that he believes it would be advisable to table the discussion of the maintenance schedule until after the tour of the parks. Councilmember Kuefler noted that he has passed on suggestions to the City Manager for the development of a maintenance schedule and that he will check with him on this item. The Park and Recreation Director stated that the development of a maintenance schedule will also be dependent on the input received at the Park Service Area meetings. Commissioner Sorenson inquired as to the poor condition of the Brooklane shelter buidling and how this problem developed. The Park and Recreation Director stated that it had been planned to wait until after the park bond election before any major improvements were started in parks. Chairman Johnson stated that he believes a good and workable maintenance schedule can be developed and that he is looking forward to its development in the future. Chairman Johnson inquired of the Commission members if there was any other business to be considered at this meeting. There being none, Chairman Johnson asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. • 4-15-80 -3- ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Streitz and seconded by commissioner Kiefer to adjourn the Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 9:24 p.m. Chairman 1, 4-15-80 -4- i • •