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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 02-19 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 FEBRUARY 19, 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 Albright, Streitz, Sorenson and Bradford. Also present were Councilmember Tony Kuefler, City Manager Gerald Splinter, Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Chair- man Johnson noted that Commissioner Kiefer had informed him that she would be late for this evening's meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 1-15-80 Chairman Johnson noted that the approval of the January 15, 1980 Park and Rec- reation Commission meeting minutes would be carried over until the next meeting. DISCUSSION ITEM: ARBORETUM Chairman Johnson stated that the Park and Recreation Director would make the presentation on the proposed arboretum. The Park and Recreation Director displayed a transparency of the proposed arboretum and explained that the development plan for the arboretum does not include complete development of the arboretum as was originally planned. He stated that the current plan for the arboretum was to clean up the area and provide various types of tree species for planting in the arboretum. He explained the current plan is not nearly as elaborate as the original conception of the arboretum. Commissioner Bradford inquired how vandalism might be dealt with in the arboretum. The Park and Recreation Director explained that an 8' fence is proposed to be built around the arboretum. In response to a question from Commissioner Albright the Park and Recreation Director stated that the parking for the arboretum is part of the Kylawn Park plan. The City Manager noted that the cost of fencing has increased in price very greatly over the past few years along with the cost of asphalt. He explained that it is proposed to develop the items that are inflation sensitive first then develop the remainder of the items in the park plans. He explained it is pro- posed to complete some of the neighborhood parks by 1981 with the remainder to be completed by 1982 to 1983. The Park and Recreation Director explained that the costs reflected in the financial development plan are contract costs. The City Manager emphasized the fact that the City would construct the most inflation sensitive items first. He noted that during 1980 and 1981 the City engineering staff may be able to design the parking lots for the various neighborhood parks. Commissioner Streitz stated that he believes the arboretum strengthens the Park and Recreation Commission's policy statement that parks will not be for athletes only. Commissioner Kiefer arrived at 7:55 p.m. 2-19-80 -1_ The City Manager indicated that the arboretum may contain various types of trees such as flowering crabs, Norway pines, maples, etc. He stated that the planting of rare types of tree species will be avoided since they invite theft. Chairman Johnson asked if there were any other questions related to the arboretum. Commissioner Kiefer inquired of Commission members whether they thought there would be a problem with developing the arboretum in that it may be a case of one neighborhood receiving more development than others. Commissioner Albright stated that she did not think this was the case and that the arboretum would be accessible to all Brooklyn Center residents and that it may not be developed if it is not put in the bond issue now. Commissioner Bradford questioned whether traffic problems might be created by the development of the arboretum. The City Manager explained that the arboretum would not be developed in such a manner as to attract heavy use. Commissioner Kiefer added that she felt the Kylawn neighborhood would probably view the arboretum as helping to eliminate the illicit use of the Kylawn parking lot. Chairman Johnson opened up the meeting for comments from members of the audience. Mr. Ron Christensen, a member of the Park Bond Steering Committee, explained that, in his opinion, the Kylawn neighborhood appears to support the develop- ment of the arboretum. He noted that, at the last Steering Committee meeting, it was felt that the arboretum would strengthen the bond issue and help eliminate the undesirable uses of the park. Commissioner Kiefer asked what the Kylawn neighborhood desires from the develop- ment of the arboretum. Mr. Christensen explained that he did not poll the neighborhood on this question but he feels the people in his neighborhood would like to see the basics provided such as plantings, a general clean up of the area, and possibly the opportunity for residents to plant trees and flowers etc. Commissioner Kiefer indicated she felt that if the arboretum was placed back on the development plan the Commission should examine some of the other areas which were left out of the development plan including the Twin Lake peninsula and island. Councilmember Kuefler stated that he believes a position on these areas may be helpful but that these specific areas require more research as they are particularly sensitive natural areas, adding that there may be merit in no development at all for these areas. Commissioner Albright stated she believes that all of the proposed areas do not have to be developed now and that the needs of the community for recreation may be changing in future years. Commissioner Bradford added that he believes many people believe the areas should remain in their natural state. Mr. Christensen indicated that the Park Bond Steering Committee has indicated that the Twin Lake area is a special area and that the Committee does not have a problem with leaving it off the bond issue. He indicated that he would like to have a consensus agreement on these areas with the Park and Recreation Commission. A member of the Steering Committee present in the audience questioned why the Commission included the arboretum but not the Twin Lake area on the bond issue. Chairman Johnson explained that the Commission ,s plans were to preserve the Twin•Lake area as a natural area. Commissioner Streitz stated that he believes the Commission is justified in considering the arboretum and also in deleting the Twin Lake area from the bond issue. He explained that both the arboretum and the Twin Lake site were eliminated in the Commission's original plan but that the development of the arboretum is a response to a specific interest in development. 2-19-80 -2- A member of the Park Bond Steering committee representing Citizens for Better Government addressed the Commission and stated that his particular group, Citizens for Better Government, was reluctant to support the bond issue because a definite cost was not given. He also indicated that he believed a number of sample assessed valuations giving a cost per household would be useful in promoting the bond issue. The City Manager explained that the City has this capability and that various assessed valuations and costs per household will be given when the final bond figure is settled. Mr. Christensen requested the Park and Recreation Commission's input on the final development plan and cost breakdown for the bond issue. He asked that a consensus between the Commission and the Steering Committee be achieved before the Council is approached with the development plan. Chairman Johnson stated that the Commission has examined the development and financial plans in the past and he feels comfortable with the development plan as it is and indicated that he feels time would be wasted if a decision were postponed until next month's meeting. RECESS The Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:.37 p.m. and reconvened at 9:00 p.m.. PARK BOND STEERING COMMITTEE UPDATE Chairman Johnson requested that Ron Christensen give his report on the activities of the Steering Committee to Commission members. Mr. Christensen outlined several recommendations of the Steering Committee including that, the arboretum should be included on the bond issue, that the Steering Committee is satisfied with the $1.5 million figure for the issue, and that the Park and Recreation Commis- sion should review the potential development of other areas not yet included in the bond issue such as Twin Lake. Mr. Christensen proceeded to review a handout from the Park Bond Steering Committee outlining the ten major activities of the Steering Committee. He explained that he feels a consensus between the Committee and the Commission is essential before the City Council is approached- with the development plan. He requested that a joint recommendation to the City Council be submitted from the Committee and the Park and Recreation Com- mission. He also added, that as a courtesy to any persons opposed to the bond issue, the Council should give an opportunity for these persons to be heard in a public hearing and suggested that such a hearing might be held at the March 10, 1980 City Council meeting. Mr. Christensen added that he believes the City Council should make a final decision on the bond issue at its March 24, 1980 Council meeting. He noted that the Steering Committee plans to meet on a weekly basis. Mr. Christensen proceeded to review the ten activities that the bond election Steering Committee has proposed to accomplish. He emphasized that item number eight, stating that community meetings should be set up whereever necessary, should be a Council responsibility. The City Manager explained to Commission members and Steering Committee members that he had mailed out a list of questions and answers related to the bond issue but apparently they had not made it through the mail in time for the commission members and Committee members to receive for tonight's meeting. Commissioner Kiefer stated that she believes there should be a consensus reached on the questions concerning the bond issue. 2-19-80 -3- Chairman Johnson stated that he believes the Park and Recreation Commission should decide whether it is prepared to go to the City Council with a joint recommendation from the Park Bond Steering Committee and the Commission. There was a general consensus among Commission members agreeing with Chairman Johnson's suggestion that the Commission approve the park development financial plan for the park bond issue dated February 5, 1980. Councilmember Kuefler suggested that the Commission authorize City staff to prepare a resolution which would approve the park devel- opment financial plan for the bond issue and indicate that input was received from the Park Bond Steering Committee by the Park and Recreation Commission re- garding changes in the-development plan. There was a motion by Commissioner Streitz and seconded by Commissioner Sorenson to authorize City staff to prepare a resolution approving the park development financial plan for the bond issue. The motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION ITEM: PARK MAINTENANCE Chairman Johnson suggested that because of the late hour the park maintenance item should be laid over to the next Park and Recreation Commission meeting. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Sorenson questioned how the deletion of certain Community Development funds for the parking lots have affected the costs as presented in the develop- ment and financial plan. The City manager explained that the financial develop- ment plan has been adjusted to account for the loss of these funds.. Councilmember Kuefler stated that the question of the $85,000 carried over from the last bond election should be specifically accounted for and reflected in the financial development plan for the bond issue. ADJOURNMENT 0 There was a motion by Commissioner Streitz and seconded by Commissioner Bradford to adjourn the Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The motion passed unan - imously and the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Chairman • 2-19-80 -4- Member Michael Streitz introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 80-1 RESOLUTION APPROVING PARK DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL PLAN FOR PARK BOND ISSUE WHEREAS, the City staff has prepared a Park Development Financial Plan in conjunction with the proposed park bond issue; and WHEREAS, the Park Bond Steering Committee has reviewed the Park Development Financial Plan and has made certain amendments in the Plan; and WHEREAS, the Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission has met with members of the Park Bond Steering Committee and has agreed with the Park Bond Steering Committee's amendments to the Park Development Financial Plan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission that the Commission concurs with the Park Bond Steering Committee and hereby approves and recommends the Park Development Financial Plan, dated February 5, 1980, to the Brooklyn Center City Council. February 19, 1980 e Date ty Chairman The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Bud Sorenson , and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Gerald Johnson, Michael Streitz, Jacqueline Albright, Bud Sorenson, Harry Bradford, and Dawn Kiefer; and the following voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.