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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 10-16 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 16, 1979 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 7:34 p.m.- ROLL CALL Chairman Johnson, Commissioners Hickman, Albright and Sorenson. Also present were Councilmember Tony Kuefler, Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Chairman Johnson noted that Commissioner Kiefer would be late for this evening's meeting and that Commissioner Streitz would be absent from this evening's meeting and was excused. Chairman Johnson introduced Mr. Bud Sorenson as a new member of the Park and Recreation Commission. v APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 9-18-79 There was a motion by Commissioner Hickman and seconded by Commissioner Albright to approve the minutes of the September 18, 1979 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVIEW Chairman Johnson suggested to Commission members that a few minutes be taken to review the City's new comprehensive plan. Administrative Assistant Bublitz explained that-the plan is a requirement of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act of 1976. He explained that the rationale for the law was based on the fact that suburban communities are contiguous areas of land and the develop- ment activities in one community are likely to affect neighboring communities. He added that the Legislature felt that comprehensive plans should be under- taken to coordinate development in the metropolitan communities, thereby eliminating potential development and planning problems and conflicts in the metro area communities. Councilmember Kuefler explained that cities in the seven county metro area are required to submit a comprehensive plan by 1981. He explained that the Metropolitan Council had prepared a development framework for planning within the metropolitan area which essentially coordinated the direction of sewer and roadway networks along with general planning activities in the metropol- itan communities. Commissioner Kiefer arrived at 7:50 p.m. Councilmember Kuefler noted that in his estimation the key to the success of the plan is to develop the appropriate zoning within each of the metropolitan area communities. He noted that the zoning is the key to implementing the concepts of the comprehensive plan. Commissioner Albright noted an error in the text of the comprehensive plan on page 126. She noted that the reference to table 13 in the fourth paragraph on page 126 of the plan should in fact refer to table 14 and not table 13. 10-16-79 -1- r " Chairman Johnson inquired if there would be any action required by the Park and Recreation Commission regarding the comprehensive plan. Administrative Assistant Bublitz informed the Commission members that the Planning commission will be holding public hearings on the comprehensive plan on October 25, 1979 and November 29, 1979 and that any comments that the Commission may have cane, be relayed to the Planning Commission at that time. Chairman Johnson inquired of the Commission members if they had any comments on the plan. Commissioner Sorenson asked what the park and recreation portion of the comprehensive plan was based on. Councilmember Kuefler explained the private consultant preparing the City's comprehensive plan drew primarily on the Park and Recreation Com- mission's park development plan for this portion of the comprehensive plan. Chairman Johnson noted that in his estimation the comprehensive plan was a well written document with much useful information for future development decisions that the City may be faced with. TWIN LAKE BEACH PARKING LOT REDESIGN Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel reported to Commission members that he had reviewed the parking lot redesign plan with the City Manager and that in the spring of 1980 the City will block off a portion of the lot and re- design the parking with head-in parking for a six car capacity. Commissioner Sorenson questioned why the number of parking spaces was being reduced in the lot. Councilmember Kuefler explained the reduction in the amount of spaces was an attempt to reduce the noise and vandal problem in the area. Commissioner Sorenson stated he felt the problem was an enforcement problem rather than a parking problem. Councilmember Kuefler explained that it is difficult to constantly patrol the area and that another mechanism must be used to solve the problem. He added that several alternatives had been explored and that reducing the parking seemed to be the most workable solution. He in that the redesign of the parking lot was an attempt to reduce the noise and vandal problem but still allow the park to be usable. Chairman Johnson explained that banning drinking in City parks was a first attempt at solving the problem. Commissioner Sorenson noted that he felt the problem was one of enforcement and he questioned the parking solution to the problem. Councilmember Kuefler explained even if the lot was chained, clearing the lot of vehicles would still be a problem. Commissioner Sorenson noted that the park closes at 10:00 p.m. and that he felt the lot should be fenced or chained with totally closed in parking to prevent use of the park after 10:00 p.m. Councilmember Kuefler explained that this solution would probably not be economically feasible and that the fences and chains would probably be destroyed. He also noted that officers cannot be constantly patrolling the beach area. Commissioner Kiefer inquired what would happen to the remainder of the lot now that the parking spaces have been reduced. The Park and Recreation Director explained that he assumed the remainder of the lot would be land- scaped. RECESS The Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:25 p.m. and reconvened at 8:50 P.M. FUTURE GOALS AND PROJECTS Chairman Johnson introduced the next item on the agenda which was a discussion of future goals and projects for the Commission. He noted that this item was 10 placed on the agenda primarily because of the new members to the Commission. He noted that he would like to review the March 20, 1979 Park and Recreation 1.0-16-79 -2- It Commission minutes where the Commission previously discussed future goals and projects. In review of the March 20, 1979 minutes, Chairman Johnson noted that one of the future projects was to have Police Chief James Lindsay speak to the Commission on the subject of vandalism in the City parks. He-noted that he felt this would still be an excellent item for a future meeting. He also noted that in the past the Park and Recreation staff had made a presentation to the Commission describing their jobs and that this was very beneficial to Commis- sion members. He also noted a joint meeting between the Conservation and Park and Recreation Commission would be an excellent future item. Chairman Johnson asked Commission members for input for upcoming months. He referred to Res- olution No. 73-25 which outlined the duties and responsibilities of the Com- mission and noted that one of the duties of the Commission was to disseminate information. He noted that this could be accomplished by visits to the City parks and that this will likely be done on an annual basis in the spring. Chairman Johnson also added that he would like to hear Chief James Lindsay speak to the Commission on vandalism and that he felt this was a very important item to be considered by the Commission. Commissioner Albright suggested that the Park and Recreation Commission hold some of their meetings at City parks to encourage public participation. Chairman Johnson noted that Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel has shown some excellent slide presentations on parks in other areas of the country and in other parts of Minnesota. Chairman Johnson asked the Park and Recreation Director whether there were any promotional movies or slide shows available from companies dealing in recreational products and planning. He inquired, whether or not there would possibly be any such presentation on the develop- ment of future recreational facilities and parks. The Park and Recreation Director explained that very few films are available in this area but that one possibility is a film entitled "In Search of Balance" which was shown to the Commission at a previous meeting. Chairman Johnson stated that he felt this film would be beneficial and worthwhile to show again at an upcoming meeting. Commissioner Albright stated that she felt the rebuilding of the neighborhood groups or the park service advisory groups would be a worthwhile project to undertake. Chairman Johnson noted that this would be a good discussion item for a future Park and Recreation Commission meeting. Commissioner Kiefer suggested that the Commission undertake the promotion of the park bond issue as a future project. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel stated that he is developing a slide presentation related to this project aimed at an overview of the City's park and recreation system. He noted that the slide presentation would show what now exists and what facilities are needed in the parks for the future. Commissioner Kiefer questioned whether it was feasible to begin talking to community leaders about the bond issue. Councilmember Kuefler explained that he was now undertaking research on the project to present to the City Council at a future meeting. He noted that the City cannot spend funds to promote the bond issue, but that a service organization such as the Jaycees have traditionally aided the City in projects of this nature in the past. Chairman Johnson inquired what the tentative time frame for the bond issue would be. Councilmember Kuefler explained that it was flexible and was based somewhat on the present economy and desires of City residents. He noted that he felt it was his duty along with the Park and Recreation Commission to develop a strategy, possibly late this winter or the early spring of 1980, which could be developed to interest groups such as the Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, garden clubs, etc. Commissioner Kiefer expressed an interest in seeing a committee organized to develop a strategy to present to the community groups such as the Jaycees. Councilmember Kuefler stated that he felt the Park and Recreation Commission had done an 10-16-79 -3- excellent planning job and that making community residents aware of the park plans is where the Commission's responsibility lies. Commissioner Sorenson questioned what park programs are currently available. in the City. Councilmember Kuefler explained there are numerous programs available to all age groups including small children, teen-agers and adults. Commissioner Sorenson questioned what is being done currently to promote these programs. Chairman Johnson explained that park and recreation programs are generally publicized in the Brooklyn Center Post. Commissioner Sorenson noted that at a recent plan of action Jaycees meeting, he became aware of the fact that many residents feel there is not enough being done with youth programs in the City. He suggested that this problem may have arisen because no one is aware of the programs and the people are underinformed regarding park and recreation programs. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel noted that the Park and Recreation department has sometimes been criticed for having too many programs rather than not enough programs for youth. Commissioner Albright suggested that the Park and Recreation Commission may want to take on the job of making people more aware of available programs. Councilmember Kuefler stated he felt the programs are being fully utilized and that generally in his estimation people are aware of the programs, but that they are not aware of the bond issue. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Kiefer inquired what was being done about the Brooklane Park shelter building. The Park and Recreation Director explained that a trailer will be rented for the skating season this winter. Chairman Johnson questioned if there was any input from City residents on the closing of the warming houses this winter. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel replied that there was no input received in his office. Council- member Kuefler also noted.that he had not received any input regarding this matter. Commissioner Albright noted that she felt the coverage in the Brooklyn Center Post by Mr. Lloyd Davenport of the discussion of the warming house closings at the September 18, 1979 Park and Recreation Commission meeting was very fair. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Kiefer and seconded by Commissioner Albright to adjourn the Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Chairman • 10-16-79 . -4-