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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 06-19 PRMd+. it - 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 JUNE 19, 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, Streitz and Albright. Also present were Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel and Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman. Absent and unexcused was Commissioner Kiefer. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 3-20-79 Motion by Commissioner Hickman and seconded by Commissioner Albright to approve the minutes of the March 20, 1979 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 5-15-79 Motion by Commissioner Streitz and seconded by Commissioner Hickman to approve the minutes of the May 15, 1979 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Tony Kuefler arrived at 7:40 p.m. DISCUSSION: STAFF PARK FINANCE PLAN Chairman Johnson introduced the next agenda item by requesting Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel to review the proposed Park Development Finance Plan for the benefit of the new Commissioners. Director Hagel reviewed the finance plan noting that the staff had eliminated a number of low priority, high maintenance items from the total development package. He indicated that the hockey rink at West Palmer, the tennis lighting for the six neighborhood parks and the lighting of the walks and appartus areas for the neighborhood parks had been eliminated from the proposed financing package. He reviewed potential grants that the City would be receiving and the funding that they have already received and indicated that the proposed bond issue would range from $735,000 up to $920,000 dependent upon the monies received from the Community Development funds. Chairman Johnson indicated his concern with the elimination of lighting in the walkways. He felt that the elimination of that item might discourage people from using the parks at night. Director Hagel stated that most of the park use would be during the summer months when there is generally sufficient light to allow people to walk to and from the parks during the evening hours. He added that the elimination of the lighting would not preclude the opportunity for people to use the tennis courts. Commissioner Streitz inquired if the proposed lights had been the coin operated variety to which Director Hagel indicated they were. Commis- sioner Albright inquired if we are assured of Community Development funding. Administrative Assistant Hoffman indicated that nothing was assured with a HUD grant. He also indicated that the local HUD office had negative comments about some of the park projects proposed by the City of Brooklyn Center. He also indi- cated that the City would probably have to fight for their projects in order to get them. 6-19-79 -1- -1 . Director Hagel then reviewed the proposed Palmer Lake plan. He noted the iuost probable item to eliminate or modify would be the park shelter building. He also noted that three shelter buildings scheduled for replacement at Freeway, Riverdale and Brooklane Park would be eliminated from the plan. He indicated that the buildings at Freeway and Riverdale were adequate and that the construction of Brooklane Park was still in question. He also recommended the elimination of remodeling the wading pools at Northport and Garden City parks. Discussion then turned to the provision of toilet facilities within the neighbor- hood park system. Commissioner Hickman inquired if new plumbing was placed in the Riverdale park shelter building would the building be replaced in a few years down the road when it needed repairs. Director Hagel indicated) the building would be maintained and not replaced. Councilmember Kuefler inquired if Minneapolis manned their parks at all times reflecting upon the maintenance problems associated with toilet facilities. Director Hagel indicated that they did have personnel on duty in the parks. Councilmember Kuefler then inquired as to the status of Brooklane Park relative to the school property. Director Hagel indicated that the City does have a verbal assurance that they would have the opportunity to buy the land should it be offered for sale. Following a brief discussion on tie buidling, Chairman .Johnson inquired as to the Commission's feelings relative to retaining the buildings or removing them from the Park Development Plan. Commissioner Hickman inquired if the buildings at Riverdale and Freeway Park required significant repairs. Director Hagel indicated that they did not. Motion by Commissioner Streitz and seconded by Commissioner Hickman to eliminate the shelter buildings from the plan at Riverdale and Freeway Parks. The motion passed unanimously. The discussion then turned to the use of satellite facilities versus a permanent toilet facility. Chairman Johnson indicated that he felt ithat the permanent fac- ility is not warranted given its cost. Councilmember Kuefler inquired if a perma~ nent satellite facility should be looked at in all the park: facilities. Discussion of the possibility of using satellite facilities in all of the parks was then considered. The Commission then requested that Park and Recreation Director Hagel research the costs associated with providing permanent sat~llite facilities in all of the neighborhood park facilities. The Commission indicated that they felt that the proposal for Northport Park for $12,000 should be stricken relative to toilet facilities and that it should be amended by adding seventeen (17) neighbor- hood parks be provided with outdoor toilet facilities. A brief discussion then ensued relative to remodeling the wading pools. Director Hagel indicated the cost would be approximately $10,000 each. Councilmember Kuefler indicated that he felt that would be a good trade off for the additional cost of the toilet facilities. Commissioner Hickman inquired what would happen to the wading pools. Director Hagel indicated they could be made into sandboxes or what have you. Motion-by Commissioner Albright and seconded by Commissioner Streitz to eliminate $12,000 from the plan for wading pool remodeling. The motion passed unanimously. The Commission then discussed the Central Park fountain. 3hairman Johnson inquired as to the biggest problems associated with the fountain. irector Hagel indicated that maintenance of the facility would be the biggest prob em. Chairman Johnson inquired as to the plumbing costs associated with the foun ain. Director Hagel indicated he did not have the numbers with him at this tim . Councilmember Kuefler emphasized the need for aesthetics. He added that everyth.ng within a park system cannot be functional and that there is a definite need for this type of facility. Commissioner Albright recommended.that we leave the money for the plaza but not allocate money to the fountain. Director Hagel indicated that the Brauer report should be available soon for Central Park and that decisions on Central Park would be based upon that report. 6-19-79 -2- .r l _ r. The Commission then returned to a discussion of the Palmer Lake Nature Center. Director Hagel noted that costs of the proposed building was in excess of $105,000. The Commission reviewed pictures of the nature area and a brief dis- cussion then ensued. Director Hagel indicated under the staff recommendation and based on the cost of approximately $70 a square foot, the cost of the building would be changed to $105,000 and that the $10,000,allocated for flowers be elim- inated. LAWCON Administrative Assistant Hoffman introduced the next agenda item. He indicated the City had written a total of four (4) LAWCON grants with two (2) going for Central Park and the other two (2) going to the Shingle Creek Trail System. He further stated that it would take several years for the City to complete the con- struction of those projects. The City staff has submitted a LAWCON grant proposal to be directed at the neighborhood parks. He added that the grant would provide for the surfacing of all of the neighborhood parking lots and that the work would be done on a contractual basis. Following a brief discussion, Chairman Johnson indicated he liked that approach to the Park Development Plan. Councilmember Kuefler inquired where is the $85,000 that had previously been slated for a hockey rink. Administrative Assistant Hoffman indicated that those monies had been allocated by the Council for the creek relocation. Councilmember Kuefler indicated that he wanted the Commission to be aware of that so that in future inquiries, they would be able to answer questions about that money. OTHER BUSINESS Director Hagel took the opportunity to inform the Commission about tentative studies being conducted relative to a proposed par three golf course near Lions Park. He noted that Brauer was in the process of developing a plan for the park along with a brief cost analysis. A brief discussion then ensued with Commissioner Hickman inquiring as to who would be providing the maintenance. Director Hagel indicated that the City would provide the maintenance and that it was anticipated that it should be a money maker for the City. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Streitz and seconded by the meeting. The motion passed unanimously and meeting was adjourned at 9:32 p.m. ' Chairman -3- 6-19-79 Commissioner Hickman to adjourn the Park and Recreation Commission