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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 10-24 PRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENT-QTEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION OCTOBER 24, 1978 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 7:41 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Johnson, Commissioners Skomra, Velasco, Schroeder and Kiefer. Also pre- sent were Councilmember Tony Kuefler, Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel, Superintendent of Recreation Arnie Mavis and Administrative Assistant Brad Koffman. Chairman Johnson noted that Commissioner Hick-man was excused. Commissioner Bogle was absent and unexcused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 8-22-78 Motion by Commissioner Schroeder and seconded by Commissioner Skomra to approve the minutes of the August 22, 1978 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. TWIN LAKE PARKING REPORT (Staff) The Secretary referred to several inquiries made by the Commissioners at the August 22, 1978 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. He noted that the Commissioners had asked why certain streets in the area surrounding Twin Lake Beach were not signed (no parking) when they had recommended to the Council that the entire area be signed as such. The Secretary explained that given Council direction, Administrative authority already existed to sign all streets in Brooklyn Center for no parking. He noted that the residents in that area were informed of the City's intent to sign their streets for "no parking" unless the residents made it known to the staff of their desires that their streets not be signed as such. He explained that the City had received two (2) petitions requesting that the City not sign their streets and because of the petitions, the admin- istrative staff did not erect signs in those areas. The second parking question dealt with the closing or elimination of the parking lot at the Twin Lake Beach Park. The Secretary noted that the problem with closing the parking lot was that you would be denying the use of a public facility to the public in general. The City would be creating a park that could be used only by those in the immediate area. The elimination of the parking lot still poses some philosophical problems and some possible legal problems. He noted that if the parking lot were eliminated totally, the City would still in effect be denying the use of that park facility to the general public when you consider the fact that all of the streets in the immediate area are signed for "no parking". Following a brief discussion, Commissioner Schroeder inquired if it would be possible to limit the number of parking spaces currently -available in the parking- lot. The Secretary replied that was a viable option that could be considered to help restrict the use of that park. 10-24-78 -1~ Chairman Johnson then replied that the Commission has done its job and has gotten some answers for the people in that neighborhood. He requested that the no parking signs go up earlier this spring, and noted that they did appear to have a significant impact on the neighborhood. He also requested that Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman write a brief memo outlining the options relative to the parking question in the neighborhood for discussion purposes with neighborhood residents. Chairman Johnson, then requested that Commissioner Skomra set a meetir'ig with Diane Schake and any of the other residents to discuss those options. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPLANATION OF RECREATION FACILITY USE POLICY Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel explained the City's 'policy in reserving and scheduling ball, fields. He noted that the problem at the present time was the great demand for, in essence, a limited resource. He noted that there were 140 teams using the fields or approximately 1,960 players. He also noted that adult softball brings in ove• $30,000 per year coupled with a nonresident charge which brings in approximately another $6,000 annually. He further explained that its a self ',,supporting program and that most often there is surplus money at the end of the year. He .stated the surplus money is used to support other activities. He further explained that there are 23 diamonds available in the City and of those 23 diamonds, certain diamonds have been scheduled for adults and some for little league. He stated thF t the adult diamonds were selected for primarily two reasons. First, -the availabill''y of parking. He noted that adult softball games tend to generate more traffic and req;ire more parking than does little league. Second, he noted that the size of the fieks determined which fields would be used by adults and which by little league. He then 4jave a listing of the parks that were designated.as adult parks and little league parks. Explaining the reservation system, Park and Recreation Director Hagel stated the team managers call in to the Park and Recreation- Department and reserve diamonds. He stated that no their can have more than two (2) reservations on the book at any one time. He stated that while not everyone can have the particular diamond they desire or the particular time they desire, he did indicate that generally the fields were made available to everyone considering the high demand for field tiri e especially in the spring of the year. He added that the demand for field time and practice time diminishes as the season goes on. He then briefly reviewed the growth of adult softball throughout the state. The discussion was opened up for questions from the audience. Tom Komulak, President of the American Little League, asked how many of the adults playing softball were from outsido of the City and what other communities have done. Ho stated that -he had mana- gers in the little league report to him that other teams without permits were taking over their fields and refused to give those fields up. Ile also stated that when they go to other fields and use them, they'd come back later in the week to find fences across those fields. Director Hagel replied that nonresidents make up approximately one half -3f all the adults playing softball in Broo.lyn Center. He noted that the fences being places' across the Infields were there to protect the grass in those fields that had just been seeded. He noted that there were only two parks In which that occurred. He also stated that if teams that have refused to give u;, a field for which they have no permit are from the Brooklyn Canter league, they should be- reported t1 0 the Park and Recreation Department-who will take actions against them including kicking them oft the league. 10-247$ -2- He also stated that if they are not members of the .league, then the matter should be reported to the Police or the Park and Recreation Department. He replied that the position each community takes relative to nonresidents differs from community to community. He noted that some charge additional fees and some restrict the number of outsiders on a team and other forbid them altogether. He noted that Brooklyn Center has a slightly more open approach to the matter, allowing` nonresidents to play recog- nizing that many of these nonresidents are former residents who are still playing with friends and associates who still reside in the City. Walt Wenholtz of 501 - 69th Avenue North, stated that Brooklyn Center parks have enhanced the reputation of the community. He stated he knows a number of people that have moved to this community because of the softball facilities available to them. Park and Recreation Director Hagel stated that if we were to limit nonresidents, we will still have the same maintenance costs and would experience a loss in revenue to support existing softball programs. Bernie Hill, 6230 Regent Avenue North, noted that he was a member of the Jaycees and played in the Jaycee league. He stated there are only a few communities that would allow teams from other cities to play and that created a problem for Jaycee type leagues. He complimented the Park and Recreation Department on their handling of the leagues and felt that everyone should be able to use the fields. Chuck Menthe, 7007 Irving Avenue North, indicated that he took part in mixed couples leagues and enjoyed the fact that outsiders would be able to play. He stated that a number of the people that had formerly resided in Brooklyn Center that played on the mixed league team had moved out of the community. but continued to play with the team. He indicated he appreciated the fact that they were able to continue to do so. He also indicated though that he felt that if the situation came to the point where residents were not able to play because nonresidents were playing, that the City should adopt a more restrictive approach. He also indicated that he had requested a permit for one of the fields as a resident for his Indian Guides and was denied a permit because they were not in an organized league. Park and Recreation Director Hagel replied that should not have happened and he apologized for it. He added that it is their intent to accomo- date residents and make fields available to them. Councilmember Kuefler inquired of Director Hagel why neighborhood kids are not allowed to play ball except on the ball fields in parks especially when those fields are taken over by other leagues. He asked 'if there were open nights for neighborhood kids on the ball diamonds. Director Hagel replied that there are no open nights for ball diamonds as described by Councilmember Kuefler, although he noted that some fields were not available for reservations.- He noted that just two (2) parks were signed for no ball playing in different parts `of the park and that came about because of complaints from adjoining neighbors. They had complained that they were having broken windows and so forth from the kids playing too close to their houses. Bernie Hill inquired if the problem was one that vas in the evening only. Park Director Hagel confirmed that the greatest problem reserving ball parks. occurred during the evening hours in the spring of the year. Following a brief discussion, Chairman Johnson thanked Park Director Nagel for his explanation of the reservation system used in the parks and complimented him for the job being done. 10-24-78 -3- COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT The next agenda item was a discussion of Community Development. The Secretary brought the Commission -up to date noting- that the City had entered into an agreement with Hennepin County to apply for Community Development grant funds under the Urban County plan. He also reviewed the results of the public hearing held October 11, 1978. He stated that it was the consensus of those attending the public hearing that an advisory committee should be formed with representatives from each of the Commissions and a number of people selected at-large. He then asked the'! members to poll themselves to see which of the members would like to have their names submitted to the Council for consideration for appointment to that committee. Following a brief discussion, the Commission recommended- Commissioner Michael Schroeder to the Council for consider- ation for appointment to the Community Development Citizen's Advisory Committee. TWIN LAKE PARK SKATING RINK Park. and Recreation Director Hagel reviewed the skating rink 'attendance for the 1977/78 skating season. He noted the very low attendance for the Twin Lake Beach skating rink. He stated there was a daily average of only nine (9) persons at that rink. He then reviewed the cost for operating that skating rink noting that a full-time attendant cost $912 foc the season and it had a heating cost of $742. He noted that he was bring- ing this information to the Commission for their consideration,. He noted that there, are -three options available to them., 1. The operation could remain the same. 2. The - hours of operation could be cut. 3. They could eliminate the warming house. lie then reviewed the hours currently maintained in the skating rinks noting that from Monday through Friday the rinks were opened from 4:00 to 9:00, on Saturday from 1:00 to 9:00, and on Sunday from 1:00 to 0:00. Commissioner Vela sco inquired if the staff was advocating that we close just one skating- rink. Park and Recreation Director Hagel stated that they were not advocating that, but bringing: the figures to their attention for their own consideration. Co uncilmember-Y-uefler recommended that they not close Just one park, but indicated that because of the figures, them was some justification to modify the hours. He suggested that perhaps Commissioner Skorr~ra could meet with the people in that neighborhood and come to an agreement as to the hours of operation. Chairman Johnson stated that it was apparent that the Twin Lake Beach skating rink doesn't warrant the current expenditure and recommended that they follow Councilmem-- ber Kuefler's thoughts to discuss limiting the hours of operation at the Twin Lake Beach site with residents in the neighborhood. Commissioner Skomra agreed to meet with the neighborhood residents. PARK DEVELOPMENT PLAN The next agenda item introduced by Chairman Johnson was the finalization of the Com- mission's Park Development Plan. Chairman-Johnson reviewed the steps taken-by the Commission to reach the point that they were currently at. A brief discussion ensued relative to the proper timing for Council.consideration. Councilmember Kuefler stated that he felt the Commission needs to give priority either to the park classification approach or to a facility approach across all classifications. He noted that the Council will want to know the specific priorities of the Commission. Following a brief discussion, Chairman Johnson requested Park and Recreation Director Hagel to review his park development priorities and compare them with the Commission'* priority list. Director Hagel indicated he had taken the priority list of the Commission 10-24-78 -4- y r I. for neighborhood parks and group facilities together that seemed appropriate from a construction and cost effectiveness perspective. He then reviewed each of the items noting its ranking on both his priority "List and that of the Commission. Throughout the Director's comments, it was rooted by Commissioner Velasco that- Director Hagel's list-differed only slightly from that of the Commissions. He moved to adopt the priority list as offered by Director Hagel as the. C-ommiss ion's priority list for neighborhood parks. A brief discussion followed relative to tennis courts in, neighborhood parks. Commissioner Kiefer inquired if all of the playfields had tennis courts, Director Hagel confirmed that they did. Chairman Johnson then asked Director Hagel if it was the staff's position that neighborhood parks-were the number one priority in the park development plan. Again, Director Hagel replied that neighborhood narks were the number one priority from the staff's perspective. Commissioner Schroeder- then seconded the motion and the motion was adopted unanimously. Commissioner Skomra then offered a motion that the full park development package be sent to the Council for their consideration. Commissioner Schroeder inquired what the list meant in dollars. Chairman Johnson reported what the latest figures would do for total dollars. Director Hagel replied that dollar updates have not been done for Central Park, the linear parks or the other specialized parks. Commissioner Schroeder indicated that they need a list so that they know exactly what they are recommending and that they would like a breakdown similar to the priority list breakdown offered in the July 12, 1978 memo from Gene Hagel. Chairman Johnson requested Director Hagel to provide a similar memo outlining current costs for each of the priorities. He then asked that we schedule a special meeting to be held two weeks from Wednesday. The Secretary noted that would be November 8, 1978 and that he would confirm that date with the Chairman the following day. it was them the consensus of the Commission to table Commissioner Skomra's motion until that meeting. OTHER BUSINESS Couneilmember Kuefler took the opportunity to compliment the Commission for the hard and diligent work that they've put in developing the Park Development Plan,. He noted. that many of them had been on the Commission for several years and worked hard towards this goal. They were now beginning to realize it. ADTOURNME.C T Motion by Commissioner Schroeder and seconded by Commissioner Velasco to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 10.15 p.m. C ha irma n 0 10-24-78 -5-