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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 08-22 PRMd 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 AUGUST 22, 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 7:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Johnson, Commissioners Skomra, Vela sco , Kiefer, Bogle and Hickman. Also present were Councilmember Tony Kuefler, Landscape Architect Judy Johnson and Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 7-18-78 A motion by Commissioner Bogle and seconded by Commissioner Kiefer to approve the minutes of the July 18, 1978 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Johnson abstained from voting. TWIN LAKE BEACH PARK DISCUSSION Chairman Johnson introduced the next agenda item, that of a public discussion on the Twin Lake Beach Park problem. He noted that the Park and Recreation Com- mission had held a public hearing with the residents from that neighborhood in April of ,this year to receive their comments and suggestions relative to the problems created by the beach atmosphere of the Twin Lake Beach neighborhood park. He then opened the public hearing by recognizing Diane Schake of 4740 Twin Lake Avenue. Diane Schake indicated her opposition to closing the beach. She further , indicated she felt that it was time that the City recognize the area as a beach and provide the necessary supervision. She indicated she felt that if supervision were provided at the beach the problems would be eliminated. Commissioner Mike Schroeder arrived at 7:38 p.m. Chairman Johnson reviewed the Commission's recommendation that parking be restricted in the neighborhoods around Twin Lake Beach Park. He then inquired if the residents of the neighborhood felt that it had been successful. Diane Schake indicated that it was her understanding that the entire neighborhood was to be a restricted parking area. Councilmember Kuefler inquired if there were streets that were not signed to which she replied Azelia Avenue had not been signed. Chairman Johnson then recognized Mr. Fadden of 4711 Azelia Avenue. Mr. Fadden indicated that the residents of Azelia Avenue had requested that it remain open to parking. He further indicated that while there has been increased parking on that street that the neighbors and himself had not -had problems with parking. He did 8-22-78 -1- note that there had been an increase in litter along the street. Chairman Johnson inquired of Mr. Fadden what his position was relative to the Twin Lake Beach problem. Mr. Fadden indicated he was'not sure what the problem was. Chairman Johnson then recognized Mr. Redding of 4741 Lakeview Avenue. Mr. Redding noted that since the City restricted parking in the neighborhood, it has helped the problem immensely. He further indicated he felt that the park should be closed to the public and left open just for the neighborhood. Judy Johnson, the Landscape Architect who lives at 4204 Lakebreeze Avenue, indicated that she had experienced no parking problems in her neighborhood. Chairman Johnson then inquired of the people if they were in favor of leaving the park as it is. Chairman Johnson then recognized Councilmember Celia Scott of 4104 Lakeside Avenue. Celia Scott noted that the no parking signs in the area had helped greatly. She further indicated that the whole thing has been an educational process. She noted that the police have been towing cars from the area every day, further indicating that the problems associated with the park were mostly from individ- uals outside of Brooklyn Center.. She added the apartment problem is that there is no delineation between the park property and that of the apartments. She suggested that the apartments construct or provide a hedge-or a fence or some form of physical delineation between the two properties. Mrs. Lynn Schultz of.4806 Twin Lake Avenue added that the (major problem with the area is that the streets.cannot handle the traffic. She suggested that adequate parking be provided for at the beach area, specifically alone Highway 100. Council- member Kuefler explained the state's position relative to allowing parking along the' highway right-of-way. He noted that the land suggested for the parking lot, belonged to the Highway Department and that the City has considered a parking lot there but the Highway Department was not willing to allow such a use for the- land because it would complicate any. future plans the Highway Department might have for the land. Commissioner Kiefer inquired of Lynn Schultz whether or no.t,there are noise problems beyond 11:00 at night. Lynn Schultz replied that there were !not really too many problems beyond that time. She noted there was a 10.:00 c0etw'and that generally by 11:00 the beach had quieted down. Commissioner Schroeder stated that it was his recollection that the Commission had recommended the closing of the parking lot at Twin Lake Beach. Again, Lynn Schultz noted that the 'harking lot had been closed for awhile. Commissioner Vela sco indicated that it vras the Commission's recommendation that it be kept closed and inquired why it had been opened. Chair- man Johnson asked that the staff inquire into that and inform', the Commission at the next meeting. j Mr. Redding" indicated that at the Council meeting in May th 3t the City Manager and the City Engineer indicated they were going to study the problem prior to closing that area. Chairman Johnson. indicated that at the April Park and 'Recreation Commission meeting, a number of alternatives were discussed with the residents of the Twin Lake Beach area and that the parking ban seemed. to be the easiest remedy for the problem at that time. `Chairman Johnson noted that the problems with the Twin Beach Apart- ments seemed to °be'a. separate problem from the one being discussed presently. Diane Schake inquired as to whether or not the apartments had considered building a fence down there. Comment was received from the resident at 4741 Twin Lake 8-22-78 -2- Avenue that the residents of the neighborhood had tried to stop the apartment complex because they knew the problem would be coming for some time. Diane Schake and Mr. Fadden reiterated that position. Commissioner Hickman inquired of the:.residents their opinion relative to closing the beach area. Celia Scott replied that people have used that beach for years and that. they will continue to do so no matter what it done. She further indicated that if the sand were removed.and replaced with grass that it would not deter people from the area. Mr. Fadden replied that the City cannot give up that kind of an asset. • He further replied that consideration has to be given to future generations. Gary Schultz of 4806 Twin Lake Avenue replied that the beach should remain as a beach. He further indicated there is a great deal of clean up work required in that area, specifically because of large amounts of broken glass. Lynn Schultz reiterated that position indicating that the beach should remain as such and preferably as a neighborhood park. Diane Schake asked that a cable be kept across the parking lot, however it would be much more preferable that supervision be provided. Chairman Johnson inquired if the residents had noticed that the problem has diminished since the parking ban was instituted. Diane Schake indicated that she had been gone all summer long and really couldn't reply to that question.., Chairman Johnson then asked that the residents show support for one of the options by a .showing of hands. He first inquired as to the number that would like to see the area converted to just a park. It was noted that there was no support for that con- cept. Second, he asked that those supporting the continuation of the no parking approach and eliminating the parking lot from the neighborhood park-show their - hands. It was noted that there was unanimous support for that concept. Chairman Johnson then recognized Richard Arneson. Mr. Arneson noted that the signs have helped, however, there were not enough signs on Twin Lake Avenue. He further suggested that the parking lot be completely removed from Twin Lake Beach Park. Chairman Johnson indicated that the Commission would pursue. the concept of closing the parking lot. He then closed the public hearing at 8:26 p.m. RECESS The Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:26 p.m. and reconvened at . 8:45 p.m. INCORPORATION OF COMMUNITY FEEDBACK INTO PARK PRIORITY PLAN The next agenda item introduced by Chairman Johnson was a discussion of tine input received by Commission members over the past few months relative to the park development plan. Chairman Johnson stated that the Commission members had been presenting the Park and Recreation Commission's tentative park development plan to the general public and to various civic groups in order to solicit their comments and opinions relative to the plan and incorporate their thoughts into the final plan. Chairman Johnson then called upon the Commission members to share their findings with the rest of the Commission. Commissioner Velasco stated that. during his conversations and presentations to the various individuals and groups., he bacame aware of a concern on their part with the current level of maintenance of the City's parks. He further indicated that the concern was that given the current maintenance problems it would seem 8-22-78 -3- that the City was not ready to handle additional parks or improvements. However, there was support for the types of improvements being contemplated. Commissioner Bogle indicated that the parks at the present time are not in a condition that readily lends itself to maintenance. Chairman Johnson inquired of Commissioner Velasco what kinds of cost figures people that he spoke to were willing to pay. Commissioner) Velasco indicated that on the whole, most of them felt that 2 million dollars was too much. He felt that such items as the arboretum, the environmental preserve and so forth were pretty much a frosting on the cake. He felt that Central Park was of interest primarily to those close to it and not to those generally living by other neighborhood parks. He further indicated that when money was discussed it tends to scare away all interest. Commissioner Schroeder indicated that he had no com- ments on prices. He indicated the feeling seems to be suplort of park development, however, he is not sure of the level of fiscal support. He further indicated-that the development plan should include the neighborhood parks' and Central Park only. Chairman Johnson inquired as to what kinds of grant monies were available. The Secretary, Brad Hoffman, replied that it would be very speculative on his part, but he indicated perhaps as much as a million dollars over a~ period of years could be generated from grants for the development of the parks. What's assuming that a number of programs remain open and that some priorities will change in the future. He further indicated that he anticipated in a number of years that neighborhood parks will become a higher priority item for LAWCON grants„ Commissioner Kiefer spoke to the National Little League. She indicated that they had expressed a concern that-the parks are deteriorating. They too indicated that they were concerned with the maintenance and that they would like the parks to be kept up. She further indicated that the money tended to scare them. She stated that 2 million dollars was way too much. Commissioner Bogle spoke to a hockey group and they indicated that the cost didn't bother them.. It is their contention that the City should go for the entire package. Chairman Johnson inquired of Councilmember Kuefer if they shouldn't go back to the groups with a more detailed package and some dollar figures. Counc-ilmember Kuefler indicated that their task was to develop a comprehensive plan. He indicated that the Council would like a reading from the Commission relative to timing and funding. He noted that the Commission had advocated neighborhood parks as the number one priority and Central Park as the number two priority. If the reaction of t "le plan is good, it can be sold as a package with grant money being part of that package. Commissioner Kiefer inquired if the Commission should develop the dollar figure before going back to the Civic groups and Councilmember Kuefler affirmed that thought. Chairman Johnson indicated that they would like the staff's•final input at the next . meeting. A long discussion then ensued relative to tasks t6 be completed and the manner in which the park development plan was to be brought to the public. Chairman Johnson concluded by indicating that at the next Park-and Recreation Com- mission meeting they would finalize the park development plan. OTHER BUSINESS Chairman Johnson indicated that at the September meeting there will be a discussion relative to the softball reservation system in Brooklyn Center. Commissioner Kiefer inquired whether or not softball leagues would be invited. Following. a brief 8-2.2-78 -4- discussion, it was agreed that notices should be scent out relative to this discussion. ADTOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Kiefer and seconded by Commissioner Skomra to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 9:41 p.m. Chairman • 8-22-78 -5-