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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 07-18 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 JULY 18 , 1978 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission met in, regular session and was called to order by Commissioner Bogle at 7:15 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners Schroeder, Skomra, Kiefer and Bogle. Also present were Council- member Tony Kuefler, Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel, Landscape Archi- tect Judy Johnson, Superintendent of Recreation Arnie Mavis and Administrative Assistants Brad Hoffman and Mary Harty. Chairman Johnson and Commissioner Hickman were absent and excused from this evening's meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 5-16-78 There was a motion by Commissioner Schroeder, and seconded by Commissioner Skomra to.approve the minutes of the May 16, 1978 Park,and Recreation Commission meeting. Park and Recreation Direction Gene Hagel asked that a correction of the May 16 minutes be made on page 3 asking that "neighborhood park diamonds" be corrected to read "school diamonds" under section of other business. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMITTEE PRESENTATION Each Commissioner was asked to report on their presentation to neighborhood committees. Commissioner Schroeder reported to the Jaycees and Lions Club. At the Jaycees meeting there was a question asking that bonding be considered over a ten year period rather than a twenty year period in order to save in interest costs. There were also many questions asking for information. Some questions dealt with the general concern that requesting a bond issue at this time when the rest of the nation seems to be pulling back in terms of taxes may not be good timing. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel also attended the meeting with the Jaycees and noted that there were many questions asked for information and that basically the Jaycees were noncommittal about whether or not they would be in favor or were against a bond issue. Commissioner Kiefer reported to the National Little League and found that that group was interested in receiving information about the park plans. • This group also discussed problems that they saw in their own parks. The National Little League Association was concerned as to whether or not the maintenance and enforcement within the parks would be improved if the bond issue did go through. Commissioner Kiefer further reported that there was a very small turnout at this meeting. 7-38-78 -1- At 7:25 p.m. Commissioner Velasco arrived. Commissioner Bogle had planned to address the Hockey Association, but there were no members of the Hockey Association present so he did not present material to them. Commissioner Velasco spoke at two different sessions. It was his feeling that the sessions at which he spoke, the people wanted park improvements, but at the same time they felt that their overall taxes were too high and they were hesitant to make a money commitment. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel attended many of the sessions and in general, it was his feeling that people at the sessions want improvements in the parks. Most of the people felt that we should move to do what- ever is necessary to get those improvements. Director Hagel also felt that it was difficult to get people to commit themselves positively or negatively on the money issue. It was also his feeling that there was a concern about an increase in taxes.- Councilmember Kuefler commented that when the bond issue is proposed, it would be a good idea to provide citizens with a total education about taxes in conjunction with the bond issue. Councilmember Kuefler noted it would be important to educate people to the fact that the City actually receives a very small proportion of total taxes paid by citizens. Commissioner Bogle at this time asked if there were any questions from the audience concerning the discussion. There was a question concerning senior citizens shelters as mentioned in the May 16 minutes of the Park and Recreation Commission meeting. Commissioner Vela sco responded that seniors had asked if there could be a pavilion • type building built along the trails for seniors so that they would have a resting place during inclement weather. A pavilion type building could also be used by seniors to store their possessions that they use in crafts or other types of activities. A discussion ensued about the possibility of a pavilion type building for seniors to be built along the trail. Park and Recreation Director Hagel informed the Commis- sioners of research that he had done about Brooklyn Park's handling of a request for use of their community center by seniors and also of the City of Richfield's use of an old library for seniors. Park and Recreation Director Hagel also mentioned that there had been other requests from seniors for facilities for congregate dining. There were also comments from the audience that other special interest groups might make similar requests for spaces within a pavilion or building and they would have to be dealt with. Another audience member questioned the Commission as to whether or not the Com- mission was still getting suggestions on what was needed in the park plan or whether or not the Commission was at a decision making point. Commissioner Bogle responded that the Commission had received input and was now beginning to finalize the park plan. The Commission was still open to suggestions for improvements to that plan. PARK AND RECREATION ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES The next item on the agenda was Park and Recreation operating policies. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel reported to the Commission on the operating policy for reservation of ball diamonds and the softball program in general. Director Hagel felt that information- about the policy would be helpful and would enable 7-18-78 -2- Commissioners to deal with some misconceptions that exist among the citizens of Brooklyn Center. Park and Recreation Director Hagel reported that within Brooklyn Center the softball program includes programs for adults, for women, for mixed couples and for girls. He reported that Brooklyn Center presently has 140 total teams or about 2 , 000 players. An entry fee per team is charged which ranges from $120 to $200. The total revenue from this program due to the entry fees is approxi- mately $30,000. Nonresidents who participate in these teams pay an additional $ 6 for a total of $6,000 additional from nonresidents. The $30 , 000 that is received from the entry fees paid by the teams is used to support the softball program. In the past there has been approximately $500 to $1,500 surplus from the $30,000. This extra money has been put into the general recreation fund and used to purchase equipment and support for other programs. Park and Recreation Director Hagel went on to explain how the diamonds are divided in terms of usage by adults and by little league. Presently, there are 10 diamonds reserved for adults and 13 diamonds reserved for little league. Director Hagel reported that he has received many comments that the better diamonds are reserved for adults. In actuality, diamonds with longer outfields are reserved for adults and the smaller diamonds are reserved for little league. Furthermore, the reserva- tion policy is restricted. Teams are only allowed to have two reservations on the reservation book at any given time. Some people have commented that it is impossible to get reservations. In fact, Director Hagel responded that the reservation book shows that there are vacancies that teams could reserve but oftentimes preferred times or preferred spaces can't be had. There. are some problems with reservations because of the heavy usage in spring, but generally teams can reserve although • they may not be able to get their preferred time or place. There were comments from the audience that it is the feeling of many people that Brooklyn Center diamonds are used by teams from Minneapolis or other suburban areas rather than being reserved for Brooklyn Center teams. Parkand Recreation Director Hagel explained that the City did not have a rigid policy on the complement within teams. There were residents as well as nonresidents participating on the teams. Director Hagel also reported that many times a team may be sponsored by a Minneapolis business or a suburban business but in actuality, the complement of the team is primarily Brooklyn Center residents. Director Hagel also explained that the YMCA, the Jaycees and the Police Department have organized teams and run tournaments. As part of the usage by the YMCA and the Jaycees, teams from other cities may be playing in Brooklyn Center, but Brooklyn Center teams are also playing in other suburban communities. Park and Recreation Director Hagel also explained that Brooklyn Center does have a reputation for having excellent diamonds. Commissioner Vela sco explained that many people that he had spoken with about their concerns about the parks and about the reservation policy for ball diamonds and about the softball program were invited to attend this meeting. Commissioner Velasco noted that none of the people who had raised concerns were in attendance at the meeting. Commissioner Velasco also expressed appreciation that Park and Recreation Director Hagel and Superintendent of Recreation Mavis had attended and explained the Park and Recreation department policy and operating procedures concerning the softball program and the reservation procedures. 7-18-78 -3- r Further discussion ensued concerning problems in the parks. There had been comments made to Commissioners about enforcement of park regulations such as no beer in the park area. Commissioner Schroeder commented that it has been his experience that sometimes the no beer drinking was not enforced by the police, or police were not able to get to all of the parks in order to enforce it. Council- member Kuefler suggested that if there were problems either with police responding to these calls or other problems, that the person should contact Chief of Police Jim Lindsay who would be happy to deal with the problem. Councilmember Kuefler suggested that a person noting a problem should call the police and be able to give certain specifics such as time that the problem occurred and date of occurrence. Superintendent of Recreation Arnie Mavis also suggested that if there were teams that were racing cars through the parks and out of the parks, that the complainant should call Mr. Mavis. Mr. Mavis would be able to deal with teams that were not responding to their privilege to be allowed to hold their games in the park. The Commissioners decided to place the administrative policies concerning the softball program and the reservation of softball diamonds on the agenda of the September 19, 1978 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. At that time, the Commission will accept public comment about the program and procedures. Questions from citizens about the policy could be answered at that time. Park and Recreation Director Hagel and Superintendent of Recreation Mavis would be present at that time to explain the operating policies and to clear up any misconceptions or mis- information about the softball program in Brooklyn Center and the reservation policy on ball diamonds. The Commission asked that information as to the discussion of this agenda item • at the September 19 meeting be provided to the newspaper and provided to citizens through the Manager's Newsletter so that citizens would have a chance to learn what the actual policies were and ask any questions at that time. OTHER BUSINESS There were questions from the'Commissioners about the approval of the park grants. Park and Recreation Director Hugel explained that the grants had been approved and the City looked forward to being able to fund Phase I of Central Park develop- ment. The situation at Twin Lakes was also discussed and it was the concensus of the group as determined by comments from other citizens that the problems at Twin Lakes were being dealt with and that hopefully the situation was improving. Councilmember Kuefler mentioned that it had been a promise to residents in the Twin Lake Beach area that they would meet again in August of 1978 to discuss progress in solving the problem at Twin Lake Beach. It was decided to place the Twin Lake Beach situation on the August Park and Recreation Commission agenda. Councilmember Kuefler suggested that a two week advance notice be provided to residents in that area so that they might attend the meeting and provide input. Commissioner Schroeder informed the Commission that he would not be able to attend, the August meeting because he will be vacationing. 7-18-78 -4- ADTO URNMENT Commissioner Schroeder moved and Commissioner Skomra seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Chairman 0 7-18-78 -5-