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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 03-21 PRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARK AND RECREATION COMNr-ISSION OI' THE CITY OF` BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION MARCH 21, 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 7:25 p.m. Roll Call Chairman Johnson, Commissioners Velasco; Schroeder, Bogle, Hickman, Kiefer and Skomra. Also present were Councilman Tony Kuefler, Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel, Landscape Architect Judy Johnson and Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman. Approval_ of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Bogle and seconded by Commis- February 21, 1978 sioner Hickman to accept the minutes of the February 21, 1978 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Staff Report - Bond Issue Chairman Johnson requested the Secretary to briefly review his memorandum to the Commission relative to the bond issue. The Secretary then reviewed staff • opinions on the bond issue noting that the 2.3 million dollars for the park development project was affordable. However, the Secretary stated that it was the staff's perspective that a bond issue in excess of $1 , 000, 000 would be hard to sell to the public. He briefly reviewed the potential levels of park development with the two (2) different bond amounts recommended. Following the Secretary's review of his memo, Council- man Kuefler stated that the Commissioners should consider the staff recommendation as an opinion and that the amounts recommended were no way binding upon the Commissioners. He further pointed out that the final dollar amount of the bond issue will be determined by the City Council. The Secretary added that the memorandum reflects the staff's opinion about a bond issue and should not be construed to be binding in anyway upon the Commission. Councilman Kuefler requested information relative to the maintenance costs for the parks. The Secretary referred the Commission to a July, 1977 memo from Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel. Chairman Johnson requested Director Hagel to review his memo. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel briefly reviewed his memo, noting that the maintenance costs outlined in the memo were current. -1- 3-21-78 Commissioner Schroeder inquired if the City could afford the maintenance. Councilman Kuefler briefly reviewed the budget process and the levy limitation law. He stated that the ultimate decision on maintenance costs would again rest with the City Council. Commissioner Schroeder then requested the costs to the homeowners for the different bond levels. The Secretary replied that a bond of $1,000,000 would cost the average $35,000 homestead approximately $5.33/year, while an $800,000 bond would cost the same home an average of $4.80/year over a period of twenty (20) years. Commissioner Velasco inquired about the Commission's time- table for the bond issue. Chairman Johnson then distributed a work plan outlining each of the steps the Commission has taken and would take up to its final presentation to the City Council. Councilman Kuefler replied that at this time they would be proper to bring the Council up to date and review the total park development' plan with them. Following a lengthy discussion, it was agreed that the individual efforts of each of the Commissioners to bring their park plans to the public should be coordinated and consistent. Some discussion followed relative to the dollar figures attached to the various park plans. Councilman Kuefler noted that the Commissioners are not starting a referendum at this time but rather are gathering a final input from the citizens. He noted that while they were trying to get input on the work plans, when asked about cost figures they` should not try to avoid them. After a brief discussion ensued relative to the citizen groups that should be contacted, it was agreed that the Park and Recreation Commission would have another workshop meeting to develop a presentation for the park plan on March 28, 1978 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall library. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel distributed skating rink attendance figures for each of the parks during the 7.977--78 skating season. Following a brief discussion, Director Hagel also presented gas consumption figures for Evergreen Park. He noted that last year prior to the insulation of the building, it consumed 1 , 533 cubic feet of gas during the skating season. This season after completing the insulation work, the building consumed 889 cubic feet for a total savings of 644 cubic feet. Director Hagel stated that Evergreen Park was the only building that the City was able to complete last year. Commissioner Schroeder inquired if the Commission's recommendation about keeping thermostats at a minimum setting had been followed. Park and Recreation Director Hagel stated that the policy had been followed. He further stated that the thermostats had been caged to prevent individuals from changing them, although there may have been isolated incidents of the cage being tampered with. Staff Report - Ice Skating Rinks is i 3-21-78 -2- • • • _r Commissioner Excused Commissioner Bogle was excused by Chairman Johnson at 9:04 p.m. Twin Lake Beach Discussion The next agenda item was a discussion of the Twin Lake Beach Park issue. The Secretary distributed two memorandums prepared by the staff for the City Manager to the Commissioners. Following a brief review of the memos, Chairman Johnson requested comments from each of the Commissioners relative to the problems associated with the beach area, Commissioner Velasco stated that the concept of Twin Lake Beach Park as a supervised beach should be written off. He added that sodding the area would not be a solution either. Commissioner Velasco stated that the best approach seemed to be restricting parking throughout the neighborhood. Commissioner Schroeder stated that the easiest solution would be to restrict parking in the neighborhood. He noted that the problems associated with the beach were the result of a lack of sufficient area to accommodate the crowds coming into the area and because of that it was not feasible to develop the beach as a major park. He further added that the neighborhood park concept was the only appropriate use for the park. Commissioner Skomra felt that the beach should remain open for swimming but not as a major park. Commissioner Kiefer expressed her conceal with the enforcement problems for the police. She further stated the area should not be developed as a beach, Commissioner Hickman indicated that she would like to see it retained as a neighborhood park while retaining the beach. She stated that the. elimination of parking seemed to be the only solution if it can be enforced, Chairman Johnson, following the comments asked if the Commissioners were ready to make a recommendation. Commissioner Schroeder moved and Commissioner Hickman seconded a motion, to recommend that the City Council prohibit all parking along Lakeside Avenue, Lakebreeze Avenue, Twin Lake Avenue, Lakeview Avenue, Azelia Avenue, Indian Avenue west of State Highway 100 and upon the parking lot located at Twin Lake Beach Park during the months of May through August. The motion passed unanimously. Other Business Commissioner Kiefer inquired if we would be meeting with the neighborhood committees at 7:00 p.m, for one-half hour prior to the regular Park and Recreation Commission meeting. Chairman Johnson stated that the Commission had agreed to that format at the beginning of the year so they should continue it for the six month trial period. The Secretary stated that tie would include the neighborhood meetings c:.s p.art of the agenda from now on so as to avoid any confusion. -3- 3-21-78 Motion by Commissioner Schroeder and seconded by Commissioner Kiefer to adjourn t1ie meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 9:34 p.m. Chairman Adjournment L • • 0