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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977 11-15 PRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE • OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION NOVEMBER 15, 1977 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 7:05 p.m. Roll Call Chairman Johnson, Commissioners Velasco, Nyquist, n, Hickman and Kiefer. Also present were Councilman Tony Kuefler, Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel and Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman. Chairman Johnson noted that Commissioners Bogle and Schroeder had previously indicated that they would be unable -to attend the meeting and were excused. Commissioner Schroeder requested Nancy Lotthammer from Park Service Area III to attend the meeting in his place. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Hickman and seconded by • September 20, 1977 Commissioner Velasco to approve the minutes of the September 20, 1977 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Approval of Minutes Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel requested that October 31, 1977 the last sentence on page 4 of the minutes be corrected by changing the word temperatures to thermostat. Comissioner Nyquist requested that-page 2 the sentenc. stating that Mr. Robert Schiebel of 23120 70th Avenue North stated that if the rinks were flooded and no warming houses were provided, the kids would not use the rinks, be changed to reflect Mrs. Jean Schiebel. Motion by Commissioner Velasco and seconded by Commissioner Nyquist to accept the minutes of the October 31, 1977 special Park and Recreation Commis- sion meeting as corrected. The motion passed unani- mously. Staff Report Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel reviewed the two (2) LAWCON Grant Applications that Brooklyn Center has submitted to the State and to the Metropoli- tan Council for funding. He noted that the first grant for the relocation of Shingle Creek had received an overall rating of seventh- out of eleven grants selected for funding. He reviewed the rating systems of the Metro Council and the State noting that each agency -1- 11-15-77 has its own criteria for rating grant projects. He fur- ther noted that while the grant would be funded, it would be funded at a 50%0 level as opposed to the 75% level the City had hoped to,obtain. He further added that the City staff would be meeting with the State to review their ratings in hopes of obtaining the 75% funding level. He also added that HUD placed a low priority on what they considered to be dredging projects for aesthetic purposes. He noted that our dredging project was crucial to the development of Central Park and was not a dredging project for aesthetic purposes only. Park and Recreation Director Hagel then reviewed the grant application for Shingle Creek Trailway. He noted that the Trailway had received an overall ra ting of third out of eleven and that the Trailway would be funded at a 900 level. Councilman Kuefler added that the staff would be reviewing other grant money that might be available for park development. The Secretary then briefly reviewed the possibility of community develop- ment monies noting that 75% of any money allocated under that program would have to be used for projects designed primarily to benefit low and, moderate income people. The first item of business was a discussion of possible topics which might come up during a bonding campaign. Commissioner Kuefler indicated to the Commission that he felt the Commissioners should become familiar with the items by reviewing them so that they would be able to discuss the alternatives of each of the topics. The first item discussed was the question of cluster versus scattered tennis courts. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagei then read a memorandum to the Commission from himself dated September 18, 1973. The memo outlined the City's policy towards the question, noting that it was a combination of the two (2) philosophies. Chairman Johnson then requested the feelings of the Com missioners 'on centralized versus scattered tennis courts. Commissioner Velasco noted that we had but one cen- tralized tennis court_ at Central Park and that:t was proposed. He then inquired about the construction of private tennis courts in Brooklyn Center and if such con- struction would have an effect upon the public's needs. Following a brief discussion, Chairman Johnson asked the Commissioners if they tended to favor the cluster type tennis courts. Commissioner Hickman indicated that she did not really understand the question. Council- man Kuefler stated that it was not just a matter of cluster versus scattered but also lighted.vereus unlighted. He noted if the tennis fad continued we perhaps would want is Commission Project Discussion • 11-15-77' -2 _ to make a decision as to whether ciusi~ked"tennis courts would be offered to fill that -need or scattered courts. He noted that there were certain economies with clustering tennis courts and he also noted the • advantages of the scattered court sites. Commissioner Nyquist inquired as to which tennis courts are pre- sently lighted. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel noted that just the High School courts are pre- sently lighted. Commissioner Kiefer inquired if the lights would be on 24 hours expressing her concern about the lighting problem and also expressing concern with the noise pollution created by the tennis courts. Chairman Johnson stated that those questions had been considered by the Commission previously and that the Commission had toured each of the parks to review each tennis site. He stated that the light problem as had been previously expressed, would not be a concern in any of the parks. Gene Hagel added that tennis court lighting tends to be directional and there is not a great deal of spillover. Commissioner Velasco noting the economies of clustering suggested that perhaps in the future if the need should arise clustering would be the best way to fulfill any future needs.. Chairman Johnson added that tennis courts would be available only at playfields. Commissioner Hickman stated that if tennis were to continue its popularity growth and we were to find ourselves holding more tournaments in the parks, perhaps clustering would be the best and most appropriate way to handle that growing need. Commis- stoner Nyquist expressed a concern that there inight be a tendancy to overbuild and that in the future the desire or the need for such tennis courts would recede Commissioner Kiefer inquired as to the length of the season. Gene Hagel noted that the season can run as much as seven (7) months. Chairman Johnson noted that energy is going to be an issue in the future and asked that the Commissioners consider the question of centralized versus scattered tennis courts and that the subject would be discussed further at the next Commis- sion meeting. The next discussion item was the ice arena. Council- man Kuefler indicated that the ice arena had been the subject of a bond issue a few years ago. He further indicated that any bond issue for the Park and Rec- reation Department that would come up now would cer- tainly raise questions relative to the ice arena and how the ice arena fit into the Park development plans. He . further indicated that the Commission should review the ice arena issue and come to some sort of concensus as to its priority whether it be at the top or the bottom but they should have discussed it prior to asking the -3- 11-15-?7 the voters to vote on a bond issue. Commissioner Velasco indicated that he would li%e further informa- tion. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel indicated that he would have further information at the next meeting relative to the ice arena. Council- man Kuefler again suggested that the ice arena be placed somewhere on the priority list. The next discussion item was a review of Palmer Lake development. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel reviewed the Brauer Associate plan for the Palmer Lake area. He noted that the report called for the development of the area in a manner similar to the Woodlake Park in Richfield, adding that the plan had a price tag in excess of one million dollars. The plan has since been scaled down with a cost projection now of slightly more than $200,000. Following a brief review of the current plans, Chair- man Johnson inquired of the Commission what their feelings were towards maintaining Palmer Lake as a natural area. Commissioner Hickman indicated that she felt that it should be kept as it is, and further inquired if it was possible to walk back into that area at this time. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel added that with a minimum amount of fill that it would be possible to have walkways in the Park. He also noted that there is a possibility of constructing floating walkways similar to the . Woodlake area. Park Director Gene Hagel further added that in developing a natural area such as this he would like to have an outside consultant because of the complicated nature of the various ecological systems involved. Chairman Johnson inquired if cross country skiing trails would be a possibility in the park. Commissioner Kiefer inquired if snow- mobilina was allowed in the park. Park and Rec- reation Director Hagel indicated cross country skiing was a possibility for the park while Councilman Kuefler indicated that snowmobiling on the periphery of the park was allowed, but within the park had been prohibited by City Ordinance. Commissioner Hickman inquired if there were plans to develop the park in conjunction with Brooklyn Park. Again, Park and Rec- reation Director Hagel briefly reviewed park plans development and their relationship to the Brooklyn Park Trail System. Chairman Johnson then, inquired of the Commissioners Other Business if there were any other business to be discussed that evening. Commissioner Nyquist inquired about meeting with'neighborhood groups as had been request-ed by 0 0 I1-1S-77 -4- the Chairman at the September meeting. Chairman Y Johnson related that according to the bylaws that the Commissioners should meet with their neighborhood advisory groups twice a year. Park.and Recreation Director Gene Hagel suggested for, the next meeting that the problem of scheduling gym time be discussed with the Commission. He noted that because of the emphasis being placed on equal oppor- tunity in sports, gym time at the high school was becoming hard to schedule. He suggested that this topic be brought up and discussed by the Commission.. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel also added that the memberships for the Community Center would be going up the first of the year. He briefly reviewed the price structure of those memberships. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Hickman and seconded by Commissioner Kiefer to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. 0 Chairman -5- 11-15-77