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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977 10-31 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 SPECIAL SESSION OCTOBER 31, 1977 CITY HALL Call to Order The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission met in special session and was called to order by Chairman Johnson at 8:35 p.m. Roll Call Chairman Johnson, Commissioners Bogle, Nyquist, Velasco, Schroeder and Kiefer. Also present were Councilman Tony Kuefler, Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel and Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman. Present in the audience were Councilman Maurice Britts and Councilman Gene Lhotka. Chairman Johnson stated that Commissioner Hickman was out of town and was therefore excused from the meeting. Skating Rink Issue Chairman Johnson indicated that the only issue before the Commission this evening would be a review of their recommendation to the City Council to close the skating rinks at all the parks in Brooklyn Center except Evergreen Park, Willow Lane Park, Northport Park, Kylawn Park, West Palmer Lake Park, Grandview Park, Garden City Park, Firehouse Park and Orchard Lane Park. He then proceeded to review the process by which the Commission arrived at their recommendation, reiteratingthat the sole concern of the Commission was the conservation of energy. He reviewed other steps taken by the City to conserve-energy such as the use • of smaller cars, the installation of thermopane windows setting of the temperature in the building at 65 degrees and the planned insulation of the City Hall. He further stated that the selection of the skating rinks to remain open wa s ba sed upon ska ting rink attendance - geo- graphical location and the presence of hockey rinks. He emphasized that it was the Commission's concern that energy be conserved so that such amenities as skating rinks would still be available to the public in ten (10) or fifteen (15) years from this time period. Chairman Johnson then opened the meeting for public • discussion. Jeanette Baker of 5012 Abbott Avenue North stated that she didn't understand why all of the rinks in the City were not being closed instead of just a select few. She contended that under the proposed plan only a few were being required to make sacrifices and -1- 10-31-77 she did not feel that that was fair. She expressed her concern about having her children crossing Highway 100 to go to Northport since Happy Hollow was to be closed. She again stated that she felt that either all of the parks should be open or they should all be closed. Don Tovle of 7012 Oliver Circle was the next individual recognized by Chairman Johnson. He expressed the opinion that the attendance figues- used were not fair. He stated that larger -parks with hockey rinks tended to draw kids from other neighborhoods that would normally skate at neighborhood rinks. He further stated that the City should consider alternative energy sources. He added that the City should contemplate the use of wood burning stoves or solar panels. He also stated that efforts could be made to make warming houses more energy efficient, further suggesting that such buildings be insulated and that double doors be added to the warming houses. Mary Ulm of 7008 Oliver Avenue Nortn expressed her concern that if the rinks at East Palmer were not maintained children would be skating on the lakes and we would end up with a drowning. Mr. Donald Sturm of 7113 Newton Avenue North asked how much money the City was going to save. He indicated that he had collected 156 signatures on a petition to keep the rinks open in a four (4) block area. He stated that he felt that this was a clear indication of the community's desires. Mr. Dick Chambers of 6917 Dallas Road told the Park and Recreation Commission that he • was very concerned that his children would have to cross Lyndale Avenue because Riverdale Park was not going to be open this winter. Chairman Johnson re- plied that at the September 21, 1977 special session meeting of the City Council, the City Council made a determination to-keep the Riverdale Park skating rink open. 'Mrs. ,Jean Schiebel of 2120 70th Avenue North stated that if the rinks were flooded and no warming houses were provided, the kids would not use the rinks. He further stated that he would prefer to see the parks all closed as opposed to having just ice. Steve Sturm of 7113 Newton Avenue North indicated that he had observed the rink attendants keeping the heat way up at the warming houses. He -also stated that he had watched them put down any number when they were taking attendance. Commissioner Velasco asked for a show of hands of the people representing the parks to be closed. There were 4 people present from Happy Hollow, Twin Lake had 3, Bellvue 0, Brooklane 0, East Palmer Lake 10, Freeway Park 1, Lions Park 0, and Riverdale Park S. Jeanette ' Baker stated that as a member of the Park and Recreation Neighborhood Advisory Committee she wasn't aware of the park closings until she had read it in the Brooklyn Center Post. She stated that she felt this was poor communication between the Commission and the neigh- borhood advisory committees. Mr. Jerry Pedlar of 6113 10-31-77 -2- Quail inquired if the selection of parks to be closed was made on attendance figures for last year. Chair- man Johnson replied that the attendance figures used by the Commission covered several years. Jerry Pedlar • then stated that he was concerned about maintaining the quality of life enjoyed in Brooklyn Center. He indicated that he would like to see a more extensive study of the question this year. He noted that the study should be done with the parks remaining open. Jeanette Baker stated that going to a four hour day would be a good alternative to the closing of the parks. Karen Sharp felt that the hockey rinks at the larger parks were drawing kids away from the neighborhood parks. Scott Tolve of 7012 Oliver Circle stated that there was a need for more responsible rink attendants. Don Sturm suggested that if the true concern of the Commission was to conserve energy they should con- sider turning off every other street light in the City or coordinating the lights on Highway 100 north of Highw~v 52 so that traffic could flow through that area without constantly stopping. He stated that these two (2) approaches would save more energy than could be hoped for through the closing of skating rink warming houses Don Tolve inquired why wood burning stoves couldn't be used. Don Sturm added that the Commission should be concerned with the safety of the children. Cecelia Scott of 4104 Lakeside Avenue stated that energy con- servation emphasis has been placed on insulation. She inquired if the Commission had considered insulatin= the warming houses. She further stated that individuals will be driving to and from the parks and that the ` additional driving will consume more energy. Jeanette Baker inquired of the Commission if they didn't feel that the burden for energy conservation shouldn't be shared throughout the community. She further suggested alternative days for the parks. Mary Ulm indicated that she felt that small children were being penalized. 'Don Tolve inquired why the original recommendation was no ice at the parks. Commissioner Velasco replied that surveys indicated that ice skating rinks would not be used without the warming houses and that was the ' reason for recommending no ice on the parks to be closed. Don-Tolve suggested that the season be shorten ed both at the front and the end of the season. Chris Larson of 3107 66th Avenue North suggested that double doors be added to the warming houses to eliminate heat loss. At this point, Chairman Johnson ended the public hearing and turned the -matter over to the Commission ' for further discussion. -3- 10-31-77 Commissioner Kiefer reviewed her experiences 'as a child in North Dakota where it was not unfamiliar for them to skate without the presence of warming houses. She further added that she was new to the Commission and that many of the items being discussed were • totally new to her. Commissioner Vela sco noted the argument that the warming houses would have to be maintained at a certain temperature level otherwise the plumbing would freeze up in those buildings. He further added that that was the reason why the build- ings would not be opened without heat. Park and Rec- reation Director Gene Hagel concurred with that state- ment adding that the heat would have to be on constantly at a minimum level, Commissioner Schroeder reviewed the process by which the Commission arrived at their recommendation and noted that he had fought against the closing of the skating rinks from the inception and that he was finally persuaded otherwise. Commissioner Nyquist then indicated that she would like to amend the resolution for the Council. She indicated that she like a number of the proposals expressed and indicated that they went a long way towards keeping the warming houses open. Commissioner Velasco concurred and indicated that he felt that they should amend their decision. Commissioner Schroeder offer the motion to keep all of the warming houses open at a reduced temper- ature without plumbing, that efforts should be made to make the warming house structures energy efficient to the extent allowable under the budget and that a long range solution should consider alternative energy sources. Commissioner Nyquist seconded the motion. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel inquired what was meant by areduced temperature for the buildings. He indicated that he would need a clarification for that. Commissioner Kiefer indicated that clarification would have to be made and that she felt the Commission should establish a minimum temperature. Commissioner Bogie indicated his feelings that parents are going to be driving their children to the parks even if the skating rinks were a few blocks away. He stated he could not see opening. the warming houses without plumbing and he would like to try closing the warming houses for one year as had been suggested. Commissioner Kiefer suggested that the rinks be maintained and that they keep the warming houses open at a reduced heat, but she further added that she didn't know if that would be enough in the long run. Commissioner Schroeder inquired what temperature they felt would be plausible, suggesting 40 degrees. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel indicated that the thermostat had a minimum • setting of approximately 55 degrees and that a 40 degree 10-31-77 -4-