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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977 05-17 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 REG ULAR SESSION MAY 17, 1977 CITE' HALL Call to Order The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Vice-Chairman Bogle at 7:05 p.m. Roll Call Vice-Chairman Bogle, Commissioners Nyquist, Hickman, and Vela sco . Also present were Councilman Tony Kuefler;, David Larson, Park Service Area I; j3net Reardon, Park Service Area IV; Director of Parks ar.d Recreation Gene Hagel and Administrative Assistants Ronald Warren and Brad Hoffman. Commissioners The first item of business introduced by Vice-Chairman Report on Kaleidoscope Bogle was a report from each of the Commissioners on their observations and'feelings about the Commission's booth at Kaleidoscope. Vice-Chairman Bogle stated that • he did not speak to a great number of people but those individuals with whom he did speak had indicated positive support for the Central Park Development Plan. Commis- sioner Vela sco added that he had spoken to three (3) indi- viduals who live next to Central Park that desire the development of the Park. He further stated that they had indicated that most people in that area were eager for its development. The discussion continued with Councilman Kuefler noting that the feedback that he had received about the Commis- sion's booth had been very positive. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel informed the Commission that the display used at Kaleidoscope could be seen throughout the summer in the Civic Center gallery. He added that park plans for each park service area would be displayed some- time during the summer and that he would contact the Commissioners when the plans for their respective areas would be on display. Park Service Committee Commissioner Nyquist had not been informed of changes at Reports - Commissioners Twin Lake and Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel Nyquist & Hickman indicated that he would see that she received a copy of such changes. Commissioner Nyquist then indicated that she would give her Park Service Committee Report at the next meeting. -1- 5-17-77 Commissioner Hickman noted that the shelter buildings for Riverdale Park, as listed on the priority rating sheets, should be crossed out. She also suggested that the rest- rooms at Riverdale be given an 8a priority rating. -The next item of business introduced by Vice-Chairman Bogle was a report, requested by the Commission at the. April, 1977- meeting, relative to the usage of lighted tennis courts in other cities and the distance from courts in Brooklyn Center to nearby residential homes. The Secretary distributed additional data and Bob Hill gave a detailed explanation of the data he had collected for the Commission. Councilman Kuefler inquired why the column for the year 1976 under the cities of Golden Valley and St. Anthony were blank. Bob Hill explained that he was not able to secure that information in time for this Commission meeting. Bob Hill then addressed himself to two (2) concerns of the Commission. The first concern dealt with noise levels from the tennis courts and the second was light spillover from the tennis courts. Bob Hill noted that the proximity of lighted tennis courts to residential homes was just a single factor of consideration. He explained that in many instances, natural barriers such as shrubbery tended to alleviate the two (2) problems or concerns of the Commission. He referred to 6921 Major Avenue North as being a good example of this. The home itself is approximately 95 ft. from the tennis court, the closest of any in Brooklyn Center. However, lilacs and other large shrubbery screen the court from the. view of the house and help to lessen any noise emanating from the court. -Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel added that tennis court lights are directional in nature and that spillover from the lights is minimal. Commissioner Schroeder stated that his primary concern has been the effect noise levels would have on nearby residences as well as the possible light spillover. He also indi- cated that the status report helped to alleviate those concerns. He inquired if other cities had experienced the type of problems that had been just discussed. Bob Hill replied that the City. survey indicates extremely heavy usage of lighted tennis courts in other cities and that they were not experiencing such problems. A discussion then ensued as to the origin of the tennis court lighting issue before the Commission. Commis- sioner Schroeder noted that he had had some reservations about tennis court lighting and if it should be included in the priority listings for each park. Following a brief discussion as to the lighting cost versus income, Com- missioner Schroeder introduced 'a motion seconded by Commissioner Hickman to recommend lighting tennis courts as planned in the priority ratings for each park. Tie vote was unanimous. Tennis Court Lightin,* & Usage Report • Skating Rink Discussion At the April, 1977 Park and Recreation Commission meeting, Commissioner Schroeder introduced a motion to recommend to the City Council that an energy conservation commission be established and that they be charged with the responsi- bility of reviewing all energy expenditures on the part of the City and to formulate a comprehensive energy policy for the City. It was decided at that meeting to discuss the resolution at the May 17, 1977 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. Commissioner Hickman inquired of Councilman Kuefler what actions or steps the City Council had taken to conserve energy used by the City. Councilman Kuefl.er replied that the Council had not taken any specific actions but had supported the staff in their efforts to curb energy usage over the past three (3) years. The Secretary added that the staff had taken a number of measures which included but were not limited to; the use of smaller more economical automobiles for the staff, police officers and all other city vehicles, installation of new windows for City Hall to reduce heat loss, the reduction in the number of light bulbs throughout the City Hall, administrative policies regulating the heating and cooling of the building, office temperatures were set at 550 over weekends, the closing of the Civic Center on some weekends, and the use of tachographs in City vehicles in order to maintain an ongoing study of the City's driving needs and habits. He further noted that while the City does not have a formal. written energy policy the City has examined where energy is consumed and has taken mea cures to reduce that con- sumption. Councilman Kuefler left at 8:30 p.m. It was also noted by the Secretary that the Conservation Commission, which is already in existence, has been charged with the responsibilities noted in the Park and Recreation Commission Resolution. A lengthy discussion ensued with Vice-Chairman Bogle. reviewing the progression of the skating rink issue. Ile noted that the Commission had been charged with review- ing and recommending to the Council which skating rinks should be closed to conserve fuel. Cost factors of maintaining rinks were then discussed. David Larson, from Park Service Area I, inquired as to the cost of maintaining skating rinks. Park and Recreation. Director Gene Hagel. noted that it was one of the most • expensive single items for the Park and Recreation Depart- ment in terms of mant!ours. Commissioner Schroeder suggested that closing skating rinks would hurt the City's image because so many citizens identify local government with but a few departments such as Park and Recreation -3- 5-17-77 and the Police Department. He further suggested an effort should ;Je made to make people aware if the engegy conser- vation measures taken by the City. He inquired why alterna- tive heating sources for warming houses had not been explored, Administrative Assistant Ronald Warren replied that warming houses were far from being energy efficient and at present no practical alternative was available. Commissioner Velasco inquired if the City had not provided unheated warming houses in the past. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel indicated that it was true that unheated warming houses had been used in the past but experience indicated that the skating rinks were not used under such conditions. Commissioner Hickman stated that she would like to talk to her committee again and vote on the skating rink issue at the next meeting. Vice- Chairman Bogle replied that the Commission had an obligation to make a recommendation to the Council and that the matter had been before them long enough. Commissioner Schroeder re-introduced his resolution calling for a comprehensive energy plan on the part of the City in the formation on an energy conservation commission. Com- missioner Nyquist seconded the motion. After a brief discussion in which the Secretary reemphasized the measures taken by the City and the inconsistency of the resolution with those measures, Commissioner Hickman called for a vote. The Park and Recreation Commission voted unanimously against the motion. Commissioner Velasco then moved and Commissioner Hickman seconded the motion to close all City skating rinks except the ten playfield skating rinks suggested by the staff for a period of one (1) year for energy conservation purposes. The motion recommends that the City Council review the matter at the end of the one (1) year. Commissioner Schroeder then in- troduced an amendment to the motion to include Firehouse and Orchard Lane Parks with those parks having skating rinks. The amendment was seconded by Commissioner Velasco and the Commission voted unanimously to accept the amendment: The Commission then voted on the original motion as amended. The motion passed unanimously. Vice-Chairman Bogle noted that priority ratings had already been covered in the Commissioner's Committee Report and moved to the next item. Commissioner Nyqust moved and Commissioner Hickman seconded the adjournment to the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Chairman Priority Ratings Adjournment • • w -4- 5-17-77