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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977 04-19 PRM ~ k MINUTES 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 APRIL 19, 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 7:08 p.m. Roll Call Chairman Johnson, Commissioners Schroeder, Hickman, Whittaker, and Velasco. Chairman Johnson noted that Commissioner Nyquist had been excused and that Com- missioner Bogle would be arriving late. Also present were Councilman Tony Kuefler and Administrative Assistants Ron Warren and Brad Hoffman. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Schroeder and seconded by 2-15-77 Commissioner Hickman to approve the minutes of the February 15, 1977 Fark and Recreation Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. • Review of Twin Beach & The first item of business was a review of the Twin River Ridge Plans Lake Beach and River Ridge Park plans. Park and Recreation Director Gene Hugel gave a detailed presenta- tion outlining the park development plan for each respective park to the Commission. Regarding the Twin Lake Beach area, Mr. Hugel outlined the proposal to construct a parking lot with access at Indiana Avenue. He stated that a parking facility in that location would help alleviate the traffic congestion problems now being experienced in the residential areas around the beach to the north. Following a brief discussion on the parking problems in that area, Chairman Johnson stated that he would like to again review the Twin Lake Beach plan at the next Commission meeting when Commissioner Nyquist would be present. The River Ridge Park plan was then reviewed by the Commission. The Director of Park and Recreation explained that it was the intent of the Park Develop- ment Plan to retain the natural character of the park. Development of the park would essentially be limited • to the construction of hiking trails, improving the boat launch and correcting soil erosion problems. He noted that the park's development was consistent with the State's Mississippi River Critical Areas Act. Ile further explained that he hoped to make use of the 4-19-77 Federal Group Site Summer Youth Program for construction work in :he park. Following the Commissioner's discussion, Commissioner Velasco mewed and Commissioner Hickman seconded the Commission's support of the park development concept for River Ridge and to encourage the City to pursue such development. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Johnson opened up the discussion on the park tour by requesting comments from the Commissioners. Commis- sioner Whittaker expressed the view that the tour had been a good idea and should become an annual event. Commis- sioner Vela sco sta ted tha t the tour wa s very informa tive and it gave him a visual conception of each park. He also stated that the tour served to lessen his support for lighting tennis courts. Commissioner Schroeder suggested that the lighting of tennis courts be restricted to courts away from residential areas. He stated that it would be preferable to let nature set the hours of operation for each tennis court. It was the consensus of the Commission that the park tour had been worthwhile and that it would help them in future deliberation on each of the parks. Chairman Johnson introduced the next item of business, that of a report on the Tri-City Twin Lake Committee. Chairman Johnson reviewed- past efforts of the Committee to control, if not eliminate, the use of outboard motors on Twin Lake. He stated that because the lake is bounded by three (3) communities, jurisdiction to regulate boat and motor size rested with Hennepin County. He further stated that it was the intent of the Committee to reach a consensus between the communities of Brooklyn Center, Crystal, and Robbins- dale and jointly present such an agreement to the respective City Councils of each community for approval. Given that approval, the three (3) communities would then request Hennepin County to restrict or eliminate motors on Twin Lake. Fallowing a brief' discussion, Chairman Johnson noted that the Committee hoped to adopt a proposal by May 1., 1977 to present to the three (3) communities. He further stated that Councilman Lhotka was the Brooklyn Center representative and that the Committee was to conduct a survey of homeowners abutting the lake in order to gauge their feelings on the subject. in the near future. The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:15 p.m. and resumed at 8:30 p.m. A review of the priority rating for each of the, parks was the next item -of business. Kylawn Park was the first park reviewed with Commissioner Schroeder commenting that tennis court lighting would be more conducive to that park than it would be to the others. He stated that, in his opinion, tennis court lighting should be scrapped in all the Comments on Park Tour Tri-City Twin Lake Committee. Update Recess Priority Rating • • i d -2- 4-19-77 parks leaving the only lighted courts at the high school. Commissioner Velasco added that tennis court lighting should have a low priority. Chairman Johnson requested Park and Recreation Director Gene Hagel to determine the distance from the tennis • courts to the nearest home in each of the parks, the level of usage of lighted tennis courts in other cities, and the hours of operation for such. parks if he could. Following a lengthy discussion, Chairman Johnson stated that they would like the tennis court lighting issue on the next agenda. Discussion then turned to priorities for playgrounds with Brooklane being the first reviewed. After a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the group that the size of the park limited any potential development and that it should remain as it is for now. At Lion's Park, it was proposed that a tennis backboard or ball wall be tuilt in conjunction with the existing. hard surface, which was also proposed for a volleyball court. These items were given a priority of 11 and lla respectively. At East Palmer and at Firehouse Park,' it was proposed that a tennis backboard be given priority rating of 2a. At Riverdale park, a tennis back- board was given a 3a rating. At Orchard Lane the . tennis backboard was given a 3a rating and the bike • Tack was given a rating of 15. At Bellvue Park a, priority rating of 6 was placed on the playground, 13 ~on the plant material, and a 9a on the tennis backboard. . a Councilman Kuefler left the meeting at 9:10 p.m. A brief discussion then ensued relative to the acces-: sibility of portable satellites for use in the parks by the handicapped. Following that discussion, it was agreed that the rest of the parks weld be covered at the next meeting and, hopefully, they could wrap up , the priority ratings at that meeting. Continued Discussion The next item of business was introduced by Chairman on Skating Rinks Johnson. Commissioner Schroeder then introduced a- resolution relative to the energy consumption at 'skating rinks. Following a brief discussion, there was a emotion by Commissioner Whittaker End seconded by Commis- sioner Schroeder to table the resolution until the next meeting. The motion passed una'himously. " Kaleidoscope The next item'of business was a review of the Com- mission's Kaleidoscope•display and the Commissioners' schedule. Bob Hill of the Park and'Recreation Depart- ment made a brief presentation describing the proposed -3- 4-19-77 display i:or both the Commission and tA:: Park and Recrea- tion Department. Chairman Johnson announced that there would be a meeting Other Business of the National Organization of Park and Recreation Admini- strators at the University of Minnesota on May 10, 1977. Commissioner Velasco will be going to represent the Commission. Chairman Johnson then inquired of the Secretary as to the date of the next meeting. The Secretary informed him that the next regularly scheduled meeting was May 17, 1977. Motion by Commissioner Hickman and seconded by Com- Adjournment missioner Schroeder to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Chairman • • -4- 4-19-77