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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977 03-15 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 MARCH 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 7:10 p.m. Roll Call Chairman Johnson, Commissioners Bogle, Hickman, Schroeder, Nyquist, and Velasco. Also present were Councilman Tony Kuefler, Director of Parks and Recreation Gene Hagel, Landscape Technician Bob Hill, and Admini- strative Assistants Brad Hoffman and Ronald Warren. Chairman Johnson reported that Commissioner Whittaker would be late to this evening's meeting. Housing Commission The Secretary, on behalf of the Brooklyn Center Housing Home `Renovation Commission, extended an invitation to the Park and Recrea- Workshop tion Commission to attend a Home Renovation Workshop to . be held on March 30, April 6, 13, and 20, 1977 at Brooklyn C H enter igh School. He explained that the workshop is designed to afford persons the opportunity to learn how to make basic home repairs. He stated that workshop topics to be presented will include such things as wallpapering, electrical repairs, painting, landscaping, structural aspects to consider when renovating a home, plumbing repairs, insulation in addition to numerous other items. Central Park The Director of Parks and Recreation and Landscape Site Plan Technician Bob Hill proceeded to review various drawings related to the proposed new Central Park. Commissioner Whittaker arrived at 7:15 p.m. Chairman Johnson recognized Mr. Henry Anderson, 6501 Brooklyn Drive, who expressed his dissatisifaction for a proposed park access to Central Park in the vicinity of 65th and Brooklyn Drive and adjacent tc his home. He explained that he has lived at his present address for approximately three years and that the present access to a somewhat undeveloped, although utilized area, has been a constant source of aggravation to himself and his neighbors. He stated that young adults tend to congregate at the present archery range site and often leave the park in a reckless manner. He further stated that he is concerned -1- 3-15-77 fc1r the safety of young children living in the area. In addition to the speeding problem, Mr. Anderson also complained about the disturbances caused by the young adults using the present facilities. He further stated that he has contacted the Police Department and is well aware of how difficult it is to control the problem. He suggested that the Commission consider having no access to Central Park at that location and funnel all access via the City Hall/Community Center parking lots to eliminate this nuisance problem for persons living along Brooklyn Drive. Commissioner Velasco responded that it is possible with the development of Central Park and the offering of more organized activities that the problem experi- enced by Mr. Anderson and his neighbors will be substantially less severe. Commissioner Bogle stated that the development to the park and formal parking areas may cause barriers that would prohibit cars from speeding from the park as they now do. He expressed the opinion that the area in question is presently attractive to young adults because it is relatively open and undeveloped area where they can congregate. He added that a more formal park-type development may make it less attractive for this type of congregating by young adults. Mr. Anderson expressed that he was apprehensive that development of the park would ease the problems stating that Grandview Park is"developed and has a number of problems with young people congregating in the parking lots. Commissioner Velasco responded that Grandview has had some problems but that the situation has improved since the possession and consumption of alcoholic bev- erages was banned in all City Parks by the City Council. Commissioner Schroeder stated that the Commission should consider the idea of fencing the proposed parking lot by Mr. Anderson's home so that it could be enclosed and also consider possibly limiting the times when the parking lot would be used. Further discussion ensued relative to the request with the Chairman expressing his appreciation to Mr. Anderson for bringing this problem to the Commission's attention,. He added that these problems will be kept in mind as the Commission further reviews plans for Central Park. In response to an inquiry by the Commission, the Director of Parks and Recreation stated that generally the more developed a park area becomes the less abuse there is to it. • • • -2- 3-15-77 Recess The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 7:55 p.m. and resumed at 8:45 p.m. Park System Chairman Johnson introduced the next item of business Information and on the agenda by stating that the staff has tabulated the . Priority Assignments results of the Park Service Area Priority Assignment Reviews of all parks in the City and presented the information. He stated that the results indicate that there is no overall type of improvement that seems to be rated as.a number 1 type item with the possible exception of improved parking lots for the parks. He added that tentative cost figures relating to the proposed improvements have also been submitted to give Commissioners an idea of this aspect of the planning process. A lengthy discussion ensued relative to how to proceed with the Commission's review. Following the discussion it was the consensus of the Commission to first review the priorities assigned for playfields then those for play- grounds and playlots keeping in mind the types of facilities required for each of these classifications of parks. The Commission then proceeded to review the priority assignments for playfields, discussing the proposals and making various minor changes. A lengthy discussion ensued relative to tennis cogrt,lightng • for playfields. Commissioner Whittaker explained that it was felt that lighted courts for Kylawn Park was not neces- sary, and therefore, not prioritized. Commissioner Schroeder suggested that the Commission might want to consider no lighted tennis courts at any park in view of energy saving considerations. Councilman Kuefler pointed out that there are a number of considerations that should be addressed to when reviewing tennis court lighting, such as the proximity of tennis courts to neighboring homes, anticipated use of the facilities and reasons for lighting certain playfield tennis courts and not others. Commis- sioner Whittaker stated that during the summer months there are more daylight hours and that it may be worthwhile to recommend no lighted courts for any of the parks with, the exception of the proposed Central Park. She added that presently there are lighted courts at Brooklyn Center High School, jointly provided by the City and the School District. f It was suggested that a tour be arranged to review the, parks relative to proposed improvements, specifically the need for lighted tennis courts prior to making a decision • on tennis court lighting. -3- 3-15-77 Following further discussion there was a motion by Com- missioner Vela sco and seconded by Commissioner Whittaker to defer further consideration of the tennis court lighting question until after a tour of the parks has been conducted. Following the motion in the second, thereof; a brief discus- sion ensued with Commissioner Schroeder' speaking against the motion, stating that he was not opposed to a tour of parks but that he felt a decision on lighting tennis courts could be made this evening and should be done so without further delay. Following further discussion a vote was taken on the motion. Voting in favor: Chairman Johnson, Commis- sioners Bogle, Hickman, Whittaker, Nyquist and Velasco. Voting against: Commissioner Schroeder. The motion passed. Further discussion ensued relative to the tour of City parks with the Director of Parks and Recreation stating that tenta- tively a tour of the parks would be arranged for Saturday, April 2, 1977 beginning at 1:00 p.m. to leave from the Community Center. He added that Commissioners would be contacted when the arrangements are finalized. - The Commission then proceeded to further review the priority assignments. A brief discussion ensued relative to upgrading the football field at Willow Lane Park, The Director of Parks and Recreation explained that it was not recommended that a football field be included at Willow Lane, other than a practice type facility which now exists. He added that the field that is presently at Willow Lane was never, intended to be utilized the way it is presently. He stated that the lighting for the football field is really lighting for the winter time hockey .rink and the football field was only an interim thing until better fields in other parks could be developed. He added that it is recommended that the major source of football activity be at the proposed Central Park. Commissioner Velasco stated that it is not economically feasible to sod and light football fields in all parks and that is more appropriate to have a good game field at one sight such as Central Park. Commissioner Velasco reported that Kaleidoscope is scheduled Kaleidoscope for Sunday, April 24, 1977, at Brooklyn Center High School and is to be held between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. He inquired as to plans for a Commission booth. The Director of Park and Recreation responded by briefly explaining the plans, pointing out that a combined Park and Recreation Department and Park and Recreation Commission booth is planned. Chairman Johnson explained that a schedule for staffing the booth with Commission members will be developed at the next Commission meeting, • . -4- 3-15-77 Skating Rink Chairman Johnson introduced the next item of. business Review that of the continued review of the closing and consoli- dating of a number of skating rinks for the next skating season. He explained that the City Council, at its February 7, 1977 meeting, had requested the Commission • to review and comment on the matter. The Secretary proceeded to distribute an informational 1 sheet containing attendance figures and the amount of -gas consumed for heating purposes for all City skating rinks. He stated that the attendance figures are two year figures based on a formula utilized by skating rink attendants -for . reporting skating rink use, while the gas consumption figures are based on gas bills received this year for each rink. He explained that it is recommended that only play- field skating rinks be maintained for skating purposes next year. He stated that this recommendation°, based on this year's gas consumption figures, would reduce the amount of gas consumed by approximately 50%. He added that this would amount to closing ten of the seventeen skating rinks now in existence. The Secretary reported that the recommendation is based primarily on the classification of parks concept which denotes playfields as major recreational areas, geographi- cally situated in such a manner as to provide, access to all areas of the City. The Director of Parks and Recreation reviewed a map'`de- picting the location of the playfields and their radius of influence. He stated that the recommendation would provide skating facilities for all areas of the City taking into consideration access barriers such as major highways, freeways and heavily traveled City and County streets. He further stated that the recommendation does not comprehend the elimination of any hockey facilities and` added that in all cases hockey rinks would be located at the recommended parks. He explained that 'a new hockey rink at West Palmer Lake Park would be added. The Director of Parks and Recreation stated that the recom- mendation would, therefore, include the following parks having skating facilities: Evergreen Parr, Willow Lane Park, Northport Park, Kylawn Park, West Palmer Lake Park, Grandview Park, Garden City Park. Following a brief discussion it was the consensus of the Commission to defer further consideration of the recommenda- tion until the April 19, 1977 Park and Recreation Commission . meeting to give Commissioners an opportunity to review the proposal and to discuss it with Park Service Area Committee members. -5- 3-15-77 Motion by Commissioner Bogle and seconded by Com- missioninx Schroeder to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 10:12 p.m. Chairman Adjournment 0 • _6_ 3-15-77