Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977 02-15 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 FEBRUARY 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, Whittaker, Hickman, Nyquist, Schroeder, and Velasco. Also present were Councilman Tony Kuefler; Al Magnuson, Park Service Area I; Dick Mika, Park Service Area III; Director of Park and Recreation Gene Hagel; Landscape Technician Bob Hill; and Administrative Assistant Ronald Warren. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Hickman commented that Robb Meyers 12-14-76 of the Brooklyn Center Jaycees also acted as a judge for the Park Logo Contest. She requested that the minutes of the December 14, 1976 Commission meeting be corrected to so indicate. Motion by Commissioner Whittaker and seconded by Commissioner Hickman to approve the minutes of the December 14, 1976 Park and Recreation Commission meeting as corrected. The motion passed unanimously. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Hickman and seconded by 1-18-77 Commissioner Whittaker to approve the minutes of the January 18, 1977 Park and Recreation Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. Conservation Chairman Johnson reported that the Conservation Com- Commission mission has invited State Senators Bill Luther and Skip Invitation Humphrey to address the Commission regarding energy conservation and environmental legislation that has been introduced at the State Legislature during the current legislative session. He stated that the Conservation Commission is inviting members of the Park and Recreation Commission to attend this meeting and participate in the discussion. He further stated that the meeting will be held on Thursday, February 17, 1977 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Library Conference Room. He urged members of the Park and Recreation Commission to a':tend this event. -1- 2-15-77 Chairman Johnson announced that BC Kaleidoscope '77 is scheduled for Sunday, April 24, 1977. He explained that the Park and Recreation Commission in the past has participated in Kaleidoscope with a Park and Recreation Commission booth. He stated that if the Commission so desirep, such a booth carp be arranged again this year. Commissioner Vela sco, a member of the Brooklyn Center Community Education Advisory Commission, briefly explained various aspects of Kaleidoscope. He stated that the event is sponsored by Brooklyn Center Com- munity Education and gives civic groups, governmental organizations, local businesses and other organizations an opportunity to put on displays and exhibits pertaining to their organization. He explained that the event has a bazaar or fair-like atmosphere intended to present exhibits and displays depicting a variety of functions and services available in the community. A brief discussion ensued relative to Kaleidoscope, with it being the consensus of the Commission to participate in BC Kaleidoscope '77. Chairman Johnson introduced the next item of business, that of a request by the City Council for the Park and Recreation Commission to review and comment on the matter of closing and consolidating ska-ting rinks for the next skating season due to the seriousness of the energy situation. The Secretary briefly reviewed the matter, stating that the City Council at its February 7, 1977 meeting had briefly discussed the possibility of closing and consoli- dating skating rinks as a matter of conserving energy. The Director of Parks and Recreation explained that warming houses at City skating rinks are not conducive to conserving energy because of their use. He stated that a number of skating rinks have low attendance rates in comparison with other. skating rinks and that, aside from the energy conservation matter, he was considering recommending that a number of rinks be closed next year because of their lack of use. Commissioner Vela sco stated that Bellvue Park is a sparsely used skating rink, but that a number of people in the area are upset about the possibility of closing that rink. He added that some people have stated their pre- ference that the warming house be kept open without heat, rather than closing the rink. He expressed the opinion, that if the rink is closed people in the area would consume more, gasoline in order to drive their cars -to other skating rinks which should also be an energy conserving consideration. Kaleidoscope r 0 Request for Skating Rink Review 0 0 -2- 2-15-77 He concluded by stating that he does not favor closing skating rinks Councilman Kuefler explained that there have been some changes in skating rink use patterns and added • that it was suggested that some rinks be closed or consolidated to conserve energy. He stated that it. was not suggested to do away completely with skating rinks. Commissioner Schroeder stated that he understood the rationale for closing warming houses to conserve energy, but added that he felt that the present number of skating rinks should be maintained. He further stated that he sees closing warming houses and maintaining ice as two separate items, and that he would favor having the ice available and maintained without a heated warming house. In response to an inquiry, the Director of Public Works reported that Twin Beach, Bellvue, and Happy Hollow Parks have relatively low attendance figures in com- parison to other parks. He added that it would not be advisable to open unheated warming houses in that there would`be no plumbing facilities operating and no attendant on duty. He stated that there would be a number of problems at rinks without supervision. • Commissioner Bogle stated that there are a number of things that should be taken into consideration regarding skating rinks, such as attendance, energy use, costs of paying attendants, and maintenance of the skating rinks. He further stated that although he does not like the idea of closing skating rinks, there is merit to considering consolidating a number of rinks. He further commented that he would not favor closing all of the skating rinks in one particular area. Commissioner Schroeder inquired if it was possible to heat a skating rink attendant's room only and not the rest of the warming house. The Director of Parks and Recreation responded that this would not be possible without remodeling the buildings. The Secretary commented that energy conservation is the issue. He reported that a number of skating rinks were closed down recently because of the public works strike. He stated that this forced shutdown showed a savings in the amount of fuel consumed by the City. He further stated that remodeling warming houses will probably not have a great effect on energy conservation because warming house doors are constantly being opened and closed which creates a tremendous amount, -3- 2-15-77 of heat loss. Commissioner Schroeder expressed the opinion that the solution to the problem was to stop heating warming houses, provide attendants with a space heater, and keep all skating rinks open, Commissioner Vela sco stated that closing down skating rinks is attacking one sport or activity. He suggested that energy conservation for the entire Park and Recreation system should be looked at, such as the need to light softball and football fields. Chairman Johnson suggested that Commission members give more consideration to this item and discuss the matter with Park Service Area Committee members. He stated that the Commission must take.a rational approach to reviewing this matter to express an opinion to the City Council prior to the formulation of the City's 1978 budget. Chairman Johnson introduced the next item of business on the agenda, that of a status report on the Park Comprehensive Plan review. He stated that the Commission must now take a good look at where it is at in terms of the overall park review. He further stated that the Commission's eventual goal it to make a proposal to the City Council regarding improving the entire park system based on a systematic and well researched plan. The Chairman commented that the Commission may well want to look at its priority assignments in terms of phases, where the Commission would address various priorities as a group. He reported that, with the exception of a few, all of the Neighborhood Park Review and Comment sheets have been completed after discussions with the Park Service Area Com- mittees. He requested the Director of Park and Recreation to tally the results and prepare summary information for the Commission to consider as a whole at its March meeting. A lengthy discussion then ensued relative to how the Commission should proceed with its Comprehensive Plan review. The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission recessed at 8:27 p.m. and resumed at 9:02 p.m. Following the recess the Commission continued with its discussion of the method to be utilized for proceeding with its Comprehensive Plan review. A number of suggestions and options for proceeding were put forth. Following the discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission to continue with its review by attempting to address its study to all of the priorities contained on the. Priority Assignment . • Status Report on Park Comprehensive Plan Recess Park Plan Review Continued • 0 -4- 2-15-77 Worksheet, keeping in mind the established priority ratings. Chairman Johnson requested the Director of Park and Recreation to develop preliminary cost figures for all of the items listed on the Priority Assignment Worksheet for the next Commission meeting. Social Event Councilman Kuefler announced that he was planning a social event for members of the Commission on Friday evening, February 25, 1977. He stated that notices verifying the date and time would be sent. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Velasco and seconded by Commissioner Bogle to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:25 p.m. 0 Chairman -5- 2-15-77