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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 04-20 PRMMj.N1,jT ,S OF ^z11E PROGEEDINGS (ir' Tt-iE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION APRIL 20, 1976 CITY HALL Call to Order The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Zerban at 7:05 p.m. Roll Call Chairman Zerban, Commissioners Pickering, Hendrickson, Hickman and Johnson. Also pre-se 'at T,Azer£ Diractor of Park and Recreation Gene Hagel, Landscape Technician Bob Hill, Deputy Police Chief James Lindsay and Administrative Assistant Ron Warren. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Pickering and seconded by Commis- 3-16-76 sioner Hickman to approve the minutes of the March 16, 1976 meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. Review of Park Polic°; Plan Chairman Zerban introduced the first item of business on the by Concerned Citizens agenda, that of citizens' comments relating to the park policy document. He explained that letters inviting members of the various civic, athletic or other interested groups were sent to solicit feedback, input and comments relative to the park policy plan. At the request of the Chairman, the secretary read a list of names and organizations contacted. Chairman Zerban opened the meeting for comments from any concerned citizens. It was noted that no one spoke regarding the park policy plan. Alcoholic Beverages The secretary introduced the next item of business, that of in City Parks discussion relating to the development of an ordinance pro- hibiting the sale, consumption and use of alcoholic beverages in City parks. He stated that the City Council, at its April 19, 1976 meeting, directed the City Manager to prepare a proposeu ordinance banning alcoholic beverages in the City parks and also requested the Park and Recreation Commission to review such a proposal and to comment on it. The secretary explained that the proposal originally comprehends the adoption of the ordinance to meet the problems that have arisen related to the use of alcohol in the parks. He further explained that con- sideration was given to allowing the consumption of alcohol in the parks by some sort of permit system but that this would need further review and analysis and _)s not recom- mended at this time. The secretary stated that Deputy Chief James Lindsay was invited to this evening' s meeting to explain the nature of the polic problem in the p_ and to answer questions relating to the recommended prohibition. Chairman Zerban recognized Deputy Chief Lindsay, who explained that the recommendation stems from the problems the Police Department has had primarily with young adults that gather to drink in the parks. In some cases, he stated, juveniles have been found consuming beer purchased by someone else. ' He reported that other problems related to the use of alcohol in the parks have developed, such as littering, vandalism of City property and case: of destruc- 'tion of private property. He further stated that the majority of communities in the area ban the use of alcohol in the parks. He explained that surveys have been done relative to this problem and that one of the results of the police research is that Brooklyn Center has gotten the reputation of being the place to go to have beer busts or to drink in the parks. He further stated that the problem is not confined to the youths of Brooklyn Center, but that the police have experienced numerous problems with persons from other communities as well. Councilman Kuefler arrived at 7.12 p.m. The Deputy Chief proceeded to review the alcohol related problems that resulted in a temporary prohibition at Twin Lake Beach. He stated that residents of that area were up in arms because of the vandalism, rowdy conduct, and littering that was associated with persons drinking at 'the beach. He explained that the police could do little to prevent the problem because their enforcement authority was only effective after the fact. He reported that once the ban was instituted at the beach, police were permitted 'to confiscate alcohol found at the beach which resulted in a reduction of the other problems mentioned. Lindsay stated that the problem is not caused by the casual drinker or families 'that drink in the park, but rather from the beer bust type situation. He reviewed the problem of two years ago at River Ridge Park, where a drinking party turned into near riot proportion that necessitated the calling out of all department personnel in addition to 80 officers from sur- rounding police departments. He stated that the incident caused numerous problems such as communications problems and the difficulty of coordinating that large a number of police officers. He further stated the situation was dif- ficult to control and hopefully can be avoided in the future through preventative action. He reported that alcohol related problems are spreading into the neighborhood parks, as well, citing incidents at Grandview, Garden City, and Kylawn Parks. He further reported that 13 drinking, related arrests have already been made at River Ridge Park alone. Lindsay stated that the basis of the problem is that the police can do very little before the problem gets out of hand, and that their analysis indicates that banning the 0 -20-76 -2- r t Chairman Zerban inquired if the proposal was for a permanent bane Lindsay responded that the recommendation was for a permanent ban with a review in the near future of the pos- sibility of establishing a permit system which would allow alcoholic beverages in City parks for certain events. Chairman Zerban stated that he liked the idea of banning alcoholic beverages to meet the present problems and then developing criteria to permit the use of alcohol by a special permit In response to a question by Commissioner Johnson, Deputy Chief Lindsay explained that with the ban at Twin Lake Beach Park the frequency of complaints at that park went down, there were no big beer busts, no reason to call out -3- 4-20-76 additional officers to control the problem and that litter problems at the beach were also reduced. He stated that the police department was satisfied with the results achieved due to the ban on alcohol. Chairman Zerban opened the meeting to persons in attend- ance who wished to be heard. Mr. Mike Schroeder, who lives in the vicinity of West Palmer Lake Park, stated that people living in that area are most aggrevated by softball players that drink in the park and then race out of the parking lot. He explained that parents have come to expect this and keep their children away from the street to avoid accidents. He further stated that if drinking is allowed by permits, it should be only for special events and not a blanket type of permit system. Another citizen also spoke favorably on banning the use of alcoholic beverages in City parks. Commissioner Hickman stated her concern for meeting the problems associated with drinking in the parks, and also her concern that families and small groups, that do not seem to be causing problems, will also be penalized. She further stated that she hoped these people might also be accommodated. A brief discussion ensued relative to a nroposed ban on alcohol in the parks. Chairman Zerban stated that he would poll each Commissioner within the next five days and communicate the results of the poll to the secretary so that the opinion of the Commission could be expressed to the City Council. Chairman Zerban stated that the Park and Recreation Commis- sion would welcome the opportunity to have a joint meeting with the Conservation Commission discuss the park policy plan. He further stated, that hopefully, arrangements can be made to hold a joint meeting in May. 4-20-76 -4- i Conservation Commission Presentation Palmer Lake Rti..,-)lution of Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park to jointly plan projects that will enhance and preserve the natural state of the Palmer Lake Basin. A brief discussion ensued relative to the Palmer Lake Resolu- tion. Commissioner Hickman stated that she sees the resolu- tion being compatible with the present park policy plan. Recess The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission recess-A at 8:20 p.m. and resumed at 8:40 p.m. Clarification of User Fees Chairman Zerban recognized the Director of Park and Recrea aion following a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission to accept the recommendation and include it in the park policy plan. -5- 4-20-76 is the regular Park and Recreation Commission meeting for May, to be utilized for more public comment and to jointly meet with the Conservation Commission. Councilman Kuefler left the meeting at 9:05 p.m. The next item of business on the agenda was a review of the proposed park plan drawings by the Director of Park and Recreation and Landscape Technician Bob Hill. They proceeded to review the proposed plans for East Palmer Lake Park, West Palmer Lake Park, Freeway Park and Willow Lane Park, noting the theme of the parks, equipment, shelters, picnic areas, baseball fields and other features of the proposed plans. Chairman Zerban recognized Mary Ellen Wetter, representing the Brooklyn Center Community Education Advisory Council, who announced that Town Meeting 176 would be held in Brooklyn Center on Saturday, May 8, 1976, at the Brooklyn Center High School. She noted that the all-day event would begin at 9:00 a.m. and briefly reviewed the activities to be included in the program. She urged all Commission members to participate in this Bicentennial project. Review of Park Drawings Town Meeting °76 Motion by Commissioner Hendrickson and seconded by Com- Adjournment missioner Pickering to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commis- sion adjourned at 9:12 p.m. C ha irma n • 4-20-76 -6-