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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974 09-17 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 REGULAR SESSION SEPTEMBER 17, 1974 CITY HALL Call to order The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commis- sion met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Zerban at 7:10 p.m. Roll Call Chairman Zerban, Commissioners Pickering, Johnson, Bogle and Grannes. Also present were Councilman Tony Kuefler, Director of Parks and Recreation Gene Hagel and Administrative Assistant James Lacina. Approval of Minutes A brief discussion ensued relative to the content B-20-74 of the minutes of the August 20, 1974 meeting. Mr. Hagel inquired as to the discussion on the park shelter buildings. He stated that the current City policy was for such groups or interested persons to contact the Park and Recreation Department prior to the use of a shelter building to obtain a key. Chairman Zerban noted that the Grandview building was locked during park activities such as football games and softball games. Mr. Hagel commented that this was contrary to Department policy in that during seasons in which organized activities are being held at the parks, shelter buildings are supposed to be open. He further commented that a designated representative from each of the Associations has a key for the buildings and is responsible for turning the lights on and off and locking the building when the program is over. Mr. Hagel then commented about the objection to the multi-use fields by the Football Association. Chairman Zerban responded by stating that this was a matter of concern expressed by a few members of the Association and should not be construed to be the attitude of the entire Football Association. Motion by Commissioner Grannes and seconded by Commissioner Bogle to approve the minutes of the August 20, 1974 meeting. The motion passed unan- imously. Chairman Zerban introduced the next item of Progress Report on business on the agenda, the progress report Park Service Area on the inventory of the parks. He briefly Committees' Inventor commented that the October 15 deadline for the inventory process should be met, if at all possible, to give the Commission enough time to study the recommendations and proposals. Commissioner Grannes commented as to the inventory of the Twin Beach Park. She stated that there was a concern for drinking fountain facilities and the use of the park shelter building. She also noted that therew was a definite problem with drinking in the park, broken glass and litter on the beach. She did state, however, that due to the recent patrolling by the Police Department some of the problems have been solved. She further commented that there seemed to be a need for a definite parking lot area to be paved and the proper delineations noted for parking. She stated that benches, signery and a designated swimming area were also areas of improvement. Councilman Kuefler inquired as to the Commis- sioners' response to the candid survey on drinking in the parks. Commissioner Johnson stated that he did not receive any strong opinions either for or against drinking in the parks but that he felt the majority of the people he talked to favored no alcoholic beverages in the parks. Commissioner Grannes stated that there was no doubt that the people in her Park Service Area near Twin Beach were strongly for banning alcoholic beverages in the parks. Chairman Zerban commented that the citizens near the West Palmer Lake Park did not have any real com- plaints about alcoholic beverages in the park but they did note that after softball games there seemed to be a great amount of litter and beer cans laying around in the parks. Commissioner Pickering stated that some of the members of his Park Service Area Committee felt that the alcoholic beverages in the park created a bad atmos- phere for young children. Commissioner Brenny arrived at 7:30 p.m. 9/17/,74 -2- Councilman Kuefler stated that he felt the Commissioners should continue to solicit response regarding alcoholic beverages in the park and get a sample of opinions of citizens near the park and those a few blocks away. Commissioner Brenny stated that only one person he talked to was strongly opposed to alcoholic beverages in East Palmer Lake Park and that on the whole most citizens did not have a real strong opinion one way or another. Twin Lake Chairman Zerban introduced the next item of Property Study business on the agenda, the Twin Lake property study. He noted that the properties on Twin Lake were part of the area the Commission was charged with examining and determining recom- mendations for future development and use. Mr. Hagel then proceded with a lengthy presen- tation on the Twin Lake properties. He reviewed the location and size of the parcels on a transparency. He noted that the City had title-to three parcels on the lake, one which was referred to as the peninsula and consisted of approximately 9.8 acres, the second, the property on the north end which consisted of .approximately 5 acres and third, the island, which consisted of approximately 4.3 acres. He reviewed the recommendations made on a preliminary study of these properties dated April, 1973. He noted that these proposals were by no means in recommendation form but were only to give general ideas and concepts regarding the development of the property. Mr. Hagel then followed his presentation with a slide program from the Waterloo, Iowa, Department of Park and Recreation. He noted that the slides depicted development in an area very similar to the area of the Twin Lake properties. He stressed again that these concepts were only offered as suggestions and in noway should be taken as formal recommenda- tions on how the property should be developed. Chairman Zerban commented as to the possibility of putting a building on the property known as the island. Mr. Hagel commented that at this time there was no intention of putting a build- ing on the property, but that the previous owner -3- 9/17/74 had platted the property with that possible intention. He further commented that the parcel known as the peninsula would need much improvement to be made into a useful piece of property regarding development. He stated that there appeared to be some very large trees on the peninsula but that the problem existed because of the low land between the developed area and the outer edge of the peninsula. It was the consensus of the Commission to review the properties ]mown as the peninsula and the island on Friday evening, September 27. Mr. Hagel then proceded with the planting and grading plan for the arboretum. He reviewed the plans submitted by Mr. Stephen Jahns who has done the initial work regarding the arboretum and development. He commented that he hoped the clearing of the land and ground preparation could begin next spring and that the shelter building could be moved this fall. He stated that future development called for a fence around the perimeter of the arboretum area. Chairman Zerban encouraged the Park and Recreation Commission members to actively solicit members for the Park Service Area Committees. He noted that the interest and input is needed to prepare a valid compre- hensive plan for future development. Arboretum Report Park Service Area Committees Motion by Commissioner Grannes and seconded Adjournment by Commissioner Brenny to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 8x55 p.m. Chairman 0 is 0 9/17/74 -4-