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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973 11-13 PRMMinutes of the Proceedings of the Parks and Recreation Commission of the City • of Brooklyn Center in the County of Hennepin and the State of Minnesota REGULAR SESSION NOVEMBER 13, 1973 CITY HALL Call to order The Brooklyn Center Parks and Recreation Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Zerban at 7:07 p.m. Roll Call Chairman Zerban, Commissioners Johnson, Grannes and Pickering. Also present were Director of Parks and Recreation Mr. Gene ` Hagel, Councilman Tony Kuefler, Deputy Chief James Lindsay, and Administrative Assistant James Lacina. Approval of Minutes: Motion by Commissioner Grannes and seconded 10-16-73 by Commissioner Johnson to approve the minutes of the October 16, 1973 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Police Activities Chairman Zerban introduced Deputy Chief James In The Parks Lindsay, who gave a lengthy presentation on Police Activities in the Parks. Mr. Lindsay stated that there were four park problem areas from the police point of view. 1) Curfew. Curfew is needed because of the misuse of the parks by large num- bers of teenages during late night hours. 2) Drinking. The recent passage of the Age of Majority Law has increased the drinking problem in the parks. 3) Drugs. Use of parks by pushers as transfer points-has created some problems especially at times when there is a lot of activity and a large number of young people around. 4) Vandalism. Vandalism is probably the most prevelant and largest problem. He further stated that Brooklyn Center's parks are relatively free from "Street • Crimes" which usually occur in most parks, i.e. mugging, rapes and robbery. Mr. Lindsay stated that most problems in parks are generated from the neighborhood around the parks and that those neighborhoods with a large concentration of teenagers are usually the problem areas. He indicated that curfew was one method of curtailing the problem but would only be used as a last resort. He briefly outlined the problem areas in the City and how they change from neighborhood to neighborhood regarding the age group of the neighborhood. He speculated that River Ridge Park would be a future problem area and would require some action to curtail the problem. Chairman Zerban questioned Mr. Lindsay on the drug problem in the Civic Center. Mr. Lindsay responded by stating that the Civic Center personnel do an excellent job of policing the area and assisting in curtailment . of drugs in the Civic Center. He further stated that juvenile officers frequently patrol the area in the evening and that the drug problem in the City on the whole is down from what it was three years ago. Mr. Lindsay went on to explain that the use of motor vehicles in the park has created some problem but that through education and patrolling the trouble has been decreasing. Mini-bikes and snowmobiles are two of the most common problems in the parks. Mr. Lindsay re-enforced Mr. Hagel's previous comment on vandalism stating that the very nature of a park lends itself to vandalism and that one of the best methods for controlling this vandalism is by fast, efficient repair. Commissioner Roche arrived at 7:25 p.m. "Mr. Lindsay explained that two ways of reducing • problems in the parks were 1) seeking qualified warming house attendants in the winter and 2) use of counselors and juvenile officers to maintain rapport with the young people. -2- 11-13-73 Commissioner Johnson questioned Mr. Lindsay on the effect of the seasons relating to problems in the parks. Mr. Lindsay responded by stating that summer was probably the greatest problem time but that winter, in the case of poor warming house attendants, created as many, if not more, problems for the police. Commissioner Johnson questioned Mr. Lindsay on the use of unmarked cars and plain clothes policemen to patrol the parks. Mr. Lindsay responded by stating that in a community the size of Brooklyn Center most of the teenagers know the policemen and the unmarked cars. Chairman Zerban commented on the purpose of the Commission and how it was designed to help solve problems in the parks. He then questioned Mr. Lindsay on the setting of curfews in the parks. Mr. Lindsay responded by stating that the curfew setting by the City Council was a last resort and in most instances the time set was usually 10:00 p.m. • Commissioner Pickering questioned Mr. Lindsay on development of the parks to deter problems. Mr. Lindsay again reinforced Mr. Hagel's state- ment on the use of vandal resistant materials and the education of citizens to report van- dalism. Chairman Zerban thanked Mr. Lindsay for the informative presentation. The Commission recessed at 7:55 p.m. and resumed at 8:15 p.m. Park Service Area Chairman Zerban reported that he had talked Committees with the Mayor and that he will be in contact with the Mayor again in the near future to discuss filling the vacancies on the Commission and appointing Park Service Area Committee members. He further stated that he had made two recommendations'to the Mayor for the vacancies on the Commission. BC Kaleidoscope-74 The secretary explained the BC Kaleidoscope-74 concept and a brief discussion ensued relative to the possibilities of the Commission's parti- cipation. It was the consensus of the Commis- sion to contact Mr. Hagel about the possibilities -3- 11-13-73 0 of working in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Department. Twin Lake Boat The secretary noted corrections that were Situation handed out and explained the policies for making recommendations. It was the consensus of the Commission to follow the procedure indicated: make recommendations in conjunc- tion with the Conservation Commission, draft a formal resolution and present it to the City Council for action and direction by them. A lengthy discussion ensued relative to the report. Councilman Kuefler questioned the safety factor on the lake. Commissioner Grannes responded that the lake itself did not have a high incidence of injuries but that most poeple were afraid to use the lake because of the fear of power boats and congestion. Chairman Zerban expressed concern with con- sequences of making recommendations regarding the effects on those who live on the lake and those who use the lake. It was the consensus of the Commission to defer making policy recommendations until the next meeting to give more time for studying the report. "Pride in Your City" The secretary reviewed the status of the "Pride in Your City" concept and noted the possibility of support by the Commission in planning the development of the concept in conjunction with the Conservation Commission. Motion by Commissioner Grannes and seconded by Commissioner Pickering to appoint Commissioner Roche to work with Conservation Commissioner Winkelman on planning for the "Pride in Your City" concept. Motion passed unanimously. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Pickering and seconded by Commissioner Grannes to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Parks and Recreation Commission ad- journed at 9:08 p.m. Secretary -4- 11-13-73