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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970 11-18 PRM7 Minutes 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 November 18, 1970 The Park and Recreation Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Don Reichel at 7:35 P.M. Members present were Don Reichel, Henrietta Anderson, Ron Coop, and Bruce Morrow. Also present were Gene Hagel and Arnie Mavis. The minutes of the meetings of October 141, 1970, and November 11, 1970 were approved as recorded. The Chairman reported on a special meeting of the Brooklyn Center City Council and the Citizens Architectural Advisory Committee which was attended by himself and the Director of Parks and Rec- reation. The meeting was conducted for the purpose of considering the Park and Recreation Commission's recommendation of October 16, 1970, regarding the allocation of remaining bond monies for Park Capital Projects. Attention was directed to a memo from Gene Hagel to the Mayor and Council which was distributed at the meet- ing and which outlined the discussion which occurred prior to the Commission's recommendation. Attention was also directed to the Council minutes of October 26, 1970 which reads in part as follows: "Upon conclusion of consideration discussion a motion was .made by Theodore Vuillard and seconded by John Leary to direct the City Manager to conduct a Feasibility Study on the concept of constructing a phased ice arena on a site presently owned by the City which would be con- sistent with accepted land planning principals. Fur- ther the City Manager is authorized to retain appro- priate consultants to assist in the conduct of the Feasibility Study. Voting in favor were Philip Cohen, John Leary, Vernon Ausen, Howard Heck, and Theodore Willard, Against were none. Motion carried unani- mously. Motion by Howard heck and seconded by John Leary that the Feasibility Study be referred for comment and re- commendation to the Capital Improvement Review Board, Planning Commission, Park and Recreation Commission, and Conservation Commission. Voting in favor were Philip Cohen, John Leary, Vernon Ausen, Howard Heck, and Theodore Vuillard. Against were none. Motion carried unanimously." -2- The next item of business was a continuation of discussion regard- ing Swimming Pool and Community Center charges. The staff discusse ideas for promoting the use of the Swimming Pool and Community Center during daytime hours. Under consideration is a "Noon Hour Special" with alternate days for men and women. Facilities avail- able will be the swimming pool, the sauna, and the exercise room. It was suggested that existing membership and individual admission rates would apply. No official action was taken. The Park and Recreation Commission next reviewed the Commission's action of January 7, 1970 regarding snowmobiling in City parks, and also reviewed the Conservation Commission minutes of October 8, 1970. After discussion, Henrietta Anderson introduced the follow- ing resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION TO THE CITY COUNCIL CONCERNING THE THE OPERATION OF SNOWMOBILES IN THE CITY PARKS . WHEREAS, the Park and Recreation Commission went on record on January 7, 1970 recommending that snow- mobiles be allowed only in the area known as Central Park and in the southern perimeter of the Palmer Lake Basin, south of a line extending from Urban Avenue on the west to 70th Avenue on the east, and WHEREAS, the Council went on record February 2, 1970 requesting that the Conservation Commission con- sider the matter of snowmobile operations in City parks and make recommendations to the Park and Recreation `Commission, and WHEREAS, again on February 9, 1970 the Council passed a resolution temporarily authorizing snowmobile operations in certain City parks (Resolution No. 70-23), and WHEREAS, on October 8, 1970 the Conservation Commission adopted a resolution recommending. that snowmobiles be eliminated from the Palmer Lake Basin and that the operation of snowmobiles be allowed to continue on certain City owned S ace, and WHEREAS, the Park and Recreation Commission has reviewed all aspects of snowmobiling including size of parks, safety, damage to parks, and noise and has concluded that other City parks are too small for snowmobile operations, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Park and -3- Recreation Commission recommend to the City Council as follows: 1. That snowmobiles be eliminated from the Palmer Lake Basin. 2. That snowmobiles be continued to be per- mitted to operate in Central Park (exclu- ding Garden City Park) and within; Shingle Creek on City owned park space from 69th Avenue North to the Interstate 94, sub- ject to the provisions or Section 27 of the City ordinances. The motion for the adoption was duly seconded by member Bruce Morrow and upon vote being taken thereon the fol- lowing voted in favor thereof: Reichel, Anderson, Coop, and Morrow. And the following voted against the same; none, whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. Recreation Superintendent Arnie Mavis next presented a report of Teen Programs presently being held in Grandview and Garden City Parks. Mr. Mavis reported that up to 100 teenagers were partici- pating at Garden City Park and up to 70 attend at Grandview Park. In addition to informal activities the groups at each location have painted the interior of the shelter building. Discussion followed regarding the advisability of closing the warming houses at Grandview and Garden City Parks for skating on Sunday nights and permitting the continuation of the Teen Program on Sunday nights throughout the skating season. No decision was reached. It was decided to continue the discussion on this subject at the Dec- ember meeting. The Director next reported on the final approved budget for 1971. Discussion followed during which Chairman Reichel questioned the extent of leadership and the number of hours of supervision at playgrounds during the summer. The Park and ecreation Director explained that the Department was attempting to provide "special- ized" programs during the half day when playground leaders are not provided. These "specialized" programs consist of Girls Softball, Tiny Tots, Archery, Baton, and Puppetry. Boys baseball is to be included in this category in 1971. Chairman Reichel contended that the hours of supervision were too short to properly program for the large number of children at some parks. Concern was also expressed that restrooms would not be open and play equipment not available in the parks when the playground supervisors were not there. The staff commented that it would attempt to provide for this. -4- The Commission next reviewed the tentative priority schedule for sidewalk construction in Brooklyn Center. After discussion Henrii etta Anderson introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING CONSTRUCTION PRIORITY FOR CERTAIN SIDENTALKS WHEREAS, the City of Brooklyn Center is consider- ing a Sidewalk Network System for the City, and WHEREAS, priorities for construction are currently being studied, and WHEREAS, the Community Center and Swimming Pool in Central Park will be completed during 1971, and WHEREAS, the Community Center and Swimming Pool will generate increased pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic in the proximity of Central Park, and WHEREAS, the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists traveling to and from said Community Center and Swim- ming Pool is of parpmount importance, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Park and Recreation Commission recommend to the City Council that the Council assign a high priority to sidewalks on cer- /tain streets in the vicinity of and leading to Central Park, specifically 63rd Avenue from Beard Avenue to Brooklyn Drive and 65th Avenue from Lyndale Avenue to Shingle Creek Parkway. The motion for the adoption was duly seconded by member Ron Coop and upon vote being taken thereon the following voted in favor thereof: Reichel, Anderson, Coop, and Morrow. And the following voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. The Commission next acknowledged receipt of a petition from teen- agers at Garden City Park. The petition requests that the Garden City Teen Program remain in.-operation the year round and was signed by 152 teenagers. Discussion was tabled until the December meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 P.M. is