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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.02.20 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 MAY 20, 2025 CALL TO ORDER Chair Jeffrey called the meeting to order at 6:36 pm. ROLL CALL Chair Noah Jeffrey, Commissioners Gail Ebert, Jack MacMillan, Jill Dalton, and Julie Bourque were present. Vice Chair Travis Bonovsky was excused. Also present were Parks & Recreation Director Cordell Wiseman and Recreation Program Manager Patrick Reese. Councilmember Laurie Ann Moore attended virtually. A few members of the public also attended the meeting virtually and in person. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Jeffrey moved to approve the agenda with changes to add unfinish business of recycling and add the topic of sustainability. Commissioner MacMillan seconded the motion. The agenda was approved unanimously. APPROVAL OF APRIL MINUTES Chair Jeffrey moved to approve the minutes. Commissioner Dalton seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously. UNFINISHED BUSINESS RECYCLING Chair Jeffrey reported the Cross Contamination has been postponed to June due to staffing changes at Public Works. It was also reported that Director Heyman noted recycling stickers were received and will be attached to carts for public parks. Commissioner Dalton shared that she approached a party in a park recently where many of the participants spoke Spanish and showed them carts were for recycling, and which were for trash and went back the next day and it was successful. Chair Jeffrey reported speaking to Deputy Director Goebel about a video recycling campaign for 2026. Director Wiseman spoke about how they could possibly connect with the recycling ambassadors. NEW BUSINESS CITY COUNCIL REPORT Councilmember Moore thanked the commission for their recycling efforts. Chair Jeffrey asked Councilmember Moore is she could attend the meeting in person and give a full council report. Councilmember Moore declined. Commissioner Ebert requested that the commission ask the council for a new council representative for the Parks and Recreation Commission. Director Wiseman stated going forward he could start reporting on what the Directors meet about. Chair Jeffrey gave a council report that the Park Capital Plan was approved. Also Liquor Store #2 is running at a loss. There was a public hearing on local housing, Commissioner Bourque informed the commission it was approved. CITY PARK SPOTLIGHT Commissioner Dalton wants to spotlight one park per month to showcase the parks Brooklyn Center has to offer the community. Chair Jeffrey shared that data shows residents do not know the parks and trails they have available to them in the city. It was suggested to the city help with the project. Commissioner Bourque requested that when park pictures are taken by the city, to let neighborhoods know so there is an option to have kids using the playgrounds in the pictures. Commissioner Dalton offered to do the write ups. NORTH MISSISSIPPI REGIONAL PARK PLAN TAC UPDATE Commissioner MacMillan attended the North Mississippi Regional Park Plan TAC meeting held in May. The park project is scheduled to last two years and is estimated to cost 2 million dollars. The City of Brooklyn Center is not a part of the planning for this park. The next TAC meeting will be held June 12. The public reported that there is also a Citizen Advisory Committee that is open to the public and is very open to welcoming new attendees. CULTURAL & PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION COLLABORATION Chair Jeffrey did not get to attend the Cultural and Public Arts Commission as it was canceled due to the weather. The plan is to get feedback on signage for recycling and what languages it should be translated into. RACIAL EQUITY PLAN Chair Jeffrey shared his screen from the Minneapolis Park Board on their Racial Equity plan. Chair Jeffrey asked the commission about forming a mission statement that included racial equality. Director Wiseman suggested that the City’s EHR Director, Dan Villarreal should attend the meeting where a mission statement is created. Commissioner Bourque asked if the Brooklyns Historical Society could also be involved before they end as a group. The public reported that the Brooklyns Historical Society has books they are giving away that the commission could get about the history of the city if needed. Chair Jeffrey pointed out that the City of Brooklyn Center does already have a mission and vision statement posted online as they include statements on inclusiveness and equity. SUSTAINABILITY Chair Jeffrey noted that this is different than conservation and reminded the commission that Mayor Graves made clear that this is important. Chair Jeffrey asked if this should be a new commission. Commissioners Dalton and MacMillan met with the City of Robbinsdale on how they handle their sustainability efforts. They formed a committee under Parks and Recreations with 10 residents that meet once a month, so it does not have all the rules that a commission has to follow. Chair Jeffrey brought up to get a new commission, there are many steps and can possibly take many years with the council. This commission has many agenda topics so sustainability would need to be on its own. Commissioner Bourque backed the idea of adding something for sustainability as it is important for the future of our parks and not just a topic about money. Commissioner Dalton action item will be to email her notes to the commission from her Robbinsdale meeting. Chair Jeffrey wants to add sustainability to unfinished business for the future agenda. Commissioner Bourque asked if the council must approve a new committee. Chair Jeffrey said he will find out this answer. FUTURE MEETING The optional park tour for commissioners will be June 17th – meet at the Community Center at 6:30pm. Chair Jeffrey asked the commission their thoughts if this meeting should count for attendance. Director Wiseman stated that in the past, tours and extra meetings have not counted towards attendance. The commission agreed that attendance is an option for the park tour and commissioners should email Deputy Director Goebel if they cannot make it. Commissioner Dalton brought to the commission not taking a break for the summer and still meeting monthly. Commissioner Ebert brought up all the neighborhood meetings that the commission should be attending throughout the summer. Commissioner Bourque moved for a middle ground and brought up meeting in July. Chair Jeffrey made a motion to meet July 15. Commissioner Dalton seconded the motion. Commissioner Ebert voted against it. The motion passed with 4-1. Commissioner MacMillan moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Dalton seconded. The decision was unanimous.