Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 02-17 PRAAGENDA Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission Tuesday, February 17, 2026 6:30 - 8pm 1. Call to Order 6:30 pm 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes- January 2026 5. Unfinished Business • Robert’s Rule of Order Presentation – City Clerk • ICE Staging in Community Center/Parks 6. New Business 7. Set Next Meeting Date and Agenda March 17th – 6:30pm 8. Adjournment MINUTES 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 JANUARY 20, 2026 CALL TO ORDER Chair Jeffrey called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm. ROLL CALL Chair Noah Jeffrey, Vice Chair Jill Dalton, Commissioners Julie Bourque, Gail Ebert, and Matthew Kraft were present. Also present were Public Works Planner Kory Andersen Wagner, Parks & Recreation Deputy Director Carissa Goebel and Community Center Supervisor Rachel Kenyon. Commissioner Jack MacMillan was absent. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Deputy Director Goebel announced that due to a conflict, the Clerk’s Office would not be able to present on Robert’s Rules of Order and it would be pushed to a later meeting. Chair Jeffrey requested to add ICE protocols at the Community Center and in Parks to the agenda. Chair Jeffrey moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Kraft seconded the motion. The agenda was approved unanimously. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER MINUTES Chair Jeffrey moved to approve the minutes. Commissioner Dalton seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Commissioner Bourque nominated Noah Jeffrey to be Chair. Commissioner Dalton seconded the nomination. Chair Noah was elected unanimously. Commissioner Bourque nominated Jill Dalton to be Vice Chair. Chair Jeffrey seconded the nomination. Vice Chair Dalton was elected unanimously. 2026 MEETING SCHEDULE Commissioner Ebert moved to approve the meeting schedule. Commissioner Dalton seconded the motion. The schedule was approved unanimously. NEW BUSINESS LAKESIDE PARK PRESENTATION Planner Andersen Wagner shared the information that came out of the Park Capital Plan. The proposal was to return the area to natural plantings. The public showed general support for this idea. He went over two sides of naturalization vs. leaving it how it is. Planner Andersen Wagner opened to the group to see what their feelings on the sides of the issue. Commissioner Ebert asked which option would be easier for Public Works to maintain. Planner Andersen Wagner stated that open field is easier for the team. Vice Chair Dalton asked how close the next parks were to the area and the parks were pointed out on the map. Commissioner Kraft reiterated that there are only single-family homes surrounding the parts. The nearest apartments are closer to the other parks. Commissioner Kraft brought up the idea of some sort of art/sculpture in the park and that it could be a collaboration with the Cultural and Public Arts Commission. Vice Chair Dalton asked if it would be prairie or pollinator garden based. Planner Andersen Wagner stated it would be a combination and discussed a similar process used in another section of the City. Vice Chair Dalton shared that she felt that maybe two thirds of the park be naturalized and one third be left opened for play. Commissioner Ebert shared a similar sentiment. Commissioner Bourque expressed her concern of mixed use spaces and how they effect the Monarch population. Planner Andersen Wagner was unsure of what chemicals may be used in that space and would follow up with the Streets and Parks Supervisor. Chair Jeffrey moved to recommend the plan and the presentation be brought forward to council. Vice Chair Dalton seconded. The motion was passed unanimously. 2026 COMMISSION PRIORITIES Chair Jeffrey shared the priorities from 2025: Improve recycling in the parks. Reduce litter and contamination. Fostering inclusivity and safety. Increase participation in Parks & Recreation activities. He shared the successes as well. Chair Jeffrey then opened the discussion for 2026. Vice Chair Dalton suggested that the reduction of litter stay as a priority for 2026. Safety was discussed as a deterrent from participating in the parks or programming. Planner Andersen Wagner offered that lighting in the parks was an issue brought out by the parks capital plan. This is being addressed by the plan and new lighting is being implemented. Commissioner Bourque discussed safety as sometimes just a misunderstanding of cultures or park uses and wondering if there was a way to find out the differences. Commissioner Ebert discussed putting cameras in the parks to deter unwanted behaviors. Commissioner Bourque offered that there is already a significant portion of our population that may distrust for the government use of power and observation and that may be a barrier for some families. Chair Jeffrey stated that sometimes cameras were used with an AI software to track littering. Deputy Director Goebel offered that there may be a City Wide survey upcoming that will touch on parks and give potential updates on attitudes/concerns about parks. Commissioner Bourque explained that only property owners are contacted for these surveys and they are only in English so they may not be representative of the actual population of the City. Chair Jeffrey thought increasing safety and awareness of parks and recreation activities was a theme to pull out as a priority for this year. Chair Jeffrey also mentioned that he would like to add sustainability to the priority. Commissioner Bourque also brought up looking into alternative methods of weed control this year. Vice Chair Dalton suggested maybe talking about what does sustainability look like in Brooklyn Center and what it could look like. Chair Kraft would like to increase engagement and community in parks. Vice Chair Dalton stated that there are events in her neighborhood park and that increased awareness of the parks. Deputy Director Goebel offered that the department does diversify where events are hosted and that the Commission would be great advocates for getting the word out. Marketing strategies were discussed, such as social media and website highlights. 2026 Priorities Community safety in our parks, community center and at recreation events Anti-litter campaign Improve recycling in our parks Protect our natural resources – explore alternatives to weed control and fertilizer Increase engagement with the parks – featured park of the month Chair Jeffrey moved to approve priorities. Vice Chair Dalton seconded. The motion was passed unanimously. ICE PROTOCOLS IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND PARKS Chair Jeffrey referenced that there are protocols for staff if there is ICE coming into the presence. He suggested differentiating spaces for public versus private use. His concern is that the community should feel that the Community Center is a safe space. Vice Chair Dalton asked what the protocol is currently for public buildings and the group responded that they are allowed to enter. Chair Jeffrey asked if the Parks and Recreation staff could pull data on engagement with the building in the recent months. Deputy Director Goebel also explained that the department is working on differentiating spaces as public vs private, but it is a process that involves City leadership and legal team. Chair Jeffrey also stated that he would like to continue this as unfinished business. FUTURE MEETING The next meeting will be held February 17th at the Community Center at 6:30pm. Chair Jeffrey moved to place the meeting. Vice Chair Dalton seconded. Chair Jeffrey moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Kraft seconded. The decision was unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 8:03pm.