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Home My WebLink About1981 04-27 CCM Special Session MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SPECIAL SESSION APRIL 27, 1981 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in special session with Brooklyn Center School District 286 and was called to order by Mayor Dean Nyquist at 7:05 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Dean Nyquist, Councilmembers Tony Kuefler, Bill Fignar, and Gene Lhotka. Also present were City Manager Gerald Splinter, Director of Public Works Sy Knapp, and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Members of the School Board present were Chairman Robert Spies, Vice- Chairman Dr. David Kaliher, Clerk Jody Brandvold, Treasurer Walter Bursch, Byron Brekke and David Jarl,. Staff members from District 286 present at the meeting were Superintendent Douglas Rossi, Secondary Principal Wallace Bernards, Elementary Principal Warren Lindquist, Community Education Director Jim Norwick, and Administrative Assistant Ron Stave. CITY STAFF PRESENTATION The City Manager reviewed current development within the City's industrial park, including the Spec buildings and new construction including the Meriwether Restaurant and_Swenson's Carriage House. With regard to park development, the City Manager pointed out that the Shingle Creek trailway system will link with the trails in Minneapolis and extend through the entire City of Brooklyn Center from south to north along Shingle Creek. The City Manager reviewed the current highway construction in the City and reviewed the new traffic patterns associated with the 94 construction. The City Manager also discussed current and proposed development for the City's industrial park including the proposed Brookdale Corporate Center consisting of two five -story office buildings across from City Hall, the Byerly's market along Summit Drive proposed for construction in 1981 or 1982, the new Burger Bros. sporting goods store recently opened, and the Commercial Partners shopping center project currently under construction and including a restaurant, shopping center and theater complex. The City Manager pointed out that 1981 construction in the City will include median reconstruction along Shingle Creek Parkway and continued construction on park improvements. He added that the number one priority is to develop the neighborhood parks with Central and Palmer Lake development being secondary. The Director of Public Works reviewed I -94 construction in detail for Council and School Board members pointing out that the Brooklyn Boulevard bridge reconstruction is proposed to be completed by June and that the ramps from Shingle Creek onto I- 94- should be in service by late summer of 1981. He 4 -27 -81 -1- explained that the 694 and 100 interchange is planned to be in service by late fall of 1981 along with the Lyndale Avenue interchange. The Director of Public Works explained that construction is ahead of schedule on the I -94 project and that the original completion date was set for 1983. In response to a question from Chairman Spies regarding the projected use of property adjacent to the intersection of 100 and 694, the City Manager explained that the Chamber, CEAP, and the City are looking at the potential development of an elderly housing project for this site but that it is in the preliminary stages at this point. Chairman Spies stated that he appreciated this opportunity to meet with the City Council and staff and added that he would like to have a meeting such as this on an annual basis. Superintendent Rossi thanked the City Council and City staff for their cooperation and support that has been shown over the past years. Administrative Assistant Ron Stave reviewed the operation of the tennis courts at the Brooklyn Center High School noting that - they were a cooperative effort in capital outlay for the lights between the City and the school. He noted that the City and school each contributed $7,500 for the construction of tennis court and lighting. He added that the lights are metered and the fee is 25�, adding that the school pays the expenses and reports on the operations of the court to the Director of Parks and Recreation each year. He explained that the tennis courts averaged $2,000 in expenses and $1,600 in revenue per year and that in comparison to other metropolitan tennis courts this is a relatively small deficit. He added that the area is well used with relatively little vandalism. Community Education Director Jim Norwick stated that the tennis usage is very good at the high school courts and that the Brooklyn Center Tennis Club was formed after the courts were developed and lighted. Superintendent Rossi reviewed the activities of the Education and Planning Task Force which was established in the early 1970's. Superintendent Rossi pointed out that District 286 has a solid tax base and that this will likely be maintained into the future. He explained that the board has been cutting a mill or two on the tax rate each year and that District 286 has a positive fund balance and is in a financially stable position. Administrative Assistant, Ron Stave reviewed current proposed legislation regarding changes in the fund balance legislation. He pointed out the proposed legislation could take away the district's fund balance which is now very sufficient and added that the board has been very conscious of maintaining this balance. Superintendent Rossi noted that the consideration of an ice cover for use by the hockey teams in the area has been discussed recently. He noted the project originated with,a problem expressed by the high school hockey coach in contracting for ice time. Chairman Spies noted that the hockey program in the area has developed over the years and that the Hockey Association } 4 -27 -81 -2- Committee has been reviewing the future of the program on a city --wide basis. He added that some of the questions that need to be answered.in considering the ice cover facility would be acceptance by City residents and the need for such a facility city -wide. He noted that the board has received a preliminary report by George Larson, the high school hockey coach, and that the board is awaiting the report of the Hockey Association Committee. In response to a question from Councilmember Fignar, Superintendent Rossi stated that the proposed project at this stage would not be a full scale building but rather a cover or a bubble which would provide a shelter over artificial ice. Community Education Director Jim Norwick stated that the shelter could be used five months out of the year for ice time and could be used for other events during the rest of the year adding that any excess ice time will be sold to bring in revenue. Chairman Spies stated that the facility could be used for children's skating, figure skating, senior citizen skating in addition to hockey use. He added that the structure discussed is similar to one that was built in Shakopee. Chairman Spies complimented Superintendent Rossi and City Manager Splinter for maintaining an excellent relationship between the School Board and the City. Superintendent Rossi also commended the Brooklyn Center, Police Depart - ment for their assistance and cooperation over the years. In response to a question from Councilmember Fignar the Community Education Director reviewed the steps involved concerning the evaluation of the hockey facility pointing out that the data required would be the ice time needs of the community, cost of the facility, maintenance costs for the facility, future skating needs, revenue projections, and a summary of the experience in Shakopee with a similar facility. He added that the information will be shared with the City. Councilmember Kuefler commented that the City and the School Board had established an excellent relationship and he trusted that it would continue in the future. ADJOURNMENT The joint Brooklyn Center Council and School Board meeting adjourned at 9.00 P.M. Clerk Mayor 4 -27 -81 -3-