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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971 09-30 CCM Special Session Minutes of the Proceeding s of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center In the Ccunty of Hennepin and State of Minnesota September 30, 1971 The City Council met in special session and was called to order by Mayor Philip Cohen at 7 :45 P.M. Roll Call: Mayor Cohen, Councilmen Leary, Ausen, Heck and Willard. Staff members present were: City Manager Donald Poss, Director of Public Works James kvierila, Director of Parks and Recreation. Eug3ne Hagel, Director of Finance Paul Holmlund, Chief of Police Thomas 4'Hehir, and Administrative Assistants Tom Loucks and Blair Tremere, i' Motion by Councilman Heck and seconded by Councilman Ausen to reconvene the 1972 budget hearing, Voting in favor were: Mayor Cohen, Council- men Leary, Ausen, Heck and Willard, Voting against: none. Motion carried unanimously, The City Manager reviewed the Conservation of Health portion of the budget and a brief discussion ensued concerning the home nursing service. He noted that the staff intends to investigate alternatives for providing this service in that, while the service is both necessary and desirable, it is becoming dis- proportionately expensive, The City Manager commented with regard to weed eradication that the proposed budget recommends an appropriation to secure part-time weed inspection services and thereby relieve the City Clerk of a duty which does not require the talents of his degree. The City Manager next reviewed the proposed budget for the Park and Recreation Department. He explained that the proposed appropriation reflects a general continuation of programs with a newly directed emphasis on the Community Center, He stated the recreation programs have been regrouped in terms of age groups and certain self - supporting program activities have been formally reported in the budget for the first time, He stated the capital outlay recommendations of the Park and Recreation Department have been limited to non - capital project items consisting of desirable equipment for the Community Center and park maintenance equipment needed to efficiently utilize manpower efforts. He said costs related to the Park and Recreation account in 1972, in addition to the operating appropriation, include the amount of $28, 700 for the redemption of park bonds issued in previous years,anc an as yet unspecified amount reflected in the government buildings account for maintenance and operation of the Community Center. .A discussion ensued relative to a master plan study of the City parks proposed by the Park and Recreation Department, The City Manasar commented that the proposed budget. provided for a portion of tha master plan study which is directed at examining the recreational and ecological resources along the Shingle Creek greenstrip, He stated that the costs of such a study would be approximately $1500, A brief discussion also ensued concerning the proposed acquisition of a piano and a piano dolly for the Community Center, it was the consensus of the Council that there was no need for a new piano for the Community. Center at this time and that consideration of such an acquisition could be deleted from the 1972 proposed budget. Following a discussion of the proposed acquisition of certain other items for the Para: and Recreation Department and the Community Center, the City Manager proceeded to review the various recreation programs. He recommended a reduced funding for individual park programs which would nonetheless permit the parks to be open all day, -1- Councilman Vuillard suggested the possibility of providing financial backing to the North Hennepin Theatre group. A brief discussion followed concerning the the theatre program as well as the City support of the Babe Ruth baseball program, The Council recessed at 9 :35 P. M. and reconvened at 9:50 P. M. The Mayor recognized Mr. Don Reichel, Chairman of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission. He noted that the Commission had asked to come before the Council to discuss certain park and recreation concerns related to respective budgetary items, Mr. Reichel stated that the Commission generally would like to promote the enhancement of the City parks and open space areas as well as the expansion of the various park programs. He lasted five concerns of the Commission: 1. A master plan study of the City parks; 2. Improvement of a shelter building at Twin Lake Park; 3. The development of tennis courts in the parks; 4. A study of the proposed development of Palmer Lake as a nature and recreation center; 5 The expanded use of the City parks through provision for all day leadership. A lengthy discussion ensued with regard to the proposed master plan study of the City parks. Mr. Reichel and the Director of Park and Recreation commented that a professional study was desirable concerning the aesthetic development of the city's parks. Mr. Hagel commented that the scope of such a study would include embellishment for the parks and was not a professional redesigning of the parks. The City Manager commented that a master plan study had not been recommended in the current rather that consideration should be given to an approach.which would involve neighborhood. groups of affected residents. The neighborhood groups could express their views and concepts with regard to the enhancement of the respective parks, a written program for each park could be prepared, and a consultant engaged to translate the programs into conceptual drawings, Mayor Cohen agreed stating that preliminary study and deliberation by local citizen groups was essential for planning the development of capital projects such as this. Councilman Willard stated that before investments are made in pro- fessional consulting services the Council should get a definite idea of what $ the citizens of Brooklyn Center want and what they are willing to pay for. He commented that the City staff could work with such groups and offer a profession- al expertise. Councilman Heck stated that specific suggestions for particular parks were needed rather than a prototype park. There was a brief discussion among Council members and the Park and Recreation Commissbners as to the structure.. function and need of neigh- borhood advisory groups, The matter was then deferred for further consideration and determination. Brief discussions ensued with regard to the other items submitted by the Commissicn. The City Manager noted that the improvement of the Twin bake Park including the shelter building is provided for in existing Park and Recreation captial project priorities and he further noted with regard to extended use of parks the 1972 budget recommendation provided for all day leadership in the park, , -2- i Mayor Cohen noted that a conceptual development plan for the Palmer Lake Basin as a nature and recreation center has existed for a number of years but that the plan requires considerable fl—n, .nclal resources nor mentation and that a bond issue would be necessary to provide such financing. The City Manager offered the suggestion that perhaps a regional financing base should be sought for the development of such a nature /recreation complex, Motion by Councilman Willard and seconded by Councilman Heck to adjourn the 1972 budget hearings until October 4, 1971, Voting in favor were: Mayor Cohen, Councilmen Leary, Ausen, Heck and Willard. Voting against none, Motion carried unanimously. The City Council meeting adjourned at 11;55 P. M. C erk Mayor 3 I ..3_