HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 11-15 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
NOVEMBER 15, 2011
COMMUNITY ROOM #221, COMMUNITY CENTER
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:02p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chair Sorenson, Commissioners Ebert, Lee, Peterson,Russell,Shinnick and Starling were
present.
Also present wereCity Council Liaison Dan Ryan, Recreation Program Supervisor Joe Ericksen
andCommunity Activities, Recreation and Services Director Jim Glasoe.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
By consensus the agenda was approved as presented.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES –October 11, 2011
There was a motion by Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Eberttoapprove the
minutes of the October 11, 2011,Park and RecreationCommission meeting aswritten. The
motion passed unanimously.
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT
Councilmember Ryanreported the Earle Brown Heritage Center was able to transfer $200,000
from year end 2010 funds to its Capital Fund.
Councilmember Ryan noted that 18 trees had been planted in East Palmer Park as part of the
neighborhood street reconstruction project.
Councilmember Ryan indicated that recent census figures showed 14% of householdsand 33%
of children in Brooklyn Center live in poverty.
COMMISSIONER TERM EXPIRATIONS
CARS Director Glasoe indicated that he had received a letterfrom the City Clerk indicating the
Park & Recreation Commission terms for Chair Sorensonand Commission Starling would be
expiring at the end of the year. Mr. Glasoe asked thatChair Sorenson and Commissioner
Starling inform him by the end of the month if they wished to be reappointed.
Both Chair Sorenson and Commissioner Starling indicated they would liketo be reappointed.
FIREHOUSE PARK BASKETBALL COURT
CARS Director Glasoe reported that the Brooklyn Center School District had submitted plans for
the community gymnasium that is to be built on the Brooklyn Center High School site. Mr.
Glasoe noted the plan submission showed an outdoor basketball court that would be installed by
“other”. Mr. Glasoe noted this could be beneficial should the Commission choose the school
district site as anoption for the Firehouse basketball court, as the siteplan would have already
been approved with an outside court.
After some discussion, CARS Director Glasoe indicated that he would bring alternative
basketball court options, with costs,to the January meeting.
CENTERBROOK GOLF COURSE
CARS Director Glasoe and Recreation Program Supervisor Joe Ericksen provided an overview
of the Centerbrook Golf Coursefinancesover the past five years.Mr. Glasoe noted the golf
course financial performance had not been good and that the City Council and Financial
Commission had examined the performance as part of the City Council review of Enterprise
Fund Budgets.
CARS Director Glasoe and Recreation Program Supervisor Ericksen provided information on the
current market conditions, course attributes, targeted audiences, and operational changes planned
thatwould assist in making Centerbrook financially viable.
CARS Director Glasoe reported the City Council and Financial Commission had recommended a
plan that would provide for a one-time infusion of cash to bring the golf course fundback to a
neutral cash position. Mr. Glasoe noted that, by doing so, staff would be able to more accurately
gauge the effect of changes that are implemented moving forward.
The Commission provided Mr. Glasoe and Mr. Ericksen with suggestions regarding various
aspects of Centerbrook operations.
EAST PALMER PARK BASKETBALL COURT
Commissioner Peterson asked about the cost of rehabilitating the basketball court at East Palmer
Park. CARS Director Glasoe indicated that he had not had an opportunity to speakwith the
Streets and Parks Maintenance Supervisor to develop an estimate.Mr. Glasoe indicated he
would follow up with the Streets and Parks MaintenanceSupervisor regarding thisitemand
provide information at the January meeting. CARS Director Glasoe reported that he had spoken
with Public Works staff about the possibility of benches for the West Palmer basketball courts
and they had indicated they would be able to place the benches next spring.
DOG PARK
CARS Director Glasoe provided the Commissionwith some historical information regarding the
Commission’s last conversation regardingoff-leashdog parksin Brooklyn Center.
After somediscussion, Chair Sorensonasked that CARS Director Glasoe research the option of
adding neighboring community dog park information on the City’s website.
SET NEXT MEETING DATE
By consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for January 17,
2012,at 7:00 p.m.in Community Room #221 of the Brooklyn Center Community Center.
MEETING ADJOURNED
Commissioner Russellmade a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ebert,to adjourn the meeting
at 8:38p.m. The motion passed unanimously.