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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 03-19 PRM 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 MARCH 19, 2013 COMMUNITY ROOM #221, COMMUNITY CENTER CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chair Shinnick called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Vice-Chair Shinnick, Commissioners Dalton, Peterson, Russell and Witalka were present. Chair Sorenson and Commissioner Ebert were absent and excused. Also present were City Council Liaison Kris Lawrence-Anderson and Community Activities, Recreation and Services Director Jim Glasoe. APPROVAL OF AGENDA By consensus, the agenda was approved as presented. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 19, 2013 Commissioner Peterson noted the motion regarding “meeting adjournment” must be incorrect, as Commissioner Russell was excused from the meeting. CARS Director Glasoe responded the minutes should have read Commissioner Shinnick made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Ebert. There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Dalton to approve the minutes of the February 19, 2013, meeting of the Park & Recreation Commission as amended. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson reported construction on the new LA Fitness was moving forward and that building plans had been received for a new Foot Locker store that would be located in one of the multi-tenant buildings. Liaison Lawrence-Anderson noted recent tests of the city’s water showed manganese levels of 250-370 parts per billion, down significantly from the original levels. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson noted the lower levels were due to staff combining water supplies from various wells and also reported the possibility of a pilot study of the issue at the University of Minnesota, pending funding determinations. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson asked if all of the Commissioners were aware of the recent explosion at Brookdale Christian Center. All Commissioners indicated they were. Council Liaison Lawrence- Anderson reported the City Manager and staff had met with the management of the new Wal-Mart store to discuss appearance and maintenance issues. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson noted the City Council had received information regarding “Roseville U” a citizens training academy in Roseville Minnesota and would be researching it further and considering something similar for Brooklyn Center. 2012-13 SKATING RINK USAGE CARS Director Glasoe reviewed a report of the skating rink usage for the 2012-2013 season. Mr. Glasoe noted the numbers were significantly higher at Evergreen Park than at Centennial. Mr. Glasoe reported the City typically spends between $3,500 and $4,500 annually to staff warming houses at the two locations. Commissioners asked about numbers from previous years, CARS Director Glasoe responded that, while he did not have the exact figures, his recollection was they were similar to the numbers seen at Evergreen this year. There was some commission discussion regarding the possibility of having unstaffed warming houses, alternative locations and the relative cost of providing ice rinks for the citizens. After additional discussion CARS Director Glasoe indicated we would speak to the Parks Maintenance Supervisor about the costs to provide ice rinks. CARS Director Glasoe also shared a newspaper article from the Sun Post regarding the lack of skaters at Willow Lane Park. Mr. Glasoe noted the conversation at the last meeting regarding possibly moving the hockey boards from Willow Lane to West Palmer Parks, noting the change in park amenities would be consistent with the Destination Parks Plan. Commissioner Witalka noted he walked the West Palmer Park area regularly and reported seeing very few skaters. APRIL 10, 2013 JOINT CITY COUNCIL.COMMISSIONS MEETING CARS Director Glasoe reminded Commissioners of the joint meeting between the City Council and all of the Commissions scheduled for April 10th and reviewed a draft power point presentation highlighting the Commissions activities over the last year and asked for any additional Commission input. Commissioners noted a definition of P.S.A. (Public Service Area) might be beneficial on the Commission Member page. Commissioner Peterson noted it might be beneficial to note the Commission items that had been completed (outputs) and felt the joint initiative with the Housing Commission relating to community gardens should be highlighted. CARS Director Glasoe noted he would make the changes for review by Chair Sorenson. ADOPT-A-PARK 2013 CARS Director Glasoe asked that this item be deferred to the April agenda, as he had not had an opportunity to research the required information. By consensus the Commission asked the item be placed on next month’s agenda. 2013 NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS- Recreation/Parks Questions CARS Director Glasoe reminded the Commission the first “neighborhood meeting” for this year was scheduled for May 21st and noted there was time during each meeting where questions were asked of the citizens present. Mr. Glasoe asked if there were questions related to parks and or recreation services the Commission wanted to ask. Council Liaison Kris Lawrence Anderson noted the recent citizen survey contained some good information regarding park usage and recreation programs and noted the final version would be available shortly. CARS Director Glasoe indicated he would provide copies of the final survey results when they became available and added the results may help determine questions for the neighborhood meetings. After some additional discussion, “How often have you used this park in the last year?” was offered as a possible question. OTHER Commissioner Dalton reminded Commissioners of the 2013 Earthfest event scheduled for April 20th and asked if Commissioner Peterson was still able to attend. Commissioner Peterson indicated he planned to attend. Commissioner Dalton noted in the presentation materials for the April 10th joint meeting, the Scope and Purpose of the Commission both included references to conservation and conservation of environmental resources. She asked what those statements meant to the Commission. Commissioners noted the scope and purpose were developed along with the original charter creating the Commission. They also noted Chair Sorenson might have the historical perspective to best answer the question. After additional discussion, Commissioner Peterson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Dalton to have this discussion brought to a future meeting as an agenda item. SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for April 16, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. in Community Room #221 of the Brooklyn Center Community Center. MEETING ADJOURNED Commissioner Russell made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Dalton to adjourn the meeting at 7:57 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.