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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 06-18 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 JUNE 18, 2013 COMMUNITY CENTER ROOM #221 CALL TO ORDER Chair Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Sorenson, Commissioners Dalton, Ebert, Peterson, Shinnick and Witalka were present. Commissioner Russell was absent and excused. Also present were residents Travis Bonovsky and Paul Fusco, City Council Liaison Kris Lawrence-Anderson and Community Activities, Recreation and Services Director Jim Glasoe. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Sorenson asked that two items be added to the agenda under New Business, Firehouse Park and Willow Lane Park. Chair Sorenson also noted guests representing Friends of Palmer Lake were in attendance and asked that they be added to the agenda after the Council Liaison Report. By consensus the agenda was approved as amended. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 21, 2013 Commissioner Peterson noted some verbiage related to Random Acts of Kindness should have been included under the Earthfest item. After some additional discussion, there was a motion by Commissioner Shinnick, seconded by Commissioner Witalka to approve the minutes of the May 21 , 2013, meeting of the Park & Recreation Commission as amended. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson reported the City Council had heard a report on the proposed Complete Streets Policy, noted the on-going improvements to the 57th Avenue /Bass Lake Road Bridge at Highway 100 and shared information on the continued improvements to the Lakepointe Apartments and reported the proposed building at the former Howe Fertilizer site had been increased in size. Council Liaison also reported the City Council was supportive of loaning the Memorial Amphitheater up to $100,000, so that construction could begin next spring. She noted the expectation was the money would be repaid as fundraising efforts continued. Chair Sorenson noted the current “showmobile” was quite expensive when originally purchased and as the city would not need to replace it if the amphitheater was built, this information could be used to support the loan. FRIENDS OF PALMER LAKE PARK Travis Bonovsky and Paul Fusco introduced themselves and shared information about their organization, noting it began in 1995 as a bluebird nest monitoring program. They noted there were currently three main focus areas for their work: Monitor Wildlife, Park Clean-up and Plant/tree species identification. The Park & Recreation Commissioners thanked them for their efforts and asked to be kept up to date on the groups progress. COMPLETE STREETS POLICY Assistant City Engineer Steve Jankowski presented an overview of the proposed Complete Streets Policy including the impetus behind the policy, community benefits, policy elements, construction design options and required resources. Following the presentation Mr. Jankowski asked the Commissioners for questions and/or comments on the proposed policy. Chair Sorenson noted that additional staff would likely be needed to support the design elements. Commissioner Peterson recommended we contact other communities that have already implemented the policy to learn about their experiences, particularly any unintended consequences of the policy. Commissioner Witalka encouraged some element of citizen input be included in the policy. Commissioner Dalton noted her complete support of the policy. After some additional discussion, Commissioner Shinnick made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Dalton supporting the adoption of the policy, with the Commission input noted. The motion was passed unanimously. FIREHOUSE PARK Chair Sorenson noted he had heard of some recent issues at the parks and asked if CARS Director Glasoe had any information. Mr. Glasoe responded that the city had be notified on Monday the 17th that picnic tables, garbage containers and recycling containers had been tipped over in the park. CARS Director Glasoe continued that subsequent follow up by staff had found the tipped over trash cans and recycling containers were the result of people tipping over the trash cans looking aluminum cans and then not returning them to their original position. After some additional discussion, the commission reaffirmed their 2012 recommendation to place a camera on the East Fire Station to monitor park activity. The Commission asked that Council Liaison Lawrence-Anderson convey to the information the Council. WILLOW LANE PARK Chair Sorenson reported he had recently visited Willow Lane Park and talked with some of the soccer players regarding the soccer field. Chair Sorenson noted the consensus of the players would be to reorient the field to an east/west direction, despite the fact this would reduce the length of the field. Chair Sorenson also noted there was a berm from the general skating rink that was interfering with play. Commissioner Peterson asked if a motion was needed requesting that staff cut down the berm. CARS Director Glasoe responded that he would prefer to just take up the issue with the Parks Maintenance Supervisor. RECYCLING IN THE PARKS Commissioner Dalton reported recycling containers were in place at Centennial, Evergreen and Firehouse Parks. Commissioner Dalton indicated she was working with Dan Ruiz from the Hennepin Recycling group and representatives from Hennepin County to get additional stickers for the carts to further explain what items should be placed in bins. Commissioner Dalton noted the Sun Post was interested in doing a news article on the pilot program. ZERO WASTE- EARLE BROWN DAYS Commissioner Dalton reported that, during a portion of the Earle Brown Days events on Saturday, there would be an effort to move towards reducing waste during the event. She noted she would need volunteers to man stations monitoring trash disposal and weighing the waste. She asked that any interested Commissioner contact her. SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for September 17, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. MEETING ADJOURNED Commissioner Shinnick made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Witalka to adjourn the meeting at 8:31 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.