Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 02-18 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 FEBRUARY 18, 2014 COMMUNITY ROOM #221, COMMUNITY CENTER CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Sorenson, Commissioners Bonovsky, Dalton, Russell, Shinnick and Witalka were present. Commissioner Ebert was absent and excused. Also present was City Council Liaison Lin Myszkowski and Community Activities, Recreation and Services Director Jim Glasoe. APPROVAL OF AGENDA By consensus, the agenda was approved as presented. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – January 21, 2014 There was a motion by Commissioner Witalka, seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2014 meeting of the Park & Recreation Commission as presented. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Myszkowski reported the City Council had spent considerable time studying E- Cigarettes and the issues surrounding the sale and use of the devices. Councilmember Myszkowski noted the City Council had adopted an Ordinance change prohibiting sampling in tobacco shops and had passed a resolution establishing a moratorium on the establishment of additional tobacco products shops. Councilmember Myszkowski noted the City Council was looking at adopting a comprehensive ordinance amendment to address the E-Cigarette issues. Councilmember Myszkowski reported the City Council had received a study report from ESG Architects regarding a mixed use development concept, providing for opportunities for move up housing and retail/service/office uses in the City owned portion of the former “Opportunity Site”. Councilmember Myszkowski noted the report showed there is a demand for move up housing in Brooklyn Center. Chair Sorenson asked how the study differed from the original “Opportunity Site” study. Councilmember Myszkowski responded the study area was limited to the area currently owned by the city and was primarily focused on housing. Chair Sorenson asked how the Park & Recreation Commission might be involved. Councilmember Myszkowski responded the new study included some “green” space. COMMUNITY GARDENS- UPDATE CARS Director Glasoe provided the Commission with an update on the success of the 2013 Community Garden program, including all of the promotional materials and program guidelines. Mr. Glasoe noted that all 18 of the plots had been reserved within the first month of registration, that all had been planted, but that two were abandoned at some point during the year. Mr. Glasoe added that the gardens had been cleared and plowed under in November. CARS Director Glasoe provided an overview of the 2014 program and noted only two plots had been reserved as of tonight’s meeting. Mr. Glasoe noted prices had been increased to better cover the direct cost of providing the program and added that further marketing would be forthcoming, as is needed. SOCCER FIELD USAGE- COORDINATED PLAN CARS Director Glasoe distributed a listing of all the soccer fields currently maintained in Brooklyn Center parks. Mr. Glasoe noted the difficulty of maintaining turf conditions given the heavy use during a relatively short season. Mr. Glasoe reported that spring and fall were the optimal times for over seeding the fields. Chair Sorenson suggested staff might consider a plan that would inform users of when fields would be closed and also the location of other fields they could use during those times. CARS Director Glasoe responded that staff would start to develop such a plan and report back at a later meeting. BROOKLYN CENTER PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE PLAN CARS Director Glasoe reported the Brooklyn Center Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan had been presented to the City Council in a recent study session. Mr. Glasoe noted the intent would be to have the item, along with the Park and Recreation Commissions recommendation, on a future City Council agenda for formal acceptance. MEMORIAL AMPHITHEATER-UPDATE CARS Director Glasoe reported that city staff had reached out to some of their contacts in the construction trades to attempt to get verification on the probable cost for construction and were told that, while the estimate might be somewhat high, the actual figure is closer to the higher figure than the original estimate. Mr. Glasoe noted that, in a meeting with the architects, they asked for them to quantify the actual cost of the tight construction site and the poor soils. CARS Director Glasoe distributed a memorandum showing the actual cost of the tight site at $10,000 and the anticipated cost of the poor soils at $147,000. Mr. Glasoe noted that, with this information, they had requested the amphitheater committee examine other building sites. WILLOW LANE SKATING RINK LIGHTS CARS Director Glasoe reported that, with the extremely cold weather, 2014 had not been a good year for skating. Mr. Glasoe noted he had spoken with Streets and Parks Supervisor Todd Berg following last month’s meeting to discuss the lack of skaters and the lights being on. Mr. Glasoe noted that Mr. Berg subsequently requested input from staff reading the level of skating and they noted regular use of the ice. In addition, Streets and Parks Supervisor Berg indicated he had visited the rink on three different occasions and had seen kids skating on two of the visits. CARS Director Glasoe reminded Commissioners that the skating season was ending and that he would have participation numbers to report at the April meeting. SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for March18, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. in Community Room #221 of the Brooklyn Center Community Center. MEETING ADJOURNED Commissioner Witalka made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.