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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 10-21 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 OCTOBER 21, 2014 COMMUNITY ROOM #221, COMMUNITY CENTER CALL TO ORDER Chair Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. ROLL CALL Chair Sorenson and Commissioners Bonovsky, Dalton, Ebert. Russell, Shinnick and Witalka were present. Also present were City Council Liaison Lin Myszkowski and Community Activities, Recreation & Services Director Jim Glasoe. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Sorenson asked if there were any additions or changes to the proposed agenda. By consensus, the agenda was approved as presented. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 18, 2014 There was a motion by Commissioner Witalka, seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to approve the minutes of the September 18, 2014 meeting of the Park & Recreation Commission as presented. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Myszkowski reported that recent meetings had been largely Type IV rental license considerations and that she had no other updates on recent City Council meetings. Commissioners asked about pan handling in the city. Councilmember Myszkowski responded that solicitation by way of written signs on public property was legal, but that other types of solicitation should be reported to the Police. Commissioners asked about the posting of flyers on windshields. Councilmember Myszkowski responded that she was unsure and would check into the issue. Commissioners asked about a possible deer hunt in the City. Councilmember Myszkowski indicated there would be a study performed prior to any decision on a hunt. REVISIT PARKS TOBACCO FREE POLICY Chair Sorenson indicated his understanding was the City Council was looking for input regarding the use of e-cigarettes on park property. Councilmember Myszkowski responded that the City Council was looking for Commission input on strengthening the policy to a complete ban. Chair Sorenson noted that the Commission had spent considerable time on the issue over the past three years on this issue, noting the summary of meeting minutes pertaining to the issue that was included in the meeting packet. Commissioner Bonovsky referred to a study by Great River Greening on the effects of cigarette butts on wildlife. Chair Sorenson noted the City already had an ordinance in place regarding litter that was not being enforced. Commissioner Dalton asked if the citizens had been surveyed on this issue. CARS Director Glasoe responded that he did not recall the past citizen survey including any questions on the issue. Chair Sorenson polled the Commissioners on their thoughts regarding strengthening the policy. Commissioner Bonovsky indicated he would consider it, but that enforcement was the big issue. Commissioners Shinnick and Russell indicated they were okay with the policy that was in place. Commissioner Dalton indicated she would be in favor of a complete ban. Commissioner Witalka indicated he was not in favor of any ban at all. Commissioner Ebert indicated she was not in favor of a ban, but sees the value of not negatively influencing youth. After some additional discussion, Chair Sorenson asked about Commission reaction to including e-cigarettes in the current policy, noting his feeling was that vapor was not smoke and did not create 2nd hand smoke and was not a littler issue. Commissioner Bonovsky indicated he did not have a major problem with them, but noted he knew relatively little about them. Commissioners Shinnick and Russell noted they did not know enough about e-cigarettes to ban them. Commissioner Dalton noted the e-cigarettes were better than regular cigarettes, but that the effects on others are not known. Commissioners Witalka and Ebert were not in favor of adding e-cigarettes to the policy. Councilmember Myszkowski shared and provided background on a recommendation from the Brooklyns Youth Council endorsing a complete ban on tobacco use in parks. After some additional discussion, Commissioner Witalka made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell to keep the existing policy in place and not include e-cigarettes. Chair Sorenson and Commissioners Bonovsky, Ebert. Russell, Shinnick and Witalka voted in favor of the motion. Commissioner Dalton voted against. 2015-2029 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN- CARS Director Glasoe noted the proposed 2015-2029 parks Capital Improvements Plan had been presented at the September meeting and was on tonight’s agenda for Commission recommendation. Chair Sorenson reminded the Commission that a shelter building was planned for Northport Park in 2016 and asked the Commission for input After some discussion, Commissioner Shinnick made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Witalka to recommend the City Council approve the proposed parks portion of the plan with one change. The shelter building planned for Northport Park in 2016, be replaced in the plan with a larger picnic shelter and that that improvement be moved from 2016 to 2015. The motion passed unanimously. The Commission also discussed their desire to have a drinking water fountain available in the northwest portion of the park. MERMORIAL AMPHITHEATER UPDATE CARS Director Glasoe reported that bids for the amphitheater project had been opened on September 4th, with the lowest bid coming in at $599,000, despite the architect’s estimate of $410,000. Mr. Glasoe continued, the Amphitheatre Fundraising Task Force had met with the architect to discuss the reason for the high bids and to discuss options for reducing the construction costs. Mr. Glasoe added the Task Force had considered multiple options, including • Recommending donations be returned and the project shelved. • Recommending the City Council move forward with the original design and lowest responsible bid of $599,000. • Recommending the architect’s design with proposed reductions at a cost of $537,155. • Recommending a pre-engineered alternative design structure. • Recommending waiting for two or more years for the bidding market to improve. CARS Director Glasoe noted the Task Force ultimately recommended the City Council proceed with the project that would include the cost reductions identified by the lowest responsible bidder and asked for City Council assistance in funding the remaining deficit. Mr. Glasoe noted the City Council was considering the recommendation and had asked the City Manager and Finance Director to identify potential funding sources and had also encouraged the Task Force to continue to look for ways to reduce project costs. OTHER Chair Sorenson reported noticing some large cracks in some of the trails and asked about options for maintenance that did not include complete replacement. CARS Director Glasoe reminded the Commission that Streets and Parks Maintenance Supervisor Todd Berg was planning to attend the next meeting and would better be able to answer the question. SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission was set for November, 18, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. MEETING ADJOURNED A motion was made by Commissioner Shinnick, seconded by Commissioner Russell to adjourn the meeting at 8:06 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.