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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 11-18 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 NOVEMBER 18, 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 Streets and Parks Supervisor Todd Berg 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. Commissioner Bonovsky indicated he would like to change his mind on the “No Smoking in the parks” issue. Chair Sorenson reminded Commissioner Bonovsky that the minutes are a reflection of what actually occurred at the previous meeting and that if he wanted to voice the changing of his opinion on the topic, that an item could be added to the agenda. Chair Sorenson asked that the item be added to the agenda under other. There was a motion by Commissioner Shinnick; seconded by Commissioner Witalka to approve the agenda was approved as amended. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 21, 2014 There was a motion by Commissioner Witalka, seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to approve the minutes of the October 21, 2014 meeting of the Park & Recreation Commission as presented. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT CARS Director Glasoe reported that Councilmember Myszkowski would not be attending tonight’s meeting, as she was attending an informational meeting relating to the 63rd Avenue street reconstruction project. Mr. Glasoe noted that Councilmember Myszkowski had provided the following update for the commission: 1. As a result of the Commission’s recommendation regarding the Northport picnic shelter, the $200,000 saved by building a picnic shelter instead of a building will be used to help construct the proposed amphitheater. 2. The Council has requested a work session with the Parks and Rec Commission and the Brooklyns Youth Council on the proposed tobacco and tobacco related product ban in the parks. No date has been set. TODD BERG- STREETS AND PARKS MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR Streets and Parks Supervisor Todd Berg introduced himself and provided some background on his work history and his being a life-long Brooklyn Center resident. CARS Director Glasoe reported that a recent discussion item at Commission meetings had been related to turf restoration and maintenance practices. Streets and Parks Supervisor Berg provided information on recent efforts related to turf restoration at Lions, Willow Lane and Marlin Parks. Mr. Berg reported there had also been a conscious effort to not use city parks as staging areas for street projects, but noted the plans and specifications regarding the expectations of contractors for restoration of the staging locations. CARS Director Glasoe reported there had been questions from the Commission on crack sealing of trails. Streets and Parks Supervisor Berg provided information to the Commission on maintenance practices, noting the city had just purchased a pavement management software program that would be used to evaluate and plan maintenance for streets and trails. Mr. Berg also reviewed a number of trail improvements that were scheduled in 2015 and 2016, noting the Willow Lane Park trail and another 10,000 feet of additional trail would be crack sealed next spring. Streets and Parks Supervisor Berg provided an overview of the 2014 parks recycling efforts, noting that additional recycling containers had been added to many park locations, with additions also planned for 2015. Mr. Berg noted the Public Works garage had historically kept a 3 yard dumpster on site which was emptied once per week. Mr. Berg noted the dumpster is now 6 yards and is emptied twice each week during the non-snow season. Mr. Berg added the city had just been informed they would be receiving a grant from Hennepin County which would fund additional recycling receptacles. CARS Director Glasoe noted ice skating rinks was another area the Commission had requested be discussed and referenced a request that had been forwarded by Mayor Willson from the Riverwood Neighborhood Association regarding their request for a rink at Riverdale Park. CARS Director Glasoe informed the Commission that the flooding and maintaining of ice rinks was done by full-time staff, so the added cost to provide the rinks is really limited to the water and equipment. Streets and Parks Supervisor Berg reported that it was his intention to flood the same number of rinks as in past years, unless there was input from the Commission. Chair Sorenson asked about the general skating rink at Willow Lane Park and noted the berm for the rink interfered with the soccer field during the soccer season. Streets and Parks Supervisor Berg responded with the early onset of snow and cold, any revisions to the rink would have to wait until spring. After some additional discussion regarding skating rinks, Commissioner Ebert made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Witalka to recommend an ice rink be flooded at Riverdale Park as requested by the Riverwood Neighborhood Association. The motion passed unanimously. BROOKLYN BRIDGE ALLIANCE- MOBILE RECREATION GRANT- CARS Director Glasoe provided an overview of the grant application that had been submitted by the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth for two mobile recreation vehicles, one each for the cities of Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park. Mr. Glasoe reported the Brooklyns Youth Council had conducted a large survey of youth over the summer and the results showed that a large number of youth were not involved in any out of school time programs. Mr. Glasoe noted the top reasons identified were, youth not knowing what was available and access issues related to transportation and cost. Mr. Glasoe continued the mobile recreation vehicles would bring programs and services to areas of the community that had barriers to accessing current programs. Mr. Glasoe added if a grant was funded, there would be a substantial planning process on how to integrate the vehicles into our programs and services. Commissioner Ebert noted the grant request was for a substantial amount of money and added that the youth’s motivation to take part in activities would still be an issue. Commissioner Ebert noted a program in Fargo North Dakota provided bus passes to youth as a way to reduce the transportation barrier. CARS Director Glasoe responded that motivation is always a barrier to participation, but by mitigating the transportation and cost barriers, more youth would attend. Mr. Glasoe reported the grant applications were under consideration and that a decision would be made in December. He indicated he would report back on the status of the grant at the January meeting. Commissioner Dalton left the meeting at 8:00 p.m. MERMORIAL AMPHITHEATER UPDATE CARS Director Glasoe reported that the Amphitheater Fundraising Task Force would be meeting with the architect tomorrow, the 19th to discuss options for reducing the cost of the proposed structure. Mr. Glasoe noted the intent was to revise the plans and specifications and re-bid the project in January of 2015. OTHER Commissioner Bonovsky reported after having additional time to consider the issue, he would be supportive of a complete ban on the use of tobacco and e-cigarettes in the parks. Chair Sorenson noted a work session was being scheduled with the City Council and the Youth Council to further discuss the issue and the Commissioners would be able to share their individual opinions at that time. SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission was set for January 20, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. MEETING ADJOURNED A motion was made by Commissioner Shinnick, seconded by Commissioner Witalka to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.