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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 03-17 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 17, 2015 COMMUNITY ROOM #221, COMMUNITY CENTER CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Shinnick called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. ROLL CALL Vice Chair Shinnick and Commissioners Bonovsky, Dalton and Witalka were present. Chair Sorenson and Commissioner Russell were absent and excused. Also present were Noor Aljabari, Alec Reginato, Jessica Peterson, Marthalyn Nehwah and Craig Kizer, Kelsey Schuster, Ranya Aljabari, City Council Liaison April Graves and Community Activities, Recreation & Services Director Jim Glasoe. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice Chair Shinnick asked if there were any additions or changes to the proposed agenda. Commissioner Witalka made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Dalton to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 17, 2015 There was a motion by Commissioner Witalka, seconded by Commissioner Bonovsky to approve the minutes of the February 17, 2015 meeting of the Park & Recreation Commission as presented. The motion passed unanimously. PARKS TOBACCO FREE Noor Aljabari, Alec Reginato, Jessica Peterson, Marthalyn Nehwah and Craig Kizer from the Brooklyn Youth Council presented a power point presentation regarding their research and recommendation for a total ban on the use of tobacco products in the parks. Topics covered included; the meaning/value of parks, area cities with tobacco free parks policies, free signage and the negative influence of smoking on youth. The youth also reiterated their recommendation, which was to ban all tobacco and tobacco delivering devices on all city park properties. Commissioner Witalka asked if the youth were aware of the current policy regarding tobacco use in the parks, noting it was prohibited in areas where youth were present. The youth responded they were aware of the policy, but felt a complete ban on tobacco product use should be extended to the entire park system to promote healthy, active parks, to eliminate the negative influence on youth. Commissioner Witalka indicated he felt plastic bags were a bigger issue than cigarette butts. Youth Council representatives responded that a University of Minnesota study indicated city leaders and citizens with no smoking policy’s felt the parks were cleaner than those without. After some additional conversation, the Commission thanked the Youth Council Representatives for their presentation and input. CARS Director Glasoe indicated the City Council was looking for a final recommendation on this issue and that, accordingly, he would place it on the April agenda for discussion and a final recommendation. COUNCIL/COMMISSION MEETING- April 8, 2015 Vice-chair Shinnick announced the upcoming joint meeting between the City Council and the various Commissions. He noted the meeting was scheduled for April 8th, at 6:00 p.m. in Constitution Hall. CARS Director Glasoe distributed a draft power point presentation detailing the composition and activities of the Commission during the past year and asked that Commissioners review the information and forward any additions, deletions or corrections prior to the joint meeting. Commissioner Witalka noted that a work activity item related to conversion of East Palmer ball field to soccer field should be added. CARS Director Glasoe responded that he would make the change and encouraged Commissioners to notify him if they identified any additional changes. Vice-chair Shinnick encouraged all Commissioners to attend the April 8th meeting. AMPLIFIED SOUND PARKS Cars Director Glasoe reported that staff continues to study the amplified sound in parks issue and noted the ongoing controversy surrounding the subject in Brooklyn Park. Mr. Glasoe added he would put they item back on a future agenda, as additional information was available. MERMORIAL AMPHITHEATER UPDATE CARS Director Glasoe reported the construction contracts for the project had been executed and that they were looking to set a date for a ground breaking ceremony. Mr. Glasoe noted the Commission would be invited. CARS Director Glasoe noted the contract allows for a 75 day construction period. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Graves reported the City’s new citizen learning opportunity, Brooklyn Center University, had begun and that 9 residents were enrolled. She noted the first session included a mock city council meeting item related to the Opportunity Site development. Councilmember Graves reported she had recently attended a Multi-Culture Advisory Committee meeting, with a discussion topic around traffic stops and racial profiling. Councilmember Graves also reported she had, at the request of residents, attended a meeting in Brooklyn Park regarding amplified sound. She noted the attendees were happy to hear Brooklyn Center had not chosen to ban amplified sound in the parks. Councilmember Graves reported the City was expecting a letter of intent for a senior housing facility on the former site of the Cars for Heart operation and had discussed possibilities for Highway #252 improvements and had identified a preferred option. OTHER Commissioner Bonovsky distributed pictures of some garbage and debris in the middle of Palmer Lake. Commissioner Bonovsky reported he had contacted Streets and Parks Maintenance Supervisor Todd Berg and had shared the pictures. He noted Mr. Berg was attempting to identify what resources the city might have to assist in retrieving the items. Commissioner Bonovsky also handed out information about the Palmer Lake clean up that was scheduled for April 18th. SET NEXT MEETING DATE Vice Chair Shinnick reminded Commissioners about the joint Council /Commission meeting that was scheduled for April 8th. By consensus, the next meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission was set for April 21, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. MEETING ADJOURNED A motion was made by Commissioner Witalka, seconded by Commissioner Dalton to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.