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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 02-17 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 FEBRUARY 17, 2015 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 Dalton, Shinnick and Witalka were present. Commissioners Bonovsky, Ebert and Russell were absent and excused. Also present were City Council Liaison April Graves 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 Dalton asked if CARS Director Glasoe had any additional information regarding recycling in the parks for 2015. CARS Director Glasoe responded that an item related to parks beautification and recycling was intended for an upcoming agenda. Commissioner Dalton asked that some discussion regarding signage for recycling be included in that discussion as well. By consensus, the agenda was approved as presented. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – January 20, 2015 There was a motion by Commissioner Shinnick, seconded by Commissioner Witalka to approve the minutes of the January 20, 2015 meeting of the Park & Recreation Commission as presented. The motion passed unanimously. AMPLIFIED SOUND PARKS Cars Director Glasoe shared a recent article from the Sun Post Newspaper reporting the City of Brooklyn Park had banned all amplified sound in their parks, while they study the issue. Mr. Glasoe reported staff had seen an increase in calls regarding Brooklyn Center shelter rentals as soon as the article was published. CARS Director Glasoe continued that there was nothing in the Park & Recreation Ordinance related to sound and/or amplified sound, but did share the noise ordinance information, which he felt was quite subjective. Mr. Glasoe noted there had been several complaints regarding noise in Brooklyn Center parks in 2014 and that staff had adopted a somewhat restrictive interpretation of the Ordinance. CARS Director Glasoe reported nonresident reservations are not allowed until the beginning of May, and in preparation, was looking for Commission input on the issue. Chair Sorenson asked if the permit process noted in the noise ordinance was being used. CARS Director Glasoe responded that no staff could remember a time when permits were actually issued. Chair Sorenson indicated he was not in favor of a full ban, noting that amplified sound and music was sometimes necessary and enhanced an event. Commissioner Dalton agreed there are times when music added to an event, but suggested looking into what other neighboring communities were doing and limiting it to certain parks that were not near residential areas. Councilmember Graves suggested limits on times and/or duration and agreed on limiting to selected sites. Commissioners Witalka and Shinnick agreed they did not want to see a total ban, but did support measures to control the sound. After additional discussion, the Commission consensus was to examine the practices of other cities and try to look for ways to limit the impact on residents. CARS Director Glasoe indicated he would have staff do some additional research on the issue and thanked the Commissioners for their input. MAY/JUNE PARKS TOUR CARS Director Glasoe indicated this item had been placed on the agenda to discuss the possibility of adding some scheduled parks tour in addition to attending the neighborhood meetings in May and June. Chair Sorenson asked about the locations for the neighborhood meetings. CARS Director Glasoe verified the May meeting was scheduled for West Palmer Park and the June meeting for Riverdale Park. After considerable discussion, the Commission consensus was to have the Commissioners visit the parks on their own, in addition to attending the neighborhood meetings. MERMORIAL AMPHITHEATER UPDATE CARS Director Glasoe reported that the bid opening for the Centennial Civic & Veterans Memorial Amphitheater project had been held on February 5th, and that the bids were much more favorable than in September. Mr. Glasoe noted he planned to have an item on the March 23rd City Council agenda awarding the contract for construction commencing in the spring. PARKS TOBACCO FREE CARS Director Glasoe reported that the Brooklyns Youth Council had been continuing to research the issues around no tobacco use in the parks and had some additional information/recommendations they would like to present to the Commission. Mr. Glasoe noted that, as the Park & Recreation Commission is the designated advisory commission to the City Council, information should be presented to the Commission first. CARS Director Glasoe added that, accordingly, an item will be placed on the March agenda for the Youth Council representatives to present their findings and recommendations. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Graves reported the Mayor and City Council had met with the City Manager and Department Heads earlier in the month for a strategic planning session and had developed priorities for the next two year period. Councilmember Graves reported the City Council had approved the CDBG funding for 2015 on a 3 to 2 vote, with discussion about expanding the number of groups funded and also noted the former Cars for Heart property on Brooklyn Boulevard was being demolished. SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission was set for March 17th, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. MEETING ADJOURNED A motion was made by Commissioner Shinnick, seconded by Commissioner Witalka to adjourn the meeting at 7:56 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.