HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 11-17 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
NOVEMBER 17, 2015
COHEN ROOM, 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, Shinnick and Witalka were
present. Commissioner Russell was absent and excused. Also present was City Council Liaison
April Graves and Community Activities, Recreation & Services Director Jim Glasoe.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Sorenson asked that an item regarding Eagle Scout Project and one regarding Holly Sunday
be added to the agenda. Chair Sorenson also asked that the item regarding Community Center
remodeling Tour be taken off the agenda, but that Commissioners that wanted to stay after the
meeting for the tour could do so.
Chair Sorenson also asked if there were other additions or changes to the proposed agenda.
Commissioner Shinnick made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell to approve the
agenda as amended.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 20, 2015
Chair Sorenson asked if there were any additions or corrections to the October meeting minutes.
Commission Dalton indicated that she was the one who mentioned a dog run during the
conversation regarding the Centennial Park tennis courts.
There was a motion by Commissioner Witalka, seconded by Commissioner Dalton to approve
the minutes of the October 20, 2015 meeting of the Park & Recreation Commission as amended.
The motion to approve the minutes was approved unanimously.
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT
Councilmember Graves reported the City Council had completed their budget review process for
the 2016 budgets. Councilmember Graves noted this was her first time going thought he process
and felt things had gone well.
Councilmember Graves reported the City Council has passed a Resolution thanking the Civic &
Veterans Memorial Amphitheater fundraising task force, and that Mayor Willson had also
thanked former Mayor Cohen for his work on this project.
BC LITTLE LEAGUE- UPDATE
CARS Director Glasoe provided an update on the Brooklyn Center Little League, noting that two
separate leagues had joined into one league for the 2015 season. Mr. Glasoe added that Mayor
Willson, City Manager Curt Boganey and city staff had met with Little League board members to
discuss how the city could assist the new league. Based upon that meeting, CARS Director
Glasoe indicated two grant requests had been submitted on behalf of Brooklyn Center Little
League for 2016.
The first grant is to the Minnesota Twins Community Fund for up to $20,000 to hire a consultant
to produce a master plan for a single site complex for Brooklyn Center Little League. The master
plan would be used as a guide for upcoming improvements. The plan would establish the desired
field locations for the new complex, will include detailed cost estimates and phasing plans, will
identify wetland impacts and will define its desired relationship to other facilities (playground,
trails/walkways, parking, fields, etc.)
The second grant is to the Minnesota Youth Sports Equipment Grant for $10,000 for
maintenance equipment to be used in 2016. The requested equipment would include a new
mower, utility vehicle, infield groomer, blower and string trimmer.
Mr. Glasoe noted that, based upon the success of these requests, additional (larger) grant requests
would be made in late 2016, early 2017 construction.
2016 PARKS RECYCLING
CARS Director Glasoe reported the new recycling containers that were purchased with the
Hennepin County grant proceeds had been placed according to the aerial photographs included in
the packet. Mr. Glasoe noted that an additional grant had been submitted and approved for
recycling containers for the Community Center and Amphitheater and showed examples of the
new containers.
Commissioner Dalton indicated she was pleased by the progress being made regarding the parks
recycling containers, but noted a goal should be to have recycling containers in all parks. After
additional discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Dalton and seconded by
Commissioner Ebert to develop a master plan for parks recycling, with intent to have recycling
containers located near trash receptacles in all of the parks. The motion passed unanimously.
CENTENNIAL PARK PLAYGROUND-FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
CARS Director Glasoe reported that an area business had approached the City regarding the
possibility of making a sizable donation to the City to construct a new playground at Centennial
Park. Mr. Glasoe noted the business was anxious to have the project move forward and had
targeted May of 2016 for project. Mr. Glasoe added that Three Rivers Park District was
interested in increasing their presence in the first ring suburbs and was looking for a pilot project
adjacent to the regional trail. Mr. Glasoe noted there might be a possibility of the two
organizations working on the Centennial playground project.
CARS Director Glasoe indicated that with this type of timeframe, it would necessitate a
contracted planning process and asked if any Commissioners would be interested in volunteering
to be part of the planning. Mr. Glasoe noted that he would be bringing regular updates to the full
commission, but was looking for commissioners to attend some additional planning meetings.
After additional discussion Commissioners Dalton and Ebert volunteered to be part of the
playground planning process and Commissioners Bonovsky and Dalton would assist with the
Three Rivers Park District discussions.
AMPHITHEATER DRAFT USE GUIDELINES
CARS Director Glasoe presented draft use guidelines for the amphitheater that included the
changes identified at the October meeting. Commissioner Dalton noted there was a typo in the
section regarding trash and recyclables. CARS Director Glasoe noted he would make the
change/correction. By consensus the guidelines were approved.
After additional discussion CARS Director Glasoe indicated any additional changes should be
forwarded to him, as the intent was to put the guidelines into place starting the first of the year.
OTHER
Chair Sorenson reported that he had received a request from a resident, Julian Wilks, requesting
to building and place bat boxes in and around Palmer Lake as a part of an Eagle Scout project.
CARS Director Glasoe indicated he had spoken with Public Works staff and they were fine with
the bat boxes, as long as they are not placed adjacent to the trails and also requested a map of the
placements when the project is completed.
Mr. Glasoe noted that, as for the filming, the city had no issues, as long as people are not filmed.
If they are, they will need to get signed releases.
CARS Director Glasoe also noted he shared with Julian the option of marking trail distances as a
potential Eagle Scout project, if the bat boxes project did not pan out.
After additional discussion, Commissioner Bonovsky volunteered to assist Mr. Wilks if needed.
SET NEXT MEETING DATE
The next meeting was set for Tuesday, January 19th, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
MEETING ADJOURNED
A motion was made by Commissioner Shinnick, seconded by Commissioner Russell, to adjourn
the meeting at 7:52 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.