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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 09-20 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 SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 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, Shinnick and Witalka were present. Commissioner Thorbus was absent and excused. Also present was 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 – June 16, 2016 There was a motion by Commissioner Witalka, seconded by Commissioner Bonovsky to approve the minutes of the June 16, 2016 meeting of the Park & Recreation Commission as presented. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Graves was not in attendance, as she was out of town and unavailable. 2017-2031 PARKS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN CARS Director Glasoe reviewed the proposed 2017-2031 Parks Capital Improvements Plan. Mr. Glasoe described the proposed projects, their timing, the specific additions/changes that had been for 2017 and asked for questions from Commissioners. CARS Director Glasoe reported he would be looking for a specific recommendation on the CIP parks plan at the October meeting. CENTENNIAL PARK PLAYGROUND REPLACMENT CARS Director Glasoe reported that in late 2014, a representative of Luther Automotive approached city staff regarding the idea of helping with a designated capital improvement project. The representative indicated that the Luther Automotive Group was considering a new corporate initiative to replace their long supported “Drive to Serve” food campaign, and that the project should include a financial contribution, as well as an opportunity for staff to volunteer. Mr. Glasoe continued that, through a series of discussions, an enhanced playground in Centennial Park was identified as the most critical need. This project was chosen as it would support the amphitheater that was being constructed and the new youth soccer fields that were being brought on-line that summer. CARS Director Glasoe reported staff had met with several playground vendors to solicit proposals for the playground and that staff had brought these proposals to the public for their input at this summer’s National Night Out Kickoff Party, the year-end Youth Soccer Program Party and to one of the “Movies in the Park” events. Mr. Glasoe noted that, based upon the feedback gathered at those meetings, staff brought the identified community preferences back to the playground vendors and asked that they adjust their playground layouts to reflect resident preferences for slides, climbing apparatus, swings and additional play elements. Mr. Glasoe continued that representatives from Luther had reviewed the two revised proposals that were received and had preferred the Burke/St. Croix Recreation Proposal. After some discussion, Commissioner Shinnick made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ebert recommending the City Council approve the installation of the new playground in Centennial Park. The motion passed unanimously. The Commission also asked that play equipment for older children (11-12) be considered. THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT- DESIGNATED TRAIL PARKING, PLAY POD EASEMENT CARS Director Glasoe reported that, over the past couple of months, staff had been working with the Three Rivers Park District on a couple of initiatives aimed at strengthening their presence in Brooklyn Center and supporting the Regional Trail. Mr. Glasoe noted the first initiative was a trailhead designation agreement that would designate six (6) parking spots in the west half of the City Hall parking lot as “Regional Trail Parking” and would also allow for the installation of a “Trailhead Amenities” sign adjacent to the trail. Mr. Glasoe added that in exchange for this designation, the Park District was prepared to reimburse the City $75,000. CARS Director Glasoe reported the second initiative, was the proposed installation of a “play node” adjacent to the Shingle Creek Trail in the area of Centennial Park. Mr. Glasoe noted the Park District had provided four options for the play nodes and that staff had brought the proposals to the public for their input at this summer’s National Night Out Kickoff Party, the year-end Youth Soccer Program Party and to one of the “Movies in the Park” events. CARS Director Glasoe added the Park District was looking for the input of the Commission regarding the preferred play node, but noted the Park District Board would make the final determination. After discussion, Commissioner Ebert made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Bonovsky recommending the City Council approve the Trailhead Designation project, noting that the majority of people who might use the parking spaces were likely Brooklyn Center residents. The motion passed unanimously. After additional discussion, Commissioner Ebert made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to recommend the City Council approve the installation of play nodes adjacent to the Regional Trail in the area of Centennial Park and indicating their preference for the musical instruments option. The motion passed unanimously. LITTLE LEAGUE MASTER PLAN- UPDATE CARS Director Glasoe reviewed the progress on the Little League Master Planning process reviewing the concepts that had been considered and the current master plan layout. Mr. Glasoe noted that staff and the consultant were working on the final cost estimates, but that the improvements would likely be in the $1.5 million dollar range. As a result, Mr. Glasoe noted he had requested the consultant provide a phasing plan for the work. The Commission reviewed the current plan and, by consensus approved the direction the planning process was taking. However, Chair Sorenson cautioned about the price tag and encouraged staff and Little League representatives to look for ways to scale back the costs. Mr. Glasoe noted the timeline called for the master plan to be completed in the next few weeks so that grant applications for construction could be made in early November. NEW MELLENIUM CHARTER SCHOOL-HAPPY HOLLOW USE CARS Director Glasoe reported the Physical Education teacher for the New Millennium Charter School had called and asked that they be allowed to use Happy Hollow Park until their gymnasium was completed. Mr. Glasoe reported that he had approved the use, as the City has several examples of cooperative use of parks that are next to schools. AMPHITHEATER USE CARS Director Glasoe reported staff had been contacted about the potential use of the Amphitheater and/or Community Center space at no/low cost for a fundraiser. Mr. Glasoe shared the long time policy of not providing city facilities for fundraising activities, noting that the Earle Brown Heritage Center was available for these types of activities. SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission was set for October 18th, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. MEETING ADJOURNED A motion was made by Commissioner Shinnick, seconded by Commissioner Ebert to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.