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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 06-20 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 JUNE 20, 2017 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. Also present was City Council Liaison April Graves, Community Activities, Recreation & Services Director Jim Glasoe and guests Hunter Hartman, Brian Hartman, Christina Anderson, Emma Geariety, Dawn Sahr and Randy Sahr. 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 – April 18, 2017 There was a motion by Commissioner Witalka, seconded by Commissioner Ebert to approve the minutes of the April 18, 2017 meeting of the Park & Recreation Commission as presented. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Graves reported the City Council had received a draft of the city’s strategic initiatives plan and would be considering formal adoption next month. Councilmember Graves noted that the previous strategic priority regarding strengthening & empowering youth had been included in a new priority, “Safe and Secure Community”. Councilmember Graves reported the City Council had received the Fiscal 2016 Audit Report and noted it was a “clean” audit with no adverse findings. Councilmembers Graves noted the upcoming Earle Brown Days activities and encouraged everyone to attend. EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT- HUNTER HARTMAN, BEE NESTING HOUSES Eagle Scout candidate Hunter Hartman presented his request to build two “Bee Houses” in the Palmer Lake trailhead and East Palmer Park areas. Mr. Hartman provided information on the construction and identified possible locations. Commissioners asked questions regarding proximity to trails and the potential to coordinate with the “Bee Garden” that had been approved at the April meeting. CARS Director Glasoe responded that, if approved, he would have Mr. Hartman work with Streets and Parks Supervisor Todd Berg on the best locations. After some additional discussion, Commissioner Shinnick made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ebert to recommend approval the bee nesting houses project. The motion passed unanimously. MEMORIAL BENCH REQUEST-WEST PALMER PARK CARS Director Glasoe presented a written request to have a memorial bench placed in West Palmer Park in honor of a longtime Brooklyn Center resident. Mr. Glasoe noted the bench examples included in the packet were intended to show the group purchasing the bench was recognizing the need for low maintenance options. CARS Director Glasoe continued that if the Commission was in favor of the bench, he would have them speak to Streets & Parks Supervisor Todd Berg about the exact location and type of bench. After additional discussion, there was a motion by Commissioner Ebert, seconded by Commissioner Dalton to approve the placement of the bench pending staff approval of bench type and location. The motion passed unanimously. REPURPOSING TRAIL SECTION- EAST PALMER PARK CARS Director Glasoe shared an email from Streets & Parks Supervisor Todd Berg recommending a portion of trail in East Palmer Park be converted to a nature type trail, as a result of continual flooding. After additional discussion, there was a motion by Commissioner Bonovsky, seconded by Commissioner Ebert to approve the designation of a trail section in East Palmer Park from improved trail to nature trail. The motion passed unanimously. DOG PARK- FUTURE CONSIDERATION ITEM CARS Director Glasoe reported there had been some discussion for this issue at a previous meeting and was looking for some direction from the Commission regarding adding it as a future consideration item. Chair Sorenson asked if there was Commissioner interest in the subject. Commissioners Ebert and Dalton expressed some interest and Commissioner Witalka asked about related liability issues. After additional discussion, Chair Sorenson asked that a placeholder be added to the October agenda, but asked Commissioners to identify potential locations in the interim. Chair Sorenson noted that if a suitable site was identified by September, the Commission could discuss it at their October meeting. EARLE BROWN DAYS CARS Director Glasoe reported the annual Earle Browns Days activities started with the parade this Thursday night, the golf festival on Friday at Centerbrook and the Saturday activities at Centennial Park from 3:00-10:00 p.m. Mr. Glasoe encouraged everyone to attend. CENTENNIAL PARK NORTH-CONTINUED DISCUSSION REGARDING IMPROVEMENTS CARS Director Glasoe reported that the Department of Natural Resources request for an Outdoor Recreation Grant request for $100,000 had not been approved. Mr. Glasoe added that meant the Little League Master Plan would not move forward as planned. CARS Director Glasoe added the existing tennis court was being removed this summer and the basketball court at West Centennial was being replaced. There was some discussion regarding the non-suitability of the northern area for a dog park and conversation regarding disc golf. CENTENNIAL PARK PLAYGROUND - Update CARS Director Glasoe reported the new Centennial Park Playground had been completed and thanked the Luther Automotive Group, Recreation Program Supervisor Kelly Mertes and Streets and Parks Supervisor Todd Berg for all of their work on the project. Mr. Glasoe encouraged Commissioners to visit the playground following the meeting. SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission was set for September 19th, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. MEETING ADJOURNED A motion was made by Commissioner Shinnick, seconded by Commissioner Ebert to adjourn the meeting at 8:11 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.