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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 10-20 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 OCTOBER 20, 2020 WEBEX VIRTUAL MEETING CALL TO ORDER Chair Sorenson called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. ROLL CALL Chair Sorenson and Commissioners Bonovsky, Dalton, and Ebert were present. Also, present was Councilmember graves and Interim Community Activities, Recreation & Services Director Reggie Edwards, Public Works Director Doran Cote, staff Joe Ericksen, Jacob Anderson, Janelle Crossfield, and Carissa Goebel APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion Chair Sorenson suggested the Commission review again the issue of the parks are the city’s best secret. Also, question if we were doing Holly Sunday Celebration? APPROVAL OF MINUTES – August 18, 2020 There was a motion by Commissioner Ebert, seconded by Commissioner Bonovsky to approve the minutes of the August 18, 2020 meeting of the Park & Recreation Commission as presented. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Graves reported on the October 16 weekly Council report, 200 pumpkins given away by BCPD, Halloween Drive Through Boo and Great Pumpkin give away events were conducted by staff for residents, Community Center had 175 participants of which 62 were BC residents, the Sauna opened, BC had 1,244 COVID cases and 20 deaths, EBHC were hosting up to 47 students in learning pods, which was a program that the City, BC Community School District and Minneapolis YWCA were partners. Absentee voting continues to increase with over 100 voters per day. NEW BUSINESS A. 2020 Budget and Budget Goals – Interim Director Edwards presented highlights of the department’s budget including mission statement, values, new department organizational chart with a new division of “Health and Social Well-Being”. Under the new division, programs would be developed for public health, beautification and public art, BC food collective, and community events. There were three major focuses of the budget including: 1) Increase resident participation at the Community Center, 2) Development of the new division “Health and Social Well-Being”, and evaluation/assessment for all the programs across the department that would indicate not only participation, but impact. B. COVID-19 Impact on City Services (Parks and Recreation) – Interim Director Edwards indicated that the City continues to operate under the Governor’s Emergency Declaration Order, staff continues to be limited and currently the City is not permitting park rentals. Public Works Director Cote indicated that staff has been limited due to COVID. Staff has been cut in half; thereby, there has been limited services in the park such as some tree trimming and grass mowing. Winter is approaching and we hope to get back to some normalcy next year. C. Brooklyn Center Beyond COVID Innovation Projects “Wi-Fi in the Parks” – Interim Director Edwards indicated the City had been seeking to work with residents and businesses to survive, rebuild and thrive in the COVID era. Residents and businesses have been experiencing challenges due to COVID that were unprecedented. The City looked at several innovation projects including “Wi-Fi in the Parks”. The Commission did not recommend moving the innovation forward to the Council. The Council, also did not move the issue forward. The City will not be placing “Wi-Fi in the Park” as a COVID Innovation Project. We will be working with Comcast to purchase codes to provide access to some residents in need for 12 months. D. Division Updates – Recreation Supervisor Carissa Goebel reported on the Recreation Program Division including: hybrid dance classes for youth, Rec-on-the-Go delivering food (4 meals per day) and activities to residents at four park locations, and hosting family activities such as the Great Pumpkin Hunt. Recreation Supervisor Jacob Anderson reported on the Community Center Services Division indicated that the Community Center participants count had increased to over 200 per week. The sauna has also been opened, which both the sauna and lap swims are the more popular activities. Staff has conducted Zumba in the parks back in September and October that went over well. Councilmember Graves expressed concerns with the pool not being accessible to reservations and the first-come-first serve process who may reserve multiple time slots. Commissioner Ebert stated that we should be careful with how people reserve time and not monopolize the time slots. Recreation Supervisor Janelle Crossfield reported on the Health and Social Well-Being Division indicated that the community tiny house for the Health-on-the-Go project is scheduled to arrive soon. The program will provide mobile health services during the COVID era such as testing, information dissemination, mental health services, and flu shots. Also, the pods for the food collective have arrived and staff are working with residents to identify what products to grow and test out the process. The Beautification and Master Plan is almost complete and staff will be working on developing the governance structure. Recreation Supervisor Joel Erickson reported on the Facilities and Environment Services Division – Softball had a shorten season (July-Sept.), volleyball was canceled due to COVID and we are unsure about winter volleyball, school gym accessibility has been an issue. We have been contacted by USAAA softball regarding the Dudley, which looks like it will happen in 2021 over Father’s Day weekend. Staff has worked to increase employee and public safety when entering city facilities with touchless, faucets, toilets, and doors and enhance ionized air quality systems. The Commission was asked their thoughts about opening up the hockey rinks. Commissioner Ebert stated keeping the warming houses closed for safety purposes, while having open skating would be a good idea. Chair Sorenson agreed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Member Term Expirations and Vacancy – Interim Director Edwards indicated the Council has not taken up the issue. Chair Sorenson stated that the appointments should happen every year and it has not been done. Commissioner Ebert was not sure what would or was happening with her application. Commissioner Bonovsky also indicated that he had submitted his application, but had not heard back on the status. B. Playground Replacement Update – Staff will present on the process at the next meeting. C. Commissioner Witalka Memorial Plaque – Staff will update the Commission at the next meeting. D. Mound Cemetery/Freeway Park Update – Will be discussed at the next meeting. No substantial change. E. Dog Park Update – Will be discussed at the next meeting. No substantial change. F. Little League Field Status - Will be discussed at the next meeting. No substantial change. SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission was set for November 9, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. MEETING ADJOURNED A motion was made by Chair Sorenson, seconded by Commissioner Ebert to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.