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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021 05-18 PRAAGENDA Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission Tuesday, May 18th, 2021 6:30 - 8pm - Zoom 1. Call to Order 6:30 p.m. 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes- March, 2021 S. City Council Liaison Report 6. Unfinished Business • Commission Memorials or Service Recognition • Communications Method with Council? • Playground Schedule • Bellvue Park Garden Proposal • Dog Park Update • Freeway Park Update Current 7. New Business • Adopt -A -Park Status • BC Parks Our Best Kept Secret • Bike Skills Course • Firehouse Basketball Court • Parks Tour 8. Set Next Meeting Date and Agenda June 1 Sth, 2021 9. Adjournment 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 MARCH 16, 2021 WEB -EX MEETING CALL TO ORDER Chair Sorenson called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. ROLL CALL Chair Sorenson and Commissioners Ebert, Lungelow and Branch were present. Commissioner Bonovsky was unable to attend. Councilmember Graves was also present. Also present were Acting Recreation Director Joe Ericksen, Public Works Director Doran Cote, Recreation Program Supervisors Janelle Crossfield and Jacob Andersen. All commissioners introduced themselves as 2 commissioners are new. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There were no additions and the agenda was approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — February, 2021 There was a motion by Commissioner Ebert, seconded by all by roll call by the Park & Recreation Commission chair Sorenson. The motion passed. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Graves shared that she has been a part of the Commission since 2015 and was the first woman of color elected to the council. She also shared that her full time job is with the city of Minneapolis Health Department and office of violence prevention. She is also a Yoga instructor. Councilmember Graves reported that Sauderhouse open house is scheduled for March 24. At the next council meeting, a presentation on the cities strategies and efforts on beautification and cleanliness and the plan for the year ahead. The city has discontinued the Emerald Ash -Bore tree removal season. A work session will be held in July regarding the cities direction on the program. Health on the Go will be at Firehouse Park on Friday and Saturday, March 19 & 20. More Grace church held a food drive at the community center where approximately 400 cars come through for free food. ADOPT A PARK STATUS Chair Sorenson reported that there have been complaints on facebook pages about the cleanliness of our parks. Acting Director Ericksen indicated the program is run through our Public Works Department. Public Works Director Cote indicated that seasonal workers were not employed last year due to the pandemic. Spring clean-up day is set for April 24. It is based out of the community center, but in general is city wide. Chair Sorenson indicated that the Adopt -a -park groups should be reminded of clean-up. SPRING/SUMMER RECREATION BROCHURE Commission members were presented the Spring/Summer Recreation brochure for review. No questions were raised. Acting Director Ericksen reported that registration begins on March 23. BASKETBALL COURTS AND PARK INFORMATION There was a discussion on the lack of basketball courts in the city. Our community center soes not have a court. There was some discussion on the trouble that has arose around the basketball courts. It was also brought up that may of the courts now only have one hoop. The lack of information on parks, locations and amenities was mentioned. The public needs to know about our parks and what they offer. The city will have a new web page with this information and the new web page should be available towards the end of April. COMMUNICATION WITH COUNCIL There was a discussion on how the minutes are shared with the council. Councilmember Graves shard that due to the length of council meetings, this may be skipped. She also shared that the commission could share with her any issues to bring up to the council. PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT There was a lengthy discussion on playground replacement. Director Cote reported that St. Croix Recreation won all 4 park bids and the popular votes and looking for a recommendation to present to city council that St. Croix Recreation be awarded the contract. There was support from commissioner Branch to replace the Bellvue equipment, and also a resident that was on the meeting. There was discussion on a skate park and Commissioner Ebert mentioned it was tabled due to insurance concerns. Deputy city Manager Edwards added to the discussion that an assessment was done on all neighborhoods and all factors are taken into account in the process. We were hampered by Covid limiting in person dialogue with residents. Director Cote indicated that old equipment will be looked at to see if it could be donated, but the existing equipment is beyond the years of useful life. It was brought up for more swings and merry-go- rounds. The need to serve a wide range of ages was also indicated. Commissioner Branch motioned to approve a recommendation for council. Commissioner Lungelow seconded. There were 2 opposed for the motion, so the motion failed. BELLVUE GARDEN UPDATE Resident Mariah Cannon was in the meeting and indicated she has created a short survey, but not much feedback. There was concern of the placement of the garden for sunlight. Mariah would like to see it closer to the fire hydrant in the park, but there are concerns with groups using this area, as well as the cleanliness of the park with this addition. Acting Director Ericksen indicated that another meeting with Mariah Cannon on placement could happen. Garden item moved to unfinished business. The possibility of next season was raised. There was support from the commission. MEMORIALS FOR COMMISSIONER WITALKA AND SHINNICK There was conversation on memorials for past commission members, such as a plaque on a park bench. Commissioner Ebert motioned to move forward. There was no second. Motion failed with no second. DOG PARK UPDATE No Updates reported FREEWAY PARK UPDATE Director Cote reported that an agreement has been reached with the Mound Cemetery Assoc. to donate 1 acre of park space located on the SE corner of cemetery. A M.O.0 has been approved by city council and the association. It was presented to the planning commission and council and was approved. Plan is still going on. MEETING ADJOURNED A motion was made by Commissioner Ebert, seconded by Commissioner Lungelow to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.