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1-27-2003s o alley Open Space & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Brookview Community Center January 27, 2003 — 7: 00 PM CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL IV. IV Present: Tom Zins, Jerry Sandler, Chuck Cahill, Jim Vaughan, Jim Johnson, Lance Ness and Roger McConico. City Staff: Rick Jacobson, Director of Parks & Recreation Sheila Van Sloun, Administrative Assistant Barb Bailey, Senior Citizen Coordinator Others Present: Brittany Meyer, Tobacco -Free Youth Recreation LeeAnn Mortensen, Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council Paul Pentel, Tobacco Free Youth Recreation Board Member and Resident of Golden Valley Absent: Liz Elder and Tom Kuelbs, Jr. AGENDA CHANGES OR ADDITIONS Additions to Other Business by Rick Jacobson: 1) Barb Bailey's Award Recognition APPROVAL OF MINUTES — November 25, 2002 MOTION: Moved by Jim Johnson, seconded by Jim Vaughan, to approve the minutes. Motion carried. TOBACCO FREE POLICY PRESENTATION — Brittany Meyer Brittany Meyer from Tobacco -Free Youth Recreation handed out pamphlets and flyers containing a wide variety on information on tobacco use. She then stated that there are currently 15-20 other cities in Minnesota considering tobacco -free facilities and/or parks. Brittany explained that the Tobacco -Free Youth Recreation program is designed to assist recreational groups in their efforts to model and promote healthy tobacco -free lifestyles for young people who are Ll TOBACCO FREE POLICY PRESENTATION — Brittany Meyer (cont.) involved in community-based recreational programs. In their effort to do so, the TFYR program has created signs available to Cities, free of charge, for posting in areas where youth recreation activities take place. Jerry Sandler wanted to know if the city chose to adopt an ordinance versus a policy, would the ordinance number need to be posted on the sign. Brittany said that in her opinion, it did not. She added that half the cities create a policy and half create an ordinance. She then said what's most important is reducing the use of tobacco as a whole, whether policy or ordinance. Jerry then stated that his intention is to have no tobacco use at youth activities only, not all City owned parks and open space areas. Roger McConico said that he is fine with having no tobacco at youth activities, but he does not think that we should consider restricting it to all park areas and activities. He strongly feels that it's not the City's job to keep kids away from tobacco, but rather the parent's job. Tom Zins asked Roger if he would be opposed to the City having a policy and Roger stated that he was against it for the fact that he doesn't feel that the City should be deciding where people can smoke in public, but that he was not totally opposed to a policy of no smoking during youth games. Paul Pentel said that having a policy and posting signs will greatly help discourage tobacco users from smoking in youth athletic areas. He also said that it makes a strong health statement. LeeAnn Mortensen added that if kids always see tobacco use, it gives them the sense that it's normal, OK and/or acceptable. Jim Vaughan asked the Commission's opinion on where the signs would be placed to make this effort effective. Jerry Sandler stated that the signs would be most effective if posted on the backstop at the parks where youth games are played. Jim Vaughan also wanted to know where we would draw the line on fields where both youth and adults would play. Jerry Sandler said that he thought the signs stating "no tobacco use during organized youth activities," would take care of the problem. Jim Johnson added that the Commission is just looking for a tobacco -free policy. Their intention is not to go after smokers. The following motion was moved by Lance Ness and seconded by Chuck Cahill. MOTION: In order to protect the health and welfare of our children, Golden Valley Parks and Recreation prohibits the use of all tobacco products during organized youth activities. In order to protect the health and welfare of our children, Golden Valley Parks and Recreation requests that there be no use of tobacco products in this youth activity area. This includes all playing spaces, spectator viewing areas and parent/supervisor resting areas. Motion carried (6 Ayes, 1 Abstention). VI. RECREATION REPORT — Barb Bailey Barb Bailey distributed the 2002 Senior Annual Report and the February Senior Newsletter. She then gave a brief summary on the programs, including; Advisory Committee, Social Clubs, Special Events, Special Interest Groups, Golden Valley Senior Chorus, Excursions and Classes. Barb mentioned there were twenty-five one -day trips and four overnight trips in 2002. She also stated there are over 2,000 members with the average age being mid to late 70's. Barb's staff includes one RECREATION REPORT — Barb Bailey (cont.) half-time Senior Program Assistant, two part-time Program Leaders and seven other part-time Instructors and Special Interest Group Leaders. She also has seven Staff Volunteers. Barb also discussed upcoming events along with the many excursions planned for 2003. VII. OLD BUSINESS 1) With Beach Study Update — Roger McConico informed the Commission that at the next meeting the Wirth Beach Study Committee would be presenting the final proposal, which would include a reconstructed bathhouse with many updates, a retaining wall separating the improved beach area and park lawn, reshaped and reconstructed parking lot with a water garden and new play equipment. 2) Brookview Area Street Reconstruction Update — Rick Jacobson explained that he and Barb Bailey had recently met with the Engineering Department and SEH to discuss the Brookview parking lot reconstruction. He stated they explained to Engineering and SEH why they felt the lot should remain as is. Rick then requested from them a proposal that would include 60 degree angled parking and logistical changes that would improve safety as much as possible. He added that the construction would take place after Labor Day. Rick then stated that the Brookview Park reconstruction would begin August 4th with improvements to Brookview Park, Brookview Parkway and Western Avenue. Improvements to be made at Brookview Park will include; shelters, lighting, trails, parking lots, ball field, ponds and the park entryway. Therefore, park shelter reservations will not be taken after August 3`d. Rick explained that the tennis courts would remain available. Vlll. OTHER BUSINESS 1) Barb Bailey's Award Recognition — Rick Jacobson announced that Barb Bailey was awarded the Clifton E. French Distinguished Service Award on January 16th. This award is the highest recognition in the state within the Park & Recreation field. XI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Moved by Jim Johnson, seconded by Roger McConico to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. 1