HomeMy WebLinkAboutgr00090_000039_pg046Public Hearing
-2- February 2, 1976
Mayor Johnson called the public hearing back to order at
9:25 p.m.
Mayor Johnson read the minutes of the January 27, 1976, Mounds
View Bicentennial Commission which indicated that their primary
suggestions for community development projects were park develop-
ment, improvement and furnishing of a community room in city hall,
establishment of an ecology center, community swimming pool,
and a recycling center.
Councilman Baumgartner stated juvenile problems relate to the
lack of recreational facilities. Tim Smith, our juvenile
officer, was in tonight explaining the problems associated with
emphasizing the prevention of delinquency rather than the capture
of delinquents. The proposed Northwest Suburban Youth Service
Bureau is a step toward working with predelinquents. Officer
Smith indicated that Mounds View seems to have more juvenile
problems than neighboring cities. Dennis Rau, Student Services
Coordinator for the Mounds View School District, even agreed
with Smith and attributed much of the problem to the itinerant
population associated with the city's numerous substandard
multiple dwellings. The city could also help the delinquency
problem by providing better park and recreational facilities.
At present, Councilman Baumgartner stated, the city provides
excellent recreation programs but the effectiveness of these
are hampered by the lack of adequate facilities in our parks.
Mayor Johnson stated that during the hearings this year and
last on community development needs, the need for better park
buildings and facilities has been mentioned more than any other
need.
Councilman Baumgartner stated that the Park & Recreation Commission
has prepared a Parks & Open Space Five Year Capitol Improvements
Program. The Program establishes priorities for park improvements
in the 1976 -1980 period. The number one priority items are
already included in our 1976 budget except the acquisition of
additional land for Silver View Community Park. The Commission .
plans to seek LAWCON funding for this. Therefore the 1977
priorities, which consist entirely of park development needs,
would be the appropriate items to seek HCDA block grant funds for.
Mayor Johnson agreed and asked the Administrator whether these
needs would be likely to be eligible for funding under the block
grant program.
Administrator indicated that the city's current block grant is
for code enforcement to foster rehabilitation of the city's
multiple dwelling stock and that these needs are directly
related to the social problems arising from the substandard multiple
housing. By providing better park facilities the recreational
opportunities for apartment dwellers will be increased and would
be beneficial to combating juvenile delinquency.