HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-02 Council Work Session MINUTES
WORK SESSION
EDINA CITY COUNCIL AND EDINA PARK BOARD
HELD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2007
AT EDINA CITY HALL
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M. in the Community Room of Edina
City Hall. Answering rollcall were: Members Bennett, Housh, Masica, Swenson and Mayor
Hovland. Edina Park Board members attending were: Karla Sitek, Ray O'Connell, Mike
Dammen, George Klus, Howard Merriam, Linda Presthus, Randy Meyer and Chair Andy
Finsness. Edina City Staff present: Gordon Hughes, City Manager; Heather Worthington,
Assistant City Manager; John Keprios, Park & Recreation Director; Jennifer Bennerotte,
Communications & Marketing Director; and Debra Mangen, City Clerk.
Mayor Hovland noted the purpose of the meeting was to allow the Park Board to discuss
issues of mutual concern with the City Council. Andy Finsness, Park Board Chair, expressed
the Board's concern relative to the Council's decision to install temporary hockey boards in
Todd Park following Park Board's recommendation to install permanent boards. Mr.
Finsness said the Park Board wished there had been an opportunity to meet and discuss the
Board's recommendation before the Council made its final determination. A lively
discussion of the issues took place that included: communication between Board and City
Council, responsibility for holding public hearings, the advisory nature of boards and
commissions, and desire for the opportunity to discuss recommendations from advisory
boards before decisions become final.
Park Director Keprios asked for direction when the next controversial issue comes before the
Park Board. He stated that Park Board Member George Klus has been working on a private
fund-raising venture in conjunction with the Edina Community Foundation, which, if
successful would result in the installation of an artificial turf field at Pamela Park. It was
suggested that in such a situation, neighborhood information meetings be held before a Park
Board formal hearing so stakeholders could view proposed changes and offer input
informally, then the Park Board may hold a public hearing and gather input more formally,
before making their recommendation. The Council will discuss the issue further at its
October 16, 2007, meeting.
Mayor Hovland thanked all for attending and adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Debra Mang n, Ciq Clerk