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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-01-13 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, January 13, 1981 7:30 p.m. Edina City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Virginia Shaw, Chairperson; George Warner, Joan Lonsbury, Bill Lord, Mack Thayer, Les Wanninger STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, Rosie Hafner, Bob McGuire, Susan Weigle I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 9, 1980 MEETING Mr. Thayer MADE A MOTION•to approve the Minutes as submitted. Mrs. Lonsbury SECONDED. CARRIED. II. SENIOR CITIZEN REPORT Mr. Kojetin explained that Mr. Carlson could not make the meeting because of illness but Sue Weigle was present to give her report. Ms. Weigle handed out attendance figures showing a substantial increase in attendance at the Senior Center over the past two years. She also handed out a copy of the monthly newletter showing all the activities for the month. She briefly went over some of the trips the seniors have taken in the past explaining that in the month of January she doesn't schedule.trips because of the weather. She mentioned that there are 700 members presently in the Senior Club. Other organizations associated with the Senior Center are the American Association of Retired Citizens and the Metropolitan Senior Federation. Ms. Weigle then went over some of the highlights from last year. Some of these highlights were the the summer program with Edina Special Children and the trip to the Congdon Masion. Ms. Weigle pointed out that they may try an overnight trip sometime this year. Mrs. Shaw inquired as to whether the seniors ever go to art shows or plays. Ms. We indicated that there hasn't been enough interest in this type of activity but they may try using the mini -bus for this type of trip in the future. Mrs. Shaw inquired as to whether Ms. Weigle was having trouble getting drivers for the bus. Ms. Weigle answered affirmatively and informed the Board that she will be taking this reponsibility from Ceil Smith. Mrs. Shaw wondered if there were any particular problems about which they were concerned. Ms. Weigle explained that the only big problem the seniors are complaining about is availability of transportation to their medical appointments. She informed the Board that she is tryinq to work out something where the bus can be used on two Fridays a month to bring the seniors to their medical appointments; there will be a fee charged for this service. Ms. Weigle also pointed out that the seniors living in the building feel resentful that they are unable to use the bus (it is only used to transport seniors to the center and home) Mr. Warner asked how the seniors are informed of the various activities at the center. Ms. Weigle informed him that the newsletter is the main source of this information and is sent out to about 700 people. Ms. Weigle informed the Board that the senior volunteer program is working very well. These are the people that run most of the programs. They also do work for various associations around Edina, e.g., the Heart Association, Project Concern and Human Services. This work consists mostly of preparing mailings (stuffing envelopes) for these associations. Ruby McLaughlin coordinates all these tasks for the seniors and does an excellent job. Ms. Weigle stated that the Heart Association mentioned the Edina Senior Center in their publication as the outstanding volunteer group and pointed out that they had saved the Heart Association a minimum of $430,000.00 last year with the work they did. Another M -2- outstanding senior volunteer that Ms. Weigle mentioned was Ella Terry who is in charge of the seniors singing group. Mrs. Shaw inquired as to how many people a day ride the bus to the center. Ms. Weigle estimated that there are about 12-15 people per day, but pointed out that this figure does vary from day to day. Mr. Lord inquired as to how many people are at the senior center each day. Ms. Weigle explained that this too depends on what activities are going on, but there are usually around 100 people, Congregate Dining (seniors can come to the center and receive lunch for $1,00) usually serves about 75 people per day. Ms. Weigle also advocated the use of interns at the center. This is the program where a recreation major from one of the colleges comes to the center and helps her out for a period of time for college credit. It provides good experience for the student and helps her with her work. She has difficulty at times obtaining interns, because Edina doesn't pay them for this work while other communities do. Ms. Weigle pointed out that she could use.more equipment and more room at the center. For example, they could use a stage for their programs and it would be nice to be able to offer some programs for men, e,g,, woodworking, but there isn't enough room for storage of any of this equipment, Mrs. Lonsbury inquired as to what would happen if they moved out of the existing building, Would most of the people still come to the activities? Ms. Weigle stated that many of them now participating in the programs who live in the building would never leave the building to attend the programs at another site, but added that other people in the community would probably come if the site were moved, Mrs, Shaw asked Ms. Weigle's feelings regarding moving the center to the Wooddale School location. Ms. Weigle responded that there are too many physical barriors at the school for older, less agile seniors, Similar problems exist at Edina East.. Cornelia School would be a more suitable site for the senior center, Mr. Kojetin pointed out that we are here to provide recreation and leisure for seniors not to act as an agency for human services programs, He stated that the senior board should be the people taking care of these problems, He also mentioned that there has been talk of having the senior board appointed by the Mayor. Ms. Weigle then briefly went over some of the other programs offered at the Center, e.g., a nurse comes to the center on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday afternoons from the Metropolitan Medical Center downtown and checks blood pressures and such; another program is an exercise program. This program isn't very strenuous but consists basically of stretching and toning execises. There is also, occasionally, a health clinic at the center. Ms, Weigle mentioned the recognition tea.to be held at the center on Friday, January 30. III. FORESTRY REPORT Mr. McGuire presented a brief introduction about the forestry program in Edina over the past ten years that he has been City Forester. He mentioned the causes and controls of Dutch Elm disease over the past few years and noted the decrease in cases that have occured. Mrs. Shaw inquired as to the new bacterium mentioned in Mr. McGuire's report that is reported to cure Dutch Elm Disease, -3 - Mr. McGuire informed her that this isn't expected to be on the market for two years. Our main method of controlling the disease now is the use of Arbotec which prevents but does not cure the disease and is very expensive. Mr. McGuire went on futher to explain that when we first started using Arbotec the EPA would not allow us to use enough in a tree for it to be effective. They have now, however, changed their policy and this treatment has improved. It takes three to five years for this method to work if done correctly. Last year the cost for this treatment was $5.00 per diameter foot (a 20" tree would cost $100.00). Mrs. Lonsbury inquired as to if a tree would be lost if this treatment were not used. Mr. McGuire reported affirmatively stating that the use of Arbotec has saved quite a few trees in the Country Club area. Mr. McGuire pointed out that due to the location of some of the trees they are impossible to reach except in the winter. Our ability to remove them in the winter is very much dependent on the weather. This year the weather has been good and we have been able to get to most of them. Aside from Dutch Elm Disease, other problems that have affected trees are, storm damage (last year was a particularly bad year for this), heartrot, and Oak Wilt. Mr. McGuire pointed out that the citizens of Edina, because they are following our directions, are doing a good job in controlling the spread of Oak Wilt. Mr. McGuire also mentioned that the most effective way to eliminate most of these problems is to keep the trees in good condition. Other areas taken care of by the forestry department are: tree trimming (in the Spring and Summer) and spraying for canker worms in the Spring. Mr. McGuire also answers any questions residents may have on trees, bushes or grasses. Mr. Kojetin informed the Board that Interlachen Country Club had donated several trees to the park department this year. We have planted most of them in our parks.. There were 125 in total planted. Mr. McGuire then explained the basic guidelines used in choosing a tree for donation: 1) can we get the machinery to it in order to remove it, 2) is it a desirable species, 3) has to be a maximum of 5" in diameter (this is the largest tree the machinery can handle). Mrs. Lonsbury pointed out that Mr. Ray O'Connell wished to donate a Black Walnut tree to be planted at Braemar Park. Mr. McGuire stated that it is not advisable to put a tree that produces large nuts in an area that is highly maintained by mowers. This tree could, however, possibly be put someplace else. IV. RECREATION REPORT (SKATING RINKS) Mr. Kojetin reported that it has, up until this time been a bad year for flooding the rinks, but now the weather has improved and with no snow the flooding is going very well. He also pointed out that we must, once again, take a look at the use of the various rinks and perhaps look into closing some more next year. We cannot afford to maintain all of the outdoor facilities we now have. There is a tremendous man -power cost involved in flooding a rink. In order for these rinks to be worthwhile for the city to maintain, people must be using them. Mrs. Shaw inquired as to whether we had recieved many complaints on the rinks we closed this year. Mr. Kojetin reported that we hadn't received many. Mr. Wanninger suggested trying to convince the Hockey Association to schedule more of their games outside. Mr. Kojetin pointed out that in addition to the hockey rinks at the parks we must also take care of the general rinks. Mr. Kojetin reported that there are seven adult bandy teams that have formed in the city. Mr. Lord suggested that perhaps someone should look into the possibility of having the younger hockey players (Mi tes•or Squirts) play bandy instead of hockey. This will enable them to improve their skating skills and then go on to hockey. Mr. Kojetin informed the Board that the bids for the Art Center addition were rejected because the HUD labor specifications had not been included. The bids will be re -opened on January 29 and hopefully be awarded on February 2. Community Development Funds will hopefully supply funding for the restroom facilities at the Art Center. Mr. Kojetin reported that Howard Nichols is still enthusiastic about the project. Mrs. Shaw mentioned that Mary McDonald had resigned from the Park Board. Mr. Wanninger MADE A MOTION to draft a Resolution of Appreciation for Mrs. McDonald. Mr. Lord SECONDED, CARRIED. The Resolution was passed around and signed by the members. Mr. Warner MADE A MOTION to adjourn. Mr. Lord SECONDED. CARRIED. Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.