HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-09-08 Park Board MinutesMINUTES
OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
EDINA PARK BOARD
HELD AT CITY HALL
SEPTEMBER 8, 2015
7 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Gieseke called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
11. ROLL CALL
Answering roll call were Members Segreto, Greene, Good, Jacobson, Gieseke, Strother, Jones, and
McCormick
Student Members present: Crist, Lohani
Absent: Members Nelson, Cella
Chair Gieseke introduced the new student members, Laura Crist and Aanik Lohani. Both student
members gave a brief introductory summary.
111. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
Member Greene made a motion, seconded by Member Jones, approving the meeting
agenda.
Ayes: Members Segreto, Greene, Good, Jacobson, Gieseke, Strother, Jones, and McCormick.
Motion approved.
IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA
Member Jones made a motion, seconded by Member Good, approving the consent agenda
as follows:
IV.A. Approval of Minutes — Regular Park Board Meeting of Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015
Ayes: Members Segreto, Greene, Good, Jacobson, Gieseke, Strother, Jones, and McCormick.
Motion approved.
V. COMMUNITY COMMENT
Laura Kondrick, 6115 Lincoln Drive, expressed concerns to the Park Board regarding buckthorn
invasion. She asked that a Park Board member contact her for further discussion.
Steve Sando, 5133 Juanita Avenue, asked the Park Board if a sketch has been done of the new bridge at
Arden Park. Ms. Kattreh replied that is an Engineering Department project and she will check on it. Mr.
Sando noted they will be having a beautiful bridge and the retaining wall on the north side is very crude
and pointed out that will need to be addressed.
VI. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS
VI.A. 2015 Park Board Work Plan Update
Ms. Kattreh provided an update on the 2015 Park Board Work Plan and provided a written copy of the
Work Plan for Park Board review.
The 2015 Initiatives reviewed were:
• Inclusive playground equipment — Rosland Park
• Strategic planning with a comprehensive needs assessment
Member Jones asked if it has been approved by the City Council and Ms. Kattreh stated it has not and
noted she would like to bring it back to the Park Board as information only. The content is basically the
same.
• Fred Richards Park Master Plan
Member Jacobson asked how this consultant will be different from the last consultant that was used
and asked what the difference is in scope. Ms. Kattreh stated the last project completed for Fred
Richards was a vision plan. This next step would take the design to the next level and create a specific
detailed plan using some of the vision plan concepts and added much more public input. Member
Segreto asked how much the funding request was for this next step and Ms. Kattreh replied $75,000
was requested. Member Segreto asked what was spent for the first concept plan to which Ms. Kattreh
responded approximately $25,000 - $30,000. Member Greene asked when the funds would be
earmarked and Ms. Kattreh replied it would be 2016 or 2017.
• Arneson Acres Park Master Plan
Member Greene asked Ms. Kattreh about the terms of the timeframe to which Ms. Kattreh replied she
would like to review this annually. This would be a very high priority for parks that need master plans
and staff is willing to fund a master plan from our operations budget.
0 Cost Recovery Goals for Enterprise Facilities
This item will be brought before the Park Board before the end of the year. The Park Board will have
significant input before it goes to the City Council. Member Greene asked which enterprise facilities
their currently plans are for and Ms. Kattreh responded the Edina Art Center, Aquatic Center,
Edinborough Park, Centennial Lakes Park, Braemar Golf Course, Braemar Arena and the Sports Dome.
• Braemar Master Plan
The concept has been approved for an 18 -hole renovation.
• Fundraising for the Parks & Recreation Department
Nothing has been completed on this item thus far.
• Urban Forest Task Force Report
Member Segreto asked if it is staffs intent to move the fundraising efforts into 2016. Ms. Kattreh
replied it certainly could if some members of the Park Board would be interested in taking it on. Chair
Gieseke stated that can be part of the 2016 Work Plan discussion.
Member Segreto referred to the Urban Forest Task Force Report and pointed out her time on the
Park Board is numbered as well as Member Jones and asked if anything is being done before they leave.
Member Jones asked if there is another group currently working on this and Ms. Kattreh stated she will
research and report back to the board. Chair Gieseke stated he would like to see something done in
2015. Member Segreto stated she would be happy to do some work on this but would need some
direction. Ms. Kattreh pointed out there currently is no other group working on this. She noted it
could be moved to 2016 until they are done and indicated she will obtain an update and inform the
board of what the exact status is.
Ongoing Responsibilities
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• Capital Improvement Plan
• Fees and Charges
• Election of Officers
• 2016 Park Board Work Plan
• Green Initiatives
• Donations and Policy Donations Brochure
Ongoing Initiatives:
• Edina Veteran's Memorial
• Sports Dome, Outdoor Rink, Pamela Park Renovation
Other Work Plan Ideas Considered for Current Year or Future Years:
• Cooperative Agreement with School District for use, upgrade and maintenance of Creek Valley
School Park athletic fields and Cornelia School Park athletic fields.
• Volunteer Collaboration with Community Education Services
VI.B. 2016 Park Board Work Plan
Chair Gieseke indicated at the Aug. I I Park Board retreat, the board began discussing items to be
included in the Park Board's 2016 Work Plan. The Park Board Chair and Vice Chair have worked with
staff to prepare a draft 2016 Work Plan based on those discussions. The board was asked to review
the draft and be prepared to make any changes to the draft plan. The board was also asked to come to
the meeting prepared to volunteer to work on and possibly take a leadership role in the completion of
these projects. The work plan is due on Sept. 29, so the Park Board will not have another opportunity
to discuss and review a revised version of the plan. The Park Board Chair and Vice Chair will present
the Park Board Work Plan to the City Council at a work session on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
The 2016 Park Board Work Plan draft includes the following initiatives:
Inclusive Playground Equipment — Rosland Park - Member Nelson
Fred Richards Park Master Plan - Members Greene, Jacobson and Good
Park Signage Replacement Plan & Begin Implementation — Members Nelson and Strother
Grandview Facility Planning — Members Jones, Jacobson and Good
Recreational Programming Analysis — Members Good, Jones and Lohani
Recreation Programming and Facilities Marketing and Communication Delivery Review — Members
Strother and possibly Member Nelson
Engage External Resources to Provide Environmental Programming — Members Segreto and Gieseke
Edina To Go Application Utilization for Parks and Recreation — Members Jones and Crist
The Ongoing Responsibilities:
Capital Improvement Plan Review, Fees and Charges Review, Election of Officers and Work Plans
Other Work Plan Ideas Considered for Current Year or Future Years:
Cooperative Agreement with School District for use, upgrade and maintenance of Creek Valley School
Park athletic fields and Cornelia School Park athletic fields
Fundraising — Friends of the Parks
Pollinator Garden — Park Property or Partnership with Edina Public Schools — Members Jones and
Segreto
Member Jones proposed a multi-year playground renovation plan. The plan would create a schedule
and a group would be needed to create the measurement factors. She is concerned about the ability to
maintain the parks because there are at least 12 playgrounds needing replacement that are at least 18
years old. She would like this as a work plan idea for a working group and added priorities need to be
aligned with the work plan. Member Strother stated she would like to help with that.
Chair Gieseke asked if there were any items that should not be included in the 2016 Work Plan.
Member Strother asked if Edina To Go wouldn't be part of the Recreation Programming and Facilities
Marketing and Communication Delivery because it seems like these two groups could be combined.
Ms. Kattreh replied those could be combined and suggested "report a problem in parks" be added to
the application.
Member Greene made a motion, seconded by Member Good, to approve the 2016 Work
Plan with the changes indicated.
Ayes: Members Segreto, Greene, Good, Jacobson, Gieseke, Strother, Jones, and McCormick.
Motion approved.
VI.C. Park Board Retreat Review
Member McCormick reviewed what took place at Aug. I I Park Board retreat. The notes from the
retreat were provided for board review. The board was asked to review the notes and be prepared to
discuss and recommend specific items for implementation.
VI.D. Bottled Water
Member Jones stated the Park Board is being asked to act on a motion to have the city no longer
provide water bottles at Park Board meetings and workshops. The Park Board is also being asked to
consider whether it should suggest to the Energy and Environment Commission to consider adding the
creation of a bottled water policy for Edina's municipal buildings and city sponsored functions to their
work plan. This could be a collaboration with the Park Board.
Member Jones noted one of the Park Board's six Guiding Principles is "Advance environmental
stewardship and conservation to preserve and protect natural resources and build excellence through
sustainability". She stated currently the City of Edina provides bottled water for the Park Board at the
four meetings that are televised each year and at some workshops. She indicated not providing water
bottles at Park Board meetings and workshops will not have a significant impact on the environment,
or the park budget, but it will reduce waste and cost. The approval of these motions should raise
awareness and inspire further environmental stewardship through potential further action. Park Board
approval of these motions will also enable Park Board members and staff to model economic and
environmentally sustainable behavior. She added that it will also show that Edina's tap water is perfectly
fine.
This proposal is not aimed at preventing people from bringing their own bottled water to meetings.
However, Park Board members are encouraged to bring their own refillable water bottles to meetings
if water is desired. If feasible, a pitcher of water and glasses could be made available.
Member Jones made a motion, seconded by Member Greene, that the City of Edina no
longer provides the Park Board with bottled water at their meetings.
Further discussion prior to vote — Member Segreto challenged other boards and commissions within
the city to do the same because it is the right thing to do. She supports not using these bottles any
longer. Ms. Kattreh stated she would like to provide reusable water bottles to the Park Board. Chair
Gieseke stated that would be suitable.
Ayes: Members Segreto, Greene, Good, Jacobson, Gieseke, Strother, Jones, and McCormick.
Motion approved.
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Member Jones made a motion, seconded by Member Segreto, to suggest to the Energy
and Environment Commission that they consider collaborating with the Park Board on a
water bottle policy for the entire city.
Further discussion prior to vote — Member Good asked for clarification on the motion. Member Jones
stated she is not certain to the route to take this. Chair Gieseke asked if the City Council should be
told about this. Ms. Kattreh stated the Park Board could take this as an initiative. Chair Gieseke asked
if the board were overstepping their boundaries by suggesting this to which Ms. Kattreh replied she will
work with the staff liaison.
Ayes: Members Segreto, Greene, Good, Jacobson, Gieseke, Strother, Jones, and McCormick.
Motion approved.
VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS
VII.A. Council Updates
Ms. Kattreh provided City Council updates from the Aug. 18, 2015 and Sept. I, 2015 City Council
meetings.
VII.B. Other Correspondence
None.
Vlll. CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Member Good indicated he is somewhat confused about how the Park Board and the Parks
Maintenance Department converge and wondered if there were a way to outline what is happening and
get a better understanding of what each group is doing. Ms. Kattreh stated she can provide a Parks
Maintenance update occasionally including projects planned or input desired from the Park Board.
Member Segreto asked if that could be put on the website to which Ms. Kattreh replied she is hesitant
to put too much on the website because of staff time needed to keep information up-to-date.
Member Good indicated that he watched the City Council meeting when they discussed the West
Shore Drive land swap and he was a little disappointed to hear the council say that the Park Board and
Planning Commission couldn't come up with any recommendation. He asked as a Park Board when they
are reviewing those things are they giving proper advice to the council or are they not being clear
enough with their feedback. Chair Gieseke replied he agrees and thinks they make a significant effort to
give the best advice they possibly can and try to make it solidified and without conflict on some items.
He pointed out on this issue there was very little agreement amongst the Park Board, Planning
Commission, City Council and staff, it was all over the board. He noted that it came down to they are
going to leave it as a variance and go in front of the Planning Commission again.
Member Good stated maybe they could have said something like we don't have a resolution but we
would strongly recommend you don't do the land swap. Chair Gieseke responded that is not their field
of expertise so he didn't want to voice it too loud and start picking things because they are not the
Planning Commission and that is where it belongs. Member Good agreed and noted that he thinks the
thing for them to do in the future is ask what they have to offer and make sure they offer that strongly
in their voice.
IX. STAFF COMMENTS
Ms. Kattreh went through her staff comments and updates.
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The Braemar project is 60% complete right now. Member Jones stated she noticed the Braemar Park
project is not part of the Park Board's work plan. Ms. Kattreh stated the Braemar Park Master Plan may
be moved to 2017.
The City of Edina and City of St. Louis Park received some revisions to the purchase agreement with
regard to Weber Woods. The City Attorney has some concerns with the revision. The response will go
back to the City of Minneapolis after all reviews have taken place.
Ms. Faus gave an update on the Promenade Phase IV and noted it is 98% complete. She indicated the
grand opening has been scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015 starting at 5 p.m.
Ms. Faus informed the Park Board that the Pamela Park project is 98% complete. There are a couple
items still on the punch list. She noted the grand opening is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015
starting at 5 p.m.
Ms. Faus informed the Park Board the new recreation software is fully operational and the first round of
online registrations has been completed.
x ADJOURNMENT
Chair Gieseke made a motion, seconded by Member Good, to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Segreto, Greene, Good, Jacobson, Gieseke, Strother, Jones and McCormick.
Meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
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