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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-08-08 Park Board PacketCity of Edina EDINA PARK BOARD Tuesday, August 8, 1995 7:30 p.m. Manager's Conference Room A G E N D A * 1. Approval of July 11, 1995, Park Board meeting minutes. * 2. Discount Golf Car Rate/Braemar Golf Course - John Valliere. 40 3. Soft Spike Golf Shoes - John Valliere. 4. Park Improvement Plan Update. 5. Other. * 6. Adjournment. * These are agenda items that require or request Park Board action. City Hall (612) 927-8861 4801 WEST 50TH STREET FAX (612) 927-7645 EDINA, MINNESOTA 55424-1394 TDD (612) 927-5461 CITY OF EDINA PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM DATE: August 2, 1995 TO: All Park Board Membe*�) FROM: John Keprios, Direct SUBJECT: Staff report for upcoming Park Board meeting Enclosed you should find the following items: 1. August 8, 1995, Park Board Agenda. 2. Minutes from July 11, 1995, Park Board meeting. 3. Inter -office memo from John Nylund regarding soft spikes. STAFF REPORT The following is the monthly staff report concerning each item on the agenda with the exception of approval of the minutes and other. "Other" is listed on the agenda in case last minute items come up between now and the Park Board meeting, plus, cover any other concerns of Park Board members and/or attendees. DISCOUNT GOLF CAR RATE/BRAEMAR GOLF COURSE As requested at the July 11 Park Board meeting, staff has reviewed the issue and has a recommendation concerning discounted golf car rates for those who have disabilities. The current (1995) fees for golf car rentals are the same for patrons and non -patrons: COURSE RATE Braemar 18 holes $20 Braemar 9 holes $12 Braemar Executive $10 Normandale Executive $10 There are times when golfers who have disabilities do not have anyone to share the golf car rental expense. Therefore, it is staff's recommendation that for all golfers who have disabilities that make them reliant on the use of a golf car (cannot play golf without the use of a golf car) and do not have anyone to share the golf car rental expense, will be given a 500-. discount on the golf car rental rate. For those golf car dependent single -rider golfers, the recommended and advertised rental fees would be: COURSE RATE Braemar 18 holes $10 Braemar 9 holes $6 Braemar Executive $5 Normandale Executive $5 Staff also recommends that this policy mandates that no more than two golf cars are allowed per four -some and there may not be more than one single -rider golf car per four -some. It is staff's recommendation that these rates be made effective immediately. Edina Park Board action is requested on this issue. -2 - SOFT SPIKE GOLF SHOES Park Board member, Jim Fee, has asked that the soft spike issue at the golf courses be a Park Board agenda item for discussion. As you will notice in the memo written by John Nylund, Braemar Superintendent, Braemar Golf Course is encouraging golfers to voluntarily use soft spike golf shoes as opposed to steel golf spikes. It is staff's recommendation that we eventually have a mandatory soft spike policy, however, have the policy not go into effect until 1997. PARK IMPROVEMENT PLAN The Edina City Council has a meeting on Monday, August 7, 1995. The Park Improvement Plan may or may not be discussed at this meeting. I will give the Edina Park Board a verbal update on August 8 as to any City Council directives regarding the Park Improvement Plan. C] • N T E R MEMO O F F I C E To: Men's & Women's Golf League Members From: John Nylund, Braemar Superintendent Subject: Soft Spikes Date: July 25, 1995 I am positive most of you have heard of the soft spikes for golf shoes. They are a rubber replacement for the steel golf spike. As you have heard, several private golf clubs have made it mandatory to have soft spikes on all golfer's shoes before they can play the course. Obviously this is not possible at this time at Braemar. What I am asking is for the leagues at Braemar to be the trend setters to encourage and install others to switch to soft spikes. I feel the time will come when steel spikes will not be available. By having all the leagues switch, we could get a great start on eliminating cleat and scuff marks on our greens. They are also easier on your feet when walking cart paths. All reports I have received from other courses, show they improve puttability and decrease wear around the cup all day. With the traffic we have at Braemar it can only help alleviate wear. It also helps relieve compaction on the greens and eliminates wear entering and leaving the green. Give it some thought and discuss with your league. Hopefully, everyone will enjoy spike free putting. They are available at Braemar golf shop, are very inexpensive and easy to install on everyone's shoes. Thank you very much and I hope we will soon have 100% compliance. CITY OF EDINA PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM DATE: August 28, 1995 TO: Edina Park Board,. FROM: John Keprios L SUBJECT: Park Improve me t Bond process and strategy. BACKGROUND: Since the creation of the Edina Park Board in 1930 (65 years ago), there have been only two general obligation bond issue special elections for acquisition and/or development of Edina's park lands. Of those two elections there were a total of five issues on the ballot as shown below: February 5, 1957 (two issues on the ballot) 1) A general obligation bond for $650,000 for the purpose of acquisition of parks and playground, including necessary land, easements, structures and equipment, for the municipal park system was passed by a vote of 2,535 yes and 1,402 no (a difference of 1, 133) . 2) A general obligation bond for $200,000 for the acquisition of a municipal pool passed by a vote of 2,164 yes and 1,759 no (a difference of 405). September 4, 1975 (three issues on the ballot) 1) A general obligation bond for $2,000,000 for the purpose of improving, developing and equipping parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities of the city was defeated by a vote of 2,334 yes and 2,439 no (a difference of 105). 2) A general obligation bond for $450,000 for the purpose of acquiring open space land within the City to be preserved substantially in its natural state for recreational use passed by a vote of 2,568 yes and 2,200 no (a difference of 368). 3) A general obligation bond for $500,000 for the purpose of acquiring lands within the City to be developed for local or neighborhood park or playground purposes passed by a vote of 2,405 yes and 2,360 no (a difference of 45). Of the five (5) park related general obligation bond issues, only one did not pass, which was defeated by only 105 votes, a margin of less than 20. It has been over twenty (20) years since the last park related general obligation bond issue. On Monday, August 7, 1995, the Edina City Council voted to hold a special election in the spring of 1996 for two park related general obligation bond issues: 1) $4,900,000 for general park improvements. 2) $2,500,000 for the addition of a third indoor ice rink. At the August 7, 1995, Edina City Council meeting, City Council members asked for the Edina Park Board to review the bond issues and make further recommendations to the City Council. -2 - To assist the Edina Park Board in this process, I have met with Mr. Ken Rosland, City Manager, Mr. Gordon Hughes, Assistant City Manager, and three Park and Recreation Directors who have had experience with park related general obligation bond issues. In addition, I have also researched my own files from conferences and classes on the subject. I am very grateful for the valuable assistance I received from Mr. Rosland, Mr. Hughes, and the Park Directors. Based on their professional input and my research, I feel confident in recommending the following process and strategy to address the Edina City Council's Park Improvement Bond Issues. As many bond issue strategists suggest, the issue at hand at this point in time is to pass a bond issue - not to design a facility. Many of my advisors reminded me that the City Council and City staff cannot legally spend dollars to promote or discourage voters on an issue. As I have learned, we (meaning City Council, Park Board and City staff) are responsible for providing factual information to the voters, so they can make an informed decision on the referendum. With that in mind, I would suggest the creation of a City Council appointed "Referendum Team" for the following purposes: 1) To educate the community about why we are having a referendum. 2) To inform the community about the goals and objectives of the park improvement plan. 3) To inform the public of the cost to the taxpayers. 4) To inform the public where and when to vote. 5) To request input from the community on the proposed projects and make recommendations to the Edina Park Board and City Council. The Referendum Team's main purpose is to provide the public with the facts not to promote or discourage voters on the issues. It is appropriate and important to encourage residents to vote. I would recommend that the Referendum Team consist of 11 to 14 members with the following make-up: 1) City Council Member (Mayor Richards to serve or appoint) 2) Park Board Member (Bill Jenkins, Park Board Chairman) 3) Edina Hockey Association President 4) Braemar City of Lakes Figure Skating Club President 5) Resident At Large 6) Resident At Large 7) Resident At Large 8) City Manager 9) Assistant City Manager 10) Park and Recreation Director 11) Park and Recreation Assistant Director 12) Manager Braemar Arena 13) Edina Communications Director The referendum team's duties will include mapping out strategy, develop written informational publications, create audio-visual productions for informational purposes and review progress. Three or four members should act as spokespersons to make statements to the press, speak at public information meetings, speak to community groups, and have their names and phone numbers advertised to answer questions. The Referendum Team serves and advises the Edina Park Board. The Edina Park Board will make recommendations to the Edina City Council. -3 - With staff's assistance, the Edina Park Board would be responsible for recommending a list of priorities to the Edina City Council. In other words, the Edina Park Board will recommend to the City Council which projects they feel should be funded first, second, third, and so on, up to the $4,900,000 budgeted amount. City staff and the Edina Park Board will be responsible for the majority of the work to be completed by the City Council appointed Referendum Team. The Edina Park Board will also be responsible for making recommendations to the City Council as to any last minute changes in the scope of overall park improvement plan. CITIZENS COMMITTEE: Every successful bond issue seems to have one common thread, which is an active citizen committee that promotes the passage of the referendum. If one is formed in Edina, this committee must be separate from the Edina City Council appointed Referendum Team. It is hoped that an Edina citizens committee would be formed to promote both bond issues. If one is formed, they must raise their own funds for their promotion of the referendum. However, there are means by which citizen committees can promote referendums without incurring any expenses. It is important not to begin too early prior to a referendum, as the idea is to build interest and to have interest peek at the time of the referendum. Committees tend to burn out rather quickly. Meetings for committees should be short, well planned, and for the purpose of making decisions and appointing people to do specific tasks. It is suggested that it is possible to "over sell" a referendum. To meet an April time frame for a special bond referendum election, I would suggest the proposed timetable as follows: Date Action Aug. 23 Proposed process and strategy approved by Mr. Ken Rosland, City Manager. Sep. 12 Proposed process and strategy presented to Edina Park Board for discussion and response. Oct. 2 Discuss Park Board's bond issue referendum process and strategy recommendation. Oct. 16 Appoint members to Referendum Team. Nov. 15 Interview and hire architects to prepare conceptual drawings for third rink and the bathhouse. Dec. 16 Letter From The Mayor and article of information in Park and Recreation Activities Directory. Jan. 3 Completion of slide and video presentations; factual information for the public. RESPONSIBILITY Mr. Ken Rosland, City Manager Edina Park Board Edina City Council Edina City Council Staff Staff Staff Jan. 11 Jan. 25 Feb. 15 Feb. 22 Mar. 4 Mar. 6 Mar. 13 Mar. 14 Mar. 21 Mar. 25 -4 - Initial Referendum Team meeting; Referendum Team discuss overall strategy, assign tasks. Referendum program kickoff meeting Referendum Team extended to youth athletic associations and other civic groups. 1st of 2 Referendum Town Meetings. Referendum Team Meeting; review and approve brochure copy prepared by staff. Final brochures and advertisements approved by Edina City Council. Legal notice of special election in local newspaper. Legal notice of special election in local newspaper. 2nd of 2 Referendum Town Meetings. Referendum Team Meeting; review final details. Brochures mailed to all residents. Apr. 6-14 Cable television referendum video appears on local cable access. Apr. 10 Sun Newspaper advertisement. Apr. 16 Election day; co-ordinate media activities as necessary. Referendum Team Referendum Team Edina City Council City Clerk City Clerk Referendum Team Referendum Team Staff Staff Staff Referendum Team and staff There would also most likely be presentations given at several civic group functions such as: -Edina Senior Citizen Club -Edina Athletic Associations -Edina Rotary Clubs -Edina Jaycees -Edina Womens Club -Edina Federated Womens Club -League of Women Voters -Edina Lions Club -Edina Chamber of Commerce -Neighborhood Associations -Edina Garden Clubs -Edina Garden Council PUBLICITY ALTERNATIVES: There are many ways to publicize and promote the proposed plan and bond issue. The following is a list of ideas that could be considered by the Edina City Council: 1) Posters Multi -color posters containing basic information well ahead of voting day could be created and distributed in high traffic locations, such as, enterprise facilities, libraries, restaurants, shopping malls and other key business outlets. -5- 2) Slide Presentation Brief color slide presentations with script are useful at public 40 and community group meetings. Slides provide an interesting format for those in attendance and allows those present to relate visually to the project. Slides can help illustrate the benefits or deficiencies of existing facilities. 3) Public Meetings Public open forum meetings should be held to outline referendum details. These open forums (Town Meetings) should provide residents an opportunity to ask questions or express their opinions. Civic groups, neighborhood groups and athletic association groups are also good opportunities to have residents express their opinions, all which help to make this a community project and not a staff project. 4) Fact Sheet A detailed fact sheet should be prepared and made available to community groups and residents five to six weeks prior to the vote. This fact sheet could fill the information gap prior to printing a formal brochure (or brochures). 5) Cable Television Like a slide presentation, a local cable television production gives the residents a visual perception of the proposed projects. A cable television production is typically more time consuming to produce, however, the detailed factual production can be repeated on a variety of dates and times to reach more resident viewers. In . addition, a VHS tape copy could be made and available for individuals or groups to check out and view at their convenience. 6) Newspaper Articles/Advertisements A series of articles for the local newspaper is an effective means of informing the residents of the bond issue proposal. A half or full page advertisement in the local newspaper is one way to assure accurate and timely coverage for the bond issue election. 7) Referendum Brochure An attractive two-color referendum brochure (possibly one for each issue) should be prepared and delivered to all homes, businesses and apartments in the voting area. This formal brochure should clearly define the scope of the proposed project, indicate the estimated tax increase and provide voting day information. It is suggested by bond issue strategists that this is probably the single most important element in the public information program. The distribution should be timed to be received by residents no more than one week prior to voting day. 8) About Town Publication The About Town city publication could be used instead of, or in addition to, the referendum brochure. Being that every resident gets a copy of the About Town publication, this becomes an effective means of publicity. To give voters a visual perspective of the proposed projects, I recommend that architects be contracted to produce conceptual drawings of the third indoor ice rink and the Edina Aquatic Center bathhouse. The process of establishing a conceptual drawing for each facility will assist in deciding on a footprint and conceptual design for each facility. REFERENDUM COSTS: There are inherent costs associated with implementing a bond issue campaign and election. According to Deb Mangen, City Clerk, the special election bond issue is estimated to cost the City of Edina approximately $22,000. It is staff's recommendation to have only one referendum brochure that outlines all the facts. In other words, information concerning the general park improvement bond issue and third ice rink issue would be covered on the same publication. This will help avoid confusion and help minimize publication and mailing expenses. The following are estimated expenses associated with the bond issue public information program and the election: Election costs $22,000 Referendum brochure production 5,200 Referendum brochure mailing 4,200 Slide show production 500 Video production 500 Newspaper ad 1,400 Architect fees 5,000 TOTAL $38,800 FIS, REMARKS: For the bond referendum to be successful, it is vitally important that influential citizens, such as, the Edina City Council and Edina Park Board members be actively involved in supporting the referendum. Additional advice from bond strategists suggest that public speakers (especially staff) should never act as "salespersons." Public presentations should be limited to 20 minutes and focus on the facts and leave ample time to answer questions and take notes on recommendations from the audience. Historically, special election referendums rarely get more than 150 of the total registered voters to vote. • Than 1uMIN In 'l Dear City Hall, I loved the fireworks you displayed at Lake Cornelia Park on July 4th. My whole family thought it was the best in our whole life. I especially liked the two biggest ones in the show, the gold sparkle ones, and the ones that looked like bugs. We all say thank you again! • From Lindsay Richards Age 10