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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20000516_specialMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MAY 16,2000 500 P.M. EDINA CITY COUNCIL HELD,AT CITY HALL ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Members Faust, Hovland, and Mayor Maetzold. Member Kelly entered the meeting at 5:15 p.m. Member Johnson entered the meeting at 5:55 p.m. Mayor Maetzold stated the purpose of the special meeting was to hold a public hearing on the proposed referendum for the potential joint park improvement with the School District. Mayor Maetzold explained that about two years ago, the City had been approached by various constituents requesting additional gymnasiums, fields, and swimming pools. The City Council studied the requests and considered options available. One option suggested was to build on school property. This concept was studied with the School District and seemed viable bringing the City to the point of considering a referendum. Mayor Maetzold stated the format for the meeting would be short presentations by Park Director Keprios, Peter Seeger, TSP Architects, and Edina School Superintendent Ken Dragseth, followed by public comment. He said the meeting would end at 6:45 p.m. The Council will take the comments under advisement and if it decides to move forward the referendum will be placed on the ballot in the fall. Park Director Keprios reviewed several identified community needs as follows: ADDITIONAL GYMNASIUMS + City-Sponsored Gymnasium User Groups 0 Girls House League Basketball 0 Girls Traveling Basketball Boys House League Basketball Boys Traveling Basketball EGAA Volleyball 0 Jr. Olympic Volleyball YouthSoccer 0 Adult Basketball Adult Volleyball 0 I Edina Hockey Association (Dry Land Training) Open Gym Time (General Public) Walkers, Joggers & Runners (Elevated Indoor Track) + Additional Gymnasium Time - From a Study One Year Ago Current Weekly Use - 209 Hours Total Desired Use Per Week - 304 Hours Shortage Of 95 Hours Per Week Need For Minimum Of 4 Full-Size Gyms More gyms under one roof and at one site is more desirable for tournaments and rentals Creates more flexibility of uses (soccer, elevated running track, baseball etc.). 0 0 + Why 3 Gyms At ECC? 0 Three gyms under one roof is more efficient to operate and more economical to construct Maximize use, available for School & City The Edina School District could provide management of the facilities + Location Of Gyms - Why At Schools? 0 Page 1 Minutes/Special Edina Citv CounciVMay 16,2000 No additional land costs + Without Additional Gymnasium Space? The costs to operate and maintain are incremental additions due to existing staff, facilities and plant operation equipment already on site I Enlarge teams - increase team size Double up traveling team practices More play on weekends (Friday, Saturday & Sunday - overiirne costs) More late evening play (games & practices until 1O:OO p.m. weekdays) Cut back or eliminate adult programs (adult basketball & volleyball) Eliminate other desired sport opportunities, such as, soccer, hockey, baseball, softball Eliminate opportunity to expand existing programs Eliminate opportunity to create new additional programs ADDITIONAL ATHLETIC FIELDS FOR SOCCER, FOOTBALL, RUGBY, LACROSSE AND SOFTBALL + Additional Soccer/Football Field Time Lewis Park (soccer field) Pamela Park (soccer field) Over 3,500 Edina youth enrolled in soccer and growing ESA currently limits registration (not enough fields) Growing interest in adult soccer, rugby, and lacrosse Slow pitch & fast pitch softball teams need more practice and game fields Kuhlman Field (ariifiaal turf soccer field) + Proposed Additional Fields I Edina High School (2 softball fields) + Without Additional Soccer/Football Fields? ESA further limit registrations (first come first served) Increase team size (less play time per child) Further reduce or eliminate adult soccer Lt&it growth of lacrosse and rugby More soccer play on weekends and late evenings RENOVATION OF SHARED ATHLETIC FIELDS FOR SOCCER, FOOTBALL, LACROSSE AND RUGBY + Why Field Renovation? Fields are over-used (spring-fall) 0 0 0 0 Need for irrigation system + Renovated Soccer/Football Fields 0 Braemar soccer field Fields are worn to an unsafe condition Poor sub-soils at several fields (can be corrected with stabilization fabric & fill) Parks filled with debris that surfaces and become safety hazards Worn turf and shallow root systems 2 Fields at High School Campus Artificial turf Kuhlman Field at Community Center Campus Lewis Park - 2 soccer fields Highlands Park - soccer field I DOME - INFLATED DOME INSTALLED INNOVEMBEX/AEMOVED IN MARCH ANUALLY + WhyADome? Page 2 Minutes/Special - Edina City Council/Mav 16,2000 0 0 Open public use benefit 0 Take year round advantage of artificial turf field on Kuhlman Field Soccer, baseball, rugby, lacrosse, football and softball could all benefit Allow Edina residents to rent/participate in their own community Positive cash flow operational expenses SWMNG POOL RENOVATION + South View Middle School Pool Needs 0 Water filtration and air ventilation mechanical equipment in need of replacement Ceiling in need of repair and improvement (acoustical treatment) Pool and deck tile need re-grout repair Need new 50 seat folding bleachers Need new lighting system 0 + Valley View Middle School Pool Needs Similar needs to South View Middle School Site allows for construction of new 25 meter x 25 yard, 8 lane, 12' deep competition pool with separate diving well Need for more pool time for Edina Swim Club 0 RENOVATION OF PERFORMING ARTS THEATER + ECC Auditorium 0 Community performing arts groups Facilitate well-known artists Need for an upscale 700 seat performing arts theater Edina Senior Center group productions REPLACE/REPAIR OF OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT'S WORN RECREATIONAL FACILITIES + School's Worn Recreational Facilities 0 0 Locker facilities at ECC Tennis court bang-board $4.5 MILLION OF IMPROVEMENTS IN PARKS + Why More Park Improvements? Kuhlman Field amenities (bleachers, lights, concessions stand, track etc.) Gym floors at South View Middle School and small gym at ECC ECC lobby and concessions area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lack of available funding to keep up No CIP funding since 1995 May 7,1996, referendum dollars fell short of completing all projects Renovation of 13 athletic fields (re-grade, seedlsod, irrigation) Fire suppression systems for Grange Hall, Cahill School and Braemar Arena Replace Courtney Fields concessions building Construction of Van Valkenburg Park (rnini-park and 3 batting cages) Improved entrance to Arneson Acres Park Sanitary sewer & lift station for Greenhouse restrooms Pathway repairs or additions at 4 parks Parking lot repairs at 5 parks Fencing repairs/replacements at 6 parks Tennis court replacement at Walnut Ridge Park ADVANTAGES OF CITY/SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP Page 3 Minutes/Special Edina Cify CounciVMav 16,2000 + Utilization of existing school property leaves more private land on the tax role and eliminates land costs for the new facilities + Both jurisdictions serve the same customer + Maximizing access to School District and community at large + Operation and maintenance are incremental additions due to existing facilities, staff and plant operation equipment already on site I TAX IMPACT $31 MILLION OVER 20 YEARS MARKET VALUE ESTIMATED ANNUAL TAXIMPACT $120,000 $67 $180,000 $100 $255,000 $142 $300,000 $167 $500,000 $278 $1,000,000 $556 Peter Seeger, Architect and Principle of TSP, explained he had been working with the City and School District to define a project which, if funded and constructed would respond to community needs for additional gymnasiums and other recreational cultural facilities. He added the Campus Plan he developed was a concept plan only, illustrating how the components might be arranged on the campus. Mr. Seeger reiterated that it was not the final design, but only a test to develop estimated costs of such improvements. Mr. Seeger explained the components identified in the pre- design study located at the Edina Community Center included the following: Renovation of Kuhlman Field with new bleachers, entrance gates, ticket booths, concessions and possibly a seasonal dome Parking Improvement adding 130 additional parking spaces both northerly and southerly I Upgrade and move soccer and ball fields Tennis courts bang boards Pathway from the lower parking area to the center of the campus Upgrade ball and soccer fields at Edina High School Valley View Middle School 25 meter pool addition New 3-gym field house south of ECC Addition to Concord Elementary School (2 level) one gym with shell below Renovate South View Middle School gyms Renovate ECC gyms Renovate support facilities, locker room - for both Edina PE and Edina Park & Rec Renovate ECC lobby east side - upper and lower levels - manage accessibility Renovate ECC theater - addressing access issues Mr. Seeger reviewed the estimated project costs as follows: 3-Gym Fieldhouse $5,092,337 31% PROPOSED REFERENDUM PROJECTS 3-Gym Fieldhouse $3,900,737 Elevated Track $930,600 All Wood Floors $36,000 Air Conditioning $225,000 I Concord Elementary Gym Addition $1,522,800 9% South View Middle School Gym Improvements $244,400 1% Community Center Building Improvements $2,359,725 14% Page 4 . . .. . ,./ ,, <- ./I 8 ,, Minutes/Special Edina Cif-y Council/Mav 16,2000 Large Community Center Gym $23,500 Small Community Center Gym $192,700 Community Center Gym Lobby/ Concession $164,500 Community Center Locker Rooms $550,785 Community Center Theatre - 770 Seats $1,428,240 Community Center Theater $974,725 New/Separate Entrance/Lobby, Toilets $453,515 I' Community Center Campus Improvements $786,454 5% Tennis Court Bang Board (concrete wall) $6,000 Lower/East Campus Fields $230,300 (sand, drain tile and irrigation) South Parking Relocation and Expansion $235,000 North Park Expansion $108,100 New Pedestrian Pathway $4,700 Site Restoration and Landscaping $94,000 Normandale Playground $108,354 Kuhlman Field - Base Improvements Demolition $86,000 Earthwork $98,000 Drainage $45,000 Utilities (sewer & water) $56,000 Fencing $54,000 Retaining Wall (modular Block) $39,000 (lower to upper campus) Kuhlman Field Improvements $5,093,720 31 % $3,212,920 Curb & Gutter $11,000 Pavement $210,000 Irrigation $20,000 Ticket Booths (6 windows) $120,000 Field Buildings (concessions, storage etc.) $1,144,920 Relocate Existing Visitor Storage Building $15,000 Home Bleacher (5,360 seats) $777,200 Visitor Bleacher (2,050 seats) $276,800 Coaching Staff & Press Box $105,000 Electrical Lighting $75,000 Landscaping $38,000 Dome $969,000 Reconstruct/ Widen Track to 8 Lanes, $145,700 Improve Drainage (perimeter curb and drain-tile)$70,500 Resilient Turf Football/Soccer Field Surface Improve and Upgrade Field Lighting EHS Baseball field (1 @ 300' x 280') EHS Softball fields (1 @ 22Ux220' and 1 @ 200'x200')$607,240 Site Restoration $42,000 Kuhlman Field - Additional Amenities - Construction Cost $1,880,800 Relocation Field Events $611,000 $84,600 $353,440 I EHS Soccer fields (2 @ 360 x 160') $268,840 Edina High School Fields $1,229,520 8 % TOTAL CONSTRUCTION Page 5 $16,328,956 100°!o Minutes/Special Edina City Council/Mav 16,2000 TOTAL PROJECT (1.33 x Construction Cost) - Includes All Soft Costs $21,717,512 New Valley View Pool Renovation of South View Pool City Parks Improvements SUBTOTAL Less Edina Public Schools Contribution Field Bleachers $(777,800) Concord Gym $(401,689) ECC Coaches Remodel $(28,326) Normandale Playground $(144,111) $5 , 785,500 $322,658 $4,500,000 - I- $32,325,670 $(1,351,926) TOTAL REFERENDUM $30,973,744 Mr. Seeger concluded saying that before any project would begin, a great deal more planning and design would take place. He emphasized that the design was a concept used to develop preliminary cost estimates. Ken Dragseth, Edina School Superintendent, said the schools are already operating between 6:OO and 1O:OO p.m. and at capacity. He reported that when the City approached the schools looking for more space, the schools indicated a willingness to work together, but a lack of available space for additional programs. The Schools and City formed a committee to study the communi^ needs and options to meet them utilizing school and city resources. In addition, the district reviewed how potential improvements could impact existing facilities wifhin the system. Mr. Dragseth said the ECC is a high priority to the school district, and potential impacts have been discussed internally with the Board, and with the Normandale organizations. He pointed out that everyhng is at this point very preliminary and the issues will be resolved. The French Immersion School serves 500 plus students and due to its growth there has been constant remodeling during the life of the school. When the Community Center was set up in 1982, the idea was for the community to have a building that would be flexible in its use. Many districts sold this type of building, but Edina Schools kept the building and site as a major resource to the community. He pointed out the building's heating plant can support the proposed additions, the District already has administrative and custodial staff on site to manage the facility. These are reasons this site seems viable for the proposed improvement. Mr. Dragseth stated the District will continue to work with the site council to resolve the issues expressed by the parents. I Mr. Dragseth explained the District entered into discussion for the proposed referendum project working to maximize land use while meeting needs of the community. He said other locations for the three gyms were reviewed. However, staff is already on site at the ECC, minimizing additional operational staff needed. Mr. Dragseth reported that nationally the trends are for school districts and communities to partner in serving their citizens needs. He added that the District enrollment is currently approximately 7,000 and will remain relatively stable so the needs of the community's youth is here and needs to be addressed. Public Comment Richard Novack, 5202 Grandview Lane, stated he was on the French Immersion School's Site Council, but was speaking personally. Mr. Novack reported Normandale Parents were initially Page 6 Minutes/Special Edina City Council/Mav 16,2000 shocked that a project was proposed for the Community Center site. He indicated a desire to work with the City and School District to trying to make the ECC usable for Normandale French Immersion School and the proposed facilities, if the parent concerns can be met. The site 'councd came up with some solutions such as protecting the school in a contiguous environment. This would require moving approximately seven classrooms. He suggested putting the school in its own area of the building, away from other users. This would eliminate access to the school. On a personal note Mr. Novack said he supported the project, but noted that the soccer community was not particularly represented on the planning group. He would like to see if a soccer complex could be added to the project. Mr. Novack also supported building a dome over Kuhlman Field, stating Edina parents and businesses are paying a great deal of money to both Eden Prairie and Holy Angels for space in their domes. He said that with over half of Edina's children playing soccer, additional fields must be considered. Mr. Novack said that 2000 children play soccer in the fall, the sport is growing very rapidly and lacrosse is also growing. Both sports can be played on the same field. Jim Kakalios, 6825 West Shore Drive, stated he had three children at Nomandale School. He reported that construction has been going on for eight years. His children have been in classrooms near the auditorium and been impacted by the construction. Mr. Kakalios held up earplugs, that he said are handed out by a teacher to block out noise from construction now. The Normandale School is one of the largest elementary schools in the district. He is concerned about safety, traffic, and health. Mr. Kakalios said he was upset that the planning has been going on for over a year and only now the project has been made public, given that the Normandale site is where the construction will be occurring. He stated that he had a petition with 168 signatures requesting the School and City, before any referendum, engage a firm with elementary school planning experience to conduct an independent comprehensive internal and external environmental impact evaluation of the community center project. Areas to be addressed include parking, traffic, safety, security and health. Mr. Kakalios added that while athletics are nice and gyms are good, swimrning pools and concessions are nice, children are in school for academics. As a professor at the University of Minnesota he would like to see students better prepared when they show up for college. I Karen Christiansen, 5721 Blake Road, explained she had a background in nursing and that her husband is a pediatric specialist. Ms. Christiansen said they have four children in the Edina School Systems. When they first learned of the potential 3-gym addition to the ECC they were concerned because of dangers of the plan. It made no sense to them to attach a multi-purpose athletic facility to an elementary school. This would place the children at risk of abduction and/or violence. It would bring adults, high school and rniddle school children in large numbers into close proximity to the children as they are leaving school or staying for after school activities. The increase in traffic also presents risk of accident and injury. Upon further investigation, Ms. Christiansen learned of the stated cost savings of the community center's boiler system, but the financial saving did not in her opinion, merit the risk of harm and injury possible. She said they would like to support the referendum because they agree with the other pieces not associated with the ECC. They however, cannot in good conscience support the proposal because in their opinion it is fatally flawed. Ms. Christiansen contended the location of the proposed field house is dangerous to the children at the Normandale Elementary School. She urged the Council look for another location. Ms. Christiansen said that a petition signed by 160 parents from Normandale and other concerned citizens has asked the City Council and the School Board to look at alternative sites for the gymnasiums. She urged delay of the referendum pending location of another site for the field house. She added that perhaps the Edina High School's northeast parking lot be considered. I Page 7 Minutes/Special Edina City Council/May 16,2000 I Neil Weikart, 4835 Maple Road, reported he was a 20-year Edina resident. Mr. Weikart commended the Board of Education and the City Council for working together on the facilities. He added that Edina is a wonderful community in which to live and raise families. Both his children received great education in Edina Schools. Mr. Weikart added that education and schools are a cornerstone of the community. By working together hopefully everyone's needs will be met. Mr. Weikart said that in addition to being a parent of two children who have attended Edina Schools he was also president of the Edina Basketball Association and been involved with the Association for ten years as a coach, board member and president. Mr. Weikart stated that participation has grown incredibly .in youth sports as the number of children in the community has increased. Last year 1,100 children participated in basketball programs from grades 2-9. The house league programs have both boys and girls participating. Every participant, either the players, the 35 board members, or over 200 volunteer coaches lives in Edina or attends an Edina School. They will be a significant user of the new gym facilities during the week after 6:OO p.m. Mr. Weikart said the Basketball Association historically holds one tournament a year and he believes they would intend to continue. He said the facilities are needed for the kids programs. Currently, children are practicing and playing games later than they would like. Mr. Weikart said that while he agreed that education is most important, he also believes youth athletic programs are an important piece of Edina. Children meet other children from all over Edina, they are exposed to team concepts, and they are exposed to coaches in a positive way. With over 200 volunteer coaches and board members, not just the children benefit, this is part of what defines community. Mr. Weikart said that older children teach younger children in skill sessions. By participating in such a session, Mr. Weikart believed his son learned community service. This is an important piece in raising I children. Bob Fugner, 5200 Kellogg Avenue, thirty year resident, said he opposed the retractable dome and artificial turf. He said hechecked with a neighbor who is a former football player. Mr. Fugner said artificial turf is dangerous and impractical. Mr. Fugner asked the Council to practice fiscal restraint. Mayor Maetzold asked Mr. Keprios to correct the misconception that the proposed dome would be retractable. Mr. Keprios explained that an inflatable dome covering only the field itself is what is proposed. The dome height would be about 70 feet. He added that modern artificial turf has been vastly improved. It is called field turf of crushed rubber filled into whatever level is the most suitable for the particular field. It reduces injuries compared to real grass according to Mr. Keprios' sources. Member Kelly added the proposed dome was not planned as a retractable done, but an inflatable dome similar to a tennis bubble. Secondly, the Nike camp out west has put this artificial turf in several locations that will be approved by the NFL Players Association because according to evidence so far, the artificial turf is at the least as good as natural grass, and depending on the weather can be superior. Mr. Keprios added that Edina Varsity Football would still be played open-air, the proposed dome would be installed in November after the season ends and removed in March to be stored until the fall. Member Hovland commented the Council has attempted to be practical and were not in favor of adding an inflatable dome. However, upon learning that 3,200 children play soccer with the potential for more playing in the future, and that Holy Angels paid for their dome in one or two years, it was thought that the proposed dome could help pay off the cost of the dome, then also help cover operational expenses of the field house. The Council has looked at several community centers in surrounding towns, all of which loose thousands of dollars annually. The Council is trying to avoid any financial impact that would require the citizens to subsidize the operating loss of a center. I Page 8 I1 * ,J Minutes/Special Edina Citv CouncivMay 16,2000 Richard Connell, 4713 School Road, asked whether expansion of the parking south of the Community Center would bring about an access onto Ruth Drive. He added that he supported the previous women speaker from Normandale. Mr. Connell said that he has been in the teaching business for forty years at the university level. Mr. Connell reported the quality of students has declined. If an emphasis is to be placed, in his opinion it should be on education. The Northwest Athletic Club did not take their bubble down this spring because of the cost of removing and re- installing it annually. Valerie Burke, 6317 Limerick Lane, said she was representing the Edina Swim Club and swimmers at the varsity level in Edina. She said that they support any plan that improves the current state of swimming in Edina. They were delighted to read the survey results and see the comrnunity response was so high to the improvement of the pools. Ms. Burke said they believe a true need is shown (35-40 year old facilities). Edina citizens will respond with a yes vote and they would work with the Council in supporting the improved facilities. Jim Simons, 6637 Brittany Road, said he has lived in Edina over forty years. Mr. Simons said he had three daughters and was there representing Girls Traveling Basketball as their president. All three of his daughters were actively involved in youth athletic programs. He said it was clear from Mr. Keprios’s presentation that there is a lack of gym time available as well as soccer fields and other facilities. Mr. Simons reported that his Association supports the proposal. He acknowledged that they are smaller with only 13 teams. However, they would like to expand, but may not be able to due to the lack of acceptable gym time for practices. Mr. Simons said the Association has received numerous parental complaints about practice times being too late. If facilities are not available programs will need to be cut. Children having an opportunity to be involved in athletics learn a variety of life lessons not necessarily learned in school sportsmanship, teamwork, winning and loosing. Also from a girls’ perspective, statistics show girls who participate in sports through the high school level do better academically, have a lower instance of chemical or substance abuse, lower dropout rate and fewer teenage pregnancies. Mr. Simons said that this demonstrates children participating in sports garner many benefits beyond success on the field or court. John Menke, 5301 Pinewood Trail, said that he thought the proposal was wonderful. He agreed the facilities are needed. Mr. Menke said he has coached basketball and soccer for close to twenty years. He said he is currently on the Edina Girls Athletic Association Board of Directors as a token male. The girls need the gym space probably even more than the boys. Mr. Menke stated he was in an unusual position because he contended that the Council would be voting later whether to take park space from a neighborhood while voting whether or nor Edina taxes should be raised for park and sports facilities. Mr. Menke said in his opinion the two issues are Linked. Kathy Sommerville, 5217 Danens Drive, said she was a Normandale parent. She said the Council has been hearing for many months the Normandale parents concerns, but looking at the line items in the proposal for the referendum no item exists to deal with these stated concerns. How will these costs be covered and has any research been done to ensure these concerns are met? Mayor Maetzold explained that the referendum would cover items arising from the project, but are not reflected individually. Ms. Sommenrille continued asking if the components of the referendum could be made into separate questions on the ballot. She added she agreed with many components, but her concerns for the ECC would force her to vote no on the entire referendum. Mayor Maetzold said the Council will take this under advisement when they consider this issue. Page 9 Minutes/Special Edina Citv Council/May 16,2000 Mi. Dragseth added the School District has a Safety Committee with representatives from all the different constituent groups within the Edina Community Center. The District is in the process of hiring two independent experts to look at security and traffic control. This will be done at the District’s cost. He added they have had a lot of input from the architects regarding how to increase security and traffic flow. Mr. Dragseth stated the District will continue working with them as the project moves forward. Mr. Dragseth said one issue that stands out very strongly is the use of the auditorium. The auditorium would have a totally separate entrance and a secure wall around the auditorium to remove it from the elementary school. If asbestos were to be found, it would be abated using the funds available from the State of Mjnnesota. He added that there are very strict rules that must be adhered to for this process. I Peter Anderson, 6129 Abbott Avenue, said he was currently president of the Edina Soccer Association, the largest youth sports organization in the City, with over twenty-five hundred participants. They are the in-house, or local, soccer association, as opposed to the traveling Edina Soccer Club. At their monthly meeting last evening, the Board of the Edina Soccer Association voted unanimously to withhold their support for the referendum as it is currently proposed. Their reasons are as follows: The referendum, as currently proposed, does not clearly benefit or address the need of the programs of the Edina Soccer Association. The input of the Edina Soccer Association has not been solicited as part of the planning process. Lastly, it is their opinion that there would be a benefit to delaying the referendum to permit greater and more detailed definition and input from the end-users. He said he would like to emphasize that the association’s decision to withhold their support should not be considered as opposition to the referendum, or as opposition to the idea of improving Edina’s recreational facilities. In fact, the Edina Soccer Association was recently awarded for the second time the Mayor’s Comunity Endowment Award for their own donations to the city to improve local parks, donations which benefited not only their participants, but those of other youth sports organizations and the general public as well. They simply believe that a more detailed analysis of the costs and benefits involved in these projects, along with more information regarding the City’s long-term plans for funding park and recreational facility improvements, should be required before this referendum gets put to a vote. I Bridgit Colleran, 4725 School Road, stated that she would be directly impacted. She thanked the Normandale parents for raising the traffic and safety concerns. Ms. Colleran said her children attend Concord and she was very disappointed and concerned regarding safety issues and .traffic, wedging the proposed field in between two elementary schools. Ms. Colleran said that she had been assured the fields would only be used during after school hours, but she questioned whether anyone has observed the traffic between 3:OO and 6:OO p.m. She also expressed concern about access, particularly through her neighborhood. In looking at the plan, it appears that 59th Street will open onto the frontage road. Mr. Keprios assured Ms. Colleran 59th Street was mistakenly drawn on the plan and would not be opened. Ms. Colleran said the proposed improvement will affect her children, their ability to play, the kind of traffic through the neighborhood, not ody around the schools, but also year round traffic for public facilities. Ms. Colleran said she did not doubt the need for the facilities, but she questioned why they needed to be wedged between two elementary schools. Ms. Colleran asked for postponement of the referendum until more people, who are directly impacted such as the surrounding neighborhood, have information about the proposed project. Janet Virnig, 5236 West 56th Street, stated she wanted to defend the Normandale parents, since she was told by a school board member that the Normandale parents are elitist whiners. Ms. Virnig said she understands this label, because the parents have had to stand up and fight for the Normandale School over the past years since its inception. She said she believed every Page 10 I ‘< I’ I* at *, Minutes/Special - Edina Citv CounciVMay 16,2000 Normandale parent would support the classrooms at Concord, the gymnasium at Concord, and the Valley View and Southview Middle School pool improvements if they were offered as line item improvements. They do not support any additions to the Edina Community Center because of safety, traffic, and accessibility. Ms: Virnig asked that &e referendum be delayed until more study is done. I Dick Diercks, 4801 School Road, said he did not believe the question is whether or not there is a need for additional facilities, the question is the plan to meet the need. Having so much of the plan at one site is too much. The total impact on the site needs to be evaluated. He stated he was surprised and overwhelmed at the size and number of projects undertaken at a single location. Mr. Diercks said he thought that more than just the Normandale Site Council should be involved in evaluating the total impact of traffic, security, access and all the ramifications of the large project. Finally, in relation to Kuhlman Field’s potential dome. Mr. Diercks said he felt that Eden Prairie and Plymouth facilities work well and meet the needs of many children. He added that in his opinion the Kuhlman site is inadequate to be the equivalent of either Eden Prairie or Plymouth. Mr. Diercks said perhaps the site just does not seem to be the site to make a domed facility work. He indicated that he would support a domed facility if the proper location is found. David Krasno, 5607 Dalrymple Road, said he has been an Edina resident for seven years. He has three children attending Edina Schools. He stated he was very much in favor of athletic programs. Mr. Krasno said he did not have a problem with the proposed improvements, outside of the chosen site. When looking at the proposed concept, it looks like a jigsaw puzzle trying to fit in something that just does not fit there. There are terrific traffic concerns at the ECC. Currently, there are many times when there is too much traffic in the area. Mr. Krasno said he frequently flies over Edina and looking down he thinks the Edina High School property could better support a domed facility. If it means that fewer high school students have cars at school, then he did not have a problem with that. Mr. Krasno said he hates the thought of any children subjected to safety or security issues during construction. He reiterated that the project improvements at the ECC are too much and urged that they be located elsewhere where they would have a better long-term effect. I Lenny Wallen-Firedman, 6805 Limerick Lane, stated he agreed with the prior two speakers and was glad to hear that people in the immediate vicinity to the ECC, were raising issues about the overall impact of the project. He noted that the School Board and City have put together a project that undeniably impacts one of the District’s elementary schools. He listened to Ken Dragseth say he was putting together a Safety Committee to look at the issues. How can the City embark on a project that will undeniably impact, and cause issues until the impact, the scope of the issues, and the costs are known. The referendum should be delayed until this information can be gathered. He added that studies may well uncover issues not even yet thought of, especially since the Normandale parents have not been included in the studies. He urged the Council to order studies that would delve into the issues and get solid cost estimates, noting that some people currently not willing to support a referendum may change their mind if a well thought out project were presented to them. Gary Dorrian, 4708 West 60th Street, said he echoes the three previous speakers. Conceptually he agreed that the project would be meeting City needs. However, in his opinion, scattering the facilities would be better than focusing. Mr. Dorrian said adding all the space will add operation costs. He said he had spent 30 years in public facility management and gone through many expansions and if space is added, staff will be added as well, perhaps not a manager. Mr. Dragseth explained that the proposal does state additional operating expenses will be incurred, Page 11 Minu€es/Special Edina CiW Council/Mav 16,2000 but will be minimized because of the infrastructure already ,I place at the ECC. 1 *. Dorrian continued stating he had concern with the roadway, because of the error on the conceptual plan. If there are errors here, he worried they would be in the final project. He expressed concern with management, pointing out that the Braemar parking lot is still not complete and that project was done two years ago. Mr. Dorrian asked if the roadway costs have been addressed and asked if the demographics would still be increasing in ten years. Mr. Dragseth answered that the demographics of the district will peak at about 7,500 students and will remain within 400-500 of that for the next ten years. I Bill Lykken, 7100 Lanham Lane, said he was a member of the Edina Fast Pitch Association. That Association is in support of the referendum since they certainly need fields. He added that he would be commenting as a real estate developer. Mr. Lykken said that he has a daughter very active in sports, so he has the opportunity to spend virtually all his free time traveling to various communities visiting facilities. It has become apparent to him, that surrounding communities are in fact developing much better facilities than Edina. Wayzata, Plymouth, and Eden Prairie have land so they can make great fields. However, Edina does not have land, so we are restricted. He f3inJss that in order to preserve real estate values and to provide the same level of facilities other communities are providing for their children, Edina must be careful not to be left way behind other Communities. Mr. Lykken said that he believed it would be possible to study this issue to death and not meet the needs of the children. Every year the project is put off has a negative impact on the children it is meant to serve. Member Kelly made a motion, seconded by Member Hovland to close the public hearing at 645 p.m. Ayes: Faust, Hovland, Johnson, Kelly, Maetzold Motion carried. Consensus of the council was to hold a special meeting at %00 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, 2000, to consider whether to hold a referendum. There being no further business on the Council Agenda, Mayor Maetzold declared the meeting adjourned at 6:50 P.M. Page 12