HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-02-11 Park Board Minutes 1
EDINA PARK BOARD
7:30 P.M.
February 11, 1997
________________________
MEMBERS PRESENT: Beth Hall, Jim Fee, Dave Crowther, Andy Herring, Jean Rydell,
Becky Bennett, Andrew Montgomery
MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael Burley, John Dovolis, Bill Jenkins, Phyllis Kohler
STAFF PRESENT: John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton
OTHERS PRESENT: Mike Damman, R.P. Westphal, Pete Anderson
_________________________
I. APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 14, 1997 PARK BOARD MINUTES
Jean Rydell MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 14, 1997 PARK BOARD
MINUTES. Beth Hall SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED.
II. LEWIS PARK IMPROVEMENTS: COMFORT STATION AND BASKETBALL
COURT
Mr. Keprios indicated that a survey was sent out to the Lewis Park neighborhood to get
some feedback on the two amenities that have been planned, the comfort station and the
basketball court. He noted that 227 surveys were sent out and at the time the staff report
was put together there was a 48% return, which is phenomenal, and since then 26 more
have been received.
Mr. Keprios explained the original site location was recommended by the Engineering
Department based on the best soil conditions and the most cost effective run as far as
utilities go. He noted that from the comments he received and the discussions with Mr.
MacHolda and the Engineering Department, his recommendation to the Park Board is a
little different from what was originally proposed. He explained that 64% of the people
felt that a basketball court would be a nice addition to the park, however, the number one
complaint was traffic and drawing more people to the park. Also, they would prefer to
see the basketball court on the east end of the park rather than the west end. Therefore,
that site was measured out and there is room for it. However, the soils are not the best
but according to the Engineering Department we can overcome the problem by installing
a soil stabilization fabric over the area. Mr. Keprios indicated that the Park Maintenance
Department can still flood a skating rink over the top of the basketball court without
damaging the surface. He noted that they looked into the possibility of removing the
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standards prior to the winter season but it has been tried in other communities and does
not work very well. Mr. Keprios stated that they feel they have a large enough distance,
roughly 89 ft., between the posts. Therefore, we can pile snow and put pads on the posts
themselves and the still offer a good skating area.
Mr. Keprios indicated that after receiving comments he now feels the comfort station
should be moved just north of the tennis courts to shelter it from view a little more. It is
also a reasonable distance from the playground equipment, which was mentioned on quite
a few of the comment cards.
Mr. Keprios pointed out that some day we hope to replace the bridge and put in a large,
full size bridge that will allow small pick-up trucks to plow the bridge and pathway.
Mr. Crowther asked if there is wind fabric on the tennis courts. Mr. Keprios replied that
they haven’t done wind screens mainly because the fences we have would not stand up
well to that. It was tried at Lake Cornelia and it fell over. Mr. Crowther commented that
a wind screen, at least on the one end of the tennis court, would soften the view to the
tennis players.
Ms. Bennett asked if the further you get away from the soccer fields and the playground
equipment, doesn’t it defeat the purpose of making it accessible for the people who need
it. Ms. Bennett asked if some shrubbery or some sort of screen could be put in there
between the end of the tennis courts and the comfort station to shield it. Mr. Keprios
responded they could put some kind of a buffer in there.
Mr. Crowther asked if there is a way that the basketball poles could be pulled out for the
winter season because he feels it’s going to create a hazard even if it is buffered with
snow and pads. He commented that even if just the one by the warming house could get
pulled it would open up the area so much. Mr. Keprios answered that it can be done and
it is something he will look into.
Mr. Crowther asked Mr. Keprios how the number of additional responses affected the
percentage. Mr. Keprios replied that he didn’t calculate it but the majority of people were
still in favor of both projects.
Ms. Hall asked do we have the money to start the comfort stations this spring and Mr.
Keprios responded yes the money is there and we hope to bid the buildings this spring.
Mr. Keprios also indicated that the Edina Basketball Association has shown an interest in
funding the basketball court at Lewis Park. He noted that he is waiting to hear back from
Mr. Fortner on the project.
Dick Westphal, resident, indicated that he appreciates the Park Board’s consideration in
moving the comfort station to where it has been noted. He felt the initial site was a poor
selection and the new site is a good compromise. Mr. Westphal stated that he never
understood why that end of the park was never serviced with a year-round comfort
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station. Mr. Keprios explained the original thought when the building was designed was
to have removable walls so the walls would come down during the warm weather days
and allow access from the outside to the restroom facilities. Therefore, there would not
be an open room for the kids to get into. However, they found that system doesn’t work
to take down the walls because it beats them up and there was no storage area for them.
Therefore, the walls now stay up year round.
Mr. Keprios noted they did consider changing the design of the building, however, the
soils are so bad that there are 30 ft. pilings in the ground to support the building. To add
the necessary structural additions to make the Lewis Park shelter building restrooms
accessible from the outside would be extremely costly. Therefore, it would be almost
cheaper to build a new comfort station on the west end of the park to serve that part of the
park.
Mr. Crowther asked with the bad soil conditions is there going to be a problem with the
basketball court surface. Mr. Keprios indicated that the Engineering Department feels
confident that they can fabric it and put enough base in that it will not be a problem.
Jim Fee MOVED THAT WE ACCEPT STAFF’S RECOMMENDATION TO LOCATE
THE COMFORT STATION JUST NORTH OF THE TENNIS COURTS AND PLACE
THE BASKETBALL COURT APPROXIMATELY WHERE THE SMALL SKATING
RINK IS ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE OF THE PARK WITH HOPEFULLY
REMOVABLE BASKETBALL POSTS. Jean Rydell SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
III. PARKS REFERENDUM PROJECTS UPDATE
Mr. Keprios indicated that there are a lot of things happening and he and his staff have
been in a lot of meetings. He explained that the arena bids were delayed until February
12th and 13th. The architect and engineering firm missed the fact that we had to include
prevailing wage statements in the specifications because we are the recipient of the
Mighty Ducks grant of $250,000. The State of Minnesota attached some strings to that
money and we have to abide by a few things and the prevailing wage is one of them
which will affect the bid process. Therefore, an addendum went out and the bid was
delayed. Once this big project is behind us, we will know where we are at financially.
That is the main reason why staff has not met with the small sub-committee that was
formed at the last Park Board meeting to discuss the Edina Aquatic Center renovation
with the small equipment. Before we can make any recommendations to the City Council
on spending more money we need to know where we are at financially.
Mr. Keprios pointed out to the Park Board that if they drive on 66th Street or the
Crosstown Highway you can really start to see the design of the building that’s taking
place for the new bathhouse. It’s a much improved design.
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Mr. Keprios indicated that Gary Nyberg, Architect, is working hard on the first concept
design for the comfort stations and the shelter buildings.
Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that staff has hired an architecture firm, Brauer and
Associates, to design the 9 remaining playground sites. He explained that the 9 sites are
being divided into 3 different groupings. However, Weber Park will have a design of it’s
own in which the Golden Year Montessori School has offered to contribute money
towards the project. Mr. Fee asked if we have received money from the Edina Federated
Women’s Club and Mr. Keprios noted that he just submitted another grant request.
Mr. MacHolda indicated that there were three people who sat on an input committee for
the Lake Cornelia playground site, Beth Hall, Carla Sitek and Margo Loew. Mr.
MacHolda showed the plan that Brauer and Associates has designed. It is a long-term
plan that we can work towards. He noted that what Brauer and Associates is looking to
do is place a fence line, which is real attractive, as well as additional plantings separating
the parking lot from the play area and have a main entrance. Also there is a comfort
station going in. Mr. MacHolda explained what the playground equipment will look
like. Also, there will be a fishing platform installed because there is a lot of informal
fishing going on at that site. There will also be an access road which can be driven on so
people can unload their things at the shelter instead of carrying them up from the parking
lot.
Mr. Keprios pointed out that if the whole project were done today it would cost
approximately $400,000. At this time we cannot afford to do the whole project but we
will do a large portion of it. Mr. Keprios indicated that the Edina Federated Women's
Club have already donated $16,000 towards this project and over the years have donated
over $50,000 to the Park and Recreation Department for this park site. We will make
sure to give them due recognition. It was asked what is the time-frame on this project.
Mr. Keprios responded they hope to open bids in five weeks and begin construction as
soon as the snow melts. If all goes well the project should be completed by the Fourth of
July.
Mr. Keprios indicated that the ball field lighting project is well underway at the Courtney
Ballfield Complex and everything is going fairly well.
Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board they have a new project underway. He noted they
are discussing a fire protection system for the two buildings at Tupa Park. He indicated
that Mike Damman, the park and recreation intern, is working on this project and has met
with vendors. He noted that Mr. Damman and himself will be meeting this month with
the Heritage Preservation Board to review what the options are and what the cost will be.
Mr. Keprios stated that he will let them make the call as to whether or not they feel a
sprinkler system will significantly affect the historical value of the buildings. Mr.
Damman will have a report to share with the Park Board when we are done with all of our
findings.
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Mr. Montgomery indicated that he read we are not going to maintain the comfort stations
year round and also read it was talked about excluding the winter time. Mr. Montgomery
asked if the existing comfort stations have a maintenance program because it seems to
him that there is a hurdle being thrown up that we would have to staff a program to
maintain the comfort stations. He noted that he assumes we have several in place at the
present time and how do we take care of those. Mr. Keprios responded that it is a
problem and right now we are not keeping our bathroom facilities open in the
summertime to the public because we do not have the manpower to go around to open
and close every facility each day and night and keep them maintained on a daily basis.
However, we can do this in the winter because our staff is out flooding the rinks every
day and part of their duties is to maintain the rest rooms. At this time, we really do not
have any comfort stations with the exception of Bredesen Park and our staff is able to
keep up with the maintenance of that. However, he envisions during the summer months
the comfort stations are going to need daily maintenance. However, we currently do not
have enough staff to do that and therefore Mr. Keprios noted that he is going to look into
a cleaning service to be sure the comfort stations are maintained on a routine basis. One
of the most common topics brought up by the residents who responded to the survey was
routine cleanliness.
IV. OTHER
A. Adopt-A-Park - Mr. Montgomery asked about Adopt-A-Park and Mr. Keprios
indicated that the signs will go up when groups re-commit and the snow melts. The signs
are ready to go up, it’s just a matter of our staff having the time to get at those warmer
weather projects.
B. Bredesen Park - Mr. Montgomery asked how often Bredesen Park is maintained
because he recently walked around the park and there were a few slippery spots. Mr.
Keprios replied they have a small S-10 truck that puts out the sand/salt mixture on an as
needed basis and noted that he will pass the word on. Mr. Keprios stated not to hesitate to
call on something like that because the Park Maintenance staff is very good about
responding to those types of calls.
C. Park Board - Mr. Montgomery indicated that the three Park Board members
whose terms were up, Becky Bennett, Bill Jenkins and John Dovolis, have all indicated
they would like to continue on the Park Board. Also, Idith Almog is no longer the School
Board representative but it will now be Phyllis Kohler.
D. Creek Valley - Mr. Herring stated that a resident asked him if some trees could be
planted at Creek Valley, he indicated they are talking about creating a wind block for the
ice rink and open sheet of ice. Mr. Keprios indicated that he will mark it down on the
wish list. It was asked if that is school or park property and Mr. Keprios indicated that it
is a fine line between the two.
V. ADJOURNMENT
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Dave Crowther MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 8:15 P.M. Jean Rydell SECONDED THE
MOTION. MEETING ADJOURNED.