HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-05-09 Park Board Minutes 1
EDINA PARK BOARD
7:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MAY 9, 2000
______________________
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chuck Mooty, Scott Housh, Andy Finsness, David Fredlund, Karla
Sitek, Linda Presthus, Tom White
MEMBERS ABSENT: Andy Herring, Floyd Grabiel, George Klus, John Murrin
STAFF PRESENT: John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton, Wayne Houle
OTHERS PRESENT: Gregg Bjork, Pete Anderson, Tom Bates, Barbara Hultmann,
Josephine Kleiber
____________________
I. APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 11, 2000 PARK BOARD MINUTES
Chuck Mooty MOVED TO APPROVE THE APRIL 11, 2000 PARK BOARD
MINUTES. Andy Finsness SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED.
II. YOUTH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION PRESENTATIONS
A. Edina Soccer Association - Pete Anderson, President of the Edina Soccer Association,
gave a brief history of the Edina Soccer Association. He indicated that it started in 1973
and was initially for grades 3rd - 12th. The program is now open to pre-kindergartners
through 12th graders. Mr. Anderson pointed out that this year there are more than 2,500
participants to which half of them are playing at the two youngest levels, 5 to 8 year-olds.
There are 178 teams who will be playing on the fields this summer. Mr. Anderson
explained that one of the advantages of having a lot of participants is that it allows them
to keep their registration fees relatively low. Mr. Anderson noted that they also have a
fall program, which is a smaller scale program, and runs for 6 weeks on Saturdays and
Sundays.
Mr. Anderson explained that they have put some of their extra money towards
improvements to help both the Soccer Association and the city continue to move forward.
He commented that a few weeks ago the Edina Soccer Association was fortunate enough
to accept the honor for the Mayor’s Community Endowment Commendation Award for
their contribution of irrigation systems at Highlands Park and Strachauer Park. He
pointed out that this was an $8,000 project that they were able to fund with some of their
surplus from last year. Also, last year they bought the backings for some of the soccer
nets around the city because they were concerned with kids getting caught up in them and
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twisting an ankle, etc. He noted that the Edina Soccer Association will continue to look
for other opportunities to help make improvements to their program.
Mr. Anderson read the Edina Soccer Association’s mission statement. He stated that a lot
of people ask what is the difference between the Edina Soccer Association and the Edina
Soccer Club (traveling program) and basically what it comes down to is time and money.
Participants in the traveling program are asked to make a much greater commitment of
time and money.
Mr. Anderson explained that the Edina Soccer Association has an all-volunteer board as
well as all-volunteer coaches. He noted that they really stress to their coaches to work on
building individual skills, they don’t necessarily ask them to talk about strategy or set
plays, etc. They want the participants to feel at the end of the season that they’ve had fun
and they’ve improved their soccer skills and had a chance to play with some of their
friends. It’s a pretty low key league.
Mr. Anderson thanked Mr. Keprios, Mr. MacHolda and all of the park and recreation
staff for all of their help. Everyone does a great job.
Mr. Mooty asked Mr. Anderson what are the biggest issues that the Edina Soccer
Association faces right now. Mr. Anderson replied that it is finding enough facilities for
the younger age groups. He noted that they are also concerned with the drop-off in
numbers at the older age group levels. Mr. Anderson noted that another struggle for them
is finding enough coaches and explained that currently they are trying to provide a
standardized training session for coaches to attend to get comfortable with how to run a
practice, get some skills and drills that they can transfer to their team, especially at the
younger age level.
Mr. Keprios commented that soccer is by far the largest sport in Edina. He also noted
that this is the second time that the Edina Soccer has received the Mayor’s Community
Endowment Commendation award.
B. Edina Basketball Association - Gregg Bjork, Vice-President of the Edina Basketball
Association, indicated that the Edina Basketball Association serves both the traveling and
house programs for Edina. Therefore, they need to find the difference between balancing
fun and competitive teams and winning, etc. Mr. Bjork then read the Edina Basketball
Association’s mission statement. He noted that they struggle to balance the goals of fun,
development and winning and there is a wide diverse range of opinions in the community
in terms of how youth sports should be run.
Mr. Bjork explained that the basketball program is for grades 1st through 9th. He noted
that 1st and 2nd graders are in what is called the pee wee program and is co-ed. The 3rd
through 9th graders are mostly boys with a few girls playing. Mr. Bjork indicated that the
traveling program is for grades 5th through 7th. However, last year they did have a
traveling for 8th graders as well.
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Mr. Bjork pointed out that this year they had over 1,100 participants, 990 were in the
house league and 120 were in the traveling league, there were three traveling teams at
each grade level (5th through 8th grade). There were 123 teams in the house league,
averaging between 8 and 10 players on a team, which in basketball is a lot. Mr. Bjork
explained that one of their goals was to increase the number of events, which they did.
Last year there were 16 events and this year they had 22 events. He noted that the
registration fee this year was $75.00, which was the first increase they have had in four
years. Mr. Bjork thanked Mr. Keprios, Mr. MacHolda and the rest of the park and
recreation staff for all of their hard work.
Mr. Bjork indicated that the Edina Basketball Association really promotes parent
information sessions, they put on a coaches clinic and they have a very good relationship
with the varsity basketball program. He commented that this year they offered three skills
and drills clinics as part of the $75.00 registration fee. He noted that they also sponsored
a three on three tournament at the end of the year.
Mr. Bjork pointed out that the Edina Basketball Association put in the new basketball
courts at Utley Park and also put in the basketball courts several years ago at Weber Park.
In addition they have donated the new basketball boards to all of the schools and have
also donated the concession stand, weight room and a few other items. He stated that the
Edina Basketball Association will continue to make improvements to the community,
whether it’s to the school or city.
Mr. Bjork indicated that this is the first year that the 7th and 8th graders played games on
Saturdays, which worked out well. He explained that they cannot get into the schools
until after 6:00 p.m. and noted that they try to have the younger kids play at the earlier
times. He pointed out that there is a 2 to 3 hour window in each one of the school
gymnasiums in which they have to process 990 kids through.
Mr. Bjork indicated that one of the challenges they are facing is their number of
participants is up as well as the increase in the usage of gyms by multiple sports,
especially by EGGA basketball which is growing by leaps and bounds. Currently the
girls in-house basketball plays in the fall as opposed to winter to avoid some of the
gymnasium issues. However, as their sport continues to grow there are more and more
demands.
Mr. Bjork stated another challenge for EBA has been in communicating with the schools.
He noted that they are very dependent on the schools because they own all of the facilities
and each school operates its own entity a little differently. Therefore, Mr. MacHolda and
himself met with all of the principals and janitorial staff to help make the communication
process a little better this year. Therefore, the biggest challenge that they face right now
is finding enough adequate facilities for the number of participants who enjoy the sport.
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Mr. White asked if having 8 to 10 kids on a team is an optimum number to which Mr.
Bjork replied yes, they wouldn’t want to have less than 8 kids on a team.
Mr. Keprios indicated that one of the good things they are looking at with the referendum
is negotiating a joint powers agreement which would include a centralized scheduling
system so there would no longer be a problem with last minute cancellations and
rescheduling like there currently is.
C. EDINA YOUTH SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION - Josephine Kleiber, President of
Edina Youth Softball Association (EYSA), indicated that their mission statement is
almost identical to the Edina Soccer Associations. She explained that EYSA is a slow
pitch organization and up until this year has always been a girls program. This year they
are starting a co-ed league at the upper levels. She noted that there are basically three
parts to the program. They have the in-house program for grades 1 through 8. They have
three tournament teams which is for girls who play with the in-house league as well as
they play in 2 to 4 tournaments throughout the summer. Lastly, they have two traveling
teams (U-14 and U-16) in which they only participate in an intra-community league. Last
year they played approximately 60 games. Ms. Kleiber explained that the reason why
these other teams were started was because the girls wanted different levels of
competition. Therefore, the in-house leagues provides a safe environment for learning
the skills and having a good time. The tournament teams take them one step up where
they begin to see what softball is like in other communities and it demands a little bit
more out of their skills. The traveling teams are still at a recreational level but they are
not quite an elite team.
Ms. Kleiber explained the reason they started a co-ed league in grades 8th through 12th is
because they have tried to maintain an in-house program at this level but the teams were
constantly disintegrating over the course of the season because the girls at that age had so
many other things going on. They always had a core group that really wanted to
participate but not enough to keep an in-house league going and that is why they decided
to start a co-ed league. She noted that as far as she is aware of they are the only slow
pitch organization in the state right now at the pre-senior level.
Ms. Kleiber indicated that there are 18 volunteer board members and each member serves
a three-year term. This year they are down a little bit in their number of participants
because of some registration problems and a few other things. She noted that they
average between 500 and 600 participants each year.
Ms. Kleiber indicated that the EYSA has recently made some improvements at five
different softball fields. She stated that they have also been putting in safety fencing at a
lot of the fields.
Ms. Kleiber commented that during the last three years EYSA has had some enormous
improvements. Last year they went to ASA rules and went to an outside source for
umpires, which have made things a lot easier. This has also improved the quality of
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umpires. Also, last Saturday they had their third annual skills clinic and noted that in the
future they are hoping to institute more skills training clinics during the course of the year
to help both the participants and the coaches. She noted that they do have a shortage of
coaches at the older levels. Ms. Kleiber explained that they have also used an evaluation
sheet for each player at the end of the season to help keep the teams balanced for the
following year and it seems to have really helped.
Ms. Kleiber pointed out that one of the things they would like to see down the road is a
batting cage, that is one area that they really need to work on.
Ms. Kleiber noted that their biggest challenge is helping with the umpire association to
make sure they are developing umpires and will have umpires down the road. Their
umpires are basically 13 and 14 year-old girls and currently they are down to about 90%
of what they were last year.
Ms. Presthus indicated that with the potential referendum they are talking about building
a football field on artificial turf and asked if EYSA would be interested in using
something like that during the winter or spring. Ms. Kleiber responded that possibly the
traveling teams would be interested but she doesn’t think that in-house teams would.
Ms. Presthus asked how long is the EYSA season to which Ms. Kleiber replied the in-
house season starts May 10th with play-offs being held the week of July 10th, it’s a fairly
short season. The traveling teams had try-outs in March and they play through the end of
July.
Mr. Fredlund asked if there is any cross over between Edina Girls Fast Pitch and EYSA
to which Ms. Kleiber responded they do get some coming over from fast pitch and some
the slow pitch girls do go over to fast pitch. Mostly the contact they have with each other
is on scheduling.
Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that EYSA used to fall under the Edina Girls
Athletic Association and they grew so quickly in numbers that they became their own
group and continued to use EGAA as a parent group and shared insurance costs, etc. Mr.
Keprios explained that it used to be a daytime program but with so many single parent
families and both parents working it switched to be an evening program. That is another
reason why there is a shortage of fields.
Mr. Keprios pointed out that the youth athletic associations are an example of the City’s
and this Department’s greatest assets in the community which are our volunteers. They
are phenomenal.
III. PAMELA PARK STORM WATER RETENTION POND PROPOSAL
Wayne Houle, Assistant City Engineer, explained to the Park Board a few projects that
will be taking place at Pamela Park and Strachauer Park. The first project is the sanitary
sewer project that goes back to the back-ups they had in 1997 where basements were
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flooded. He noted that they have already done two major sewer diversion projects and
this one at Pamela Park will be the last one. These areas gather sewage that flow into
pipes and different lift stations and then go into other districts. Mr. Houle then showed a
presentation on the background of the sanitary sewer. He explained that with Pamela
Park they are going to take a portion of it and reroute it out of the city. He pointed out
that it will not affect the playground area at all.
Mr. Houle explained that in 1997 the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District approached
all of the municipalities within the watershed district asking to identify pipes that could
potentially be used for regional pond use. He noted that they felt the Pamela Park area
could be a potential site for some regional ponds. He stated that they felt it would be a
good water quality project to re-divert the flow into three systems of ponds and then back
into the wetland that exists in the Pamela Park area. Again, he noted that the area they
are looking at is an unscheduled play area and feels it would be a good area to place these
ponds.
Mr. Houle commented that a group of neighbors who live along Pamela Lake have
actually petitioned the city to help them out in rehabilitating the lake. The lake has filled
up with organics, etc., throughout the years and is very shallow. He noted that some
people who have lived in that area all of their lives have indicated that they used to swim
and fish in the lake. Therefore, part of the project has been working with the DNR, Corp
of Engineers and MTCA to dredge the lake. He explained they wouldn’t dredge the
whole lake but rather a portion of it in the middle to create more depth storage for the
water, water quality, fishery, etc.
Mr. Houle indicated that the majority of the funding for this is coming from the
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. He noted that the only part that the city will be
picking up is the nature trail that will go through the area.
Mr. Houle stated that right now there is a public hearing scheduled with the Watershed
District on July 27th for this project. After that meeting it will go back to the city where
they will decide on the project and from there it will be bid and then awarded. Currently,
they are looking at constructing the pond in the fall of 2000 along with the dredging of
Pamela Lake.
Mr. White asked if they are going to stock Pamela Lake with fish to which Mr. Houle
replied there has been talk about stocking the lake as well as putting in fish streams to
keep the carp and rough fish out.
Ms. Presthus asked if she is correct in saying that they will not be losing any playable
green space to which Mr. Keprios responded that is debatable because some of the green
space is already not in very useable condition. He noted that the area just north of 58th
Street used to be a pretty good practice area that was never scheduled, however, since
they put in the underground storage tank with above ground mechanical equipment in the
middle of the practice area, the site has become unplayable for field sport practices.
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Therefore, this seems to be a good area for this and makes sense. Mr. Houle pointed out
that Pamela Park used to be 2/3 wetlands before they started filling it in.
Mr. Mooty asked if this will impact the skating area during the winter to which Mr. Houle
responded that it should remain the same. Mr. Fredlund asked if the ponds could be used
for ice skating to which Mr. Houle responded they possibly could but he never
recommends skating on storm water ponds.
Mr. White asked with the exception of where the ponds would be installed will any other
trees be taken down. Mr. Houle replied there is a potential tree that may need to come
out but they are going to try to protect it. For every tree that is taken out 2 to 3 trees will
be planted within the park to replace every one that is lost.
Mr. Houle indicated that with Strachauer Park they are working with Mr. MacHolda on
the scheduling of the park. They may need to slide the soccer goals over a little bit during
construction but there will not be any safety issues. He noted that will probably be done
in June or July.
Barbara Hultmann, resident, stated that she has lived in the Pamela Park neighborhood
for 46 years and noted that most of the houses were established in the area before the park
was filled in. She noted that there were hundreds and hundreds of truckloads of fill
brought in because Pamela Park was wetlands back then. She noted that at one of the
meetings they went to there were some environmentalists who were concerned about the
plan because it’s an unnatural thing that we are doing to the park. However, actually it’s
going back to somewhat of its original natural state. Ms. Hultmann explained that her
concern stems from the fact that so many of her neighbors have had their homes flooded.
She noted that she knows they are going to get a lot of relief with the sanitary sewer
storage tank that holds 300,000 gallons.
Ms. Hultmann indicated that she senses this is maybe being done because we are getting
money from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District because it suits them. She wants to
be assured that when those rains happen again there is a place where it can go. Mr. Houle
then explained exactly how the diversion will work.
Linda Presthus MOVED TO ADOPT STAFF’S RECOMMENDATION. Dave Fredlund
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
IV. DONATIONS/MEMORIALS POLICY
Mr. Keprios gave a presentation showing the different plaques, that are currently at
Wooddale Park. He indicated that because of the current policy there are park users who
are complaining that their parks are starting to look like cemeteries. He noted that the
question is how long do we keep these permanent plaques in the ground and whose
expense is it when they are worn out, broken or vandalized. He then asked how do we
determine how many plaques are appropriate for a park. What dollar amount donation is
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worthy of a permanent marker in a park. He noted that currently any dollar amount is
okay as long as we receive a bench or something the park can use.
Mr. Keprios pointed out that some of the drawbacks with the proposed policy is that there
is clearly going to be a loss of potential future donations. People won’t donate in some
cases because it’s more important to them to have recognition than it is to improve the
park. He stated that some people may say the proposed policy caters to the wealthy. Mr.
Keprios commented that it’s also going to be difficult to remove whatever plaques we
currently have in the ground.
Mr. Keprios explained that some of the positive things with the proposed policy is that
it’s going to reduce the number of future plaques. It’s also going to give some temporary
and permanent recognition to those who donate as well as serve the needs and interests of
the future park users. We need to look at what is in the best interest of the park user and
the community at large.
Mr. Keprios indicated that in the policy he is proposing there are different categories at
which people would get recognized, all the way down to $300.00. However, if someone
wants a permanent plaque it would cost a minimum of $5,000. Mr. Keprios pointed out
that he recognizes that this is a very sensitive issue. Again, he noted that he feels the
permanent plaque issue is getting out of control and he is open to any suggestions from
the Park Board.
Mr. Fredlund noted that he agrees, when he walks around some of the parks they do look
a little bit like a memorial garden in some places. Mr. Housh asked if there have been a
lot of donations of a significant dollar amount such as $5,000 to $20,000. Mr. Keprios
responded that typically those types of donations are not as common. The park benches
and drinking fountains are a lot more common. Mr. Fredlund asked how much does a
park bench cost to which Mr. Keprios responded approximately $300.00 for everything.
Mr. Keprios pointed out that the City of Minneapolis has had a policy in place for the past
several years indicating that no plaques are allowed for donations under $5,000.
Mr. White stated that some of the other problems are that the plaques are wearing down
and the benches are falling apart, therefore, what do we do about that. Mr. Keprios
replied that he is dealing with those on a case by case basis.
Mr. Fredlund asked if it would better if it didn’t say “In Memory Of” along with dates of
birth and death, but to just put the name. Mr. Keprios said that is the Park Board’s call.
Mr. White noted that sometimes it’s nice to hear a story behind a certain plaque. Mr.
Keprios stated that he is a proponent of preserving and promoting history but to dwell on
the grief process and put it in our parks is where he has a problem. Mr. Mooty pointed
out that the way the proposed policy is written is the Park and Recreation Director has the
discretion of reviewing what’s being written on the plaques and use their judgment as to
what is appropriate and where to place it, etc. Mr. White noted that if someone is
donating $10,000 and have indicated what they want, the Park Board should probably
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give the final approval. Mr. Keprios responded that he would be very happy with that
process. Mr. Keprios noted that the majority of donations are $300.00 or smaller. Mr.
Housh suggested the donation for a plaque start at $10,000 and that way it would come up
once every so many years. Ms. Presthus stated that we may lose a lot of $300.00 park
benches that way to which Mr. Keprios replied yes, but the truth is we don’t really need
that many more benches.
Chuck Mooty MOVED THAT WE ACCEPT STAFF’S PROPOSAL. Linda Presthus
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
V. UPDATES
A. Grandview Square - Sherwood Park - Mr. Keprios commented that at the last Park
Board meeting the recommendation was made by Park Board to go back to the drawing
board and try to come up with a new plan that used very little or preferably no park land
to develop this site. He indicated that they have come up with a plan that will be brought
before the City Council at their next meeting. He then showed the Park Board what the
new plan looks like and noted that he feels it is a much better design and the park is
slightly larger.
B. Skate Park - Mr. Keprios indicated that he has been meeting with Greg Hanks from
the YMCA and with the Park and Recreation Directors from Bloomington and Richfield
and noted that they have been looking at different skate park sites. He stated that Edina,
Richfield and Bloomington would help pay for a joint effort to build a skate park at the
YMCA in which the YMCA would run it, cover all liability expenses, staffing, etc. Mr.
Keprios then gave a presentation on what the skate park looks like in Hudson, Wisconsin
and explained their project. He noted that they have had very few problems with
behavioral issues. Mr. Keprios stated that when all of the information is put together he
will give a formal presentation to the Park Board.
C. Off-Leash Dog Site - Mr. Keprios indicated that he attended the Minneapolis Park
Board public hearing last week regarding all of their dog sites. He then showed a map of
Weber Park and showed the area which is owned by the Minneapolis Public Works
Department. He stated that he recently met with some representatives from the
Minneapolis Park Board, the Park Director from St. Louis Park and some Park Board
members and they agreed if this is done it needs to be expanded to about a four-acre site.
He noted that Minneapolis claims they don’t have the dollars to accommodate this right
now. He noted that he also informed them that they would have to develop some parking,
he then showed on the map where the parking could be placed.
Mr. Keprios explained that what took place at the Minneapolis Park Board meeting was
they put all of their different proposals up and voted on each one individually. He
commented that the only two people who spoke to this proposal were Minneapolis
residents who spoke very highly in favor of it. He stated that the Park Commissioners
who attended that meeting were very sensitive to the other pre-jurisdictions they have to
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deal with regarding this property. He noted that they have approved it preliminarily on
their success at working with the three other jurisdictions. Mr. Keprios indicated that
they did not charge forward without recognizing that they had to deal with our ordinances
and meeting some of the demands that have been put forth.
Mr. Keprios asked the Park Board if they feel a mailing should be done to the
neighborhood so that we can respond to their comments and questions. We would
essentially make it a public hearing to get their views on the subject and then have the
Park Board make a recommendation either for or against it. Mr. Keprios noted that he
thinks this is a great opportunity and pointed out that people already use it as an-off leash
dog site. He commented that people bring their own bags and garbage cans and it’s
immaculate. Mr. Housh stated that he thought kids rode their bikes all through that area
to which Mr. Keprios responded that they do. Mr. Housh asked why it can’t just be left
the way it is to which Mr. Keprios replied that it’s in the city ordinance that you can’t let
your dog run off of a leash. If a dog is running wild they are subject to a fine. Mr. Mooty
asked if a path could be created outside of the gated area. If they are losing a walking
path or a bike path he would think that would be a big issue for the neighbors. Mr. White
stated that he thinks the Park Board needs to find out what the neighbors think about this.
Mr. Keprios noted that in defense for the dog park there currently are no off-leash sites in
Edina whereas there are a lot of places for kids to ride their bikes. Mr. Mooty commented
that he was just wondering if there is a way that we could have both. Mr. Keprios replied
that would be tough because ultimately the area will surrounded by a four-foot high fence.
Mr. Mooty asked what is the reasoning for having it larger to which Mr. Keprios
responded the larger the better to give the dogs their exercise and their space as well as
avoid dog to dog confrontations.
Mr. Keprios indicated that one of the opponents to a different dog site in Minneapolis was
that they felt it was selfish of the dog owner to think they could have one special area just
for themselves when it’s a public park. Mr. Fredlund asked if this would be the only off-
leash dog park in the Minneapolis area to which Mr. Keprios replied no.
Ms. Presthus asked how many dogs could use it at one time and how much use will it
actually get. Mr. Keprios replied that he hopes it will get a lot of use and that it will be
self-managed. In other words, if there are dogs present, people will probably leave and
come back at a later time.
Mr. Mooty commented that if a mailing is done to just the neighborhood residents he
would guess that 90% of them will be opposed to this idea. Therefore, we wouldn’t
really be getting the proper perspective of the Edina residents by just limiting it to the
neighbors. Mr. White asked if Edina has a dog licensing structure and if so we could also
send a mailing to the dog owners so that their comments can be heard.
Mr. White pointed out that twice in the last four years residents have come before the
Park Board asking for a special dog park in Edina, once at Bredesen Park and once at
Todd Park. There is a desire out there by some of the Edina residents. Mr. Keprios
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commented that the Chief of Police does not fully support his recommendation because it
could potentially result in additional enforcement calls for their department. Mr. Keprios
stated that he thinks there would be even more headaches, however, if we owned the land
and ran it entirely ourselves. Ms. Presthus asked if someone got bit by a dog whose
problem would it be. Mr. Keprios responded as he stated in his letter he would want it to
become a Minneapolis Park Board matter to enforce.
It was decided that Mr. Keprios will inform the neighborhood as well as the dog owners
of the current situation and they will be asked to voice any of their comments or concerns
at the next Park Board meeting. Mr. Keprios indicated that at the next Park Board
meeting he will make a recommendation to the Park Board which would then go on to the
City Council. Mr. Mooty suggested that he feels it needs to be pointed out that from the
staff’s perspective this is the most appropriate spot for an off-leash dog site. He noted that
what he feels this does is it creates greater credibility to the process because if you really
think about it if there truly is a need for one it basically comes down what is the best
location for it.
Ms. Sitek asked how much choice do we have in the matter to which Mr. Keprios replied
that he would say we have a lot. They have to abide by our ordinances as much as we
have to abide by theirs if we were in their city.
D. Lewis Park Bandy Rink/Soccer Field Study - Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board
that the architect didn’t get the Lewis Park soil boring results in time so he doesn’t have a
report ready to present. Therefore, it will have to wait until the June or July Park Board
meeting.
E. City/School Referendum Update - Mr. Keprios indicated that the City Council has
voted to have a public hearing on Tuesday, May 16th at 5:00 p.m. At that public hearing
he will be giving a brief presentation followed by the architect, Pete Sieger, who will also
give a presentation.
Mr. Keprios pointed out that in 1975 there was a referendum with three questions on the
ballot, one failed by 105 votes, one passed by 268 votes and one passed by 45 votes. The
referendum in 1996 passed by 2,364 votes. Mr. Keprios commented that he attributes
that to getting out into the community and informing the residents of what the initiative is
and what is included. He noted that he doesn’t see this referendum being any different,
because people want and deserve to be informed. Mr. Keprios then showed where all of
the money went on the last referendum. Mr. Keprios explained that of the 32 million
dollar referendum that’s being considered only 4.5 million would be spent on City owned
property and that does not include what he sees to be all of their needs. He noted that he
is still banking on the fact that they are going to have a capital improvement plan in place
this year.
Mr. White asked if the dollar amount listed is the same that was voted on at the Park
Board meeting in February. Mr. Keprios replied that the only thing that did not get into
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the referendum that the Park Board recommended was the tennis court lighting. Mr.
Mooty commented that the dollar amount was also bumped up because of the pool
situation. Mr. Fredlund asked Mr. Keprios if he is comfortable with these numbers to
which Mr. Keprios replied that he thinks they are rather high. He then explained that the
architect stated in a joint meeting recently that he feels very comfortable with these
numbers.
F. Revised Park Board Meeting Schedule Reminder (Wed., Sept. 13). - Mr. Keprios
pointed out that the September Park Board meeting will be held on Wednesday,
September 13th because of the Primary Election being held on September 12th. He noted
that he is still planning on having dinner and playing putt putt golf.
VI. TWO YOUTH PARK BOARD POSITIONS PROPOSALS
Mr. Keprios indicated that he is asking for the Park Board’s approval to go forward with
his recommendation to fill the next two Park Board member vacancies with two youths.
This would be in keeping with the “Connecting Kids Vision”. Mr. Fredlund asked whose
call this would be to which Mr. Keprios replied that it would ultimately be the Mayor’s
call. However, he would like the Park Board to make that recommendation to the
Mayor.
Ms. Presthus commented that there are two youth who sit on the Community Education
Services Board and they do a couple of things, however, there is usually only one who
shows up. She indicated that she thinks choosing them is really the key. Two youth
could be two nothing positions or they could be really valuable.
Mr. Fredlund asked if they would serve a full three-year term or would it be done
annually. Mr. Keprios replied that they would be a regular Park Board member and
would serve a three year term, however, you might suggest that it be only a two year term
or try it for a year and see what happens. Mr. Mooty noted that he thinks it’s a good
move, his only issue is that by eliminating two senior positions would we have a broad
enough perspective by reducing versus just adding new Park Board members. Mr.
Keprios noted that he thinks 13 members is too many and with 12 members you end up
with split votes.
Mr. White noted that he has a problem with setting aside someone from the senior end.
Mr. Keprios explained that the initiative here is to send a message to the youth
community, we value our youth and hold them in high regards. Mr. Housh commented
that they are fairly active users of the parks and it only makes sense. Mr. Mooty indicated
that he thinks youth are less intimated if they have someone else with them, they might
feel more comfortable. Ms. Presthus commented that she doesn’t think a senior should
be chosen because there are a lot of ongoing issues that keep coming up and it’s hard to
get involved no matter who you are.
13
Chuck Mooty MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO HAVE ONE YOUTH AT THIS
JUNCTURE AND THAT THERE IS NO REASON WHY WE CAN’T ADD ONE
MORE AT SOME POINT BUT MOVED THAT WE ADD ONE YOUTH FOR A TWO
YEAR TERM. Scot Housh SECONDED THE MOTION. Ms. Presthus asked to amend
the motion to WHEN A PARK BOARD POSITION BECOMES AVAILABLE.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
VII. OTHER
A. Community Education Services Report - Ms. Presthus reported that they are still
working on putting together a joint calendar that would bring all of the information from
the community together. The school district and city would still do their own individual
brochures but this would be one that would include everything with key dates.
Ms. Presthus reported that they are also still working on their phone system which would
maybe spill over to the associations where all registrations, etc., could be done by phone.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Andy Finsness MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:55 P.M. Karla Sitek
SECONDED THE MOTION. MEETING ADJOURNED.