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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-04-09 Park Board Minutes 1 EDINA PARK BOARD 7:00 P.M. EDINA SENIOR CENTER APRIL 9, 2002 _____________________________ MEMBERS PRESENT: Andy Finsness, Mike Damman, Floyd Grabiel, Allyson Grande, Dave Fredlund, Karla Sitek MEMBERS ABSENT: Tom White, Ardis Wexler, George Klus, Jeff Johnson, Linda Presthus STAFF PRESENT: John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton, Susan Weigle ______________________________ I. EDINA SENIOR CENTER TOUR AND PRESENTATION – SUSAN WEIGLE The Edina Park Board went on a tour of the new Senior Center. Ms. Weigle indicated that the Edina Senior Center first opened in 1969 and was located in the TCF building. She stated that in 1972 the Senior Center moved to 7151 York Avenue and moved again in 1989 to the Edina Community Center. Ms. Weigle noted that she has been the Director of the Edina Senior for 25 wonderful years and still loves her job. Mr. Keprios stated that after leasing property for their Senior Center for all of those years, we now finally have a facility to call our own. Mr. Grabiel asked how often the Senior Center newsletter is mailed out to which it was noted once a month. Mr. Keprios indicated that membership fees are $15.00 a year whereby members receive a newsletter every month and are able to sign up for programs and trips before non-members. Ms. Weigle added that couples can purchase a membership for $25.00. It was noted that the majority of members are age 55 and older. Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that what the City of Plymouth experienced when they built their own Senior Center is they tripled their membership within a couple of years. Mr. Grabiel asked what is senior dining. Ms. Weigle explained that senior congregate dining is sponsored by “Volunteers of America” and is located at 7151 York and its main purpose is socialization and an affordable meal. Everyone thanked Ms. Weigle. 2 II. APPROVAL OF THE TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2002 PARK BOARD MINUTES Floyd Grabiel MOVED TO APPROVE THE MARCH 12, 2002 PARK BOARD MINUTES. Karla Sitek SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED. III. FOX MEADOW PARK DEVELOPMENT UPDATE – JOHN KEPRIOS Mr. Keprios stated that so far there have been two meetings with the Fox Meadow Park Committee (consisting of five residents) and the architect, Brauer and Associates. He noted that at their first meeting everyone gave their ideas on how they want the park to function and develop. Out of their feedback the architect was able to come up with a couple of different concept drawings for development. Mr. Keprios passed these drawings around and explained each one. Mr. Keprios noted that after the committee saw the concept drawings they had some excellent dialog, which lead to a combination of the two plans. They wanted a plan to show the greater neighborhood that does not include a path that leads down to the lake. They like the idea of a very small play structure along with a pathway that leads around the immediate area. Mr. Keprios noted that they were still undecided about including a picnic shelter. Mr. Fredlund asked about the pond to which Mr. Keprios noted that was debated but they thought they wanted to leave as much to nature as they could but yet beautify the park without disturbing a lot of what’s in place. They would like to keep the desirable vegetation and eliminate the non-desirable. Mr. Damman asked what do the people say about that to which Mr. Keprios indicated they like it because they feel that’s a benefit. They really liked the idea of buffering heavily along Blake Road. Mr. Keprios noted they had little discussion on the pond, however, they didn’t like the idea of having too much water on site and thinks the consensus was to leave it and let nature take its course. Mr. Keprios explained that process wise they are sending out notices to the neighborhood to invite them to an input meeting and show them what the committee came up with and see what their thoughts are. He noted that after that he would like to take their collective wisdom to the Park Board meeting in May so the Park Board can zero in on whether or not to develop the park and if so what’s it going to look like. Mr. Keprios commented that he would like to have a Park Board member attend the Fox Meadow neighborhood meeting with him on April 30th. Mr. Damman noted that Mr. White already spoke to him about attending and he indicated he would be willing to attend the meeting. Mr. Fredlund asked if the architect will also be at that meeting to which it was noted yes. Mr. Keprios indicated that the committee is aware that the Park Board has already made a decision to go ahead and develop the park some day. Therefore, staff was sent on a charge to come up with a plan that would be endorsed by the majority of the neighborhood. However, there will always be some people who will not be happy with what is developed. Mr. Keprios stated that he thinks that we are on the right track in that the park should either be developed and maintained or at least improve its aesthetics and 3 ultimately develop it. If nothing at all is done with the park it is the committee’s recommendation to sell the property to develop homes. The committee does not want to leave it in its current state. Mr. Keprios noted that he agrees it should be developed as a park. Mr. Fredlund asked were there any estimates of development costs to which Mr. Keprios replied they don’t want to put an amount to it until they have a more final plan. Mr. Grabiel asked Mr. Keprios how the architects are selected and are they people who have previously worked on parks to which Mr. Keprios replied yes. He noted that Brauer and Associates have been around for many years and have designed a lot of the playground and park sites in Edina and throughout the state of Minnesota. They are very well known park planners and architects who are highly respected throughout the state. Mr. Finsness asked if there is anyone who is anti-park to which Mr. Keprios replied not in the small committee. He noted that they brought forward some challenging questions, however, everyone was on board with going forward with some type of development. Some definitely wanted more than others. He indicated that when they talked about playground equipment, they were talking about equipment for 3 to 5 year olds and nothing too big. Ms. Sitek asked what is the main issue that people have who are against this development. Mr. Keprios replied that it is basically that certain people do not want the public in their back yard. Mr. Fredlund asked how the City ended up with this piece of property. Mr. Keprios explained that it was purchased through a referendum back in 1975. He noted it was purchased to be developed as park land, however, the land acquisition bond passed by 45 votes but the park development bond failed by 105 votes. Mr. Keprios pointed out that currently our funding priority has been to fix what’s broken first before adding more new additional park infrastructure. IV. EDINA AQUATIC CENTER RENOVATION – ED MACHOLDA Mr. MacHolda indicated that this past month the weather has not been favorable for construction at the Aquatic Center. He noted that the group that is working on the themed dry play structure and the ship’s bow actually removed from the site and hope to return with favorable temperatures next week. Also, before the plunge pool can be poured there needs to be a few consistent 40 to 50 degree temperature days. Mr. MacHolda indicated that both the water slide tower and flumes are fairly complete but are currently waiting for nicer weather to go forward with other pieces of the project. He added that hopefully next week will be warmer so that they can really make some progress. Mr. Grabiel asked what is the dry play area going to be like. Mr. MacHolda indicated that inside the front cover of the 2002 Activities Directory is an artist’s rendering of the 4 structure. He explained that in the dry play area the focal point is a tree house that has a lookout platform. The tree house also has a bridge that goes to a second tree as well as it has two different slides. In addition a third tree will have monkey bars. There will also be a crawl through log with a small toddler slide and a large spider web that kids can climb on. Mr. Grabiel asked if the kids will be able to go between the pool areas and the dry play area to which Mr. MacHolda replied yes. The walkway will be heavily landscaped to help create the theme of an adventure. Mr. Grabiel asked if there is a concern regarding the tracking of wood chips or whatever from the dry play area to the pools. Mr. MacHolda replied that issue has been brought up and that is why the play area will have a wood chip type safety surface and the walkway will be cement. Mr. Fredlund asked how the engineering is going with that cable ride to which Mr. MacHolda responded they are currently working on resolving that issue. Mr. MacHolda indicated that both the kids and his staff are really excited about these new additions and improvements. V. SKATE PARK UPDATE – JOHN KEPRIOS Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that the City of Richfield approved their first reading on April 23rd and shortly will have their second and final reading regarding their share of $80,000 for the skate park. He noted that they anticipate it will be successful. Mr. Keprios stated that they have already given the architect the green light to start the construction drawing stage. Also, he just signed off on soil borings so they have been out drilling holes for the new location. Mr. Keprios indicated he thinks that the skate park is going to happen and they are all moving fast and furious. He explained that their next step is to go before the City Council the first week of May to get their approval on the joint powers agreement. Mr. Fredlund asked about Bloomington to which Mr. Keprios replied that Bloomington has had their $80,000 in the bank for some time. However, they were supposed to raise another $40,000 like the rest of us through fundraising and so far have not been too successful. He commented that their Park Director seems to think they have enough money in other funds to draw from and are going to make good on their commitment. Ms. Grande asked if the people who do not live in Edina, Bloomington or Richfield will be charged a higher rate to use the skate park. Mr. Keprios replied that the people who live in Edina, Richfield, Bloomington, or are a member of the Southdale YMCA will receive a discount rate. Mr. Keprios explained that Greg Hanks from the Southdale YMCA and Jim Topitzhofer from Richfield have been sent on a charge to establish an operational budget that includes fees and charges. Mr. Grabiel asked if everything goes okay approximately when will the skate park open to which Mr. Keprios noted they are hoping to at least get a couple of weeks of use out of 5 it yet this year. It will take a few months to build it and the goal is to have it completed this year. VI. OTHER A. Lewis Park - Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that the renovation of the soccer fields at Lewis Park have been approved and construction will start May 15th. B. Walnut Ridge – Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that bids for the renovation of the tennis courts at Walnut Ridge have been approved and completion is scheduled for the middle to the end of June. C. Fire Suppression System - Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that they just opened bids on the fire suppression system for the Braemar West Arena which came in at $77,000. This amount is a few thousand dollars under the consulting engineer’s estimate. This item will go before the City Council for approval one week from tonight. D. Needs Assessment – Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that one week from tonight Mr. White and he will be at the City Council meeting to talk about the needs assessment survey recommendation from the Park Board. They will inform the City Council what the Park Board is recommending as far as the needs assessment and how we came to that resolve and recommendation. The City Council will then give us a direction and we will report back to the Park Board at the May Park Board meeting. E. Braemar Golf Course – Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that the driving range and executive course will be open this coming Saturday and that the Fred Richards and main golf course at Braemar will open on Monday morning. The Golf Dome will stay operable until there is stable dry weather and then it will close for the season. VII. ADJOURNMENT Mike Damman MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:55 P.M. Andy Finsness SECONDED THE MOTION. MEETING ADJOURNED.