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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.