HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-04-08 Park Board Minutes 1
EDINA PARK BOARD
7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
APRIL 8, 2003
_____________________________
MEMBERS PRESENT: Andy Finsness, Mike Damman, Karla Sitek, Ardis Wexler, George
Klus, David Fredlund, Floyd Grabiel, Linda Presthus, Allyson
Grande, Mike Weiss
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jeff Johnson
STAFF PRESENT: John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton
______________________________
I. APPROVAL OF THE TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2003 PARK BOARD
MINUTES
Floyd Grabiel MOVED TO APPROVE THE MARCH 11, 2003 PARK BOARD
MINUTES. Mike Weiss SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED.
II. FOX MEADOW PARK DONATIONS RECOGNITION PLAQUE
Mr. Keprios explained that a group of people came before the Park Board and City
Council and asked that their park be developed and noted that they would donate money
towards it. He indicated that the Park Board and City Council was very supportive and
that they would like to recognize those donors in an appropriate manner. Mr. Keprios
informed the Park Board that the group of people who have donated the most money
have come forward with some recommendations and have asked everyone who donated
money whether or not they would like to be recognized. He noted that the plaque would
be a reasonable size, approximately 8” x 11”, and they would find a nice spot in the park
to place it. Mr. Keprios pointed out to the Park Board that technically the plaque is in
violation of our own standing policy. However, it’s not really a memorial, it’s more of a
thank you to the neighborhood for recognizing them for their contributions. Mr. Keprios
added that he thinks it’s a very tasteful plaque and method of recognition.
Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that he received some input today from one of the
neighborhood committee members who suggested a slightly different approach to the
proposed plaque of recognition. Mr. Keprios then handed out the revised donor list. He
noted that this is what the committee would like to see done. Ms. Presthus stated that as
long as it’s not a memorial she thinks it’s perfectly appropriate and is very much in favor
of it.
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Mr. Klus asked Mr. Keprios if he is going to encourage some type of neighborhood
picnic once the park is completed in August to which he replied yes, he is planning a
grand opening event for the park and unveiling of the plaque.
Ms. Presthus asked if for some reason the plaque is vandalized or defaced who is
responsible for replacing it to which Mr. Keprios responded that the City would replace
it.
Dave Fredlund MOVED TO ACCEPT THE DONATIONS RECOGNITION PLAQUE
TO BE PERMANENTLY DISPLAYED AT FOX MEADOW PARK. Linda Presthus
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Keprios indicated that later this year he plans to propose an amendment or revision to
the existing Donations/Memorials Policy to promote similar donations in the future.
III. EDINBOROUGH PARK PLAY STRUCTURE & SPECIAL MEETING
Mr. Keprios explained to the Park Board that they are planning on purchasing a new play
structure for Edinborough Park in a way that has not been done before. He indicated that
he would like to have three staff members and three Park Board members form a
committee and meet with each vendor who submits a bid. Under this method, each
vendor can explain their plan, which will help us do an educated job of assigning point
values. Mr. Keprios indicated that is one way this could be done or they could hold a
special Park Board meeting on April 30th to review staff’s findings and make a
recommendation to the City Council who will move on it the first Tuesday in May. He
indicated that the recommended vendor would also be present at that City Council
meeting to explain their plan.
Mr. Klus indicated that his recommendation would be that if there were two or three Park
Board members who would be interested in doing this then let them do it and let the Park
Board give them the authority to do it. Mr. Klus commented that he doesn’t think it’s
necessary for the Park Board to hold a special meeting for this one issue. Mr. Klus noted
that he would trust the judgment of anyone on the Park Board. Floyd Grabiel, Linda
Presthus and Mike Damman all volunteered to help Mr. Keprios with the project.
Mike Weiss MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT MIKE DAMMAN, L INDA
PRESTHUS AND FLOYD GRABIEL WORK WITH MR. KEPRIOS AND BE
EMPOWERED ON BEHALF OF THE PARK BOARD TO MAKE A
RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE PURCHASE OF
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT FOR EDINBOROUGH PARK.
Andy Finsness SECONDED THE MOTION.
Mr. Finsness asked what the amount of the play structure is to which Mr. Keprios replied
they are asking for a $210,000 play structure. The specifications call for vendors to give
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them the most play value for $210,000. This method eliminates having to accept the
lowest responsible bidder but rather the best plan for the money.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
IV. UPDATES
A. YMCA/Tri-City Skate Park – Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that the original
concept for the skate park was designed 3 ½ years ago with input from kids themselves.
He noted that the kids knew they wanted in-ground concrete bowls with steel coping,
street amenities and rails and spines knowing full well they were going to get a
professional who does this for a living to improve on the plan. Mr. Keprios noted that all
three cities are now on board. The Bloomington City Council was the last to sign off on
the agreements, which they did last night. Mr. Keprios passed around a copy of the plan
for the skate park. He noted that the whole park is approximately 20,000 square feet.
Mr. Klus informed Mr. Keprios that as he understands it the Rotary Club would be
passing a motion on Thursday to donate the money needed to build the attendant
building. Mr. Keprios replied that is wonderful. Mr. Klus noted that they would like to
have someone from the City of Edina be present as well as someone from the YMCA to
which Mr. Keprios replied he and a YMCA representative would be there.
Mr. Keprios indicated that the contractor is ready to start breaking ground the first week
of May and hopefully at the latest they will have a skate park by the middle of August.
Mr. Keprios added that this will be the first in-ground all concrete skate park in
Minnesota and feels it is going to be extremely popular. Ms. Presthus asked if they could
get publicity on it somewhere to which Mr. Keprios replied they would be sure to have a
lot of publicity on it.
Ms. Wexler asked what the admission fee is going to be to which Mr. Keprios replied that
the YMCA is putting together a fee schedule. Also, if there are people who cannot afford
it, they are going to try to find a way to get them financial assistance to cover their
entrance fee. He noted that the Joint Powers Agreement states that the YMCA may
charge just enough to pay for operating costs and that the YMCA may not make a profit
from skate park revenues. He stated that they are moving right along and are making
great progress.
B. Fred Richards Golf Course Maintenance Building – Mr. Keprios indicated that the
2,800 square foot maintenance building at the Fred Richards Golf Course was approved
by the City Council. He noted that it was desperately needed, the current building is
approximately 900 square feet and therefore expensive equipment had to be left outside.
He noted that the money for this project would come out of the golf course proceeds.
C. Normandale Park Playground Equipment – Mr. MacHolda informed the Park Board
that it has been slow moving at Normandale Park. He indicated that he has met with two
neighborhood representatives, Cyri Prescott and Paul Nelson, who are going to discuss
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with the neighborhood what was talked about and report back on any additional feedback.
He noted that so far they have met with three playground equipment vendors. Mr.
MacHolda explained that the reason he thinks they have been moving so slowly on this is
because they were discussing where the best location would be for the play equipment
when the snow started to fall. He noted that once the snow started to melt they saw how
the water channeled and therefore determined that the existing location is the best
location. However, the neighborhood committee has not narrowed down the playground
manufacturer and that is what is keeping them from being further in the process. He
pointed out that they would need to decide whose equipment they want to bid and specify
that and then move forward. Mr. MacHolda commented that it is his hope that the new
equipment will be in place by mid to late summer.
Ms. Grande asked what the affect would be on the playground program when they take
out the old equipment and put in the new equipment. Mr. MacHolda replied that the
City’s staff would remove the existing equipment, concrete container and safety surface.
He noted that they would hold off on removing the old equipment until the installation of
the new equipment is ready to take place.
D. City Staff Work Session – Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that this past
Saturday the City staff and City Council had a work session for approximately four hours
at the Senior Center. He noted that it was very good and that they covered the top issues
that the City will face in the next five years as well as they covered the City’s
accomplishments over the past five years. He indicated that they also covered the factors
of influence or forces of change that they’ve been faced with during the past three years.
Mr. Keprios indicated that they are going to have another Saturday work session on May
17th to come up with a plan of action on how to address the issues they are going to be
faced with.
Mr. Keprios indicated that he asked his staff what they thought the top five
accomplishments were for the Park and Recreation Department and they came up with 32
different things. He noted that his staff really deserve a pat on the back because their list
is quite impressive.
V. PARK BOARD ASSIGNMENTS
Mr. Klus indicated that when everyone started on the Park Board they were given a list of
all of the parks along with a classification of the parks. He noted that he thinks it would
be helpful for the Park Board members to receive this list again because everyone is not
familiar with all of the parks in Edina. Mr. Klus stated that as he mentioned at the last
Park Board meeting he thinks it would be nice to have periodic reports about each park in
Edina so that all Park Board members can become more familiar with every park. Mr.
Keprios stated that there are 39 parks in Edina and indicated that he will make up a list of
each park including their classification and description. Mr. Grabiel asked if a map could
also be included with this information to which it was noted yes.
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Mr. Keprios indicated that he thought it made sense for each member to take a park or
two and felt they should visit parks that have construction going on this year. Ms.
Presthus asked why don’t they cover all of the parks. She noted that each board member
could be assigned three parks and make sure that everyone gets at least one new
construction site park. Everyone agreed it sounded like a good idea.
Ms. Wexler stated that perhaps they might want to get a list of the neighbors who live
within a two-block radius of the park to let them know we are interested in their park and
ask if they have any questions or suggestions. However, the down side of this is people
will be calling saying they want all kinds of things. Mr. Klus commented that he thinks if
the residents knew which Park Board members were responsible for which parks they
could call those members and relay their thoughts. He noted that perhaps they could run
an article in the Sun Newspaper. Mr. Keprios replied that they could certainly do those
things, however, the Park Board is going to have a very large task when they get to the
Needs Assessment Survey that will be happening in 2004. Mr. Keprios noted that he
thinks this is a wonderful project for everyone to be a little more in tune with what our
needs are out there. Mr. Keprios stated that the City Council has already approved the
Park Board’s recommendation and are going to hire a professional consultant to come in
and help us draft the questions for the survey.
Mr. Keprios indicated that if there’s an immediate issue with a park people will and
should call him because that is his job. He noted that he thinks the Sun Newspaper would
be more than happy to publish an article that says, “the Park Board is actively involved in
looking at your parks and here are the people who are assigned to these parks”. He noted
that this way the whole community is covered and no one gets overlooked. Mr. Klus
asked the Park Board how they feel about having the responsibility of learning about a
couple of parks and what their needs are for the next year or two. He noted that it would
be impossible for them as a group to know about all of the parks but if everyone were an
expert on a few of them it would really help with the Needs Assessment Survey. Mr.
Keprios stated that he thinks this will be a prelude to let the community know we have a
Needs Assessment Survey coming down the road.
Mr. Klus indicated that he would recommend that everyone take the park that is closest to
them, however, he’s not sure how much overlapping there would be. He noted that if
anyone has a specific park that they would like to be responsible for they should let Mr.
Keprios know. He stated that Mr. Keprios and his staff could put together a list and bring
it to the next Park Board meeting to see how it looks. Ms. Presthus suggested that not
only should they divide up the park that’s closest to them but also make sure everyone
has a different type of park. She noted that they need to be sure that someone doesn’t end
up with all of the big parks.
Ms. Wexler noted that rather than calling for a motion maybe they could just agree as a
consensus. Mr. Klus indicated that he would recommend that the best way to reach the
citizens of Edina is to put an article in the Sun so that we aren’t excluding people. He
noted that if we word it right we might not get any calls from people who feel excluded,
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plus, citizens of Edina will know what we are doing on their behalf. Everyone noted that
they liked the idea.
VI. OTHER
A. Edina Baseball Association – Mr. Finsness asked if there was any response to last
months Park Board meeting regarding the EBA and ETBC. Mr. MacHolda replied that
he has completed the house league scheduling for the EBA and will have the traveling
part completed by the end of the month. He noted that the EBA has taken more field
time this year. Mr. MacHolda indicated that the EBA scheduled Braemar so heavily that
they shut out their own traveling teams that he had to meet with Mr. Nelson to free up
some time.
Mr. Keprios noted that there would be a revised policy on this issue long before the
season is over that the Park Board can move on.
VII. NEEDS ASSESSMENT ASSIGNMENT – INDOOR FIELD SPORTS AND
GYMNASIUMS
Mr. Keprios indicated that, as it states in the March 18, 2003 City Council minutes on
page 12, the City Council made a motion to direct the Park Board to complete a needs
assessment for all recreation facilities for indoor field sports and gymnasiums and
realistic options for consideration and to come back before the City Council in three to
four months with the study. Mr. Klus pointed out that the School Board is looking at
having a potential bond issue next November, contingent upon what happens with the
legislature. He indicated that the schools have been doing their own assessments over the
last few months and noted that a few weeks ago he met with Mr. Keprios and Ms. Feige
from the School Board on a Sunday afternoon to talk about what they are looking at
doing so that nothing would be duplicated. Mr. Keprios suggested to Mr. Klus that the
Park Board form a committee to study this, go on some field trips and see some of the
things that are out there and what some of the options are. Mr. Keprios noted that he did
make an error on his staff report. The members of the committee are: Mike Damman,
Andrew Finsness, George Klus and Karla Sitek. Mr. Keprios noted that he thinks that the
task in front of them is to first look at what the real need is. He indicated that they need
to get all of the gymnasium sports and indoor field sports associations around a table for a
meeting and hear them out. Mr. Keprios stated that currently the school’s plan, which is
a work in progress, is looking at putting in eight gymnasiums, four of which are a priority
one.
Mr. Keprios noted that he asked the question at the Athletic Association President
meeting if the school built four gymnasiums wouldn’t that be enough. He noted that Mr.
Bjork from the Edina Basketball Association replied that the school’s plan wouldn’t solve
all of their needs because they still need a tournament facility with four or more gyms
under the same roof. Therefore, the Park Board’s special committee really needs to focus
on what are the needs and how are they going to approach them. The committee should
talk to each organization that has an interest in additional gymnasiums and find out what
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the true needs are and what ideally they want. The committee should also determine
what these organizations are willing to pay to use these facilities.
Mr. Keprios pointed out that the school has also made it very clear that they do not want
the community to have the perception that it’s another city/school referendum and that
the current proposal is work in progress. The School Board will ultimately decide
whether or not to have a referendum and what should be included.
Mr. Keprios explained that his initial reaction to the City Council’s direction was that it
seemed to make the most sense to set up a smaller committee and run with it. The small
committee will do all of the legwork as far as all of the research, dollars, looking at
facilities and meeting with the groups who will be served by these facilities. The four-
member committee will then make a recommendation to the Park Board. Mr. Klus stated
that he expects the Park Board to question whatever the committee brings back so
everyone can be in sync before a recommendation is brought before the City Council. He
noted that they only have until June to do this and a lot of it will be contingent on what
the school ends up doing. Ms. Presthus stated that they can research anything they want
but if the schools are coming out with a referendum where some items will either be
complementary or contradictory isn’t that sort of a waste of time. Mr. Keprios replied
that this would not be a waste of time. We are following the directive from the City
Council. He noted that they need to inform the City Council as part of their report that
the school district is considering these facilities and therefore their recommendation
perhaps should not take action right away but wait and see what happens with the school
district’s referendum. He noted that we also should be aware of new laws being
considered by the state legislature, which may not be decided upon until June. Therefore,
they may want to ask the City Council for an additional 30 days to see what the outcome
of the legislature is.
Mr. Finsness asked Mr. Keprios if he has any insight as to why this is on the fast track to
which Mr. Keprios replied that all he knows is there are at least a couple of City Council
members who really want to see these done soon.
Mr. Keprios asked the Park Board if they feel this is an appropriate process to follow to
address this directive.
Ms. Wexler commented that her immediate reaction to this is there seems to be
something that is not quite right but she is not sure what it is at this point. Mr. Klus
replied that he understands what Ms. Wexler is saying and noted that he thinks that will
dictate their process as they go through it. He stated that those are things they will have
to deal with as a Park Board in their recommendation.
Mr. Klus asked the Park Board if everyone feels comfortable with the process of the four
mentioned board members running with this and bringing back a recommendation to the
Park Board. By consensus everyone agreed to move forward with this process.
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Mr. Keprios handed out to the Park Board what the projected enrollments are for the
school district and it looks at though they are holding their own for the next five years.
Ms. Presthus asked if they see growth in any particular area or quadrant of the city that
affects facility needs. She noted that some of the parks seemed to be more heavily used
by the younger kids. Mr. Keprios replied board members may want to research that
question when they are reporting on their assigned parks.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Andy Finsness MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:10 P.M. Mike Weiss
SECONDED THE MOTION. MEETING ADJOURNED.