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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-08-10 Park Board Minutes 1 EDINA PARK BOARD 7:00 P.M. EDINA COMMUNITY ROOM EDINA CITY HALL AUGUST 10, 2004 _____________________________ MEMBERS PRESENT: Mike Damman, George Klus, Karla Sitek, Alice Hulbert, Jeff Johnson, Floyd Grabiel MEMBERS ABSENT: Linda Presthus, Jeff Sorem, Andy Finsness, Mike Weiss STAFF PRESENT: John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton, Vince Cockriel OTHERS PRESENT: Russille Kimmel, James Zwilling, Susan Simonton, Diane Plunkett Latham, Dan Latham, Betty Workinger, Jean White, John Haeg, Rita Carlotto, Kathy Zuspan, Jan Coldman-Carter, Julia Risser, Naomi Griffith, Richard Griffith ____________________________ I. NEW EDITOR SUN NEWSPAPER Mr. Klus introduced James Zwilling, the new Editor to the Sun Newspaper who is replacing Laura Walden. Mr. Zwilling asked everyone to feel free to give him a call anytime they have something they would like to talk to him about. II. PARK ASSIGNMENT PRESENTATION – GEORGE KLUS Mr. Klus indicated that his park assignments were Highlands Park, Todd Park and Alden Park. Mr. Klus stated that Highlands Park is located on Doncaster Way and Ayshire Boulevard. He noted that the park sits on 44 acres and added that there are several parts to the park. Mr. Klus pointed out that it has a very large open space to which this year it was used for soccer fields because of the field shortage they had this year. He noted usually they have one big soccer field with some practice areas. Mr. Klus added that there is also an adult softball field located at the park. Mr. Klus explained that the neighbors on each side of the park have really taken ownership of the park as well as Highlands School has done some planting. He indicated that the park has a wooded area with a pathway and noted that there is a lot of wildlife there. Mr. Klus commented that the Edina Garden Council does a wonderful job at Highlands Park, which is very much appreciated. Mr. Klus indicated that the tennis courts get quite a bit of use. He also pointed out that with the last referendum new playground equipment was put in. 2 Mr. Klus again stated that the neighbors really do take care of this park and twice a year they pick up the trash and cut the weeds. He indicated that the city forester has also been at the park taking out some of the buckthorn and commented that he has done a nice job. Mr. Klus stated that Highlands Park has one of the older warming houses. However, the ice rinks get used all the time but the parking lot is starting to wear out. Mr. Klus indicated that the next park he visited was Todd Park, which is located on Vandervork Avenue. He noted that this park was named after T. Lea Todd, who was part of the Village Council from 1943 to 1968. Mr. Klus pointed out that Todd Park has a wonderful basketball court, which gets used all the time. There is also a softball field, tennis courts and playground equipment. Mr. Klus added that Todd Park has some great open green areas. He informed the Park Board that Todd Park has one of the new warming houses, which does get used quite a bit. Mr. Klus stated that Todd Park also has a great wooded area that runs along Minnehaha Creek. Mr. Klus indicated that the last park he visited was Alden Park, which is located on Belmore Lane. He stated that the park sits right on the border of Hopkins and Edina. He noted that it’s probably one of the few parks that have been adopted by someone outside the City of Edina. Mr. Klus commented that there is a little ball diamond that looks like it hasn’t been used all summer to which Mr. MacHolda replied Alden Park is not a scheduled site. Mr. Klus commented that there is a nice green area, which looks like something that could be used in the future. He indicated that Alden Park has the worst playground equipment he has seen. He noted that the best thing about the playground is probably the surface for the basketball court. Mr. Klus stated that the park sits on approximately 4 acres, is hilly and sits right in the middle of a neighborhood. He pointed out that across the street is the Harley Hopkins Park, which is in the City of Hopkins. He noted it’s kind of like the two parks run together with just a street between them. He added that there were a lot of cigarette butts and thinks perhaps that may be a place where kids go to smoke. Mr. Klus stated that it looks like the park is hardly ever used, however, he does think the park does have some potential if the neighborhood wants it. III. APPROVAL OF THE TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2004 PARK BOARD MINUTES Dr. Hulbert indicated that she did have one correction. At the June Park Board meeting there were two physicians in the community who came to give testimony and one was addressed as Dr. Dehnel and the woman who testified is Dr. Zuspan and not Ms. Zuspan. Jeff Johnson MOVED TO APPROVE THE JUNE 8, 2004 PARK BOARD MINUTES. Mike Damman SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED. IV. CONSERVATION LEAGUE OF EDINA – JEAN WHITE Mr. Klus indicated that Jean White, a member of the Conservation League of Edina, is here tonight to talk a little bit about the water quality in the parks that they are monitoring. Ms. White introduced Russille Kimmel from the Nine Mile Town Homes as 3 well as Diane Plunkett Latham who is here tonight as a citizen to offer testimony. (Attached to the minutes is Ms. White’s report.) Dr. Hulbert asked if she understands correctly that from an ecological sense that duckweed is good and algae is bad to which Ms. White replied that duckweed is sort of a happy medium. Dr. Hulbert asked if she understands correctly that duckweed is not a sign of a degraded body of water. Ms. White responded that duckweed is a combination of different small types of plants that are native, however, it is not an invasive plant. She noted that Ms. Kimmel could explain the difference a little more carefully. Ms. Kimmel explained that algae eats nutrients and when duckweed is killed off it goes to the bottom and creates sludge and that is what the algae eat. She noted that duckweed is naturally occurring and indicated that there are five species of duckweed in Minnesota. Ms. Kimmel pointed out that duckweed is carried around from pond to pond by the ducks and in a way it is like vitamins for the ponds to which the ducks and geese eat. She informed the Park Board that they have had duckweed harvests at Nine Mile Village. Mr. Klus asked if duckweed typically has a smell to which Ms. Kimmel replied that duckweed has no odor dead or alive. She explained that the sludge which is created by storm drain run-off, killing algae with chemicals, pet droppings and whatever gets in there creates the sludge which has a horrible odor. V. UPDATES A. Duckweed Control on Highlands Park Pond - Mr. Keprios indicated that as a follow- up for the treatment of duckweed at Highlands the DNR has denied the city’s request for a permit to treat that duckweed. Mr. Klus asked if the neighbors have been given a copy of the letter that the DNR sent to which Mr. Cockriel replied he was waiting to hear back from the Park Board before he contacted the neighbors. Mr. Keprios pointed out that he believes the DNR had told them ahead of time when they asked about duckweed is that they preferred to get rid of duckweed without the use of aquacides. The DNR preferred using a mechanical removal method. However, the recommendation was to have the City apply for a chemical permit to which has now been denied. Mr. Keprios indicated that if the neighbors want them to pursue a mechanical removal that is something that they can request of the Park Board. However, his guess is that they will probably not do that because it would be a very expensive process. Ms. Kimmel informed the Park Board that she has lived in Edina for three years and that she is a citizen biologist as well as a member of the Wetland Help Evaluation Project. She explained that she goes out and collects macro-invertebrates and plant species and explained that by doing this they can evaluate the quality of the wetlands. She noted that she has been involved lifelong in wetland research. She indicated that she is aware of the Highlands Pond issue and would like to provide some clarity regarding the wetlands. Ms. Kimmel explained that she has been working on the pond at Nine Mile Village, which is a degraded pond, which receives street run-off water. She noted that she took pictures of the pond she has been working with at Nine Mile Village as well as pictures of the pond 4 at Colonial Church, which is a neighboring pond that uses a lot of chemicals to kill the duckweed. She stated that she has proof of what works and what doesn’t. Ms. Kimmel explained that duckweed is very healthy and nutritional for the ponds, however, algae is not and is a sign of a sick pond. She stated that the little bit of algae that blooms late in August is okay. Ms. Kimmel explained that when people kill aquatic plants with copper sulfate the results only last for five to ten days. She indicated that as dead aquatic plants sink it increases the amount of sludge on the bottom and degrades the health of the wetland, which in turn kills the birds, reptiles and amphibians. Ms. Kimmel indicated that when she moved to Nine Mile Village three years ago the pond had a terrible smell and was full of sludge. She noted that the pond is now healthy and they did not use any chemicals but rather she put out barley bags. Their chemical- free approach to treating this pond takes away the nutrients that algae would need to grow and in turn creates enzymes that eat away the sludge. Ms. Kimmel indicated that they are now pioneering pond skimming. She then passed around pictures of the Nine Mile Village Pond, which does not use chemicals and pictures of the Colonial Church Pond, which does use chemicals. In addition, Colonial Church has storm drains where Nine Mile Village has to deal with run-off water. She noted that barley clarifies the water. Mr. Keprios asked Ms. Kimmel if they’ve done any mechanical removal to which Ms. Kimmel explained how they have been pond skimming. Mr. Keprios asked doesn’t that have the same negative effect as the chemicals on the invertebrates, etc. Ms. Kimmel explained that pond skimming is non-chemical. It’s the same issue of people not liking it green and wanting it removed. Mr. Keprios asked aren’t some of the smallest life forms dependent on that vegetation. Ms. Kimmel replied that they are not dependent on the duckweed. She explained that the problem is when you add a really noxious chemical to the water, such as copper sulfate, because it kills all of the macro-invertebrates. Mr. Klus asked aren’t you still killing the invertebrates when you are doing manual removal to which Ms. Kimmel pointed out to think of pond skimming as dusting, just sweeping across the top. She explained that by doing this and using barley bags on a healthy pond it reduces the duckweed as well as it clarifies the water. It holistically adds nutrients and nothing they do harms any life in the pond. Dr. Hulbert asked why is it okay for Colonial Church to use copper sulfate but it’s not okay for Highlands Pond. Mr. Cockriel replied that because it’s a private pond and it’s smaller than 1½ acre, therefore, it’s not DNR controlled. He also pointed out that if it were DNR controlled they could apply for a permit because copper sulfate is a registered, legal substance that is used in Minnesota as long as it’s used per label. Dr. Hulbert asked Mr. Cockriel what ponds he treats as a city to which he replied there are 40 different ponds throughout the city and none of them are within parkland. If there is a pond that is enclosed within a park they do not chemically treat it, they leave it as a natural area. Mr. Cockriel explained that there are quite a few bodies of water that are owned partially by the city and partially by the homeowners. Therefore, in those cases they work together and treat for algae only, they do not put in copper sulfate. However, 5 that’s not to say that they never use copper sulfate because there are occasions where they have had to keep a narrow waterway open to keep from flooding. Mr. Klus indicated that he thinks they need to find a way to educate the neighbors on treating these ponds especially with copper sulfate. He stated that he didn’t realize that if copper sulfate is used it only lasts for a short period of time. He noted that somehow they need to educate these people. He commented that the letter they received from the DNR also needs to be shared with the neighbors. Mr. Cockriel responded that he would be happy to host a neighborhood meeting along with the Conservation League of Edina. Mr. Klus asked Mr. Keprios and Mr. Cockriel to give the neighbors who attended last month’s meeting a copy of the letter from the DNR as well as some information in a quick memo. Ms. Latham commented that between Ms. White, Ms. Kimmel and herself they represent over six different organizations in Edina. She noted that they are going to run a series of editorials and letters to the editor as well as they will be talking to their different organizations to which they will invite the public so they can start educating everyone on this topic. Ms. Latham commented that she recently looked at Highlands Pond and saw that across the street there is another very small pond, which has duckweed. She explained that duckweed could also be transported in mud on the ducks feet so any waterfowl within flying distance are going to keep bringing it back. Ms. Latham asked Mr. Keprios if it would be possible for the City to post the Park Board minutes and agendas on the city’s website to which he noted he will see that it is taken care of. B. Buckthorn Study – Mr. Keprios indicated that he just wanted to update everyone on the results he received from Prairie Restoration regarding buckthorn and as you will notice the report is missing a few parks. The two parks, which have the greatest infestation of buckthorn, are Braemar Park and Bredesen Park to which Prairie Restoration is aware of. He explained that Prairie Restoration was originally told that we know there is buckthorn at those two parks so they didn’t need to look at it. However, that direction has now changed and they would like for Prairie Restoration to look at those two areas and give them some recommendations so that it is consistent throughout the report. In addition, they would like for them to look at all of the parks including the open space areas. Therefore, the report is not yet complete. Mr. Keprios stated that the report isn’t to suggest that this is necessarily the exact way they are going to approach it. He noted that it would be on a future agenda for discussion. He commented that the reason he put it on the agenda for tonight is to give the Park Board a heads up. Ms. Latham indicated that she would like to bring to the Park Board’s attention that there were seven parks listed on the report as being suitable for volunteer help. She noted that she thinks what they meant by this is that there were small amounts of buckthorn at these parks. She stated that all of the parks are suitable for volunteer help and asked the Park Board to please accept help from people who would like to volunteer at the parks. Ms. Latham stressed to the residents that when they read this report to please support the Park 6 and Recreation Department and the prioritized parks. She pointed out that not all of the parks can be worked on simultaneously and commented that the buckthorn is not going to go away immediately. Therefore, everyone needs to be patient. Ms. Latham also reminded everyone that; once the buckthorn is taken out, the stumps need to be painted right away. She noted that the volunteers cannot paint the stumps because they are not licensed to deal with chemicals. She pointed out that as a result of stumps not getting painted the buckthorn that were cut last June are now eight inches high and the ones that were cut in July are just starting to bud out. Therefore, if they are going to use Round-up they will have to be sprayed multiple times which takes more than just painting for the first time or else they will have to be sprayed with a more toxic chemical. Ms. Latham stated so as part of the plan there will need to be some type of mechanism for painting these. She noted that perhaps it could be weed inspector or a retired employee such as Marv Huiras or if the city is willing perhaps to use volunteers to which she noted she would be right there with her paintbrush. Ms. Latham pointed out that the stump only needs to be painted on the same day, someone would not have to follow the chain saw around. She stated that the Buckthorn Abatement Steering Committee would once again be happy to assist in the planning process. Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that there is some people who have taken the buckthorn cause to an extreme and are likely now in violation of the law. He asked the Park Board that if any Edina residents approach them and ask if it is mandatory to get rid of buckthorn the answer is no. Mr. Keprios explained that a new Edina resident recently received a letter that had the Nature Conservancy Logo on the envelope basically telling them that they had to get rid of their buckthorn because it is prohibited in Edina. The letter read “In the course of a survey of your neighborhood we have discovered that you have thicket of Buckthorn on your property. As you should be aware this is an invasive, noxious growth, which is prohibited in Edina and must be removed. In the near future we will place a large sign on the street side of your property notifying the public of this problem. If the removal of the Buckthorn is not achieved within one week of placing this sign the necessary steps will be utilized to remove this threat, at your expense, and in the near future we will place a large sign on the street side of your property notifying the public of this problem that if the removal of buckthorn is not achieved within a week placing a sign the necessary steps will be utilized to remove the threat at your expense.” Mr. Keprios noted that it was signed the League of Women Voters of Edina and the Edina Garden Council. Mr. Keprios stated that there is no way in the world that this letter came from the League of Women Voters or the Edina Garden Council. He indicated that he has also contacted the Nature Conservancy and has alerted Edina’s Chief of Police who is going to investigate this. Mr. Keprios asked that if anyone knows who is doing this to tell them to stop immediately. C. Lewis Park West Athletic Field Construction - Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that the contractor has now pretty much completed all of his work and the field is ready for seeding. Mr. Keprios commented that if they stay on schedule and the weather cooperates the field should be playable in June of next year. 7 VI. TOBACCO-FREE POLICY Mr. Klus reviewed part of Mr. Keprios staff report regarding the tobacco policy, which stated “after giving the Park Board’s policy recommendation more thought, I would like to suggest that the Park Board consider revising their recommendation to the City Council. As the recommendation stands now, tobacco would not be permitted anywhere in the parks during scheduled youth athletic games; however, tobacco would be allowed during practices and scrimmages. In my opinion, the policy should be more consistent and simplified. At the very least, I would suggest that parks should be tobacco-free during all scheduled youth athletic events, which includes games, scrimmages and practices. To further simplify the matter, I would also suggest that the Park Board consider a policy that makes all parks tobacco-free at all times except for Braemar Golf Course and Fred Richards Golf Course where tobacco may used on the course itself. As a matter of parliamentary procedure, this matter should be discussed only if the majority of those who voted in favor of the current proposal are willing to reopen discussion for reconsideration. If the majority of those who voted yes choose not to reopen discussion, then the matter will not be further discussed and the policy will be brought to the City Council at their August 17th meeting as proposed at the June 8 Park Board meeting.” Mr. Klus asked Ms. Canton who voted in favor of the Park Board’s recommendations to which she replied both recommendations passed unanimously. Mr. Keprios explained that the reason he is bringing this back to the Park Board is to see if you may want to reconsider your motion otherwise it will go on to the City Council as it was proposed. Mr. Keprios pointed out that when he presents this recommendation to the City Council they are going to ask him how they plan on educating the public about this policy. People are going to need to be aware that they can smoke if the event is a scrimmage, however, they cannot smoke if it’s a game. He noted that it has been awhile since the last Park Board meeting and thought some of you may have changed your mind and may want to simplify the policy. Therefore, he is suggesting that all of the parks be smoke free with the exception of the two golf courses. Ms. Sitek questioned why the two golf courses to which Mr. Keprios replied that smoking would only be allowed on the playing holes. Smoking would not be allowed on the driving range or during golf lessons. Mr. Damman asked what about smoking outside on the deck to which Mr. Keprios replied that yes, people can smoke on the deck. Mr. Keprios stated that at the very least he would ask that the Park Board consider going smoke free during all youth athletic events. Mr. Grabiel asked about Centennial Lakes to which Mr. Keprios replied they would make that smoke-free as well. He indicated that he asked Mr. Shirley and Ms. Kattreh if they thought this was going to be an issue especially because of the businesses and restaurants. He noted that both of them didn’t seem to think it would become a big issue because the restaurants and businesses have their own property where they can send their smokers outside and they would not have to be on park property. Mr. Grabiel stated that as soon as someone walks out the back door of any of those office buildings and walks down the steps they are on park property. Therefore, you are going to have people smoking on park property. Mr. Grabiel pointed out that he used to work at Centennial Lakes and he 8 knows exactly what the situation is. Dr. Hulbert stated that those people are going to have to go out the front doors of the office buildings and not the back doors. Mr. Grabiel stressed that people who smoke cigarettes are not morally deficient. He noted that if people are worried about smokers setting a bad example at youth athletic events then deal with that. However, there are not kids walking around the office buildings at Centennial Lakes and therefore he doesn’t think it’s right to have the policy that covers all parks including Centennial Lakes around the office buildings. Dr. Hulbert asked is she to take it that the Park Board has moved to re-open this issue to which Mr. Klus replied no. Mr. Klus stated that first he would like to know if as a Park Board the members who are here are willing to reopen this and if the Park Board does not unanimously vote to reopen and discuss this then they will not reopen it. Dr. Hulbert pointed out that not all members present tonight were present at the June Park Board meeting. Mr. Klus replied he understands that, however, they do have a quorum so it is officially a Park Board meeting to which they can make that decision. Mr. Klus stated that his position is that unless each one of us wants to reopen this then we send the recommendation that we currently have to the City Council. Dr. Hulbert replied that she doesn’t know if that’s according to the rules of the system and asked Mr. Klus if he makes the rules to which he replied no. Dr. Hulbert stated that she thinks the rules state that it has to be the majority of the members who were in favor of the original motion. Mr. Klus replied that it was unanimous and there are six Park Board members present tonight. Dr. Hulbert pointed out that she thinks it’s a roll call issue and that the people who voted in favor should be polled and the people who were not involved in this discussion at the June Park Board meeting do not have a vote on this. Mr. Keprios stated that he thinks the way the parliamentary procedure goes is we need a majority of those who voted in favor of them, not everyone, but if the majority wants to open it for reconsideration it could again be discussed. Mr. Damman stated that he would like to reopen the discussion. Ms. Sitek stated that she thinks the motion should stay the way it is. Mr. Johnson indicated that he agrees with Mr. Keprios in which it should include all youth athletic events. Ms. Sitek indicated that she agrees with that too. Mr. Johnson suggested that they re-open this and add “during all youth athletic events” Dr. Hulbert commented that she thinks they have to re-open this because it looks foolish the way it is. She noted that the way it is now it’s not workable and people are just going to think it’s silly. Mr. Grabiel stated that if it’s just to consider the question of whether or not it should be all youth athletic events he wouldn’t have a problem with opening it up. However, if they are going to expand it again and suddenly make a motion to cover all parks under all circumstances, he would be against that. Mr. Klus pointed out that he doesn’t think they can open it up for all parks because that is something they have already debated. He noted that it’s his feeling as Chair of the Park Board that it was debated and everyone had 9 a chance to vote on it. Dr. Hulbert disagreed and stated that they did not vote on that, however, she would like to a vote on the 24/7 policy/ordinance. She noted that when it was brought to the Park Board by a citizen for us to consider and vote on we didn’t. Dr. Hulbert therefore felt that they should at least give the citizens an answer to what they are asking. Mr. Keprios stated that he thinks a motion needs to be made to reopen the discussion. Alice Hulbert MOVED TO REOPEN THE DISCUSSION. Mike Damman SECONDED IT. IN FAVOR: Karla Sitek, Jeff Johnson, Mike Damman, Alice Hulbert AGAINST: Floyd Grabiel, George Klus MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Klus clarified that they are not going to debate the whole smoking policy and re-open public testimony because that has already been done and we know where the public stands. He noted that this is a Park Board issue that needs to be clarified. Dr. Hulbert stated that she would like to move that we vote on whether to make all facilities tobacco free 24/7. Mr. Klus stated that he doesn’t think that is appropriate for this motion to which Dr. Hulbert replied that they never voted on it and feels they owe to the people who testified in favor of it to actually vote on it. Dr. Hulbert stressed that she doesn’t think it’s reasonable for all of the input they received to not have voted on it. Mr. Johnson commented that he thought they did vote on it. Ms. Canton pointed out that there was a motion made for tobacco-free 24/7 on the playgrounds, which failed. Mr. Klus indicated that before a motion is made he would like to hear everyone’s thoughts on the matter. Ms. Sitek stated that she thinks they need to make the change to state that it should be tobacco free at all youth events and leave it at that. Dr. Hulbert asked Ms. Sitek if she means athletic events or events because there is a big difference. Ms. Sitek replied athletic events and leave it at that. Mr. Johnson noted that he agrees with what Ms. Sitek said. Mr. Damman indicated that he would like to see golf courses still be able to allow smoking. He noted that he was originally against having Centennial Lakes be a tobacco free park. However, now that he knows more about it he thinks that if they do go tobacco free he doesn’t think it would be as bad as he originally anticipated. Mr. Damman stated that he would like to see all of the parks go tobacco free with the exception of the golf courses. Mr. Klus asked Mr. Damman if he is asking for something more than just no smoking at athletic events because there are no athletic events at Centennial Lakes to which Mr. Damman replied that’s correct. Mr. Klus asked so this is an addition to what 10 Mr. Johnson and Ms. Sitek said, you are adding one more piece to it. Mr. Damman responded that is correct. Mr. Klus asked if he is going with what Mr. Keprios has suggested in that all parks are to be tobacco free including Centennial Lakes with the exception of the golf course. Mr. Damman replied that is correct. Ms. Sitek indicated that she is not for the 24/7 suggestion, however, she is going to play the devil’s advocate and asked why can’t people smoke at Centennial Lakes but they can smoke at the golf courses. She commented that seems ridiculous. Mr. Grabiel stated that he would support making a change to include games, scrimmages and practices as scheduled at youth athletic events. Dr. Hulbert indicated that parks are a place where kids can go and their families know it will be a healthy, smoke-free environment for them. She commented that most of the time the parks are smoke-free but not always and there are no guarantees. Dr. Hulbert pointed out that she thinks it’s interesting that the pool has been tobacco free for a long time and there hasn’t been an outcry from the community. She noted that she doesn’t really see any difference in the swimming pool than the playgrounds. She commented that people are running around in both places where people could step on burning butts that have been thrown on the ground. Dr. Hulbert indicated that she also doesn’t understand the logic in having youth athletic events isolated as places where people shouldn’t smoke but it’s okay to smoke at the playgrounds where kids are playing all summer, especially with the playground programs going on. She stated that’s pretty arbitrary and illogical. Parks are supposed to be places where people can exercise and breathe fresh air and it doesn’t make sense to have someone smoking, there are plenty of other places for smokers to go. Mr. Grabiel asked if they should exempt from taxation for parks those people who are smoking. Dr. Hulbert stated that the majority of the people in Edina pay to clean up all of the cigarette butts at Centennial Lakes by people who don’t even live in the city but who work at Centennial Lakes. Mr. Grabiel stated that the people who live in Edina pay to support their parks. Dr. Hulbert replied that they are not allowed to trash it. Mr. Grabiel noted that there are already ordinances against litter. Dr. Hulbert pointed out that as far as she is concerned there should be no smoking in the parks because it’s already outlawed through litter, lighting fires and releasing noxious vapors. Mr. Grabiel stated that maybe they should just ban cigarette smoking all together to which Dr. Hulbert replied that would be fine with her but she’s not the president. Mr. Johnson commented that it seems to him that the only place where it is a problem is at Centennial Lakes because he thinks it’s a very rare occurrence to see someone smoking at the parks. He noted that people can run around the park all they want and they are not going to get secondhand smoke. He stated that you can’t sell him on secondhand smoke in an outside area unless you’re running right behind somebody that’s smoking and hyperventilating behind you. He suggested that maybe we should put a designated smoking area at Centennial Lakes for the smokers because he really doesn’t think this is a big issue at the parks. Ms. Sitek replied that she agrees. Dr. Hulbert stated that she thinks when it’s not an issue then taking a stand to show your community and youth what 11 your values are and that we don’t just roll over and not talk about it. Mr. Johnson replied that he doesn’t think they need to take a stand against it if it doesn’t happen. Mr. Keprios pointed out that there is a significant difference between policy and ordinance. He explained that policy indicates that it’s going to be voluntarily self- enforced. He noted that he thinks by the Park Board setting a policy they are sending a statement to the community telling them that we prefer they not smoke in the parks because they would like to have the parks stay a healthy environment for everyone. Mr. Keprios stated that it’s as much a statement as anything. They are not creating a new law. Mr. Keprios commented that he appreciates the Park Board discussing this again, because under the Park Board’s current recommendation, it would be very difficult for them to come up with signage as to when it is and isn’t okay to smoke at the parks. Dr. Hulbert indicated that it’s overwhelming how much the community wants to see this happen. It’s already happened in Eden Prairie, Bloomington, and Richfield so it’s not like it’s some new radical idea. Ms. Sitek replied that she sees the opposite and doesn’t think it’s overwhelming and doesn’t necessarily think they need to follow those other cities. Ms. Sitek noted that she agrees with Mr. Johnson in that this issue has gotten way blown out of proportion. She stated that she has been going to the parks for years and she just doesn’t see people smoking in the parks and if there’s a problem with cigarette butts at Centennial Lakes then put out more ashtrays because people will use them. Dr. Hulbert responded that all of the office buildings have ashtrays and people still throw them all over the place. She noted that an ashtray would have to be placed every 20 ft. at Centennial Lakes. Ms. Sitek stated that if people want to make a statement they can make it as a parent they don’t have to have the city make a statement. Mr. Klus stated that he is glad they are making this a policy rather than an ordinance because he does think they are making a statement. He noted that he does have a problem with having a policy at Centennial Lakes because he doesn’t think they would be able to enforce it. He indicated that he thinks if they find they have issues with it in the future then they need to come back and revisit it. Mr. Klus pointed out that he understands one of the issues that Dr. Hulbert has is with the amphitheatre, which she said is terrible. He noted that if they find they need to revisit that then he would go along with a recommendation stating there is no smoking allowed during events. Mr. Klus again stated that he can’t see doing this at Centennial Lakes because it’s just unenforceable with all of those people working in those buildings. Mr. Klus stressed that he doesn’t want to see them do anything to the golf courses. Mr. Klus commented that he thinks the residents are smart enough to not argue with us and will follow along. He wants to give them credit for being smart enough to help us not have those smoke-free environments. He wants to give them the opportunity to prove it to us before we have to crack down to something harder. Floyd Grabiel MOVED THAT THE TERM ATHLETIC EVENTS IS USED IN THE POLICY PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED BY THE PARK BOARD WITH THE TERM 12 ATHLETIC EVENTS TO INCLUDE GAMES, SCRIMMAGES AND PRACTICES. Karla Sitek SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Keprios again thanked everyone for reconsidering. He really appreciates it. Alice Hulbert MOVED THAT WE HAVE A TOBACCO FREE PARK SYSTEM IN EDINA 24/7. Motion failed for lack of SECOND. Alice Hulbert MOVED TO APPROVE THAT IN EDINA THEY WILL HAVE TOBACCO FREE PLAY LOTS 24/7. Mr. Klus commented that they have considered that policy to which Dr. Hulbert replied that they are the only city that ever considered it and voted it down. Mr. Klus stressed that that motion was made at the June Park Board meeting and it failed. Dr. Hulbert MOVED THAT THEY HAVE TOBACCO FREE JULY 4TH FIREWORKS. Motion failed for lack of SECOND. Dr. Hulbert MOVED THAT WE HAVE TOBACCO FREE WALKING TRAILS AT BREDESEN PARK AND ROSLAND PARK FOR PEOPLE WHOM WISH TO EXERCISE WITHOUT BREATHING SMOKE. Motion failed for lack of SECOND. Dr. Hulbert MOVED THAT WE HAVE TOBACCO FREE PRACTICE FACILITIES AT THE GOLF COURSE, THE DRIVING RANGE AND PUTTING GREENS. Motion failed for lack of SECOND. Mr. Klus informed the Park Board that he will be out of town when this goes before the City Council and noted that he has asked Mr. Grabiel and Mr. Damman to attend the City Council meeting. He stated that he would encourage all of the Park Board members to attend this meeting because he is sure there will be quite a crowd there. Mr. Klus stated that he knows that the City Council has always been very good at allowing someone from the Park Board stand up and give their input on the Park Board’s motions. Mr. Klus commented that he thinks the Park Board has done a great job in discussing this very tough issue. VII. OTHER A. Building At Braemar Park - Mr. Klus informed the Park Board that at the next City Council meeting they will hopefully pass some type of motion that deals with building something at Braemar. Mr. Klus commented that the bigger issue that he thinks will come out of the City Council meeting is how much we will need to look at fundraising for the building. He indicated that he hopes the associations they’ve heard from in the past that want an indoor practice facility will attend this City Council meeting because they definitely need to be an advocate for the building. Ms. Sitek asked if the associations are aware that they should be at the City Council meeting. Mr. Klus replied 13 he is hoping a notice will be put in the Sun newspaper as well as he has individually talked to a few of the associations encouraging them to attend. Mr. Klus stated that he has explained to them that they need to be prepared to raise money for this building because if the City Council does pass this we’ll need to start putting everything together. B. Park Assignment Presentation – It was noted that Linda Presthus has the next park presentation assignment. C. Tri-City Skate Park - Ms. Sitek noted that she would just like to make a quick comment about the skate park to which it is an awesome facility. She noted everyone should really stop by and look at it. She commented that she literally drops her son off at noon and doesn’t pick him up until 8:00 pm. Mr. Keprios stated that he is very proud of the facility and the partnership. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Jeff Johnson MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:50 P.M. Karla Sitek SECONDED THE MOTION. MEETING ADJOURNED.