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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-01-13 Park Board Minutes 1 EDINA PARK BOARD 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS JANUARY 13, 2004 _____________________________ MEMBERS PRESENT: Mike Damman, David Fredlund, George Klus, Linda Presthus, Karla Sitek, Allyson Grande MEMBERS ABSENT: Jeff Johnson, Andy Finsness, Ardis Wexler, Floyd Grabiel, Mike Weiss STAFF PRESENT: John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton, Vince Cockriel, Tom Horwath OTHERS PRESENT: Idelle Sue Longman, Eric Zenner, Bob Obermeyer ____________________________ I. APPROVAL OF THE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2003 PARK BOARD MINUTES Linda Presthus MOVED TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 9, 2003 PARK BOARD MINUTES. Mike Damman SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED. II. NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL AWARD PROGRAM Mr. Keprios indicated that he is asking for the Park Board’s support of having staff go ahead and do the leg work that needs to be done in order to be considered for this prestigious national award. He explained that the National Gold Medal Award is offered through the National affiliate of the NRPA and it’s through the American Academy for the Park and Recreation Administration. Mr. Keprios commented that there is only one other Minnesota city that he is aware of that’s ever received the award and that’s the City of Roseville. He pointed out that it’s a lot of work but it will also give them an opportunity to do a little self-evaluation to see where they are as well as how they stack up against the competition. He noted that even if they don’t win he thinks it’s a great learning experience for both the Park Board and staff. Ms. Presthus indicated that she thinks this is a wonderful opportunity. Linda Presthus MOVED TO SUPPORT THE NOMINATION FOR THE NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL AWARD. Mike Damman SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. III. MRPA PRESIDENT ELECT Mr. Klus asked Mr. Keprios to inform the Park Board of the nice honor he received of being elected to the Minnesota State Park and Recreation Association. Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that he has been voted as President of MRPA (Minnesota 2 Recreation and Park Association), which is a three-year term. The first year he serves as President Elect, the second as President and the third as Past President. He noted that he will be sworn in on Thursday. Mr. Keprios pointed out that it is a volunteer position that is elected by the membership, which is approximately 1,000 members of which 700 of those are voting members. He noted that it is made up of Park and Recreation professionals throughout the state of Minnesota. IV. GYMNASIUM FACILITIES STUDY COMMITTEE REPORT Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that the City Council has asked the Facility Study Committee to get around the table one more time and dust off the old gymnasium study that they have in place. They want to know where the committee is at and make sure that things haven’t changed. The City Council would also like the committee to inform them how other communities have been able to get their complex of gymnasiums next to schools. The City Council wants to know how other communities have managed to build gymnasiums, who funded it and how, and what it costs to operate. The City Council would like to know how other communities manage to get this done, and they would like for the Facilities Study Committee to re-visit the issue one more time. Mr. Klus indicated that he doesn’t think their position has changed unless the YMCA idea looks really good to everyone. Mr. Klus asked Mr. Keprios if he hopes the smaller group will get together sometime in the next 30 to 60 days to which Mr. Keprios replied he would hope that they could meet and come up with a recommendation for the February Park Board meeting. Mr. Keprios commented that with the exception of the YMCA he doesn’t see much new or different information that changes the issue. He also pointed out the City Council only wants to talk about gymnasiums at this time. V. OTHER A. Smoking In The Parks - Mr. Klus informed the Park Board that he was contacted by the University of Minnesota and asked him if he would be interested in serving on a panel discussion about how he feels about smoking in the parks. He noted that they will pay him to do this to which he stated he would donate the money to the Edina Community Fund for Park and Recreation. Mr. Klus commented that his feeling is if people want to walk in the park and smoke when they are out in the open he doesn’t see a problem with it. Mr. Klus indicated that he will report back on this topic at next month’s Park Board meeting. B. Hilary Lunke Reception – Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that the reception that was held for Hilary Lunke in December was fabulous. He noted that Hilary was very emotional and moved by the whole dedication. Mr. Keprios commented that she is a wonderful person and is a great role model for the kids in this community. C. Dave Fredlund – Mr. Klus informed the Park Board that tonight is Dave Fredlund’s last Park Board meeting. He stated that Mr. Fredlund has been on the Park Board for six years and noted that he will be missed. Mr. Fredlund indicated that since he is now 3 retired he and his wife are doing a lot of traveling. The Park Board noted that they really appreciate everything Mr. Fredlund has done while being on the Park Board and thanked him for all of his contributions and time which he has given. It was also noted that once Allyson Grande graduates this year there will be a youth position available. Mr. Klus commented that Ms. Grande has been great as their first student member and added that she is setting a great trend for the people in this community. VI. UPDATES A. Capital Improvement Plan – Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that the City Council approved everything they recommended for the Capital Improvement Plan without any changes. B. Lewis Park West Athletic Field – Mr. Keprios explained that he informed the City Council up front that they are not going to have enough money to do the fields and lights. Therefore, the City Council increased it from $280,000 to $325,000 so there is now enough money to do both the fields and lights. Mr. Keprios noted that they would open bids in three to four weeks. He added that it would be similar to a net gain of two fields when they put in lights. VII. WATER QUALITY PRESENTATION – BOB OBERMEYER, BARR ENGINEERING Mr. Klus introduced Bob Obermeyer who works for Barr Engineering. He noted that the Park Board had asked if someone could come and talk to them about the water quality in Edina. He also noted that Mr. Cockriel, Park Superintendent and Tom Horwath, City Forester are also here tonight to answer any questions. Mr. Obermeyer informed the Park Board that he is the engineer for the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District and has worked with the City of Edina and storm water management for approximately the past 30 years. He noted that he was in St. Cloud all day today at the Governor’s conference on water quality. He commented that there are a lot of initiatives that are coming down from the Federal Level to the State Level and then being pushed down to the local level. He stated that these initiatives will mandate water quality improvements but of course without any money. Mr. Obermeyer indicates that things are going to change as far as dealing with water quality improvements. Mr. Obermeyer informed the Park Board that the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District have been sampling both the north and south forks of the creek since 1968 from both a chemical and biological standpoint. He noted that they have just recently started to sample Mud Lake and they are expanding their program next year to include Lake Cornelia, Indianhead Lake and Arrowhead Lake. Mr. Obermeyer indicated that with the creeks they generally are in very good shape, water quality is good and management practices upstream are keeping the creek in a good state. He pointed out that as far as 4 lake water quality goes Edina does not have any swimming lakes. He noted that there are only certain things that can be done to improve water quality and with the lakes in Edina about the best they can basically get is essentially aesthetics and general recreation. Included in general recreation would be canoeing, paddle boating, walking, watching wildlife and that type of thing. It’s not going to change to a swimming water quality no matter what is done to it. Mr. Obermeyer pointed out that in the City Storm Water Management Plan they have made recommendations in some of the city parks for improvements to essentially protect the creek. For example, there have been some improvements made at the Fred Richards Golf Course within the last five years, however, they would like to see some of those ponds excavated down a little bit deeper to provide what’s referred to as dead storage volume. Mr. Klus asked if the water quality in Edina’s ponds and lakes is good enough to maintain a fish basis at all to which Mr. Obermeyer replied yes. Mr. Klus confirmed that it’s not the best quality to swim in but it’s alright for fish to which Mr. Obermeyer responded yes. Mr. Obermeyer commented that if there were a public access at Lake Cornelia it would be a perfect lake to stock with fish. Ms. Presthus asked aren’t we growing fish at Highlands Lake? Mr. Keprios replied that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is using Highlands Lake as a rearing pond for walleyes to which the DNR has had phenomenal success. He noted that the only problem they’ve had is several of the larger fish did not get caught in their nets in the fall and have grown to a size where they are now eating the little fish. Mr. Keprios pointed out that another great fishing area is Centennial Lakes, which they are stocking with a few different types of fish. He added that it’s a great metro-area fishing spot because of its easy access shoreline and abundance of fish. Mr. Klus asked Mr. Obermeyer if the drinking water is part of what he works with to which he replied that would be more appropriate for Mr. Houle to address. He noted that he deals more with surface water aspects. At this time Mr. Klus apologized to the Park Board that he needed to leave to go to the airport to catch a plane at 9:00 p.m. At this time there was not a quorum present. For informational purposes only the following took place: • Non-Native Species Control Presentation – Eric Zenner, University of Minnesota, gave a presentation on this topic. • Park Assignments Presentation – Allyson Grande gave a presentation on Fox Meadow Park, Van Valkenburg Park and Walnut Ridge Park Meeting ended at 9:00 p.m.