HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-01-13 Park Board Minutes 1
EDINA PARK BOARD
7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
JANUARY 13, 2004
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.