HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-10-12 Park Board Minutes 1
EDINA PARK BOARD
7:00 P.M.
EDINA COMMUNITY ROOM
EDINA CITY HALL
OCTOBER 12, 2004
_____________________________
MEMBERS PRESENT: George Klus, Karla Sitek, Alice Hulbert, Floyd Grabiel, Linda
Presthus, Jeff Sorem, Andy Finsness, Mike Weiss, Mike Damman
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jeff Johnson
STAFF PRESENT: Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton
OTHERS PRESENT: Idelle Sue Longman
____________________________
I. APPROVAL OF THE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2004 PARK BOARD
MINUTES
Linda Presthus MOVED TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 14, 2004 PARK BOARD
MINUTES. Andy Finsness SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED.
II. UPDATES
A. Gymnasiums - Ms. Presthus informed the Park Board that a meeting was held last
Friday which consisted of Doug Johnson, Ken Dragseth, Tim Walsh, Jeff Johnson, John
Keprios, Gordon Hughes, Scot Housh, Jim Hovland and herself. She noted that the
school is now ready to talk about gymnasiums especially since they are starting with the
construction as well as wanting to get rid of the hut and therefore will need a space for
Kids Club, etc. She explained that if they are ever going to want to do anything now is
the time to actually think about building gyms in order to save on construction costs.
Therefore, they opened the discussion again. Ms. Presthus stated that Mr. Housh was
very proactive from the City Council and took a lot of the lead on this along with Ken
Dragseth. Ms. Presthus explained that the school is looking at building two gyms to
which one is at the Edina Community Center and would be built in conjunction with the
large gym and the small gym.
Ms. Presthus indicated that the other gym they are proposing would be put at South
View. She noted that it would be built on the south side in order to take advantage of
common heating, maintenance, etc. versus a stand alone situation. She stressed that if
they decide they want to do this and want to save money they need to act quickly and
decide within the next 45 days because that is when they are putting in the footings.
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Ms. Presthus informed the Park Board that Mr. Dragseth also noted that they are
discussing the possibility of building a multi-purpose room underneath the gym at South
View to which there would be some savings in doing this. She stated that they are talking
about primarily using this area as a teen center. Dr. Hulbert asked if the city would be
paying for this or would the school be paying for it. Ms. Presthus replied that the city
would be paying for it to which it could be done without a referendum.
Ms. Presthus indicated that the first step they needed to do was to go back to the athletic
associations and see if the need is still there and if they are willing to do it. She stated
that the City would cover the operating costs which would amount to approximately
$50,000 a year. She explained that would mean user fees would have to be increased in
keeping with the philosophy that the users pay for their needs. Therefore, before they go
any further they need to know if the associations are willing to do this because if they
aren’t, then they can’t do it.
Mr. MacHolda stated that he was not at the meeting that Ms. Presthus was at, however,
he did attend the meeting on Monday morning with Jim Hovland, Scot Housh, Dick
Ward (President of the Edina Basketball Association), Greg Bjork (representative from
the Edina Girls Traveling Basketball Association) and John Keprios. He noted that
Marcia Friedman, President of EGAA, was unable to attend but did talk to Mr. Keprios
via phone later that day. Mr. MacHolda indicated that as Ms. Presthus stated earlier they
are on a very fast track here. He indicated that the City Council wants to know if these
associations are behind this before they proceed to which the three parties indicated that
they are. Although it would not be their ideal situation they realize that it would be
adding two more basketball courts into the system. Dr. Hulbert asked what do they see as
ideal? Mr. MacHolda replied that in the basketball community what they feel would be
ideal is to have consolidated facilities versus decentralized because it would be a lot
easier to run a tournament. However, they did recognize that adding two full size gyms
would be a tremendous asset to the community and their programs. Mr. MacHolda
indicated that they were asked if they felt the operational expenses were insurmountable
to which they replied no. He noted that there is obviously a concern because you get to a
point where how much can you actually charge a participant in order for them to be able
to still participate. However, what he did hear from the meeting was that they are willing
to go forward and they want to be part of the process.
Mr. Klus asked Mr. MacHolda what the hourly rate would cost to run basketball to which
he replied that currently they are being charged $3.00 a hour. Mr. MacHolda noted that
it’s his understanding that whether the two new gyms are added or not the school is
looking to increase the hourly rate. However, they have not been told what the new rate
is going to be but would guess it will be somewhere between $15.00 and $20.00. He
added that the expense would be incurred across all of the gyms and not just the new
ones.
Mr. Klus asked Mr. MacHolda how many hours of rental would be needed in order to
break even with the $50,000 a year in operational expenses. Mr. MacHolda replied that
he doesn’t have current numbers, however, at the time of the 2001 referendum the
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various groups were purchasing approximately 3,755 hours. He noted that number has
since gone up because the spring basketball program has expanded. Mr. Klus asked if the
$15.00 fee would be per participant or per hour to which he replied it would be per hour.
Mr. Klus asked so the city would need to finance the construction of these two courts as
well as cover all operational expenses. Ms. Presthus commented that another option they
are looking at is raising money through private donors and using the Edina Foundation as
the conduit to help offset the operating expenses instead of putting it all back on the user
fees. Dr. Hulbert asked if they might get more user fees if they have longer hours. She
noted that she remembers when her kids were in basketball they had a hard time getting
access to the gyms because often times the schools were closed when they wanted to rent
the gyms. Mr. MacHolda stated that has been a difficulty in the past because there
always had to be a custodian with a boiler license at the site to which that is not the case
anymore. Dr. Hulbert asked if they are renting it out as much as there is a demand for.
Ms. Presthus replied that the problem they’ve always had is weighing how much quality
time the people want as well as their family values versus sports. She noted that most
people don’t want their 10 year-old playing basketball at 10:00 p.m. Mr. MacHolda
pointed out that the associations have always recognized that Wednesday nights are
religious education nights. Therefore, the preferred key days for basketball are Mondays,
Tuesdays and Thursdays. He added that the traveling basketball participant really can’t
participate on Friday, Saturday and Sunday because they are often in tournaments. Mr.
MacHolda explained that they have shifted the in-house 7th/8th grade boys to play one of
their two days on Saturday mornings. In addition, the 6th graders will play one of their
two days on Friday night. Dr. Hulbert suggested that maybe there are other adult groups
that would be interested in using the non-peak times. She asked is there any way they
can bring in more money by having expanded numbers? Ms. Presthus replied that with
all of the AAU developmental programs that are offered outside of the Basketball
Association that if it’s made known that gym time is available they probably could fill
more hours.
Mr. Klus stated that he thinks the biggest problem is in order to pay $50,000 a year in
operating expenses they are looking at 3,300 hours of gym space that will need to be
rented. Ms. Presthus commented that they need to keep in mind that all gyms will be
charged the same amount.
Ms. Presthus explained that there is a huge joint powers agreement as well as a lot of
other legal documents. However, the big thing right now is to find out if this is still
something the associations are interested in talking about. The City Council needs to
look at the positives and negatives to find out if it will make it. She noted that they need
to look at all of the reasons why the referendum failed the last time and find out what has
changed since then. Mr. Klus asked when this will go before the City Council to which it
was noted November 1st. Mr. MacHolda commented that Mr. Hovland and Mr. Housh
were very hopeful that the associations who are interested in these gymnasiums would
come in numbers and support this proposal. Ms. Presthus explained that on November 1st
the City Council will decide whether or not they want the agreement to go ahead and
continue talks and bring it into public hearings. She noted that doesn’t mean that it
necessarily will happen.
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Ms. Sitek indicated that it sounds like the schools have no use for this, however, she
thinks if it’s sitting right there in their schools they are going to want to use it. She asked
wouldn’t they have to pay us then to which it was noted that yes they would. Ms.
Presthus explained that the school needs assessment indicates they have no need to build
two gymnasiums and that is why they cannot justify building them. However, there is a
little problem with the hut. Ms. Sitek asked isn’t the school kind of digging themselves a
hole because if they are going to make us pay for everything then we are going to have to
charge them if they use it during the day. Ms. Presthus replied that they are aware of
that.
Mr. Klus pointed out that Mr. Keprios has not asked the Park Board for anything tonight.
He noted that because this is on such a fast track he thinks the whole process will be done
outside of the Park Board. Mr. Klus stated that if the Park Board has a position on this it
needs to be stated tonight in order to give the City Council the Park Boards feedback.
Mr. Finsness indicated that he thinks this is exactly what the Park Board has been
wanting for years. Therefore, if they could do something in conjunction with the schools
and build more gymnasiums and have support from the athletic associations then that is
exactly what they should want as a Park Board. Mr. Weiss noted that he thinks it’s great.
Mr. Damman noted that he is for it. Mr. Sorem stated that he thinks this is exactly what
he has heard everyone needs. Ms. Sitek noted that they should do it if they can swing it.
Andy Finsness MOVED THAT THE PARK BOARD FULLY SUPPORTS THE
STUDY AND INITITIAVE BEING CONSIDERED BY THE CITY AND THE PARK
SYSTEM AND THE SCHOOLS. Mike Weiss SECONDED THE MOTION.
Dr. Hulbert noted that she likes the “being considered” part because she doesn’t think we
have all of the information right now to say it 100% but getting there is important.
Mr. Finsness indicated that the only consideration he has is parking because it is pretty
tight when you start getting crowds. Ms. Sitek replied that she thinks parking will get
better because right now there is a lot of construction going on. Ms. Presthus commented
that they are still going to have the concern with the Edina Community Center
neighborhood.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
B. Indoor Athletic Field Facility Feasibility Study - Mr. MacHolda indicated that he
sent a letter to the following athletic associations regarding an indoor athletic field study;
Edina Baseball Association, Edina Soccer Association, Edina Soccer Club, Edina
Football Association, Edina Girls Fastpitch Association and the Edina Lacrosse
Association. He noted that he has received written confirmation from two of the six
groups as well as a verbal confirmation from a third. He stated that hopefully by Friday
he will have heard from everyone. Mr. MacHolda indicated that the Baseball Association
does have an interest, however, they do not know how many hours and are sorting
through that right now. He commented that he would guess they would want to use it in
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the spring for try-outs and during the winter months for batting. Mr. MacHolda stated
that the Edina Soccer Association has verbally declined being a user. He noted that the
Edina Soccer Club has confirmed that they would be willing to commit to 100 hours,
however, they would not rent the whole field but rather just half of the field space. He
stated those are the hours they are currently using at Holy Angels. Mr. MacHolda
pointed out that they see those hours as a base number and that potentially teams and
coaches will pick up additional hours along the way. He indicated that he has received in
writing from the Edina Football Association that they would use approximately 10 to 15
hours. However, Mr. MacHolda stated that he thinks that number is a little on the high
side for them and noted that they see it as a potential championship venue late in the
season and when there is bad weather. He indicated that he hasn’t received anything in
writing from the Girls Fastpitch Association but knows that they are currently using the
High School’s field house which has a batting cage as well as they can also use that for a
lot less money and it is currently meeting their needs. However, the president has
indicated that it might be fun to run a couple of tournaments during the winter season and
obviously defer their expense amongst the number of teams that they could entertain.
Mr. MacHolda noted that currently he has only been able to exchange voicemails with
the Edina Lacrosse Association. He noted that in his sense he thinks they could equal or
maybe even exceed what the Edina Soccer Club has formally committed to. He added
that Lacrosse is definitely a sport that’s on the rise.
Mr. MacHolda informed the Park Board that he did talk to Steve Dove at the Edina High
School and was told that the school’s interest would really only be for two weeks in the
spring for two hours a day and would be used for baseball. Mr. Klus asked if Rugby is a
school sport to which Ms. Sitek replied that the problem with Rugby is kids can letter in
it in high school, however, the school pays for nothing.
Mr. MacHolda indicated that in talking with the other domes in the area, Plymouth,
Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Holy Angels and Woodbury he found that November and
December are light in terms of rental time and January, February and the first part of
March are the peak months. After that it starts to drop off.
Mr. MacHolda pointed out that Mr. Keprios did receive a written proposal from
Anderson Johnson for approximately $24,000 to do a feasibility study on the indoor
athletic field. Mr. Klus commented that what he thinks he is hearing from staff is that
they are still pretty negative on the idea of building a permanent structure at Braemar. He
noted that he thinks one of the concerns is are there enough users to pay for it. He noted
that he thinks it’s only going to work if there are enough private donations to help make it
work. A structure like this is going to take private dollars. Mr. Klus stated that we all
know in the back of our minds that the ideal location would be to put a bubble over at
Kuhlman field because it would solve a lot of issues but have been told that’s not
probably going to happen.
Mr. Klus indicated that he thinks the Park Board needs to ask the City Council and staff
how many more years do they wait and continue to push this or do they just wait and
hope for something better down the road. He noted that up until now the Park Board’s
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position has been we are tired of waiting, let’s get something done, let’s go out and find
out how much it’s going to cost and try to raise some money. Mr. Klus stated that Mr.
Keprios needs to go to the City Council and get the money approved before he can do
this type of study. This is not something that Mr. Keprios can just sign and get done. He
noted that he thinks Mr. Keprios has done the right thing in asking staff to make sure that
we have enough hours to support something like this. He commented that Mr. Keprios is
concerned about spending $24,000 of the city’s money if this is not going to work and
that is why Mr. MacHolda is checking on the rental hours with the associations.
Mr. Klus asked Mr. MacHolda how many hours he thinks it will take in order to make
this work to which he replied 1,200 hours. Ms. Presthus indicated that when she added
up the hours she came up with 250 hours to which 100 of those would be using half of
the field. She stressed that does not cover operations.
Mr. Klus explained that the concern of the City of Council is why are we asking to take
away a premier athletic field to which he replied to them where else is there that they can
play soccer other than at Braemar. Mr. Klus stated that he knows there are a lot of other
places where they can play soccer in this community and they are talking about one field.
He noted that he’s challenging the City Council by saying the Park Department has done
a tremendous job of rehabbing fields over the last five years to which Lewis Park is a
prime example. Therefore, why don’t we do something at Pamela Park or Walnut Ridge
Park, why don’t we put some of those same dollars to some of our other parks where we
have the land. Mr. Finsness asked Mr. Klus why are you telling the City Council that,
why aren’t we telling ourselves that because doesn’t the Park Board make that kind of a
recommendation on the capital budget. Mr. Klus replied that we do, however, Council
Member Kelly was saying that he has a concern about losing a good, grass field but at the
same time the staff and city have said that is the only spot where it can be put, the Park
Board was told this is the location. Mr. Finsness asked that is what Mr. Keprios told us
to which Mr. Klus replied yes. Therefore, City Council approved Park Board’s request to
go ahead with a feasibility study. Mr. Klus added that the Edina Hockey Association
stood up and said they were against it because they want that to become a fourth sheet of
ice. Mr. Klus stated that the community has been asking and asking for more training
sites and this is the only location they’ve been told by staff that they have to consider.
Dr. Hulbert indicated that the associations may be asking for this, however, they are not
coming up with very many hours to which they want to use it. She commented that it
sounds good and everyone likes something new but if they aren’t able to pay for it that’s
a big concern. Mr. Klus explained that they are now in a situation where Mr. Keprios
will go back to the City Council and inform them that it will cost $24,000 to do a
feasibility study. At the same time, however, Mr. MacHolda has stated that he is only
finding X amount of dollars. Mr. Klus noted that Mr. Keprios has been concerned
throughout this whole process that none of the associations will come out and support it
at the time when it’s needed to be supported. Mr. Klus commented that he did state to the
City Council that if this is truly needed the community will stand up and support it. Mr.
Grabiel indicated that he thinks they should go ahead with the feasibility study because
that’s what it’s designed to find out. Mr. Finsness asked if the feasibility study would tell
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us what the need is as well as the cost to which Mr. MacHolda responded no it will not
tell us what the need is. He commented that the feasibility study is a site feasibility
study. Mr. Klus noted that $24,000 is a lot of money just for a feasibility study to which
Mr. Finsness added especially if we are hearing that no one is going to use it. Mr.
MacHolda pointed out again that staff has communicated that they feel the best location
for this is at the Kuhlman campus.
Mr. Weiss stated that he personally doesn’t like it, it’s the setting that makes it beautiful.
Mr. MacHolda added that the field itself is terrible because it holds so much water and
that’s why it’s on their capital plan. Mr. Weiss pointed out that he thinks the kids get a
much bigger kick out of playing their championship games at the high school rather than
at Braemar because they can emulate their high school heroes. Mr. Weiss indicated that
the one thing that has changed a lot since last year is now they have year-round turf at
Kuhlman Field and soon they’ll have year-round turf at Valley View. He noted that one
of the tough things is being able to get people out on the fields in April who want to use
the fields but now a lot of that has been alleviated because of the turf. Mr. Weiss pointed
out that he thinks the needs assessment has probably changed quite a bit from what they
proposed even six months ago. Mr. MacHolda commented that the School District wants
people to use these artificial surfaces for a fee of $25.00 an hour without lights and
$75.00 with lights. He noted that he has run this by the field use people and it doesn’t
seem to be an issue with them. Mr. Finsness suggested that they see how these new
fields do and play it out for a couple of years. He stated that if the information they have
received is accurate and they are only coming up with a couple of hundred hours they
probably should wait. He noted that personally he can’t see spending $24,000 on a
feasibility study.
Mr. Weiss commented that they need to keep in mind that the hours they’ve been
presented with do not take into account any kind of private enterprise to which he thinks
there would be ample opportunity for clinics, camps, etc. Ms. Presthus pointed out that
again they need to consider that there are now a lot of domes out there to which we would
be the second one in our area. She noted that she doesn’t think they can look at it as a
revenue generator from anyone outside of the city.
Mr. Grabiel stated that nobody seems to be able to come up with a concept that there are
going to be enough people who want to use this to make it worthwhile.
Ms. Sitek stated that she has always felt that Kuhlman is the place to have it and she
thinks they should wait especially if there may be a chance that could happen at Kuhlman
somewhere down the road.
Mr. Damman indicated that he has said all along he doesn’t believe it belongs at
Braemar.
Mr. Sorem stated that he thinks they should wait because most of the school programs
would only would need to use it for a few weeks a year, either at the end of football
season or the beginning of spring. The rest of the time they would be searching for ways
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to fill it with outside groups, adult leagues, etc. Mr. Sorem noted that there are now five
bubbles in the metro area so there’s going to be a lot of competition. Mr. Klus replied
that he doesn’t look at it as competition with other communities but rather how are we
going to use it within our community.
Dr. Hulbert stated that she doesn’t think Braemar is the right place for it and that they
should wait and see if they might eventually be able to get it at Kuhlman.
Mr. Finsness stated that he would like to go on the record and say he doesn’t want it at
Kuhlman because there is already too much traffic there.
Mr. MacHolda pointed out that he thinks a greater need in the community is to have
another artificial surface that would have lights and noted that he thinks McCarthy field
would be a great venue for a field with lights. He explained that the reason he thinks they
should put in lights is because what it really does is adds another green space versus
taking one away. Instead of a field being closed at 6:00 pm because you’ve lost the day
light people would be able to play later. He added that it’s also the same quality every
day versus having puddles on the field. Mr. Klus commented that he would rather see
turf put at Pamela with possibly a fence around it because it would be used more by the
community. He noted at the Community Center they already have a turf field, they don’t
need another one.
Mr. Weiss asked Mr. MacHolda if the five dome facilities he mentioned are full to which
he replied no. Mr. Weiss asked what is their usage to which Mr. MacHolda responded
that Minnetonka has sold approximately 712 hours out of 1,150 hours.
Mr. Klus asked Mr. MacHolda if he would e-mail the Park Board members on what his
findings are from the associations by the end of the week.
III. 2005 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Mr. Klus informed the Park Board that Mr. Keprios has indicated that the wooden play
structure at Kojetin Park is rotting and needs to be replaced. Therefore, he has switched
Kojetin Park to be replaced in 2005 and have Alden Park’s playground equipment be
replaced in 2006. Mr. Klus noted that on the 2005 capital improvement plan Mr. Keprios
is also renovating the athletic field at Braemar Park as well as a new maintenance garage
at Courtney Fields for a total of $514,000 in improvements for 2005. Mr. Klus indicated
that what he was looking for from the Park Board tonight is a recommendation on the
2005 capital improvement plan.
Mr. Klus asked the Park Board to think about their previous discussion of looking at
permanent turf fields. Is this something we may want to look at versus renovating the
athletic field at Braemar Park. Mr. Klus noted that he thinks if they pass the 2005 capital
improvement plan right now it will stop the building at Braemar and allow them to
renovate Braemar’s field. He explained that the only concern he has about this is the
hockey association really wants a fourth sheet of ice and may be looking at that in the
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next five years. Mr. Klus noted let’s say we renovate the field at Braemar and it does
become the site for the next hockey rink, it would be a huge waste of money. Mr.
MacHolda commented that he thinks they need to look really hard on forfeiting any green
space because they are already short green space and they only keep adding more
programs. Mr. Finsness commented that renovating Braemar field was not on the 2005
list for last year. Mr. MacHolda explained that the field renovation was removed from
2005 and the baseball concession stand building was moved up a year, however, it was
recommended to Mr. Keprios to put the field renovation back in place in the event the
multi-purpose building is built. That’s dollars put towards the building and if not the
field is renovated and the baseball concession stand building is put back to 2006 where it
originally was.
Mr. Finsness stated that he doesn’t know why they should approve 2005 capital
improvement plan when there is a sort of a caveat there. He noted that he doesn’t know
if they should be approving this until it’s decided whether or not they are going to go
ahead with the feasibility study. Mr. MacHolda pointed out that this was the City
Manager’s recommendation. Mr. Klus stated that he also has a problem with this if it’s
up in the air and that they should play things out one at a time. He noted that the only
reason he is saying they should not approve that part of it tonight is because of what else
is on the table. Mr. MacHolda pointed out that it is Mr. Keprios recommendation to
keep the $312,000 budget for this field in place to either pay for the renovation of the
field or go towards converting the field to an artificial surface within a permanent
building. Dr. Hulbert asked $312,000 isn’t just going to sit there if it’s not tagged for
something to which Mr. MacHolda replied that is correct. Ms. Presthus commented that
as long as the money goes toward changing it or fixing it otherwise it’s just going to
deteriorate and no one will want to play football games there. She noted as long as the
money would go one way or the other let’s leave it there.
Linda Presthus MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO KEEP THE CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AS PROPOSED IN KEEPING THE $312,000
BUDGETED FOR THE BRAEMAR FIELD IN PLACE TO EITHER PAY FOR THE
RENOVATION OF THE FIELD OR GO TOWARDS CONVERTING THE FIELD TO
AN ARTIFICIAL SURFACE WITHIN A PERMANENT BUILDING. Karla Sitek
SECONDED THE MOTION.
Mr. Klus commented that if they are not going to build a permanent structure there then
why not put a permanent field there even if a building does go over the top and put the
money towards an artificial surface. Mr. MacHolda replied that again an artificial surface
would cost short of one million dollars and has a life expectancy of 8 to 10 years.
However, if you look at the renovated area at Lewis Park it’s the same one that Blake has
and they are on their 20th year with and it only cost $312,000. Mr. MacHolda indicated
that he thinks for the dollar it makes more sense to continue what they’ve been doing at
Lewis Park. Mr. Weiss stated that he would be hesitant to do this because if they
renovate the field there will never be a permanent structure there as well as there is a
good chance that hockey would take it out for their fourth sheet of ice. He indicated that
there are a lot of questions on what’s ultimately going to happen to that space. He noted
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that maybe they should move the Courtney ball fields up one year and put the $300,000
towards that. Mr. MacHolda explained that the problem with doing that is they want to
do Courtney ball field #4 at the same time they build the new Braemar concession
building. He commented that Mr. Keprios for a brief period did have those dollars in
2005 and he was shot down. Mr. Klus stated that there is no assurance that they will get
that money in 2006 either and because of that he cannot support this motion. He noted
that he doesn’t want to waste money on this when they don’t know what’s going to
happen. There are a lot of things that $300,000 could do with our parks next year and
doesn’t think they need to challenge people to look at that. Mr. Weiss commented that
they will know by the November Park Board meeting what the city has decided to do so
maybe they should wait until then to make their decision. Mr. Grabiel indicated that they
could table this until they find out when they have to have their recommendation.
Andy Finsness MOVED TO TABLE THE MOTION. Mike Weiss SECONDED.
IN FAVOR TO TABLE: George Klus, Floyd Grabiel, Mike Weiss, Andy Finsness,
Alice Hulbert, Jeff Sorem
OPPOSED: Linda Presthus, Mike Damman, Karla Sitek
MOTION TO TABLE PASSED.
Mr. Grabiel indicated that as long as they are talking about capital improvements he
would like to go on the record that nothing is being done at Arneson Acres until 2007 and
the parking lot at Arneson Acres will not be done until 2009. He pointed out that for
whatever reason Arneson Acres has now become a voting site, which is awful. There is
only one handicapped parking spot in the lot and it’s just horrible. Therefore, if the city
is going to start using Arneson Acres for things like this they are going to need to move it
up the list because it definitely needs some work.
IV. PARK ASSIGNMENTS PRESENTATION – LINDA PRESTHUS
Ms. Presthus indicated that her park assignments were Kojetin Park, McGuire Park,
Sherwood Park and Weber Park. She noted that the first one she visited was Kojetin Park
which is located on 44th Street and was originally called 44th Street Park but was renamed
after Bob Kojetin, former Edina Park and Recreation Director. She indicated that when
this property was purchased by the city it contained a building to which it was set on fire
by vandals and had to be torn down. Ms. Presthus indicated that it was almost the site of
the Art Center back in the 1960s. She noted that Kojetin Park sits on 2.69 acres and has
an old wooden playground equipment as well as benches for sitting. It also has an
unfinished baseball field and an open grass area. She noted that it is scheduled for new
playground equipment in 2005. Ms. Presthus stated that it really is a little neighborhood
park and kids are always playing at the playground area.
Ms. Presthus indicated that McGuire Park is located at 69th and McGuire and is actually
behind Calvary Church. She noted that the park was constructed in the 1950s and was on
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a very low area, which was very wet and was later reconstructed in the early 1970s. She
noted the park sits on two acres and was the first park to have concrete placed around the
playground equipment. She stated that it is a neighborhood park, which has benches and
a grassy area. She pointed out that new playground equipment is scheduled for 2007.
She added that there is also a little hill that is used by small children for sliding in the
winter. She commented that the park does have a drinking fountain but it doesn’t have
any water.
Ms. Presthus pointed out that Sherwood Park is a neighborhood park that serves an area
called Ridgeview Heights and at one time it did have a small skating rink. She explained
that when Grandview Square went in the neighborhood asked for a bigger park and new
playground equipment. She noted that city compromised with them and a took a little bit
of their land and gave them new playground equipment. She noted that Sherwood Park
sits on 2 acres, it has playground equipment, a baseball backstop and a small field for
playing soccer/football. It also has restrooms, picnic benches, grills and a water fountain.
She commented that she did not see anyone when she was there.
Ms. Presthus indicated that Weber Park is located at 42nd Street and Grimes and was
named after the first constable of the City of Morningside. She noted that it was
refurbished and reconstructed in 1980. At that time the old section of the Morningside
School Building was demolished and the cooperative purchase agreement was made with
the School District for buying the remaining property. She explained that the City then
resold a new portion of Morningside school and demolished the old portion, which is
now the open corner site of 42nd Street and Grimes. Ms. Presthus indicated that the
tennis courts were built in 1968 and there is a fence that was put in between the Church
property and the park property to try and curb vandalism as well as cars from driving
back and forth. She stated that Weber Park is a heavily scheduled park and there are a
ton of people there all of the time. Ms. Presthus commented that Weber Park sits on 12
acres and has two softball fields and one baseball field, a full size hockey rink, a general
skating area and a new warming house. She pointed out that it’s scheduled for parking
lot repair in 2009. Ms. Presthus showed on a map the area they have discussed about
having an open dog park. She added that Golden Years Montessori School is right next
to the park to which those kids heavily use the playground equipment. She also noted
that the park has beautiful paths back in the woods.
V. ADJOURNMENT
Floyd Grabiel MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:45 PM. Karla Sitek
SECONDED THE MOTION. MEETING ADJOURNED