Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-13 Park Board MinutesMinutes of the Edina Park Board Tuesday, February 13, 2007 Edina City Hall Council Chambers MEMBERS PRESENT: Linda Presthus, Karla Sitek, George Klus, Andy Finsness, Mike Damman, Ray O’Connell, Carolyn Nelson STAFF PRESENT: John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES George Klus MOVED TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 12, 2006 PARK BOARD MINUTES. II. NEW BUSINESS A. Todd Park Hockey Rink Public Opinion Survey and Scheduled User Survey - Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that the reason they are conducting this survey is because a decision needs to be made by July 1st as to whether or not the hockey rink will remain at Todd Park. He noted that they are coming to the end of the two year pilot project and therefore they need to analyze the impact the hockey rink has had on the neighborhood as well as the rink users themselves. Therefore, he would like to see two separate surveys sent out. One survey would be a public opinion survey of the immediate neighborhood and the other would be for the coaches of the Edina Hockey Association. Mr. Keprios explained the proposed areas where he feels the survey could be sent to. He indicated that in the original mailing in 2005 this survey was sent to 294 households, which represent a radius of approximately 500’ to 600’ around the park. He noted that since then, he has heard feedback from other neighbors of the Todd Park neighborhood who feel that future surveys should also be mailed to those who live even more than 600 feet from the park. However, there has been an argument made that those who live closest to the park are the ones most affected and therefore should be the only ones to receive the survey. Mr. Keprios pointed out that currently they have been leasing the hockey boards at Todd Park through a company called Athletica. He explained that the arrangement they have with Athletica is a lease for $5,000 for the first year and $8,000 for the second year to which all of those dollars could go towards the purchase of the hockey boards. If they decide to purchase the boards it will cost an additional $10,900 which would be due by July 1st of this year. Mr. Finsness asked who will be analyzing the data to which Mr. Keprios replied that staff will analyze the data and present the findings to the Park Board. Ms. Presthus commented that the survey is written using all negatives which seems unusual to her and probably is not a good way to go about it. Mr. Keprios replied that it certainly can be worded a different way; however, they need to be careful that they aren’t looking for a specific answer because they want to make sure they are getting raw, unbiased data. Ms. Presthus stated that she would be happy to work with Mr. Keprios in re-writing the questions. Ms. Nelson asked if the public opinion survey will target adults or teens because she thinks hockey rinks are mainly used by younger people. Mr. Keprios stated that the cover letter is going to ask for the head of household. Mr. Klus commented that he doesn’t think it has to be the head of household, it could also be sent to the user of the park and therefore he is not so sure they should limit it to the head of household. Mr. Keprios pointed out that currently it’s addressed to the owner of the property and the cover letter asks for the head of the house to fill it out. Mr. Klus replied that he thinks it could also be a user of the rink such as a high school kid who uses it. Ms. Presthus stated that she disagrees with that because they are asking about property values so they are really talking about the property owner or the head of household, not necessarily the teenager who probably does not care about the traffic and lights. Mr. Keprios noted that he will make the changes that have been recommended and will forward the survey along with the cover letter via e-mail to which the Park Board members can reply back. Mr. Klus stated that he would hate to see this held up waiting for responses and therefore feels Mr. Keprios should be able to move forward with the survey. Mr. Keprios indicated on a map the area of households who received the original letter in 2005. He stated that it was sent out to approximately 294 homes located within approximately a 500’ radius of the park. Mr. Keprios pointed out that perhaps they should look at expanding the number of households who will receive the survey. He showed on a map that if they were to send the survey out to a radius of 1,000 feet it would include 420 homes. If the survey were sent to a radius of 1,500 feet within the park it would include 596 homes. Mr. Keprios commented that with that in mind if they were to extend it to include all of Circle East and Circle West and everything north of Interlachen and West of Highway 100 it would include 621 households. Mr. Keprios pointed out that when the original 294 homes were notified in 2005 he heard several comments that the area chosen wasn’t large enough. He stated that the service area for a neighborhood park is considered to be a mile. Ms. Sitek asked if those 621 households would consider Todd Park to be their primary park to which Mr. Keprios replied yes. Ms. Sitek noted that she sees this issue partially as a property issue because of the lights, traffic, etc., however, it’s also an issue about a city park which would affect all of the people who use it. Ms. Sitek stated that she thinks the survey should be sent to the people who use it as well as the people who live right by it. Ms. Presthus commented she agrees, it’s a city park and serves a large area, not just the people who are next door to it. Pat Cronin, 11 Cooper Avenue, stated that he definitely supports the hockey rink at Todd Park. He noted that he has three children and that his house would only be included to receive the survey if it were sent out to the 621 households. He indicated that Todd Park is their neighborhood park and commented that it takes him 4 1/12 minutes to walk to the park. He pointed out from the standpoint of being affected by the park he does live on one of the three artery streets that leads into the park. Therefore, he would definitely be affected by any increase in traffic to which they have not seen an increase. He stated that in fairness to the whole neighborhood they need to take the largest survey area. Jeff Bisson, 9 Cooper Avenue, noted that he also lives just outside the initial area. He suggested that perhaps a sensible definition of the survey scope would include an analysis of what the neighborhood truly is. Mr. Bisson noted that he also agrees with the phrasing of the survey in that it’s very easy to strongly agree with the way that a question is asked because a lot will depend on how the questions are written. Ms. Presthus asked Mr. Bisson as being a user of the hockey rink how did you feel about the hockey boards. Mr. Bisson replied they are fantastic and work remarkably well. Linda Presthus MOVED THAT THE PARK BOARD SEND THE SURVEY TO THE LARGER EXTENDED NEIGHBORHOOD REGION FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD SURVEY WHICH WOULD INCLUDE 621 HOUSEHOLDS. George Klus noted that he would like to add the amendment MS. PRESTHUS WILL WORK WITH MR. KEPRIOS ON THE SURVEY AND WILL BE THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE PARK BOARD TO APPROVE THE SURVEY THAT WILL BE SENT OUT BY STAFF. Linda Presthus ACCEPTED THE AMENDMENT. Ray O’Connell SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. B. Edina Community Foundation Athletic Fields and Facilities Fund-Raiser – George Klus - Mr. Klus explained to the Park Board that he has been working on a community wide fundraising effort for the last couple of months. He noted that he has come to realize that there are a lot of recreational facility needs for both adults and kids in the community. Mr. Klus stated that he went to both the school district and city to see if they would be in favor of supporting a community wide fundraising effort which would be ongoing and would not just be a one time thing. He indicated that he has received approval from the school district and city that they would be behind this effort. He noted that he has talked to the Edina Community Foundation and he is currently working with them to see if all donations could flow through the Edina Community Foundation. Mr. Klus pointed out that the first meeting will be held on March 14th at 7:00 pm in the Community Room at City Hall with the idea that each of the athletic associations would send a representative who would be interested in fundraising as well as helping to set priorities on what they are going to be raising funds for. He commented that he has been receiving the names of people who like to serve on this. Mr. Klus stated that if everything goes well he would hope that a fundraising campaign could begin sometime later this summer or early fall and hopes it would be approximately 3 to 5 million dollars that they would like to initially look at to try and enhance their facilities, fields and athletic places around the community. Mr. Klus indicated that it would be for projects that the city and school currently do not have funding for. He explained that he is hoping to come out with a formal campaign and once that is done in the spring he will meet with certain individuals where they are hoping do some pre-fundraising. Mr. Klus stated that if anyone in the community or any Park Board members are interested in serving on something like this to please let him know. C. Park Board Orientation Presentation – Mr. Keprios gave the Park Board a power point orientation presentation. III. OLD BUSINESS A. Braemar Inspection Tour – Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that because there is a conflict with another event at Braemar Golf Course on July 10th; therefore, the 42nd Annual Braemar Inspection Tour will be held on Monday, July 9th. B. Capital Improvements – Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that the City Council has approved the recommendation of the Park Board’s revised capital improvement plan. He noted that they originally proposed $476,000 for the CIP and now they are at $558,000 for the CIP. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. V. UPDATES FROM STAFF A. Gymnasiums – Mr. MacHolda informed the Park Board that the construction is now complete and noted that they held their first basketball tournaments for both boys and girls the first weekend in February. He stated that the gymnasiums were very well received. He pointed out that the final touch they will be adding soon is graphics to the walls. Mr. Keprios pointed out that they are under budget which is very good. B. Courtney Fields Construction Project - Mr. Keprios stated that the Courtney Baseball fields should pretty much be done in the next four weeks and so far it looks really good. VI. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.