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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-09 Park Board Minutes 1 Minutes of the Edina Park Board March 9, 2010 Edina City Hall, Council Chambers MEMBERS PRESENT: Jennifer Kenney, Todd Fronek, Dan Peterson, Bill Lough, Rob Presthus, Randy Meyer, Joseph Hulbert, Keeya Steel, Ben Pobuda, Ellen Jones, Louise Segreto STAFF PRESENT: John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton I. APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 12, 2010 PARK BOARD MINUTES Dan Peterson MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 12, 2010 PARK BOARD MINUTES. Bill Lough SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED. II. WELCOME NEW PARK BOARD MEMBERS Mr. Keprios introduced the two new Park Board members: Louise Segreto and Ellen Jones. III. PARK BOARD ORIENTATION PRESENTATION Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that the “Park Board Orientation Presentation” is typically earmarked for the new Park Board members. However, because he feels there is enough new information regarding finances, new projects and challenges he thought this would also be a good reminder for the veterans. Mr. Keprios gave the 118 slide presentation which included an overview of the park system’s facilities, programs, staff, and areas of responsibility, budget, recent and upcoming issues and challenges, code of ethics, City Code as it relates to the Park Board and meeting procedures. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. Appointment to Community Advisory Team – Mr. Keprios indicated that he is looking for a Park Board member to volunteer to be on the “Community Advisory Team”. He explained that it’s basically a short term task force that the City Council is putting together to help the Planning Commission go through the process in deciding what direction they should be headed and how the process should be handled when the city vacates the Public Works building site. He noted that the City Council is trying to encompass all of the different bodies to help out with this. Mr. Keprios stated that the volunteer would not have to attend every meeting but would be expected to attend the key core important ones. He added that it looks like it would be for a fairly short term. Ms. Jones indicated that she would be willing to serve on the Community Advisory Team. V. UPDATES FROM STAFF A. Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail – Mr. Keprios asked Mr. Hulbert if he would say a few words about the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail. Mr. Hulbert replied that he has 2 been to two of the three community assessment meetings and thinks there are at least one or two more planned. Mr. Hulbert explained that they have broken the Nine Mile Creek down into about 20 segments; each of the segments has the ability to nominate a representative from the surrounding neighborhood. He noted that the meetings consist of these representatives as well as representatives from Three Rivers Park and the City of Edina, including Mr. Keprios. He commented that they discuss the various design and social elements both pros and cons. He noted that there is going to be an open house in probably a month or two once they wrap up the meetings. Mr. Keprios pointed out that the Three Rivers Park District has done a wonderful job keeping this moving forward and high on their priority list. He noted that they are also just wrapping up their environmental assessment worksheet which the Bonnestroo Architect firm was hired to do. Mr. Keprios explained that the way that process will play out is they will make their findings and presentation first to the Three Rivers Park District. He indicated if all goes well they ultimately hope to bring a recommendation from staff to the Park Board. He added that it is not his intention for the Park Board to hold a public hearing, although he still thinks they will have a room full of people because this is a very emotionally charged and controversial issue. Mr. Keprios indicated that they still have a long way to go and feels it’s still too premature for him to even guess when it will go before the Park Board and from there to the City Council. Mr. Meyer asked Mr. Keprios if funding has been identified at least with regards to the bridges over the highways to which Mr. Keprios replied they have not. B. Veterans Memorial – Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that since the last Park Board meeting he has been made aware that by state law they must have an ordinance passed by the City Council before they can spend any dollars on a Veterans Memorial. He indicated that staff and the committee will come to the Park Board first and recommend a slate of candidates to serve on the committee. He added that they will also show the Park Board their proposed ordinance which will then go to the City Council for final approval. Mr. Keprios stated that once they receive City Council approval they will start the fundraising. He commented that it is a long process but that they are getting there. He also informed the Park Board that he has been working with the Edina Community Foundation and they have drafted an agreement to have them be a fiscal partner to the Veterans Memorial. They would be the ones to funnel and manage the money as well as the equipment would be purchased directly from the Community Foundation. C. Farmer’s Market - Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that the City Council did approve the amendment to the ordinance for the City Code to allow for the sale of produce at Centennial Lakes Park. He indicated that they have already received 22 requests for applications and have already received 12 back. He noted that they expect to fill their 25 spots within the next few weeks. 3 D. Outdoor Hockey Rink Project Grant – Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that he has made application for a $60,000 grant to help them fund the replacement of the Pamela Park and Walnut Ridge Park hockey rinks; both are on the 2010 Capital Improvement Plan. He pointed out that the grant does require a resolution from the City Council to which he has already received their approval. Mr. Keprios explained that he is asking Hennepin County to help them fund half of the project because it requires a matching grant. The total cost of the project is $120,000. He commented that they should have an answer by the middle of May because that’s when the county board will make its decision. He added that due to our tough economic times there is no guarantee they will be able to afford to get both rinks done this year without support from a grant. E. Bike Rack Grant (SHIP) – Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that from the grant they received earlier from the Statewide Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) they will hopefully be able to get in 13 bike racks at 9 different sites. He pointed out that they did an analysis of the parks and prioritized them. He noted that they have 46 different sites where he feels they can put in bike racks. Mr. Keprios added that by doing this they are in keeping with the long range comprehensive plan to make Edina more of a bike friendly community. Mr. Keprios stated that there is probably more grant money available; however, they don’t have the manpower to install all of them in a years’ time. F. Primary Election – Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that there will be a primary election held on August 10th which is when the scheduled Park Board meeting is. He noted that because it is state mandated they cannot hold a meeting that night and therefore would like to hold the Park Board meeting on Monday, August 9th. He noted that if it looks like that date won’t work for the majority of the members and they won’t have a quorum they can certainly look at an alternative date. Mr. Peterson asked Mr. Keprios if it would be possible for the Park Board members to get a copy of his power point presentation on the Park Board orientation. Mr. Keprios replied that it is too big of a file to e-mail so he will put it on a disc and mail it to everyone. VI. ELECTION OF OFFICERS A. Election of Chair – John Keprios opened up the floor for nominations for Chair of the Park Board. Randy Meyer MOVED TO NOMINATE BILL LOUGH. Todd Fronek SECONDED THE MOTION. Mr. Lough stated that he is going to have to turn down the nomination because of personal reasons for his travel schedule this year. He noted that he doesn’t think it would be fair of him to accept the nomination when he would not be able to exercise the leadership duties that would be required of him. He added that he is thankful for the honor of the nomination. Todd Fronek MOVED TO NOMINATE JOSEPH HULBERT. Mr. Keprios asked for a motion to close the nominations. Rob Presthus MOVED TO CLOSE NOMINATIONS. Randy Meyer SECONDED THE MOTION. Mr. Hulbert 4 accepted the nomination. PARK BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPOINT JOSEPH HULBERT AS CHAIRMAN OF THE PARK BOARD. B. Election of Vice-Chair - John Keprios opened up the floor for nominations for Vice Chair of the Park Board. Bill Lough NOMINATED KEEYA STEEL. Joseph Hulbert SECONDED THE MOTION. Ms. Steel accepted the nomination. Dan Peterson MOVED TO CLOSE THE NOMINATIONS. Todd Fronek SECONDED THE MOTION. PARK BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPOINT KEEYA STEEL AS VICE CHAIR OF THE PARK BOARD. Mr. Keprios stated that as a result of the elections they will need to reposition the seating arrangements. Mr. Meyer commented that his thought is that it’s a little unfair if everybody who is in the lower level is always seated there. He suggested that they rotate the seating as a matter of fairness. There was a consensus to approve Mr. Meyer’s suggestion. VII. PARK BOARD COMMENTS A. Park Board Members - Mr. Fronek again welcomed Ms. Jones and Ms. Segreto to the Park Board and thanked them for serving. Mr. Fronek indicated that he would also like to recognize Jeff Sorem and Ray O’Connell who were the two Park Board members who were replaced and thanked them for their years of service. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:00 PM