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
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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.
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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
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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