Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-08-13 Park Board Minutes1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA PARK BOARD HELD AT CITY HALL August 13, 2013 7:00 PM I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Steel called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Answering roll call were Members Steel, Jones, Gieseke, Jacobson, Deeds and Peterson. Member Cella arrived at 7:46 p.m. III. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA Member Peterson made a motion, seconded by Member Deeds, approving the meeting agenda. Ayes: Members Steel, Jones, Deeds, Gieseke, Jacobson, Dan Peterson. Motion carried. IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA Member Peterson made a motion, seconded by Member Deeds, approving the consent agenda as follows: IV.A. Approval of Minutes – Regular Park Board Meeting of July 9, 2013 Ayes: Members Steel, Jones, Deeds, Gieseke, Jacobson, Peterson. Motion carried. V. COMMUNITY COMMENT None. VI. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS VI.A. Strachauer Park Sidewalk, Parking and Storm Water Management Proposal Ms. Kattreh introduced the report on Strachauer Park related to sidewalks, parking, and storm water management. She noted that the neighbors previously expressed that the existing parking lot is not adequate. The plan is to eventually add a sidewalk on the west end as well. She noted it would be paid for by the Pedestrian and Cycling Safety Fund. The improvements could be done on a two-year plan during 2014 and 2015, or they could be completed fully in 2014. Ms. Kattreh explained, in response to questions by the Park Board, that the parking spaces would be on-street parking. She also stated staff is working on a bike rack plan for all parks, so that will eventually be added. Member Jones asked whether the sidewalk will also function as a bike path and Ms. Kattreh clarified it will just be a standard sized sidewalk. Chair Steel expressed safety concerns of allowing parking on both sides of the street. Member Jones supported a plan to replace any trees that have to be removed during construction so that the look and function of the park are improved. Ms. Kattreh concurred and encouraged that to be part of the motion to approve. 2 The Board discussed improved accessibility via a path to the park and what impact it would have on the flooding required for the hockey rink. Member Deeds made a motion, seconded by Member Peterson, to approve the proposal and recommend that it be completed in 2014 as one project. Ms. Kattreh clarified the stormwater management will be a low-lying wetland area with plantings. Member Jones made an amendment to the motion, seconded by Member Gieseke, that the plan includes replacement trees. Question called on Motion with Amendment. Ayes: Steel, Jones, Deeds, Gieseke, Jacobson, Peterson. Motion carried. VI.B. Park Board Work Plan Update Ms. Kattreh noted that the work plan is on track; the needs assessment was kicked off earlier this year, with an anticipated completion date of 2014. She noted the enterprise cost recovery goals have not been started, but the board could begin on that later in 2013 or in 2014. The Garden Park baseball field renovations are underway and should be completed in August. The Lake Edina pathway is complete; the Countryside Park master plan was approved by the board earlier in 2013 and is now under construction with an anticipated completion date of October 2013. Member Peterson asked that a minimum requirement be set for enterprise cost recovery and if that is missed for two or three years, an evaluation should occur. He also stated the Yorktown Community Garden project is a huge success and suggested putting in another garden at the same spot next year. Chair Steel expressed the importance of determining the role of the enterprise facilities first, specifically with regard to whether the goal is to make money and if that is a different goal from a facility like the Edina Senior Center. She suggested staff not complete the entire strategic plan in this area, but rather make headway on the role those facilities play in the Parks Department as a whole. Member Deeds asked how the Sports Dome will affect the work plan for next year. Ms. Kattreh explained that would be on the plan for 2014, pending City Council approval. There is a work session set up and that will give a sense of the direction to be taken. Ms. Jones asked about the cooperative agreement with the school district. Ms. Kattreh stated that is something that will be touched on with the school district in the next few months. A joint meeting is scheduled between the School Board and City Council, and that may be delayed. At the meeting shared use of city facilities and school district facilities will be discussed. Ms. Jones stated she does like the green initiatives listed on the work plan. Member Deeds suggested a mountain bike path be considered in future years as there seems to be some level of support and demand for it. Member Jones expressed support for more community gardens and also suggested the addition of coordinating a central place for those interested in volunteering for the city and particularly the parks. She is aware that every year the high school has several students looking for projects. 3 Chair Steel suggested the Park Board should create subcommittees to look into the mountain bike paths; the central volunteer location; and the green energy initiatives rather than relying solely on staff. Member Jones expressed interest in working on both green energy initiatives and volunteer project. Member Deeds stated he will look into the mountain bike path idea. Ms. Kattreh stated another idea is to study the Senior Center operations. Chair Steel stated all of the facilities need to have some study to think about the big picture; but she would like to first complete the steps of the strategic planning process to guide the facilities. Member Jones asked about the recreation program plan. Chair Steel explained it is part of her Humphrey project. She has been working on facilitating staff to discuss mission, purpose, and strategic issues; currently she is working on coming up with surveys to collect data on past participants. It is a good pilot program for strategic planning in the department. The deadline is October 2013 and she will bring the data forward to the Park Board. Member Jones asked about the timeline for the work plan. Ms. Kattreh responded she will put together a recommended plan and bring it to the Board at their next meeting for comments and review. The work plan has to be finalized by the end of September. Member Jones stated the donations and naming policies have never been publicly presented at a City Council meeting. Ms. Kattreh stated she would like those items wrapped up by the end of the year. She noted she does intend to involve the working group again, if those members are willing. She would like to incorporate the comments from the City Council at the joint meeting and have another go-round for it for Park Board and City Council approval before the end of the year. VI.C. Centennial Lakes Promenade Final Phase Ms. Kattreh noted the consultants will be presenting the Centennial Lakes Promenade final phase at the September Park Board meeting. She encouraged the Park Board members to visit the Promenade prior to the next meeting. Member Deeds asked about the funding of this project. Ms. Kattreh stated a detailed breakdown of costs and funding sources will be given at the next Park Board meeting. VI.D. 2013 Quality of Life Survey Results Ms. Kattreh apologized that the consultant, Decision Resources, was unable to attend tonight’s Park Board meeting, but they will do a presentation at the September Park Board meeting. She noted that there are a set number of questions every year, along with some questions that change each year. Member Jones asked for a copy of the survey from three years ago and five years ago. Ms. Kattreh agreed to provide it at the next meeting. VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS VII.A. Council Updates None. VIII. CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS None. 4 IX. STAFF COMMENTS Ms. Kattreh made the following comments: the Community Garden parking lot will be completed this week; the Garden Park baseball field renovation will be completed at the end of August; the Sports Dome presentation will be made at the August 20 City Council work session; the Edina Aquatic Center will be closing for the season on August 25; and the camps and summer playground programs will be wrapping up this week. Member Peterson asked about the Fred Richards Golf Course. Ms. Kattreh stated the golf course has been discussed a bit at both the staff and City Council level. Currently, staff is working on a study of golf operations and plans to make a recommendation on golf operations and the future of Fred Richards Golf Course later this year. A consultant was hired to study the financial aspects, specifically over the past five to ten years, and to make recommendations on operational aspects. In response to a question by Member Jones, Ms. Kattreh clarified that she will be making a recommendation to the City Council for the north/south version of the Sports Dome with the wider dome, as well as leaving the space available for an outdoor refrigerated rink. X. ADJOURNMENT Member Peterson made a motion, seconded by Member Deeds, to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 p.m. Ayes: Members Steel, Jones, Deeds, Gieseke, Jacobson, Peterson, Cella. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.