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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-11-12 Park Board Minutes1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA PARK BOARD HELD AT CITY HALL November 12, 2013 7:00 PM I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Steel called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Answering roll call were Members Jacobson, Jones, Cella, Gieseke, Segreto, Steel, Deeds, Peterson. Student Members present: Good, Johnson. III. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA Member Jones added to the agenda a Living Streets Working Group update. Member Jones made a motion, seconded by Member Steel, to add the Living Streets Working Group update to the meeting agenda. Ayes: Members Jacobson, Jones, Cella, Gieseke, Segreto, Steel, Deeds, Peterson. Motion carried. Member Deeds made a motion, seconded by Member Peterson, to approve the revised meeting agenda. Ayes: Members Jacobson, Jones, Cella, Gieseke, Segreto, Steel, Deeds, Peterson. Motion carried. IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA Member Cella made a motion, seconded by Member Jones, approving the consent agenda as follows: IV.A. Approval of Minutes – Regular Park Board Meeting of October 8, 2013 Ayes: Members Jacobson, Jones, Cella, Gieseke, Segreto, Steel, Deeds, Peterson. Motion carried. V. COMMUNITY COMMENT None. VI. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS VI.A. Centennial Lakes Promenade Phase 4 Ross Bintner, Environmental Engineer, provided a presentation on Phase 4 of the Promenade and asked for input from the Park Board as well as a resolution in support of the project. He highlighted the water feature and art, as well as the babbling brook. He noted that there have not been any changes to the plans since it was last presented to the Park Board. Member Jones noted the potential problem of intermingling pedestrians with bicyclists. Mr. Bintner noted the Three Rivers Park District will be addressing that in the next couple of years. 2 In response to a question about maintenance costs, Mr. Bintner indicated those have not been written down specifically. Ms. Kattreh added she has not seen any expenses, but throughout this entire design, maintenance was taken into consideration, and staff looked for maintenance-free designs. Member Gieseke asked about the future water feature on the southern area. Mr. Bintner indicated it is on the Macy’s site, should a potential redevelopment occur there. It is an opportunity because of stormwater. When Macy’s redevelops, it will have to provide flood protection. Member Gieseke asked about plans for art on the island. Mr. Bintner noted there are some manholes on that island. Member Segreto asked about the proposed sound system. Mr. Bintner responded there is a sound system on Centennial Lakes to provide music on the trails; one idea is to extend that north into this area. The direction right now, however, is not to include the continuation due to maintenance challenges. Members Jones and Segreto agreed with that decision. Mr. Bintner noted the Energy and Environment Commission’s main concerns were energy costs. Member Jones asked for clarification about the source of water in the babbling brook and the foundation. Mr. Bintner responded it will be pumping water up through Centennial Lakes and circulating it through the system, and that it is designed for passive enjoyment of the brook rather than an active participation by children getting feet wet, etc. Member Jones stated the babbling brook is unnecessary and environmentally it is a problem, considering the water tables are running low. Mr. Bintner provided more detail on the environmental aspects of the proposal, noting this aspect augments the ability of Centennial Lakes to provide flood protection. He noted four alternative design options were reviewed that promoted the infiltration of water and promoting the use of water in the landscape. The Watershed District chose the shallow surface infiltration feature and the rock channel. Mr. Bintner noted this project could then provide a bank of credits with the Watershed District to use against future redevelopment projects. Member Jones asked for further clarification on the water. Mr. Bintner clarified the two different reports cover the water feature with the parks function, and the other is an underground water feature with a stormwater function. Member Peterson commented on the parking challenge; he also asked about any proposed restaurants in this area, as well as accommodations for dog walkers. Chair Steel added it would be nice to have a place to lockup bikes. Member Jones asked about the lake runoff that goes into the creek. Mr. Bintner stated any water runoff during rain will cause the water in Centennial Lakes to rise and go into the creek. Member Jones asked about budgeting for maintenance costs. Ms. Kattreh responded that has not been discussed yet. What is being considered is a maintenance district for this entire area. 3 Mr. Bintner discussed the next steps: the proposal goes before the Council, then the Watershed District, then the design process completion in March, the bidding process, with potential construction from June to October. Member Jones asked for this trail to meet more generational needs, from the very young to the very old. The design is not capturing young families, and it is an extravagance. She commented there are not many trees, and she hopes for more landscaping in the final plan. Member Segreto commented this project is mainly about watershed protection, rather than about playground or park issues. The phases of Centennial Lakes were in the master plan, and she does not want to dismantle what has been done. Member Deeds suggested splitting out the water feature from the total budget price so the expenses can be more easily understood. Member Jones asked about possible heaving in the trails and the costs associated with those repairs. Mr. Bintner responded there are some mitigating factors against the potential damage. There are six to eight inches of aggregate under the trail; there are 12 inches of topsoil nearby; and the edges are hardened. He suspects the stormwater fund would be used for surface repairs. Member Jones indicated she will not be supporting the concept for all the concerns and reasons she previously mentioned. Member Deeds made a motion, seconded by Member Segreto, to support the concept plan. Ayes: Members Jacobson, Cella, Gieseke, Segreto, Steel, Deeds, Peterson. Nay: Member Jones. Motion carried. VI.B. Yorktown Community Garden Status Kristin Aarsvold, Recreation Supervisor, provided a timeline of the community garden, noting the plots were sold out within eight days of City Council approval of the gardens. Sandy Radeke, Edina resident and a renter of the community garden, noted the weather was not helpful this past year, but the staff helped with the garden and brought in additional soil. She also highlighted the social benefits of the garden. Ms. Aarsvold highlighted the two major improvements for 2014: improved soil conditions and a permanent water source. Additionally, an Eagle Scout will be adding some raised beds in the corner where the drain is. She noted there will be a round table this month with 15 other cities with community gardens. She also noted an advisory committee, made up of plot renters, has been formed, with the first meeting to be held on December 11. Member Cella asked about priority registration. Ms. Aarsvold responded that issue will be brought up at the advisory committee meetings. There are five plot renters who will not be coming back; there is a waiting list of 43, the majority of whom are Edina residents. Member Segreto asked about the parking lot. Ms. Aarsvold responded it was completed the end of August. There were more complaints about rabbits than difficulty in parking. Member Deeds asked about a rotation policy so that some plots will turn over to allow new renters. 4 Member Peterson noted things can be grown in a hay bale; once it is watered, it creates heat and things grow really well. It would work really well for kids. He also suggested putting in a second plot at the same park, to accommodate more renters. Member Jones asked about signage on York. Ms. Aarsvold responded she previously met with Hennepin County to discuss signage, and they would not grant a sign at this point in time due to the amount of existing signs. Member Jones suggested asking the YMCA to move their sign to the other side of the driveway, to allow for space for the garden. Ms. Aarsvold responded she will make that request. Ms. Kattreh commented that staff will be watching how quickly the gardens fill up this year, and will look at the opportunity to expand the gardens to the west in 2015. A motion was made by Member Segreto, seconded by Member Jones, to approve Yorktown Park Community Garden Center as a permanent park amenity. Ayes: Members Jacobson, Jones, Cella, Gieseke, Segreto, Steel, Deeds, Peterson. Motion carried. VI.C. Bike Edina Task Force Representative Ms. Kattreh asked for a volunteer to serve on the Task Force, as Member Jones, who has served for three years, is stepping down. Chair Steel asked the Board Members to contact Ms. Kattreh should anyone become interested. VI.D. Living Streets Policy Update Member Jones reported she is serving on a working group that will be implementing the new City Living Streets Policy. One of the very first items of business was the city’s contracting with a marketing consultant to develop a brand. Two brands were developed, and Member Jones asked for feedback from the board. Chair Steel asked why a branding/marketing campaign is needed and inquired about the difference between a “complete street” and a “living street.” Member Jones responded she is new to the committee and cannot answer the question, as she is passing along information as she receives it. Member Segreto commented on the font size and colors of one of the first brand choice and suggested simplifying the graphics. She also asked about simply using the city’s logo. Chair Segreto suggested efforts be spent in branding the City of Edina instead, perhaps focusing on healthy choices rather than just focusing on the streets. Member Peterson noted sidewalks do a lot to enhance neighborhoods and healthy choices. He suggested the city focus efforts on sidewalks, as well as how to pay for them. Ms. Kattreh noted that the Pedestrian and Cycling Safety Fund now pay for sidewalks. Members Cella and Segreto offered feedback on both of the proposed logos, suggesting perhaps a combination of both. Member Deeds stated the city needs to think clearly about this issue of branding, as it already has multiple logos. 5 VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS VII.A. Council Updates None. VII.B. Founders Day Celebration Invitation Ms. Kattreh noted the celebration will be December 12, 2013, and the Park Board and all community members are invited to City Hall. VIII. CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS Member Jones noted the Bike Edina Task Force is hosting a listening session on November 14, 2013, on the Hennepin County Bike transportation plan at Edina City Hall. IX. STAFF COMMENTS Ms. Kattreh made the following comments: the Golf Dome’s grand opening is this weekend with plenty of activities going on; on October 14, the City Council approved the plans for the construction of the Sports Dome and rink project, and surveys are underway. X. ADJOURNMENT Chair Steel made a motion, seconded by Member Deeds, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Ayes: Members Jacobson, Jones, Cella, Gieseke, Segreto, Steel, Deeds, Peterson. Motion Carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m.