HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-01-10 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD
7:30 p.m.
January 10, 1995
MEMBERS PRESENT: Andrew Herring, Andrew Montgomery, Beth Hall, Ernie Fischer,
John Dovolis, Bill Jenkins, Bill Lord, Jim Fee, Becky
Bennett, Dave Crowther, Jean Rydell
STAFF PRESENT: John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Diana Hedges, Janet Canton
OTHERS PRESENT: Carol Frisch, Lou Rohman, Kris McKeon, Tine Thevenin, Connie
Handl, Pam Nelson
I. APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER 13. 1994 MINUTES
Jim Fee MOVED TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 13, 1994 MINUTES. Ernie Fischer
SECONDED THE MOTION.
Mr. Montgomery indicated that he would like a clarification on a few
items. He asked what the tennis court consulting fee is and Mr. Jenkins
indicated that Mr. Keprios now has those numbers for everyone to see.
Mr. Montgomery then asked if there is any more information about the
surveying that was being done at Braemar Golf Course. Mr. Jenkins
indicated that he has heard nothing more since the last Park Board
meeting. Mr. Keprios stated that there are no plans on any drawing
board to expand the golf course at this time.
MINUTES APPROVED.
II. ART CENTER ANNUAL REPORT - DIANA HEDGES, ART CENTER MANAGER
Mr. Keprios introduced Diana Hedges and noted that she has been the Art
Center Manager for almost 9 years. He stated that Ms. Hedges has done a
fabulous job for us and wrote a wonderful annual report.
Ms. Hedges indicated that there were a few things that she forgot to put
in the report. She noted that they do provide birthday parties for
people of all ages in which they do many different activities.
Ms. Hedges then handed out a letter that her committee recently sent out
on their latest fund drive effort. Ms. Hedges indicated that in
September there were 17 people from the Art Center who went to France
and they are planning another trip in 1996. She stated that it is not a
big money maker, however, they made a few hundred dollars.
Mr. Fischer asked Ms. Hedges about working with the Art Department at
the High School. Ms. Hedges indicated that she has met with the staff
and they always pass out the Art Center brochures and recommend students
to use the Art Center. However, Ms. Hedges indicated that the Art
Center seems to lose kids when they are in about the 7th grade. She
noted that it may be because they get too busy with other activities.
Mr. Jenkins thanked Ms. Hedges for her report.
III. TURF MANAGEMENT PLAN - MATT PETERSON CHAIRMAN OF THE EDINA COMMUNITY
HEALTH SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND JOHN KEPRIOS
Mr. Keprios indicated that the Turf Management Plan report is self
explanatory as far as the history on what got us to where we are today.
He noted that his compliments go out to a lot of people, especially the
Health Advisory Committee and Matt Peterson. Mr. Keprios asked Mr.
Peterson to inform the Park Board of the Health Advisory Committee's
input and their concerns regarding the plan. Mr. Jenkins stated that it
might be helpful to get a brief history on what has been happening to
date.
Mr. Peterson stated that he has been on the Edina Community Health
Advisory Committee (ECHSAC) for seven years and has been the chairman
for the last four. Mr. Peterson pointed out to the Park Board that they
may be familiar with his committee's anti-smoking campaigns and poster
contests that have been conducted in the jr. high schools and grade
schools.
Mr. Peterson explained that his interest in the pesticide issue began
when he was Edina's representative to the State Community Health Board.
He noted that primarily the issue was pesticide residue and that's where
he became very concerned with ground water run-off contaminated by
agricultural products in the area of fertilizers and pesticides. He
then indicated that three years ago he felt that the citizens of Edina
just don't know enough about the pesticides and fertilizers that they
are putting on their lawns that runs off into surface water and into the
community. He stated that his committee then did some research and
wrote a series of articles in the Sun Current that told people about the
proper use of fertilizer and environmentally friendly lawn care
practices. Subsequently, this past year some residents felt that they
had been exposed to pesticide residue and were very concerned that the
City had not taken complete health hazards of these commonly used
products into consideration. Mr. Peterson stated that it was at that
time that he met with Mr. Keprios to work through these issues and
address these concerns.
Mr. Peterson explained that his committee then met and formulated a
concept called a moratorium on the spraying of herbicides and pesticides
until a policy was set. He stated that the committee's goal was quite
simple in that it was to reduce pesticide use in the City of Edina on
public lands wherever possible. Mr. Peterson pointed out that they try
to use the word pesticide as sort of a catch all for herbicides,
fungicides, insecticides, etc.
Mr. Peterson stated that the City of Edina has many different types of
property and the goal was to categorize the park lands as to their
usage, as well as, classify them with regards to the level of
maintenance required. He noted that the plan calls for a four level
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classification system. The classifications ranged from class "A" (being
the golf courses, which couldn't exist without a substantial use of
chemicals) to class "C" (being the other end where parks are maintained
without the use of any herbicides, such as, parks which have picnic
tables where people eat and toddlers crawl around). Mr. Peterson
explained that he is here to discuss the middle ground parks and whether
or not the concept of pesticide reduction fits into the responsible
concept of maintaining park and city property.
Mr. Peterson explained that (on class "B" sites) when weeds tend to
predominate on a turf area by about 25%, the turf becomes unacceptable
for the kinds of appearances and uses that we expect to maintain and
must at that point be controlled by means of chemical use. Mr. Peterson
indicated that they have put the parks into five levels of
classifications, A, B, C, and D. The A areas are the athletic fields
Arneson Acres, Golf Courses, etc. The C levels would not receive any
herbicide use. Mr. Keprios indicated that in the B levels there would
be some weed tolerance that we would ask the participants to accept.
The D classification addresses noxious weeds that must be eradicated by
state law.
Mr. Peterson indicated that non -irrigated scheduled baseball fields and
soccer fields have been classified as B fields. Mr. Keprios indicated
that the C level basically is 100% tolerance for weeds until we get to a
point where the turf is no longer safe or useable in it's condition and
will have to go through a returfinent. Mr. Peterson indicated that there
are a lot of non-scheduled athletic fields that are in the C
classification. The problem is that we don't save a lot of money by
cutting out the use of pesticides. The City will only save
approximately $2,500 by eliminating the use of pesticides on certain
types of property. What it costs to replace pesticides would be
manpower, equipment and some type of irrigation. It takes all of that
to replace the use of pesticides if we want to maintain the exact same
turf quality that we have now. Mr. Peterson noted that there will be
people who will look at these C classified athletic fields and think
that the City is neglecting them.
Mr. Peterson pointed out that one of the big elements of this program is
public education and letting people know that we are trying to create a
safer community and that is the reason there may be a greater appearance
of weeds and less luxurious looking turf. Mr. Peterson stated that the
federal law indicates that these products are not declared safe, they
are simply registered, which means that have just been tested and will
do what they are supposed to do.
Mr. Keprios indicated that this draft policy is just a stepping stone
and we will learn as we go. He stated that he and his staff still have
a lot to learn if we go forward with the plan.
Mr. Peterson also pointed out that we would like to educate people on
how to maintain their own lawns and gardens in ways that reduce or
eliminate the use of pesticides wherever possible. Public education
plays a big part in this.
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Mr. Fee asked Mr. Keprios to,elaborate as to what happens to a C
property or lower when it gets to the point that something has to be
done. He stated that returfing sounds like a very expensive solution.
Mr. Keprios indicated that it would be really expensive if we got into a
total returfinent with sod, however, we would first attempt to do some
top dressing, over seeding and slit seeding if returfinent was necessary.
Mr. Jenkins asked Mr. Keprios if he has an example of what the turf
management would be for a C category next year. .Mr. Keprios indicated
that it would depend on a lot of factors. The Park Maintenance
Department will change some of the practices that have been used in the
past. He stated that they are going to attempt to cut the grasses a
little bit higher and more frequently than what was done in the past.
He also stated that they will try to do some top dressing, overseeding
and slit seeding if there is available funding for labor, materials and
equipment. He also pointed out that, for those areas that do not have
irrigation, we are at the mercy of mother nature.
Ms. Hall noted that her understanding is that we are mostly concerned
about exposure to pesticides only shortly after they are applied and
that people were mostly upset when we didn't mark the area being
sprayed, however, now we will be marking everything. She also indicated
that it's her understanding that the chemicals don't last forever. Mr.
Keprios indicated that some products last 24 hours and others can last
up to a week. Mr. Keprios also pointed out that there is some debate as
to how long the chemicals do stay in the soil and how long they are
hazardous. Mr. Peterson indicated that most of the products don't go
away.
Mr. Crowther asked if this experimental idea is to jump in and do every
field or should we consider just taking two or three of the C
designations and work with them for a year or two and see what happens
before we do all 15 or 20 locations. Mr. Peterson indicated that the
Health Commission's perspective is to ask the City Council to approve
the most ambitious policy practical. Mr. Fee asked if the City Council
has seen this report yet and it was noted that they have not but that
they are aware of its development.
Mr. Crowther asked if there are any reports or information on kids
developing diseases because of the products. Do we know that we are
doing something here to protect our kids who are being exposed to
something that causes problems. Mr. Peterson indicated that we do not
have that information.
Mr. Crowther asked Mr. Keprios if he knows if we have had any claims
brought against the city with regards to the use of herbicides. Mr.
Keprios indicated not that he's aware of. Mr. Peterson indicated that
he thinks there was a case this last year where people upset about being
exposed to freshly sprayed herbicides.
Mr. Fee asked Mr. Keprios what the staff's recommendation is. Mr.
Keprios indicated that the staff's recommendation is to accept the plan
as recommended by the ECHSAC. The main thing that the ECHSAC changed
from the staff's original proposal is that a few B areas (soccer fields
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and softball fields) were re-classified to C areas due to the high
likelihood of exposure to the children. Mr. Keprios expressed a concern
for the Creek Valley soccer fields being class C because they are
irrigated and were recently constructed through significant donations
from the Edina Soccer Association.
Mr. Montgomery indicated that educating the public should be a bigger
issue but other than that he thought the report was very good. Mr.
Keprios indicated that at this time he is trying to focus on getting the
turf management program on line. He stated that Mr. Peterson and his
committee have offered to help out with the education part of it.
Jim Fee MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THEY ACCEPT THE TURF
MANAGEMENT PLAN REPORT. John Dovolis SECONDED THE MOTION. The Chairman
then opened it up for discussion.
Mr. Fischer indicated to Mr. Peterson that his committee has done a
wonderful job with the report. He then stated that when he was in the
Navy they did a lot of things that they thought were absolutely safe and
it turned out they weren't. He indicated that he's always open to the
idea that we don't know it all and we have to do the best we can. Mr.
Fischer stated that the idea of publicity is critical to make this
happen. Mr. Fisher asked Mr. Peterson if his committee would be willing
to take what they have learned and put together a syllabus to be used in
the science classes. He noted that this is an excellent example of how
science really works, that we don't have all of the answers and that
there is a trade-off of one thing against another.
Mr. Peterson asked if the Park Board believed that this could be a very
successful program. Mr. Peterson stated that the Park and Recreation
Department and community needs to monitor the success of the program
because the Park Board needs the confidence that there is not going to
be any significant deterioration of both the usability and the future
maintenance of these properties. Mr. Peterson wants the City Council to
know that if we avoid the use of pesticides we may have to put resources
to work in another way to maintain what it is that we want. We want the
City Council to know that we have a very high standard for our public
park lands. Mr. Peterson also asked that the Park Board put in their
recommendation a strong statement about stewardship. Mr. Fee noted that
we need to convey to the City Council that this is not something that we
are just going to file away.
Mr. Keprios stated that we are going to get calls from people being
upset about the weeds. However, the success of the plan is to be able
to maintain safe turf and reduce our amount of herbicides and reduce the
risk reduction exposure to children and other park users. The other
part of the success is to change the public's attitude and get
attendance at our turf care clinics. Mr. Keprios indicated that the
reason for the request for the equipment is to be as aggressive as we
can to keep the weeds away as best we can without the use of herbicides.
Mr. Fee indicated that Mr. Fischer brought up a good point about
publicity and he feels that there should be an article published in the
Edina Sun Current and the About Town so that residents are aware of it.
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Mr. Peterson stated that there should be signs placed in the parks that
are not maintained with herbicides so that people will know why they
look as they do.
Pam Nelson, Edina resident, indicated that she believes this is an
opportunity to do a good thing especially if we combine the new plan
with public education. Ms. Nelson indicated that the sign she came up
with is just an idea of identifying that an area is untreated and that
we can't expect it to look like a golf course. Ms. Nelson then stated
that she certainly urges the Park Board to pass the plan.
Tine Thevenin, former Edina resident, indicated that about a year and a
half ago she became concerned about this issue and decided to do some
intensive research. She indicated that after her research she came to
the conclusion that we have a time bomb on our hands and it's extremely
serious. She pointed out that we are surrounded by chemicals and that
an increasing number of the population is becoming chemically sensitive.
She noted that it's not just pesticides, but that once a person becomes
sensitized the body begins to react and it can happen to anyone. Ms.
Thevenin pointed out that these things can be latent in the body and it
can get to the point that the body simply cannot accept any more
chemicals and a reaction takes place within the body. She noted that
she applauds Edina's willingness to take a chance and say lets go ahead
and do something. She also indicated that it is vital that the public
must hear the other side of the story and not just the chemical
companies side. The success of the program is going to depend on the
level of education that the public receives.
Kris McKeon, Edina resident, indicated that she wanted to comment about
the documentation as to whether children were seriously affected by
pesticides. She stated that the Journal of National Cancer Institute
did publish a study by a doctor who found that children who were exposed
to pesticides in their homes, gardens, and lawns had a 6.5 increase risk
of getting leukemia. Ms. McKeon pointed out that when you find an
association to cancer this large you really need to pay attention to it.
Carla Frisch and Connie Handl, members from the League of Women Voters,
indicated that they are very pleased at the efforts being planned. They
also pointed out that they have members who do have expertise in this
area and have also read a good deal of material. The League of Women
Voters have also indicated that they would very much like to work with
the City in public education.
Mr. Fee MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT WE ACCEPT THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EDINA COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES ADVISORY
COMMITTEE AND RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THEY ADOPT THE TURF
MANAGEMENT PLAN AS PRESENTED IN THE REPORT SUBJECT TO ANNUAL REVIEW OR
SOONER IF DETERMINED NECESSARY.
Mr. Jenkins asked if we should also include in the motion that
additional capital funds will be needed to make this successful. It was
also asked if it should be included that there needs to be some
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publicity taking place in the schools and community so that the citizens
understand what is going on.
John Dovolis SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
IV. YOUTH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION STAFF REPORT - JOHN KEPRIOS
Mr. Keprios indicated that since the last Park Board meeting he has met
with the Edina Girls Athletic Association and expressed to them his
apologies and concern. Mr. Keprios indicated that he takes full
responsibility for the mix-up on the scheduling of their basketball
program. He indicated that he did not take the time to meet with Ms.
Kattreh to help her avoid scheduling mistakes that are easy to make if
you are new at the job. Mr. Keprios explained that he has taken Ms.
Kattreh off that duty and has now assigned Julia Bertrand, Recreation
Supervisor, as their new advisor. He noted that he feels the problem
has now been resolved. Mr. Keprios indicated that the EGAA board has
expressed that they do like having an advisor sit on their board.
Mr. Crowther explained that he is concerned about the quality of the
programs. He noted that his comment was never intended to be critical
of the Park Department but rather know what our role is to make sure
these programs maintain their high level of quality. Mr. Keprios stated
that the staff would love to see the highest quality and standard in all
of the programs and he thinks as staff we do care. Mr. Keprios stated,
however, that the problem lies in how much control we have over their
quality. Mr. Keprios explained that staff doesn't have (nor want to
have) a vetoing vote.
Mr. Jenkins stated that he thinks individual association problems should
be addressed by the individual associations. He stated, however, that
if there is a scheduling problem then yes staff does need to help out.
Mr. Crowther then asked Mr. Jenkins if what he is saying is that the
quality of the program isn't necessarily our concern. We just provide
quality facilities and if it's a mediocre program that isn't being run
well by an association we don't really have an interest in that. It was
then asked how do we as a Park Board or staff go into an association's
business to determine when they are having problems. Mr. Jenkins
indicated that he doesn't think there's an answer to that. He indicated
that generally the programs have been run by committed people and there
really haven't been many problems.
Mr. Fee gave an example when the Park Board and staff did have to step
into an Association's problem. He indicated that the Edina Hockey
Association was not distributing ice time equally and therefore
residents came to the Park Board so that we could correct the problem
since we controlled the ice time. Mr. Fee stated that was one area
where we were able to implement some control but for the most part he
agrees with Mr. Jenkins that it has to get to a certain point before we
can step in.
Mr. Crowther asked if the Park Department should have stepped in and
asked the Football Association if they needed any help when they were
having problems this year. Mr. Jenkins indicated that the problem was
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with the Lake Minnetonka Association and not the staff's responsibility
or authority. Mr. Crowther stated that he is just saying that if things
aren't running smoothly maybe we should pay a little more attention to
them. Mr. Keprios gave an example of when the Park and Recreation
Department helped to create the Wrestling Association. He stated that
they struggled from day one and were even helped financially to get back
on their feet and the program still died. He noted that there wasn't
the manpower to run it and therefore the Wrestling Association no longer
exists. Mr. Lord pointed out that if the kids want a program it will
happen but when the demand is not there the program will go somewhere
else.
Mr. Keprios stated that the staff is always willing to offer help to any
of the associations that ask for it. However, it's a fine line when to
jump in and tell an association how to run their business. It really
puts the staff in a rough spot. Mr. Keprios explained of an incident
years back when some parents complained to the Park Board that the
Baseball Association was not putting teams together according to
neighborhood but according to ability. Mr. Keprios indicated that the
Park Board stated we cannot tell the Baseball Association how to run
their program. The parents then took the issue to the City Council
agreed that they don't tell the associations how to run their business.
They are independently incorporated and do a wonderful job and we are
not going to tell them to change what they are doing.
V. VAN VALKENBURG PARK PLAN - JOHN KEPRIOS
Mr. Keprios stated that at last month's meeting he was asked to give an
update on the development of Van Valkenburg Park. He indicated that the
City Council has been dealing with the final development of this
quadrant of the city for quite awhile. Mr. Keprios then showed a map of
the area and pointed out the plans for road and housing development in
the Van Valkenburg Park area.
Mr. Keprios stated that Phase I and Phase II of this plan will be
completed this year.
VI. OTHER
A. Gypsy Moth - Mr. Keprios explained that the United States
Department of Agriculture and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture
will be attending the next City Council meeting to request their support
to do a helicopter spray of a pesticide called bacillus thuringiensis.
He noted that this spray is completely safe and is being used for a
gypsy moth infestation that's developed in the Indian Hills District in
Edina. Mr. Crowther asked if this is going to be an issue for the Park
Board and Mr. Keprios indicated that it is strictly an issue for the
City Council. Mr. Lord asked who pays for the spraying and Mr. Keprios
stated that it will be the Federal government and the State government.
Mr. Herring asked how big of an area is going to be sprayed and Mr.
Keprios indicated approximately 99 acres.
Mr. Jenkins asked if this is fairly treatable. Mr. Keprios replied that
it is treatable, however, if it is not controlled at this stage, it
could become a more serious infestation.
B. Deer Population - Mr. Montgomery indicated that people have been
telling him that we are trapping and killing deer in Bredesen Park. Mr.
Keprios indicated that is correct. Mr. Montgomery stated that this
resident was so upset that he was ready to write letters to the editor,
etc. He noted that the resident seemed to think there was not a large
deer population in Bredesen Park. Mr. Keprios asked Mr. Montgomery
where the resident obtained his information. Mr. Montgomery noted that
he lives right by Nine -Mile Creek and walks around Bredesen Park all the
time. Mr. Keprios then explained that an aerial survey was taken of the
number of deer in the area and, as a result, the City of Edina was
granted a permit by the Minnesota Department of Resources to remove a
limited number of deer. Even urban deer are extremely mobile, which
also contributes to fluctuating population numbers in certain areas at
different times of the year. Mr. Jenkins stated that this topic went
before the City Council last year.
C. Adopt -A -Park - Mr. Montgomery asked when the Adopt -A -Park program
begins. Mr. Keprios explained that he hopes to gain approval by the
City Council to have certificates of appreciation handed out at the
Volunteers Awards banquet and the kick-off will begin sometime in the
spring. He stated that it has been successful and so far approximately
65% of the parks have now been adopted. It was noted that the Volunteer
Awards Banquet will be held on April 26th.
D. Edinborough Park - Mr. Montgomery asked if the calendars for
Edinborough Park and Centennial Lakes could be put in the Park Board
packets. It was noted that will be done.
E. John Keprios - Mr. Montgomery stated that Mr. Keprios has done a
wonderful job for his first year and that having a staff report has
helped a lot.
F. Ernie Fischer - Mr. Fischer stated that Frank Bennett has
expressed a lot of interest in being the School Board liaison to the
Park Board and will therefore will be the new member. Mr. Fischer then
stated that it has been a privilege to meet and work with all of the
Park Board members this year and that he has learned a lot. The Park
Board then thanked Mr. Fischer for the past year he has served on the
Park Board.
G. Archery Range - Mr. Dovolis indicated that a few residents have
asked him why do we no longer have an archery range. Mr. Keprios
indicated that he and Mr. Hoffman are currently looking for a site at
Braemar to develop a new location for the archery range.
Mr. Keprios then explained that Hennepin County recently informed the
city that the gun range has a hazardous lead dust contamination problem
in the soil outside the ventilation duct for the indoor range. In
addition, the County is insisting that a new ventilation system be
installed to correct future problems. Mr. Keprios then indicated that a
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new ventilation system, which is now mandated by law, will cost between
$30,000 and $50,000, which are preliminary estimates given to him by a
consultant from JLA Engineering out of Ohio. The Park Board asked Mr.
Keprios if he has contacted Caswell and Mr. Keprios indicated that he
contacted Caswell during the spring of 1994 and was told at that time
that ventilation systems are not something that they provide.
Mr. Keprios then indicated that he has also been told that the lead shot
in the hill sides will have to be removed at a point in time when the
gun range is no longer used for shooting purposes.
Mr. Jenkins asked if this is a federal law or a state law. Mr. Keprios
stated that it appears to be a state law that is being enforced by the
County.
H. Lewis Park - Ms. Bennett indicated that she has been hearing
complaints from some of the residents that there seems to be a lot of
Bloomington Jefferson kids using the rink at Lewis Park. She noted that
it almost looks like a scheduled practice and was wondering if anything
could be done about it. Mr. Keprios stated that if there is an
organized practice going on there we would be the first to ask them to
leave. He noted that we don't allow non-residents to reserve ice time.
He explained that the Edina Hockey Association does have exclusive
rights to the hockey rinks on a reservation basis and they now pay an
outdoor rink use fee. It was noted that it's a public facility and
there is nothing that can be done to make them leave if there is nothing
scheduled on a rink.
I. Illegal Parking at Lewis Park - Mr. Keprios explained that people
from Best Buy have been using Lewis Park as their overflow parking and
it has become a problem. Therefore, parking signs are being put in that
allow a maximum of two hours of parking between the hours of 6:00 a.m.
and 4:00 p.m. Mr. Herring asked Mr. Keprios if he talked to Best Buy
about this and he indicated that he met with manager of that Best Buy
warehouse facility and he also submitted letters to their company. When
Mr. Keprios met with the manager from Best Buy, the manager stated that
there is nothing more that Best Buy can do at this point and encouraged
the City to take further legal action to restrict public parking at that
lot.
J. Bill Lord - Mr. Jenkins indicated that this is Mr. Lord's last
Park Board meeting and that he has been on the Park Board for 15 years.
The Park Board thanked Mr. Lord for all of his hours and good work.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Dave Crowther MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:15 P.M. John Dovolis
SECONDED THE MOTION. MEETING ADJOURNED.
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