HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-03-09 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD
7:30 p.m.
MARCH 9, 1993
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bill Jenkins, Bill Lord, Jean Rydell, Pat Vagnoni, James
Fee, Paul O'Connor, Andrew Herring, Andrew Montgomery,
Dave Crowther, Mac Thayer
MEMBERS ABSENT: Beth Hall
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Janet Canton, Susan Weigle
I. APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 9 1993 PARK BOARD MINUTES
Paul O'Connor MOVED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 9, 1993 MINUTES. Jean Rydell
SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED.
II. ELECTION OF VICE -CHAIR
Paul O'Connor MOVED THAT THE VICE CHAIR NOMINATION FROM THE MARCH 1993 PARK
BOARD MEETING BE TAKEN OFF THE TABLE. Andrew Montgomery SECONDED THE
MOTION. A written closed ballot was taken for the position of Vice Chair.
Mr. Fee was elected Vice -Chair of the Edina Park Board.
III. MOTION FOR RESOLUTION FOR BOB CHRISTIANSON
Mr. Kojetin indicated that a motion should be made to pass the Resolution
for Bob Christianson that was presented at the February Park Board
meeting. He pointed out that everyone has signed the Resolution. Paul
O'Connor MOVED TO PASS THE RESOLUTION FOR BOB CHRISTIANSON. Bill Lord
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
IV. SENIOR CENTER REPORT - SUSAN WEIGLE
Ms. Weigle gave a report on the Senior Center. She indicated that there
are five rooms in their new location. Mr. Jenkins asked how many of the
rooms are now finished. Ms. Weigle indicated that they are working on one
of the rooms which will be a coffee/work room. Ms. Weigle stated that the
school district is going to be replacing all of the windows in the
Community Center, therefore, the rooms will be worked on when that project
is completed. Hopefully work will begin in April or May.
Ms. Weigle stated that the seniors were asked to raise $10,000 for matching
funds with the Edina Foundation for the Senior Center which they have now
done. Mr. Jenkins asked how the money was raised. Ms. Weigle indicated
that they did several things. First of all they doubled the dues from
$3.00 to $6.00 and then $1.00 was added to participate in each activity.
Also, $1.00 was added to the different trips and tours. Ms. Weigle noted
that the variety show raised approximately $1,000. However, the majority
of the funds come from the dues. Ms. Weigle indicated that in October
there were approximately 1500 members. Since the move to the new location
there have been approximately 275 new members.
Ms. Weigle pointed out that the Senior Center has an ad in the new
community ed catalog indicating that people can call for a complimentary
newsletter. She noted that this has really helped as far as getting new
members. Ms. Weigle explained that with the Senior Center being located
within the Community Center it has worked out well in attracting younger
seniors because it doesn't have the stigma of walking into a Senior
Center.
Mr. Jenkins asked what the status is on congregate dining. Ms. Weigle
indicated that it moved back to York Avenue and the attendance has been
between 80 and 100 people every day. She stated that when Congregate
Dining was at the Senior Center the attendance was averaging between 25 and
30 with approximately 17 meals being sent out. Ms. Weigle also noted that
the Minnetonka and St. Louis Park Senior Centers both average 35 meals a
day. Ms. Weigle pointed out that the new seniors are not using Congregate
Dining as much as the older and more frail seniors are using it. The
congregate coordinator really feels that she is serving a population that
need to be served and that Congregate Dining is now where it belongs.
Ms. Weigle stated that the problem which they have always had is parking.
She noted that she will be attending a meeting on this topic to see what
can be done to help as well as discuss the future of the Community Center.
Ms. Weigle indicated that the Senior Center's advisory council has been
helping in making the decisions on what furniture to buy as well as plan
new programs.
Ms. Weigle pointed out that some of the people who participate in the
programs do not come to the senior center but they certainly are a part of
it by being in a program. Mr. Kojetin stated that a lot of the senior
programs are held at various sites such as Braemar, Edinborough, etc.
The Park Board thanked Ms. Weigle for her report.
V. FORESTRY REPORT
Mr. Kojetin gave a report on the forestry program. He noted that each year
he receives a report from the Forester, Tom Horwath. Mr. Kojetin indicated
that Mr. Horwath is a contract employee who works two to three days in the
winter and five days in the summer.
Mr. Kojetin explained that for the last two years they have had a
contracted trimming program of boulevard trees in the northeast corner of
the City. The trimmed boulevard trees are then assessed to the property
owner. Mr. Horwath inspects each tree that has been trimmed and gives the
homeowner an estimate of the cost and when the cost will be assessed.
Mr. Kojetin noted that the Forestry program is a large program within the
Park and Recreation Department that people do not hear a lot about. He
reported that approximately 75 to 85 Dutch Elm diseased trees are lost each
year on the boulevard. He also indicated that a lot of the trees that we
are losing now are the big ones in the Country Club area. Mr. Kojetin then
explained that some of the residents give the trees injections which seem
to hold them off for four to five years but eventually they do start to
die.
Mr. Kojetin indicated that approximately four years ago a project was
started to plant experimental cathedral elms in the Country Club area. Mr.
Kojetin also stated that a lot of experiments are being done on elm trees
throughout the U.S. He indicated that it takes at least a year after an
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order is placed to receive the elm trees, which are out of Iowa. Mr.
Kojetin indicated that he hopes that the cathedral elm tree look can be
restored in the Country Club area. He noted that Mr. Horwath has met with
the neighbors in this area to discuss the future of the new elms and how to
take care of them.
Mr. Kojetin also explained that some residents in the city want to plant
trees in their own yards and do not want the City to plant a boulevard
tree. Mr. Kojetin informed the Park Board that when people want a tree
they are put on a list and then approximately 25 to 30 trees are planted a
year.
Mr. Kojetin stated that each year a certain area in the community is
designated for planting trees for Arbor Day, which is the last Friday in
April. He indicated that the Rotary Club has been involved in planting
trees in the City and have donated $3,000 the past two years and also this
year. Therefore, for the last few years we have been working together on
Arbor Day planting trees in different areas in the City.
Mr. Lord asked Mr. Kojetin if there is still a nursery in the City. Mr.
Kojetin indicated that at one time there was a nursery by the maintenance
building at Braemar Golf Course, but the deer were eating the trees as fast
as they were being put in. Mr. Kojetin then stated that last year an eagle
scout project was started to put in an electric fence to keep the deer
out. However, it was not completed so hopefully this year it will be
finished. Once a nursery is planted, hopefully there will be lot of
different tree species planted.
Mr. Jenkins asked if individual home owners are charged when a tree is
taken out. Mr. Kojetin indicated no. He explained that one of the items
discussed this year in cutting back the budget was the fact that when a
boulevard tree is taken the resident would be assessed for the tree.
However, if a large tree were to cost $444.00 to be taken down, that is a
lot of money for some people. Mr. Kojetin indicated that the budget for
this year for tree and stump removal is $46,000. Last year the program
cost $30,000. He felt that if we budget $46,000 for this year and last
year only $30,000 was spent, individuals will not be charged this year.
However, next year might be different. Mr. Kojetin stated that he and Mr.
Horwath have been getting comments from people and working out numbers.
Mr. Jenkins stated that it seems the number of elms needing to be cut are
declining. Mr. Kojetin stated that is correct.
Ms. Vagnoni asked about Arbor Day at Cornelia School Park. Mr. Kojetin
noted that project was done two years ago and is an ongoing program. She
asked if a school is chosen to do this. Mr. Kojetin noted that it depends
on who participates in the project. That year the PTA was involved along
with Interlachen Rotary Club who donated $3,000 for the project and the
City. This year Cornelia School received a grant and we are going to plant
approximately 50 to 100 trees there. Mr. Kojetin also explained that there
are two other projects being talked about. One is with planting trees at
Countryside and the other one is planting trees along the highway.
Mr. Jenkins asked approximately how big the elm trees are that are planted
in the Country Club area. Mr. Kojetin indicated that the ones planted in
the neighborhoods are 2" and the elm whips are only 1". The biggest elms
that you can get now are 3/4" to an inch. Mr. Kojetin noted that in
another three to four years they will be growing larger in the nursery but
right now the trees are immediately planted so there is no stock growing in
the nurseries around the U.S. It's very difficult to get them.
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Mr. Kojetin indicated that the budget in the tree maintenance area is over
$100,000. There are two full-time tree trimmers.
Ms. Vagnoni asked about the trees that were chopped down at Bredesen. Mr.
Kojetin indicated that the beavers were chopping down the trees. Because
of this a contractor was hired to take care of the beavers. They have been
a nuisance all over the city, just like the deer.
VI. OTHER
A. Braemar and Normandale Golf Course - Mr. Kojetin indicated that for
the moment the contractors are done working for the winter. He stated they
are right on schedule and possibly a ahead of schedule on both of the golf
courses. Mr. Kojetin noted that contractors hope to start work again the
last week of April depending on the weather.
Mr. Kojetin noted that if everything goes accordingly, Braemar Golf Course
should open on April 15th.
Ms. Vagnoni asked if anyone has commented on changing the wetland area.
Mr. Kojetin stated that he hasn't heard anything for a long time on the
issue. The area that is hoped to be completed soon is the walking path.
He has received a lot of comments on the walking path and that's probably
the number one item he hears about. Mr. Herring asked when the path will
be done. Mr. Kojetin stated that they hope it will be done by the time the
golf course is opened next year.
Mr. Montgomery asked if the Canadian Geese are going to be taken care of
with artificial swans or something of that nature. Mr. Kojetin explained
that they are looking into getting a couple of live swans once the golf
course is completed.
Mr. Kojetin indicated that we will start working with the University of
Minnesota in establishing a Savannah Oak Forest. This will be on the west
side of Braemar Golf Course where we have been committed by the corp in
order to receive a permit for the wetlands. This will be a long project in
which we have to establish and make reports each year for five years on its
progress. This is new for the Corp of Engineers in proposing areas to
establish upland areas. Because of this, there is no background research
so we are working with a University of Minnesota professor. This will
probably end up being an experimental area for a Savannah Oak Forest for
the City, University of Minnesota and the Corp of Engineers. At the
present we have had only one walk through with the professor but have had
no feedback from the University of Minnesota on who they will be assigning
to this project to work with us.
Mr. Kojetin stated that the pro shop is right on schedule and it is hoped
to be completed by April 9th. He also noted that they will be interviewing
architects for the clubhouse at the Normandale Golf Course and hopefully
that will be starting sometime this fall and be completed around April 15,
1994.
B. Edinborough Trees - Mr. Montgomery asked if the trees at Edinborough
are doing all right indoors. Mr. Kojetin indicated that they are. He
stated that we do a lot of plant replacement because there is not a lot of
air movement in the facility and there is not a lot of daylight on the
understory. Right now some stone work is being done because there has
been a lot of settlement.
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C. Park Board Manuals - Mr. Kojetin noted that the Park Board Manuals
have been completed to bring everyone up-to-date.
D. City Council's Annual Dinner Meeting - Mr. Kojetin noted that the
City Council's Annual Dinner Meeting will be held March 24, 1993.
Also, April 21st is the All-Volunteer Awards Reception. It will be held
from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Edinborough Park. At that time Bob
Christianson will be honored with the Resolution.
E. Workshop For Park and Recreation Board Members - Mr. Kojetin asked
all of the Park Board members if they received their information from the
Minnesota Recreation and Park Association for a workshop that will be on
April 17th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Shoreview. The registration fee
is $7.00. Mr. Kojetin stated that if anyone wanted to attend this workshop
the city will pay for it. He also indicated that these are interesting to
attend and there are a lot of people from other communities within the
state who go.
VII ADJOURNMENT
Paul O'Connor MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:20 P.M. Mac Thayer
SECONDED THE MOTION. MEETING ADJOURNED.
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