HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-09-14 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD
7:00 p.m.
September 14, 1993
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bill Jenkins, Beth Hall, Bill Lord, Andrew Herring, Dave
Crowther, Paul O'Connor, Jim Fee, Becky Bennett, Marty
Nanne, Andrew Montgomery
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jean Rydell
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Janet Canton
The Park Board attended the dedication of the Cahill Settlement Park at 6:00
p.m. before the Park Board Meeting.
I. APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 10. 1993 MINUTES
Beth Hall MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 10, 1993 MINUTES. Andrew Herring
SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED.
II. BROCHURE COVER
Mr. Kojetin indicated that the staff has chosen a winner for the 1994
brochure cover. He noted that each year there is a contest for the
cover and the prize is $200.00. In the past Marquette Bank has donated
$100.00 and the Park and Recreation Department has given $100.00 from
the operating budget. Mr. Kojetin stated that this year there were 17
entries in the contest. Mr. Herring asked if the paintings are then for
sale. Mr. Kojetin noted that the original is not for sale. There is a
requirement that the original paintings are owned by the City or Park
and Recreation Department. Mr. Kojetin stated that this has been done
for the last 13 to 14 years. There are usually 5 to 6 entries and this
year there were 17, which is a great response.
III. ARNESON ACRES
Mr. Kojetin stated that the Garden Council had a meeting yesterday and
discussed the gazebo entrance building at Arneson Acres as well as the
overall master park development plan. It was the consensus at that time
that they did not want to receive a loan from the City to finish the
gazebo. They want to complete the project when they have raised enough
funds. Mr. Kojetin indicated that he laid out two alternative plans for
the Garden Council to look at as well as the cost of specific items
within the building. He stated that the concrete base work has been
completed and they have installed the original Wooddale pillars. The
next step will be to construct a roof. Mr. Kojetin explained that the
base price for doing this would be $22,000. The Garden Council has
approximately $14,000 in their treasury at this time and they would need
another $7,000 to complete the first phase of the roof construction.
This would mean that the City would possibly loan them $7,000 to
complete the project this fall or wait until spring when they raise
$6,000 to $7,000 on their plant sale. The Garden Council made a motion
that they would go back to their individual clubs to discuss the issue
and make a final decision at the October 4th Garden Council meeting.
Mr. Kojetin indicated that he would like to propose $80,000 be taken
from the Developer's Fund to start the overall park development at
Arneson Acres. He then gave an outline on the development of the park.
It would include the following: architectural fees, construction of the
lake, construction of a path around the park and through the gardens to
help meet ADA requirements, construct a fountain pool with basic
underground electricity and plumbing, and begin an irrigation loop
around the overall park so that future areas can be irrigated. Mr.
Kojetin also noted that he would like to have a brochure made of the
park to promote and possibly raise funds for various amenities or
construction within Arneson Acres Park. There is approximately $400,000
in the Developers Fund.
Mr. O'Connor asked Mr. Kojetin to explain the Developer's Fund. Mr.
Kojetin explained that when someone develops property or redevelops an
existing property in the City, the developer must donate 8% of the raw
value of land for park development. Mr. Kojetin indicated that in the
early years they used to take land instead of cash. He noted that this
amount keeps accumulating and right now there is approximately $400,000
in the fund.
The Centennial Lakes/Edinborough Park Developer's Fund is a separate
fund and currently the interest is used to help pay operating expenses
at both parks.
Bill Lord MOVED THAT WE RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT $80,000 BE
TAKEN FROM THE DEVELOPER'S FUND TO START THE INITIAL CONSTRUCTION AT
ARNESON ACRES BASED ON THE FIRST STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT. Beth Hall
SECONDED THE MOTION. Mr. O'Connor asked if that included the lake. It
was noted that it does. MOTION CARRIED.
IV. INTRODUCED THE TWO NEW PARK BOARD MEMBERS
Mr. Jenkins introduced the two new Park Board members. Marty Nanne and
Becky Bennett. He indicated that we normally meet at 7:30 p.m. but
because of the Cahill Settlement Dedication the meeting started earlier.
V. JAY JAFFEE, DIRECTOR EDINA CHEMICAL AWARENESS
Mr. Keprios introduced Jay Jaffee, Director of Edina Chemical Awareness.
Mr. Jaffee indicated that he appreciated being on the Park Board's
agenda. He explained that he wanted to share an opportunity that they
have coming up in Edina that he would like to have Park and Recreation
endorse and support and help him promote.
Mr. Jaffee indicated that Dr. Peter Benson, President of the Search
Institute, is coming to Edina to have a town meeting. The meeting is
regarding how families, schools, religious institutions, youth groups,
business, media, government and others can work together to create a
better world for our children. He will be here on October 14th at 7:00
p.m. in the Edina High School Auditorium. This is a nationally renowned
organization. The name of the study is called "The Troubled Journey: A
Profile of American Youth". Mr. Jaffee indicated that the study has
been given to 150,000 6th through 12th graders. It was given to Edina
students the first week of school and the results will be presented at
the meeting to see the comparison of Edina to the national data. The
study measures behaviors and attitudes of young people and then looks at
how parents, schools, youth service organizations, businesses, religious
institutions, virtually everyone in the community can address the
concerns that come up from those attitudes and behaviors.
Mr. Jaffee explained that the study looks at what Dr. Benson calls
assets and deficits and children have certain internal and external
assets and how deficits that influence decision making. The fewer
assets or the more deficits that turn up in a child's life the more
likely they are to not make positive choices. He noted that Dr. Benson
talks about a number of different behaviors that are a result of the
lack of assets or the increase of deficits. Mr. Jaffee indicated the
study looks at how the community as a whole can help children develop
the assets that they need to help them make better decisions, have
healthier lives and hopefully more positive futures. Mr. Jaffee stated
that the schools and different organizations are helping to promote this
meeting. Mr. Jaffee indicated that he would really like to have the
auditorium filled up on October 14th because everyone is affected by
what the kids do in our community. Mr. Jaffee stated that he would like
the Park Board's support to promote and endorse this and to let the
individual groups know about it.
Mr. O'Connor indicated that he wanted to commend Mr. Jaffee on pushing
this issue. He also noted that he felt it would be more helpful to send
home a notice with the kids right before the meeting takes place.
Ms. Bennett asked if this presentation is geared for 6th graders and
older only. Mr. Jaffee stated that the study was given to 6th through
12th graders but that it is geared toward everyone.
Mr. O'Connor MOVED TO DISTRIBUTE THE FLYER ON DR. PETER BENSON'S
PRESENTATION "THE TROUBLED JOURNEY: A PROFILE OF AMERICAN YOUTH" TO ALL
OF THE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS. Andrew Herring SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Fee indicated that there should be flyers available at the
registration tables at both the Hockey and Basketball sign ups that are
happening in the near future.
VI. WOODDALE PARK
Mr. Kojetin brought the Park Board up to date on what has been happening
at Wooddale Park regarding the Philip Wesely Memorial. Mr. Kojetin
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stated that he first brought this topic to the Park Board last spring.
At that time approximately $7,000 had been donated to have some type of
a memorial built. He noted that the family discussed some different
alternatives and options with Ken Rosland as well as himself. They
discussed a memorial be built for the Wooddale School with the original
plaques and bricks from the school being used, flag poles, picnic tables
and renaming the field.
Mr. Kojetin indicated that at that time they chose to dedicate money
into reerecting the two stone plaques that we had from the original
Edina School and the year that it was built. We have been saving them
since the Wooddale School was demolished. He noted he had been looking
for people to donate money to do this project and Sally Lewis Wesely
elected to do it. The memorial has now been erected at Wooddale Park.
Mr. Kojetin stated that one of the things Ms. Lewis Wesely wanted for a
memorial was a flagpole. She stated that Philip liked flagpoles and
eagles on top of flagpoles and that was one of the items they
specifically asked for. Mr. Kojetin indicated that the flagpole is
installed but the plaque still needs to be placed at the base of the
flagpole.
Mr. Kojetin explained that the family will also be having a picnic table
with a brass plaque on it as another memorial to Philip. The family at
this time has donated $8,000 for the memorials.
The school plaque and the country club area plaque on the memorial have
not been designed yet.
Mr. Kojetin indicated to the Park Board that there are quite a few other
memorials in the Wooddale Park.
Mr. Kojetin indicated that he has received letters from both parents
stating they would like Wooddale Park's ballfield to be renamed to the
Philip Wesely Field. Mr. Fee asked if there was a different name other
than Wooddale Park Field. It was noted there was not. Mr. Crowther
confirmed that there are already two Wesely memorials at this park. He
then asked if there are any other parks where there are multiple
memorials to one individual. Mr. Kojetin noted not that he is aware of.
Mr. Crowther stated that he knows the family and the situation and that
it's very tragic but his gut feeling is that this might be going a
little too far. Mr. Jenkins noted that he also knows the family very
well. He then indicated that the two memorials that are already there
are very fitting memorials to a tragic situation and he personally feels
that to do a third one to rename the field is going too far. Mr. Lord
stated that he is very close to the family but agrees with what everyone
is saying, that you finally reach a point of saturation. Mr. Lord asked
if there are any other fields that are named after people. It was noted
that Courtney field is the only field named after someone. Mr. Jenkins
noted that he also has received a letter from both parents. Paul
O'Connor MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT WOODDALE PARK
BALLFIELD NOT BE RENAMED AT THIS TIME. Beth Hall SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED.
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VII. OTHER
A. Braemar Golf Course - Mr. Kojetin handed out a letter that John
Valliere wrote requesting a golf tournament be held at Braemar Golf
Course on August 20th and 21st, 1994. Mr. Kojetin stated that this type
of tournament goes around to different golf courses within the state and
everyone takes a turn at hosting it. Mr. Jenkins asked if Mr. Valliere
is in favor of doing this. Mr. Kojetin noted that he strongly
recommends it. Mr. Lord pointed out that we are not giving up any
financial consideration, they are paying green fees, etc. Mr. Fee asked
if the Mens Club, etc. support this and it was noted that they do. It
was pointed out that the tournament will be held on a Saturday and
Sunday.
James Fee MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT WE ACCEPT THE
RECOMMENDATION TO HOLD THE 1994 MINNESOTA STATE PUBLIC LINKS
CHAMPIONSHIP AT BRAEMAR GOLF COURSE ON AUGUST 20TH AND 21ST, 1994. Dave
Crowther SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
B. Girls Hockey - Mr. Herring indicated that early in the summer he
received a call from a parent asking what the difference is between the
girls golf program and the boys golf program. He noted that Mr. Keprios
commented at the last meeting about a new program for girls hockey. Mr.
Herring asked if the staff could do an outline as to the girls programs
and the boys programs particularly where they are the same sport. He
stated that he would like to know what the differences and participation
levels are. Mr. Herring indicated that he didn't want to make this a
big project for the staff but that he would like to be more up to date
when questions like that come up.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Dave Crowther MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:30 P.M. Bill Lord
SECONDED THE MOTION. MEETING ADJOURNED.
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