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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-12-14 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD 7:30 p.m. December 14, 1993 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bill Jenkins, Beth Hall, Andrew Herring, Dave Crowther, Jim Fee, Becky Bennett, Jean Rydell, Paul O'Connor, Andrew Montgomery, Bill Lord MEMBERS ABSENT: Marty Nanne STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Janet Canton OTHERS PRESENT: Mike Julius, Larry Fuglesten I. APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 9. 1993 MINUTES Paul O'Connor MOVED TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 9, 1993 MINUTES. Jean Rydell SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED. II. CORNELIA SCHOOL PTA - PARK DEVELOPMENT - LARRY FUGLESTEN & MIKE JULIUS Mr. Kojetin introduced Larry Fuglesten, Cornelia School Principal and Mike Julius, Cornelia School PTA. He indicated that he has been working with these two gentlemen for the last three years on the Cornelia School/Park tree planting program. He explained that Cornelia School Park is a joint park with the City. Mr. Kojetin stated that quite a number of dollars have been invested into the Cornelia School/Park grounds which have been raised through the PTA as well as money donated through the Rotary Club. The city's manpower as well as the kids, PTA members and neighbors did all of the plantings. However, there are still a few trees left to plant. Mr. Kojetin then noted that the school, PTA, and parents are now looking at what to do next. Mr. Fuglesten stated that he and Mr. Julius had a couple of objectives that they wanted to share with the Park Board. He indicated that the key message that he wanted to share is that the school/park is being revitalized. He explained that three years ago Mr. Julius came into his office and indicated that he felt something needed to be done with Cornelia School Park. He noted that they then looked at reforesting the land since there were not a lot of trees and shrubbery there. He explained that they put together a plan that would involve help from the kids and neighbors. They started out by asking the PTA for money so they could hire an architect to put together a plan. The PTA then put in more money to get started and the Edina Rotary Club donated $3,000 to start with the planting of trees. Money was also raised through a walk-a-thon, individual and family contributions, and the fifth grade class raised $200. Mr. Fuglesten also noted that last year they applied for the Minnesota Relief Grant through the Department of Natural Resources and were one of very few schools in the state to receive a grant from them. He indicated they received $6,000 to continue with the planting. Mr. Fuglesten stated that last summer they put approximately $3,000 into playground equipment and improvements. Also, next spring they will finish planting. He noted that they have not only had tremendous support from the parents within the area but from other residents and businesses as well. Mr. Fuglesten stressed that this is a park that the neighborhood cares about a great deal and they want to work with the Park and Recreation Department and Park Board to develop the park further. Mr. Fuglesten also pointed out that they have not had a single incident of vandalism on any of the trees and he thinks it's because everyone has taken ownership of the park and cares a great deal about it. Mr. Julius noted that he is really excited how the project has come along the last three years. He indicated that there are 60 trees left to plant which then brings the total to about 400 trees. Mr. Julius explained that he has put together, with the help of the PTA, Mr. Fuglesten, and the students, a wish list entitled "Cornelia Continues to Grow". It is a list is goals for 1994 through 1996. (Listed below). 1. Tree Planting Completion 2. Outdoor Basketball Courts a. One Full Court b. Two Half Courts c. Various Court Games 3. Playground Structure 4. Junior Soccer Field 5. Sledding Hill Modifications 6. Baseball Field Rejuvenation 7. Warming House Relocation a. Restrooms b. Drinking Fountain C. Storage Facilities 8. Improved & Safe Skating Rink Access a. Maintenance Truck Access b. Car & Skater Access 9. Sidewalk Completion a. South Athletic Field b. North Side of School 10. Skating Rink Reconfiguration a. Improved Rink Lighting 11. School & Neighborhood Flower Gardens 12. Neighborhood Gym Mr. Julius went over this list and the following comments were made. It was noted that Cornelia has the worst warming house facility. There are no restrooms or running water. Mr. Kojetin indicated that this was one of the first warming houses and it was one that they put up every winter and took the sides down every summer to make a picnic shelter area. It was too expensive at that time to put in sewer and water. Mr. Kojetin noted that he has talked to Mr. Fuglesten and Mr. Julius about possibly putting a warming house adjacent to the school and then tap off 2 the school's sewer/water system. Mr. Kojetin noted that they have also talked about having a joint gymnasium between the school district and city since we are now short on gymnasium space. He indicated that maybe we need to look into a bond issue for the warming houses and a gymnasium. Mr. Kojetin did point out that with a gymnasium there are a lot of other issues that would need to be addressed such as traffic patterns, etc. Mr. Kojetin indicated that a lot of people have asked him when a better building and restrooms will be put in at Cornelia. He noted that it is listed in the Jupiter Report, however, the funding and year to be built are not listed in the report. Mr. Jenkins indicated that for the last 5 plus years we have been talking about doing something at the Cornelia School Warming House. He then clarified that the city is having cutbacks on the capital side which means we are unable to do it. Mr. Kojetin noted that is what he is saying, it doesn't look like there will be any money coming in and therefore, we may need to look at a bond issue for these projects. Mr. Jenkins asked if the Developer's Fund could be tapped for something like this. Mr. Kojetin noted that the Developer's Fund has approximately $400,000 in it and it possibly could be used for this. Ms. Bennett asked if having a gymnasium at this site is the most logical place for it compared to other parks. Mr. Kojetin noted that it is hard to say. He stated that possibly Creek Valley would also be a good site since it is a joint school/park. Mr. Montgomery asked if a gymnasium were put in would it include a couple of courts. Mr. Kojetin noted that it would probably be one regulation size court. Mr. Montgomery noted that by the time you build something like this it would seem like you would want to put in more than one court. Ms. Rydell stated that a lot more park space would be taken up if too large of a building were put in. Mr. Kojetin noted that you also have to look at parking and traffic. Possibly a gymnasium at some point could also be put in at Creek Valley. Mr. Kojetin noted that a study would really have to be done to look at all of the different aspects of building a gymnasium. Mr. O'Connor asked how can the Park Board move ahead with the warming house issue at Cornelia School. Mr. Kojetin noted that he thinks it is something that should be looked at for 1995 since 1994 has already been scheduled and funded and that we could possibly look at the Developer's Fund. He noted that it would cost approximately $150,000 for a warming house building and an investigation would need to be done to get an amount for the water and sewer. Restroom facilities make it a lot more expensive, however, ADA funds could possibly be used for the restrooms. Mr. Kojetin also noted that possibly tax increment funding could be used from the City to contribute money to this project. This has been done for the tennis courts at the high school and improvements to the fieldhouse will also be funded this way. Mr. Herring stated that he thought the number of ice skaters at this location was quite low. Mr. Kojetin noted that he feels it is due to the fact that they do not schedule any games at this site as well as there are no restrooms, running water or permanent walls. 3 Paul O'Connor MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE STAFF WORK WITH THE CORNELIA SCHOOL PTA AND SCHOOL DISTRICT TO DO A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE RELOCATION OF THE WARMING HOUSE AS WELL AS CONSTRUCTION OF A RESTROOM AND RUNNING WATER. James Fee SECONDED MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Julius made a comment that if the Park Board needs neighborhood support, petitions, etc. they have it. Mr. Julius noted that he and Mr. Fuglesten are here to say that a total of $50,000 has been put into the play structure as well as the trees over the last three years and they are now looking at completing as much of the wish list as possible in the next three years. Mr. Fee asked Mr. Julius if his wish list is prioritized. He noted that it is not. Mr. Kojetin noted that he has never seen a neighborhood like this one really get behind a project around a local elementary school. Mr. Fee asked how hard would it be to try to assess some cost to these various items and maybe we get some of these items accomplished. Mr. O'Connor indicated that he suggested they contact the School Board on the playground issue because they do have some dollars left over from the renovation that could be used for this. Mr. Fee noted that is the kind of input he is looking for because he doesn't know that all of the items fall under the Park Department's jurisdiction. Both Gentlemen thanked the Park Board for their consideration. Mr. O'Connor noted that as a representative to the School District he would like to read part of letter he received from Congressman Jim Ramstad. It stated "Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on selection of Cornelia Elementary Schools the Third Congressional District elementary school for the month of December." III. BUDGET OVERVIEW FOR 1994 Mr. Kojetin indicated that he would like to cover the information that is in the yellow books at the January meeting because it will be more up-to-date at that time. Mr. Kojetin noted that the last page is the capital improvement budget for 1994 and that the council has approved the budget as well as the fees and charges. Mr. Kojetin noted that of the $200,000 that is indicated, $100,000 of it is coming from the utility transfer from the Water Department because the wells are on park property. Mr. Jenkins asked if that number changes every year and it was noted that it does not, it has been $100,000 for the last ten years. Of the other $100,000, $20,000 is coming from the general fund and $80,000 is from the developer's fund. Mr. Jenkins asked about the equipment capital side of things. This is funded in the Operating Budget. Mr. Montgomery asked if it would be appropriate before next months meeting to go over a few questions that he had on the budget. Possibly two or three other people would also be interested in doing this. Mr. Kojetin noted that would be just fine. Mr. Kojetin pointed out, that the finances are not part of the policy board (Park Board) but are the City Council's responsibility. Mr. Crowther asked Mr. Kojetin if he is saying that they have no responsibility in this regard. Mr. Kojetin 4 noted that is correct regarding the operating budget. However, the Park Board has been setting policy in regards to the capital funding of what projects they would like to make recommendations to the City Council to fund each year and the fees and charges for the different facilities. Mr. Crowther asked the staff if it would be out of line to ask for assistance from some of the athletic associations to help with some of the maintenance issues. Something that would be beyond the user fee. He noted that we are looking at tighter money and a lot of the associations have surpluses that could help us in some of these areas. Mr. Kojetin noted that he doesn't think it would be out of line. He indicated that the Hockey Association just bought a scoreboard for the arena. Mr. Crowther indicated that he is opposed to the athletic associations having surpluses. He feels they should spread the wealth as far as upgrading. Mr. Kojetin noted that this would be a good topic to discuss with the athletic associations. He also noted that a number of the associations have contributed a lot to the Park Department such as the Basketball Association has donated money to the fieldhouse, the Soccer Association has donated money to upgrade the fields such as the one at Creek Valley and the hockey moms have also contributed a lot. Mr. Crowther noted that no one has approached the Football Association for money to help with different maintenance issues. Mr. Kojetin noted that is an excellent idea. Mr. Kojetin indicated to the Park Board that a new facility has opened in Roseville. He noted that they have built a 400 meter speed skating rink with a Bandy rink in the middle. Mr. Jenkins asked how long that facility will have ice and it was noted from November 15th until March 15th. It was built so there will still be ice when it is 45 degrees outside. Mr. Keprios noted that there are 87 bandy games scheduled at that facility this season. Therefore the Bandy rink at Lewis Park will be more open for Bandy and other teams to practice. Mr. Montgomery asked how the outdoor ice was coming along and what the status was with Mr. Arnold. Mr. Kojetin noted they need some cold weather for the ice. He also indicated that he talked to Mr. Arnold and that he requested Walnut Ridge be the last rink taken care of each day. IV. OTHER A. Wooddale Park - Mr. Kojetin noted that the City Council took the Park Board's recommendation to not rename the Wooddale Park ballfield. B. Normandale Park - Mr. Kojetin indicated that the City has been doing a storm water study of the neighborhood at Normandale Park. There has been a lot of flooding off of 66th Street and Naomi Drive. He explained that the houses on the corner always gets flooded. About a month ago the recommendation was to use the football/baseball field at Normandale Park as a water storage area such the same way the fields at Southview Jr. High on Concord Avenue are being used now. The water storage area will hold water for approximately 6 hours in a heavy rain and then drain into the storm water system. They are going to redo the whole baseball and soccer/football field. Mr. Jenkins asked if it will affect the usage of the park at all. Mr. Kojetin noted that it will not. Mr. Jenkins asked where are the funds coming from to do this project. Mr. Kojetin indicated from the Utility Fund and affected neighbors. C. Park Board Meetings - Mr. Crowther asked if all handouts as well as a summary of what will be addressed be mailed in the Park Board packets instead of being distributed at the actual meeting. He noted that it will help give the members a better understanding of the issues being talked about. It will also give Park Board members a chance to ask questions and make better recommendations. Everyone agreed this would be a good policy to start doing. Mr. Kojetin pointed out that sometimes when neighbors or guests appear at the Park Board meetings they do not give us handouts that we can give to you in advance. However, if at all possible we will ask these guests to produce some type of information ahead of time. D. Paul O'Connor - Mr. Jenkins indicated that this is Paul O'Connor's last Park Board meeting. He thanked Mr. O'Connor for all of his hours and noted that he has done a great job the last 3 1/2 years. Mr. Fee indicated that Mr. O'Connor has been the most diligent School Board liaison to the Park Board in the nine years that he has been on the Board and that his input has been very well appreciated. E. Santa House - Mr. Kojetin noted that Ms. Hall, a member of the Federated Women's Club, has just completed a successful Santa House, which has returned to Edina. Ms. Hall noted that all of the workers at Braemar Golf Course were very helpful. Mr. Herring noted that his kids loved it. V. ADJOURNMENT Dave Crowther MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:55 P.M. Jean Rydell SECONDED THE MOTION. MEETING ADJOURNED. C.1