HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-02-12 Park Board Minutes4
EDINA PARK BOARD
7:30 p.m.
February 12, 1991
MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM -
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Bill Lord, James Fee, Beth Hall, Jean
Rydell, Pat Vagnoni, Mac Thayer, Andy Montgomery
MEMBERS ABSENT: Paul O'Connor, Chip Sour, Bill Jenkins
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Janet Canton, Susan Weigle, Bill
Bach
OTHERS PRESENT: Jim Bokovoy, Jack Kemp
I. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE -CHAIR
Mr. Kojetin brought the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. He asked for
nominations for the Park Board Chair. Jean Rydell MOVED TO RECOMMEND BOB
CHRISTIANSON AS CHAIR OF THE PARK BOARD. Bill Lord SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
Mr. Kojetin asked for nominations for the Park Board Vice -Chair. James Fee
MOVED TO RECOMMEND BILL JENKINS AS VICE -CHAIR OF THE PARK BOARD. Bill Lord'
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
Mr. Christianson welcomed the re -appointed people: Bill Jenkins, Mac
Thayer and Patricia Vagnoni for another three years of service.
II. APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 8. 1991 MINUTES
Jean Rydell MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 8, 1991 MINUTES. Beth Hall
SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED.
III. WRESTLING ASSOCIATION
Mr. Christianson welcomed Jim Bokovoy, President of the Edina Wrestling
Association. Mr. Bokovoy indicated that Edina Wrestling started out as the
Edina Wrestling Club six years ago. It has only been about the last four
years that it has been an association. Wrestling is offered to kids in
first grade through sixth grade. There is a Junior High and High School
Varsity program offered by the Edina School District. The Edina Wrestling
Association offers two wrestling seasons. The first season is Folkstyle
Wrestling and starts in Mid -January« through the end of February. The
second season is Freestyle Wrestling and runs from Mid -March through the
end of April. Freestyle Wrestling consists of throws and take downs as
used in international competition. The boys meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays
from 6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Edina High School Wrestling room. The
Edina School District does not charge a fee for the use of this facility.
The program is self-supporting and is run by all volunteer coaches. Also,
parents who have been wrestlers help out as well as some of the varsity
wrestlers. This is very beneficial. The association raises money through
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registration fees and tournament concessions. The Wrestling Association
also has been known to give the High School wrestling team money when they
have gone before the Wrestling Board asking for a donation.
The Edina Wrestling Association is a small program. This year there are 28
kids signed up and last year there were 32. He stated that this is a
perfect number. One encouraging fact is that 50% of the registrants this
year are returnees from last year. A lot more kids are staying with the
program. It is still hard to get fifth and sixth graders involved. The
program consists of younger kids who are starting to come back each year.
There are three tournaments that the Edina Wrestling Association attends
each year. This year is the first year that Edina will be hosting their
own Folkstyle Tournament, whereas, in the past the Edina Wrestling
Association hosted an annual Freestyle Tournament.
Mr. Montgomery asked if kids can participate in more than one sport during
a season. Mr. Bokovoy indicated that they currently do have kids
participating in other sports and it does work out okay.
Mr. Christianson asked how many weight classes are there? Mr. Bokovoy
stated that they.try to go by a weight and age system. No one can wrestle
a person who weighs three pounds more or less than their own weight. They
try to balance this very carefully.
Ms. Vagnoni asked how many people are on the Board of Directors. Mr.
Bokovoy replied that they have a President, Vice -President, Treasurer,
Secretary and four Board members. to
Mr. Bokovoy expressed that John Keprios has done an excellent job and has
been very helpful in giving guidance and input. Mr. Christianson thank
Mr. Bokovoy for his report and indicated that the Board appreciates his
involvement and hopefully the program will continue to flourish.
IV. SENIOk CENTER
Mr. Kojetin stated that at the 1990 December City Council meeting, the
Council asked for more background information on what the Park Board wanted
done with the Senior Center. Mr. Kojetin with the help of the Senior
Center Task Force has put together a report on the Senior Center
Relocation. The first half of the report (purple section) indicates what
occurred two years ago when it was approved to move the Senior Center from
York Avenue to the Edina Community Center.
The last part of the report (pink section) represents the plans for the
relocation of the Senior Center within the Edina Community Center. After
one year in the Community Center there was a survey done in regards to how
the seniors felt and asked for some of their input.
Mr. Kojetin indicated that Glenn Smith is the person who has helped
spearhead this project along with Bob Kojetin, Doug Johnson and Sue
Weigle. This committee is trying to come up with a move to a better
location within the Community Center. After several meetings and walking
through the building, five plans were drawn up. After investigating these
plans and talking with the School District staff, it was decided Plan 5
would be the best location. Mr. Kojetin pointed out that the plans have
been done by Clark Engler, the School District's architect. .
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The Plan has been broken down into two phases of what needs to be done now
and what can be done later and also gives estimated costs. There are some
items, such as the demolition, that can be done by city employees. It
could be six months or longer before something could be done by City
employees because it would need to be worked around their schedules. This
will save some money and Mr. Kojetin pointed out that we can be directly
involved with the project. There will be other tasks that will need to be
done by bid process, such as mechanical, electrical, air conditioning and
exit control doors.
Mr. Kojetin indicated that in the remodeling project the main entrance area
into the Senior Center would have a nice graphic archway indicating that
you are now entering the Senior Center. This way seniors will know they
are in the right place and it will get away from the institutional look.
Mr. Kojetin also pointed out that possibly some type of outside funding
could be found for carpeting, window treatments, etc. Maybe a group of
seniors could form a committee to try to raise funds from clubs and
organizations.
The second phase would be primarily to have air conditioning extended into
the four classrooms and office area. This is something that will
definitely need to be put in. Ms. Weigle indicated that in the summer on
the third floor the program shuts down because it is so hot.
The parking lot at the Community Center has been studied by the Community
Center's Service Board, as well as the City's Engineering Department and
the Task Force. It was recommended that 10 parking stalls indicating
Seniors Only between 8:00 a.m, and 5:00 p.m. be put in immediately at the
Northwest parking lot. Also, there have been discussions to have some form
of a stop sign on the Frontage Road, which has already been completed. The
Engineering Department is presently working on drawings of a parking lot
that will be adjacent to the #2 door between the building and crosswalk
over Highway 100. There will also be a curb cut on the South end of the
North parking lot and some form of a walkway from the parking lot to the
corner. A fence will also be installed in the South end of the parking lot
to prevent people from crossing in the middle of the street.
Mr. Christianson confirmed that his understanding is the lease will be
extended until the year 2,000. We not necessarily looking at this as a
permanent site but it will also be more than a temporary site. The Senior
Center will be there at least for 10 years. This would be a good
investment. Mr. Christianson also indicated that there really is no other
alternative, this is the best choice. Ms. Weigle informed the Park Board
that the Senior Center could not live with what is now there.
Mr. Montgomery asked if there was any other money that could be used
besides the $45,000 for capital improvements that has already been approved
for this 1991 project. Possibly the Developer's Fund could be used. Also,
is there any money available that could be used so that the total project
could be completed for $104,000. Mr. Kojetin indicated that in last falls
allocation of funds, there was $483,000 in the Developer's Fund. Of this
amount, $150,000 has been allocated for the expansion of the Art Center,
with $50,000 to be paid back to the fund over a five year program. Also, a
$130,000 commitment has been made for the Van Valkenburg Park athletic
lighting. This would leave a balance of $203,000 in the Developer's Fund.
Within the next year the account will increase by $142,000 from the Cahill
development. This will leave a balance of $345,000 in round figures in the
account.
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Mr. Christianson asked Mr. Kojetin if he envisions any other projects
coming up that would need money from the Developer's Fund? Mr. Kojetin
replied that the Garden's at Arneson Acres may need some money. Mr.
Keprios indicated that the Cornelia Park Playground area is going to need
some upgrading. He stated they will be looking into donations from the
private sector. In the capital plan for the next five years there is
$20,000 per year that is set aside for capital improvements. Mr. Kojetin
stated that he does not see anything major in the next five years but
beyond that he could not say for sure.
Ms. Weigle did comment that the actual Senior Center will be looked at as a
focal point; programming will be done in facilities throughout the City of
Edina.
Mr. Lord felt that this project has been long overdue and that the
Developer's Fund should be used to complete the project at one time. Bill
Lord MOVED THAT A RECOMMENDATION BE MADE TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE
PROJECT AS PRESENTED WITH THE $45,000 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR 1991 AND TO
ADDITIONALLY RECOMMEND THAT $60,000 FROM THE DEVELOPER'S FUND BE USED TO
COMPLETE THE RENOVATION OF THE RELOCATION OF THE SENIOR CENTER. Andrew
Montgomery SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
V. CORNELIA SCHOOL
Mr. Kojetin pointed out to the Park Board that the PTA is working with the
School District and Principal to have an environmental planting program at
Cornelia School. Mr. Kojetin indicated that back when this park was
developed in the 1960's there were not a lot of trees installed in the park
portion of the school. Mr. Kojetin has met with the principal of Cornelia
School and the Chair of the Committee representing the PTA for this
project. It is the intention of the Cornelia PTA committee to engage an
architect to draw a planting plan for the total school park. The Committee
will be using some of the original plans that were developed back in the
early 1960's. Mr. Kojetin indicated that at the last Park Board meeting he
had mentioned that the Park and Recreation Department had received a
donation of $3,000 from the Rotary Club for planting trees in city parks.
Mr. Kojetin said that he had indicated to the PTA committee that there is a
possibility that $3,000 worth of trees could be planted in the park portion
of Cornelia School Park. This would be a good cooperative program between
the school, city and Rotary Club.
VI. OPEN SPACE - DELANEY BOULEVARD
Mr. Kojetin stated that this is for the Park Board's information only. He
informed the Board that the at the last City Council meeting the issue of
the open space property on Delaney Boulevard came up. This was a tax
forfeited piece of land that the city did not want to pick up a year ago.
The City had recommended that possibly the condominiums adjacent to the
property could acquire the property. The condominium owners would have to
pay the $58,000 worth of special assessments on the property and then
donate it to the city. The one year has now passed and there is some
concern that the condominium owners do not want to participate in this
program. The owners would still like to see it used as open space.
This piece of property has a set of tennis courts on it, which is owned by to
Dewey Hill Condominiums. If for some reason this became open space
property and owned by the City, these tennis courts would become part of
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the park system. There is some concern of this happening by the
condominium owners. Mr. Kojetin stated that the City Council had
recommended to the condominium owners that the property could be acquired
if they would pay the $58,000 special assessment. This would have to be
done by March 1st because that is the extended length of time. The land
would then be put on open auction by the county and the state.
VII. NO SMOKING - ALL CITY BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
Mr. Kojetin informed the Park Board that all city buildings and facilities
will be no smoking as of Monday, February 18, 1991. Also, if there are two
individuals in a city vehicle, there will be no smoking permitted. If only
one employee is driving a city vehicle that person may smoke if so
desired.
VIII.OTHER
Mr. Christianson read to the Park Board the City Ordinance on attending
meetings. No one can miss four meetings in one year. A new policy is that
no one can miss three consecutive meetings. If this should happen a letter
needs to be written to Mr. Christianson explaining why and he will pass it
one to the City Council. The City Council will review why three
consecutive meetings have been missed. This will be done on a case by case
basis.
Mr. Christianson informed the Park Board that April 23 is the Annual
All -Volunteer Awards Reception at Edinborough from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Keep this in mind for the next meeting.
Mr. Kojetin handed out the year-end financial report for all of the
enterprise facilities.
It is hoped that the main pavilion at Centennial Lakes will be completed in
early June, 1991. The Park Board indicated that they would like the June
Park Board meeting to be held at the Pavilion.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Mac Thayer MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:00 P.M. Jean Rydell SECONDED
THE MOTION-. MOTION CARRIED.
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