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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-08-13 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD 7:30 p.m. August 13, 1991 MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Beth Hall, Pat Vagnoni, Mac Thayer, James Fee, Chip Sour, Bill Lord MEMBERS ABSENT: Bill Jenkins, Andy Montgomery, Jean Rydell, Paul O'Connor STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, John Valliere, Todd Anderson, Larry Thayer, Bill Bach, Janet Canton OTHERS PRESENT: Tass Von Schmidt -Pauli, Vada Ewald I. APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 11, 1991 MINUTES Pat Vagnoni MOVED TO APPROVE THE JUNE 11, 1991 MINUTES. James Fee SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED. II. NORMANDALE GOLF COURSE Mr. Christianson welcomed Ken Rosland, City Manager, to the Park Board meeting. Mr. Rosland handed out a report on the Normandale Golf Course that was previously given to the City Council. Mr. Rosland then proceeded to summarize the report. Mr. Rosland stated that the City has negotiated purchasing the Normandale Golf Course over the last two years. The price is now reasonable. Mr. Rosland is in the process of meeting with the Park Board, surrounding neighborhood and Planning Commission. He will then go back to the City Council with everyone's recommendation. The Rauenhorst family are the owners of the Normandale Golf Course. Mr. Rosland went on to say that the purchase agreements so far provide that the City purchase, for $1.2 million, 22 of the approximately 28 acres comprising Normandale Golf Course. The remaining six acres, located along the southerly -portion of the property, would be retained by the Rauenhorsts for future office development. Mr. Rosland also went on to state that the purchase agreement further requires the Opus Corporation to build and donate to the City a 4,000 square foot clubhouse. The cost would be approximately $300,000. The clubhouse would be built on City property located near the Lake Edina water pumping station. Mr. Rosland noted that the $300,000 clubhouse donation reduces the net cost of the total golf course purchase to $900,000, or approximately 94 cents per square foot. Mr. Rosland stated that he thinks this is a very fair price. Mr. Rosland stated that in order to purchase the golf course there are several things that would need to be done. First of all, in order to obtain access to the proposed new clubhouse, an easement must be secured from the Shidler Group, owners of the property lying to the east of the Lake Edina pumping station just south of the Fidelity State Bank Building. This would be the most logical location for an access drive. The Shidler Group has agreed to give the City this easement under certain conditions. One condition being that the City build the public driveway. A Mr. Rosland indicated that the softball fields at Lake Edina would need to be removed if the City uses the property at Lake Edina Park to expand the golf course to have more acreage. Mr. Rosland did feel, however, with the new Van Valkenburg Softball Fields that this would not propose a problem. Mr. Rosland also stated that the park staff has been looking into building an additional softball field of a higher quality in another location in the City. Playground equipment would need to be relocated to the north-easterly side of the park, and tennis courts would need to be removed. There is, however, a tentative location that could be used to replace the tennis courts if there is a demand for them. A small new parking lot would be built to serve playground users. The entire golf area between Kellogg and Parklawn Avenues would be fenced. Mr. Rosland informed the Board that several architects were interviewed to design the golf course. Joe Goldstrand was the person chosen. He has designed many golf courses throughout Minnesota, including the Pines which is at Grandview Lodge in Brainerd. Mr. Rosland pointed out that the redesigned course would be unique in the Metropolitan area because each green would be exceptionally large and have two pin placements - one with a difficult approach, the other with a simple, less challenging, approach. Mr. Rosland also noted that all holes would be ultimately designed so that the backyards of West Shore Drive and Sedum Lane are not threatened by wildly hit golf balls. Mr. Rosland stated that a detailed financial analysis suggests that the City sell $2.2.5 million in bonds with a 30 -year retirement schedule. The analysis implies that losses would occur until 2009, at which time the course would become "profitable" after paying bond retirement and operation costs. Tax dollars would not be put into this purchase. Mr. Rosland indicated that if this purchase was to go through, the City would close on the property in the fall, work would get started in the winter and the course would open in the Spring of 1993. Mr. Rosland also noted that the City would have a great advantage because it presently is in the golf course business, certain economies of scale are available to operate the proposed course in a highly resourceful fashion. Overall management would be provided by current Braemar staff. It is anticipated that no new full-time management employees would be needed. Mr. Rosland pointed out that there are two associated issues with the purchase of the golf course. The first issue is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Permit. The City has met with Barr Engineering and Barr advises that this permit is not required if less than one acre is filled. The present plans call for less than one acre of filling. Mr. Rosland did state, however, that the City will need to go before the water shed district to have one acre filled. The second issue is .the Minnesota Open Space Property Tax Law. Mr. Rosland explained that a successful effort was made this year to change Minnesota statutes, Section 273.112, regarding the Minnesota open space property tax law. Mr. Rosland expressed that if this deal is to go through it will be on a very tight time frame. 2 41, Mr. Rosland indicated that he will be going to the neighborhood on either August 27, 28, or 29th. He will then go before the Planning Commission on September 4th. This will then be brought back to the City Council meeting on September 23, 1991. This way, the Park Board can decide how they want to vote on this plan at the September 10, 1991 Park Board meeting. Mr. Fee asked what impact the Normandale Golf Course would have on Braemar with the new nine hole executive course? Mr. Rosland informed him that they are two separate deals. Braemar is showing that there is a demand for another golf course. Right now Braemar is at 22,000 rounds and will reach over 30,000 by the end of the season and each year the number keeps going up. The highest capacity that Braemar can handle is 35,000 rounds. Mr. Christianson asked if the City purchases Normandale Golf Course will it bring a drop in the number of rounds played at Braemar? It was noted that in the beginning this would probably happen but in the long run both courses would fill up. Mr. Kojetin stated that there can always be corporate leagues in the beginning. This is how Braemar got started. Mr. Christianson asked what would happen if the City passed on this deal? Mr. Rosland stated that he could not guarantee it would still be for sale in five or six years. And, if it is, the price will definitely increase. Right now it is a slow market. Ms. Hall asked if there is any way the golf course could be used in the winter time with cross country skiing? Mr. Rosland said Braemar Golf Course would be the better choice for an activity such as that. Mr. Christianson asked if the tennis courts are taken out would that deprive the area of tennis courts? It was noted that there are tennis courts a few blocks away at Cornelia School. The Park Board will bring this topic back to the September 10th meeting. III. BRAEMAR NEW NINE HOLE GOLF COURSE Mr. Kojetin stated to the Park Board that he wanted to bring everyone up-to-date on the status of the golf course. There has been a lot of publicity on this topic lately. The Corp. of Engineers has given a tentative approval on the permit. The EPA has approximately 30 days in which to appeal this but there is no guarantee. Mr. Kojetin indicated the publicity has been very negative in saying the City is going to destroy 4.7 acres of wetlands, but the articles do not state that seven acres are going to be reconstructed. The project does looks very positive. There have only been approximately six negative calls so far. Ms. Vagnoni asked Mr. Valliere if there have been anymore problems with golf balls being hit at residents homes? Mr. Valliere stated that it has been very quiet since the signs have been posted. IV. PATRON TICKETS John Valliere indicated to the Park Board that he has been receiving a lot of phone calls from people who are upset because they have a patron ticket but cannot get a tee time to golf. People state that they live in Edina but have to play with friends in Minneapolis on their course to get a tee time. Mr. Valliere indicated that this year patron cards cost $55.00 and there have been approximately 2200 cards sold. This number is up about 200 from 1990. Mr. Valliere stated that Braemar is an excellent course and is 3 high in demand which is simply stated, there are more customers than what the golf course can service fairly. It was noted that the creation of a new nine hole course will help to take the pressure off. Mr. Valliere indicated that Braemar has strived to present a balance of play that includes all facets of golf in the community. Mr. Valliere stated to the Park Board that he would like a recommendation to gather additional information about Braemar's clientele and secondly he would like to defer any decision regarding a path to take regarding patron card sales. Mr. Valliere did hand out a questionnaire to the Park Board that he would like to ask the clientele. Mr. Valliere stated that there are some problems with the shear numbers of people wanting to play Braemar. Mr. Valliere pointed out some of the concerns with the patron cards. There has been a steady growth in the number of patron card holders since the system began in 1964. Mr. Valliere stated that the golf course receives 32 people per hour, so approximately 384 a day. Also, in the early morning hours there are about SO more calls for the nine holes on the back nine. Mr. Valliere then explained the procedure for reserving tee times. Monday is the call in day for patrons to reserve for Friday. This is a very popular weekday to play golf. There are approximately 76 open play tee times from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00, p.m. to be filled. These are normally filled within the first 30 minutes of call in. There is one league on Fridays from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. which is a consolidation of two leagues on the golf course's part to reduce their numbers. Mr. Valliere then explained the Saturday "in person" procedure. Patron card holders come out to the golf course at 4:00 a.m. and wait in line on the preceding Saturday and wait until 6:00 a.m. to secure a time for the following Saturday. Some sign up and sleep in their automobiles. Mr. Valliere noted the benefits of patron cards for customers. They can have advance reservations over the general public. They receive a discount on green fees and they are able to secure reservations if they follow the "system" of calling in the maximum time in advance. The patron cards also give customers the feeling of belonging. Mr. Valliere also noted the benefits of patron cards for the golf course and city. Patron card holders provide accountability, which eliminates many no shows and they also are very supportive and protective of the course. Mr. Valliere also stated that there are a couple of questions that need to be addressed. First, do we need to change the patron card system? Secondly, should we restrict the number patrons? Mr. Valliere also pointed out some of the implications. What are resident non patron views? How often are cards used by purchasers? Who qualifies as a resident? Also different types of.patron cards - exec. course? The question was asked if renters are considered residents? Mr. Valliere explained that people who rent are residents. He always considers the person who is renting the resident, not necessarily the person who owns the house. Mr. Kojetin explained that he feels the system is never going to be perfect, but it has worked. There really has been no solution to starting times on public courses across the country. Starting times have always been a problem. Mr. Christianson suggested the possibility of having coupons. Mr. Valliere indicated it would be worth exploring. Mr. 4 A C7 Christianson also suggested you could possibly charge more money for a ® different card. Mr. Sour indicated that some people cannot afford to do that and he felt that would not be a fair solution. Mr. Von Schmidt -Pauli stated that the Braemar Golf Association would like to help Mr. Valliere in taking a survey of the clientele of Braemar Golf Course. V. POLICY BIKE RIDING ON PEDESTRIAN PATHWAYS Mr. Kojetin handed out a memorandum he received from Bill Bach explaining that cyclists are traveling too fast out at Centennial Lakes on the main sidewalk area. Mr. Bach stated that the staff would prefer the exclusion of wheeled traffic throughout the immediate path system surrounding the Centennial Lakes centrum area on the west side of the lake. When cyclists get to the point where the signs begin they need to walk their bikes to where the signage quits. Pat Vagnoni MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT SIGNAGE BE PLACED AT CENTENNIAL LAKES INDICATING PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC ONLY - ALL WHEELED VEHICLES MUST BE WALKED. Bill Lord SECONDED THE MOTION. POLICY ADOPTED. VI. AQUATIC CENTER (update) Mr. Kojetin gave the Park Board an update on the status of the aquatic center. Mr. Kojetin presented the new plan to the City Council and they approved the new plan. Mr. Kojetin indicated that everything looks good. The play structure is one-third the size of the original. The wading pool was cut back a small amount. The slide is identical to the first one presented and this bid was never rejected. The bid was asked to be on hold for 45 days and everything would all be awarded together. The play structure estimate came in around $35,300 and it is hoped that the new bid will come in around $32,000, which would be a savings of approximately $3,000. The total project is now recommended at $605,000. If everything goes okay this project could be started around August 27th. Mr. Kojetin noted that it is hoped everything will be done by December and the only thing left to do would be to paint the pool in the Spring. Ms. Vagnoni asked if the cut backs on the pool will detract people from using it? Mr. Kojetin stated that he does not think this will happen. This will be the only play structure around the Twin City area. People will be very excited about it. Our biggest clientele at the pool is the pre-school aged children. It was noted that there was a lot of money saved with not too many cut backs. VII. PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AT LAKE CORNELIA PARK Mr. Kojetin discussed the incident of an 18 month old child being burned on playground equipment at Lake Cornelia Park. Mr. Sour asked where the parents were when this happened? Mr. Keprios indicated that the majority of playground equipment is designed for two year-olds and older. Mr. Christianson stated that the playground equipment is state of art and is used by everyone. Mr. Kojetin stated that the mother's concern is that her child was severely burned and she demands that we remove all of this type of equipment. It was also noted that perhaps this equipment should not be used on an extremely hot day. Mr. Kojetin said this is the first incident they have ever had of this type. 5 VIII.OTHER BRAEMAR GOLF ASSOCIATION - Tass Von Schmidt -Pauli from the Braemar Golf Association, wanted to apologize to the Board and have the minutes corrected. He indicated that the Braemar Golf Association did not know there was a policy in regards to running a tournament. He would like to receive a copy of this policy. Mr. Von Schmidt -Pauli did state that they had four meetings and there was a park board member present. He stated that next year they will follow the proper procedure. Mr. Christianson stated that their apology was accepted and he knows there was no malice intended. WILLARD IKOLA - Larry Thayer asked the Park Board if they would make a recommendation that Willard Ikola be presented with a lifetime pass to the Braemar Arena in September. He felt if would be appropriate if the Mayor would present this to Mr. Ikola. Mr. Kojetin informed the Park Board that in the past there have been a few of these lifetime passes given. James Fee MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT WILLARD IKOLA RECEIVE A LIFETIME PASS TO THE BRAEMAR ARENA. Bill Lord SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. IX. ADJOURNMENT Chip Sour MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:30 P.M. Beth Hall SECONDED THE MOTION. MEETING ADJOURNED. 0