HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-03-13 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD
5:00 p.m.
March 13, 1990
Center Lounge
Lower Level, Braemar Golf Course
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Pat Vagnoni, James Fee, Bill Lord, Beth
Hall, Andy Montgomery, Scott Johnson, John Thayer
MEMBERS ABSENT: Bill Jenkins, Jean Rydell, Cliff Sour
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Solvei Swenson, Janet Canton
OTHERS PRESENT: Tom Horwath, John Valliere, Tom Wilson
1. NEW PARK BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Christianson welcomed new Park Board member Beth Hall. He indicated
she will be serving the next three years and everyone is looking forward to
her being on the board.
2. APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 13. 1990 MINUTES
Mr. Lord MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 13, 1990 MEETING.
Mr. Montgomery had a question about the comment in the minutes that states
10 percent of the population is handicapped. Mr. Kojetin indicated that we
received this number from the school system. Scott Johnson verified that
the number is correct. It was also indicated that the term "handicapped"
has a very broad definition. Mr. Montgomery SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED.
3. EDINA GYMNASTICS ASSOCIATION REPORT - TOM WILSON
Mr. Wilson gave a report to the Park Board on the Edina Gymnastics
Association (EGA). He indicated that he has been the President for the
past year. EGA is located at 5201 Eden Circle in Edina. EGA has 500 plus
members for children one year old through high school. EGA has gone from
400 members to 900 members and now is around 500 members. The reason for
this is probably due the U.S. Olympic years. More were interested then
than they are now. EGA has four full-time teachers and a director. This
is a parent run program. Gymnastics is a very specialized sport. Kids in
the program are examined on a skill level.
Mr. Wilson brought up the issue of fund-raising. He feels that all of the
associations should work on one common fund-raiser together. It's hard for
people to say no to a child selling something. But, it seems people are
always knocking on their doors for different fund-raisers.
Fund-raising for EGA is diverted in two different ways. First, it goes to
different things such as this past year EGA raised funds to build a
tumbling pit. Secondly, they use fund-raising to help defray costs of
traveling to other cities and states for competitions.
More boys and girls participate in Club gymnastics than in high school
gymnastics. Basically, the reason is because club gymnastics is year
round.
He stated that with the Special Olympics being in Minneapolis in '91 that
EGA is opening up it's doors to a number of people who are handicapped.
Right now there is a student that is handicapped who has her own coach and
they are using EGA's facility.
Ms. Vagnoni asked if EGA has an elite group. It was indicated that there
are 2 girls and 1 boy that are classified as elite but they do not have an
elite team. Class 9 is their highest level. If someone wanted a higher
level we could offer them one. EGA is open to anyone who is interested in
participating. The cost for 17 weeks on an average is $105.00.
Mr. Wilson stated that EGA receives a lot of strong support from Bob
Ko j etin.
4. EDINA'S FORESTRY REPORT - TOM HORWATH AND SOLVEI SWENSON
Mr. Kojetin indicated that by City Ordinance he is the City Forester.
Edina has never officially had a full-time forester. The City Forester
position has always been a contracted position. The first boulevard tree
trimming program began in 1962. The City hired maintenance men to trim
trees. Up until the outbreak of the Dutch Elm Disease, there were four
people on staff to trim and remove trees. In the early '70s the City
curtailed the trimming trees because we were too busy removing the Elms.
In 1984, the City had a contracted survey of all boulevard tree types,
sizes, conditions and when each tree should be trimmed.
At the present time, the City still takes down Dutch Elm diseased trees on
the boulevards free of charge.
When the Park office receives calls regarding trees, the messages are given
to Mr. Horwath for follow-up. Mr. Horwath then inspects the trees. When
necessary, the City uses different contractors to remove the trees and
stumps on the boulevards. The City will trim some hazardous trees and haul
the branches at the expense of the community.
Last year Mr. Horwath indicated that 573 Elms were marked. It was not one
of the best or worst years. The Elm loss population is down. Last year,
there were three generations of beetles. Next year will hopefully not be
as bad as last year. A lot depends on the weather. Mr. Horwath stated
that a little green mark is placed on the tree on the sidewalk side to
indicate Dutch Elm Disease. This is done so as to not cause a great alarm
to the residents. The only problem with this is, there may be as many as
five or six calls on one tree because they do not realize that the tree has
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been marked. The beetle can be killed in large numbers if we have
extremely cold weather for a certain amount of time. The health of a tree
to a large extent depends on the soil.
Mr. Horwath indicated that he has been a contract forester for the past 12
years and has been under contract with the City of Edina for the past two
years. Every year, Tom normally marks about the same number of trees.
Mr. Horwath explained that there is a vast number of opinions on trees and
what affects them.
In the winter time, Mr. Horwath works for the City of Edina one day a
week. In the summertime he works from four to five days a week depending
on the number of calls.
The City belongs to many different tree related organizations and tries to
receive as much information as possible. The City also sends staff to
different clinics and seminars. On staff, there are five maintenance men
licensed to recommend Dutch Elm removal.
Last year, the City designated the last Friday in April as Arbor Day, and
the month of May as Arbor month. The City usually works with a school or
organization on various Arbor Day projects. Last year, we worked with an
Eagle Scout and Norwest Bank. There were 400 to 500 trees planted at
Garden Park. The City of Edina has been qualified as a "TREE CITY U.S.A."
The City has received this award the last three years. There are 50 cities
in Minnesota that are Tree City's, U.S.A.
The City of Edina has an Oak Wilt Program under a separate contract. The
people that we contract with is S. Kunde, Inc. They have taken an aerial
survey of the city. The drought in the last few years has severely
affected the Oak trees. The symptoms of Oak Wilt are similar to the
affects of a drought on oak trees. Oak Wilt is mainly spread through the
root system. One method used to stop the spread of Oak Wilt is the use of
a vibrator/cutter machine that cut around the infected tree and severs the
roots.
Last fall a resident of the Country Club area sent a letter to the City
Council stating that he felt there should be some type of a replacement
program for the Elm trees in the Country Club District. He would like to
see the historical looking cathedral Elms that are present in the Country
Club area continue. This resident indicated in his letter to the Council
that he performed his own survey listing the location of some 200 trees
that have died. Mr. Kojetin indicated that he has been in contact with
this resident and indicated to him that in the spring of 1990 he would meet
with the residents to try to work out some solution to replacing the Elms.
Mr. Kojetin indicated that he has been in contact with the Elm Research
Institute. This Institute has been donating Elm seedlings for the
establishment of the American Elm if you are a member of the organization,
which the City is. These Elm trees are guaranteed for 10 years that they
will not become infected with the Dutch Elm Disease. At a recent clinic I
attended there were well-known tree experts there. One question I asked
was in regards to the reliability of these trees? Dr. Shigo, a tree
expert, stated his opinion was that an Elm tree does not become an infected
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tree until after it's approximately 18 years old. Another question that I
asked at the clinic was should a community continue to plant Elm trees
knowing that they still could become infected? His answer was that we
should continue to plant the American Elm tree because possibly sometime in
the future a cure could be found. At the present time however, there is no
known new species of tree that can give the same appearance as the American
Elm.
Mr. Kojetin indicated that he would like to meet with the Country Club
neighborhood to propose to replant Elm trees in the Country Club area.
Also, stating to them that it's possible that when their tree is 20 years
old that they might lose it. It was the opinion of the Park Board that we
should proceed with a neighborhood hearing.
Mr. Kojetin sent pictures around of what a 10 year old Elm tree looks like
and also an 18 year old Elm tree.
Last year, the Park Maintenance Department replaced 250 trees within the
parks that had died from the drought in the last two years. The City will
continue to try to upgrade the tree planting program within the City
parks.
5. OTHER
a. Tennis Courts - Bud Bjerken, Athletic Director for the School
District, asked the Park Board if they would help share in the rebuilding
cost of the five tennis courts at the Community Center. The school has a
limited amount of money to fix the 14 school courts this year. The most
reasonable bid so far is $5,500 per court. $50,000.00 has been allocated
for this expense. It is a necessity to have funding for the remaining
amount. Mr. Bjerken is looking for funding from the Park Board for
$19,250.00. The courts that will be refurbished are not just the usual
thin resurfaced color coat. They are replacing approximately one inch of
new material on top of the old courts and then the thin color coating
surface.
Mr. Keprios indicated that these tennis courts are very critical to our
program. Mr. Keprios stated that the Park and Recreation Department and the
Edina School District have enjoyed a very successful relationship with
regards to facility use. Mr. Keprios questioned the appropriateness of the
City of Edina paying for a large capital repair item owned by the Edina
School District. He asked if it would be appropriate for the School
District to help fund future capital repair projects of the City of Edina.
Scott Johnson MOVED THAT WE GIVE $19,250 TO THE REBUILDING OF THE TENNIS
COURTS. Pat Vagnoni SECONDED THE MOTION. Mr. Montgomery asked if we have
budgeted money for our tennis courts at the different parks. It was
indicated that we do have a budget for this but we do not have enough money
that would cover an expense such as this one. Mr. Kojetin indicated that
it would be very difficult to come up with the money this year but that we
could possibly program it into our capital for next year. The capital fund
for 1990 is currently earmarked to fund the rebuilding of soccer and
football fields, as well as, completion of construction at Arneson Acres.
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James Fee MOVED THAT WE TABLE UNTIL STAFF CAN GET BACK TO US WITH A
RECOMMENDATION AND SOURCE OF FUNDS. Andy Montgomery SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED.
b. Strategic Planning - Scott Johnson stated that the School Board is
currently engaged in establishing a strategic plan for the Edina School
District. One item being addressed that affects the Park and Recreation
Department is the issue of drug and alcohol use. Mr. Johnson will keep the
Park Board informed as to the progress of the plan.
C. Soccer - Ms. Vagnoni asked if there was any follow-up on the soccer
program issue regarding non-resident participation in the E.S.A. program.
The Edina Soccer Association wishes to limit their field use to only their
program. The E.S.A. has decided not open up it's program to elite clubs,
but only permit Edina residents in their programs.
d. Summer Olympics - Ms. Vagnoni asked if we are participating in the
summer Olympics? Mr. Kojetin indicated the only thing he is aware of is
the carrying of the torch that you can sign up for at different McDonalds
restaurants. The McDonalds restaurant in Edina is not participating in
this torch run.
e. Guidelines - Ms. Vagnoni asked if there are separate guidelines for
each association or if they are all under one specific guideline. Mr.
Keprios indicated that general guidelines were established by the Edina
Park Board in 1977 as to the Park Board's relationship to the independently
incorporated athletic associations and the Park Board's philosophy of youth
athletics. Mr. Christianson indicated that we do not want to get involved
with the day to day operations of the associations.
f. Mayor's Volunteer Awards Night - Mr. Christianson asked for a motion
to have Donald Wineberg nominated by the Park Board for the Park and
Recreation Commendation Award to be presented at the Mayor's Volunteer
Awards Night on April 17, 1990. Bill Lord MOTION TO NOMINATE DONALD
WINEBERG AS RECIPIENT. James Fee SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
6. ADJOURNMENT
James Fee MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 6:25 P.M. Bill Lord SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED.
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