HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-12-11 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD
7:30 p.m.
December 11, 1990
MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bill Jenkins, Andrew Montgomery, Jim Fee, Pat Vagnoni, Chip
Sour, Bill Lord, Paul O'Connor, Jean Rydell
MEMBERS ABSENT: Bob Christianson, Beth Hall, Mac Thayer
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton
OTHERS PRESENT: James Otto, Henrik Oskam
I. APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 13, 1990 MINUTES
Paul O'Connor MOVED TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 13, 1990 MINUTES. Bill Lord
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION APPROVED.
II. INDIANHEAD LAKE PROPERTY
Mr. Kojetin informed the Park Board that Mr. Otto had contacted him with
the idea of purchasing or having a non-exclusive easement to maintain a
piece of city owned property that abuts Mr. Otto and Mr. Oskam's property.
Mr. Kojetin advised Mr. Otto to bring this request to the Park Board.
Mr. Jenkins asked Mr. Otto and Mr. Oskam if they would like to speak on
this subject. Mr. Otto gave a brief request on what they would like to see
done with the property.
It was noted that ten years ago the city received this piece of property
through tax forfeited land.
Mr. Otto and Mr. Oskam have maintained this piece of property over the
years by seeding, landscaping, planting trees and shrubbery, etc. The two
gentlemen indicated they would like to do one of three things:
1. Purchase all of the property.
2. Purchase a part of the property adjacent to Mr. Otto's and Mr. Oskam's
property which is above lake level.
3. Have a non-exclusive easement to maintain the piece of city owned
property.
Mr. Otto indicated that this would take away some of the liability and
expense of the city.
Mr. Otto also indicated that there were two dead trees on the land and he
contacted the Edina City Forester to look at them. The City Forester had
one tree cut down and left the logs. The other tree was leaning, but the
Forester indicated that it is not the City's policy to cut down all dead
trees on open space property. Mr. Otto would like to have the tree taken
down since the tree could easily come down in a bad storm and fall onto his
house. He would also appreciate it if the logs from the other tree could
be hauled away. Mr. Kojetin indicated that the logs are left there because
it's considered an open space and wild life area. Mr. Otto would like
written permission to be able to haul the logs away himself. Mr. Otto
indicated that he does not want an oral agreement because it may not be
enforceable. Mr. Otto and Mr. Oskam want to either buy the land or obtain
a non-exclusive easement.
Mr. Jenkins asked if there have been other situations like this? Mr.
Kojetin indicated that most people with a similar situation, where there is
a piece of property between a home owners property and a lake or creek,
have maintained the property with the understanding that if the city ever
wanted to do anything with the property they had the right to do it. Mr.
Otto replied that they want written permission.
Mr. Kojetin brought up the point that since it was tax forfeited land it
cannot be sold or traded. If the city had purchased the land than it could
be sold.
Mr. Kojetin indicated that he did not know what the legal aspect of a
non-exclusive easement for this property is, but indicated he could find
out more information on this property if so desired.
Andrew Montgomery MOVED THAT A RECOMMENDATION BE MADE TO THE CITY COUNCIL
TO INVESTIGATE A NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT TO MAINTAIN THE PROPERTY ON
INDIANHEAD LAKE. Jim Fee SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
III. SENIOR CITIZEN STATUS
Mr. Kojetin pointed out to the Park Board that in the 1991 budget $50,000
has been set aside for some type of renovation at the Community Center for
a permanent Senior Center site. Mr. Kojetin indicated that Clark Engler,
architect for the school district, has schematic sketches of how to remodel
the Community Center for the Senior Center. Mr. Engler has broken the
project into three different phases. One of the main objectives in the
study is to make the Senior Center not look like an institution or school
setting.
Mr. O'Connor asked what impact the senior citizens have on the design of
the center? Mr. Kojetin indicated that there are senior citizens on a
committee that are working with the design.
Mr. Kojetin reported that he has had conversations with Ray Smyth, Ken
Rosland and Glen Smith who have been spearheading this committee to arrive
at an agreement between the school and the city.
Mr. Kojetin indicated that city crews could do some of the demolishing of a
hallway wall that needs to be removed in order to make one room similar in
size to the present one. The mechanical and other jobs could be bid for
the new construction. It is hoped to have final approval for the plans and
a recommendation to go ahead, around the first of the year. Mr. Kojetin
will present more information to the Park Board as he receives it.
Mr. Sour who serves on the Community Service Board indicated that he has
been working with a committee and they are in favor of the project. Mr.
O'Connor stated that he has received information from the School Board but
they have not yet discussed it.
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IV. POOL REPORT
Mr. Kojetin reviewed the proposal that the Park Board received. The first
part of the report is the same portion that was mailed earlier in the
year. The report gave the recommendation and conditions of the present
pool to bring it up to code. In the proposed report there are two plans.
The first plan is to renovate the existing pool infrastructure to meet
existing codes and yet not offer any additional entertainment value. This
plan would cost approximately $332,,000. The second plan is to include Plan
I plus the addition of water amenities that substantially add aquatic
entertainment value to the existing facility. This plan would cost
approximately $554,000. Mr. Kojetin pointed out that something definitely
needs to be done to upgrade the pool to have it last at least 20 years.
Mr. Kojetin reported that the cities of Crystal and Winona have just
completed their first season with aquatic entertainment and part of this
report is based on their percentages. The City of Crystal charged two
fees. One for a season pass and one for the slide. The City of Winona
just raised their season ticket and the slide was included in the price.
Both came out very well. Mr. Kojetin stated that by increasing the season
ticket this would fund the capital cost of Plan II.
It was asked how to distinguish who has a season ticket and who is just
using the.slide. Mr. Kojetin replied that different colored wrist bands
are used, just like at Edinborough. Other communities use this method and
it works quite well.
Mr. Jenkins asked if parking will be a problem? Mr. Kojetin indicated that
he did not feel tis would be a problem. Mr. Montgomery asked if there
would still be enough space for a sunbathing area? Mr. Keprios indicated
that this would be looked into by the architect or engineer should the
project be approved. It was also noted that concrete would probably be
surrounding the whole area and the grass would be taken out.
Mr. Kojetin pointed out that an allowance for depreciation is not included
in this report.
The Park Board watched two videos on water slides and aquatic centers.
Mr. Kojetin pointed out that the pool is ready to be painted again. This
is usually done every three to four years with an epoxy coating. There is
a new product out on the market that is said to last approximately 10
years. The product is glued to the bottom of the pool including the black
lane lines. It is also said to be effective in cold weather. An extensive
investigation still needs to be done on this product. It is, however, used
all around the country.
Mr. Kojetin expressed to the Park Board that the deck does need to be
replaced. With a new gutter system, code requires that all water needs to
slope away from the pool. At this time all of the deck slopes into the
pool. Other areas that need to be fixed are listed in the report.
Mr. Jenkins asked what the difference would be to have two slides instead
of one? It was pointed that if two slides are put in at the same time
there would be a savings, as opposed to adding a second adjoining slide at
a later date. Otherwise the cost of a water slide is roughly $500 per
3
linear foot. It would be approximately $190,000 for two slides at this
time. Mr. MacHolda indicated that he feels both pools would be used
extensively, especially the wading pool. The slide will be able to occupy
three people at the same time; one person at the end of the slide, one
person in the middle of the slide and one person on the top of the slide
for every 60 seconds.
Mr. Kojetin indicated that in the proposal there are two entertainment
areas. One is the water slide and the other is the water play structure.
The water play structure would be installed in the wading pool and is for
the younger children. This offers two opportunities for a family coming to
the swimming pool with children of different ages.
Mr. Kojetin felt that it would be easier to charge an increase in the
family season ticket rather than in the general admission. If a family
wanted to use the 2 different water features only a family season ticket
needs to be purchased. If a person purchased a general admission they
would pay $3.00 for the pool including the water play structure but if they
wanted to use the water slide it would cost an additional $3.00 for the day
or a total of $6.00 general admission.
Mr. Kojetin indicated that instead of proposing a dual water slide that the
staff felt that if two separate water features were offered it would be
more appealing to the total family. With the fee structure that we have
proposed the numbers come out very well showing that we will be able to pay
for the bonds with the additional revenue from the increase of fees.
Mr. MacHolda stated that there now is an average of 500 to 600 people using
the pool on a daily basis. In the past, daily attendance has been as high
as 2,000. Edina's population is starting to show an increase again in the
younger ages. Mr. MacHolda indicated that pools need gimmicks and if the
City of Edina is one of the first ones, than that is even better. There
are also two country clubs that could possibly lose patrons because of the
pool's gimmick. Also, people from other cities will be using the Edina
Municipal Pool, especially if Edina is one of the first pools to provide an
entertainment center with water amenities.
Mr. O'Connor asked if there have been very many accidents on the slides?
Mr. MacHolda indicated that there have not been. He stated that diving
wells are where most accidents in pools occur. The slide industry and
codes have changed dramatically in the last few years.
Mr. Lord asked where the 34% increase came from? Mr. MacHolda indicated
that the numbers are based on the City of Crystal and Winona.
Mr. Jenkins questioned if there have been any down sides? Mr. Kojetin
indicated that there really have not been. The biggest thing is to try and
be the first city in the surrounding area to have an aquatic center.
Mr. Lord asked if there has been a down trend in attendance after a few
years? Mr. Kojetin stated that most pools with aquatic centers have
maintained a very constant attendance.
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Another point that was brought up was the use of the pool by the Edina Swim
Club. Mr. MacHolda indicated that the Swim Club uses the pool at 5:30 a.m.
and also in the afternoon. He pointed out that in the afternoon he allows
the Swim Club to use a certain number of lanes. The remaining lanes are
for the recreational swimmer.
The question came up of possibly keeping the pool opened longer in the
season. Mr. MacHolda indicated that actually they are trying to close the
pool a week earlier. Edina has the longest pool season in the metro area.
The statistics show that people are not using the pool until the very end
of August. People are getting ready for fall. Mr. MacHolda indicated that
the ideal situation would be to open the pool earlier and close it
earlier.
Paul O'Connor MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT PLAN II FOR
THE PROPOSED RENOVATION AND EDINA AQUATIC ENTERTAINMENT CENTER. Pat
Vagnoni SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
V. OTHER
A. Update Chemical Report Submitted to the City Council by the
Health Board
Mr. Kojetin indicated that the City Council had recommended that the
chemical report be resubmitted to the Health Board. The Health Board will
then submit it to the Park Board and their Athletic Associations to review
and resubmit to the City Council.
B. Playground Equipment
Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that new playground equipment has been
installed at York Park and Pamela Park. The neighborhood is very pleased
with what has been done.
Chowen Park is the next park to be completed and Mr. Keprios and Mr.
MacHolda have already met with a Chowen Park neighborhood group to get some
input on the type of equipment to be put in the park. There appears to be
a growing number of young children in that area.
C. Brochure - Calendar
Mr. Keprios indicated to the Park Board that the recreation brochure
calendar is just about finished. Everything is on schedule. Mr. Keprios
pointed out that the only item he is waiting for is to see how the City
Council will vote on the aquatic center and renovations. This will affect
the fees and charges that need to be put into the calendar.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Jean Rydell MOVED TO THE ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:05 P.M. James Fee
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
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