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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-01-10 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD 7:30 p.m. nuary 10, 1989 Ana City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Bill Lord, Itti Furlong, Andrew Montgomery, Bill Jenkins, Jim Fee, Jean Rydell, Mac Thayer MEMBERS ABSENT: Don Wineberg, Scott Johnson STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Joyce Repya, Stacey Kness OTHERS PRESENT: John Harris, Bruce Soderling (Golf Terrace residents), Marilyn Wooldridge (Braemar Golf Association), Jack Rice (Council) Bob Christianson called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. I. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 15, 1988, MEETING MINUTES Jean Rydell MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 15, 1988, MEETING. Bill Lord seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. II. APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 13, 1988, MEETING MINUTES Jim Fee MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 13, 1988, MEETING. Jean Rydell seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. II. AGENDA ADDITION - REQUEST TO FLOOD LAKE HARVEY Mr. Kojetin indicated a letter written to Mr. Christianson by Mr. Bruce Soderling requesting the City to flood Lake Harvey. Mr. Soderling asked the Park Board to consider supporting his request for help in maintaining the ice facility on Lake Harvey. It is currently being used by many kids ranging in age from 6 to 18 years. The neighbors are shoveling and maintaining the ice. Mr. Soderling proposes that the City use the fire hydrant and lightly flood the area as an experiment. Mr. Soderling estimates it could be low cost --probably taking only one to two hours per week on the City's part. Mr. Christianson confirmed Mr. Soderling is asking the City to flood and not to sweep or remove snow. Mr. John Harris, Golf Terrace neighbor, said they are not even asking for a flooding, but a fogging to make a better surface. Mr. Fee asked if this area was maintained by the City at one time. Mr. Kojetin answered yes; the High School hockey team used to practice down there. Mr. Harris said they are not asking for equipment to go out onto the ice, but they would like to try a cooperative effort for the rest of this year to see how much use it gets. A number of children can walk to the Lake Harvey area who would otherwise have to go to Arden Park. Mr. Soderling added people walk across the foot bridge from the west side of Highway 100 to use Lake Harvey since they do not have a rink in their neighborhood. Mr. Fee asked if the City is currently flooding Wooddale Park. Mr. Kojetin said yes, but there has not been a lot of use. - 1 - Mr. Christianson pointed out that Wooddale Park is a higher level of maintenance than Mr. Soderling and Mr. Harris are asking for. Mrs. Furlong mentioned the time a request like this was made in her neighborhood, the City said they would have to have insurance. Mr. Kojetin explained the reason for insurance in Mrs. Furlong's situation is because it was private property. The Lake Harvey property is owned by the State; however, if the City maintains it, we become liable. Mr. Kojetin then gave a brief history of other similar requests. We haven't been successful in flooding lakes. It takes a long time to flood, sometimes the water does not adhere to the ice, the water is apt to go into the cracks damaging the surface, and the soil conditions under our ponds is generally poor. For these reasons, we have tried to stay away from flooding and maintaining ponds, but we are getting requests. Some other areas have been turned down, i.e. the south side of Lake Cornelia, the pond near Lake Cornelia, Nancy Lake, a pond north of Nancy Lake, and York Park. Residents have used the other end of Lake Harvey as a hockey rink, but Mr. Kojetin is not sure if the neighbors flooded it or not. We have had a pretty good winter for lake ice. With the temperatures below zero, the ice is getting thicker; to maintain it with flooding could damage the surface. Fogging would be effective since a skating area on Lake Cornelia was successfully fogged for the Centennial celebration. Mr. Keprios commented it is important to be sure all the snow is swept before you flood ideally with a tractor. Mr. Christianson asked what a periodic flooding or fogging would cost. Mr. Kojetin responded currently our maintenance men work from 5 am to 2 pm and could probably flood sometime during the morning. It could possibly take two to three hours per rink to maintain each. What takes time is fogging since you have to fog, wait, and fog it again. Some rinks receive eight to nine fogs per day currently on the rinks. A person can put some water down, but it will not be quality. It takes some time to do it. Mr. Jenkins asked if the Park Department has the time and the labor. Mr. Kojetin said it puts a burden on the maintenance men; something else gets less attention. It may lower the quality of some of our maintained rinks. Mr. Christianson confirmed there would not be any additional cost such as overtime, but there may be a cost in the sense that other things may not be done. Mr. Kojetin said that is right. Mrs. Furlong asked Mr. Soderling and Mr. Harris their reaction to this conversation. Mr. Harris said if you decide not to flood, than we still will flood by running hoses across the street to fulfill a commitment to the kids. He stated the ice will be ready to flood when you are down there if you decide to do so. Mr. Kojetin said the soft water from your house makes better quality of ice. Mr. Soderling would be surprised if it takes three hours to flood the ice area. Mr. Kojetin said the key is the soft water; it takes longer with hard water which comes out of the hydrant. Mr. Harris said the skating rink at Cornelia school is the best ice he has seen in years. Mr. Soderling said fogging once a week would probably be adequate such as Thursday morning which would carry over the weekend. - 2 - IV. PORTION TAKEN FROM JANUARY 10, 1989 PARK BOARD MINUTES Mr. Lord asked if it would be helpful for Mr. Soderling and Mr. Harris to have access to our equipment. Mr. Kojetin said he is very reluctant to have anyone other than an employee open up the fire hydrant. Mr. Harris said there isn't much more of the skating season. A number of kids have moved in the neighborhood, and it does get quite a lot of use. He is looking at it as an experiment. Mr. Christianson asked if the staff has any position or recommendation on this. Mr. Kojetin said we are coming into an era of using rinks now more than ever. We are going to get these requests for a few years. We may consider to maintain these pond areas. Mr. Fee asked how much activity is at Wooddale Park's ice rink. Mr. Kojetin said very little. Mr. Fee asked if that is due to lack of a warming house. Mr. Kojetin said it may have a little to do with it, but you aren't going to have activity unless there is nice weather. A weekend of 35 degrees will bring everybody out skating. Mr. Fee asked if the Wooddale area would be flooded in the future. Mr. Kojetin said at this time he would recommend not flooding Wooddale Park again since it is not getting the use. Mr. Jenkins asked if other rinks are also not getting use. Mr. Kojetin said Heights Park, York Park, and McGuire Park are flooded areas that are not getting a lot of use but the neighbors request it every year. Mr. Christianson pointed out these rinks are maintained. Mr. Kojetin said that is correct. Jean Rydell MOVED WE FOG THE LAKE HARVEY POND ONCE A WEEK ON A MUTUALLY AGREEABLE DAY THROUGH THE END OF THE SKATING SEASON ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS. Itti Furlong seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. OPEN SPACE PURCHASE REQUEST - LAND EAST OF 4700 TOWNES ROAD Mr. Christianson welcomed Mr. Jack Rice, new Council member, to the Park Board meeting. Mr. Kojetin mentioned this open space request came to the attention of the Planning Department and the Council in December. Mr. Kojetin reviewed the background of the 1975 Open Space Report and reviewed some of the comments that were made on the northeast section of the City in relationship to open space. One of the basic recommendations within the Open Space Report indicated that if any property became available within the old Country Club area, this property be considered for possible open space or recreational parkland. Since the report was made, we have acquired the 44th Street Property and the Wooddale Park site in the old Country Club area. The report specifically did not indicate other open space areas in the White Oaks/Townes Road area. This was on the report only that a meadow owned by the neighbors was available as open space in the White Oaks area. Mr. Kojetin reviewed the enclosed packet of information that was distributed to the Park Board from Mr. Conner Schmid representing the White Oaks neighborhood association. The piece of land in question is a buildable lot within a water storage easement area. The City has an easement of approximately 80 percent of the water storage area which is adequate for water storage in the area and is now being reviewed by the Engineering Department to see if it is a large enough water storage area. The lot in question is a private and buildable lot with some modifications which would not, in my understanding, destroy the water storage area. The main issues are: Do we have enough open space within the White Oaks area at the present time; does the present lot number 1 give us adequate open space if lot number 9 was built on; would the Park Board acquire lot number 9 to keep the whole pond for future open space area. - 3 - PORTION TAKEN FROM JANUARY 10, 1989 PARK BOARD MINUTES Mrs. Rydell asked if the property has to be filled in by a builder, what does that do to the drainage. Mr. Kojetin said there still will be adequate drainage. Mrs. Furlong has talked to a lot of people about it. She feels strongly it should be maintained as open space. The uniqueness of the area being wooded and so close to 50th and France makes it very valuable as a homeowner. Mr. Fee asked for the feeling of the Planning Commission. Mrs. Joyce Repya, City Associate Planner, said they feel in order to build on this lot, the builder would have to maintain a certain amount of easement. There will be tight constraints they have to abide by. It is not an easily buildable lot. Mrs. Furlong said tighter constraints make a greater chance that something undesirable will happen. Mr. Montgomery asked how different is this area to the open space by Jerry's that is now Vernon Oaks Condominiums. Mr. Kojetin indicated that there is no difference. That property was a buildable lot, was not owned by the City, and there was adequate drainage in the area. Mr. Christianson said the only way that the lot can be kept as open space is if the City acquires it, the owner donates it to the City, or such restrictions are placed on the lot that it would not be built for many years. The issue becomes how much is the City able to pay, and how much does the City want to pay. Mr. Fee asked if a price has been established. Mrs. Repya said Mr. Schmid's letter suggested $500 or more could be donated by the neighbors. and a possible price could be as much as $75,000 but is not known for sure. Mr. Kojetin asked if we need more open space in that area. In our report of the year 2000, the questions of open space will be heavily addressed. Another consideration could be are there pieces of property we could sell. Mr. Christianson said the theory is once it is gone it is gone. He continued, there is a precedent with the Krahl Hill deal --the neighborhood came up with about 10 percent of the cost. If we use the Krahl Hill purchase as a guideline and the White Oaks neighborhood came up with about $7,500, then there would be some precedent if this is desirable as open space. He would be reluctant to vary the approach to the arrangement. The current market value of the property is not known at this time. Mr. Jenkins asked if the owner continues to own this property, is there a possibility that he would not want to build in the future. Mr. Kojetin indicated that the concern of the neighbors now is that a builder wants to purchase the property and build on the lot. Now the owner is reluctant to sell, and there is litigation going on between the builder and the owner at this time. Mr. Christianson said the issues seem to be whether or not this is open space that ought to be acquired and should the City acquire it. The maps indicate there is a lot of open space now covered by a permanent drainage easement preventing any future development. This was not included in the 1975 open space study. Mr. Rice stated it wasn't included in the study because it was never considered as something other than marshland therefore unbuildable. - 4 - V. PORTION TAKEN FROM JANUARY 10, 1989 PARK BOARD MINUTES Mr. Fee asked if we are in a position to make a recommendation since there is litigation between the seller and the buyer. Mr. Kojetin said the Council wanted the Park Board to take a look at the situation. Bill Jenkins MOVED TO TABLE THE DISCUSSION UNTIL AFTER THE CURRENT LITIGATION IS COMPLETED. Jim Fee seconded the motion and added if Andron (buyer) is successful in backing out of the purchase, we should talk to Mr. Monroe (owner) about donating it or what he wants to do with it. MOTION CARRIED. STRATEGIC PLANNING Mr. Kojetin indicated the Council thought it was a good report and asked to have it presented it at the Park Board to hear its comments. Mr. Keprios said the City does have a comprehensive plan now but it is not adequate, and this report would be a part of the comprehensive plan. Other cities such as Eden Prairie and Eagan are reviewing and updating their comprehensive plans and have hired consultants to work on the plans. It was suggested at the Council meeting that the plan be re -named. Mrs. Furlong suggested "A Commitment to Quality -- A Future Plan for Edina's Parks". Mr. Christianson sensed the Council is looking for some kind of report by this time next year. This outline looks like it could take longer. Mr. Keprios said we may consider hiring a consultant. Mr. Kojetin said some of the items have been covered in the Task Force Report, so they would not have to be re -studied again. Mr. Christianson asked if the Council established any kind of time frame for a finished report. Mr. Kojetin said probably they are expecting a report within a year. Mr. Rice noted the areas dealing with the future could be addressed in a proposed Futures Commission. He suggested waiting to see what the Mayor has in mind for the Futures Commission. Mr. Keprios said this is just a recommendation of the staff's interpretation of the work program assignment. Mr. Montgomery asked where is the part relating to the programs that we plan to run for the people? Mr. Keprios said that is Roman numeral VI. Mrs. Furlong suggested starting with number III, Goals and Priorities. Item number VI, Programming Needs, could be seen as a third section under Goals and Priorities. She sees the Task Force Report as a resource tool for this assignment. Mr. Jenkins said number II, Involving Community Organizations, has already been done by the Task Force. Mr. Kojetin said number II includes some items that we did not address directly with the athletic associations in the survey such as personally interviewing or talking to the athletic boards. That might be something to expand on in number I, Review the Task Force Report. Mr. Jenkins stated a survey was sent to the athletic associations but the return response was very minimal. Mr. Fee suggested taking it back to the athletic associations and explaining that this is the final part of the plan to the Council. Mrs. Furlong said another possibility could be to decide on Park Board members to go out to these association boards and get their feedback. That would bring people in early before the plan is established. - 5 - Mr. Fee asked what kind of continuity is there in the athletic associations. Mr. Keprios said one-third of the board changes once a year. Mr. Kojetin said we have continuity since we have a staff person attending each athletic association meeting. Mr. Christianson suggested working on number III first with the three categories and assigning each category to a committee. At the April meeting be prepared to discuss each committee's progress formulate a final report on number III. Mr. Keprios suggested that capital improvements become a fourth subdivision. Mrs. Repya said Mr. Larsen, City Planner, thought that would be the'last item to work with. The board split into three committees as follows: (* Chairperson) Park and Open Space Acreage: *Itti Furlong, Bill Jenkins, Bob Christianson Park Development: *Bill Lord, Jim Fee, Don Wineberg, Mac Thayer Recreation Programming: *Andy Montgomery, Jean Rydell, Scott Johnson Mrs. Furlong asked if we work on individual goals in our area? Mr. Christianson said yes. Mr. Fee asked if we should contact the associations. Mr. Christianson responded we should get our own plan started and come to some preliminary conclusions. VI. RENTING/LEASING POLICY Mr. Keprios reviewed that Dekhockey is still waiting on approval from the Council. The council is waiting on adoption of a renting/leasing policy. Mr. Lord suggested we approve the policies as written in "Renting/Leasing Park and Recreation Department Facilities". Mr. Jenkins said it is well stated and says it all. Bill Jenkins MOVED TO APPROVE AND RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL THE RENTING/LEASING GUIDELINES AS WRITTEN AND RE -SUBMIT APPROVAL OF DEKHOCKEY SINCE IT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS. Jean Rydell seconded the motion. Mr. Montgomery asked about the statement in the guidelines, "Is the individual, group, or organization Edina based/Edina taxpayers." Mr. Keprios said it is a consideration, not an elimination. Mr. Lord said it leaves it up to the staff. Mr. Montgomery indicated we had already approved this in the November board meeting. Does it have to be re -submitted to the Council. Mr. Kojetin said no, we do not have to have a motion to re -submit dekhockey. Jim Fee MOVED TO ELIMINATE THE PART OF THE MOTION THAT SAID RE -SUBMIT APPROVAL OF DEKHOCKEY. Jean Rydell seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. AMENDED MOTION CARRIED. VII. OTHER BRAEMAR BASEBALL COMPLEX RE -NAMED Mr. Kojetin distributed a sheet showing how our parks were named. Mr. Kojetin indicated a suggestion has come to him to re -name the Braemar Baseball Complex the "C. Wayne Courtney Ballfields". He also mentioned that the 44th Street Property could be re -named after Mr. Courtney since it is so close to his home. Mr. Kojetin added that the Braemar Clubhouse is named the Warren Hyde Clubhouse which is a named facility within a park which is a similar situation with the Braemar Baseball Complex. - 6 - Bill Lord MOVED THAT THE BRAEMAR BASEBALL COMPLEX BE RENAMED TO THE C. WAYNE COURTNEY BALLFIELDS. Bill Jenkins seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Kojetin also mentioned a suggestion to present Mr. Courtney with a lifetime pass to the Park and Recreation facilities which was done for Mr. Hyde and Mr. Dalen. Jim Fee MOVED TO GIVE A LIFETIME PASS TO MR. COURTNEY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE RE -NAMING OF THE BASEBALL FIELDS. Bill Jenkins seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Kojetin mentioned the possibility of naming the shelter building at Lake Cornelia Park after Joan Lonsbury since she donated the fountain in Lake Cornelia in memory of her husband, Jack. The board decided to wait until a later time to make a recommendation. ARNESON ACRES LASTING MEMORIAL UPDATE Mr. Kojetin reviewed a set of first phase plans that have been drawn for the lasting memorial at the Arneson home. Mr. Kojetin indicated that when the Wooddale School was demolished, many artifacts and portions of the building were retained by the Historical Society in anticipation that they would be introduced into the design of the addition to the Arneson home. As Mr. Kojetin noted on the plans, the original windows above the doors were part of the original Wooddale School along with the doors that were saved from Wooddale School. Other artifacts that have been left will also be introduced into the design. This plan is a first concept and more work has to be done on the plans. At this time, the Council has not made any final reaction to go ahead with the project until the Centennial Commission has submitted its final report and donation. At the present time, a round figure of the cost could be in the range of $200,000 to $300,000. FACILITY CONSTRUCTION UPDATES Mr. Jenkins asked what is the status of the Art Center addition. Mr. Kojetin said it is still in committee. Mr. Fee asked about the status of Braemar Arena. Mr. Kojetin indicated that we are on schedule and hoping that it will be completed by March 1, but there have been some problems within the sprinkler system that have come to our attention in regards to sprinkling the main arena area and the first floor area since it was not originally planned to be sprinkled. Now we are finding out that all these areas are required by code to be sprinkled. This subject has been under discussion by staff for the last couple months. To resolve the problem, we will incur additional charges to the original construction cost. There have been some minor changes within the overall construction that are also going to increase the costs; however, the total fee is not known. If an estimate is based on the sprinkler system of the old Braemar arena, it could be as high as $40,000 of additional cost. When more information is gathered, we will bring it back to the Park Board for consideration. Mr. Montgomery mentioned the spectacular final Centennial event on December 30, the thank you party for the volunteers. He said it was better than Edinamite. Mr. Keprios mentioned the recent insurance report saying we have to place fire extinguishers in each warming house and the hockey nets at Todd Park have to be removed. Mr. Fee suggested talking with someone else at the insurance company to see if an alternate plan can be established. VII. ADJOURNMENT Andrew Montgomery MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 9:20 P.M. Jean Rydell seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. - 7 -