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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-02-14 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD -30 p.m. :bruary 14, 1989 ,diva City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Bill Lord, Andrew Montgomery, Bill Jenkins, Jim Fee, Jean Rydell, Mac Thayer, Don Wineberg MEMBERS ABSENT: Itti Furlong, Scott Johnson STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Susan Weigle, Larry Thayer, John Valliere, Stacey Kness OTHERS PRESENT: Joanne Demco, Roseann Anderson, Margit Ferguson, Elsie Hoffharber, Tass von Schmidt -Pauli Bob Christianson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. I. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 10, 1989, MEETING MINUTES Jean Rydell MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 10, 1989, MEETING. Mac Thayer seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. II. SENIOR CENTER BUS TRANSPORTATION Susan Weigle, Senior Center Coordinator, stated the new Senior Center location is acceptable, but many people cannot get there. Ms. Weigle proposed to the Park Board to recommend increasing the transportation program to get the seniors to the Center for congregate dining. Ms. Weigle then introduced Joanne Demco of Volunteers of America, the organization running the congregate dining program. Mrs. Demco stated congregate dining enables seniors to get out of the house. Volunteers of America has been offering this service in Edina for 11 years. Last year they served 22,000 meals to people of which approximately 30 percent are below the poverty level in Edina. The suggested donation is $1.25 for each congregate meal. The majority of congregate diners is quite old and frail. The average age throughout the Anoka -Hennepin area is 74 years; the average age in Edina is 77 years. Congregate dining is an opportunity for people to come together to have lunch which is more like a dinner. For many people it is the main meal of the day; most come for socialization. Volunteers of America's funding comes from Metropolitan Council. Mrs. Demco is encouraged with the new Senior Center location, but the key to a successful congregate dining program is transportation. She strongly urged the Park Board to consider the request. Mr. Jenkins asked if there were transportation problems at the previous site. Mrs. Demco answered we were in a high rise area with many seniors close by, so there was not the same problem. We were serving 90 people per day. Mr. Christianson asked how many people are being served now. Mrs. Demco said congregate dining has only been offered for a week at the new site, so averages have not been figured. Approximately 30 people have attended each day. Mr. Wineberg asked how many programs does Volunteers of America serve. Mrs. Demco said congregate dining is being offered at 42 locations. Mr. Christianson asked if the numbers of people are down because of the new location. Elsie Hoffharber, the congregate dining coordinator at the Senior Center, indicated she had looked through old records to see how many people had come from the large complexes on York Avenue. Transportation was easy at that time. Many people would love to come from the York Avenue area but cannot get to the new Center. Of - 1 - the present participants, many people drive or live in the immediate neighborhood. Those who need the congregate dining service the most are the ones now who cannot come. Mr. Kojetin indicated the City will be subsidizing 20 cents per meal instead of the originally proposed 50 cents per meal. Mr. Kojetin has contacted the School District to discuss the cost per day of renting a bus to transport people in the York Avenue area (7200 York, 7400 York, 3400 Parklawn, 7500 York, and 7151 York) to and from the Center. Approximately 54 people have expressed a need for rides to the center and back each day. The School District would charge $35 per day for a school bus which can accommodate 50 people. The per day rate comes to $9100 per year since meals are served 260 days per year. Mr. Kojetin indicated several different options for this need. We could consider charging 50 cents daily which would lower the yearly cost to $2800. If this is favorable, we could be looking at an increase in our operating budget. The present bus holds ten people and makes three runs to average 27 people per day being transported to and from the Center. This bus picks up people in isolated areas of the City that are not close to the York Avenue area. Ms. Weigle said there are 60 new members since we have opened. 80 percent of the new members have been in the 55424 and 55436 zip code areas of the city. Mr. Christianson asked if there is a charge for the present bus. Ms. Weigle said no, and we use volunteer drivers. Mrs. Rydell asked how many people using congregate dining live below the poverty level. Mrs. Demco said if people were coming from the York Avenue side of town, a charge for the bus could be a problem for them. Mr. Wineberg said there could be a problem with one bus charging and the other bus being free. Mr. Christianson asked if there are any other sources of funds available such as grants. Mrs. Demco said she does not have money in her budget, but the West Metro Transportation project does have some funds for other communities. Mr. Christianson asked if it is possible to contact them for funding. Mrs. Demco said it would take about a year to go through the request process. Ms. Weigle indicated Paratransit charges $10 per year and $1 each way for handicapped riders. Mr. Christianson said if we received funding from West Metro, we could not charge anything but there could be a suggested donation. Mrs. Demco said sometimes West Metro gives qualifying cities a van, and the city has to come up with a driver. They have limited dollars. Mr. Christianson asked Mrs.'Demco if a charge was levied for bus transportation and if it caused the participants to make a smaller donation to the congregate dining program, would it adversely affect your program. Mrs. Demco said her grant would absorb it because they feel the program is beneficial. Mr. Jenkins asked what is the largest number of people you could serve. Mrs. Demco said 100. Mr. Kojetin asked Elsie if there had been any comment on the Center being located on the third floor. Elsie said she has not heard any negative comments on the location. People are just glad there is a center available. Mr. Kojetin added the handicap accessible elevator could be completed by May 15. - 2 - Mr. Jenkins asked if there is a pocket of seniors in the City we could be missing. Mr. Kojetin said the Summit Hill complex may be interested. Roseann Anderson, active Senior Center member, indicated many people in the 7151 York building are unhappy with the re -location. There are 55 people from the 7151 building who attended congregate dining regularly. They would be happy to do it again since congregate dining brightens their day. Ms. Weigle shared some examples of individuals who benefit greatly from congregate dining who depend on outside transportation to get to the Senior Center. Mr. Christianson said there are several questions to be answered: do we proceed with transportation; on what basis; and how long. Mr. Lord asked if there are any funds in the Park and Recreation budget that could be utilized. Mr. Kojetin said there could be $3,000 available to go towards a transportation program. Mr. Christianson suggested subsidizing a program on a trial basis and continued trying to get funds then revisit the issue. Mr. Montgomery asked if Ms. Weigle had solicited churches for any contributions. Ms. Weigle said we do count on churches for people from the VEAP program. Mr. Jenkins said $3000 is a full year at 50 cents per person per ride. Is it an option to run the bus for four months without charging the riders while we consider other revenue sources. Ms. Weigle said she would like to see what happens if we establish a trial transportation program. Mrs. Demco said four moths would give us the opportunity to prove we have a need when considering other options. Don Wineberg moved THAT THE PARK BOARD WORK WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ON A FOUR-MONTH TRIAL BASIS TO RENT A BUS FOR SENIOR CENTER TRANSPORTATION. Bill Lord seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Christianson added the four months must be used as an opportunity to explore other options, monitor how the service is being used, and report back to the Park Board after three months so we can see where the program is. Possibly in meantime the city staff can investigate some other sources of revenue outside of our annual budget. Mr. Keprios said if the future brings free transportation for the able bodies, how will the handicapped population respond. Mr. Christianson said but they use special equipment and they are taken to wherever they want to go. That really is a different situation not to be compared with our situation. III. NAMING OF THE MASTER PLAN Mr. Kojetin distributed a sheet with several suggested plan names. Mr. Wineberg asked that "Jupiter" be added as a suggestion. Mr. Kojetin asked the Park Board members to think about these names and be prepared to discuss them at the next meeting. IV. GOLF COURSE UPDATE Mr. Kojetin indicated a final layout has not yet been accomplished. Mr. Valliere said we are trying to come up with a plan that will please all three agencies (Corps of Engineers, Watershed District, and the Department of Natural Resources). The layout problems stem from the hill on the east side of the ridge. - 3 - It was asked how the layout delay will affect the estimated opening date. Mr. Valliere indicated we are slightly off the target date of the summer of 1990. Construction may begin this summer on the high and dry areas and continue with the low areas in the winter of 1989. He said we are about two months behind. Mr. Christianson asked how does the delay impact the revenue projections. Mr. Kojetin indicated if we open in the spring of 1991 or late fall of 1990, we would be able to meet the debt service since there is not a big payment until 1992. Mr. Wineberg asked if the changes in the 9 -hole course will affect the 18 -hole course at all. Mr. Valliere said there are only two holes that may be slightly changed. Mr. Kojetin distributed a Financial Bonding sheet and said the Council is receiving this handout at the next Council meeting on recommending bids for bonds. We would not take money out of the 18 -hole course to finance other areas of Braemar. Referring to the handout, Mr. Montgomery asked why the 9 -hole course shows a larger net income before debt service than the 18 -hole course. Mr. Kojetin explained because we are putting more money in capital improvement at the 18 -hole course such as building new tees and improving greens and fairways. That money has been taken out of the net. For example, in 1989, $95,000 will be used for equipment replacement, green and tee improvements, and old clubhouse equipment upgrade. Mr. Christianson asked how many years we will be paying the $597,000 debt service. Mr. Kojetin said for 20 years. The total bond consists of the original clubhouse construction, Arena remodeling, the golf dome purchase, and $2.1 million for the new 9 -hole course and parking lot. Mr. Christianson asked the total amount of the bond issue. Mr. Kojetin said the total bond debt service would be $12 million. Mr. Christianson asked if there are any figures on the golf dome. Mr. Kojetin said the year-to-date income is $133,000 which is up $20,000 over last year. We do not have the final figures audited from 1988 yet, but we are doing very well. Mr. Valliere indicated we are on a good track right now. Mr. Jenkins referred to the handout and asked where the income at the arena comes from. Mr. Kojetin said this is the net before depreciation. V. ARENA UPDATE Mr. Kojetin indicated State Code says buildings must be sprinkled according to their size. The Arena West (original arena) falls into the size category that must be sprinkled. The Fire Department also recommends that we loop and connect the two water lines at the arena. The proposal is to continue the loop line to 78th Street along 169 (old County Road 18). The reason for this recommendation is if the Courtney Fields are being automatically irrigated over night and there is a fire at the arena, there may not be enough pressure to activate the sprinkler system. Connecting the two lines would eliminate this possibility. Mr. Christianson asked about the cost of sprinkling and looping the water lines. Larry Thayer indicated it could cost $29,000 to sprinkle the West Arena. The loop would be charged per foot from hydrant to hydrant. Mr. Kojetin said it could be $50,000 just for the loop. Mr. Christianson asked if that would come out of our budget. Mr. Kojetin said we propose that some City Water funds could assist with the cost. - 4 - Request for use of Braemar West Arena Mr. Thayer distributed a memo regarding Edina High School's request to use Braemar Arena for 1989 commencement. He indicated the only modifications needed are removing the glass and two 8 -foot sections of boards. He feels it is a goodwill factor on our part. It is not a money-maker for us, but we can accommodate their request. In the past, their alternative sites have been very small and not very nice. They will own and store the floor covering. Mr. Kojetin said the total capacity of the Arena would allow for about seven guests per graduate which the School District feels is adequate. Mr. Thayer said they will have to have very tight ticket control so they do not exceed the maximum of 3600 people. Mr. Christianson confirmed that the School District will pay for all out-of-pocket expenses i.e. employee preparation time, any modifications that will have to be made, and they will provide the floor covering. Mr. Thayer said that is correct. Mr. Jenkins asked what the arena is being used for at that time of year. Mr. Thayer said our two facility ice season is normally down to one sheet of ice at that time of year, so it is convenient to be shutting down one of the two. Mr. Christianson indicated it is a goodwill factor and there is nothing out of our budget. Jim Fee MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO HONOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S REQUEST TO CONDUCT THE 1989 COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES IN BRAEMAR ARENA. Don Wineberg seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. I. VAN VALKENBURG PARK UPDATE Mr. Kojetin introduced John Keprios to give an update and review the plans of the proposed Van Valkenburg control building and fencing for the softball fields. Mr. Keprios reviewed the plans of the control building. He indicated the lack of funds to complete the entire project with lights this year. Instead of installing lights, fencing, and the building, we are going to accept bids on the building and the fencing. The balance of 1989's capital dollars is $195,206. Mr. Keprios indicated some architectural drawings of the building. It will have a 15' x 34' meeting room/concession area on the ground floor with restrooms and a storage and mechanical room. The upper floor will have scoring and control rooms for all three fields. The entire building will be heated and air conditioned. Mr. Jenkins asked what the meeting room will be used for. Mr. Keprios said it will be used for managers meetings, association meetings, tournaments, trophy distribution, concession area, etc. Mr. Valliere asked if there are funds available to make the meeting area larger. Mr. Keprios said the proposed size of the room is adequate. It will also be used as an eating and gathering place when not being used for meetings. Mr. Keprios indicated the anticipated cost of the building is $160,000 and the fencing is $30-40,000. It could cost an additional $110,000 to light all three fields. It could cost $316,000 to totally complete the project; we are short $120,000. Mr. Christianson asked if the park will be operational without lights. Mr. Keprios said yes, it will be operational. Mr. Kojetin mentioned we can install lighting one field at a time. We can build the lights into the budget. Without lights, two games can be played on each field; with lights, four games can be played on each field. - 5 - Mr. Jenkins asked if there is any way the entire project can be completed at one time such as adding it to the bond. Mr. Keprios said Van Valkenburg Park is not a revenue facility and would not be eligible for this type of bond. Mr. Montgomery asked when the fields will be playable. Mr. Keprios said the 1990 season is the target date. With construction of the building and fencing, it would be difficult to safely conduct the entire 1989 season. VII. CITY COUNCIL MEETING UPDATE Mr. Keprios attended the February 6, 1989, City Council meeting and updated the Park Board on key issues. He indicated the Council does not want a rigid policy on renting and leasing park facilities. They are looking for some guidelines. (see attached) The final answer to the Dekhockey proposal was negative. It was suggested at the Council meeting that more promotion of Lewis Park be done, specifically the blacktop area inside the hockey boards. Mr. Christianson stated we were asked to give the Council our recommendation on Dekhockey. He is disappointed about the outcome. Mr. Kojetin said the Park Board acted according to the Council's request and did their job. Mr. Christianson said it is unfortunate that Mr. Keprios was the sole representative of the Park Board's recommendations at the Council meeting. He stated some Park Board members should have been there. Mr. Keprios said it was okay; it was a good experience. VIII.OTHER Mr. Christianson indicated the Mayor's Award Reception on April 25 from 5 to 7 pm. He suggested the board members think about who they would like to nominate and wait for suggestions from the athletic associations and discuss this as an agenda item in March. Mr. Fee asked if Wally Irwin has received any awards in the past. Mr. Christianson said Mr. Irwin received the Community Endowment Award in 1987. Mr. Kojetin indicated at the February 6, 1989, Council meeting, the Council recommended looking into purchasing the property in the White Oaks neighborhood. The property's assessed value is $26,600. The Council recommended that the neighborhood association come up with 50 percent of the assessed value. Mr. Conner Schmid indicated to Mr. Kojetin that the neighbors have collected $8,000. They would have to come up with $13,000 if the City could purchase the property at $26,600. IX. ADJOURNMENT Bill Jenkins MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 9:30 PM. Jim Fee seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. ITEMS FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL: Don Wineberg moved THAT THE PARK BOARD WORK WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ON A FOUR-MONTH TRIAL BASIS TO RENT A BUS FOR SENIOR CENTER TRANSPORTATION. Bill Lord seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. Jim Fee MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO HONOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S REQUEST TO CONDUCT THE 1989 COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES IN BRAEMAR ARENA. Don Wineberg seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. - 6 -