HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-03-08 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD
7:30 p.m.
March 8, 1988
Edina City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Jim Fee, Jean Rydell, Don Wineberg, Jim Moe
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mac Thayer, Bill Lord, Andrew Montgomery
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Larry Thayer, Bill Bach, Stacey Kness
Bob Christianson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 16, 1988
Jim Fee MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 16, 1988, MEETING. Jean Rydell
seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
II. HEDBERG PROPERTY
Ken Rosland gave a presentation on the Hedberg Property. He reported that the
council approved tax increment for this project. The Hedberg project, a mixed use
district, is under United Properties. One of the goals is to get traffic off France
Avenue. There is a ten-year full development plan including 1300 housing units. The
Council has not approved what type of housing will be in the project yet. The first
phase includes 285 housing units. Also included in Phase I is moving the Southdale
Theater, constructing a medical building, retail stores, an athletic club, and a
350,000 to 400,000 square feet office building. The Hedberg project will have 26
acres of parkland including the man-made lake with bicycle and walking trails and
some type of transit system. In the summer months, some activities in park will be:
outdoor amphitheater, tot lot with wading beach, shuffleboard, lawn bowling,
horseshoes, and environmental golf (putting). Some winter activities are ice
skating, ice sculptures, sleigh rides, sledding, and possibly supervised tubing.
Fire pits and a warming house will also be available. Five million dollars will be
committed to the trust fund over the term of the development. Park maintenance will
be supported by yearly contributions: each housing unit pays $15 per month per unit,
the retail units and the athletic club will pay .10 per square foot, the office
buildings will pay .20 per square foot. This is a total of about $350,000 towards
maintenance of the park.
The transit system bus route would be from Edinborough Park through the interior of
Hedberg, Gabberts, Southdale, Fairview Hospital, Municipal Pool, then turn around and
return. It would be free to the riders. It would cost about .03 to .04 per square
foot for all participants in this system.
Mr. Wineberg asked if the West 77th Street and Parklawn bridges were walking or
vehicular bridges. Mr. Rosland said the pedestrians would cross under the road, and
the vehicles would go over the bridge.
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Mr. Christianson asked if this project will siphon off funds that would otherwise by
used to maintain other existing parks. Mr. Rosland said we are trying to put some
money back into the system. With the 8 to 9 million dollars in the trust fund, we
will be able to not only maintain this park and Edinborough, but possibly put dollars
back into the park system.
Mrs. Rydell asked where the water will come from and do you have to get water
purification. Mr. Rosland said this will be storm sewer water and may have to be
augmented with well water. The lake has to be there because it is a water storage
area for that part of the City.
Mr. Moe stated he is a little disturbed that we are spending this kind of money on
top of Edinborough to'encourage families and children to move into the Richfield
school district. Mr. Rosland explained that the concept is when these people do seek
a home, they will move into the city of Edina. The housing units will be marketed
towards young people that have lived in the'city.
Mr. Wineberg asked if an automated transit
and Atlanta Airports has been considered.
it would lose its flexibility.
III. BRAEMAR PAVILION
system similar to the Dallas -Fort Worth
Mr. Rosland said it would be expensive and
Mr. Kojetin stated the refrigeration equipment and the main header in the floor at
Braemar Pavilion has completely broken down. Mr. Larry Thayer stated February 28 was
the initial breakdown. He had been adding Glycol to the system every four weeks
during the winter and then it blew last week. We scheduled the remaining two weeks
into the Arena. Mr. Kojetin said nobody lost a game or a practice. Last fall when
the chiller broke down, we removed the coil from the chiller and welded all the holes
making a temporary repair. Mr. Kojetin said that Mr. Rosland and the staff are
working right now on an immediate needs and a future upgrading of the Braemar
Pavilion and complex which was started by the citizen committee a couple years ago.
In some of our preliminary meetings, we have received some basic information on what
it would cost to just start up the facility in the fall.
Mr. Fee asked what is the cost. Mr. Kojetin said this would cost $650,000 for basic
start up. Mr. Larry Thayer said it would cost $650,000 for the refrigeration
equipment and floor alone to be repaired.
IV. TENTH ANNUAL VOLUNTEER AWARDS NIGHT
The annual volunteer awards night will be held on April 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the
Braemar Clubhouse. We will hold the Park Board meeting after the presentation. Mr.
Christianson would like Joan Lonsbury to receive the highest award. Mr. Kojetin
agrees with that, but Joan has already received that award. Mr. Christianson said
Marilyn Wooldridge is the logical person to receive that award then. Mrs. Rydell
asked if there is something else we can do for Joan Lonsbury. Mr. Kojetin said there
could be another category possibly in the Mayor's Awards.
Don Wineberg MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT MARILYN WOOLDRIDGE RECEIVE THE MAYOR'S
COMMENDATION AWARD AND THAT JOAN LONSBURY RECEIVE THE PARK AND RECREATION AWARD.
Jean Rydell seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
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V. BRAEMAR INSPECTION TOUR 1988
The Park Board decided on Tuesday, July 12, for the upcoming Inspection Tour. There
will be no Park Board meeting that month unless something comes up.
VI. ARNESON ACRES REMODELING UPDATE
Mr. Kojetin stated that the architect had to come back in after the terrace room
ceiling and walls were removed to investigate the beam structure. Because of the
211x6" ceiling joists and the weak structure, some steel work was needed in this
area. Also, to bring the building up to electrical code, it needed a new transformer
and new electrical panel. After the ceiling was removed, it was discovered that the
galvanized plumbing was in dire need of replacement due to all the years Mort Arneson
lived in the home and the pipes were frozen and patched. This replacement piping
caused a tremendous increase in price from the original estimate. The outside of the
home was painted five years ago and should have a new coat of paint. This is
normally done under the operating budget, but at this time it should probably be
included into the overall renovation of the home.
Mr. Fee said all this has to be done to meet code. Mr. Christianson asked what the
additional cost is. Mr. Kojetin said we will need an additional $25,000 from the
parkland dedication fund.
Jim Fee MOVED THAT THE ADDITIONAL $25,000 NEEDED FOR THE ARNESON ACRES HOME
IMPROVEMENT BE TAKEN FROM THE PARKLAND DEDICATION FUND. Don Wineberg seconded the
motion. MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Kojetin indicated that the parkland dedication fund was now at $387,687.86.
There was a possible suggestion during the budget process last year that in the
future, leave the principle of the developers dedication fund as is and take the
interest of the developers dedication fund out each year for some specific capital
improvements in the park system. There is still some land being platted within the
city but there are only a few left where developers dedication will possibly be
coming into this fund. This year the only money that was taken was for the
improvement to the Arneson Acres home.
Mr. Wineberg asked if this is being done mainly for the Garden Council and the
Historical Society. Mr. Kojetin stated it is more than that because it is a City
building, and we will rent it out to other groups in Edina and share the operating
expenses with the Garden Council and the Historical Society.
Mrs. Rydell asked how much money is donated into the fund by the developers. Mr.
Kojetin indicated that the developers pay 8 percent of the raw value of the land at
the time the property is platted. This land value formula is worked out by the
assessing Department.
VII. RECREATION REPORT
Mr. Keprios reported that the ski lessons at Hyland Hills are over. There will be
120 adult softball teams which is 2200 to 2400 individuals. There is a new co-rec
softball league on Monday nights instead of Sunday; they will be using a 14" ball.
The 1988 activities calendars are in residents' homes. Soccer and baseball
registration is going on now. The Gun Range has switched to its summer hours. It
looks like a brand new building with new carpeting and fresh paint. Since we hired
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the new manager, we have had more business than we've ever had. Girls' volleyball
begins next week. The joint powers agreement has been approved by all four
communities for the Adaptive Recreation Program. In three weeks we will be hiring
the new joint Adaptive Recreation staff person.
VIII.OTHER
Mr. Kojetin received a letter from Jim Hammond, Edina Schools, asking the Park Board
to consider helping the Edina Schools upgrade McCarthy Field at the Community
Center. They would like to install an irrigation system which would cost
approximately $24,000. Edina Schools can commit to $12,000 and are asking that
$12,000 from the City be considered. Mr. Keprios stated the City uses the field more
than the Edina High School. Lutheran High School and Maranatha Lutheran School (both
located in the Community Center building) use the field during the day for their
softball practices. Mr. Fee asked where are we going to get $12,000. Mr. Wineberg
said if we are using the field so much, we have an obligation. Mr. Keprios estimates
the City's use is one-third of the total use. Mr. Christianson stated this is
something we should consider in the budget process for next year. Whatever the
staff's recommendation is, we will take a look at it. The Park Board suggests that
this issue be brought back at the budget time for 1989. Mr. Christianson asked Mr.
Kojetin to let Dr. Hammond know what the Park Board's decision is.
Mr. Kojetin mentioned the recent Celebrate the Arts benefit held at Braemar Golf
Course Clubhouse. It profited $10,000 with total ticket sales and a silent auction.
This profit goes into the Art Center's operating budget,.
Mr. Wineberg mentioned that two or three people in the Wooddale Park area told him
that they have never seen anyone skating on the Wooddale skating rink. He also
mentioned that the Park and Recreation Task Force's questionnaire to Edina residents
will include questions on Braemar Arena. Maybe it will give us some ammunition.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Jean Rydell MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 9:25 P.M. Jim Moe seconded the motion. MOTION
CARRIED.
ITEMS FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL:
Jim Fee MOVED THAT THE ADDITIONAL $25,000 NEEDED FOR THE ARNESON ACRES HOME
IMPROVEMENT BE TAKEN FROM THE PARKLAND DEDICATION FUND. Don Wineberg seconded the
motion. MOTION CARRIED.
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