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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-06-12 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD 7:30 p.m. June 14, 1988 Arneson Acres Park MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Bill Lord, Jim Fee, Bill Jenkins, Andrew Montgomery, Don Wineberg, Jean Rydell, Mac Thayer, Itti Furlong MEMBERS ABSENT: James Moe STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, John Valliere, Sue Weigle, Stacey Kness OTHERS PRESENT: Joan Lonsbury, Tass Pauli Bob Kojetin showed the Park Board members the upstairs of the Arneson home which will be used by the Historical Society. Bob Christianson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE APRIL 26, 1988, MEETING Don Wineberg MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 26, 1988, MEETING. Jean Rydell seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. II. ARNESON ACRES TERRACE ROOM AND HOME IMPROVEMENT Mr. Kojetin gave a brief history of Arneson Acres Park. He indicated that the greenhouse was established in 1979. He also mentioned the agreement between the Edina Garden Council and Edina Historical Society. The lasting memorial from the Centennial activities is scheduled to build the addition on the house. When final finishing touches are added to the Terrace Room, it will be available for rental for group meetings. III. PRESENTATION OF THE TASK FORCE REPORT Joan Lonsbury, Chairperson of the Park and Recreation Task Force, stated the reason for the Task Force was to study recreational and park facilities in Edina. The Task Force Committee was appointed in December 1987, and their assignment was to provide an inventory of existing Park and Recreation facilities, to conduct a public opinion survey at the Task Force's option concerning Park and Recreation programs, maintenance, and fees and charges, to compare Edina's maintenance staffing budget with other cities or with accepted standards, conduct an independent audit concerning the present condition of parks and facilities, compare Edina's user fee structure with other cities, and to offer findings and recommendations. Mr. Wineberg was on the Public Opinion Survey subcommittee. He enlisted the help of Frazee Research Associates to measure park use and to get a feel from users on how the parks are maintained. The survey also gave information on the public's feelings on the current fee structure and any need for upgrading the arena, pavilion, and swimming pool. The survey was mailed to one in ten households which totaled 1824 questionnaires. 568 of the 1824 questionnaires were returned. The same questionnaire was mailed to all directors of athletic associations which totaled 169 people. Of this direct mailing, 81 questionnaires were returned. The first mailing went out April 4, 1988, with returns accepted - 1 - until May 4, 1988. Return rate was 30 percent which is a good return rate. The athletic associations directors return rate was only 48 percent. Highlights: 85 percent of the respondents use our parks. 80 percent use them for unorganized participation, 60 percent use the special facilities, 18 percent participate in youth athletic programs, 12 percent participate in City recreation programs. 37 percent of this group consider their households as high to moderate users. Most were positive on their ratings. 16 percent believe that additional programs or facilities are needed. 77 percent believe the fee structure should stay the same or be increased. The survey results did indicate that there is a need to upgrade the pavilion, but there was very little interest in gymnastics. Bob Christianson asked if any follow up was done to see why only 48 percent of the athletic associations directors responded. Mr. Wineberg said no recall or follow up has been made. Mr. Christianson suggested that the staff meet with associations and inquire why there was a less than overwhelming response. Mrs. Furlong feels the associations should have more of a sense of overall responsibility not only in their sport but for sports in general. Maybe we could pull representatives from each board to bring them to a meeting to explain this more in detail and let them take it back to the boards, so they can use the information. Mr. Wineberg said you have to assume they are satisfied. Andy Montgomery asked if there were any surprises in the results. Mr. Wineberg answered the return rate from the associations was a surprise. The fee structure questions could have raised a question, but they did not. Mrs. Lonsbury said 85 percent of people use parks in unscheduled ways. This is great that that many people use the parks. Mr. Christianson said that should be left up to the professionals how the parks are used and how they should be developed. As the population ages, a greater percentage will probably use the parks for unscheduled activities. Mrs. Lonsbury suggested we find out who the 15 percent that are not using the park are. John Valliere clarified that the 85 percent who do use the parks is only from 30 percent of the respondents. Mr. Kojetin said he was surprised that only 18 percent of the households participate in recreation programs. Mr. Christianson asked what the allocation to programmed vs non -programmed recreation activities is in the budget. Mr. Kojetin said it is heavier on programmed administration than non -programmed. We have a lot of young adults and children using the playground equipment and a tremendous use of the walking paths. Mr. Christianson maybe there should be a greater amount of resources to the capital expenditures. - 2 - Mr. Wineberg stated this survey says that we are pretty good. He is not sure we should be satisfied with that; we are really on the top but we should still be improving. Mr. Tass Pauli said if you wanted to take a random sample of associations that didn't respond, some calling could be done to find out why they did not respond. Mrs. Furlong explained the comparison with other cities. It is hard to know where the dollars really are. The subcommittee did do a follow up survey with three cities, Brooklyn Park, Plymouth, and Roseville, because they have similar sized departments; but it still was not an accurate comparison. A question raised was what does the Council really want to find out by this comparison. Mr. Lord the Council's main objective was to find out if we justified in charging the $5 field maintenance fee. No other cities are doing it, but they are thinking of it because of us. Mr. Wineberg other cities are using us as a city to follow. Mr. Christianson said the park inventory is a good place to start with some real scrutiny on minor capital budgeting and recommendations. He stated it was an excellent report and the Task Force is to be commended. Mrs. Furlong said when she and Pete Meyers did a quadrant of parks for the inventory, it took a long time even for two people just studying a few parks. They discovered how difficult it must be to keep up with all of the parks. She suggested the Park Board do something like this every other year just to keep on top of the park inventory. Mr. Christianson said we might start to look at appointing various members to check on the parks from time to time and make a report. Mrs. Furlong said some hazards were discovered in the parks and have already been taken care. IV. BRAEMAR PARK REPORT Mr. Kojetin reported on the status of the Braemar Park Staff Report requested by the Council. At the Council meeting, the Council recommended to proceed with the renovation of the refrigeration and the floor and also to proceed with plans, specs, and bid openings for the entire Braemar Arena improvements. The floor and refrigeration equipment bids will be opened on Wednesday, June 15, and hopefully will be awarded June 20. The Braemar Arena renovation on the locker rooms and the commons building will be opened on July 27 and hopefully approved at the August 1 Council meeting. On the other part of the Braemar Park Staff Report in regards to the improvement on the Golf Course, it was indicated by the Council that possibly more information on the need of an additional 9 -hole golf course is needed similar as the information that was presented by the Task Force established four years ago when the Golf Course improvements were made to the clubhouse, maintenance building, and the expansion of the Executive Course. In anticipation of the concerns of the Council and the recommendations that will be made on August 1 when the opening for the total Braemar Arena improvements are made, it seems that this would be an opportune time to have as much information available for the needs of the Golf Course that could be used in a presentation if so desired by the Council. Although this puts a heavy burden on this.committee, he feels it is important at this time - 3 - for us to make some type of an immediate Task Force to gather information for the Council and to provide them with the information they need so the project decision will not be prolonged. Mrs. Furlong asked if this study would be specifically for the golf course. Mr. Kojetin said it would be a study on the whole Braemar facility including the golf dome, arena, and the park in general. Mr. Fee asked if that includes Normandale Golf Course. Mr. Kojetin said yes. Mr. Christianson said he and Mr. Kojetin talked about this and he feels the committee should consist of five people: two from the Park Board, two members from people who use Braemar, and one person who has no ties to Braemar whatsoever who does not play golf. Mrs. Furlong asked why Park Board members should be on the Task Force. Mr. Christianson said because it should be a report and recommendation from this body, and we have a responsibility for the Golf Course. Mr. Keprios asked if the objective of this group is to study the need for golf in Edina. Mr. Christianson said it would be to study additions or improvement to the current golf course. Mr. Wineberg said he thinks Bob Kojetin and John Valliere would have some input to the Task Force. Mr. Christianson said John Valliere would be the staff person who is the liaison. Mr. Lord asked what the procedure was when the study was being done for the additions to the clubhouse and if Park Board members were involved in that. Mr. Kojetin said yes, Don Wineberg and Mac Thayer were on the Task Force to study that need. Mr. Christianson said it would be a small committee because of the time frame. Mr. Fee asked John Valliere if this can be done in a month and a half. Mr. Valliere said a committee of six may not be enough if you are going to do a survey. Mr. Christianson asked if there is enough time to do a through job before August 1. Mr. Valliere feels there is just enough time. Mr. Keprios asked if this will satisfy what the Council is looking for. Mr. Wineberg asked what are they looking for. Mr. Kojetin said the Council indicated a need for more information similar to the study that was done four years ago when an upgrading was done on the clubhouse, maintenance building, and expansion to the executive course. This will help to have the information in hand in August when the Council will address the total issue again. Mr. Christianson said the alternative is to do nothing and wait for the Council to give us a specific charge and proceed. Mr. Valliere said the Braemar Golf Course Board has some type of proposal; would it be all right to look at the next item on the agenda. Mr. Fee said asked what is the Council looking for; he felt they liked the original proposal. Mr. Valliere believes they want to know if we can financially support the plan. - 4 - Mr. Christianson stated the answer to this is to request direction from the Council on this and do whatever they tell us to do. There seems to be enough doubt at this table to decide what we should or should not do until we have an opportunity to get something from the Council. Mr. Kojetin said we can possibly get some answers to this on Monday when the Council addresses the bid on the Pavilion refrigeration equipment. V. BRAEMAR GOLF COURSE (BOARD) Mr. Tass Pauli presented the proposed Braemar Golf Course Board. He has worked in the past with John Valliere, Bob Kojetin, Don Wineberg, and a grass roots committee of five to six members of the golf leagues. It took six months of work to propose a proposal that passed with flying colors. But it was a lot of information gathering and a 1.2 million bond issue. It would be a lot of work for gathering the information for this current Golf Course Proposal, but he believes that if we go with this that a Braemar Golf Association would be very informative in the process. Mr. Pauli is requesting approval of these nominations so they can present, organize, and gather together the materials to be a step ahead of the process. Mr. Fee asked how John Valliere would interface with the board. Mr. Pauli said he would be an associate member. Mr. Jenkins asked if there has been a board before. Mr. Pauli said no, there has only been a committee. Mr. Fee thinks it is a great idea. Mr. Lord asked for the staff's opinion. Mr. Kojetin said he is not really enthusiastic about it. There are some drawbacks to it, but it has some good point too. He thinks we have to look at who appoints the people. The Braemar Men's Club is already seen as an "association" like the Edina Baseball Association and the Edina Hockey Association and their vehicle is the Park Board. Mr. Lord asked if Mr. Pauli sees this as replacing the Braemar Men's Club Board. Mr. Pauli sent a letter to Ken Rosland including proposed bylaws for the Braemar Golf Association. He believes that the Men's Club is not the sole representative of the Braemar Golf Course. That is why we organized as association to work with the Park Board to give you what you need to help be a vehicle for your use. Mr. Lord asked if the Men's Club is aware of what you are doing. Mr. Pauli said yes, and they approve. Mr. Christianson stepped down as Chair and said he is against this for these reasons: He believes "if it isn't broken, don't fix it". Braemar has done very well for many years without a permanent committee. Ad hoc committees have done very well. Braemar Golf Course is a public facility that is for the use and enjoyment of all the citizens, not just the Braemar Men's Club and not just for the Women's Leagues, and he thinks that the make-up of this committee would not be representative of a lot of people who are tax paying residents of the community who may use the facility once a year. He thinks that we have managed for 20 years without this board, and he thinks the Park Board would be eliminating its responsibility by allowing this type of a group to be formed. - 5 - Mrs. Rydell asked if this would fall under the eleven athletic associations or would it be like the Art Center Board. The Art Center Board is appointed by the Council. This seems to fall in between the cracks. Is it an appointed board or is it self serviced. Mr. Kojetin said the original Art Center Board was formed by Council appointment as a committee to study the need for an Art Center in Edina. Mr. Keprios said the Golf Course Board would be an advisory board. Mr. Lord compared the golf course to the Arena. The Arena has the Edina Hockey Association and the Braemar Figure Skating Club using the facility. The Golf Course has the Men's Club. The Arena does not have a board of its own. He does not think this is a valid request. Mr. Valliere said all of the ladies leagues are not concerned with anything other than their own affairs. They do not become involved with the day to day use of the course. They are not perceived as an advisory board. He said the EHA and the EGA all had a say in the previous report, but the Golf Course had no representation. Mr. Kojetin said that the Braemar Park Report was requested by Council to the City Manager and staff. There was no input from the boards or the citizens at this time, but the Council has now indicated some additional need from the citizens. Mr. Keprios thinks the forum has always been there. No one has ever been turned away. The people Mr. Pauli has nominated would make a perfect Task Force. He does not think we need a permanent board five years from now. Mr. Fee said there isn't a Country Club in town that does not have a board of directors. He thinks Mr. Pauli's comments are very good. He thinks Braemar is developing into a facility that needs some type of committee or advisory board or whatever. It is a situation that is getting bigger. Mr. Wineberg the difference in the private courses is everyone has a dollar investment and it's a key to keeping tabs on everyone. Mr. Fee stated they do not want any power to make decisions. He thinks they want to be an advisory board to bring things up to the Park Board. No where are they asking for a bunch of powers. They are not asking to make one decision; they just want to recommend. What would it hurt if they do not have any power to do anything. Mr. Montgomery we are not doing our job if we don't let them to this. Mrs. Furlong doesn't have the bylaws Mr. Montgomery was reading from. Mr. Christianson said everyone has made their point clear and asked for a motion. Andrew Montgomery MOVED THAT PARK BOARD FORM A BRAEMAR GOLF ASSOCIATION. Jim Fee seconded the motion and added THAT PARK BOARD ACCEPT THEIR PROPOSED BYLAWS. Mr. Lord asked if this means we drop the idea of a Task Force. Before a vote was taken, it was discovered that not everyone had a copy of the proposed bylaws. Jim Fee MOVED TO TABLE THE MOTION THAT WE FORM A BRAEMAR GOLF ASSOCIATION AND ACCEPT THEIR PROPOSED BYLAWS. Bill Jenkins seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Christianson stated this will be the first item on the next agenda for Park Board. - 6 - VI. SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER REPORT Mr. Kojetin explained the lease has been dropped at the senior high rise as of January 1, 1989. The Senior Center will have to be moved to some other location. Some questions raised are, is there a temporary place to move to at the Edina Community Center, or some other place within the community such as Hedberg or Edinborough. We should form another Task Force to study this question immediately since the move is only six months away. Sue Weigle, Supervisor of the Senior Center, sees the move as a positive opportunity to expand the program since there are so many seniors living in Edina. She recommends not having the Senior Center in a senior high rise because it separates the group too much having "insiders" living in the building and "outsiders" living outside the building. This opportunity is a real positive thing because the City is becoming older and the citizens need more things. The Senior Center currently has 1000 members who receive our present newsletter. They join for $3 per year and are put on the mailing list. In the present building there are 200 that live in the high rise and 130 belong to the Senior Center. Of the 800 who are not living in the building, approximately only 150 to 160 are real active coming once or twice a week to programs. Ms. Weigle is very concerned about going to the Edina Community Center because they may be on the second floor and there is no air conditioning. Maybe they could be housed there for a short period of time, they should really move someplace else that is more conducive. She thinks we can do nothing but expand if we are in a location like Edinborough or the new Hedberg project. Mr. Kojetin said Mr. Glenn Smith is on the Community Services Board with Bob Christianson and would like to participate in a committee to look into another location. Possibly Mrs. Reed would want to participate in the new committee and is also on the Community Services Board. Mr. Christianson said the Community Services Board is made up of ten people, two from City Council, two from School Board, one from Park Board, and constituents. The Community Center has tried to get the City to invest in the community center --not necessarily in dollars but in some participation, and they see the Senior Center as an opportunity to get the City more involved in the Community Center. Mr. Wineberg asked what are the options other than the Community Center. Mr. Kojetin said he doesn't know. Maybe there are some other senior buildings that we can go to temporarily. Mr. Lord asked how many square feet the Senior Center needs. Ms. Weigle said we have 8000-9000 square feet right now but really need more. Mr. Christianson said there may not be that much space in the Community Center unless you move out a paying tenant. Mr. Wineberg asked if Edinborough is an option. Mr. Kojetin said there is no way to house them within the park at this time. He would recommend that we form a Task Force to investigate these possibility as soon as possible. Jean Rydell MOVED THAT A TASK FORCE BE APPOINTED TO INVESTIGATE THE LOCATION OF A NEW SENIOR CENTER. Don Wineberg seconded the motion. Mrs. Furlong added that the Task Force list specific needs so that it is in writing. MOTION CARRIED. Mrs. Rydell volunteered to be the Park Board member on the Senior Center Task Force including Sue Weigle, Glenn Smith, Elly Reed, and Bob Kelly from Senior Committee. - 7 - VII. SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIPS Mr. Kojetin mentioned three scholarships requests he has received this year. One is a request for a pass to Edinborough to use the swimming pool for therapy. Another is for $84 for several children to participate in some summer programs. The third is for $42 also for children to participate in summer programs. Mr. Kojetin asked the Park Board if a policy should be set for these and future requests. Mr. Jenkins asked how many requests are received by the Park Department. Mr. Kojetin said these are the first requests he has received, but the athletic associations receive them from time to time every year. They have special scholarship funds within their associations to pay for scholarships (registration fees) for persons in need. Mr. Christianson asked if the Edina Foundation -can do something about it. Mr. Fee asked what is the purpose of the Edina Foundation. Mr. Christianson said their purpose is to fund things that could not otherwise be funded. Mr. Wineberg asked if this is a question the Park Board should really answer. Bill Lord MOVED THAT THE STAFF RECOMMEND THE POSSIBILITY OF TURNING THIS OVER TO THE EDINA FOUNDATION. Don Wineberg seconded the motion. Jim Fee added if it is not acceptable to the Foundation, it should be brought back to us for further review. MOTION CARRIED. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Don Wineberg MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 9:30 PM. MOTION CARRIED. - 8 - Andy Montgomery seconded the motion.