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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-10-11 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD 7:30 p.m. October 11, 1988 Edina City Hall -LEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Jim Fee, Mac Thayer, Jean Rydell, Andrew Montgomery, Bill Lord, Don Wineberg, Bill Jenkins, MEMBERS ABSENT: Itti Furlong, Scott Johnson STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Bill Bach, Beth Gerstein, Stacey Kness OTHERS PRESENT: Bryan Hult, Bob Ehlert, Evergreen Bible Church Mr. Christianson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. I. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 13, 1988, MEETING MINUTES Don Wineberg MOVED TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 13, 1988, MINUTES. Jean Rydell seconded the.motion. MOTION CARRIED. II. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 19 1988 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Larry Thayer was present at the special meeting of September 19, 1988, and has been added to the Staff Present section. Bill Lord MOVED TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 19, 1988, SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES. Mac Thayer seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. III. EVERGREEN BIBLE CHURCH PROPOSAL Mr. Kojetin explained that the request of a long-term lease of Arneson Acres by this organization was tabled at the last meeting pending further information. He introduced Bryan Hult and Bob Ehlert from the Evergreen Bible Church who are offering more information. Mr. Hult stated their independent bible church began in January and is not affiliated or supported by any other organization. The congregation has 36 members including children and adults, and the emphasis of the group is on Bible teaching Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Mr. Hult asked if they could use the facility during those times or if another agreement could be made. Mr. Wineberg asked if they anticipate needing another weeknight in addition to Wednesday and if they are planning on building their own facility. Mr. Hult stated they may need to add Tuesday or Thursday depending on the availability of Arneson Acres. Mr. Hult said they probably wouldn't be building their own facility for a while until they see how the church grows. Mr. Christianson said the issues are what other uses are the facilities such as Arneson Acres available for and what conditions does the gift of the Arneson property contain. He asked if the department wants to rent this out on an ongoing basis. Mr. Kojetin said the group would need some conditional use permits through the Planning Commission. There are some things that have to be been done before obtaining a permit such as meeting with the neighborhood. Mr. Kojetin is checking with the staff and the Planning Department to see if there are any conditions. - 1 - Mr. Wineberg asked Mr. Hult if he has a timetable as to when he needs an answer. He asked if they have looked at any other facilities. Mr. Ehlert said they are presently using a Bloomington school building, but it would be nice to know what can be done with Arneson Acres. Mr. Christianson stated there are probably other facilities in the community that have space available. Mr. Ehlert said he had spoken with Mr. Kojetin and Mr. Kojetin suggested looking at Arneson Acres; however the group is open to suggestions. Mr. Christianson indicated the Edina Community Center has space available for groups such as this one; there are already religious groups renting space at the Community Center. Mr. Hult said they are looking for four rooms on Sunday morning which is somewhat of a limiting factor in finding space. Mr. Christianson said the Park Board is not in a position at this time to make a decision. The issue seems to be is this particular facility available for use for something other than recreation -oriented activities. Mr. Kojetin said the Planning Commission would study the needs and then go to the Council. Mr. Lord asked Mr. Hult if Arneson Acres has enough rooms for their use; it really only has two rooms. Mr. Hult indicated they have several contractors in their congregation who could finish off the back room at their expense to make it safe for a nursery. Mr. Christianson asked what the staff recommends. Mr. Kojetin said we should wait on this subject. He would not suggest any type of construction in the back room. He originally thought this proposal was a temporary location for the group. Mr. Christianson said the subject should be laid over until the staff can make a recommendation one way or another. He urged Mr. Hult and Mr. Ehlert to investigate other areas that do not have the particular problems there seems to be with Arneson Acres. IV. ADAPTIVE RECREATION REPORT Mr. Keprios introduced Beth Gerstein, Adaptive Recreation Supervisor. Ms. Gerstein stated that a municipal -supported community adaptive recreation program was researched four years ago and became a reality in 1988. Bloomington and Richfield have had a cooperative program for over six years. It has been a real advantage to have a four -city cooperative. Ms. Gerstein explained the joint powers agreement between the four cities. All four cities, Edina, Eden Prairie, Richfield, and Bloomington, now cooperatively program adaptive recreation programs for all ages through the cities' recreation departments. The same four cities now cooperatively program community education programs for adults through the Learning Exchange program. Lynn Dennis, Coordinator of the Learning Exchange Program, is the Community Education programmer who provides continuing education services for disabled adults in all four cities. All areas are connecting together to serve individuals on all levels. Mr. Keprios mentioned a note that will appear on city water bills requesting information from families with disabilities. It is impossible to track adults once they are out of the school system. Ms. Gerstein showed a slide presentation about the four -city cooperative Adaptive Recreation program. - 2 - The fall programs have segregated programs and integrated programs. In theory, all park programs will be accessible to people with disabilities. The program's main concern is safety and accessibility. Ms. Gerstein has established a children's and adult bowling league, co-sponsorship with the Special Olympics in the State Tournament in March in Shakopee, and Swimnastics at Edinborough Park which is a very successful program. She tried to start five programs in both Edina and Eden Prairie. This summer 26 residents participated in Edina recreation programs and 19 Edina residents participated in programs offered in the other three cities. Park and Recreation adaptive swimming lessons had 16 children (13 from Edina). Eleven children were integrated with the playground program with the help of adaptive aides. Ms. Gerstein received a lot of positive feedback from parents saying that friendships could be fostered with neighbor children that are missed since the disabled children attend different schools. A deaf girl played soccer through the Edina Soccer Association with the help of an interpreter, and two boys with disabilities are in an ice skating program at Braemar. Ms. Gerstein would probably not duplicate a program that is going on in another community, such as adult softball through the Courage Center. Mr. Keprios said that a network of communication has been established with the athletic association presidents. When a child with special needs registers for an association's activity, they know to contact Ms. Gerstein to make any necessary arrangements. Ms. Gerstein said her job is to educate people on their abilities not their disabilities. The children are benefiting from taking part in recreation programs. Mr. Keprios said the adaptive recreation is a big plus for our program. Edina's revenue facilities are being utilized more often than before by Edina's disabled population. Edina's athletic associations are pleased to have a professional to turn to regarding their disabled registrants. The overall response from Edina's disabled population is very favorable in our progressive efforts to meet their leisure and recreation needs. Mr. Keprios indicated the City Council has approved the adaptive recreation budget for next year. Mr. Kojetin said they approved $32,000 in a contract with Richfield. Mr. Keprios said the additional $7,000 for 1989 is for more part-time staff needed mainly for integration. V. FORESTRY REPORT Mr. Kojetin reported that Dutch Elm Disease is going down. Possibly next year there will be a greater number because of the heat and drought this year. We have three contracts with different tree companies: one for trimming, one for removal, and one for stump removal. Mr. Kojetin explained the system of a contracted forester since the past forester took another position in the City. The contracted forester does tree inspecting and the two full-time members of the tree crew have taken classes and are licensed to do inspections also. Oak wilt has really taken a different direction through more studies and more experiments. We have a contract with a company to take an aerial view of oaks next spring to determine where work needs to be done. After determining the location of the oak wilt problem throughout the whole community, we then are contracted with a contractor to go in and do root pruning by a machine which cuts done 5 feet in the ground to cut the roots. This will be done on public as well as private property because of no way to control the spread of oak wilt under the ground which is the main way the disease is transmitted. A proposal will be recommended in the spring to use City funding for contracting this type of work for both public and private trees. VI. RECREATION REPORT Mr. Keprios mentioned several donations that have been made to the City: a cold storage area for clay targets at the Gun Range donated by the Optimists Group lead by Dr. Wippermann; a new bleacher area behind Arena East on the football/soccer field donated by Wally Irwin, the Edina Football Association, and the Edina Soccer - 3 - Association; and $700 for park benches at Lake Cornelia Park and Strachauer Park donated by the Kiwanis Golden K Club. They are making ice at the new Arena East and it should be skateable within a week. Phase II should be completed in February. Hockey registration is over; it was successful. The Hockey Association will be selling pizzas as a fund raiser. Girls' and boys' athletics are doing well. There are 16 teams of indoor adult broomball. Girls' basketball is lacking gym space since Concord Elementary cannot provide any gym space. Mr. Christianson asked Mr. Keprios to provide him with statistics on when Concord is and is not available. Van Valkenburg Park capital expenditures were approved for $202,000 which will get a good start. Van Valkenburg could use another $100,000 to build a building. The $202,000 will do the fencing and lights. The fields should hopefully be playable in the spring of 1989. Mr. Montgomery suggested a fall one -pitch quick games. Could generate more revenue. Mr. Keprios said we will have to think about policies for Van Valkenburg Park since people will want to operate weekend tournaments for profit. Countryside Park's hockey rink has been rebuilt, and Weber Park's hockey rink has been upgraded. Mr. Keprios said the calendar will hopefully be on schedule. The cover photo is on display at Marquette Bank. The Third Annual Spooktacular is scheduled for Saturday, October 29, at Edinborough Park for kindergarten through third graders. The annual MRPA State Conference is November 2, 3, 4 and the Thunderbird Hotel with Gary Grimes of Crystal speaking on Wednesday, November 2, at 4:30 p.m. VII. OTHER ART CENTER PROPOSAL: Mr. Kojetin distributed the Art Center Proposal. Mr. Christianson asked Park Board members to read the proposal which will be discussed at the next meeting. SENIOR CENTER RESEARCH COMMITTEE: Mr. Kojetin distributed the latest report and a report from the Community Center. LEASING & RENTING PARK FACILITIES FOR LONG-TERM USE: The Council indicated they want a study of a policy of renting out parks on a long-term basis. They would like an answer after our December meeting, so we will put it on our November agenda for discussion. Then the Council can let Breakaway Dekhockey know by January what their decision is. Mr. Christianson asked the staff to find out if other communities have policies on facility rental. Mr. Kojetin indicated the Park Board minutes go to the Council and will be placed on the agenda and the Council will act on items for approval or disapproval and make recommendations. Mr. Kojetin mentioned that Joan Lonsbury was appointed to the Great Lakes Regional Park Board which is part of the National Recreation Park Association to represent Minnesota. VIII.ADJOURNMENT Don Wineberg MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 8:50 P.M. Mac Thayer seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. - 4 -