HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-02-17 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD
11:30 pm
February 17, 1987
Edina City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Joan Lonsbury, Jim Fee, Bill Lord, Mac Thayer, Jean Rydell, Marilyn
Wooldridge, Andy Montgomery (arrived 8:15 pm)
MEMBERS ABSENT: Don Wineberg, Jim Moe
OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Fred Richard, Council Member, Members of Edina Garden Council,
Edina Historical Society, Mr. Foster Dunwiddie, Mr. James Robin
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Sue Weigle, Stacey Kness
Joan Lonsbury called the meeting to order.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 13, 1987
Mac Thayer MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 13, 1987, MEETING. Jim
Fee seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
TI. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON
Jim Fee MOVED TO NOMINATE JOAN LONSBURY FOR CHAIRPERSON. Marilyn Wooldridge
seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
Bill Lord MOVED TO NOMINATE DON WINEBERG FOR VICE CHAIRPERSON. Joan Lonsbury
seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
III. ARNESON ACRE PARK REVIEW OF MASTER PLAN
Mr. Jim Robin, architect hired for the master plan design for Areneson Acre,
presented a review of the master plan for Arneson Acre Park. Mr. Robin started
out with the basic formal garden design that Mr. Mort Arneson had designed and
expanded the formal area. The plan shows an expansion of the formal garden space
into the selected areas connected via water. Another consideration was that the
view from the terrace room of the Areneson home has a direct line to the central
feature of the formal gardens. By removing a few of the present trees that have
overgrown and the adding of water feature, you have a beautiful view of the total
park area. Mr. Robin showed how the different aspects of the parks are
interconnected with walking paths between the formal gardens and the home into
the garden sections of the park. The area across the lake between the formal
gardens and the home is a large, casual garden space for colorful plant
splashes. Mr. Robin presented a plan showing the colors that the gardens would
have during the four seasons of the year. Mr. Robin pointed out that it would be
very easy to present different phases of constructing the gardens into the years
with no definite completion date of the park or in the immediate future. Mr.
Robin presented a suggested plan of how to start construction of the site. The
first suggestion was moving of some trees into more strategic locations with
in-house maintenance equipment or remove some trees immediately that are just
voluntarily growing up into some of the large evergreen trees. Mr. Robin
suggested that some small seedlings be planted in particular areas, such as the
white oak, which will take years to grow, so as to start the desiduous canopy
trees. This is a very small and nominal cost at the present time. A second
phase could be construction of the pond, especially the pond that had been there
during the time that Mort Areneson owned the property. A third phase would be
construction perhaps of the center features of the formal garden such as a gazebo
or the arbor area with vines which would be the main entrance area to the formal
gardens by the parking lot. The future phases, such as the expansion of parking
areas, reconstruction of the maintenance garage area, and the expansion of the
greenhouse facility, are dictated by the availability of capital dollars and
maintenance dollars. The available maintenance and capital dollars are really
the main issue of how fast the park would be developed in the future with no
suggested time line for this to happen. Mr. Robin asked for any questions from
the Park Board. Mrs. Lonsbury asked about the sidewalk along the south side of
West 70th Street if there was money available to continue that sidewalk. Mr.
Kojetin said that this is a possiblity with state aid money. There was also
discussion of the possibility of a drop off location for busses on the south side
of 70th Street. Also a walking entrance off of 70th Street from the sidewalk to
the museum building. These are all possibilities but would depend on state aid.
These questions will be looked into. One of the questions was how soon would the
leveling or replanting of the berm along 70th Street and the introduction of
flower beds so the people driving down 70th could have an opportunity to see the
inside of the park from the street. Mrs. Lonsbury expressed the wonderful idea
of trying to grow the white oaks in the park area and the contuation of the oak
forest which now is on the north side of 70th coming from Highway 100. Mr. Robin
asked if there were any geustions from the audience. Bev Harris, President of
the Garden Council, was very pleased with the plan and said that in the recent
Garden Council meeting everyone was very happy over the master plan. A person
from the audience asked if the tea house, or arbor, would be like the arboretum.
Mrs. Lonsbury stated that people will be coming and going to the park, so there
will be a need somewhere for serving coffee and lemonade or some kind of picnic
area. Mr. Kojetin added that many people will be coming to the park during noon
hours and eating their lunches or McDonald's hamburgers in the park and there
should be a center area for them to sit down and a collecting place for trash.
This is happening now in some of our other parks where people will enjoy walking
around and eating their lunches during noon hours. Mr. Robin stated that the
arbor would not be enclosed like the Minnesota Arboretum. It would be more like
an arbor of vines at the collecting area.
Jean Rydell MOVED TO ACCEPT THE ARNESON ACRE PARK MASTER PLAN IN CONCEPT. Bill
Lord seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
IV. HISTORICAL MUSEUM AGREEMENT AND MASTER PLAN
Mr. Foster Dunwiddie presented the master plan of the joint Garden
Council/Historical Society building. What he is suggesting can be a two phase
project. Mr. Dunwiddie explained all the things that would be taking place
during the first phase (see attached sheet).
Mr. Dunwiddie talked about Phase II --adding a large wing for storage space on the
lower level. The upper level wing would be for archival exhibits, rotating
exhibits, and for special items. The modifications would maximize use of house,
preserve integrity, and blend into the master plan. Mr. Dunwiddie asked the Park
Board for any questions. Bill Lord asked about the time period for this
project. Phase I may take place early this summer. The Phase II addition will
be contingent on the availability of funds.
Mr. Dunwiddie asked the audience for questions. How does this affect the current
zoning? Mr. Dunwiddie explained that the park building used for a historical
museum would need a Conditional Use Permit. The plan would have to go to the
Planning Commission, notify the neighbors, then go to the Council for
concurrence.
Marilyn Woodlridge MOVED TO ACCEPT THE ARNESON ACRE MUSEUM PLANS IN CONCEPT.
Jean Rydell seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
Mrs. Lonsbury expressed thanks to all the people who have worked so hard the past
few months and to the Garden Council for help in financing the master plan. It
is a wonderful and exciting concept.
Mr. Kojetin stated that a subcommittee made up of Foster Dunwiddie and Jim
Fenlason from the Historical Society and Bev Harris and Phyllis Kenaston from the
Garden Council had met on two occassions to work out a working agreement of the
remodeled Arneson home and also the expansion into a museum. (copies of minutes
enclosed) The special meeting also was to work out an agreement between the two
organizations for use of the park building. Mr. Kojetin had made up a special
preliminary agreement from the minutes of the two meetings on the operation of
the park building use between the Edina Garden Council/Edina Historical Society.
In discussing the agreement with the Garden Council, the shared expense of the
utilitiy cost to the Garden Council was questioned_ whether this could occur
within the immediate future, such as this year. Bev Harris had indicated that
their group at the present time is not a fund raising organization and because of
the immediate need of only approximately 6 times a year being used, it would be
difficult for them to participate in the utility cost immediately. They felt
though, that in the future as their organization grows with the new facility,
that they would be willing to participate in the payment of the utility cost and
clean up. The utility cost for the past couple of years has been averaging about
$1500 for heat and electrical cost which is now being paid by the rentor in the
home. The Garden Council felt that most of their working and funds at the
present time had been geared toward the greenhouse and the buying of the seeds
and soil for the gardens throughout the city. Both groups think all areas of the
agreement are reasonable, compatible, and workable. A member of the audience
suggested some type of sale of herb plants could raise money for the Garden
Council.
Bill Lord MOVED TO APPROVE THE PRELIMANRY AGREEMENT PUT TOGETHER BETWEEN THE
COMMITTEE FOR THE GARDEN COUNCIL/HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Jim Fee seconded the
motion. MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Kojetin discussed the possibility of using money from the developer's fund
for this Areneson project. He will check into this possibility.
V. BRAEMAR SPORTS COMPLEX
Mr. Ed Howat made the presentation on the Braemar Sports Complex. After changes
in the plans were made, the proposed price raised to $4 million. The Complex
Committee has considered using fund raising to fund the project, but there is a
risk involved. They thought they would approach the project with a referendum.
Now that the Gymnastics Association may not be involved in the new complex, it
will change the plans again, possibly bringing the cost down. Because no one
else in the country has a facility like this, Edina could again be the first.
Indoor soccer is an up-and-coming sport and would be housed in this complex. Jim
Fee suggested using a bond issue to get the building up and running and fund
raising to retire the bonds. Andy Montgomery asked how the length of the various
activities would be programmed. Mr. Howat explained how some activities could
share the same space throughout the year and how some activities are only a few
months long due to their nature. Mr. Montgomery also added that the complex
should have more seating available for spectators. Mr. Howat agreed that if
there were a little more seating than Braemar, it would be good. No matter what
the capacity of the new complex, it would still be an in-between alternative to
the Met Center. They decided an increase to at least 4000 seats would be
reasonable.
Mr. Richards indicated that he would bring up the topic of the Sports Complex at
the Council meeting on Monday night. Maybe a new group can be formulated of
people from the sports committee, City staff, and the Council to discuss the
Sports Complex question of a referendum.
Marilyn Wooldridge and Jim Fee will go to a meeting with the Complex Committee
and some Council members to further discuss and research this project.
JI. YMCA
Mr. Kojetin had received a request for the use of Yorktown Park from the YMCA.
He had indicated in the past that we do not charge the YMCA for use of the parks
facilities. We have charged other outside organizations such as the Lutheran
High School, Marinatha, and various churches. It is felt by Mr. Kojetin that if
we are charging a usage fee to the Athletic Associations, that it would be only
natural for us to charge some type of a usage fee or field rental to the YMCA.
Mr. Kojetin did not recommend a fee, but he would look into this with his staff
and recommend some suggested fee if this was the wishes of the Park Board.
Jim Fee MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT STAFF TO LOOK INTO
THE FEASABILITY OF CHARGING THE YMCA A FACILITY USAGE FEE. Jean Rydell seconded
the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
VII. OTHER BUSINESS
Mrs. Lonsbury asked the staff to come prepared next meeting with the staff's
goals and objectives.
Mrs. Lonsbury read a letter from the Edina Theater Group praising Bob Kojetin for
finding them a new home at Weber Park.
The members were asked to make a list of people they wish to be invited to the
Edinborough opening.
Mrs. Lonsbury was made aware of a problem with poor sportsmanship of many Edina
High School spectators and players. She will prepare a letter to the Association
presidents addressing this problem and making a possible suggestion of teaching
the younger kids sportsmanship.
VIII. CENTENNIAL MONTH - FEBRUARY 1988
Joan Lonsbury distributed a memo from a meeting with Bob Kojetin and Sherwin
Plummer on the assigned times for committee members in regards to the Park Board
month for the Centennial. The next Centennial meeting will be April 7, 1987.
All people who have been assigned to an activity to attend. The Board reviewed
the notes and briefly discussed them.
IX. RECREATION REPORT
John Keprios reported on his survey sent to parents of handicapped children
assessing their recreational needs. After receiving several responses, Mr.
Keprios concluded Edina does have a need for a special children's recreational
program. Combining with other communities (Bloomington, Richfield, Eden
Prairie), we can establish a very effective program for these children. Mr.
Keprios will be continually attending meeting and will be updating the Park Board
on this program.
The outdoor ice rinks were officially closed Friday, February 6, due to weather
conditions. The bandy season was cut short with 11 league games to play.
Four -man hockey was able to finish indoors. Ed MacHolda did a great job of
putting this legue together; it was very successful. Broomball was completed a
week ago and were able to finish their league outdoors thanks to Marvin Huiras
and the maintenance crews for doing a good job of preparing the ice.
Adult basketball playoffs are beginning Monday. Girls Volleyball registration
just ended and the numbers are up.
X. ADJOURNMENT
Andy Montgomery MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 10:00 PM. Bill Lord seconded the motion.
MOTION CARRIED.
ITEMS FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL:
Jean Rydell MOVED TO ACCEPT THE ARNESON ACRE PARK MASTER PLAN IN CONCEPT. Bill
Lord seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
Bill Lord MOVED TO APPROVE THE PRELIMANRY AGREEMENT PUT TOGETHER BETWEEN THE
COMMITTEE FOR THE GARDEN COUNCIL/HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Jim Fee seconded the
motion. MOTION CARRIED.
Marilyn Woodlridge MOVED TO ACCEPT THE ARNESON ACRE MUSEUM PLANS IN CONCEPT.
Jean Rydell seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.