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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-10-13 Park Board MinutesVI. - E. EDINA PARK BOARD ;30 p.m. .ctober 13, 1987 Edina City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Joan Lonsbury, Don Wineberg, Jim Fee, Mac Thayer, Jean Rydell, Marilyn Wooldridge, Andrew Montgomery, Bob Christianson, Bill Lord, Nancy Gleason for Jim Moe STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, John Valliere, Stacey Kness Joan Lonsbury called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Mrs. Lonsbury introduced Nancy Gleason, School Board member, who is sitting in for James Moe. She thanked her for attending. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 8, 1987, MEETING Bob Christianson MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 8, 1987, MEETING. Mac Thayer seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. .I. BRAEMAR GOLF COURSE LEAGUE PLAY Bob Kojetin explained what has been happening since the last meeting when this issue was discussed. It went to Council but was tabled and sent back to the Park Board for more studying. Mr. Kojetin and John Valliere recently met with the league presidents and other league members and had an excellent meeting on the issue. The original proposal was proposed too quickly for them to understand. After it was hashed around, they really understand what the new proposal is trying to get at. Mr. Valliere and Mr. Kojetin started the meeting with an explanation as to the Golf Committee, the Park Board, and the Park and Recreation Department and how they all relate to each other and how the Golf Course operates. They came up with some basic rules. (See attachment A.) At the end of the meeting, the league members seemed to understand and agree with the new policies, they just wanted time to adjust to the new proposal. Mr. Valliere stated that the change in the original thrust, which was to restrict the number of leagues a person could participate in, is just a compromise. The new proposal is the same idea, but the members are allowed to do it in 1990 rather than right away. This is a comfortable compromise for Mr. Valliere. He is in a position where he can make some room for the growth he is going to get. Mr. Valliere stated that over the summer, especially in the last two months, rumors have been wild, but now all the people involved have a clearer understanding that it isn't their golf course and they have to share it. The new proposal allows Mr. Valliere to have some control down the road; it gives him some parameters and some ways to deal with policies. This proposal has not been given to the leagues, but it has been discussed with them. There is better communication between the leagues and Mr. Valliere, and they seem to have a better attitude. This new proposal looks out for the golf public at large. - 1 - Bob Christianson MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT COUNCIL ACCEPT THE "CITY OF EDINA PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT PROPOSED BRAEMAR GOLF LEAGUE POLICIES" (ATTACHMENT A) THAT HAVE BEEN PRESENTED THIS EVENING. Don Wineberg seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. There was a small discussion before the motion carried. Mr. Wineberg said if John Valliere has put together these recommendations, we have to live with them. Mr. Valliere said by and large, the people accept this new proposal. Mr. Lord stated if John Valliere is happy with the proposal, we should go along with it. Mr. Kojetin listed some general statistics regarding participation in Braemar Golf Course leagues: 1150 people in golf leagues 169 people are non-residents 23 people in couples league only 43 people in Men's Club and Goldenagers 124 women in 2 or more leagues 69 people in Executive Course league and 18 -hole league Mr. Kojetin shared some comments made by people at the meeting with the golf league presidents. (See Attachment B.) Mr. Wineberg commented that the number of people we are dealing with is less than 1 percent of the golfers at Braemar. We have to maintain and upgrade our existing course rather than make another 9 -hole right now. Mr. Keprios said we should maintain and upgrade all of our existing facilities as opposed to spending our resources to build new facilities. Mr. Kojetin explained the Improvement Schedule (see Attachment C) for Braemar Golf Course. Council has approved some of these items, and some are built in to the operating budget and are not capital items. Mr. Kojetin then further explained some 1988 capital plans and goals. A new driving range building should be considered in the fall of 1988 and will cost about $100,000. During the summer of 1988, Mr. Kojetin will bring a proposal for a new driving range building and a new parking lot to the Park Board. A safety fence is in the works right now. Mr. Valliere hopes to have it up within a couple weeks. It is hoped that the Golf Course will be able to fund all these items. Mr. Valliere said every department at the Golf Course has exceeded his 1987 goals all ready. (See Attachment D.) Mrs. Lonsbury congratulated Mr. Valliere on another fine year. III. 1988 BUDGET Mr. Kojetin said the budget has been passed by Council. They cut $20,000 out of maintenance section aiming at the additional man to provide janitorial services for the Senior Center, Tupa Park (Grange Hall and Cahill School), Art Center, and Arneson Acres. Mr. Kojetin went on to explain the status of the Adaptive Recreation professional Mr. Keprios had proposed. At first it was the understanding that the Council had approved this position if $25,000 is cut from other areas in the budget. At the - 2 - October 5 meeting, the Council decided they need more information to make a final decision. At the November 2, 1987, Council meeting they will make the final approval or disapproval after a presentation by the Park and Recreation staff. Mrs. Lonsbury spoke earlier with Mrs. Leslie Turner, Council member, and expressed Edina's great need for a program such as this and the importance of joining with the other communities. Mr. Keprios stated that the presentation should provide a better understanding of the program and clarify the need for a professionally trained Adaptive Recreation Professional on staff. Mr. Keprios is having an organizational meeting with parents of special needs children on October 26, 1987, at 10:00 a.m. This meeting will prepare the parents so they can represent themselves at the Council meeting. Mr. Wineberg asked where the $25,000 come from for the adaptive recreation program. Mr. Kojetin said a little would come from many areas of the park budget. Mr. Kojetin explained the Vehicle Replacement schedule which has worked out to be an excellent program. (See Attachment E.) Mr. Kojetin gave the status of the chiller situation at Braemar Pavilion. The chiller broke down about two weeks ago causing a lot of rescheduling for the Edina Hockey Association. It will cost about $18,000 to repair this current problem. Mr. Lord asked what a new chiller would cost. Mr. Kojetin answered about $45,000 for a new chiller depending on the size. Mr. Fee asked how long it is expected to be out of operation. Mr. Kojetin said it was originally thought that it would be down for seven weeks, but now it is estimated at four weeks. Braemar Arena runs on an ammonia system which has had no problems but is very hazardous. Mr. Lord asked if we should reconsider the new rink proposed by the Edina Hockey Association. Mr. Kojetin stated the study is still being considered, but the Braemar Sports Complex Committee has not been active for a few months. Andy Montgomery arrived at 8:15 p.m. IV. RECREATION REPORT Mr. Keprios explained the Field Maintenance Revenue Report. (See Attachment F.) The $26,540 collected from the athletic associations to cover the $30,000 cut from the 1987 park maintenance budget went into the general fund. The Park Board expressed great displeasure at the fact that the park department collected this money and dealt with angry association members and parents and it had to go to the general fund. Mr. Kojetin indicated that all of the Park and Recreation budget comes from the general fund. Mr. Keprios mentioned the current registrations: football is up, boys' basketball is up, hockey is slightly down in the squirt level. Mr. Keprios mentioned Mr. MacHolda's new indoor adult co-rec broomball league held at the Arena. The participation has been good. The Edina Wrestling Association's registration will begin October 12. They have paid back their loan and anticipate a very good season. Their only problem could be too many kids. The Halloween Spooktacular is Saturday, October 24, at Edinborough this year. Mr. MacHolda has been very busy preparing flyers, programs, and organizing the volunteers. The only problem could be too many kids. - 3 - Mr. Keprios is preparing the 1988 Activities Calendar. It will be a 24 -page brochure with a map and calendar section again. He is having an artist draw a map showing the main arteries and parks in the city rather than the map we have had in the past. There will be two-color print throughout the brochure along with a Centennial theme. He plans to have it in homes by January 1, 1988. Mr. Keprios mentioned Mrs. Lonsbury's Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Board and Commission Award being given Thursday, October 15. Marilyn Wooldridge will be attending the event. Mr. Kojetin indicated he had received calls from neighbors who are organizing a meeting to be held on October 26 at 7 pm at City Hall to consider a removal of the home at 5100 Grove Street which is the open space property on Melody Lake. Mr. Kojetin indicated that he would bring their thoughts to the November Park Board meeting. Heights Park's playground equipment has been removed; the new equipment is scheduled to be placed by the first week in November. This will be the Wooddale Park -style equipment. Heights Park is the last park to have its asphalt surface under the equipment replaced with sand. The three new hockey rinks are almost completed. Mr. Keprios and Mr. MacHolda have been using Edinborough a lot for scheduled athletic activities such as adult volleyball and girls' basketball. It is working out real well with adjustable basketball hoops and a regulation volleyball court. OTHER Mr. Kojetin briefly explained the BRW memorandum regarding Hedberg Property Park. (See Attachment G.) He attended the October 12 special Council meeting where the preliminary plat was approved. Mr. Kojetin explained on a map what the first phase consists of. Mr. Kojetin highlighted some of the park amenities using the memo from BRW. He used a card the size of a soccer field so as to indicate the size of the area in question to make the magnitude and size of the linear park around the lake more understandable. Mr. Kojetin indicated that there are a lot of other public improvements in the first phase such as roads, bridges, and the lake, so there is not a great number of park amenities being planned in the first phase. He mentioned a connection from Edinborough and the tram which may even extend as far as the pool and the Art Center. Mr. Christianson asked who will pay for the property and who will pay for the maintenance. Mr. Kojetin said this total area was another tax increment project similar to Edinborough. He also said maybe a scenario on financing the tax increment for the park and maintenance of the park could be presented by Mr. Gordon Hughes at an upcoming meeting and to further explain how the operations and maintenance will be handled. Mr. Christianson said someone will have to do a real good sales job to the public that this will not impact their neighborhood parks. The Park Board indicated very strongly that they would rather have tax dollars if possible from this area to go to all of the parks in Edina rather than just this area. Mr. Kojetin said this is a difficult issue and there are a lot of concerns. Mrs. Lonsbury asked Mr. Kojetin to invite Mr. Hughes to the November or December Park Board meeting to explain more about the Hedberg property. - 4 - Mrs. Lonsbury mentioned an article in the current issue of Park and Recreation magazine on the playground doctor and asked how our playgrounds are doing on safety guidelines. Mr. Kojetin said we have had a company do this for us for the last two years. They evaluated all the playground equipment and advised which items needed to be replaced or removed. We are doing very well on the safety guidelines. Mr. Kojetin added that we are starting to catch up with improved playground equipment replacement now. Mr. Christianson received a petition from Wooddale Park neighbors, coordinated by Sandy and Cal Simmons, requesting a skating rink at Wooddale Park. (See Attachment H. [City Council only]) The majority of the Park Board feels that if the kids will use a skating rink without a warming house, a rink should be established. Mrs. Lonsbury said the staff should take this under advisement and bring the issue back to the Park Board in November. Mrs. Wooldridge asked if there is a budget for the month of February Centennial activities. Mr. Kojetin said there is a budget for awards such as ribbons. Mrs. Wooldridge and Mr. Thayer had been approached by Jerry Brimacomb who wants to have their speed skating activity be a sanctioned meet. Mrs. Lonsbury and Mr. Kojetin said this is not possible. Mrs. Lonsbury will write a letter to Mr. Brimacomb to this effect. Mr. Keprios asked Mrs. Gleason to express his thanks to the School Board for their great service with mailing labels and the super service with gyms for scheduled athletic events. The excellent relationship that the Edina Park and Recreation Department has with the Edina School District is a major contributing factor toward the high quality programs in Edina. Mr. Kojetin pointed out that Mr. Keprios is the only one authorized to request mailing labels from the School District, so the School Board can be reassured the labels are being used strictly by athletic associations for legitimate reasons. Mr. Montgomery stated that the girls' basketball facilities are much better this year than last. "i �.V* � 1; `15i 11� Mac Thayer MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 9:04 P.M. Bob Christianson seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. ITEMS FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL: Bob Christianson MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT COUNCIL ACCEPT THE "CITY OF EDINA PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT PROPOSED BRAEMAR GOLF LEAGUE POLICIES" THAT HAVE BEEN PRESENTED THIS EVENING. (See attachment) Don Wineberg seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. - 5 -