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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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