HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-11-10 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD
7:30 p.m.
November 10, 1987
Edina City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Joan Lonsbury, Don Wineberg, Jim Fee, Mac Thayer, Jean Rydell, Marilyn
Wooldridge, Bob Christianson, Bill Lord, Jim Moe
MEMBERS ABSENT: Andrew Montgomery
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Stacey Kness
OTHERS PRESENT: Grove Street Neighbors: Judy Semsch, 5816 Eastview Drive; Mr. and
Mrs. Henry Hrobleski, 5124 Grove Street; Mr. James Nolan, 53;L?� Melody
Lane; Mr. Richard Maxwell, 5104 West 58 Street; Mrs. Anne Cronin 5733
5101 Grove Street; Ms. Barbara Szutz, 5117 Grove Street
Joan Lonsbury called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 13, 1987, MEETING
Bob Christianson MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 13, 1987, MEETING. Mac
Thayer seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
.LI. GROVE STREET OPEN SPACE PROPERTY
Mr. Kojetin gave a brief background on the Grove Street property and the neighborhood
meeting. The nine -acre property on the shore of Melody Lake was purchased by the
City in 1975 as open space. At the time it was purchased, the City discussed whether
the home should be destroyed or rented out for a period of time. It was also
considered as a possible site for the Edina Art Center, but it was not in good enough
condition for an art center. Since then the home has been rented by several
tenants. There has never been any suggested time when something should be done to
the home, but its future has always been to demolish it. The Moore property has
always been declared open space property and to be left in its present state. If we
choose to remove the home, the property would be put back into a natural area with no
other improvements.
Mr. Kojetin introduced Judy Semsch, a Grove Street neighbor who organized the first
neighborhood meeting. Ms. Semsch read the petition that she circulated among the
neighbors after the neighborhood meeting and gave the only copy to the Park Board.
(Copy attached.) She expressed some comments that were made by neighbors who did not
attend the first meeting. Two people hoped the house could be razed by April 1,
1988. There is concern about the dog that lives there now --it causes discomfort to
the people who walk by the property. Someone is interested in planting a garden in
the back area of the property. Mr. Kojetin stated after hearing Ms. Semsch's three
points, the only question he has is developing it into a park. We will have to study
further if it will be considered a park and not open space. The property is not
mentioned in the master plan which goes to the year 2000. It was never proposed as
park property. Mrs. Lonsbury requested to see the exact wording of the bond issue to
find out the stipulations on the property.
- 1 -
Richard Maxwell, 5104 West 58 Street, restated that the majority of the neighbors
want it to remain a natural area to protect the wildlife. Mrs. Lonsbury responded to
the three requests of the neighbors: raze the house when staff recommends, keep the
property undeveloped, establish a neighborhood committee to communicate with the
staff on any future work done on the property. Mr. Keprios stated the general
consensus from the neighborhood meeting was to leave it in its natural state. Some
landscaping will have to be done even after the house is removed. A member of the
audience asked if there are cross country ski trails in the space. Mr. Keprios
responded there are no trails, but it is open space and conducive to this activity.
It will not be listed as a cross country ski trail. Mr. Kojetin stated there is a
trail down by the lake because of continued use, but it is not a maintained path.
Mr. Keprios stated when the driveway is plowed under the City will not maintain the
grassy area or the driveway. Mr. Kojetin stated we will have to create a fence or
something so people will not drive into the property. Mr. Wineberg asked Mr. Kojetin
and Mr. Keprios if their recommendation is that the Park Board adhere to the three
basic points of the letter. Mrs. Lonsbury stated the neighbors should decide exactly
what they want done to the property so they should form a committee. Mr. Wineberg
said it is up to the staff to decide this issue and what should be done to maintain
this property. Mr. Christianson asked how this open space can be prevented from
being a collecting place for parties and garbage. Mr. Kojetin said periodically it
will have to be cleaned up. The neighborhood will have to help patrol the area. Mr.
Christianson asked if the renters have discouraged this type of activity. He asked
the neighbors if they had considered this thought. The neighbors said they have
thought of this, and they are willing to patrol the area and report any activity of
this type to the police. Ms. Semsch added that the neighbors are already doing this
and will continue to do so. Mr. Kojetin hopes that the neighbors will give the Park
Department feedback as to what is going on there. Mr. Christianson stated the future
is to demolish the house and the property can sit there like it is for the next 20 to
30 years. Mr. Keprios and Mr. Kojetin both said that is exactly what the long range
plan is. Mr. Christianson asked if there are any plans whatsoever for developing
this open space. Mr. Kojetin answered no.
The audience had some comments and questions. They wanted to know what is happening
now to the shrubs, fencing, etc. around the property. Mr. Kojetin mentioned the
tremendous amount of Dutch Elm disease in that area which explains the removal of
trees. There was a discussion on the ASPLUNDH trucks trimming the trees all the way
down, not just topping them. Mr. Kojetin said NSP gives ASPLUNDH Tree Company
permission to do this, not the City of Edina. Mr. Keprios assured the neighbors that
this has happened before --NSP has given orders for ASPLUNDH to cut away the trees
that interfere with the power lines. Mr. Maxwell stated it would be more proper in
the future when the City is renting out to employees or anyone else that the property
should be appraised and the fair market value of the rental should be formally
established in some way. The Moore property is being rented for $250 which is a
fraction of what a comparable 2 bedroom house will rent for in Edina. Mr. Maxwell
contacted the Attorney General, and in an unofficial way they said it is very
improper. It looks bad for the City. As a taxpayer Mr. Maxwell would like to
request that there is a more formal set up when property is being rented to City
employees. Mr. Christianson said this issue is not for the Park Board to comment on
and decide. Mr. Maxwell asked who he could take his request to. Mr. Kojetin stated
that Mr. Maxwell has made his request here and it will be forwarded in the minutes to
the Council. Mr. Kojetin added that the City employee renter can be looked at as a
guardian or caretaker of the property. Mrs. Lonsbury asked if there is a motion.
Don Wineberg MOVED TO FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE STAFF TO RAZE THE HOUSE IN THE
CALENDAR YEAR 1988, TO RENDER THE OPEN SPACE UNDEVELOPED, AND WITH MINIMUM
MAINTENANCE RESTORE THE PROPERTY TO ITS NATURAL STATE. Jean Rydell seconded the
motion. Ms. Semsch asked about the neighbor's original request to have a
neighborhood committee. Mrs. Lonsbury said it is not a part of the motion, but Mr.
- 2 -
Keprios said he and Mr. Kojetin will make the necessary decisions with the
neighbors. Ms. Semsch was also concerned about the terminology of "park" and "open
space". The neighbors wanted it turned into a park with the understanding it would
not have picnic benches or be maintained by the City. They felt that if it was just
left as "open space" that it is not a strong enough guarantee that it will not be
turned into condominiums, apartments, or any other type of residential area. Mr.
Kojetin and Mrs. Lonsbury said the meaning of "open space" is that it will not likely
ever be developed into residential land. MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. James Nolan, 5377 Melody Lane, asked if people that are against razing the house
are going to have a chance to voice their opinion. He believes it is going to be a
hangout for teenagers and it will be a party area. He indicated that there are a lot
people on Melody Lane that do not agree with the petition. He stated that the people
complaining about the rent amount forget that the renters have done a good job of
keeping vandalism down. Mr. Nolan indicated he was never asked to sign a petition,
and he did not know of the first neighborhood meeting. Ms. Semsch said she did not
know that his property abutted the open space property. Mr. Christianson said after
hearing this and looking at a detailed map he would like to change his vote because
these people were not contacted. Mrs. Lonsbury asked Ms. Semsch if everyone in the
radius of the property was invited to the neighborhood meeting. Ms. Semsch said she
invited people from 54 homes that she thought were the only ones close to the
property.
Bob Christianson MOVED TO RECONSIDER THE VOTE. Jim Moe seconded the motion. MOTION
CARRIED.
Mr. Christianson recommended letting the staff notify all the neighbors even if it
will not change the staff's recommendations.
Jim Moe MOVED TO TABLE THE DISCUSSION. Bob Christianson seconded the motion. MOTION
CARRIED.
Mr. Kojetin recommended having another neighborhood meeting. Mr. Keprios apologized
to Mr. Nolan. He indicated that he was informed by Ms. Semsch that the whole
neighborhood was canvassed. Mrs. Lonsbury asked that the Park Board be notified of
the second neighborhood meeting so they can attend. A member of the audience asked
if the building inspector has condemned the building. Mr. Keprios said it has not
been condemned; it is still a habitable house. Mr. Kojetin said now that we have the
petition, we will mark on a map all the homes in the vicinity and invite all the
people in the area. Mrs. Lonsbury requested that the City do the mailing of notice
for the neighborhood meeting. Mr. Kojetin stated we will use the same criteria used
for a hearing by inviting all the homes within 500 feet of the property line all the
way around.
II. WOODDALE SKATING RINK
Mr. Kojetin referred to the attached report and petition that the Wooddale Park
skating rink would be about 100 feet square which is not very large. It would be the
same size as the inside of a tennis court. It would go where a hard -surface area has
been proposed. If we make a warming house by enclosing the shelter, it will be $400
more just for an attendant. Mr. Wineberg said the neighbors from the last meeting
felt they did not need a shelter. He feels this is a reasonable request. Mr.
Kojetin said if it costs $900, the hours which we take to maintain an added rink are
taken away from the other rink maintenance programs. $900 is not accurate when you
consider what it takes maintenance hours away from other parts of the system. Mr.
Fee has a hard time believing that the people would use a rink without a warming
house and without lights. Mr. Kojetin said it would be for little children who would
be skating during the daylight hours with their parents. Mrs. Lonsbury asked Mr.
- 3 -
can work something out. He feels we should give it a try. There was a discussion
about the possibility of the junior high -aged kids playing hockey on the rink and
chasing the kids away. Mrs. Rydell mentioned that if the children are down here with
their parents, the parents would probably keep the bigger kids from monopolizing the
area. Mr. Kojetin added that there is no guarantee that the ice will be skatable
during Christmas vacation. Mr. Christianson stated since the people have asked for
it, we should give them a chance for a year and if they use it --great, if not --it's
gone. Mr. Moe stated on the other hand, if it costs up to $2000, you are cutting
into established programs. Mr. Christianson asked if there was a second class rink
that we should think about not flooding. Mr. Kojetin said no, that the neighbors are
already checking if their neighborhood parks will be flooded, so it would be
difficult to close one at this point.
Mr. Kojetin mentioned a second petition he has received this afternoon for creating a
skating rink at 44th Street Park. Mr. Lord stated that Wooddale Park has already
proven to be successful. Mr. Kojetin stated the 44th Street Park petition will be on
the agenda for next month's meeting. Mr. Lord stated the staff knows what they are
capable of doing. Maybe with the new park foreman and the better efficiency this can
be done without cutting something else.
Mr. Wineberg said it is up to the staff. As a board we cannot listen to constituents
all the time. I think at some point you have to say "wait a minute --we would love to
accommodate you but his is the most efficient thing we can do with your tax dollar."
Mr. Moe thinks if we open up Wooddale Park we will have it forever. Mr. Christianson
disagreed. Mr. Moe said the community is so organized in that neighborhood that they
would get together to keep the rink. Mr. Christianson said some time ago there used
to be a skating rink at Browndale Park at the millpond. For one reason or another
that was discontinued and there was never a whimper about it. Mr. Kojetin said they
were having a problem maintaining the rink on the creek:.and that is why it was
closed. Mr. Wineberg said we should give Wooddale Park a chance. Mrs. Rydell asked
Mr. Kojetin what his feelings were. Mr. Kojetin recommended trying it for one year
and if we don't get a response then we won't continue it. Mr. Lord mentioned the
rink will have to be monitored to know if it is being used. Mr. Christianson said
when Wooddale Park was first graded there was a possibility to have a rink.
Bob Christianson MOVED THAT THE SKATING RINK BE ESTABLISHED AT WOODDALE PARK FOR ONE
YEAR ONLY --WITHOUT A WARMING HOUSE, WITHOUT LIGHTS, WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS --AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD BE AWARE IT IS ON A TRIAL BASIS SUBJECT TO
RECONSIDERATION NEXT YEAR BASED ON THE USE BY THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE FEASIBILITY OF
THE RINK IN TERMS OF THE ACTUAL TIME IT WAS AVAILABLE, TIME IT WAS USED, AND ITS
COST. Bill Lord seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. Jim Moe opposed the motion.
IV. COUNCIL'S APPROVAL OF ADAPTIVE RECREATION AND BRAEMAR GOLF COURSE PROPOSALS
Mrs. Lonsbury stated that at the last Council meeting, Mr. Keprios and Lil Hipp,
Bloomington/Richfield Adaptive Recreation, gave a wonderful presentation proposing a
joint venture with Eden Prairie. Dr. Marcia Carthaus also made a great
presentation. Mr. Keprios said there is a lot of work to do and a lot of meetings to
attend before the program gets under way.
V. OTHER
Mrs. Lonsbury reminded the Park Board of the Centennial meeting Tuesday, November 17,
7:00 p.m.
- 4 -
Mr. Kojetin stated we will have the Hedberg topic at next month's meeting.
Mrs. Lonsbury is trying to schedule a tour of Edinborough Park for some Minneapolis
Park and Recreation people. Stacey will notify Park Board members of the tour date
so they can attend also.
Mrs. Lonsbury gave a brief synopsis of the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association
tour she took last month. They visited Springbrook Nature Center, Edinburg, Island
of Peace, day care facilities of Brooklyn Park and Columbia Heights, and a farm in
Brooklyn Park run by their Park and Recreation Department. Mrs. Lonsbury received
her Board and Commission Award at a very nice banquet.
Mr. Kojetin briefly explained the City Council's Task Force. The Council will be
selecting the Task Force at its next meeting. The Task Force will probably study
winter issues, capital dollars, Braemar Park, and Braemar Arena, and the total Park
and Recreation Department.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Mac Thayer MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 9:15 PM. Don Wineberg seconded the motion. MOTION
CARRIED.
- 5 -