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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 -