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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-10-08 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD October 8, 1985 7:30 p.m. Edina City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Jim Fee, Mack Thayer, George Warner, Bill Lord, Virginia Shaw, Don Wineberg, Jean Rydell, Joan Lonsbury, MEMBERS ABSENT: Marilyn Wooldridge, Andy Montgomery STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Madelyn Krinke OTHERS PRESENT: Ronald Flanagan and Donna Hipps I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 10, 1985 MEETING Don Wineberg moved to approve the minutes of the September 10, 1985 Park Board meeting. George Warner seconded the motion. Motion passed. II. DAY PROPERTY Bob Kojetin explained the Day property situation. Mr. Day had written a letter to Mr. Kojetin about a piece of property to the rear of his home which is between his property and Minnehaha Creek. According to Mr. Day, his concern for the piece of property goes back to 1951 when the street to the rear of his home along the Minnehaha Creek was vacated. Half of the property was given to the home owners and the other half went to an Outlot A between the road and the creek. This little strip of property paralleled Minnehaha Creek between the home owner on 55th Street and Minnehaha Creek. Mr. Day had contacted the county and obtained a Quit Claim whereby this outlot was divided and given to eight of his neighbors along the creek. All these small lots were attached to the home owners' property except Mr. Day's property through an oversight by the county. In June of 1957 it was brought to Mr. Day's attention that he did not own this property and through oversight by the county and through a county board meeting the property was then signed over to Mr. Day. Between June, 1957 and 1966, there were no taxes paid on this piece of property by Mr. Day who thought he had been paying taxes, but in fact had not. The property in 1966 was picked up by the city as tax forfeited land. Mr. Day always had felt that this property was his until he started looking into his papers and realized that the city owned this property along the creek. It is now Mr. Day's request that the property be made his. In order to accomplish this, the Park Board would have to declare this property as not needed for public usage, and the Edina City Council would have to adopt a resolution stating that this is not needed for public use, return the property back to the State of Minn. and request that sale of the property be limited to adjacent property owners. 1 Bob Kojetin expressed his feeling that the 20' wide strip of property is not usable land for the Park Department. Bob Christianson MOVED THAT THE STRIP OF LAND BETWEEN MR. DAY'S PROPERTY AND MINNEHAHA CREEK, NOW OWNED BY THE CITY OF EDINA, BE DECLARED UNUSABLE AND NOT SUITABLE FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES, AND FURTHER RECOMMEND WE TURN IT BACK TO THE STATE TO BE SOLD. Don Wineberg SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED. III. GOLF DOME IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSAL Bob Kojetin introduced Mr. Ronald Flanagan. A letter had been sent to Park Board members stating the Golf Dome Associates proposal for capital improvements at the Edina Golf Dome. Mr. Flanagan explained that when the dome was originally proposed to the City, based on experiences of other domes in New York and Detroit, it was assumed that grass would grow year round, but due to weather conditions and soil conditions at the site, the grass has not been surviving the winter season and it has been a tremendous problem for both the current operation of the Golf Dome and even more so for the Park Department in the summer. Mr. Flanagan stated that the Golf Dome Associates are proposing to install artificial turf in the area where the dome is operated and put up a fence around the perimiter of the area. They would also furnish the 3 inch blacktop base under the turf on the prepared site. The cost would be completely the responsibility of the Golf Dome Associates and in return, they are requesting the city to waive the $1,500 per month rental and lease fee for four years, allow the dome to remain inflated for a four year period, and extend the lease period by four years. The Golf Dome Associates would allow the City to use the dome for a period of about six months when the facility is not used for golfing. George Warner asked if Edina would pay the operating expenses, etc. and Mr. Flanagan replied they would only if they are using it. Joan Lonsbury stated that she opposes the proposal because she feels the Golf Dome Associates did not fulfill their original obligation. The agreement was that the site would be returned in good condition each spring and that has not been done. She felt that the city should not be asked to bail out the corporation. Mr. Flanagan stated he felt this was not bailing them out, but that the corporation was asking to make improvements to the facility at great expense to his corporation, to benefit both the city and the dome. Mr. Flanagan stated further that he had checked on other domes made of the same materials in Detroit and New York and the grass continues to grow without problems. No problem was anticipated with the dome in Edina. John Keprios asked if moisture and humidity would be excessive in the summer inside the dome, especially on hot days. Mr. Flanagan felt that with artificial turf, rather than grass, the humidity and moisture problem would be diminished, since there would be no need for sprinkling as is required now for the grass. Bob Kojetin indicated that the city could probably rent the facility out on an hourly or daily basis for activities such as soccer, softball, etc. The improvements would definitely be beneficial to the city, according to Mr. 2 Kojetin. He stated that we have not been able to use it much at all because of the deterioration of the grass, and the length of time which it takes to grow grass there in the summer. A financial statement of the dome was given to the Park Board members (copy attached). Mack Thayer asked how many months the dome would be available for the city to use it, and if Edina did not use it who would pay the operating expenses. Mr. Flanagan stated that the corporation would pay the expenses for the months that it is under lease by the corporation. When asked what the Associates are requesting of the City as far as assistance in the project, Mr. Flanagan said that site preparation to the extent that the city would remove the fill dirt before the blacktop is put in would be the major request. The only other assistance would be if the city decided to extend the fencing beyond the area which the Golf Dome Associates plan to have fenced. Don Wineberg commented that if the park has not been able to be used for three years, this would be a big improvement. Jim Fee remarked that it would seem to be able to generate a lot of revenue with the new turf. Bill Lord said he could envision a lot of uses for the facility if it had the artificial turf and remained up all year, and he feels it could really be an asset to the community. BOB CHRISTIANSON MADE A MOTION THAT THE PARK BOARD RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL THAT WE ACCEDE TO THE REQUEST OF EDINA GOLF DOME ASSOCIATES TO EXTEND THE LEASE TERM BY FOUR YEARS, WAIVING THE LEASE CHARGES FOR FOUR YEARS, AND ALLOW THEM TO PUT IN ARTIFICIAL TURF AND FENCING ACCORDING TO THE LETTER PRESENTED. JIM FEE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY WITH ONE ABSTENTION BY VIRGINIA SHAW. Mr. Flanagan further clarified that the dome can come down at any time that the city so requests. IV. ARENA - PAVILION STUDY Bob Kojetin introduced Ed Howat, Vice President of the Edina Hockey Association. Mr. Howat expressed the need for a feasibility study for a facility to accommodate the needs of the hockey association and the gymnastics association. Mr. Howat appeared before the Edina City Council at a recent meeting to state those needs. Mr. Howat explained the problem with the refrigeration and floor which could cost up to $300,000 to correct. A second issue is the Edina Gymnastics Association which has a need for a permanent home. It has been discussed that possibly the Pavilion could be converted to a gymnastics area, possibly with an indoor running track. Mr. Howat reported some statistics on usage of ice. In 1969 there were about 400 boys participating and they used 386 hours at Braemar and purchased 200 outside of Edina. 700 hours of ice were purchased outside of Edina last year. The suggestion has been made to build a natural ice rink attached to another indoor arena. This year $25,000 was donated to Braemar for new lights and new heating by the hockey association. The hockey association has another $70,000 which it would like to use to start the project, and also anticipates additional funds will come from fund raisers. The gymnastics association might be willing to do some fund raisers also to assist with a joint effort. Mr. Howat said he thought another $100,000 could be 3 generated by the two associations. It would cost about $300,000 to correct the floor in the pavilion if it continues to be used for hockey. Another consideration is that the arena is almost paid up, so some of the revenues could be used for a new facility. Bob Christianson said if you have two artificial sheets and one natural sheet, how many outdoor hockey rinks can you eliminate? Bob Kojetin said that is a matter that would have to be addressed in the study. Bob Christianson also asked about the number of participants, whether the numbers will support and generate the revenue needed to pay for these expenditures. Mr. Howat indicated that there are about 176 7 & 8 year old skaters this year. First Year skating techniques classes offered this year were taken by twice as many skaters as what was anticipated. Bob Christianson stated that more indoor ice is being used for hockey than previously. Bob Kojetin stated that weather conditions are a very large factor. Bob Kojetin mentioned that if these two facilities were built adjacent to the present Braemar Pavilion, the road alignments through the parking lot would have to be changed and also the configuration of the parking lot. There is now a study being done which indicates that 494 and County Road 18 will have a clover leaf and if this would be built, there would be a frontage road put along County Road 18 that would also be connected to the main road going in front of the new buildings or Braemar Arena. Bob Christianson expressed concern that if a new facility is developed, enough revenue be generated from our own hockey and figure skaters and programs so that it does not become a burden to the taxpayer. Virginia Shaw asked what the school board's projection on school population is. Bob Christianson stated that they are seeing a continued decline in secondary education, but now seeing an increase in elementary schools, especially in primary grades. They do not expect to see the large numbers in the grades that existed 10-15 years ago. Bob Christianson MOVED TO APPROVE THE STUDY OF THE PROPOSAL TO CONVERT THE EXISTING PAVILION TO A GYMNASTICS FACILITY, BUILD A NEW INDOOR ICE FACILITY AND ERECT A NATURAL ICE FACILITY WITH A ROOF. Virginia Shaw SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Joan Lonsbury stated that Jim Fee and Andy Montgomery are the Facility Resource Committee from the Park Board and requested that they meet with the Hockey/Gymnastics Association Committee. V. FACILITY REPORT Bob Kojetin reported that in the near future we may have to begin assessing for use of fields. Mr. Kojetin reviewed the activities and participants use report which he handed out. About $100,000 is budgeted to maintain the fields and facilities. About another $100,000 is budgeted to maintain the outdoor ice. Bob Kojetin reported that he had met with the association presidents and will be sending minutes of association meetings. We do a tremendous amount of paper work for the associations and have discussed possibilities on how to cut down. 4 We will do a basic program, but coaches manuals will have to be sent to a printer now. Bob mentioned that the boards handle up to $100,000 a year in their budgets and their entire board turns over every 3 years. VI. GOLF COURSE AND CLUB HOUSE REPORT AND PAR 3 Bob Kojetin reported that the golf course bids were opened and awarded for the Par 3 and Club House addition. The bids on the Par 3 came in lower than projected and the Club House bids have only been received on the first phase at this time. A construction manager has been hired for the club house who will oversee the entire club house project. Construction will probably begin next Monday, October 14. VI. RECREATION REPORT John Keprios reported that EGAA Flag Football and Basketball, Football, Adult Volleyball are all in progress. Karate and Firearm Safety classes are also being conducted. John mentioned that the Teen Center has opened and he and Ed MacHolda worked there and found it very interesting. They were very surprised to have between 600 and 700 7th, 8th, and 9th grade youth attend the first Friday night. The following Saturday there were very few who attended - less than 25. Each of the Friday nights have been very successful with 300-400 youth attending, but Saturday nights there have been less than 50 in attendance. The center is scheduled to be open for 8 Fridays and Saturday nights and the Park and Recreation Department is committed to find one volunter person per night. VII. OTHER Bob Kojetin reported that the budget as last viewed by the Park Board had been adopted. Art Center Board meeting is the third Wednesday at 4 p.m. Jean Rydell will be representing the Park Board. George Warner requested some new hay bales at the archery range for some individuals who had asked about it. John Keprios stated that he had investigated installing new bales and it was the recommendation from people providing new bales for archery ranges that we buy new bales in the spring because in the fall when the hunters are using hunting arrows and practicing they cut the new bales up with their arrows. Don Wineberg moved to adjourn. Bob Christianson seconded. Motion carried. MOTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION BY COUNCIL: MOVED, SECONDED AND PASSED: THAT THE STRIP OF LAND BETWEEN MR. DAY'S PROPERTY AND MINNEHAHA CREEK, NOW OWNED BY THE CITY OF EDINA, BE DECLARED UNUSABLE AND NOT SUITABLE FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES, AND FURTHER RECOMMEND WE TURN IT BACK TO THE STATE TO BE SOLD. 5 MOVED, SECONDED AND PASSED: THAT THE PARK BOARD RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL THAT WE ACCEDE TO THE REQUEST OF THE EDINA GOLF DOME ASSOCIATES TO EXTEND THE LEASE TERM BY FOUR YEARS, WAIVING THE LEASE CHARGES FOR FOUR YEARS, AND ALLOW THEM TO PUT IN ARTIFICIAL TURF AND FENCING ACCORDING TO THE LETTER PRESENTED. MOVED,SECONDED AND PASSES: TO APPROVE THE STUDY OF THE PROPOSAL TO CONVERT THE EXISTING PAVILION TO A GYMNASTICS FACILITY, BUILD A NEW INDOOR ICE FACILITY AND ERECT A NATURAL ICE FACILITY WITH A ROOF. 0