HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-02-12 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD
February 12, 1985
7:30 p.m.
Edina City Hall
PRESENT: Joan Lonsbury, Jim Fee, Mack Thayer, Don Wineberg, George
Warner, Jean Rydell, Virginia Shaw, Marilyn Wooldridge
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, Rick Jacobson, Sue Weigle, Madelyn Krinke
OTHERS PRESENT: Donna Hipps, Mrs. Jane Moran, Mrs. Peter Vaurin, Sharon Moran,
Becky Vaurio, Sara Renurck, Tricia Lahti, Stephanie Reding,
Emily Owen, Susan Burgdorfer, Elizabeth Crowell
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 8, 1985 AND JANUARY 22, 1985 MEETINGS
George Warner moved for approval of minutes of the meetings held on
January 8, 1985 the special meeting held on January 22, 1985. Jean
Rydell seconded the motion. Motion carried.
II. GIRL SCOUTS - TROUP 1366 REQUESTS
Mrs. Moran introduced the Girl Scouts from the 6th grade Concord Troup.
The purpose of the visit by the girls was to take an active part in
learning how the Park Board functions and to state requests or
suggestions for several of the parks in the City of Edina. Susan
Burdorfer and Elizabeth Crowell requested that the warming house
attendant at Arden Rink be on time to open the warming house.
Stephanie Reding noticed a lot of swings broken at Weber Park and
requested some new equipment. Tricia Lahti stated that often the
swings at Arden are twisted and tangled around the poles and would like
the Park Department to untangle them. Sarah Renurck requested that
restroom facilities be open during the summer months in the parks.
Becky Vaurio and Sharon Moran requested to have more than one wood
bench at Arden Park because the metal is too cold in the winter and too
hot in the summer to use.
Bob Kojetin responded to several of the above items. Mr. Kojetin
indicated that the restrooms at Pamela could be open every day during
girls softball season. Mr. Kojetin suggested that the girls observe
when there is broken equipment and call the Park Department to let them
know where a need exists for repairs. Mr. Kojetin also asked that the
girl scouts become helpers in keeping the parks and equipment in good
order as much as possible.
III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Bob Kojetin presided over nominations for chairperson and vice
chairperson.
Virginia Shaw nominated Joan Lonsbury chairperson. No other
nominations were made and Virginia Shaw moved to cast a unanimous
ballot, with a big thank you for serving last year. Motion was
seconded and passed.
Viginia Shaw moved to cast a unanimous vote for George Warner. Mack
Thayer seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Bob Kojetin turned the meeting back to Joan Lonsbury to chair.
IV. RECREATION REPORT - SUSAN WEIGLE
Sue Weigle reported that the Senior Citizen's club now has 1200
members. Seven years ago the membership was 400. The membership gains
are due to location, congregate dining, and the many special activities
and tours which continue to expand. Health services remain the same
with blood pressure checks being offered every week. A new service has
been added this year, that being a hearing screen which is done by the
public health nurse from Bloomington. John Brown, Chemical Advisor is
also available several times a month.
The seniors continue to do a lot of volunteer work, cheese distribution
being one area which they handle.
Transportation program reached an all time low in October and November
because of lack of volunteer drivers. After advertising in the
newspapers, several new drivers volunteered so there are once again
sufficient drivers to have the bus run every week day.
Some of the special activities the seniors enjoyed the past year
included a special golf event at Braemar evening, golfing leagues,
bowling leagues, bingo, Singing Seniors, and a new exercise class which
was started by the latest senior intern. Another special program just
recently begun is the Pen Pal program where young adults become pen
pals with a senior. Also, 47 seniors went on a trip to Mackinac Island
last summer, and had a very enjoyable time. The seniors will be
participating in Expo 85 also this spring. April 9th there will be a
special program done by the Minnesota History Theatre at the senior
center. The emphasis of the Senior club has become quality programs
rather than quantity.
One of the needs of the senior citizens program is more space. The
congregate dining requires the facility to be tied up with tables so
much of the day that activities requiring the open space must be
restricted. Because of the tables being so heavy it is difficult for
the seniors to adequately move them fast and efficiently to clear more
space during a program. A stage would also be a very useful item in
presenting a number of programs for the seniors.
Jean Rydell asked if there would be room for the seniors in Edinborough
and Bob Kojetin stated that there would only be general park facilities
for the seniors at the present time. It was suggested by Virginia Shaw
that we look into finding more light -weight tables which could be
easily moved by seniors to open up more space for other activities
immediately after the seniors finish congregate dining, and that
possibly some civic minded group would take on a project of supplying
such tables if there are any on the market. Joan Lonsbury asked if
there is a possibility of using the York library, and Sue Weigle
responded that the problem would be to get the seniors there.
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V. WOODDALE/UTLEY UPDATE
Joan Lonsbury was at the February 4 council meeting, and she gave the
recommendation of the Park Board to the council. The council will be
meeting on March 4 to make a decision. Joan stated that a neighbor of
the park, Joe Price requested that the council appoint members of the
neighborhood to help plan the park.
VI. OTHER
VAN VALKENBURG PARK:
Van Valkenburg Park is in the process of being designed and bids will be
opened some time in April and construction should start the latter part
of April. It was suggested that possibly there could be a dedication of
the park in the early summer or in the fall since it was requested by
Mr. Van Valkenburg. Bob Kojetin indicated that he is working with Mr.
Van Valkenburg on a dedication date.
PAR 3:
Design work is now being done for the expansion of the Par 3 course at
Braemar. There are some problems that exist because of a 48" storm
drain pipe leading into the North end of the site. Because of the storm
water there has to be more engineering and design work for holding and
disposing of the storm water into 9 mile creek, but there is no real
problem with the timing and construction of the course. Bob Kojetin
suggested that because of the mild winter this year, the frost in the
peaty area has not gone down very far and it could be a possibility that
we would not be able to construct the Par 3 course this year and would
have to delay starting the Par 3 course into the fall. In the overall
design and construction of the Par 3 the possibility of state aid
funding for a portion of the Braemar Boulevard road could help defray
some of the cost for the drainage and storm water problem of the site.
At the same time, we could possibly construct a bridge over Braemar
Blvd. and also solve some of the traffic problems to the entrance to the
club house parking lot.
NORMANDALE:
Bob Kojetin reported that a discussion on constructing of an office
building on a portion of the Normandale Golf Course, which is highly
opposed by the neighbors, was heard at the council meeting. The
discussion by the council was to table the decision and see if at all
possible another solution could be worked out with the Opus
Corporation.
SOCCER:
Bob Kojetin reported that there are some problems with the soccer
program. The association wants to start a league for ages 18 and under
which would be a super -type league consisting of Edina and non Edina
participants. The motive behind this is that the state high school
league has a rule that there can not be over 7 high school soccer
players from one school on the same team. The soccer association wants
teams made up of several cities, but have us run it. John Keprios has
indicated to the association he is adamantly against it. Bob Kojetin
wants to sit down with the Board to discuss the matter.
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Joan Lonsbury reported that she had a complaint that a hockey game had
been scheduled at 8:30 on a Sunday morning for elemntary age players.
Bob Kojetin indicated he would check on it.
TEEN CENTER
Bob Kojetin stated that there have been meetings regarding establishing
a teen center again. Rick Jacobson has been at some preliminary
meetings initiated by Alice Randall of Community Education. Rick
indicated that there is some interest by parents and community to begin
some type of program geared primarily toward the Jr. High age group to
offer them alternatives to flocking around the football fields during
the Sr. High games and away from businesses. The primary time they are
concerned with covering would be Friday and Saturday nights. The
Community Ed is willing to contribute $750 to begin some type of program
and the City also is willing to commit $750. The Park and Recreation
Department has been asked if they would take an active role in running
the program. Rick asked for reaction of the Park Board.
Virginia Shaw suggested turning it back over to those who asked us to
get involved to come up with suggestions. She does not feel our staff
should be burdened with this type of thing now, and the program would be
stronger if it comes from grass roots.
Several groups in Edina, particularly church groups, now offer groups
for young people. Don Wineberg surmised that there might be duplication
of effort if other groups are now offering activities. He also feels
that until the need is clarified we should not act.
BANDY:
Rick Jacobson, Bob Kojetin, Don Wineberg and Larry Thayer just returned
from Norway and Sweden where THE U.S.A. team played for the first time
in in the Bandy World Championships. Five countries participated in a
round robin tournament. The USSR won the World Championship. We can be
proud of our National Team for their participation. The temperatures
were extremely cold and they played very well.
Virginia Shaw moved to adjourn. Don Wineberg Seconded.
Meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
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