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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-01-10 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD January 10, 1984 7:30 p.m. Edina City Hall Members Present: Joan Lonsbury, Bill Lord, Bob Christianson, Marilyn Wooldridge, Virginia Shaw, Don Wineberg, Mack Thayer, George Warner Staff Present: Bob Kojetin, Rick Jacobson, Madelyn Krinke Others Present: Donna Hipps - League of Women Voters, Greg Mack - Hennepin County Park Reserve District, Bob Nethercutt- Parks and Open Space Metropolitan Council I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 8, 1983 MEETING Bill Lord Moved to approve the minutes of the November 8th meeting. Mack Thayer seconded the motion. Motion carried. II. WOODDALE SCHOOL Bob Christianson gave a brief synopsis of the committee meeting which he attended in the past week, together with other school officials and city officials. Discussions continued regarding the disposition of Wooddale School building and site. Mr. Christianson's understanding is that the Wooddale School issue is to be considered at the upcoming council meeting and that Fred Richards and Leslie Turner will be presenting a memo to the council recommending that the city accept the property with no encumbrances or reservations. Bob Kojetin stated that from in-house meetings on this subject, he has learned that the city will probably hire a consultant to study the whole area, including the new 50th Street which will be upgraded, the Utley Park area and the whole 50th and Wooddale corner area. The consultant will study the feasibility of taking the building entirely &wn, partly down, leaving it as is, or different combinations of ways of doing it. Mr. Kojetin commented that when the consultant is hired, there will be a committee appointed consisting of a Park Board member, staff member, residents of the area, etc. Mr. Kojetin indicated he would not expect anything to be done to the building or that area until 1985. Mr. Christianson noted that another item on the council agenda for their next meeting which may affect the outcome of the Wooddale school, is that of the Historical Preservation proposal. Page 2 III. PARKLAWN-HEDBERG PROPERTY Bob Kojetin reported that the park property is going to be located one block to the north of the original plan, however because Mr. Hedberg is very ill, the matter will be on indefinite hold. IV. HENNEPIN COUNTY PARK RESERVE DISTRICT Bob Kojetin introduced Greg Mack, who is Division Manager for the Department of Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources, Hennepin County Park Reserve District. Mr. Mack presented a very comprehensive explanation of how the Park Reserve Districts were first begun and their structure, administra- tion and purpose. Mr. Mack showed slides of various facilities which depicted many uses of the facilities and parks. Mr. Mack reported that the Hennepin County Park Reserve District presently owns about 2700 acres in 6 counties. Edina Park and Recreation Department has scheduled its downhill ski lessons at Hyland Hills Park Reserve District since the ski hill has been owned by the Park Reserve District and also has used the facility when it was privately owned and called Normandale Ski Hill. Residents are probably not aware that Hyland Hills is a Hennepin County Park Reserve park, but it is very close to Edina and has extremely good access for Edina residents. The Hennepin County Park Reserve District now owns more than 1000 acres or more of open space. The management principal under which they operate is to acquire land for active recreational use and preservation of landscape. Some of the uses of the parks include restoration of landscape to 80% of pre -settlement era, advancement of Canadian Geese, Trumpeter Swan project, small bird flock programs. The landscaping projects are for the purpose of appreciation by people. There are nature and interpretive centers which serve school age children but are also used for adult programs, which receive a lot of funding from private sources. Many of the parks have corridor trails which connect parks, horse trails, cross country ski trails, snowmobile trails, etc. There are numerous open spaces for people to get together for picnics in quiet areas, as well as many outdoor active areas for boating, fishing, swimming, etc. Various parks include family camping areas and have large picnic shelters. The Special Park District governing board consists of seven members, four commissioners elected from park reserve districts, excluding Minneapolis and 3 Minneapolis Park Board members who are appointed by the Park Board. The purpose of the board is to acquire, develop and operate the park reserve districts. Funding for the Reserve District is by the Hennepin County Board, with monies generated from county taxes, which Edina residents of course, pay also. Last year the amount of taxes which went to parks from Hennepin County taxes paid by Edina residents amounted to $500,000. The general concensus of the Park Board was one of surprise and amazement at what is available through the Park Reserve District. Mr. Mack indicated that one of the greatest challenges they have is to get information to the general public about all the facilities and programs that are available through the Park Reserve Districts. Bob Kojetin has been attending the County task force meetings on parks and he stated that a lot of the Hennepin County Parks are a long ways away from the large population areas and there has been discussion that maybe they should Page 3 try to develop more parks nearer to the large population areas. Mr. Kojetin also stated that there is a need to emphasize and publicize to Edina residents to a larger extent that the park reserves and regional parks are an extension of our system and funding comes from taxes which Edina residents and other Hennepin County residents pay, therefore they should take advantage of these facilities. More information will be included in our Park and Recreation brochure. V. METROPOLITAN REGIONAL PARKS Bob Kojetin introduced Bob Nethercutt, Director of Parks and Open Space Metropolitan Council. It was explained that the Metropolitan Council was established by the legislature. The Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commis- sion was set up in 1977 as an advisory agency to the Metropolitan Council. This commission reviews and recommends approval of particular grants, etc., to the Metro Council. The Metro Council has funded $120 million into the regional park system since 1974. They own a total acreage of 47,000 acres. While most of the acquisition of property has been completed, there are a few areas which the Council still considers first priority and if the lands are ever available for acquisition, will be given top priority for funding. The Metro Council is charged with funding of the parks which have regional status and park reserve districts, through bonds backed by taxes. They have authority to make acquisitions of lands and to award grants according to priori- ties which they determine based to a large extent on recommendations from the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission. Since 1974 the Metro Council, on the recommendation of the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission, has funded about 99% of acquisition of property and about 90% of development. One of the issues the commission has been dealing with for several years is that of providing operating and maintenance funds. They have been attempt- ing to meet operating and maintenance funding by using property taxes. The state legislature took over 1/2 of the indebtedness using their funds for development of regional parks system. In this way it is providing for regional parks as it has done for years in the outstate parks. Don Wineberg suggested to Mr. Nethercutt that the council should consider construction of a speed skating oval facility. Mr. Nethercutt indicated that they have discussed the possibility of such a facility and a committee will be formed some time this year for site location and working drawings. OTHER Don Wineberg Moved to adjourn. Virginia Shaw seconded the motion. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.