HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-06-12 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD
June 12, 1984
7:30 p.m.
Edina City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jean Rydell, Bill Lord, Mack Thayer, Bob
Christianson, George Warner, Don Wine -
berg, Joan Lonsbury
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jim Fee, Andy Montgomery, Leonard Ring,
Marilyn Wooldridge
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, Rick Jacobson, John
Valliere, Madelyn Krinke
OTHERS PRESENT: Cora Jane Blanchard, Roger Harrold,
Merwyn Walker, Gary Sampson, Jack Becker,
Frank Garrison, John Livdahl (all rep-
resentatives of Friends of Braemar Golf
Course, Improvement Committee) and Donna
Hipps, League of Women Voters
I. MINUTES OF MAY 8, 1984 MEETING
Bill Lord made a correction to minutes of the May 8th
meeting, stating that the members present should not include his
name. Bill Lord made a motion to approve the corrected minutes
of the May 8, 1984 meeting. Jean Rydell seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
II. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Bob Kojetin presented a proposed capital improvements
budget for the next 10 years. The City Council had instructed
the staff of all departments to come up with a recommended ten
year city-wide capital improvement and repair budget. Mr.
Kojetin presented the first draft and indicated that he is
soliciting input from the Park Board members on any other changes
in capital funding for the next 10 years. Mr. Kojetin explained
the process and procedures of budgets and funding of these
projects.
Bob Kojetin explained the proposed budget reflects the
ten-year total replacement program for equipment. In 1980 it was
recommended in the city that we try to develop a replacement
program for all pieces of equipment in the City of Edina except
for the large pieces of equipment such as graders, aerial
buckets, etc., which would be individually proposed in the year
needed. All other equipment should be replaced on approximately
a ten-year program because at the present time some of our
equipment is in dire need of replacement and is anywhere from 10-
2
20 years old and now is becoming hazardous and not safe to be
used.
Joan Lonsbury recommended that the Finance Committee meet
with the City Council at the time that the Capital Improvement
Budget of the Park Board is being discussed so as to help give
input or answer questions for the Council. Mr. Kojetin will
relay the times and dates when these budget meetings come up in
September.
Rick Jacobson reported that the swimming pool remodeling
is about 98% completed, with just a small amount of painting and
finishing work to be done, but that the pool had been opened on
schedule on Saturday, June 9. Mr. Jacobson also reported that we
were not aware of how bad some of the items being repaired were
until the project was begun, such as one of the large beams was
rotted and required reinforcing in the bath house and some of the
valves were not repairable and had to be replaced, etc. These
additional items were running around $10,000 - $15,000 over the
budget. Also, it was noted that the repair of the bath house
plastic roof was not included in the bid and will have to be
repaired either at the end of this year or next year. Some
preliminary estimates for that repair indicate a cost of
approximately $10,000 - $15,000, depending on whether all of the
plastic sheets are replaced or not.
III. RECREATION REPORT
Rick Jacobson reported that the Edina Swim Club had
approached him with a plan for a building which they would like
to build at the North end of the pool. The building would be for
the Edina Swim Club's use and would provide them with much needed
office space, a weight room, which is very important for the Swim
Club members, and also a classroom. The Swim Club. would be
building it at their own expense, but would like to have the city
help finance part of the project so it could be built this year.
Of course, the building would be on the city property. The
city's responsibility would be to provide the land. It was noted
that the Swim Club is very enthusiastic and ambitious - they have
taken a group of swimmers to compete in Germany and now have
three countries coming here for the Aquatennial swim meet. The
club funds their own programs and has contributed money to
projects at the municipal pool.
Rick reported that summer registration had begun May 23
and summer programs began June 11. He noted that a good
percentage of classes are filled to the limits.
It was noted that Thursday, June 14th at 8:00 p.m. at
Braemar Baseball Complex, the American Legion team which won the
National Championship last year will be honored, at which time
trophies, pictures, and flag will be turned over to the city to
be put on display at.Braemar. Mack Thayer volunteered to attend
as a representative of the Park Board.
June 12, 1984
Edina Park Board
3
IV. BRAEMAR GOLF COURSE
Bob Kojetin gave a general overview of the function of
the Park Board as an advisory board to the City Council on all
matters pertaining to the parks and recreation activities. Mr.
Kojetin explained that the methods of supporting the five revenue
facilities has been: 1) funds generated from the facility
itself; 2) revenue bonds, backed by liquor store profits, and
3) tax money. Bob also explained that in the past, developers
funds have been used for major projects, such as the Bredesen
Park and swimming pool renovation, Lewis Park, and the picnic
shelter at the swimming pool. It was also mentioned that the
Golf Course bonds will be paid off in 1987 and the Arena bonds
will be paid off in 1985. Mr. Kojetin explained that looking at
the P & L statement for the Golf Course, one might see a profit,
however what doesn't show on the statement is the $110,000 which
must be applied to paying off the bonds. It was noted that in
1984 $60,000 would be the last payment for the irrigation system
that was installed a few years ago and also $50,000 for the Golf
Course bond payment. Mr. Kojetin further indicated that in
1985,86 and 87 there will be bond payments of $50,000 each year.
Bob Kojetin explained that a five year study has been
ongoing for future development of the Golf Course. Two years ago
authorization was given to do a feasibility study and develop
plans to improve the club house. Also approval was given to do
u:a inhouse study of constructing a new maintenance building.
Also money was appropriated for architectural fees to study
possible expansion of the Par 3. All three of these studies now
have been completed and it was explained that now it is being
recommended to the council that we start finding some method of
financing the improvements of these facilities and also determine
the year in which they should be constructed. From some of the
first studies two years ago to today's final plans, it was noted
that a substantial increase has been recommended in the repair
and upgrading of these facilities. The Par 3 has always been
discussed and there are a lot of pros as well as a lot of cons
for investing money into upgrading and expanding it, however it
continues to be studied.
Mr. Kojetin further reported that the City Council had directed
the Park staff to further study the Normandale Golf Course. At
the present time city staff is in the negotiation stages on the
Normandale Golf Course with the family who owns it and that there
is a possibility that the City will acquire it in the future,
however, it is only in the talk stages at this time. Mr. Kojetin
indicated he would not want to see the City acquire it without
knowing that it could be self-supporting, since the Park system
would suffer if funds from the current budget had to be used to
maintain another facility. It was also noted that no funds from
other revenue facilities, such as the Golf Course would be used
in the Normandale project if it becomes a reality, but noted that
the management of the Braemar course and also management of
grounds superintendent would possibly be used in the managing of
_ . 4
the facility and additional staff would have to be hired.
Don Wineberg stated that he had met with Friends of
Braemar Golf Course committee a week ago and had listened to some
of the suggestions and recommendations of their committee.
Roger Harrold, as spokesman for the Friends of Braemar
Golf Course Improvement Committee, stated that indeed, one of
their concerns was about Normandale. The committee is hopeful
that the excellent maintenance and condition of the Braemar Golf
Course will not be decreased due to a possible acquisition of
Normandale Golf Course. Mr. Harrold asked about the procedure of
voicing their concerns to the City Council. Bob Kojetin answered
that the Council has directed the staff to study the Normandale
Course further.
Roger Harrold and Cora Blanchard asked for clarification
as to how the Council gets the recommendations from the Park
Board, if it is only by reading the minutes of the Park Board
meetings. Bob Kojetin replied that is the procedure, basically,
which is followed and further that he requests items to be on the
council agenda as it is necessary. Cora Blanchard asked if there
was some other process by which interested persons might bring
concerns to the attention of the Council on their own,
specifically whether the Friends of Braemar Golf Improvements
Committee might do anything further to let the Council know that
they are concerned that the new maintenance building be built and
the clubhouse expanded as recommended by the Park Board, etc.
Bob Kojetin responded that their presence at the Park Board
meeting and continued input would be noted by the council and
taken into consideration.
Joan Lonsbury expressed that the Park Board must be
concerned about the total community needs.
Bob Christianson thanked the committee for coming to the
meeting to express their concerns about the golf course and would
like the council to make note of the interest and concerns about
continuing to study futureimprovements at the golf course.
V. OTHER
Bob Kojetin stated that Bob and Joan Rice have resigned
from KEGA gymnastics as coaches. They also have removed all of
their equipment from the but so other equipment is needed. Bob
Kojetin has been meeting with various school representatives and
Linda Sisson from the Kid's Club and has been encouraged that
they will be able to possibly work on some changes in the
organization and to seek alternatives for future coaches.
It was noted that the wife of Bing Carlin, last year's
Edina Hockey Association President, had died earlier in the week.
Don Wineberg moved to adjourn. Mack Thayer seconded the
motion. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.