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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.