HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-11-13 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD
7:30 p.m.
November 13, 1984
Edina City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Marilyn Wooldridge, Jean Rydell, Bob
Christianson, Jim Fee, Mack Thayer, Bill
Lord, George Warner, Joan Lonsbury,
Virginia Shaw
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, Rick Jacobson, Madelyn
Kr. inke
OTHERS PRESENT: Dick Maguire, Peggy Fifield, Jerry Hill,
Susan Hill, Maureen Green, Pam Katzman
I. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 9, 1984 MEETING
Jean Rydell moved for approval of the minutes of the
October 9, 1984 meeting after making the correction that
she was also present when the committee inspected the
tennis courts. Mack Thayer seconded the motion. Motion
carried.
II. EDINBOROUGH PARK
Bob Kojetin presented an update on the Edinborough Park
plans. He stated that the planning commission has given
approval for the basic plan in concept, but that the
total package is not yet put together. Grading bids have
been awarded and the city will have the site graded now,
because that would have to be done regardless of what is
done on the site. The developer feels that some kind of
a pool is needed in the development, so the plan now
shows a lap pool.
A new concept has been introduced, that is the turn key
operation whereby the entire project will be built with
private money, but to the specifications agreed to by the
city, and upon completion, the city would purchase the
park for a predetermined price. The park would actually
be built by private funds and the city would buy it back
for about $5 million. It would be built the way we want
it, so when the city buys it back there will not be any
additional costs for making changes. The,park would be
purchased entirely from tax increment und, no tax
dollars_] About $800 thousand to $1 million of the tax
increment money would be put into an'account to draw
interest which could be used for operating costs. Other
operating money will come from the residents of the
units. Bob Kojetin estimated that there would be a need
for two or three maintenance people and one program
director. It is hoped that construction can begin
between March and May. Bob Kojetin suggested that the
committee should plan to meet in the near future.
III. EDINA GYMNASTICS ASSOCIATION
Bob Kojetin explained that the gymnastics program has
undergone a big change in the last few months. The Weber
Building and the but is presently being used. The
program showed growth at its last registration. There is
a new Board of Directors, and several of the members of
the board were present. Bob Kojetin introduced Dick
Maguire, the new president and Peggy Fifield the new head
coach.
Dick Maguire thanked the Park Board for all the support
and assistance the board has given to the gymnastics
organization. Mr. Maguire noted that since the beginning
of the gymnastics program in Edina, it has served as a
training program for gymnasts who have continued in
gymnastics at Edina High School, at the U of M, and
Olympics. There are now over 360 enrolled in the EGA
program, with 20 on the waiting list. There are 23
classes being conducted and 6 teams. Mr. Maguire
expressed the desire of the EGA to grow, but at the
present time that is not possible because of the
limitations of the space available to -them.
Mr. Maguire expressed the appreciation for the gymnastics
association for the loan made by the city for the new
equipment which was necessary for the program to
continue. He further commented that the Weber Building
is adequate for the younger children, although it does
not permit the program to grow as it is already very
crowded there. It would be better to have the entire
program conducted from one building so that some of the
equipment could be shared by various classes. Another
problem with not having a larger facility is that the EGA
is not able to hold its own meets. Meets can be very
good money makers for the hosting organization. The EGA
is asking the Park Board for some assistance and
direction in finding a more suitable facility for their
gymnastic program, particularly one which would be large
enough so they could grow. Mr. Maguire stated that what
is basically needed is 50' x 100' or about 50,000 square
feet of space which is unencumbered where their equipment
can be secured to the floor. and be available for use all
day long for pre school and other classes.
Bob Kojetin stated that in the meetings of the gymnastic
association, it was asked whether there could possibly be
a committee formed by the gymnastics association to help
work on a facility study with the city, with the hope
that the city might consider constructing some type of
new facility and have the gymnastics association in turn
help to repay the cost of the facility over a long period
of time.
The question was asked whether Wooddale School might be a
possibility for at least a temporary home for the EGA
program. Bob Kojetin noted that the City Council has
given the directive that the only groups which may use
Wooddale School at all is the Edina Historical Society
and boys and girls basketball association until the study
is completed for Wooddale School and further directives
are given.
III. WOODDALE SCHOOL
Bob Kojetin reported that BRW has shown the city staff
six different alternatives for the park and six
alternatives for the building. At the end of this
meeting with the city staff, BRW indicated that the
concerns should be put together and combined to provide
three different alternatives. The six suggested alterna-
tives range from keeping the building totally intact to
totally demolishing the facility. One of the suggestions
had been to leave the front entrance which would be like
a monument in the park. Consideration was even given to
moving the Cahill and Grange Hall to the school site to
make a totally historical park, or the possibility of
moving the Grange Hall and Cahill School to the Utley
Park area and selling of the present historical park.
One of the suggestions for Utley Park was to construct a
lagoon which, in th winter, could be used for a skating
rink, using the pump house (which has toilet facilities)
for a warming house.
Bob Kojetin stated that there will be two meetings held,
one on January 8 and one on January 15th, at the Wooddale
School Auditorium, at which time the presentation by the
BRW Consulting Engineering firm will be given. Letters
will be snt out to all people in the neighborhood. The
meeting will cover the issues of 50th Street, Wooddale
School, and Utley Park.
Marilyn Wooldridge and Bob Christianson will serve on the
Wooddale School Committee.
IV. VAN VALKENBERG PARK
Bob Kojetin reported that the selling of the sand and
gravel and the final rough grading of the three softball
fields and parking lot contract will be completed by
March 1, 1985. There are still some final grading plans
and agreements that have to be made between the cemetary
owners and the City in regard to grading. Because of the
tremendously high hills, a determination has to be made
of what direction the fill will go. December 1 the City
will receive the last check, which should bring the total
revenue in escrow for the park to about $240,000. It is
estimated that the total park will cost approximately
$540,000 to build. Mr. Kojetin stated that this park is
basically where the gravel pit is located. The park is
being built as an adult park for softball and other
activities and the high grade to the south is where the
neighborhood park and neighborhood activities will be
held. The access to the adult park will be only by
County Road 18.
V. RECREATION REPORT
Rick Jacobson reported that Boys Basketball registration
is going well and the numbers of teams are up by about 4.
After school basketball program is going very well.
Girls basketball has ended. Winter activities are coming
up and applications are being taken for warming house
attendants. Garden Park is closed this year because of
construction. The parking lot at Garden is scheduled to
be completed next year.
VI. OTHER
Joan Lonsbury reported that Edina Expo is coming up April
20 and 21 and was wondering if the Park Board is
interested in having a 6 foot table for a display.
Joan Lonsbury gave a recap of the Metro Council meeting
which she and Bob Kojetin, Bill Lord, and Rick Jacobson
had attended immediately before the Park Board meeting.
Each of the communities who submitted proposals for the
site of the speed skating rink were represented and given
an opportunity to explain their proposals. Burnsville
and Roseville are the other two communities requesting to
be considered for the site.
Bob Kojetin reported that the golf presentation to the
City Council by the golf committee had gone very well and
the council approved the proposal to expand the
clubhouse, the Par 3 and build a new maintenance
building. Bob stated that construction of the Par 3 will
begin in the spring and also possibly construction of the
maintenance building will begin in the spring. If
everything would go very well, it could be possible to
open for play in August of 1986. Bob Kojetin also stated
that it appeared to be possible to hold off on selling of
bonds until sometime in 1986 or 1987 when the money would
actually be needed. Bob Kojetin, Jerry Dalen and John
Valliere will be meeting to finalize plans.
Mack Thayer moved to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded and
passed.
Meeting adjourned at 9:05.