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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-08-09 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD MEETING Tuesday, August 9, 1983 7:30 p.m. Edina City Hall PRESENT: Joan Lonsbury, George Warner, Bob Christianson, Doug King, Bill Lord, Leonard Ring, Art Erdall, Virginia Shaw STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, Rick Jacobson, Madelyn Krinke OTHERS PRESENT: Richard A. Pelletier I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JUNE 14, 1983 MEETING Art Erdall indicated a correction was necessary under "Members Present" because his name had been omitted. With the addition of his name, he MOVED FOR APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE JUNE 14, 1983 MEETING AS CORRECTED. MOTION CARRIED. II. DISC GOLF EQUIPMENT REQUEST Richard Pelletier was introduced by Bob Kojetin. Mr. Pelletier represents Discs Concepts, Inc. which is a group of young men whose purpose is to promote the sport of Disc Golf. Mr. Pelletier, on behalf of Discs Concepts, offered to buy the equipment which was previously installed at Braemar, for $900. Considerable discussion followed in an attempt to decide whether the equipment might be used by the Park Department in the future. At the present time there are no plans, however, it was questioned whether the equipment might be used as separate items in the various parks, or another location could be found. Joan Lonsbury suggested that the matter be tabled until the next meeting, and all agreed. III. ART CENTER REPORT Bob Kojetin reported that the gas kiln has been completed at the Art Center, however the building is still in the sketch stage. Construction will begin some- time in August. The porch is being used as a sales gallery. The Art Center is working on a contract to have someone operate the sales gallery. It was suggested that 20% of the sales will go to the Art Center and 10% will go to a contracted person who will manage, stock and handle the books for the sales gallery. Hours will be from 10-2 and possibly 7-8 p.m. The stock in the sales gallery will consist of art pieces from members, students, instructors and invited artists. Because the porch is presently just screened in, in order to operate 12 months of the year, the porch will have to be enclosed. Estimates are around the $3,000 - $4,000 range to enclose the porch. Funds are being solicited from outside sources and hopefully will be received to pay for this project. It is hoped that it will be in operation in Sept. Art in the Park is scheduled for September 10th. Registrations are coming in and it is expected to exceed last years participation by artists. -2 - IV. GOLF COURSE REPORT Bob Kojetin reported that the Golf Committee had met on June 20 and one of the items discussed was the issue of the Senior fees and times of play. It was determined that the Senior Men's League receives more time playing than Senior Women's League. It was recommended by the Golf Committee that the course be opened Monday -Friday for Senior play and that the Senior rate be increased 5W. It was also hoped that the increase could begin in August of this year. The Park Board members discussed the possibilities of equalizing the rates, however, it was felt that a change in rates now, with only 3 weeks left in the league season would be quite difficult to implement, and therefore it was decided to not make any changes for the current season, but to take a very close look at the rates for next year. Virginia Shaw MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL THAT THE PRESENT GOLF COURSE RATE STRUCTURE REMAIN IN PLACE FOR THE BALANCE OF THE YEAR AND THAT SOME CHANGES BE IMPLEMENTED NEXT YEAR, WITH A CLOSE LOOK AT EQUITY FOR MEN AND WOMEN REGARDING RATES. Bob Christianson SECONDED the Motion. MOTION CARRIED. VI.' BUDGET Bob Kojetin reported that next year a new in-house program will begin for 1st and 2nd grades in soccer. It will alternate days with the T -ball program and both soccer and T -ball will be combined for boys and girls. It was noted that the instructors for the soccer program will also be the T -ball instructors, thus expand- ing the number of hours for that position. It is expected that this will make staff- ing with high quality instructors an easier task. The budget will reflect the extra expense, but it will be offset by the registration fees, and the new soccer program for first and second grade will be self-supporting. A list -of proposed Capital and Capital Repair items for the Golf Course, Parks, Arena and Pool (copy attached) was given to the board members by Mr. Kojetin and he indicated that he would like a recommendation to the council on the ways to fund the proposed major projects. Municipal Pool - The condition of the municipal pool was discussed in length and the park board concensus was that the poor condition of the bathhouse and deterior- ation of the inlets had been ignored longer than it should have been because funds had not been made available for renovation in previous years. Rick Jacobson dis- played an inlet which had to be replaced this year (requiring the pool to be closed for several days) and indicated that the corrosion which had taken place on that inlet has obviously been occurring on the other inlets also, and there is no way of knowing just how long it might be before other inlets begin leaking. It was noted that if repairs had been necessary during the peak of the season, a great deal of revenue would have been lost. The roof of the bathhouse has been leaking for a number of years and nothing has been done to the structure itself since 1958. Construction of handicap access for bathhouse, pool and restrooms was also discussed. It was mentioned that funds for handicap renovation would be available for the pro- ject from Community Development and it would probably be most feasible to proceed with that project at the same time as renovation of the bathhouse. The possibility of constructing a large water slide was also discussed with much interest. It was decided that additional information should be gathered regarding water slides currently in operation, including financial data. Bob Kojetin indicated that funding of the renovation projects at the pool should come from funds other than the regular park maintenance budget since extensive dollars would be involved. -3 - Bill Lord MADE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL THAT RENOVATION OF THE BATHHOUSE, REPAIR OF INLETS, AND CONSTRUCTION OF HANDICAP RESTROOMS AND ACCESS AT THE MUNICIPAL POOL BE THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR NEXT YEAR AND THAT ALTERNATIVE FUNDING BE USED - NOT MONIES FROM THE ANNUAL CAPITAL REPAIR BUDGET MONEY. Art Erdall SECONDED the Motion. MOTION CARREID. Braemar Golf Course needs were noted as in attached information sheet. Bob Kojetin reported that construction to expand the Par 3 would take approximately 2-3 years and would increase revenue and provide a more challenging course for the beginning golfer. Because of the low area, an architect has been retained to draw up plans for the expanded course and also to make a topographical map of the area to show what would need to be filled. This will provide a logical place for the city to dump sand and gravel it needs to dispose of from other projects, however, the completion date will vary depending upon the availability of fill material. Maintenance Garage - Construction of a new maintenance garage at Braemar was also discussed. This project had been planned for the previous year. but was held back because of the need to connect the city sewer to the golf course. The figures on the maintenance garage are still quite accurate, and construction should begin in the next year. Clubhouse.- Bob Kojetin also reported that an architect has been retained to come up with plans and cost figures for expansion for the Clubhouse. George Warner MADE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL, APPROVAL OF THE PLANS FOR BRAEMAR GOLF COURSE AS OUTLINED, WITH FUNDING BY REVENUE BONDS, TO BE BACKED UP BY GOLF COURSE PROFITS. Bill Lord SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. Pavilion Balcony- is in the planning stage. The hockey association has indicated they will help bear some of the cost of this project. A recommendation to the council for approval on this project was made at the March Park Board meeting. Park Improvements - Bob Kojetin indicated that the playground equipment is in dire need of repair since most of it was installed in 1963 and 1964. The Park Dept. has performed maintenance on the equipment annually, but much of it is becoming worn and has deteriorated to the point of being hazardous. Installation of hew equip— ment and curbing has been completed in a few parks and work is done annually at the rate of about 1-2 playgrounds. Bob Christianson MADE A MOTION TO HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL THAT FUNDS BE ALLOCATED FOR REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AS SET FORTH ON THE ATTACHED PROJECT SHEET BECAUSE OF THE UNSAFE CONDITION OF THE EXISTING EQUIPMENT. Bill Lord SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. Bredesen Park - Bob Kojetin reported that the $200,000 indicated on the budget sheet is all from developers funds and the 9 -mile Watershed District will fund their portion to complete the project. Construction to be completed in the winter of 1985. Tree Trimming Inventory project was reported by Bob Kojetin to be needed in order to determine types of trees and conditions in respect to removal and trimming. This information is needed so it can be entered into the computer to arrive at a program for the trees, bidding and assessing of a tree trimming program for all of Edina in 1984. The total cost for this project could be assessed back to the -4 - home owners, which is how it was done in the 1962 tree trimming program. Bob Kojetin reported that there is no way that he could see that it would be possible for the city to trim trees using our available manpower because of the tremendous amount of trees which need trimming and the number of trees which must be removed due to Dutch Elm Disease. At the present time there are 90-100 trees that are marked for removal and the crew is averaging removal of about 5-6 trees per day now. This allows no time for trimming. Also, the tree crew was set back approxi- mately 3-4 weeks because of the branch removal after the 4th of July storm. Many of the trees scheduled for removal have been marked for appxoimately 4-6 weeks. VI. RECREATION REPORT Rick Jacobson reported on the summer activities, as summarized by the attached report. Racquetball was a new activity this summer and was not very popular. Every activity was down a little, a result of decreasing population of youngsters. Adult softball is just coming to an end. Championship games are being held this week with a number of teams moving to the district playoffs. Another new program this year was the 3 -man tournament in basketball. Ron Cornwell of the Basketball Association extended a thank you to the Park Board for allocating money for resurfacing of outdoor courts for basketball. Over 100 participated this year in the tournaments and the outdoor courts are being used quite extensively. Rick also mention -d that he had received a letter from the Edina Public Schools in regard to the use of the gymnasiums by the community and stating that the schools might require that paid supervision be provided by the associations if they are going to use the facilities. Rick will be meeting with Ray Smythe to determine what must be done. Art Erdall MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. George Warner SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. ITEMS FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL: MOVED, SECONDED AND CARRIED: TO RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL THAT THE PRESENT GOLF COURSE RATE STRUCTURE REMAIN IN PLACE FOR THE BALANCE OF THE YEAR AND THAT SOME CHANGES BE IMPLEMENTED NEXT YEAR, WITH A CLOSE LOOK AT EQUITY FOR MEN AND WOMEN REGARDING RATES. MOVED, SECONDED AND CARRIED: TO RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL THAT RENOVATION OF THE BATHHOUSE, REPAIR OF INLETS, AND CONSTRUCTION OF HANDICAP RESTROOMS AND ACCESS AT THE MUNICIPAL POOL BE THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR NEXT YEAR AND THAT ALTERNATIVE FUNDING BE USED -NOT MONIES FROM THE ANNUAL CAPITAL REPAIR BUDGET MONEY. MOVED, SECONDED AND CARRIED: TO RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL, APPROVAL OF THE PLANS FOR BRAEMAR GOLF COURSE AS OUTLINED (BY ATTACHED SHEET ENTITLED BRAEMAR GOLF COURSE BUILDING PROGRAM), WITH FUNDING BY REVENUE BONDS, TO BE BACKED UP BY GOLF COURSE PROFITS. MOVED, SECONDED AND CARRIED: TO HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL THAT FUNDS BE ALLO- CATED FOR REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AS SET FORTH ON THE ATTACHED PROJECT SHEET BECAUSE OF THE UNSAFE CONDITION OF THE EXISTING EQUIPMENT.