HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-04-08 Park Board Minutesr
EDINA PARK BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
Tuesday, April 8, 1980
7:30 p.m.
EDINA CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Virginia Shaw, Chairperson; George Warner, Mack Thayer, Arthur
Erdall, Joan Lonsbury, Les Wanninger, Marilyn Wooldridge, Mary
McDonald, Bill Lord
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, Rick Jacobson, Rosie Hafner
I. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Mr. Kojetin opened nominations. Mrs. Lonsbury nominated Virginia Shaw for Chairperson.
Mr. Warner SECONDED. Mr. Wanninger MOVED that nominations be closed. Nomination
unanimously approved. Mr. Wanninger nominated Joan Lonsbury for Vice-Chaiperson.
Mr. Warner SECONDED. Mrs. Wooldridge moved that nominations be closed. Mrs. Lonsbury
unanimously approved as Vice --Chairperson.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes were approved with the following corrections. Under fees and charges, 16 lines
down, the statement about the Pro providing two people in the Pro Shop to sell greens
fees and merchandise should be deleted. Mr. Wanninger pointed out that the statement
regarding the survey on girls athletics in the last paragraph of the Minutes should
read as follows: The Sc-hoal Board has created a citizens committee to do a survey on
girls athletics and would like the participation of the Park Board and staff in
appointing one staff member and one Board member to the committee. Marilyn Wooldridge
also pointed out that she was present at that meeting and had not been listed as so
in the minutes. Mr. Wanninger MADE A MOTION to approve the Minutes with the above
corrections. Mrs. Wooldridge SECONDED. CARRIED.
III. RECREATION REPORT
Mr. Jacobson explained to the Board that there was a coaches clinic sponsored by the
Park and Recreation Department and the Edina Athletic Associations being held tonight
and tomorrow night in the Council Chambers. Some literature on the clinic was handed
out and Mr. Jacobson briefly explained some of the philosophies of the clinic given
by Dr. Frank Smoll.
Mr. Jacobson also reported that the summer brochure was in the final stages and should
be in the homes within two or three weeks. He explained that there would be an article
on the 50 year anniversary of the .Park Board and 25 years of park department along with
a list of all the park commissioners over the past 50 years, and a history of the
athletic associations.
Registration for baseball and soccer were continuing with the number of participants
up in baseball and about the same in soccer. In the adult softball program we have
more teams than we can accommodate. Mr. Kojetin pointed out that baseball registration
was up over last year by approximately 100 youngsters. Mr. Jacobson explained that
this increase was mostly in the Alder acted youngsters. Mr. Warner inquired as to
whether or not the Baseball Association, in order to avoid the same problems as last
year, had a place on the registration card indicating which park was the closest for
the youngsters. Mr. Kojetin confirmed that there was such a place on the card for
this information but the Baseball Association had not indicated that they would use
it as a criteria for setting up the teams. Mr. Kojetin also pointed out that
he has been trying to explain to the associations that they must be more flexible
with some of their rules.
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Mr. Wanninger inquired as to whether or not they were going to improve on the
boys golf program on Monday mornings at Braemar, indicating that there is
very little instruction in the program right now. Mr. Kojetin explained that they
are trying to work out something with the men's club to improve the program, perhaps
something equivalent to the girls instruction sponsored by the women's league out
there.
IV. ADAMS PARK
Mr. Kojetin gave the Park Board a brief up -date on the history of the park and its
location. It is located on the border between Richfield and Edina and the two
communities are working together on the park and it would be used by both communities.
Since it is close to Yorktown Park the initial plans are to use Adams Park as a winter
park with a shelter building and skating facilities, and Yorktown as a summer park
with softball fields and playground equipment. Mrs. Lonsbury commented on how wonder-
ful it was to see the two communities cooperating together. Mr. Kojetin further
explained that we are trying to obtain land for a parking area -from the Senior Center.
They have not, however, received a very favorable response to this request. Richfield
is.going to start working on -the park this summer.
V. 44th STREET PROPERTY
Mr. Kojetin explained that he had talked with some women in the neighborhood and they
had indicated that they would like to have a Park Board member meet with the neigh-
borhood regarding the park. Mrs. Shaw inquired as to whether there was anyone on the
Board interested in meeting with these people. There was no response. Mr. Kojetin
stated that they want us to get back to them when we determine the date and time of
the meeting.
VI. FORESTRY REPORT
Mr. Kojetin briefly went over the contract arrangements the city has with the
forester, Mr. Bob McGuire, explaining that Mr. McGuire couldn't be here this
evening due to car trouble. He is contracted by the city at the rate of $120 per day
for one day a week. During the busy season Mr. McGuire hires one employee to help him.
Most of Mr. McGuire's salary is subsidized through the state. Mr. Kojetin handed out
a report prepared by Mr. McGuire on the Dutch Elm Disease program and reforestation
in the city. Mr. Kojetin explained that due to the rapid spreading of the disease
in the wildlife areas, last year we had started taking down many of the trees in these
areas. This would be reflected in the report. Mr. Kojetin went on to explain that
Dutch Elm Disease was down last year but due to the mild winter we have experienced
this year it might be on the rise again. He also briefly went into the reforestation
program explaining that there is approximately $5000 a year taken from Community
Development funds to purchase trees for reforestation. This buys about 80 trees,
which means that reforestation is going to be a very slow process. He also pointed
out that there is about a 15% rejection rate for people who do not want trees planted
on their boulevard.
Mrs. Lonsbury informed the Board of the volunteer dinner to be held on the 17th of
April and invited everyone to attend. She explained that she was on the committee
with Ken Rosland and Ralph Campbell and had gotten together with them because she
wanted to recognize the 25-50 year anniversary. Information on this anniversary will
be included in the program information. Mrs. Lonsbury expressed the desire that
everyone attend.
Mr. Warner inquired about the plexiglass at the arena. Mr. Kojetin informed him that he
had not received any comment back from the Council on the plexiglass as yet. Mr. Kojetin
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gave a brief up -date on some of the latest developments regarding energy saving
at the arena. A new ordinance that has been passed requires us to cover the four
propane tanks at the arena which will cost approximately $25,000. We will also
have to fence these tanks under a new OSHA law. Mr. Kojetin explained that he is
investigating the possibility of getting Rff interrupted service and elminating the
propane tanks altogether. In order to do this we have to cut down on the BTU's we
use from the present rate of 3,000,000 per hour to 1,500,000 We have _
been doing some energy audits out there and by cutting down, insulating, and re-
arranging some of the exhaust systems and make-up errors; we should be able to
operate on about 1,200,000 BTU's per hour. We could then apply with the Minneapolis
Gas Company energy committee and have an excellent chance of getting off interrupted
service. These improvements would cost approximately $30,000 to do but would save
us from $15,000 to $20,000 a year on gas and electricity. A discussion was held with
Mr. Dalen regarding this and he suggested we pursue this course of action.
Mrs. Shaw informed the Board that she had received a letter from Dr. Baumgartner
thanking the Board for allowing them to use the pool from noon on Friday for their
swim meet, but had not mentioned anything about recooping us for our loss of revenue.
After some discussion as to how to handle this situation it was decided that the
best course of action would be for either Mr. Jacobson or Mr. Kojetin to talk to
Dr. Baumgartner and get back to the Board as soon as possible.
Mrs. Shaw informed the Board that Mr. Gyetvan had contacted her to tell her that
he will be moving out of the area and resigning his position on the Park Board
Mrs. Shaw requested that anyone who knows of someone who want to be on the Board
let her know.
Mr. Wanninger told the Board that the School Board has decided to closed Edina East
High School and merge East and West into one school. Mr. Thayer asked Mr. Wanninger
what they intended to do with the school after it closed. Mr. Wanninger stated that
they were not quite sure at this moment but intended to use the gymnasiums and
other facilities and possibly, the auditorium. Luthern High School was talking
about using it also. Mr. Warner inquired as to whether the gymnastics association
would get the use of the gyms. Mr, Kojetin stated that Dr. Lieber was looking
into this possibility.
There was a brief discussion on the impact this closing will have on our facilities
and programs. Mr. Wanninger suggested we start thinking seriously about picking up
these youngster on our programs. He pointed out that the hockey association especially
may see a rise in participants in the Midget Division this year.
Virginia Shaw mentioned that the Park Board should set up a committee to establish
priorities for Capital Improvements. Virginia Shaw, Joan Lonsbury, George Warner
and Les Wanninger volunteered to serve on the committee.
Mr. Kojetin handed out some materials consisting of information regarding volunteer
boards and how they are set up, one of which was the Park Board Articles of Organization.
On the Park Board Articles Mr. Kojetin presented a suggestion for a change in the
membership of the Board. This change would have one member on the Board from one of
the ten athletic associations and one member from the Art Center Board. There was a
brief discussion regarding the proposal in which Mrs. Lonsbury expressed disapproval
stating that she was concerned about someone "having an axe to grind." Mr. Kojetin
explained that the Council will be getting together with the Park Board to discuss this
matter and he will send them a notice informing them of the day and time. Further
discussion tabled until next month when this item will be put on the agenda. Mr.
Kojetin also read to the Park Board the statement that will be put in the summer
brochure regarding the relationship between the Park Board, Park Department and
athletic associations. After some discussion the Board approved the statement.
Arthur Erdall MOVED for adjournment. Mr. Thayer SECONDED. CARRIED. Meeting adjourned
at 9:20 P.m.