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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-09-09 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, September 9, 1980 7:30 p.m. EDINA CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Virginia Shaw, Chairperson; Joan Lonsbury, George Warner, Les Wanninger, Art Erdall, Marilyn Wooldridge STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, Rick Jacobson, John Valliere, Beckie Rogers, Gordon Hughes OTHERS PRESENT: Margie Basil, Mr. Roy Dickman, Mr. Greg Gustafson' Mr. Pearson I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM AUGUST 12, 1980 MEETING Mr. Wanninger MADE A MOTION to approve the Minutes as submitted. Mr. Warner SECONDED. CARRIED. II. NINE MILE CREEK WALKING PATH THROUGH WALNUT RIDGE PARK Mr. Kojetin presented a brief background on why the walking path at Walnut Ridge Park 'ias been brought to our attention at this time. The State recently contacted Mr. K'ojetin asking if the $10,000 grant that had been issued to the Park Department in 1975 for building a bicycle path at Walnut Creek Park was going to be used. If the money had not been used yet, it would have to be by January 1, 1981. Mr. Kojetin was not aware of this money and asked Gordon Hughes if he was aware of such a grant. After looking though the files, Mr. Hughes found the application for the grant from 1975. Mr. Kojetin pointed out that the $10,000 would not complete the path since the original estimated cost for a complete path,rranning from Vernon Avenue to Londonderry Road, was $50,000 in 1975. It was his feeling that we should, however, look into building the path across the marsh area. Mr. Kojetin indicated on the map the route for the proposed bicycle path. The proposed route would run from Vernon Avenue through the marsh to the edge of Walnut Ridge Park. The proposed footage would be 590 feet with an estimated cost of $19,0000. This proposal represents the shortest distance through the marsh area and a starting point from which to work. In order to build the path through the marsh a series of culverts would need to be built to allow for the flow of water in the marsh. If a bicycle path were built from Vernon Avenue to Walnut Ridge Park, this would open the park up to more youn-q§tersfrom areas south of Vernon Avenue. This park has always been a difficult one to get to as it is very sheltered for use by the people in areas other than those north of the park. Mrs. Lonsbury brought up the point that Hopkins has a quite extensive bike path which ends by County Road 18. If we built this bicycle path, we could hook up to the Hopkins path. Gordon Hughes stated that he felt this bicycle path would be the "missing link" in our bicycle path system. If completed we could link up to the path on Vernon Avenue and also build a path on Londonderry Road or Dovre Road that could link us up to the Hopkins path. The proposed route of this path is not necessarily the one that will be used and other designs could be proposed. Mrs. Shaw brought up the point as to whether a -.study -had been done to determine what the impact might be on the general wildlife in the marsh. Mr. Hughes stated that no study had been done as of yet. Mr. Roy Dickman, a resident whose house is adjacent to the marsh area, pointed out that on the aerial map a large pond next to his home is not shown. This pond is a feeding area for many Blue Heron and other waterfowl The swamp supports raccoons, fox and other wildlife as well. If the path is put through, Mr. Dickman is concerned that the kids and their bikes going through the swamp would disturb -2 - this natural wildlife setting. His main concern over the path is for the ecology of the area, he doesn't feel that this should be disturbed. Mr. Dickman wanted to know if we had obtained an Environmental Assessment Worksheet from the Environ- mental Quality Board. Mr. Kojetin stated that this was the first time the path had been mentioned to the Park Board so there still is a lot to be done before any decision is made. Mr. Dickman suggested that an alternative path could be one that cut through property at View Lane going straight across to Walnut Ridge Park. This suggested alternative would not come as close to the wildlife areas as the proposed path does. This suggested route would also be drier. Mr. Greg Gustafson, also a neighbor of the marsh area, mentioned that the wildlife of the marsh was their main concern against the path. He felt that after City Hall studied the location of the proposed path, we would decided that it was too close to the marsh area and move the path further east and north. This would put the path further away from the wildlife areas. It would also be easier to put a path in as the land would be drier. Mr. Gustafson wanted the Park Board to study every possible route for the path. He stressted that the Park Board should not go ahead with the proposed route just to use the $10,000 grant. Mrs. Shaw stated that we need a recommendation to go to the Watershed District on the proposed bicycle path. Mr. Kojetin mentioned that we should also get back to the State concerning the grant, whether we are going to use it or not. Mrs. Shaw asked if it would be possible to appeal to the State for an extension on the time limit by which the grant must be used. Gordon Hughes, in summing up his views, agreed with Mr. Gustafson that we should move the bicycle path further east and north of the proposed site. This would increase the distance between the creek and the path. Mr. Hughes felt that the Watershed District would agree with this site. Mrs. Lonsbury MADE A MOTION that the Park Board accept the concept of a path through Walnut Ridge Park and the link to the Walnut Ridge area. The Board supports the basic concept7o� the path and alternative routes -and recommends input from the DNR and Nine Mile Watershed District. Mr. E,rdall SECONDED. CARRIED III. GOLF COURSE PATRON CARD FEES Mr. Kojetin presented the increase for the golf course patron card fees. Mr. Kojetin stated that we have to decide on this issue at this time because many people purchase these patron cards as Christmas gifts. Mr. Kojetin briefly went over the Profit and Loss Statements for the golf course. He stated that this has been a great year for the golf course. Mr. Kojetin mentioned that we have to start paying off the irrigation system for the golf course next year. The bond retirement is for six years, which amounts to $60,000 a year. Mr. Kojetin mentioned that the patron card fees have not been raised for a long time and that we should not raise the fees solely on tha idea that we have to in order to pay off the irrigation system. John Valliere stated that because the golf course has to pay off the irrigation system in six years, this limits the improvements that could be done to the golf course. He wants to make improvements in the clubhouse and the par three. John Valliere pointed out that even though this year has been a "banner year" at the golf course, he doesn't feel that we could pay off the loan in six years. He mentioned that if we increase the patron card fee too much we might lose many patron card holders. We have, in the past, always increased the green fees and not the patron card fees. We are trying to appeal to the Edina residents who hold patron cards, those that play the course all the time, by giving them certain privileges that non -patron card holders do not have such as week -end tee time reservations. Last year the Council wanted to increase the patron card fees by $15.00, John Valliere felt that this was too much of an increase. Discussion followed concerning wnezner or not zo increase zne patron caro Tee. Ine m cr'edJC Suyyeatleu would be a $10..00 increase on the husband and wife patron cards and a $5.00 increase for the individual and junior patron card. This would increase the husband and wife from $55.00 to $65.00, the individual would increase from $30.00 to $35.00, the junior (18 and younger) from $20.00 to $25.00 and the junior (parent has a card from $10.00 to $15.00. Les Wanninger MADE A MOTION to accept the patron card increase as proposed. Joan Lonsbury SECONDED. CARRIED IV. RECREATION REPORT Rick Jacobson started out his report by mentioning that the swimming pool had a great year. Season tickets were down slightly from last year,, 1520 were sold this year compared to 1540 from last year. There were 9,000.more people at the pool this year than last and this generated $6,000 more through daily admissions. The Swim Club had a three day meet this year instead of a two day meet. We received $1,125.00 from concession -sales during the meet, this is up $20.00 from last years sales. The weather was not as favorable to the meet as it has been in the past years. For the use of the pool we received $1,639 from -the Swim Club, this is up $600 over last year. This year the pool bus route was shortened and we received 'very few compalints about it. The shortening of this route should considerably decrease our costs for running the bus this year. is The summer recreation programs went very well this year, attendance was down just slightly from last year. Girls Flag Football went.from four teams last year to ten teams this year, and girls basketball went from ,21 teams to 24. Gymnastics is down quite a bit from last year, we're not sure -why the great decrease. In boys football there was a 67% turnout and the overall football program is up from last year. Last June the..Mayor and City Councilrequired that all the Athletic Associations add Personal Liability Insurance to their insurance policies and that the City of Edina be named as an additional insured. All Associations have complied with this request. Bob Kojetin mentioned the problems that the Gymnastics Association is experiencing. One of the biggest problems they are having is finding a place to hold their classes. Because of the merging of Edina East and Edina West next year they can no longer use the West gym area. They also lost Wooddale this year when the school closed. They are using the East Hut and Cornelia 'School. Discussion followed as to what can be done to prevent youth programs such as this from being put in a spot where they have to scrammble for school space. There was no conclusion reached on this problem. Meeting adjourned at 9:14 p.m. ACTIONS FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL: Mrs. Lonsbury MADE A MOTION that the Park Board accept the concept of a path through Walnut Ridge Park and the link to the Walnut Ridge area. The Board supports the basic concept of the, path and alternative routes and recommends input from the DNR and Nine Mile Watershed District. Mr. Erdall.SECONDED.__ CARRIED. Les Wanninger RADE A MOTION to acc:ept the patron card increasE!.as proposed. Joan Lonsbury SECONDED. CARRIED. Patron Card Fee: Present Increase Present Increase Husband & Wife $55.00 $65.00 Individual $30.00 $35.00 Jr. 18 or younger $20.00 $25.00 Jr. (when parent has card) $10.00 $15.00 Computerized Handicap: Present - $3.50 Increase - $4.25