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
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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