HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-08-14 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1979
EDINA CITY HALL
7:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Joan Lonsbury, Vice -Chairperson; Frank Gyetvan, George Warner
Arthur Erdall, Les Wanninger, Mary McDonald, Al Fischer
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Cecelia Smith, Rosie Hafner
OTHERS PRESENT: Foster Dunwiddie, Harold Sand
I. MINUTES APPROVED FROM PARK TOUR
Mrs. McDonald MADE A MOTION to approve the minutes of the June 12 park tour.
George Warner SECONDED. CARRIED.
II. WILLIAMS PARK OLD MILL SITE KIOSK
Mr. Dunwiddie gave a brief over view of the plans for the restoration of the old
mill site and informational kiosk to be erected in Williams Park, explaining that
the materials to be used are similar in appearance to the original materials used
to build the mill. Mr. Dunwiddie has gone to the Minnesota Historical Society and
received a 50% matching funds grant of $4,000. The kiosk is going to cost $10,000,
which leaves an additional $6000 in funds to be provided by the City. Mr.
Fischer expressed the opinion that the park should be lighted to prevent against
vandalism. Mrs. Lonsbury indicated that we should not let ourselves be pressured
into too much development in this park by the Minnihaha Watershed District, especially
since most of the people dock their canoes on the other side of 50th Street in
Utley Park. Mr. Sand pointed out that nothing would be done in the park to destroy
it's historical significance. Mr. Kojetin is going to check further with the Minnihaha
Watershed people regarding future development of this park. Mr. Dunwiddie briefly
outlined the type of material that would be displayed on the kiosk: photographs
of the mill taken at various times, e.g., 1893 and 1925, information on when the mill
was built, the miller who founded it, products made, and why it closed down. Mr.
Kojetin suggested that the remaining $6000 come out of the Capital Improvement
budget. Mr. Warner MADE A MOTION that the remaining $6000 be taken out of the
Capital Improvement budget. Mr. Fischer SECONDED. CARRIED.
III. UTLEY PARK PARKING
Mr. Kojetin mentioned that St. Stephens Church had called him regarding church
parking in Utley Park. The Church presented Mr. Kojetin with a plan to increase
the parking area in Utley Park. At the present time there are approximately 10
parking spaces which are used by people using the tennis courts and the Water
Department. The plan presented to Mr. Kojetin would increase the parking area
to approximately 39 spaces with curbing and asphalt paving. Mr. Gyetvan inquired
as to whether we would be required to maintain the lot. Mr. Kojetin replied
that in future years we probably would be required to maintain it, but he would
like to see the lot with curbing and a more defined area for parking. Mr. Fischer
brought up the question of the lot being used for Wooddale School parking, and
also suggested we contact the people in the Wooddale Neighborhood Association to
get their opinions before giving the church permission. Mrs. McDonald also
expressed the desire to look at the area before giving permission. Discussion
was tabled until next month after the neighborhood association had been contacted
and the project had been looked into more carefully.
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SCHOOL BUSES
Mr. Wanninger presented an idea for bussing within the City of Edina to the School
Board members. Upon this presentation the school system agreed to donate the busses
to set up such system if the city will provide drivers and gas. It would be a
circle type route making stops at certain designated areas within the City. It
might be necessary, Mr. Wanninger pointed out, for the youngsters to walk a reasonable
distance and it might not be possible to reach Every youngster,:but it vias -his i,
estimation that we should be able to reach approximately 75% of the youngsters.
It was his feeling that this would help to eliminate some of the chauffeurring and
bussing problems the parents and coaches have encountered in the past. Mr. Kojetin
explained that this plan had not received much enthusiasm this summer due to the lack
of a gas allocation and he was informed of it so late in the summer season. The
gas situation has now been resolved, however, and Mr. Kojetin stated that if we can
find the drivers we will put this program into effect this fall. It was also his
feeling that running the activity bus from the school for a few extra hours
would make the most sense. Mr. Wanninger pointed out that the school bus drivers
were on contract anyway and received pay whether they were driving or not, and
if anyone knows of any volunteer drivers to let him know.
The entire Park Board expressed their appreciation to the staff at.Braemar Golf
Course for making the United State Golf Associaiton Women's Amateur Public Links
Tournament such a success.
IV. GOLF COURSE AND RECREATION CENTER FUND - MID YEAR REPORT
Golf Course: Mr. Kojetin pointed out that the $13,000 defecit in revenue and
$5000 worth of repairs at the Golf Course were due largely to the Tournament.
He pointed out, however, that revenue was going up now and with a good fall we
should end up approximately the same as last year.
Recreation Center Report: Mr. Gyetvan commented on the remarkeable turn -about
that has taken place and was curious as to what this was attributable. Mr. Kojetin
pointed out that the spectator fees were up due to the re -alignment of the lake
conference teams, which he had mentioned at an earlier meeting. Ice rental increased
due to a better program in the Spring. Wages decreased because we were using one
less maintenance person due to the new equipment that has been installed. Operating
expenses will probably increase since we will have to go to contractual services
to maintain this equipment. A new Zamboni is still needed at the Arena; Mrs.
Lonsbury suggested getting donations to purchase this.
V. RUN DOWN OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND PARK CONSTRUCTION FOR 1979
Mr. Kojetin explained that bids would be going out on Friday, August 17, for the
dropped ceiling and ceramic tile at the arena and pool. Bids also will be going
out for the rejuvenation of the rest room facilities at Weber Park (handicapped
restroom facilities to be installed); funding for this is to come from Community
Development. At Lewis Park seeding, sodding and grading are being done and the
park should be finished by this winter. The second week in September bids will be
going out for the sanitary sewer, water system and concrete floor, at Lewis Park.
They are also working on the lighting in this park. Bids are going but for
the pre -fabricated shelter buildings in Cornelia, Weber -and Lewis Park. Mr.
Kojetin explained that the development of Lewis Park would cost approximately
$200,000 and this money would come out of the Dedication Funds. The Garden
and Cornelia park shelter buildings will be coming out of the Capital Improvement
budget. Mr. Kojetin mentioned that it was his feeling, after comparison, that
a 60' octagon building would be superior to a 40' building at Cornelia. This
change might be brought up to the Board at a later time for approval. Also,
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at Cornelia Park, the bids for the rejuvenation of the bath house were going out
and work has been started on the handicapped playground equipment.
Mr. Kojetin briefly outlined the meeting between the Association Presidents, Mayor
and staff which was held on Tuesday, July 31. Attendance was good and the Mayor
pointed out to the Associations that neither he nor the Park Department were here
to run their programs, but merely to offer assistance so the programs could be
run more efficiently. Mr. Fred Gedelman was available on a consulting basis regarding
insurance. Mr. Kojetin handed out minutes taken from the meeting pointing out
that one of the important things for the boards to do is to maintain a little
flexibility in their policies. Mr. Fischer pointed out that with the situation of.
constantly changing board members in the associations, someone should be appointed
to maintain continuity and assure that the programs are being run for the good
of the total community. He also expressed some doubt as to the credibility of the
study done by the Baseball Association. Mr. Kojetin expressed the opinion that
a president's meeting should take place more often and Mrs. Lonsbury felt as though
the Park Board should be invited to attend.
Mr. Kojetin pointed out that next year (1980) is the 25th anniversary of the
establishment of the Park and Recreation Department and the 50th anniversary of
the founding of the Park Board. He suggested mentioning something about this
silver/gold anniversary in the brochure next spring. It was the general consensus
of the board thatthis would be a good idea.
Mr. Kojetin explained that the 1980 budget was being worked on now and briefly
explained that one of the things he wanted done was to contract out more of the
work currently being done by our maintenance men, e.g., aquatic weeds treatment,
mowing, tree and branch trimming, etc. He felt that this would enable the
Parks Department to better keep up with the demand for these services during the
busy months.
Mary McDonald MADE A MOTION to adjourn. Mr. Gyetvan SECONDED.
Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.