HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-12-11 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
Tuesday, December 11, 1979
7:30 p.m.
Edina City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Virginia Shaw, Chairperson; Mary McDonald, Arthur Erdall, George
Warner, Joan Lonsbury, Frank Gyetvan, Marilyn Wooldridge
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, Rick Jacobson, John Keprios, Rosie Hafner
OTHERS PRESENT: Margie Basil, Dorothy Anderson
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes were approved with the following corrections: the sentence in paragraph
three that reads, "This new type of allocation.." should be changed to read,
"This new type of allocation will probably be made for the 1981 fiscal year."
In the second paragraph the dedicated amount for National Car Rental should be changed
to read $28,000. Arthur Erdall MADE A MOTION to approve the Minutes with the
above corrections. George Warner SECONDED. CARRIED.
II. BREDESEN PARK DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Kojetin briefly went over the past 10 year history when we first started
discussing the development and purchasing of the Bredesen Park land. He stated
that in the original concept drawing the area was to be developed as a large lake
setting, similar to Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. During the first few years
the general feeling of the people was to save the natural environment. Therefore,
at no cost to the city, Brauer and Associates designed the property into a nature
center area, with the possibility of an interpretive center located there. At that
time a citizens committee was appointed to study the possibility of an interpretive
center within the city in cooperation with the Nine Mile Watershed District. It
was then decided to develop a nature center at the Bredesen Park location. Mr.
Kojetin handed out the present plans, designed by Barr Engineering Company, to
start development of the park sometime in 1980. Mr. Kojetin indicated that some
of the changes would be the extension of the bicycle and w4l.king path to the corner
of Gleason and the Crosstown Highway where there would be a comfort station and parking
lot. Mr. Kojetin indicated that generally any park development outside of and including th
bike path would be funded on the city paying 5U on the $1.00. Also, the walking
path should be asphalted because of the low land in the South portion of the park.
It is very difficult, Mr. Kojetin pointed out, to maintain any type of walking
surface because of the swampy and low land conditions in the park area. Mrs.
McDonald inquired as to whether or not this would curb our development of other
parks. Mr. Kojetin answered affirmatively. In looking over the plans, it was noted
that there were two rest room facilities planned for the park. Mr. Gyetvan
suggested eliminating one of these facilities, thereby cutting the cost of
development by $75,000. Mr. Kojetin pointed out that the amount of savings would
depend on where the one we were going -to construct would be located and how much
pipe would be needed. Mr. Warner inquired as to whether the Watershed District
had set any deadline on the development of this park. Mr. Kojetin answered
negatively. Mrs. Shaw inquired as to whether anything had to be done with the
bicycle paths. Mr. Kojetin indicated that they should be resurfaced. Mr. Kojetin
also pointed out that the development of the park would cost the city approximately
$300,000.
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III. GOLF COURSE REPORT; FEE STRUCTURE FOR 1980
Mr. Kojetin informed the Board that a decision on the price of the patron cards must be
made at this time because many people give them as Christmas gifts. It was his
recommendation that the price of the patron cards remain the same. Mr. Gyetvan agreed
that the price of the patron card should remain the same but felt that we should
raise the greens fees a little this year. It was his opinion that raising the greens
fees a little each year is a better policy than a large increase once every five years.
Mr. Kojetin explained that the raising of the greens fees will be discussed in the
February meeting.
Mr. Kojetin brought the Park Board up to date on recent developments regarding the
hiring of a new pro at the golf course, stating that they had interviewed several
good candidates but had not yet made a decision. Mr. Kojetin also informed the Park
Board that the city had bought $5000 worth of inventory from Mike Fick, the previous
pro at Braemar Golf Course. He explained that the city was not sure what direction
to take in regard to the Pro Shop; whether the city should operate and maintain it
or if we should lease it out. In the past, most of the pro shops that were run by
the pro's have not been very successful. Mr. Gyetvan pointed out that most of the
merchandise in the pro shop at Braemar, e.g., golf clubs can be purchased at some other
store for a lesser price and therefore very few people purchase major items there.
Mr. Gyetvan inquired as to the amount the Pro Shop grosses in a year. Mr. Kojetin
informed him that in the last few years, according to the figures he has, it has
grossed between $30,000 and $50,000.
IV. RECREATION REPORT
,r. Jacobson gave a brief up -date on recent registrations. Down -hill ski registrations
took place and approximately 150-200 people have signed up. Most of the registrations
were for students (grades 2 - 12), and the two sessions over Christmas vacation had been
filled. There were also lessons on Saturdays and Thursday evenings for students as well as
adult classes. These lessons, Mr. Jacobson pointed out, are given at Hyland Hills.
There are provisions for rental of equipment and the tow tickets are good for the
entire day. The price of the'tow ticket and equipment rental (if required) are included
in the price ($35.00 for lessons, tow ticket and rental; $23.00 for lessons and tow
ticket). In the cross country ski program 15-20 people have signed up for lessons.
We will be using the driving range at Braemar Golf Course for these lessons. In addition,
there will be two cross-country ski trails at Braemar this winter. Mr. Jacobson
informed the Board that we are hoping to be able to open the skating rinks the weekend
of December 15, whether permitting.
There was a brief discussion regarding the recent articles in the Sun Newspaper about
the Edina Baseball Association.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.