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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. -2 - 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.