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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-02-10 Park Board MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA PARK BOARD HELD TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1976 EDI?JA CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Rice, D. Pavek, P. Turnbull, G. Warner, 0. Byhre and J. Lonsbury (MEMBERS ABSENT: A. Fischer, V. Shaw, M. McDonald and J. Sweetland STAFF PRESENT: K. Rosland, B. Kojetin, R. Jacobson and L. Nye OTHERS PRESENT: Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. O'Brien 1. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Rosland called the February 10, 1976 Park Board meeting to order and noted the minutes of the January meeting had not yet been completed due to a month long illness of the Park Department secretary. LETTER OF COMMUNICATION TO THE PARK BOARD REGARDING OPEN HOCKEY AT ARENA Mr. Rosland presented a letter from Mr. Michael A. LaFond of the Edina Hockey Association requesting on behalf of its Board of Directors that "open hockey" time be scheduled at Braemar Arena during the non -hockey , season months of April, May, June, July and August. Mr. Rosland recommended the request for "open hockey" time be forwarded to Don Pavek and the Braemar Arena Committee for consideration. All generally agreed. Mr. Pavek stated the Braemar Arena Committee members were presently being selected, so the committee should be able to meet and prepare a recommendation by the next Park Board meeting. Ill. C01'11UNICATION FROM MR. RANDY COTE Mr. Rosland referenced two communications from Mr. Randy Cote, one to the Mayor and one to him, regarding Utley Park and the City's park plans for the Country Club area. He stated he advised the Mayor that the Park Board would discuss Mr. Cote's concerns and respond to his letters. Noting that the Park Board is familiar with Mr. Cote's concerns and that his points have been well taken, Mr. Rice suggested Mr. Cote's communications be accepted but that discussion be deferred until after consideration of the 1976 capital outlay program (the next agenda item). All generally agreed. Edina Park Board Minutes IV. 1976 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS -2- February 10, 1976 It was generally decided to postpone deliberation of the recommended 1976 Capital Improvements Program until after consideration of the remaining agenda items. V. PURCHASE OF BRAEMIAR PROPERTY - HENNEPIN COUNTY Mr. Rosland stated that Hennepin County has offered $63,000, or 400/ square foot, for the 3.7 acre piece of Braemar Park needed for construction of the interchange at Valley View Road and County Road 18. He indicated that the offer would appear to be unacceptable inasmuch as the City Assessor has valued some property just west of County Road 18 at $1.10/square foot, and $80,000, or 500/ square foot, was used as an estimate in preparing the recommended 1976 capital improvements program. Mr. Rosland noted the City and County have also been negotiating to build a bike path around the interchange and into Braemar Park; the City is hopeful that the path can be built entirely at County expense, although the cost may have to be shared 50/50. Brief discussion followed regarding the County's offer, the proposed Braemar Park lighting standards and cost estimates, and the lighting bid procedure and time schedule. Vt. WILLIAMS PARK - HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD Mr. Rosland reviewed the allocation of Community Development funds approved by the City Council the previous evening, and noted the Heritage Preservation Board was allotted about $4,500 for reconstruction of the Edina mill in Williams Park near 50th Street and Browndale Avenue. Mr. Harold Sand, the Heritage Preservation Board staff member, has been instructed to prepare full and complete plans for Park Board consideration before beginning any work. IV. 1976 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS Mr. Rosland indicated that about $202,000 will be available for park development and capital improvements in 1976; $22,000 in Community Development fund was allocated for lower income neighborhood park improvements, $80,000. in budgeted capital dollars is available, it is estimated that at least $80,000 will be received from Hennepin County from the sale of 3.7 acres in Braemar Park, and $20,000 is proposed to be spent from the accumulated park- land dedication fees. He referenced a revised list (dated October, 1975) of proposed park improvements, and indicated the recommended 1976 capital outlay program was based on that list. The proposed improvements in each park were reviewed; Mr. Rosland noted those items which were safety features and those items which were upgrading or renewal features as a result of deterioration or vandalism. He recalled those items from the October list which the staff felt could be postponed and which were; therefore, not included in the 1976 program. He recommended the February 10, 1976 list of proposed improvements be accepted. , E'd i na Park Board Minutes IV. 1976 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS (CONTINUED) VII. -3- February ,10, 1976 The Country Club area parks issue and Mr. Cote's letters were discussed. Mr. Rosland suggested that a large public meeting, with mailed notice, be held to explain what improvements are proposed in which parks. He recalled that Mr. Cote has requested a hockey facility at Utley Park, tennis courts at the 44th Street property and a permanent park shelter building at Arden Park. Mr. Rice clarified the neighborhood feels short-changed in the money the City has spent in the area and would like the Park Board and City to make every effort to at least maintain and hopefully upgrade the existing neighborhood facilities. The Arden Park shelter was discussed. Mr. Warner suggested the Watershed District be approached to share the building cost, inasmuch as they have proposed a portage in the area and the shelter rest-, room facilities could be made available to canoeists. . Lengthy discussion followed regarding the trend in Edina toward a decreasing elementary -aged population and an increasing "growing older" population. Mr. Rosland noted that most of the recommended improvements would upgrade and maintain present facilities rather than expand youth oriented areas with additional facilities. Mr. Byhre explained at length the affect on the school district of enrollment declines and the new seniority and equalization laws and the budget and other problems faced as a consequence. Mr. Kojetin added that there have been similar enroll- ment declines in park programs. The school board's budget problems, the value of competitive sports and alternatives in athletic programs were discussed, as well as the proposed lighting at Braemar and irrigation at Pamela Park. w e , a it was agreed the lighting at Braemar would be purchased only wi h money fm the sale of land to Nenneptn County, Mr. Warner moved the 1976 capital improvements program be approved as presented by the staff. Mr. Turnbull seconded and the motion was approved. After further discussion, Mr. Rosland agreed to write Mr. Cote and inform him of the improvements to be made in 1976 in the areas of concern he has expressed. Adjournment at 9:40 pm. Respectfully submitted, Ken Rosland Edina Park Board N