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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1954-02-01 Park Board MinutesMeeting of the Edina Park Board Parks and Recreation Advisory Council Third Meeting with Edina Park Board February 19 1954,. 8:00 pomp, There was a meeting of the Edina Park Board Parks and Recreation Advisory Council at the Wooddale School at 8 00.p.m. February l,. 195 4,, Those pre:iE 11i vFereg Mr. Harmann 3!,rachauer, C.zairman Mr. W:Ll Liam Lewis IMr. Hav ard Merriman Mro John E. Bryan Airs; Alan C. Charbonneau Mr,, Raymond Clausen Mro Richard W. Giertsen Mrs. J,B, Gilfillan Mr, Henry H. Gregg Rev, Paul Keller Mr. Bower Hawthorne Mr. Phillip Neville Those absent were: Mr. Richard De Furber Mr. E. W. Ironside Mr, Austin D. Norton Mrs, G. H. Patterson Mrs. George -M. Posselt Mrs, C. M. Webster -Substitute for Mrs, Schol of field Mrs. Bemis - Subo for Mrs. Patterson Mr.. W. Claucee Stevenson, Jr. Mr. S. S. Thorpe, Jr.. Mr. Harold C. Utley Mr. Richard W. Whitten Mrs. S. J. Phillippi Mrs. James E. Scholefield Mr. Harry K. Wrench Mr. Strachauer called the meeting to order and a correction was made in the heading of the last minutes of the meeting from "Edina Park Board" to above. Phillip Neville] Temporary Chairman, took charge and called for the report from the Nominating Committee. A letter from Samuel S, Thorpe, Jr. was introduced submitting the following names for permanent officers of the Committee. Mr. Bower Hawthorne, Chairman Mr. Zd. Claude Stevenson, Vice Chairman Mrs, Geo, M. Posselt, Sec.-Treas. Motion was made and seconded to close the nominations. There were no other nominations, so motion was made and seconded that the names as submitted be accepted. Mr. Bower Hawthorne then took over as permanent Chairman. He set out three principle points for discussion and decision, 1. Results of Park Board meet- ing with the Council. 2. Where do we go from here and how do we go about obtaining approval of the Council for a Special Bond Election, and 3. The method in which we will approach the matter of promotion, publicity, etce to obtain approval of the Bond issue, He also briefed the Committee as to the general purposes and aims of the Park Board, and stated that we need some con- tinuing and constructive planning for Parks and Recreations in Edina. Mr. Strachauer elaborated on this subject further with some general comments. Mr. Stevenson explained that the Wooddale P.T.A. had a park project to be com- pleted across the street from Wooddale School and had set aside $500,00 for this project. When other Edina clubs heard, they displayed interest, partic- ularly in how they could fit into such a picture in the Community and do their share. The enthusiasm displayed was tremendous. Mr. Strachauer commented further that he feels there is enough public sentiment now to start an extensive program, and that we should try to plan on an election the early part of June or July. Another meeting with the Council could be ob- tained upon request, and he feels there is.much'favorable opinion on the Coun- cil, although there has been no opinion expressed as yet as a body. Mr. Utley felt that the Committee must have details -of costs, and where the money is going to go. Public is entitled to know what.we propose, and where it is going to be placed, based on bona fide bids. Mr. Stevenson commented that perhaps some of the revenue from the liquor store could be assigned to the Park Board program by the Council. It would lighten the tax load considerably. Mr. Bryan proposed that the Committee get options on property and then go to the Council with these options and propose that we need so much money to acquire these parcels of land. General discussion followed. A motion was made by Rev. Keller that the Chairman appoint a Committee to in- vestigaTe suitable areas and bring in a report with the primary objective being a Reservation of approximately 100 acres and other lesser properties as might be proposed by the Park Board. Seconded by Mrs. Charbonneau. Inquiry was made about the undeveloped land which the Park Board already owns, and Mr. Strachauer stated that this land was acquired through tax forfeiture, and must be returned to the State if not used within a specified time. A motion was made by 14r. Stevenson that a Committee be appointed,to contact the variousorganizations who have talked about Youth Recreation programs to find out what their plans are, and help draw all these things into focus. Seconded by Bryan. Mr. Strachauer suggested that a joint working arrangement with the School Board would be desirable and should be studied thoroughly. Mr. Giertsen went on record as being opposed to the Fitzgerald Plan. He said he was not at all convinced that this was just what was needed for our Community. General discussion followed. A motion was made by Rev. Keller that the Committee recommend that the Park Boa—arc move immediately to take full advantage of the Minnesota Recreation Law -2- of 1937 to enter into a joint legal partnership for the operation of recreation programs in the village and in the school district for programs and that we negotiate with the School Board in an attempt to have them submitted to the school voters in May. Seconded by Mr. Utley. Motion was made by Mr. Clausen that we inform the Council of our keeping these Yhin`gs under considerations and that we ask them if they desire any further information; and to advise us of any decisions they may make in regard to our proposals, It was agreed that the function of this Committee is to merely be an Advisory one; that each member of this Advisory Committee should look over each parcel of land and seek to vote intelligently on these issues. Mrs. Charbonneau was appointed Publicity Chairman. Meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m* Respectfully submitted, Thelma. B. Nelson, Recording Secretary