Loading...
6-27-05alley OPEN SPACE & RECREATION COMMISSION Meeting Minutes Brookview Community Center Monday, June 27, 2005 5:15 PM 1. CALL TO ORDER Sandler called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. 11. ROLL CALL Present: Chuck Cahill, Jim Johnson, Kelly Kuebelbeck, Roger McConico, Jerry Sandler, Tom Zins, Rick Jacobson, Director of Parks and Recreation; Greg Johnson, Administrative Assistant; Tom Klatt, Public Works Maintenance Manager; Don Anderson, Golden Valley Rotary Club; and Diane Dimmer, Golden Valley Federated Women's Club. Absent: James Heine, Tom Kuelbs, and Jim Vaughan. 111. AGENDA CHANGES OR ADDITIONS Jacobson introduced a letter from Three Rivers Park District, which detailed the winter aerial deer survey results. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —May 23, 2005 MOTION: Moved by McConico and seconded by Zins to approve the minutes. Motion carried unanimously. V. BUS TOUR OF PERFORMANCE AREAS A. Potential Brookview Sites Three potential performance area sites were visited by the commission. Jacobson talked briefly about each site and answered questions. Chuck Cahill suggested a fourth site; discussion followed. The commission raised concerns about site #2 (located on the north side of the large shelter's parking lot) regarding sunlight hitting the spectators. The accessibility of the location received praise as well as the specific area being separate from the rest of the park. Anderson presented site #3 (located on the corner of Hwy. 55 & Winnetka Ave.). A bowl shape design was favored, especially since traffic noise would possibly be softened by the berm nearby. Parking and restrooms were a concern: many spectators would have to park in the Golden Valley Shopping Center lot and use the walking bridge to cross Hwy. 55. Visitors would also have to walk to the tennis shelter to use the restrooms. Klatt noted that this is the current snow dump site and project staging area for the city's public works department, and would have to be relocated if a performance area was constructed there. Numerous fees associated with the proposed transition would be a problem, including the relocation of a dump site, parking, handicap access, etc. Commission member Cahill suggested a site he saw fit for the proposed facility. The site (between the playground and large shelter next to the pond) has favorable sightlines from both the playground and large shelter. Klatt noted that this is a low area where drainage collects from the rest of the park. It was mentioned that adding the performance venue in this area may tend to crowd that part of the park which already has the picnic shelter and the playground. B. St. Louis Park (Wolfe Park, 3700 Monterey Dr) Anderson presented the amphitheater in Wolfe Park. He detailed the two-year old area, which includes an uncovered concrete performance area, electricity, and multi -tiered amphitheater seating for 350 people. After talking with St. Louis Park staff, Anderson said the sun is a problem for viewers at certain times, and the area requires a large amount of maintenance. C. Hopkins (Downtown Park, 16 9th Ave S) Nimmer presented the performance area located in a downtown park, which was finished in 2004. The performance area was paid for by city funds. Nimmer noted that it is a much more modest facility in comparison to the amphitheater in St. Louis Park. The 40' x 20' structure cost $27,000 to construct, while the entire park area cost $100,000. Seating included circular benches that were donated by citizens. The entertainment stage is located in a non-residential area near retail and office buildings. Commission members had positive remarks about the stage's roof and backdrop. Klatt introduced an idea that an entertainment stage like that in Hopkins could be used as a third picnic shelter in Brookview Park on non-performance days, which received positive comments from the commission. D. New Hope (New Hope Outdoor Theatre in Civic Center Park, 44th & Xylon Avenues N) Anderson presented the outdoor theater in New Hope which is adjacent to the city offices and swimming pool. New Hope's performance area was also paid for by city capital funds. This site is a theater site, where a local theater group hired by the city performs nine times throughout the summer. The outdoor theater seats 400 to 500 people and is a short distance away from restrooms and a concession stand. With three venues sharing the parking lot, spaces fill quickly, so alternative parking is provided in the Kmart parking lot across the street. VI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Moved by McConico, seconded by Kuebelbeck to adjourn at 7:55 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.