2-25-1974 (special meeting)SPECIAL MEETING
GOLDEN VALLEY PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
February 25, 1974
A special meeting of the Golden Valley Park and Recreation Commission was
held on Monday, February 25, 1974, at 7:30 p.m., at the Brookview Community
Center, 8200 Wayzata Blvd., Golden Valley, Minnesota.
Chairman Brown presided, and the following members were present: Burmeister,
Duebner, Gergen, Hammer, Kelby, and Jackson, member absent, Petersen; also
present were the following members of the City Council, Anderson, Bix,
Hoover, Moberg, and Riggs; also City Manager Omans, Director of Parks and
Recreation Brenna,Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Latvaaho, and
Secretary Peterson.
MEETING City Council — Park and Recreation Commission
At this time, Chairman Brown, in the way of an introduction, explained
the Park and Recreation Department's purpose and responsibilities. Mr.
Brown also brought forth three points of view regarding the Park and
Recreation Commission and Department's involvement in organized compet—
itive athletics; recreation and instruction; and natural areas, open
space, and trails.
At this time, Mr. Latvaaho, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation,
explained the growth of the recreation program. Mr. Latvaaho also
showed slides which depicted various recreation activities throughout
the year. Mr. Latvaaho stressed that the Department is reaching all ages
from the tots to the senior citizens; he also pointed out that the
Department is setting up more programs for women and girls.
Mr. Latvaaho, through the use of visual displays, showed the use of
schools in our community, and the Brookview Community Center.
Mr. Brenna, Director of Parks and Recreation, briefed the Council
historically on park develooment in the City from World War II to the
present. Mr. Brenna also explained the original master plan that the
community has used in developing the park system; he also told of past
bond issues that have helped finance the park system.
Mr. Brenna described the evolution of our park system through its various
stages, chunk, distributed chunk, lineal link, and ecological link.
Mr. Brenna then showed the City Council a map
of our total trail system
and that portion of the trail system that will
be constructed
this
construction season.
Mr. Brenna also explained how we stand dollar
expenditures on our past Park Bond issue.
wise relative to
our
At this time, Mr. Brenna brought forth a slide
presentation of
each park,
park buildings, maintenance facilities, and certain
trail ways
showing
our total park system.
Special Meeting
Golden Valley Park and Recreation Commission page two
February 25, 1974
Mr. Brenna also explained with the use of wall charts how the develop—
ment is doing dollar wise in park maintenance expenditures, and
recreation expenditures in relationship with other communities.
Generally speaking, the City of Golden Valley is about average in
dollars spent per capita in these areas.
Mr. Brenna went on to state that he has noted a greater abundance
of family participation in our various recreation programs, and that
in his estimation this is what we are really striving for. He stated
that the future will show a greater use of facilities and programs be—
cause of an increase in leisure time due to a shortened work week, and
early retirement.
Mr. Brenna stated that the Department's recreation staff needs a full
time recreation person to handle the womens and girls activities because
of the increased demand for additional programs in this area. He also
stated that he would like the assistant director's position made a
career position for continuity sake. Once a program is set in motion,
a break in its leadership every two or three years deterioriates the
hard work and rapport with the community that one has built into
setting up his various programs.
Mr. Brenna also discussed the need for additional manpower in the park
maintenance division. He stated that with the advent of addtional
open space, trails, and recreational facilities, additional help will
be needed.
Mr. Brown then brought forth a summary of the evening's presentation.
Mr. Brown touched on our future staff needs and on pre—bond issue
assurances.
At this time, members of the Council asked questions of the Park and
Recreation Commission and staff relative to staff needs and various
programs.
After discussion, Mayor Riggs thanked the Park and Recreation Commission
and Staff for a fine presentation.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved by Kelby and seconded by
Burmeister that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was adjourned
at 9:30 a.m.
6z. UA
airman Brown ice Chairman Hammer