6-26-1975REGULAR MEETING
GOLDEN VALLEY PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
June 26, 1975
A regular meeting of the Golden Valley Park and Recreation Commission
was held on Thursday, June 26,1975, at 7:30 p.m., at the Brookview
Community Center, 8200 Wayzata Blvd., Golden Valley, Minnesota.
Chairman Petersen presided and the following members were present:
Courey, .Jaffe, Kelby, and King; members absent, Duebner, Gergen, Hammer,
and Brown. Also present were John L. Brenna, Park and Recreation
Director, David H. Latvaaho, Assistant Director, Thomas Felt, Park Super—
intendent, Corey J. Bakken, Golf Operations Manager, and Gertrude Peterson,
secretary.
MINUTES
It was moved by Courey and seconded by Kelby that the minutes of the
regular meeting of May 29, 1975, be approved with the following correction:
On page there thereof, under the heading Park Construction — up date
line 8, change the word "Minder" to "Neslund". Minutes were then
approved as corrected.
MERGER OF TRAIL AND OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE
Mr. Brenna stated that the Trail Committee and the Open Space Committee
should perhaps merge so as to act jointly on matters that would ordin—
arily come before both committees and entail delays when both committees
must meet to act of these matters, and that the Trail Committee's work
is just about done. After discussion, it was moved by Kelby and seconded
by Courey that the Commission recommend that representatives of the
Trail Committee and the Open Space Committee meet and draw ua a proposal
consolidating the two committees, and that a proposal setting forth the
functions, structure, and procedure be submitted to the Park and
Recreation Commissin. Motion carried.
RICE LAKE PARK
Mr. Brenna reviewed the Rice Lake Park area, and after discussion, it
was moved by Courey and seconded by Kelby that the Commission recommends
that we proceed with the plans for Rice Lake Park as set forth in Plan I
which includes bridge, bog walk, and observation platform, the original
approval for which was given by the City Council on May 6, 1974. Motion
carried.
1976 BUDGET PHILOSOPHY
Chairman Petersen read a letter from the City Manager outlining the
procedure in the budget process. Mr. Brenna then explained the
procedure that is followed with department and division heads. At this
time, Mr. Courey read a letter from Mrs. Duebner relative to recreation
programming and park maintenance. After lengthy discussion, it was
moved by Jaffe that at the next budget meeting, the Park and Recreation
Commission shall receive all facts and figures as pertain to recreation
activities, the number of participants in each program, and the
estiimated cost and anticipated revenue from fees charged as set forth
Regular Meeting — Park and Recreation Commission
page two
in Mrs. Duebner letter to the Commission of June 26, 1975. The motion was
seconded by Courey and carried.
Mr. Feltl, Park Superintendent, described the situation relative to maintain—
ing the park system insofar as park trimming is concerned from four to six
weeks prior to when the high school and college students are out of school as
stated in Mrs. Duebner's letter. Mr. Feltl stated that part time employees
are hard to come by on Saturdays and after school during the early spring
period. Mr. Feltl also stated that if we were to move in that direction, we
would have to work full time employees along with the part time employees
from the standpoint of union rules, wherein the part time employees are
restricted in the type of equipment that they can handle, this would also mean
a time and a half rate for the full time employees, and a subsequent increase
in the total park maintenance budget for salary. Mr. Feltl stated that this
year has been a atypical year from the standpoint of warmth and rain, which
produces ideal growing conditions insofar as grass in concerned. Mr. Feltl
further stated that as a rule spring time is generally on the cool side and
the need for mowing is not near that which we are experiencing this year.
After much discussion, it was moved by Courey and seconded by Jaffe that Mr.
Feltl determine the additional costs to the City in order to carry out the
actions set forth in Mrs. Duebner's letter relative to park maintenance to
provide an additional month's maintenance in trimming the park system,
starting approximately one month earlier in the spring, and at the same time,
submit the anticipated costs. Mr. Feltl shall sumbut his comments, also,
relative to the feasibility of the program and what should be done. Motion
carried.
COMMISSION — STAFF RELATIONS
At this time, Chairman Petersen stated that all Commission members who feel
that a particular program activity, or any facet of the Park and Recreation
Department that is not working to his or her liking, will contact Mr.
Brenna, who has the overall responsibility for the department and will
answer questions concerning total department operations. Mr. Bakken will
answer questions on golf course items, Mr. Feltl will answer questions on
park maintenance, and Mr. Latvaaho will answer questions on recreation
programs. This procedure will be followed rather than discussing ones likes
or dislikes with individual line employees.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved by Kelby and seconded by Jaffe
that the meeting be adjourned. Meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m. Chair—
man Petersen stated that the next meeting of the Commission will be held
on July 28, 1975.
Chairman Petersen
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Vice Chairman Duebner
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