8-4-197711
REGULAR MEETING
GOLDEN VALLEY PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
August 4, 1977
A regular meeting of the Golden Valley Park and Recreation Commission was held
on Thursday, August 4, 1977, at 7:00 p.m., at the Brookview Community Center,
8200 Wayzata Blvd., Golden Valley, Minnesota.
Chairman Brown presided and the following members were present: Eastes,
Haglund, Hammer, Jaffe, and Kahn; absent members were King and Petersen. Also
present was John L. Brenna, Director of Parks and Recreation.
MINUTES
The minutes of the regular meeting of July 7 were approved with the following
correction: In the last sentence of the item on Open Space Liaison, the word
"copy" should be substituted for the word "member".
OLD BUSINESS
Recreation Sub Committee
Chairman Brown explained that, at the request of the City Manager, he had
discussed the sub committee's request for a briefing session with the recreation
staff (as mentioned in our Minutes of June 2), with Mayor Hoover and City
Manager Omans. While the Manager and the -Mayor recognize the necessity of
gathering information in order that the Commission can carry out the Council's
request to examine recreating programming policies, they are concerned that
staff members might infer criticism from some questions.
Accordingly, Chairman Brown had agreed to the following rules of operation:
(1) The Sub Committee on Recreation is a fact—finding group only. It
should not evaluate or recommend change; these are the responsibilities
of the whole commission.
(2) Any questions about personnel matters of any kind (including
hiring practices, criteria, etc.,) should be directed to the Park
and Recreation Director, not to members of his staff.
Sub Commmittee Chairman Jaffe stated that the Sub committee is indeed interested
only in obtaining information necessary, and is willing to abide by the above
rules. She said that in order to avoid further misunderstanding, the next
step will be to prepare a written plan, setting forthe exactly what the sub—
committee plans to do and how it plans to do it.
Laurel Avenue Pond Landscaping
After reviewing the background regarding the design, construction, and financing
of the Laurel Avenue Ponds, Mr. Brenna presented the landscapin ro osal
which he had discussed with affected residents. About 30 pers9n� r9presenting
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a large proportion of nearby homes, had been present at a meeting Tuesday,
August 2, in Lions Park. Estimated cost of the proposal is $20—$30,0009
if the work is done by Department personnel. Mr. Brenna reported that
resident reaction was favorable. The plan is designed as a created natural
area, and a majority of the residents present favored that; however, some whose
homes border on the area would prefer that the portion adjacent to them be
maintained in a park—like state. A public meeting is scheduled by the
Council in October. Kahn moved that seeding and fertilizing be begun as soon
as possible, and that seeding be done so that the northern part of the area
can be kept in a park—like state. The motion was not seconded.
Discussion brought out that it will probably take a year to complete the
plantings; that if upland grasses are sown now the grass could be mowed to any
height desired, whereas if law grass is used a "wild or natural state" could
not be achieved without re—planting; that the Department does not have
sufficient manpower to maintain the area in a park—like state, that most of the
nearby homes are on considerable higher ground than the area to be planted; and
that there are safety questions inherent in ponding whether the area is to be
mowed or not. Eastes moved that wild grassed be planted and the entire area
be left wild until such time as the people in the area make a proposal for
maintenance of a portion of the area. Second by Hammer and carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Dutch Elm
The problems of residents in the 5000 block on Circle Down was discussed.
As explained by Mr. Brenna,several lots, including Mr. Donald Mayberg's, are
extremely deep and thickly wooded. There are perhaps 150 elms on three lots,
50 to 70 of which have been identified as having Dutch Elm disease. The
department recommends removing this area from the Dutch Elm control limits.
During discussion, three rationales for exempting an area from the require—
ments of Dutch Elm controls were adduced:
(1) Inaccessibility — in certain areas, for example along Bassetts Creek
east of Noble Avenue, the terrain is such that many elms are
virtually inaccessible, and attempting to remove them would casue
serious damage to the area.
(2) Hardship in some cases, the financial burden on an individual
may be unreasonable.
(3) Allocation of resources — money is apparently not available to pay
for the removal of every diseased elm. Consequently, priorities
should be established so that limited resources can be allocated to
those it is most important to remove. Among such priorities
considerations might be the importance of elms in a given area, and
the extent to which standing dead elms would be hazardous as they
beging to lose limbs.
All three considerations seem relevant in the present case, the third perhaps
more so than the others. The Commission also discussed the precedential
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aspects of the Department's proposal. It was pointed out that, should close
neighbors object to the Dutch Elm requirements for themselves, they have the
right of petition. However, the Department velieves that few would do so. It
was also pointed out that the trees will eventually die and, if removal is under—
taken, city help would presumably not be available in exempted areas. Kahn
moved that we recommend to the Council that the property affected in the Mayberg
area be taken out of the Dutch Elm control limits. Seconded by Jaffe and
carried. Mr. Brenna also explained that recent information indicates that
state funds will provide only 37% of local expenses, rather than 45% as previously
expected. Consequently, the amount presently budgeted by the city will
probably not cover the City's share of the cost of removing the 1100 elm trees
expected to die this year. However, since it is likely that many affected
elms will be removed from the control limits, it appears that his year's cost—
sharing plans are adequately funded.
Budget — Commission
Recent problems related to Minutes and Commission/Council communications were
discussed. These included:
(1) late completion of minutes and consequent delayed communication
to the Council
(2) The Council's tendency to interpret Minutes quite literally, re—
quiring great care in writing them
(3) The fact that note taking takes attention away from issues and
the flow of discussion, limiting the ability of the Commission
member taking notes to fully participate in the Commission's
business.
(4) The fact that Minutes are best prepared while the meeting is fresh
in mind so that anomalies can be cleared by checking another
person's memory.
Haglund moved that the Council be asked to provide a Commission budget of
approximately $1,450 for 1978, including approximately $600 to provide for paid
secretarial help in taking notes and preparing minutes. Seconded by Kahn
and unanimously approved.
In discussion of the motion, Chairman Brown explained the Council's concern
that Minutes should reflect the Commission's thinking, and suggested that
this need could be met if the Commission—member Secretary acted as Editor,
using a promptly prepared draft provided by a paid clerical person knowl—
edgeable in Commission affairs.
Mr. Brenna reviewed the Department's budget request in the categories of
Shop, Weed Control, Dutch Elm, Open Space, Park Maintenence, Recreation, and
Administration; explaining the nature, amount, and reasons for any changes.
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In most cases, the changes are primarily normal increases in salaries and
benefits, and increased costs of energy.
In the Dutch Elm and Open Space categories, Mr. Brenna explained that his
provision for a full time forester had been ruled out by the City Manager,
in order that the money could be used for tree removal. Mr. Brenna said
that we can expect to lose 1800 trees next year, and that state funds will be
less proportionately than this year. As a guess, the 1978 State funds will
cover 27% of local costs, compared to 37% in 1977.
Kahn moved that the Commission recommend to the Council that the position of
a full time forester for the disease control and open space maintenance programs
be included in the 1978 budget. Seconded by Eastes and carried unanimously.
In the Recreation category, Mr. Brenna explained that he had been directed to
cut out one full time regular position in either the Park Maintenance or
Recreation section of the budget, and that he was therefore planning to elim—
inate the full time recreation supervisor, returning to the previous practice
of relying on part time people for that function.
Commission members felt that while we have been fortunate to have excellent
part time recreation supervisors in the past, the long effort to get a full time
professionally trained female in that position is an important reason for
the quality of the present program; and that loss of this position would be
detrimental to the program.
Kahn moved that we recommend to the Council that — in addition to keeping the
maintenance staff as is — the position of a full time recreation supervisor
be reinstated. Seconded by Haglun and carried unanimously. Discussion of
this motion included the suggestion that other budget items could be trimmed
if necessary to accomplish this.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
(06 6VV�
Chairman Brown
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