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9-24-1979REGULAR MEETING OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION COMMISSION September 24, 1979 A regular meeting of the Open Space and Recreation Commission was held on September 24, 1979, at the Brookview Community Center. Members present: Burt Brown, Emilie Johnson, Raymond Petersen, Rhoda Jaffe, Charles Burmeister, Richard Lyons, Diane Asproth; members absent, Lowell Benson and Robert Szyman. Others present, John Brenna. MINUTES The minutes of the meeting of August 27, 1979, were amended to correct the misspelling of two member's names. They were also amended to make a note of page 4, at the end of the second paragraph, that $14,000 was budgeted for a program supervisor no longer on the staff. The position is to be reactivated when the community center building opens. The minutes were approved as amended. UP DATE ON OVERLAY PROJECT John Brenna reported that the overlay project on the Brookview Golf Course was to have commenced October 1st. However, a week and a half of rain has made the fill materials from 1-94 to wet to wet to permit the contractor to dump it on the fairways. Because of this, it is necessary to return to the original plan which was to remove dirt from ponds to be dragged on the fairways to an area west of the driving range to dry out. Following Labor Day, 1980, the appropriate fairways will be closed and the materials from the pond will be spread. A regulation 9 hole course and the par 3 course will remain open after Labor Day. Because the contractor had originally agreed to spread and seed the fairways at his own expense, the Recreation Department will incur additional expenses as a result. Once the fill is spread and the top soil is in place, the fairways will be seeded and two or three mowings will be accomplished before the winter of 1980, and also allowing a normal spring opening for 1981. COMMUNITY CENTER The Commission took time to review David Latvaaho's memo. Ray Petersen asked if a teen room would be used and the response was yes. The teen room would be a focal point for the teenagers with the advance of school closings. The northeast corner site would be more accessible for transportation, thus the teen room is predicted to be more successful than the teen drop in center at the current Brookview building. Chairman Brown asked if it was not the Commission's job to prioritize and asked if the list was complete. The response was yes. He than asked if there was any degree of importance identified to the memo. It was explained that Mr. Latvaaho's memo did not prioritize the needs. It was noted that the racquet ball courts, swimming pool, and locker rooms had not been addressed in the memo. Richard Lyons felt that the first priority should be a cafetorium; a mulit purpose room combined wtith a gym, stage area, and cafeteria, and the second priority would be general meeting rooms. He felt that the third priority would be instruction rooms equipped with craft machines. page two It was also pointed out that a central storage area was needed for all associations which would be likely to use the general meeting rooms and for general recreation supplies. Ray Petersen felt that the gym should be separate from the cafetorium because the equipment demanded by a gymnasium often detracts from the atmosphere for plays and concerts. Richard Lyons then reviewed theCouncil's charge to the Commission. Emile Johnson felt that the Commission should compate Golden Valley's needs with other suburs's needs to see what is being used the most; i.e. those facilities and programs which are more popular or most requested. John Brenna suggested that the common demoninator was the lack of meeting rooms and the lack of an area for senior citizens with its own entrance. The gymnasium continues to be a most popular facility. Charles Burmeister underscored the necessity to prioritize the facilities based on need. Bob Szyman moved to table discussion on the community center to study materials given and to have Latvaaho prioritize. The motion was seconded by Lowell Benson. A discussion ensued. Charles Burmesiter felt that the pool must be put in as a priority. Richard Lyons felt that storage space must also be added for Latvaaho's consideration. Ray Petersen moved to have a special meeting, October 8th for the purpose of prioritizing needs for the proposed community center. The motion was seconded byEmile Johnson and passed. It was stated that the next regular meeting would be October 22nd. SWIMMING POOL REPORT John Brenna reported the results of the 1979 swimming season to the Commission. He noted that revenue was down because of several factors. The pool heater malfunctioned and a number of refunds on season passes was made. Gate receipts were up, but passes and lessons were down. The phonomonom of more adults using the pool was noted. It was felt that this was because mothers were bringing young children in greater numbers this year. Emilie Johnson wanted to know why the decline since 1975 in attendance. John Brenna responded that it was due to the small pool, cool summers, and generally fewer children in the community. Burt Brown requested information on the number of season passes sold. Diane Asproth asked to have reports made on the revenue production of the Crystal, Brooklyn Center, and New Hope pools. BROOKVIEW STUDY COMMITTEE Burt Brown then reported on the progress of the Brookview Study Committee which meets every two weeks. He reported that there werea number of alternate plans for the dispositon of the Brookview building, but that interest had narrowed to basically two plans. First plan was to tear down the old part of the current building and replace it with the housing of mechanical equipment. Then Brookview should be upgraded with the pro shop, coffee shop, and lockers. A good quality banquet room for catered banquets would be part of this project. He noted that the study committee did not envision any recreation in the new facility except swimming, and that many of the golf people were anxious to get rid of the swimming pool. Plan B called for the development of a restaurant in the facility. John Brenna read figures which showed a projected income of $22,000 for the use of the banquet facilities for a year. Charles Burmeister cautioned that a proviate golf club for golfers should not be inadvertantly created, but that the upgraded building should be available for the total community use. ROTARY CLUB John Brenna reported that the Rotary Club wish to plant 75 trees on Brookview property, in celebration of their Diamond Jubilee. The Rotarians will purchase the trees as a gift to the City. Park employees will dig the holes while the Rotarians will actually plant the trees. page three Ray Petersen recommended that the Council approve the offer of the Golden Valley Rotary Club to plant 75 trees in the picnic area of the Brookview Park. The Open Space and Recreation Commission is highly appreciative of this offer. The motion was seconded by Rhoda Jaffe. It was approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:04 p.m. The next meeting is a special meeting scheduled for October 8th. The next regular meeting is October 22nd. Chairman Brown Vice Chairman Jaffe