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11-26-1979REGULAR MEETING OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION COMMISSION November 26, 1979 A regular meeting of the Golden Valley Open Space and Recreation Commission was held on November 26, 1979, at the Brookview, Community Center, at 7:30 p.m. Members present: G. Burton Brown, Emilie Johnson, Raymond Petersen, Rhoda Jaffe, Charles Burmeister, Richard Lyons, Ann Asproth, and Lowell Benson. Absent, Robert Szyman. Other present: John Brenna, Virginia Ginsberg, Robert Shirely, Ruth Soby, Peggy Leppick, Jim Sicora, and Scott Soltow. MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting of October 22nd were approved. BROOKVIEW STUDY REPORT Chairman Brown reviewed the composition of the study committee. There were several interest groups, Brookview neighborhood, men golfers, women golfers, swimmers, and at large member appointed to the committee, so that most concerns could be considered. He reported that he reviewed the fiannces and costs portion of the committee's report with John Murphy. Murphy felt that there were certain problems associated with the cost and finance aspect of the report. Chairman Brown asked Peggy Leppick to review the proposed use of the Brookview Community Center from a non golf standpoint. She reported that the building could be put to good use and that the uses would be different but compatible with the proposed community center. She reported that two assumptions were made by the committee in preparing the report: (1) that the proposed community center would be built, (2) the old portion of the Brookview building is not worth remodedling and will be torn down. Leppick then described the changes to be made. The locker room grill and pro shop, the golf facilities, are to be increased in size and the pro shop relocated. The second floor of the building is to be remodeled into a banquet facility with a kitchen and equipment for catering services and the capacity to cook small meals. The remodeling will make the building energy efficient and also a nice facility for meetings, ban— quets, and receptions. The estimated capacity is 200. She stated that by doing this the community would be taking advantage of the nice location and the scenic view now provided by the building. Diane Asproth asked if the roof of the pro shop could be used as a terrace or a room. The response was that too much traffic on the roof would make a terrace problematic. The idea of a added room space was a good question and possibly could be done later. Ray Petersen asked about the outdoor patio that now exists and the response was that it will remain. Diane Asproth questioned the location of the kitchen. The response was that in its designated location caterers would have easy access to the parking lot and it would be out of the way of the banquest rooms traffic pattern. Chuck Burmeister questioned the positioning of the pro shop. Scott Soltow responded that at that position both the first tee of the Par 3 and the regulation course could be controlled. It was also designed to traffic people through the pro shop for merchandising and for grill service. He felt that there would be much better control. Chuck Burmeister questioned the size of the lockers to accomodate bags and clubs. The idea of renting the lockers to help pay for the additional costs of larger lockers, the majority would be the regular size as now available. Ruth Solby then gave her impressions on how the proposal would be perceived by the immediate neighborhood. She stated that the two biggest concerns of the page two neighborhood were traffic and noise. She noted that since the revenues from the building would increase five times, that it would be logical to expect an increase in the amount of traffic five times. She pointed out that the area would be closely monitored and that time restrictions would be placed on the use of the facility to cut down on traffic and noise. She also suggested that a security deposit could be asked of people renting the hall which would be forfeited if they violate policies. It was also stated that it would be necessary, on some occasions, to hire extra security. The cost of this would be taked onto the rental fee. Concern was raised regarding access to Brookview when US 12 is modified. This may present a problem at a later date. Virginia Ginsberg then described the effects of the proposal on those interested in the swimming. She pointed out that there are several indoor pools available for Golden Valley people if they want them. She classified them into three groups: publis swimming pools, semi public swimming pools, and private swimming pools. The public swimming pools include Golden Valley Middle School, Sandberg Junior High School, North District High School Dist. 274, Brooklyn Center Community Center, Plymouth Junior High School. The semi public swimming pools include NW YMCA, Health Central, Courage Center and the Jewish Community Center. The Northwest Health and Sports Club was identified as the only private swiming pool available. Chuck Burmesiter questioned the statement on page 11 of the Brookview Study C ommittee's report in light of the statistics which the commission had reviewed over the past few months. John Brenna explained that outdoor and indoor pool are two completely different animals. The feeling was that the oudoor pool was more seasonaly oriented, while the indoor pool was set up primarily for more specialized groups. Ruth Solby said that the outdoor pool provided provided service for special groups, i.e. kids, who get more excited about outdoor pools than indoor. She rejected the notion of the community growing old and felt than an outdoor pool could be used as a drawing card to attract young families to Golden Valley. Ray Petersen suggested that the outdoor pool at Brookview could be left open until the new pool could be built. Diane Asproth pointed out that the Ad Hoc Commjnity/Senior Citizens Committee felt that complete community centers would have to provide a year round swimming program which would preclude the construction of an outdoor pool. It was pointed out that the intent of the Study Committee's report was to recommend an outdoor pool. Chairman Brown then reported on the finances and cost section of the report: He felt that by virtue of remodeling Brookview that golf course income should go up 10 to 12 thousand dollars and that additional income should be expected from increased merchandise trafficing in that pro shop and purchases from the grill. He reported that John Murphy felt that there were several errors in the logic presented in the report. (1) extra golf course money is already spoken for to pay off the revenue bond used to develop the nine hole golf course. The golf course can't come up with extra rent or profit because of the obligation to Present Future Rents 4,000 32,000 City Rent 15,000 —0— Golf 11,000 11,000 30,000 43,000 22,000 65,000 Operating costs 30,000 35,000 Debt Service 275,000 -- X300 00000 65,000 He felt that by virtue of remodeling Brookview that golf course income should go up 10 to 12 thousand dollars and that additional income should be expected from increased merchandise trafficing in that pro shop and purchases from the grill. He reported that John Murphy felt that there were several errors in the logic presented in the report. (1) extra golf course money is already spoken for to pay off the revenue bond used to develop the nine hole golf course. The golf course can't come up with extra rent or profit because of the obligation to page three pay off the revenue bond (2) the report did not consider all costs (a) architectural fees, 10%9 (b) equipment, $509000, and (c) contingency for in— flaction, 10%. These factos would make the payment on the debts service greated. Brown reported that Murphy agreed with the concept that income could be attributed to the remodeling should be considered and help offset the costs. He felt that he could not estimate the income sufficiently enough, to make a a judgment. It was brought to the Commission's attention that another place to cut would be to spread the cost of paying back the loan over 25 years, instead of the proposed 16 =1/2 years. In any case, it was Murphy's suggestion that the committee needed to get the figure down to $12,000 or less to make the project feasible. Chairman Brown identified three options that the Commission had open to it: (1) adjust the future figure to make the shortage under $12,000 and subit the report to the City Council (2) report to the City Council that the Commission needed a more thorough analysis of the finances to make a good report and request more time, (3) submit the report and the Commission's support of the concept with the understanding that more work would be done on the finances. It was pointed out that the shortages would probably have to be made up from capital improvement funds. Diane Asproth then asked if the two year over— lay program might be a factor increasing the size of the shortage. It was felt that it would be necessary to increase the golf course rental of the build— ing from $11,000 to a higher figure. John Brenna stated that the general obligation bond for a total package of pool and upgrading Brookview may be one method of financing the project. Motion: Emilie Johnson moved that the Commission approve the concept as pre— sented by the Brookview Study Committee to present to the City Council as a progress report. The cost and finances are to be studied in more depth, using John Muprhy as a consultant. It was seconded by Rhoda Jaffe, and passed unanimously. Ray Petersen praised the Brookview Study Committee on the work it had done and hoped that a satisfactory conclusion would result for all. COMMUNITY CENTER Chairman Brown reviewed the Council's charge to the Commission. Discussion then centered around outdoor vs indoor pool as part of the community center. Motion: Bob Szyman motioned that the committee recommend that an indoor pool be built as part of the community center. It was seconded by Chuck Burmeister after considerable discussion, the motion was approved by a 5 to 2 vote with one abstention. Chairman Brown then asked if the Commission had addressed the charge. It was generally felt that the Commission had addressed the first two parts of the charge, but that the ideas were fragmeneted and needed to be pulled together and summarized for presentation to the board. The Chairman will compose a statement to present to the Council pulling together from the minutes the priorities identified throughout the past several meetings. The cost of maintaining a few facility was questioned. John Brenna estimated $45,000 per annum, $15,000 being heat and electricity. Chairman Brown then asked the Commission if it had addressed the third point of the Council's charge. There was considerable discussion regarding the intent of the third point of the charge. Chairman Brown felt that the question was what we would trade now, i.e. that which is currently being done in the community, to get the community center. Chuck Burmeister made the point that most programs proposed for the center are current so the needs are there. The new building would consolidate the programs into the proximity of other city buildings, i.e. Valley Square. Brown sought to ascertain the relative importance of the community center to page four other areas of open space and recreation programs in the community. Petersen wanted to address each need individially as the committee perceived them. Motion: Petersen moved that the following is the Commission's assessment of the importance of the community center. It was seconded and approved unanimously. — 1. Brookview, building is inadequte for meeting space. 2. The heating and cooling of Brookview is totally inadequate 3. There is no starage area currently available 4. The Brookview facility is not usable by the disabled 5. There is a need to provide a sense of community unity 6. School gyms are being closed because of the declined enrollment and there is a need for them 7. Schools are only open after hours 8. Comprehensive senior citizens programs are needed 9. Offer a greater variety of children, teen, and adult recreation and socialization programs 10. The health complex with family center concepts 11. Promoting an appreciation of the arts through the use of the cafetorium 12. The Community Center would serve as a social instrument for community involvment and betterment 13. The Community Center would promote community clubs and organizations, leagues, tournaments, special community events, and a variety of classes for all age groups 14. A community center would serve as a common meeting place for all age groups. 15. A complete community center can be used all hours of the day, schools are available only after school hours 16. Community center would provide facilities in which children through adults could engage in informal activities in their own choosing. A person may drop in to shoot baskets, exercise, swim, read a magazine, play pool or table tennis, develop a film, play chess, or any other activity SUMMARY A complete community center would provide unlimited social and recreational opportunities and serve as a social instrument for total community involvement. Rhoda Jaffe felt that it would be important to call the community center the Golden Valley Community Center so yhat the community could identify with it. UPDATE OF LAUREAL PONDS The area around Laurel Ponds has been dragged, black dirt has been spread and fertilizer, and 600 pounds of seed put on. It has been reseeded for dormant seeding. The Jersey section has been seeded with brome grass. RECREATION SUPERINTENDENT The new recreation superintendent, Charles Corlett, is to be on staff next week. He comes very highly recommended. page five DUTCH ELM There was a brief discussion regarding the City's formula for getting State Aid to private home owners who had to have elm trees removed from their property. The next regular meeting is scheduled for December 17th. The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 p.m. Chairman Brown Vice Chairman Rhoda Jaffe C