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2-25-1980MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING February 25, 1980 ATTENDING: Chairman Burt Brown, Diane Asproth, Lowell Benson, Chuck Burmeister, Rhoda Jaffe, Ray Peterson and Robert Szyman. Others in Attendance Were: John Brenna, Chuck Corlett, Scott Soltow, Shirley Wiese, Julia Taber, Jacquie Rudelius, Tom Tinkham, Dick Sunderland, Don Coy, and Carol Parod. MINUTES It was moved by Peterson to accept the January 28th minutes as presented. It was seconded by Jaffe. The motion was approved unanimously. Ray Peterson moved to accept the special meeting minutes from February 12, 1980. Amended as follows. 1. Change #5, under Chairman's report to "the mayor commented personally, that there may be enough indoor pools in the area". 2. Include Lowell Benson as in attendance. Motion was seconded by Lowell Benson. SOUTH TYROL NEIGHBORHOOD The minutes were approved as amended. Four residents of the South Tyrol neighborhood were present to ask the board to reconsider the closing of the general ice skating rink in the neighborhood. John Brenna explored the history behind the closing of the rink. The decision to close the rink was based on budgetary concerns, man power concerns, and use. A compari- son of the cost to run the neighborhood rinks was presented indicating that South Tyrol Hills was the most expensive of the five rinks to maintain. Tinkham out- lined several reasons why the rink should be reopened for the 1980 - 1981 season. 1. There were more people interested in the ice rink that were able to attend the meeting due to illnesses. 2. The rink is used considerably by the neighborhood. 3. The rink serves as a focal point for the neighborhood activities. ' 4. Currently, the neighborhood has 36 high school age or under, children, 21 of those being under high school age who do and want to use the rink. MINUTES -- Page 2 February 25, 1980 SOUTH TYROL NEIGHBORHOOD Continued: 5. It is not realistic for these children to use any other park. The nearest rink now available is a 10 to 15 minute walk. There is no warming house at this park and the streets are not reasonably safe enough to permit the passing of younger children. Consequently, a car must be used to get to the rink. Additionally, there are a number of problems involved in crossing Highway 12 even with a car. 6. It is felt that the reason most people moved to South Tyrol Hills was be- cause of the recreational/education opportunities which enhance the quality of life. The removal of the rink detracts from the appeal of the neighbor- hood. 7. Neighbors could provide some maintenance on the rink once it is established by the city. 8. Because of school closings, etc., South Tyrol Hills is already receiving very limited services from the city. Jackie Rudelius also explained that the adults had often used the rink and the park as an intrical part of the social life of the community. She mentioned that the bridge over Highway 12 was difficult for people to crass, especially with bicycles, because the rail was too close to the guard rail to use. A discussion ensued questioning some of the cost figures presented, and pro- blems of liability if the community people were to maintain the rink. Diane Asproth felt the most challenging argument is the difficulty people have in getting from South Tyrol Hills to the North Tyrol Hills Park. Diane Asproth moved that the commission recommend to the city council that the South Tyrol Hills ice skating rink be reopened for the 1980 - 1981 season. Chuck Burmeister seconded it. The motion carried unanimously. GOLDEN VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE Don Coy explained the philosophy and some of the problems now facing the Little League program in Golden Valley. He identified the problems as financial, re- cruiting and facilities. He indicated that the most important of these problems was the facilities. Since the Little League lost Minnegasco Park, into which they had invested $168,000 over 18 years, they have had to play a Golden Valley High School and at Honeywell. The high school property appears to be lost and they are only able to maintain a one year lease with Honeywell. He pleaded for a Little League field for the teams to play and practice on. He also indi- cated that the teams do and can play and practice on park property. He said that it was important to keep the parks alive. If an opportunity arose for thePark department to acquire property on which a complex could be built, that the Little League is in a position to assist in developing the property through its financial and man power resources. I MINUTES -- Page 3 February 25, 1980 LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION Carol-Parod reported on the softball program which caters primarily to girls. They anticipated that 170 girls will be involved this year, although there may be some losses because the park T -Ball program has gone co-ed. She indicated that only parks are used for games and practices and would like to pursue this continued cooperation between the association and the Park and Rec. Department. John Brenna stated that there always has been a good relationship between the department and the Little Leagues and that they generally had a very high caliber of people sitting on the Little League Boards. Diane Asproth wanted to know how coaches were selected and how poor coaches were eased out of the system. Don Boy explained how coaches were recruited and the requirements for these areas. GOLDEN VALLEY HOCKEY ASSOCIATION Dick Sunderland described the organizational structure of the association. He then alluded seemingly declining interest in the program because of decreasing population of youths, the expense of hockey, and the lessening of the prestige hockey use to have. Burt Brown asked if it would be good to look at cutting back on the number of ice rinks because of the decline of boys. Chuck Burmeister then asked if the decline in enrollment would also be indicative in the decline of the budget. Sunderland stated that it had some effect but not a tremendous impact. _ Sunderland continued by explaining some of the problems that the association has in obtaining quality coaches, especially for the traveling squads which play 30 to 40 games per year and practice twice a week. YOUTH RECREATION ATHLETICS Chuck Corlett then reported on meetings he had attended with the youth sports groups. The quality of coaching is a prime objective for each one of the pro- grams. Another objective is the searching for solutions to solve the declining enrollments in programs, one suggestion being to develop a western suburban group. He stated that he would like to see the commission develop some type of sportsmanship measurement, and also pursue improving facilities. He also felt there was a need to develop awards for sportsmanship and service to emphasize those areas. Robert Szyman moved that the Commission encourage the recreation staff to conti- nue developing an instructional program for youth sports coaches. It was secon- ded by Diane Asproth. It passed unanimously. MINUTES -- Page 4 February 25, 1980 FEES AND CHARGES Scott Soltow explained the rates scheduled for 1980 for the golf course. All green fees are to be raised $.50, a pattern continuing on an every -other year basis.. This brings the fees up to the level of the Minneapolis courses, but still a little less then Braumar. He reported that the ponds would be done February 27th, and that the work would have no effect on the actual condition of the course. He indicated that there will be a nine -hole fee charge for 14 -holes when the overlay operation begins in late fall and continues into early spring. Soltow presented a proposal to pick up play on slow hours Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for Golden Valley residents. The objectives of this proposal were to sell more resident and patron cards, pick up participation, entice residents and use slack time to increase revenue more adventitiously. Ray Petersen moved that the Commission recommend to the City Council that the 1980 golf course rates schedule be accepted as presented, including the price breaks for designated times and days on the course. Rhoda Jaffe seconded it. It passed unanimously. This year all vendors will be set-up on a quote basis so that there will be no pressure brought to bear on the staff to bring in or exclude any particular bendor. The quote will be awarded to the lowest responsible bid. Scott also reported that Marie Fox had been elevated to Assistant Course Manager. Chuck Corlett presented estimates of expenditures and recommendations for a fee scheduled for the swimming pool. Chuck Burmeister moved that the Commission recommend to the City Council appro- val of the proposed rate increases. It was seconded by Lowell Benson. It passed unanimously. Diane Asproth felt that it would be necessary for the locker rooms to be main- tained better in order to ask more money for fees. Thoda Jaffe felt that it would be necessary to stress to the swimming pool staff the importance of good hygiene in the locker room. John Brenna stated that he felt that the locker room could be better naintained and that the importance of hygiene would be impressed upon the staff for 1980. Chuck Corlett then reported on the community center rental schedule for 1980. He compared the present community center rates with the proposed new rates, showing a difference in revenue for the same period of time. Chuck Burmeister moved that the Commission recommend to the City Council that the proposed community center rental rates by approved effective for any new reservations made for date after April 1. Ray Petersen seconded the motion. It was approved unanimously. MINUTES -- Page 5 February 25, 1980 CONSIUNITY CENTER REPORT The Commission reviewed Chairman Brown's draft of his memo to the Mayor and the City Council of Golden Valley regarding the proposed community center. Se- veral recommendations were made by members to amend the memo. Attachments have been distributed to the Commission previously. Chairman Brown asked everyone to review the memo and to call him before noon February 26th, if they had anymore suggestions. Rhoda Jaffe commended Burt on his report and the Commission agreed that he had done an excellent job. The next regular meeting is scheduled for March 24th, at 7:30 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m. Chairman Vice Chai� a