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2-23-19811 OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION COMMISSION February 23, 1981 The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. at Brookview Community Center. Chairperson Jaffe presided and members present were: Asproth, Burmeister, Fuller, Johnson, Lyons, Micks, Petersen. Benson was absent. Also present were Brenna, Corlett, Thorn and Wade. MINUTES The minutes of the January 26, 1981 meeting were approved with some discussion of whether the Laurel Avenue Greenbelt motion by Asproth should instead be called an ampliciation of the Lyons motion. It was decided to let the minutes stand as approved. NATURAL AREAS (Refer to January 26, 1981 project estimates written by Merlin Thorn and Diane Wade.) John Brenna introduced Thorn and Wade and explained that they had gone over the Vogt proposal and in some cases made different recommendations. They mainly added specific plantings as Vogt had not gone into planting specifics. MARY HILLS PARK Brenna made correction on page 3, paragraph 29 line 2 to eliminate "picnic areae. Asproth questioned priority of trail along the creek. Petersen commented that it is important that persons living in the vicinity be informed of fact that the area will look worse before it looks better because of cleanup. Total cost will be $18,381 to make the recommended changes. RICE LAKE PARK Members agreed with Thorn/Wade report that it is important not to have trail too close to resident homes. Burmeister dissented wanting boardwalk going east. The cost factor was questioned as to whether it is worth it. OUTLOT NO. 1 (Noble Avenue) Brenna explained that there must be Council approval before anything can be done in this area. Also, it is not practical to put in trail here. Lyons asked why money should be spent there if it is not accessible and neighbors there like it that way. Petersen asked the consequence of doing nothing to this parcel. shorn estimated that about 5 trees per year would be lost to Dutch Elm disease in this parcel. BRIARWOOD WILDLIFE AND BIRD SANCTUARY Micks asked why lilacs were not proposed plantings because it would add nice continuity for Lilac Drive. Thorn replied that he wanted to break up the lilac pattern because of the lilacs on the other side of highway by fire station. BASSETTS CREEK PARKS PARCEL E. Brenna mentioned that every three years the area is cleaned up and still the area slowly becomes a dumpsite for the neighbors. Note: Plan differs from Vogt plan by eliminating boardwalk and having a bridge over the creek. Honeywell Pond Discussion centered around the buffer planting along Douglas Drive which would block the view of the pond from Douglas, but would hopefully serve as a buffer to prevent the ducks from walking across Douglas which cause traffic hazards. Jaffe concern that observation decks would be money wasted because only the neighbors would use. Petersen contended that many people use all the different natural areas in Golden Valley. Ewald Donation There was some discussion that the Open Space Sub Committee had already sub- mitted a revised plan eliminating one of the trails into the woods area of the northwest section. Rings Colonial Micks commented that one neighbor has complained to her about weed seeds blowing over onto their lawn from the nataural area on Colonial Drive. Also is prairie practical when it can't be maintained by burning every few years? Brenna said the prairie grass should be better this year. South Cortlawn No additional comments. North Tyrol Park No additional comments. Comments were made throughout the presentation questioning priorities for the amount of money being spent for the natural area when they can present problems such as the "Rings Colonial" with neighborhood complaints. Should the neighor- hood first agree to the concept before plans are implemented. However, for the immediate future, there was no question as to the spending of money for cleanup of the areas. Petersen moved approval of the proposed expenditures from the public land fund for the first year of the three year program of im- proving natural areas. Burmeister amended motion to omit "C cleanup" (cleanup of Outlot No. 1) because the neighbors want it to remain inaccessible and there- fore would not benefit other residents of Golden Valley. Micks asked for clarification of "cleanup" to ensure no live trees would be cut. Brenna stated cleanup meant removal of concrete, rubbish, dead trees, and shrubs (no live trees). Cost of first year expenditure with Burmeister amendment would be $289609. Lyons seconded. Motion carried. FIVE YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Item 3 b. Brookview Rotary Club Picnic Shelter. It was asked if this was a donation, why was there an expenditure for this. Brenna explained that the Rotary Club will reimburse the City of Golden Valley $39000 over the next few years. SEEMAN PARK It will cost $8,000 just for the parking lot changes. The parking lot will be increased in size. Also drain the will be put under parking lot so that water can spill into storm sewer. There will be a 20 foot backstop, 10 foot wings, 7 foot hood. Team benches will be installed. Aggregate lime will be taken out and turf put in and snow fences will be removed. There was concern expressed for spending $14,000 for these changes when the park is to be used just one year by Little League. Petersen moved that we approve cost to convert Seeman Park for Little League use for one yar, with the exception of sodding infield. (The cost to sod infield would be $29400.) The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. LIONS PARK Concern over permanent outfield fences was brought forth. This would prevent use of Lions Park for soccer, football, and other spoorts. Micks moved that in negotiations with Little League and Babe Ruth, it is important that the follow- ing items be upheld: that Lions Park remain flexible for football soccer, and T --ball use: therefore permanent outfield ences should not be installed to insure Maff schedule diamond use to allow airl's league to cusp diamonds_ Burmeister seconded, passed with one abstention. Jaffe asked Burmeister to take over as Chairman temporarily to explain why she abstained on vote. She felt that we needed a sentence to explain that we were pushed into a corner to make concessions to a single minded group with no price tag at that time. For a group that has been so independent to take over a regional park at such a high cost ($949497.00) is ridiculous. Other members agreed that we as a commission are responsible for the entire recreation program. Asproth added that our vote last month to upgrade Lions Park and Seeman Park for baseball league use, not to provide an optimum complex. Brenna explained that the dugouts will probably not cost $329000 because Little League will provide about $17,000 plus in kind services. The Commission agreed that they want to know bottom figures to convert Lions and Seeman Parks, not top dollar optimum complex. ADULT SOFTBALL COMPLEX Commission members stated a concern for the total plan to allow areas both for Little League and adult softball. Jaffe stated concern that the neighbors of the Schapper property were not notified. Johnson moved that further investi- gation of Schapper property be pursued as alternative to relocate softball program, including study of additional access. Burmeister seconded. Passed unanimously. Lyons moved to remove Lions and adult softball complex from capital improvements at this time. Seconded and passed. 1982 ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES Regional Trail - CNW-RR Brenna explained that the county is interested in a regional trail that would run on the CNW-RR right of way. A meeting last week between the county and CNW drew the two bodies a bit closer together, with the county now looking at same issue areas, i.e. spur tracks and street intersection. Re -roof park shelter buildings Brenna proposed that split shake roof be installed because of their hardness. Micks questioned flammability and cost. Re -place Hockey Rink Lights from Wood to Metal_ This was questioned in light of proposed closing of some local hockey rinks. Multi -surface Areas f. - are to mean basketball areas. 1983 ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES Correction to item l.d. to read Wesley Park (not Lions Park) Petersen moved tentative approval of capital improvement programs on revised February 691981 pages, as amended by previous motions. Seconded and passed unanimously. 3. Adult Softball Complex Brenna mentioned that in addition to the Schapper property, that Honeywell diamond may be increased to two diamonds converted to softball. COMMUNITY CENTER-- Rules and Regulations Corlett pointed out a correction on page 3 "Fees and Charges for use of Brook - view Community Center" item 39 line 3 to read $325.00 rental fee. Motion that we approve Regulations for Use of Brookview Community Center as set. Jaffe clarified that motion is to mean that all items in the regulations are approved. Seconded and passed unanimously. Because of the late hour, the Commission asked that we only discuss items which cannot be postponed until March meeting. At the next meeting, Community Commun- ications, Commendation from Twin Cities Trust, and Position paper re social services within School District 281 will be addressed. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Brief mention that Councilman Mitchell commented that it was possibly backwards to recommend converting Lions and Seeman Parks before neighborhood meetings had been held. It was mentioned that we were presented with a peition from the neighbors of Lions Park at the January meeting. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mr. Brenna stated that he had met with residents of the Seeman Park area and in- formed them of the park's use for Little League for the 1981 season. Residents had three requests of the City: that portable toilets be placed on the field during the season; that the low area behind the backstop be looked at; No Parking Signs be erected on the west side of the park stating NO PARKING from 5 to 9 P.M. Monday through Friday. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 12:15 a.m. Chairperson Jaffe Vice Chairman Burmeister