8-24-1981REGULAR MEETING
OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION COMMISSION
August 24, 1981
The regular meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jaffe at
7:30 p.m. The following members were present: Benson, Burmeister,
Johnson, Lyons, Nicks, Petersen and Scanlon. Fuller was absent.
Also present were Corlett of staff, Mr. & Mrs. Lowell Thompson
(Sandburg Jr. High neighbors) and Dan Super (Adult Softball Assn).
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
There were no corrections or additions to the minutes of the
regular meeting of July 27, 1981- Johnson moved to approve minutes
as read. Benson seconded. Motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS
Update on Ballfields
Mr. Lowell Thompson of 2501 Florida Ave. N. came to speak
regarding the proposed fencing of the ballfields at Sandburg Jr. High.
Fe noted that one of the reasons the neighbors wanted the fence was
to eliminate the parking problem on Florida Avenue. Air. Thompson
(who was not at the neighborhood hearing) stated that no one considered
the subject of the extra 1/3 mile plus that the children must walk
with a fence installed. Therefore, he asked for (1) a gate or opening be
placed by the fire hydrant on Florida and (2) a sign on Florida stating
"Resident Parking Only".
Corlett interjected that there will be an opening by the fire
hydrant on Florida. The fire department needs swing area for fire
trucks and wants to ensure access to the residents, as well as the
Sandburg pool area where chlorine storage can pose a fire hazard.
Therefore, the gate is a staff issue which is being handled by the
fire department, public safety and park staff.
Regarding a "Resident Parking Only" sign, the commission
discussed the pros and cons of posting a "resident Parking Only" sign
versus a sign stating "No Parking from 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm". Johnson
moved to recommend to council that Florida Avenue from Medicine Lake
Road to 281 property line be posted as "No Parking Between Hours of
5:30 pm - 9:00 pm Monday through Friday year round". Burmeister
seconded. Micks was concerned this might pose a parking problem for
neighbors and that other Florida residents should be consulted first.
Petersen pointed out that this is not the realm of Park and Recreation.
Mr.'Thompson was advised to write a letter to the city council requesting
a "No Parking" sign and get two or three neighbors to sign it. Petersen
suggested it would be best to let neighbors work out the details of what
kind of parking restriction would be desired. Johnson and Burmeister
withdrew their motion.
Johnson reported on the August 11th working session with Little
League. Mr. Dilley of Little League told council that Little League
likes the Honeywell sight, but permanence of the sight is their
concern. He asked if the city council could get Honeywell to set
a definite length of time that the field could be used by Little Lear
The second point he made was that it would be unsafe for Little Leagu
to play on the same field with adults at Lions because of homerun
balls hitting Little League outfielders. Third, he was concerned
about swearing and drinking by adult softball players.
Chairperson Jaffe read a letter from Gary Bdelston to the City
Council which addressed pertinent points of Little League's concern.
1) Honeywell, if it decided to expand would expand its Plymouth
location --not Golden Valley's site --according to Mr. Warwa of
the Golden Valley plant.
2) Regarding safety of Little League and adults at Lions, it
would require a 400' homerun ball to be hit by the adults to
even reach the Little League outfield (an imnossibility). The
Little League outfield stands 75 - 100' closer in than the
adult softball outfield and there have been no occurrences of
adults being hit by homerun balls.
3) Bad language can be a problem with Little League/Babe Ruth
coaches and parents, as well as adult softball players.
Burmeister (an employee of Honeywell) noted that Honeywell is a
community conscious organization and would likely continue supporting*
Little League because of its committment to support community youth.
Budget
Corlett reported that the budget has city manager's ap-iroval.
The commission did not have a copy of the proposed budget. Changes
noted by Corlett were:
---increase rental to $20,000 for Brookview,
---more cross charges to pool from maintenance, weed cutting charged
to street, etc. to more accurately reflect the costs of an operation
---the park division was up 8% in its costs (8% overall, salaries up
9%, electricity/gas up 15%, utility costs up 12%,
---adult athletics will no longer be carried on Brookview checkbook
---new activities have been added such as gymnastics and wrestling
in cooperation with Crystal Park and Rec.,
---day activities when schools are closed,
---increase of $15,000 for pool operation
There were no painful cuts. The total Open Space and Recreation budget
if $1,100,000 (of this $600,000 goes the park & rec budget. There was
discussion of why our park dept. doesn't hold a firearms safety
course in Golden Valley (high cost was the reason).
Petersen moved to recommend the city council approve a budget
allocation of $600 for a part-time secretary to take minutes of the
Open Space and Recreation meetings. This would include typing and
reproducing copies of the minutes. Johnson seconded. Corlett
estimated that the secretarial position would cost $600 per year based
on 8-9 hours of work per month at $5-$6/hour. This would also free
up time expended by the higher salaried secretary who does the photo-
copying of the minutes. Also, this would allow all commission member
to fully participate in the meetings. Unanimously passed with a
request that a separate letter be sent to council.
Adult Softball - Census
The commission was provided with a statistical accounting of the
present softball teams.
Scanlon and Fuller will work on the Adult Softball Evaluation.
Chairperson Jaffe suggested that the evaluation should include
statistical data, subjective evaluation with interviews, history,
financial report, locations of where the industrial, co -Tec, women's
softball teams play, who needs what kind of field, parking lots, etc.
Jaffe asked to be notified of when a meeting will take place between
Corlett, Scanlon and Fuller.
NEW BUSINESS: New Activities - lecreation
In addition to the new activities that were mentioned in the
budget section, there will be crafts, touch football, basketball,
and softball. This will be part of the city budget instead of from
Brookview.
CHAIRMEN'S REPORT
1►!icks read the letter from Mayor Thorsen clarifying the charge
of guidelines for changes in the parks. These guidelines would be
used in a uniform way and would be handed out to persons wanting any
changes in the parks. Johnson suggested that first we should review
at home the present guidelines for changes to bond issue park plans.
These guidelines are listed under 'Rules and Procedures" in the
commission manual.
DEPARTMENT REPORT
1. Laurel Avenue ponds landscape plan has been ok'd by city council.
2. National Park and Rec. convention in St. Paul to be $100.00.
3. Community Center: The report of the three committees will
soon be heard. If there is to be a bond issue, it won't take
place until early spring.
The comirission received and read a letter from Mrs. Stern -a neighbor
of Brookview-regarding late night noise. Corlett recommended that an
off-duty policeman be posted at Brookview from 11:15 - 1:15/30 when
there are late night parties. At a cost of $18/hour for two hours, this
would only result in a $36.00 increase in the rental fee. In spite of
a deposit forfeiture for excessive noise when leaving Brookview,
late night noise continues to be a problem, thus Corlett's recommendation
should prevent any further noise problems.
ADJOURNMENT
Scanlon moved to adjourn the meeting at 10112 p.m. Johnson
seconded. The next regular meeting will be held Sept. 21, 19F1 at
7:30 p.m. Motion passed to adjourn.
Chairperson Vice Chairman