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5-23-19831 1 OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING OF MAY 23, 1983 The regular meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. at the Brookview Community Center by Chairman Burmeister. Commission members present were: Jaffe, Johnson, Kahlow, McDonald, Murad, Watson, and *founghans. Also present were Todd Christensen, Golf Manager; Bob Close, Landscape Architect; Charles Corlett, Program and 'Policy Superintendent; Debbie Halvorson, Commission Secretary; and .'om Snetsinger, Assistant City Engineer. APPROVALOP,,MINUTES Johnson moved the Minutes of the April 25, 1983, Meeting be approved with the following corrections: Page a. p 25tH 2, esden". Close, paragraph, Page 5, line 4: Correct the spelling of "eutrofication" to N eutrophication". Page 5, line 12.: "aerification" should be "aeration". Jaffe.seconded. Motion passed. INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBER Chairman Burmeister introduced to the Commission new Commission member Gordon McDonald. McDonald modestly shared with the Commission a few words about his residency in Golden Valley. Jaffe added that Gordon McDonald had been active in getting the Rolling Gophers wheelchair basketball team started in 1946. OLD BUSINESS 1. Laurel Avenue Greenbelt/Public Information Meeting/Discussion Chairman Burmeister welcomed the residents of the Laurel Avenue Greenbelt area. It was stated that the purpose of this Meeting was to inform the residents about the specific plantings to be installed in 1983 in the Laurel Avenue Greenbelt area. Chairman Burmeister asked. Charles Corlett to review the plan for the residents. Corlett familiarized the residents with the drawing, showing where roadways came in, and such items as Good Shepard proper- ties. He then reviewed for the residents the plantings to be installed in 1983 from the west to the east. Minutes Page 2 May 23, 1983 Residents raised several questions which included the following (List of residents in attendance on file): What will be the size of the trees being planted? Corlett responded that the City's policy for minimum tree size for Pin Oaks would be a�2 1/2" diameter plant. It was later indicated that the specifications for plantings would meet the City's minimum standards for all areas. Several questions regarding the future Cortlawn pond were raised, including the time table for pond development, and why a pond would be necessary in this area. Corlett, Snetsinger, and Close fielded the above questions, stating the time table has not been established and can not be established until the city-wide storm and sanitary sewer improvements have been.. reviewed by the Council and approved. Snetsinger informed the residents that the Council currently has set August 2 for a public hearing on City sewer improvements. He also informed them that notification would be mailed out to residents ip accordance with City policy. Residents expressed a concern that existing vegetation be preserved wherever possible when future construction begins. An inquiry of the budget for this project was made.. Corlett replied that for the 1983 plantings and soil modifications $20,000 has been approved in the City's capital improvements' plan. The residents efsked Bob Close if there were sufficient funds to complete the project. Close replied that the City has been very generous in this project as compared to other commu- nities planning of their projects. He indicated that the total funds approved and identified for the project appear to be adequate to cover the cost of planting. A question as to why this project has been proposed and why hard the existing Laurel Avenue ponds been planned came forth. Corlett responded that the entire project has been proposed due to resident's requests for environmental improvements, including screening from commercial areas and that the existing ponds where designed to serve as storm water storage areas. Further questions regarding the proposed sewer and street improvements were raised and residents were.generally instructed to raise such questions with the Engineering Department and Council at the appropriate time. Much concern was again expressed about the Cortlawn area and that construction impact be minimized. There was discussion of the existing bicycle trail area along South Brunswick and how effective plantings in that area could be. Corlett indicated that some turf restoration would be included when plantings are installed. Further dfsctisgion included the proposed trails within the area. There was an inquiry about a trail along the easterly shore of the future pond. It was pointed out that there is a proposed trail along Further questions regarding future plantings were responded to by the staff and Bob Close. It was stated that until pond construction was completed the actual configuration can not be determined. It is the intention to use the spoils from'the pond construction to add berms along the area between Hampshire and the ehd of the Cortlawn property. Further definition can be made when elevations of the area are determined through the .Engineering Department. Burmeister pointed out that the current plantinge-,plans only deal in areas where we can be assured the plants will not be disturbed by any planned future construction. Residents inquired of the agenda for road construction for Laurel Avenue between Colorado and Florida. Snetsinger informed the residents that the current plan calls for approval of the roadway in 1984, construction to follow. Several residents inquired about future plantings at specific locations throughout the plan which were responded to by Corlett and Close. Chairman Burmeister closed the discussion and assurdd the residents that the Commission will continue to keep them informed of the plantings within the area. 2. 1984 Budget - Evaluation of Current Programs/ Recommendations -Additions or Deletion of Existing Program Burmeister informed the Commission of the .Mayor's request to have all Commissions provide input into the budget process of program needs. It was stated that the program of open space management which the Commission previously recommended will be very helpful and should answer the needs in that area. The discussion included the Dutch Elm Disease program, Youth Employment, and pool renovation. It was explained that the shade tree.disease program is operating well and that the high contractual service line.figure was for tree removal under City contract, Corlett explained the current youth employment program is operated by the State Job Service. It was explained to,the Commission that a pool improvement study will begin May.31 and will be conducted by TKDA. Younghana,,i.nquired'what the line entitled "Clothing" in the Summer Playground,.Program covered. Corlett stated that on some budgets.it covered.t-shirts for participants, leader shirts and Minutes Page 3 May 23, 1983 the westerly side and that the elevations in the area would place a`trail along the easterly shore very close to adjacent residents and this is undesirable. Inquiry of whether or not trout are still in the stream was made. Jaffe s ated that there have not been trout in that ditch for 17 years that she knew of. Further questions regarding future plantings were responded to by the staff and Bob Close. It was stated that until pond construction was completed the actual configuration can not be determined. It is the intention to use the spoils from'the pond construction to add berms along the area between Hampshire and the ehd of the Cortlawn property. Further definition can be made when elevations of the area are determined through the .Engineering Department. Burmeister pointed out that the current plantinge-,plans only deal in areas where we can be assured the plants will not be disturbed by any planned future construction. Residents inquired of the agenda for road construction for Laurel Avenue between Colorado and Florida. Snetsinger informed the residents that the current plan calls for approval of the roadway in 1984, construction to follow. Several residents inquired about future plantings at specific locations throughout the plan which were responded to by Corlett and Close. Chairman Burmeister closed the discussion and assurdd the residents that the Commission will continue to keep them informed of the plantings within the area. 2. 1984 Budget - Evaluation of Current Programs/ Recommendations -Additions or Deletion of Existing Program Burmeister informed the Commission of the .Mayor's request to have all Commissions provide input into the budget process of program needs. It was stated that the program of open space management which the Commission previously recommended will be very helpful and should answer the needs in that area. The discussion included the Dutch Elm Disease program, Youth Employment, and pool renovation. It was explained that the shade tree.disease program is operating well and that the high contractual service line.figure was for tree removal under City contract, Corlett explained the current youth employment program is operated by the State Job Service. It was explained to,the Commission that a pool improvement study will begin May.31 and will be conducted by TKDA. Younghana,,i.nquired'what the line entitled "Clothing" in the Summer Playground,.Program covered. Corlett stated that on some budgets.it covered.t-shirts for participants, leader shirts and Minutes Page 4 May 23, 1983 other budgets such as park maintenance it may cover specific clothing like rain gear necessary to perform the job. The Commission reviewed with the staff the Park and Recreation Operational Programs and found, that no changes were necessary. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 1. Correspondence---- Ellis A. Olson Burmeister referenced the correspondence received from Ellis A. Olson which was included in the agenda packet.concerning=the ducks in the Golden Valley Health Center;area, 2. Mayor/Council - Commission Member Orientation Burmeister circulated to the Commission members the forms for. the Mayor/Council Orientation and explained the subjects avail- able in the orientation. Burmeister asked that Commission . members return their forms to the Park and Recreation office by Friday of this week... 3. Set Date for Chairman's Orientation for New Commission Members Burmeister asked the staff if a date had been O tablished for the Chairman's Orientation of new Commission members. Corlett responded that the latter two weeks of June would be best for Tom Klatt and himself, and they would select a date within that time. Murad asked what would be. included in this orientation. Cor]ett responded that there.would be a review of the Commission's manuals, park and recreation sites within the City, the history" of the department, and general information about the depart- ment's activities. 4. Council Action, May 31 1983 Burmeister reviewed for the Commission the action taken by the Council on May 3.regarding.the Mary Hills recommendation, Laurel Avenue Greenbelt.and Open Space Management Plan. He indicated all were received and the two recommendations were approved. The Council was pieased with .the approach the Commission was taking towards the Laurel Avenue Greenbelt project. 5. Commission Roster , Burmeister asked that everyone review the Commission.roster and make corrections as necessary.. He asked the staff to forward, - the corrections made to the Council. 1 Minutes Page 5 May 23, 1983 COMMITTEE REPORTS 1. Brookview Improvement Committee Murad reviewed for the Commission the meetings of the Brookview Improvement Committee. He stated that the efforts being made by. the current greelhs crew are appreciated by the golfers, and Younghans added that the golfers are generally very optimistic that the course operation will continue to improve as it has thus far this season. DEPARTMENT REPORT 1. Computerization Corlett informed the Commission of the computers that have been purchased'by the City for the departments, and he expects to have programs on line by January 1, 1984. These programs would include:.re(jistration, sports scheduling, inventories of facili- ties arxd recreational equipment, supplies, etc. 0 The Finance Department already has a computer in operation. Chris tensen informed the. Commission that he has already found that by.using'the'computer he saves several bookkeeping hours dealing with golf receipts. ,. 2. Update/Capital Improvements Corlett informed the Commission that the Council had approved the Capital Improvements Plan for 1983 - 1984. He indicated that pool improvements and land acquisition had been removed from the staff's original recommended plan. These items may be addressed in a future bond issue along with golf course improve- ments and community center remodeling. 3. Trees at Gearty Park Tabled for the June'Meeting. r 4. Update/Course Maintenance and Operations Christensen informed the Commission.that all course operations are open and day and evening leagues have started. He indicated the need for good"weather and pointed out that the area has received a lot of -rain in the past 20 days. Currently revenues.,, are down in all metropolitan courses due to,this rainy period. Christensen stated"that'".the traditional problems on Hole Nos. t, 9, 10 and 18 are.:belhg worked on by the greens crew and are generally more playable than in the pastf however, carts are still getting stuck.in.these areas. Minutes Page 6 May 23, 1983 He described for the Commission the maintenance needs ofIsand traps on a golf course and pointed out that the sand trap on Hole No. 8 has been eliminated and a grass bunker has been created in its place. He stated grass bunkers are replacing sand traps on several courses due to the high maintenance needs of sand traps. 'n Christensen pointed out that the greens crew has planted flowers, throughout the Brookviewlarea and specifically in the Clubhouse Community Center location. He stated that Andy Lindquist has been spending an enormous amount of time doing catch-up work due to neglect in past years. Sprinkling System. Christensen informed the Commission of the start up of thecoursesprinkling system and the breaks whish were experienced. It takes a lot of man hours' to maintain the ...:.y sprinkler system properly along with high costs of replacement parts. He described for the Commission the new Pro Shop Agreement with Kokesh Athletic and-Golf.Supply and that the Agreement with Bullseye has been terminated. Christensen displayed for the.Commission the newsigns which Ore being made for the golf -course He stated the signs will give the course its own identity. They will be maintained in a proper fashion by being brought in during winter months and reinstalled each spring. Christensen stated that the 1983 staff has been working hard to make the course improvements that are necessary and. complemented' „ Chris Tovson, Andy Lindquist and the greens crew. He further stated that these people were very high caliber individuals and we are lucky to have them working at Brookview. 5. YMCA Agreement - w Corlett updated -the Commission on the'Agreement with the Northwest YMCA, pointing out the addition of a 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. option in the regional park sites.' He stated registration is currrently slow.; however,summer registration is just beginning to come in to the department. ADJOURNMENT. Burmeister asked if there were any other items of business to discuss. There being none, the Meeting was adjourned at 9:40 P.M. ChairmuniBurmeister V Chai Younghan.4--- fl 1J 1 1 Laurel Avenue Greenbelt Public Information Meeting and Discussion May 23, 1983 Nasus Richard Delaney .Richard Karp liarflin a Harry Karasov Warren'Kapsner Robert Cooper Mary Grivn$ Glea Y.- 91den David 10* Borchert Dianne Asproth Steve Hagen Beverly Lederfine Delores Rozman Leo Breitman Address ' 175 Oregon Avenue South 6475 South Cortlawn Circle 6615 South Cortlawn Circle 130 Edgewood Avenue South 345 Dakota Avenue South 115 Edgewood'Avenue South 110 Edgewood Avenue South 345 Brunswick Avenue South 135 Edgewood Avenue' "South 340 Dakota Avenue'South 350 Dakota Avenue South 155 Kentucky Avenue South 400 Dakota Avenue South 205 Dakota Avenue South