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8-22-1983OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 22, 1983 The regular Meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M. at the Brookview Community Center by Chairman Burmeister. Commission members present were: Jaffe, Johnson, McDonald, Murad, and Younghans. Also present were Charles Corlett, Program and Policy Superintendent; Debbie Halvorson, Commission Secretary; Dean Johnson and Maurie Johnson, Consultants with TKDA; Tom Klatt, Park Super- intendent; Andy Lindquist, Golf Director; and Jeff Sweet, City Manager. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Murad moved the Minutes of the July Meeting held August 1, 1983, be approved as written. Johnson seconded. Motion passed. OLD BUSINESS: 1. City and Department Budget, 1983 Proposed Chairman Burmeister introduced Jeff Sweet, City Manager, to the Commission. Mr. Sweet reviewed for the Commission the aspects of the 1984 City budget, specifically the park maintenance and recreation division budgets. He shared with the Commission that the City's overall budget increase will be 6.7%. Johnson inquired as to funding in the shade tree program. Sweet responded by explaining that the City's funding pays for the operation of the program and that the property owner is responsible for all removal costs of diseased trees. Jaffe asked how much longer the elm program will be continued. Sweet responded that currently Tom Klatt is reviewing the number of elms in the community and what percentage of the remaining trees we are losing. Klatt stated that 40% of the original number of elms are still remaining in the community. Burmeister asked for clarification of the difference between the general budget and the Brookview budget. Sweet responded that the Brookview budget will be prepared after the conclusion of the golf season and presented to the Council some time in December. Burmeister asked for any additional questions from the Commission and thanked Mr. Sweet for keeping the Commission informed with regards to City budgetary matters. NEW BUSINESS 1. Hennepin County Park Reserve District Issue Chairman Burmeister introduced and reviewed the materials distributed by the Hennepin County Park Reserve District Board Minutes Page 2 August 22, 1983 (HCPRDB) entitled "Issue Statement for Public Forums on Funding of Regional Parks in Hennepin County September, 1983". He asked that the Commission give consideration to this item and make a statement of recommendation to the Council. Burmeister asked the Commission to comment on the questions listed within the statement. He then asked the staff for general background information regarding the issue. Corlett provided the Commission with the general concepts of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and HCPRDB in regards to funding of the regional park system. He pointed out that currently the Cities of Minneapolis and Bloomington incur all operating and develop- ment costs for regional park sites located within the city boundaries and that it is the position of the MPRB and the City of Bloomington that a share of countywide levies be distributed to the implementing agencies. He further pointed out that the Park Reserve District has raised question as to whether or not one implementing agency could be more effective in operating the regional park system within Hennepin County. Murad inquired about the use survey included within the packet. Corlett explained that the upper pie distribution chart located on Page 5 related to only the sites located in Minneapolis; while the lower pie distribution chart related to the sites located in the remainder of the Park Reserve District. Further discussion clarified the percentage fields for first tier suburbs. Burmeister asked for a statement of the Commission's feeling regarding these matters for the Council. Jaffe moved to recommend to the Council that the funding procedures of the Hennepin County Park Reserve District continue as they have in the past. Johnson seconded. Motion passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS CONTINUED 2. Pool Report by TKDA a. Subcommittee Report Burmeister reviewed for the Commission the subcommittee structure who met with the Council subcommittee regarding the Brookview Pool Report and asked McDonald to share with the Commission what guidelines the Council wants the Commission to follow in reviewing the Pool Report. McDonald reviewed for the Commission the Meeting with Mayor Thorsen, Councilman Stockman, Dede Scanlon and himself. He 1 Minutes Page 3 August 22, 1983 stated that the Council subcommittee desired to limit the consideration to the TKDA Report unless long range plans would consider a full size outdoor olympic pool. Chairman Burmeister read the letter from Commission member Scanlon due to her inability to attend this Commission Meeting. He expressed Scanlon's feeling for the need to have an outdoor pool within the community and that it would be desirous to build an olympic size pool. b. Discussion with Architect Corlett introduced Maurie Johnson, consultant from TKDA, who headed up the pool study team. Mr. Johnson reviewed for the Commission several insights to the study report and gave general information regarding the pool and its mechanical equipment. Burmeister asked for clarification regarding the statement concerning the parking and traffic flow within the Brookview area. Mr. Johnson explained that it would be desirous to have the north -south traffic flow in the parking area contained along the east perimeter of the existing parking lot and have parking near the pool and clubhouse facility. Burmeister also asked for clarification of the statement regarding building flexibility. Mr. Johnson stated that the building would be flexible for uses other than a bath- house and went into specific detail as to how some changes could come about. Mr. Johnson also stated that if the community were to construct a new pool in another location there would not be substantial costs to changing the pool site for other uses. Further inquiry as to the details of each Scheme resulted in discussion of how costs and improvements would benefit or deter from pool operations. Mr. Johnson discussed the suspected leakage of the pool and raised question as to whether the water found at the bottom of the hill to the west of the pool was leakage or a possible high water table. He had observed very little moisture in that area and felt that the amount of recovery water used was not excessive for the design of this pool. Murad asked for explanation of Scheme 3A which was a 30' x 60' pool at a cost of $450,000. Mr. Johnson responded that the Council direction was to look at building a new pool of the same size for comparison cost purposes. Corlett indicated that this question had been clarified with the Council prior to the writing of the report. Further inquiry regarded the Scheme the architects would recommend and clarified that warranty work will be established. Minutes Page 4 August 22, 1983 Corlett reviewed for the Commission the questions asked by the Council -Commission subcommittee regarding cost per participant and whether that cost increased correspondently to the size of the pool. He stated that our 1982 cost per participant was $1.19 and reviewed the cost per participant for the following communities:. New Hope .21 St. Louis Park .44 Crystal 1.06 Edina .34 (Received 8-23) and stated that the Richfield policy is that the community will spend up to $1 per $1 of revenue for operation under their program. Corlett then reviewed for the Commission a pin map display which indicated where pool pass holders in 1983 were located within the community. Further discussion indicated that a larger pool would draw different interests to the facility and could reduce per participant costs through higher participation. Burmeister asked how the pool cost per participant compared to the other recreational pro- grams. Corlett responded that they appear to be a little less than playground operations for 1982. Murad moved to recommend to the Council that the pool renovation follow Scheme 2 as written in the report received from TKDA. Younghans seconded. Motion passed unanimously. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 2. Community Center Review Dean Johnson, architect of TDKA reviewed for the Commission the conceptual drawing of the Brookview Community Center pointing out the four general use areas which included two Community rooms, a Senior Citizens room, and administrative offices. Dean Johnson asked Corlett to review further some of the uses of the general areas. Corlett pointed out that the Senior Room would be 300 square feet larger than the previous reviewed plans and that some interest in a senior directed project for decking off the Senior Room has been indicated. He further pointed out the change in access to the building which will give the Community Center an exclusive entrance and allow for handicapped access. Burmeister asked the staff to respond to the future flexibility of this plan. Corlett stated that we have not put aside the concept of a Community Center located at Sandberg High School and that this schematic floor plan allows for future potential i Minutes Page 5 August 22, 1983 rental to the private sector or making changes within the spaces due to the use of either partition walls or light studded walls in the administration area. Jaffe inquired as to the kitchen design, whether or not cooking would be available under this proposal. Corlett stated that the design of the kitchen was to be similar to the present kitchen which did allow for some cooking. Jaffe inquired about the previous studies which indicated that the east portion of the Brookview building should be condemned. Dean Johnson responded that there was nothing structurally wrong with the building that could not be corrected and that the original report addressed some problems in the floor of the east portion of the building. Corlett added that the beam structure of the building had been reviewed carefully and found to be solid. Further discussion covered the construction costs of the project and the construction cost increases which have been experienced during 1983. Jaffe asked if the Council wanted a recommendation from the Commission at this time. Corlett explained that the Council is investigating a possible bond issue which would deal with the Golf Course, Community Center, pool improvements and land acquisition for youth athletics. Chairman Burmeister asked if there were any further questions or discussion and thanked both architects for their input regarding these matters. Emily Johnson moved to recommend to the Council the proposed schematic floor plan for the remodeling of the Brookview Community Center to accommodate a Senior Center, the beginnings of a Community Center and necessary changes in the downstairs golf portion of the facility. Also support the future rental of space in Sandberg Junior High for Community Center opera- tions when that becomes available. Murad seconded. Burmeister responded to general discussion by the Commission as to prioritizing projects by stating that the current concept is to include all projects in one bond issue and allow the people to decide. Burmeister called the question. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED 2. Commission Awards Program Burmeister introduced to the Commission a concept of community awards which he and Corlett had briefly discussed and asked the Commission to relate their feelings regarding such a program. Minutes Page 6 August 22, 1983 Corlett stated that the idea to have such an awards program began with some recent contact wih Diane Kimball, community resident who had competed in the national cerebral palsy games and received a silver medal. He felt that this accomplishment was outstanding and thought that a community given award would be well received. Allowing this thought to expand he felt that there were several areas within the scope of parks and recrea- tion within the community where recognition would encourage additional participation and that the Commission should develop criteria for how awards would be given. Jaffe felt the Commission should pursue this as she believes award programs instill additional enthusiasm and community involvement. Emily Johnson expressed concern about financing such a program. Corlett responded that within the development of such a program this issue would need to be addressed. Emily Johnson stated further concerns of how the Commission would become aware of candidates for awards and that the awards would be meaningful. Burmeister stated that the criteria for awards should be general enough to provide recognition in several areas, however, did not wish to see any program become a contest. Burmeister further stated that the reasons for bringing this up at this time was to recognize Diane Kimball's accomplishments and to recommend to the Council such a program be pursued. McDonald moved to recommend to the Council an Awards Program be developed by the Commission. Jaffe seconded. Burmeister clarified that an award would be given to Diane Kimball for her accomplishment and a program in this area would be developed pending Council approval. Chairman Burmeister called the question. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Bridge and Walkway on Minnaqua Drive Corlett reviewed for the Commission the needed construction of a walkway bridge on Minnaqua Drive due to the removal of the former road bridge. He pointed out that this was a portion of the existing trail system and pedestrian use of this section of trail allowed for children to reach the School District 281 bus stop. He expressed concern that a walk bridge with the purpose of allowing children to reach the current bus stop area would call for special winter time maintenance. He further stated that the City staff is intending to ask School District 281 to change its bus pickup locations to service this area. McDonald asked if a culvert could be installed instead of a bridge. Corlett indicated he had no knowledge of whether this was possible or not. He further stated that the bridge would be pursued by the staff. 1 1 1 Minutes Page 7 August 22, 1983 COMMITTEE REPORTS 1. Sports Facilities Committee Younghans distributed and reviewed the Youth Athletic Facilities Committee recommendations and asked that the Commission review the two sites recommended for acquisition. Further discussion of the proposed sites indicated several possible aspects such as good general access and locations near commercial areas. Klatt indicated that the sites offered several positive aspects and could be easily maintained within the park system. McDonald moved to recommend to the Council the Commission's support of the Sports Facilities Committee's recommendation. Jaffe seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 2. Brookview Improvement Committee Murad updated the Commission on the Brookview Improvement Committee's work regarding the Golf Course. He indicated that cost estimates for improvements should be available following the next Committee Meeting. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT CONTINUED 1. Sidewalk Committee Burmeister explained to the Commission the Council's desire to have two Open Space and Recreation Commission members serve with two Planning Commission members on a sidewalk subcommittee. He asked for volunteers from the Commission. Murad and Emily Johnson volunteered to serve on this Subcommittee. DEPARTMENT REPORT 1. Fall Recreation Corlett informed the Commission that the fall recreational activities brochure will be mailed soon. He indicated that the mailing would take place the week of Labor Day. 2. Revenues vs. Expenditures (Recreation) Corlett reviewed the written Revenues Vs. Expenditures Report calling attention to the current figures for the pool operation and indicated that there would be significant additional costs in this program due to three more weeks of operation and the closing maintenance. Minutes Page 8 August 22, 1983 3. Capital Projects Corlett informed the Commission that the City staff is preparing a recommendation to the Council to change the capital improve- ments planning time table. He indicated that the proposal would call for submittal of plans in early November for Council review and Council action during December. This proposal would allow the staff to prepare specifications for projects during the winter months and advertise for bids or secure quotes for projects prior to the general construction season. He stated that if the proposal were accepted by the Council it would be necessary for the Commission to review projects and have input during the September and October Meetings. 4. Golf Operations Lindquist reported to the Commission regarding the current golf operations revenue. He indicated that the general revenues are up from 1982 and pointed out the driving range revenues nearly reaching the fall projected amount with three to four weeks of operation remaining. He then turned to the fall maintenance of the course and indicated that there would be a general focus on removal of dead trees and branches which will hopefully reduce the future impact of windstorms on the golf operations. Emily Johnson asked for an update on the geese problem on the course. Lindquist informed the Commission that it appeared the geese have figured out that the swans planted in the ponding areas as decoys are of no threat to their existence. He further indi- cated that there would be more geese coming in the fall and the problem will continue to exist. NON -AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Burmeister called to the attention of the Commission the brochure distributed by Barbara Bailey which included the Senior Services provided through the City's Senior Program. Younghans raised the issue of the Commission's intention to speed up the Meetings through the use of a time table and pointed out that the last two Meetings have run a minimum of one hour over the agenda time table. Burmeister stated that the Chair will make a better effort to stay on the time table in the future. ADJOURNMENT The Meeting was adjourned at 10:25 P.M. Chairman Burmeister c an Younghan 1 1 1