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4-23-1984OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 23, 1984 The regular meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M. at the Golden Valley City Hall, Gold Room, by Chairperson Johnson. Commission members present were: Burmeister, Jaffe, McDonald, Murad, Scanlon, and Watson. Also present were Sue Cook, Program Supervisor; Charles Corlett, Program and Policy Superintendent; Debbie Halvorson, Commission Secretary; Tom Klatt, Park Superintendent; and Andy Lindquist, Greens Superintendent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Burmeister moved the minutes of the March 26, 1984, meeting be approved as written. Scanlon seconded. Motion passed. AGENDA CHANGES AND ADDITIONS Brochure Distribution under Department Report will be discussed under New Business. OLD BUSINESS A. Park Tour - May 17, 1984 The staff will develop a park tour itinerary and mail it to all Commission members within the next few days. B. 1984 Subcommittee Assignments The standing subcommittees of the Open Space and Recreation Commission for 1984 shall be as follows: Golf Open Space Recreation Jaffe Burmeister Johnson Murad McDonald Kahlow Younghans Watson Scanlon These subcommittees will review and recommend to the full Commission any issues pertaining to these three areas which need additional examination by the Commission membership. NEW BUSINESS A. 1984 Playground Program Chairperson Johnson introduced Sue Cook, Program Supervisor, to the Commission and asked Cook to review the 1984 playground program. Cook responded by reviewing the material which will be published in the brochure regarding the summer playground program. She pointed out that a small fee is to be charged for Minutes Page 2 April 23, 1984 the program and that an early registration discount will be given. It was further pointed out that the general playground program will be operated at the seven regional park sites. Johnson inquired what sites would be excluded this year. Corlett responded that the following sites would not have general playground programs: Glenview Terrace North Tyrol South Tyrol Natchez Yosemite He further stated that these sites either did not operate at all or were closed due to lack of attendance in 1982 which was the year used for determining use of the playground program. Scanlon inquired if T -Ball could be moved to the afternoon program due to conflicts with summer school scheduling. The staff informed the Commission that past attempts to operate T -Ball in the afternoon had not been successful. General discussion followed concerning publication dates to coincide with the summer school information. The staff will look into changing the time of publishing the summer program brochure. Jaffe inquired what training the summer staff would receive in the area of first aid. Cook replied that, as in the past, a general session of first aid would be included within the staff training and that the recreation staff is attempting to secure a training program in life support which will be offered to all summer staff personnel. It was further stated that the staff is looking into requiring standard and advanced first aid training and CPR training as a minimum job requirement for future years. Cook distributed a handout which explained one of the new teaching instruments which will be used in the sports program. This is a special mat which helps the children place their feet properly while attempting to hit the baseball. Scanlon asked if the staff could look into a program for three year olds. Watson closed the discussion by stating that the program appeared to have a good variety of interest included within it. Johnson thanked Sue Cook for her report. F1 L 1 Chairperson Johnson informed the Commission that a Grand Opening Committee should be formed for the opening of the Brookview Community Center. She further stated that the structure of such a committee should include representation from the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, the Brookview Solicitation Committee and other committees who have worked on the Community Center project over the years. She asked for volunteers from the Commission. Jaffe, Kahlow, Murad, and Watson will serve on this committee. Corlett stated that the Council liaison person will be Councilmember Stockman. Johnson asked that the committee members establish a meeting date and bring back to the June meeting of the Commission a program format and budgetary proposal. COMMITTEE REPORT A. Brookview Improvements Committee Murad reported to the Commission that the Brookview Improvements Committee had met April 11, 1984, with Ron Leigh, planner, Toltz, King, Duvall, and Anderson (TKDA) to review the final Minutes Page 3 April 23, 1984 Brochure Distribution Cook reviewed for the Commission the written material regarding brochure distribution. Murad inquired as to how many people are currently on the mailing list. Cook replied that there are 6,590 and explained that the latest marketing information indicates that there are over 9,000 individual dwellings within the City of Golden Valley. She pointed out that the staff currently hand delivers brochures to the senior citizens midrises and to apartment buildings in the area. However, all that can be accomplished by this method is to place these in the foyers of the various buildings, and the staff feels confident that several do not get picked up or are disposed of by building maintenance personnel. Johnson inquired if this new distribu- tion method would require additional budgetary funding. Corlett responded that there would need to be an additional appropria- tion and some budgetary changes in order to operate under this proposal. He pointed out the general staff time savings which would be realized using this method, and that this item would not be deducted from other budgets. He further pointed out that when all elements where considered, there was a net savings to the City published of approximately $50 per mailing per quarter of the brochure. B. Grand Opening of Community Center Chairperson Johnson informed the Commission that a Grand Opening Committee should be formed for the opening of the Brookview Community Center. She further stated that the structure of such a committee should include representation from the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, the Brookview Solicitation Committee and other committees who have worked on the Community Center project over the years. She asked for volunteers from the Commission. Jaffe, Kahlow, Murad, and Watson will serve on this committee. Corlett stated that the Council liaison person will be Councilmember Stockman. Johnson asked that the committee members establish a meeting date and bring back to the June meeting of the Commission a program format and budgetary proposal. COMMITTEE REPORT A. Brookview Improvements Committee Murad reported to the Commission that the Brookview Improvements Committee had met April 11, 1984, with Ron Leigh, planner, Toltz, King, Duvall, and Anderson (TKDA) to review the final Minutes Page 4 April 23, 1984 plans for the upgrading of the golf course. The Committee made inquiries of Mr. Leigh and felt very comfortable with the answers they received. He further discussed the methods which will be used during the construction such as use of petro matting, compaction and filling of certain areas. Additionally, Murad pointed out the need to supply equal water storage area for the Bassetts Creek floodplain. Murad informed the Commission that bids have been advertised for this project. B. Migratory Waterfowl Committee. Chairperson Johnson called upon Burmeister to update the Commission of the meetings held by the Migratory Waterfowl Subcommittee. Burmeister reviewed for the Commission the meetings held with Dr. Jim Cooper, University of Minnesota, representatives of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Department. He stated that the Committee needs to determine the desired number of birds for both Spring and Fall, and reviewed the methods which could be used to achieve these numbers. He further stated that a meeting will be set up with representatives from General Mills and the Westwood Hills Nature area to discuss the acceptable levels of geese within the community. After the desired number of birds is determined the Committee will need to prepare a presentation for the Council and the DNR, making a recommendation of the total numbers and methods of achieving these numbers. Burmeister further stated that the Committee is optimistic that these processes can be accomplished by the July 1 through 7 dates which are necessary for any capture of birds. Burmeister stated that 9 pair of geese would be the desired number of birds in the community in the Spring, which would result in approximately 100 birds in the Fall. Johnson stated that the 9 pair, or 18 birds, would not be the total number of birds which would be in the community, however; that this would be the number of "nesting" birds. She further explained how it would be necessary to cooperate with the City of Minneapolis in order to accomplish the total reduction desired. She stated that it would take four years to,operate this program, as it would be necessary to capture and remove birds for two years and then proceed with an egg removal/shaking program. Johnson stated that if a program is operated in Golden Valley it could become a model for other areas which have a similar problem. Murad inquired if the concept of using swans for removal had been further examined. It was stated that swans are effective within an area. However, the habits of swans tend to be that of staying very close to a pond and it would be necessary to have Minutes Page 5 April 23, 1984 several swans to keep the geese away. Lindquist stated that swans would not be effective when the vast quantities of geese appear in the Fall due to the overwhelming numbers. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT A. Council Action - April 18, 1984 - REM Inc. Proposal Past Chairman Burmeister informed the Commission of the Council desire to hold a public hearing to discuss the REM, Inc. proposal at 7400 Laurel Avenue. He further stated that the Council called for a public hearing to be held on June 5 and that the City's policy is to notify all property owners within 500 feet when a vacation of easement is proposed. He encouraged Commission members who are interested in this proposal to be present at the public hearing. Staff was asked to explain the cutaway drawing of the Laurel Avenue areas showing street right-of-way, property line and setbacks. Corlett pointed out that the City currently holds a 110' street right-of-way for Laurel Avenue in front of the 7400 Laurel Avenue parcel. He showed that there would be the road bed, a 20' no planting zone and a sum total of 22 additional feet before reaching the property line of the above parcel and that the current setback is 55' from that point to the edge of the current parking lot. Additionally it was shown that the proposed parking area would take 20' of the 55' setback. He stated that the standard City setback requirements are 35' and that the City holds an easement for the 201, but does not have ownership of this 201. The Commission again discussed with the staff the alternative of putting parking to the rear of the building instead of to the front. The staff stated that the owner could put parking in the rear, however, as this would negatively affect the neighbors living along Oregon Avenue South. He pointed out that a walkway along Laurel Avenue could be accomplished within the existing street right-of-way. Much discussion followed regarding the history of the develop- ment of this parcel. This discussion included parking, circulation, construction, and plantings. It was suggested by Burmeister and Jaffe that the problem be examined carefully to determine the placement of the easement and possible condemning of the current 20' easement. Corlett stated that agreements could be established which could prevent further development on the site. Murad questioned whether this can be accomplished. 1 Minutes Page 6 April 23, 1984 B. Approval of Fees Burmeister stated that the Council approved all the proposed fees as presented within the motions of the Commission. C. Presentation At this time, Chairperson Johnson amended the meetinq agenda and, on behalf of the Commission, presented a plaque to past Chairman Burmeister for his two year service as Chairman. Burmeister accepted the plaque graciously and thanked the Commission. DEPARTMENT REPORT A. Golf Update Lindquist informed the Commission that the course opened its operations on April 9, which is much earlier than previous years. This was due to the dry conditions experienced this Spring. He additionally stated that this is the first time that the entire 27 holes has been opened at one time. Lindquist updated the Commission concerning the construction progress to date informing them that the irrigation system for the par three has been laid and all that remains are the control stations. He informed the Commission that the estimated cost of the fairway improvements will be approximately $300,000, not including architectural fees, and stated that this is within the proposed budget. He described the method by which the bids would be taken for the fairways improvements and stated that due to the magnitude of the contract a single contractor could not be used. Brookview received some additional publicity from WTCN Channel 11 television when a reporter interviewed Lindquist and Tovson regarding the planned improvements for the course. The segment was shown on the 6:00 P.M. news program Saturday, April 14. B. Parks Update - Tennis Courts Repair Work Lions Tom Klatt informed the Commission that due to the dry Spring the park crew has a very good jump on the early maintenance necessary to get the parks ready for summer operations. He stated that the crew was accomplishing each task much earlier than in past years as the grounds are dry and he hoped that this type of weather can continue. Currently the staff is involved in installing athletic field fencing and preparing ball diamonds for the upcoming recreation programs. Minutes Page 7 April 23, 1984 Corlett informed the Commission that work is underway at Lions Club Park and reviewed for them the agenda of events. The work which has been completed includes the removal of approximately 1 1/2" of the existing asphalt and this is being left open until May 1 at which time a petro matting material will be installed and an asphalt lift on top of that. He stated that the curing process for the asphalt is scheduled to take approximately 20y days and that the resurfacing of the court is scheduled to begin May 21, weather permitting. He stated that the completion of this work should correct the past drainage problems and provide a playable court by the Memorial Day weekend. C. Recreation Watson inquired as to the completion of the Mary Hills site and stated that a recent intrusion of a four-wheel drive vehicle has caused some damage to last years plantings. It was stated that all that remained to be done at this site was to do some closure work and that this work would be scheduled. 1. Sports Update. Corlett informed the Commission that he is working with all of the athletic associations to provide diamond space for their program needs and that due to total team number reductions there will be space provided for summer soccer at Olson School. He further stated that it appears that all organization needs will be met again this year and gave a brief agenda for the starting dates of each program. Johnson asked about future ball fields, in particular the Good Shepherd property. Corlett stated that at the current time the City does not have funds available for land acquisition and further reviewed that the City's position has been passed on to the Church. Burmeister asked if the batting cage will be installed at Sandberg. Corlett stated that this work will be completed. 2. Capital Projects Update. Chairperson Johnson asked Corlett for an update on Capital Improvements. Corlett stated that much of this has already been discussed in the tennis courts and other projects. He further stated that advertisement for bids for tennis court resurfacing will be made next week (May 3) and he further stated that the plantings along Laurel Avenue are being worked on and that the need for adjustments for each of the plant locations has been discussed. Watson inquired as to the completion of the Mary Hills site and stated that a recent intrusion of a four-wheel drive vehicle has caused some damage to last years plantings. It was stated that all that remained to be done at this site was to do some closure work and that this work would be scheduled. Minutes Page 8 April 23, 1984 3. Slides of Brookview Remodeling. Corlett showed slides of the Brookview remodeling progress and stated that a formal presentation would be presented by the staff for the Grand Opening. 4. May Meeting. Chairperson Johnson inquired about the May meeting date due to the fourth Monday of the month falling on Memorial Day. It was determined that the meeting date should be changed to May 21. The staff will secure facilities for this meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 P.M. Cha irperso Johnson i•ce Chairpe4nfe 1 it i!