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9-24-1984OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF TTHE i EGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 24, 1984 The regular meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M. at the Brookview Com*::unity Center by Chairperson Jaffe. Commission memh=•rs present were: Burmeister, Fuglie, Johnson, Kahlow, McDonald, Murad, and Watson. Also Present were Charles Corlett, Program and Policy Superintendent; Dc' --bye HalvorGan, Commission Secretary; and Tom Klatt, Perk Superintendent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Murad moved that the minutes of the August 27, 19 84 , meeting be approved as written. Watson seconded. Motion carried. INTRODUCTION OF CLAUDIA FUGLIE - NEW COMMISSION APPOINTEE Chairperson Jaffe and other Commission members extended a warm welcome to Claudia Fuglie, new Commission member. OLD BUSINESS A. Pool Discussion Chairperson Jaffe reviewed for the Commission members the September 13 public information meeting regarding the Brookview pool hosted by the Open Space and Recreation Commission. She informed the Commission that approximately 80 people were in attendance at this meeting and that the vast majority of those present were from the Brookview area and that the general consensus of these people was to renovate the existing pool. She further pointed out that the people present felt that they had not received adequate notification that the pool would be closed in 1985 and it was their feeling that the pool was allowed to run down and they felt provisions for 1985 should be made to provide swimming programs. Chairperson Jaffe formally thanked the members of the Commission who had come to the meeting. Chairperson Jaffe then asked each Commission member who had been present to state their feelings about the input meeting. Murad stated that Chairperson Jaffe's review of the meeting was very accurate and restated that the public present at the meeting desired to have the Brookview pool renovated. He further reviewed for the Commission some history of the Brookview recreation complex and how it had been developed following the procurement of the land and golf course facilities. Murad further stated that the public present did not want to attempt a bond issue for a pool. Watson stated that she concurred concerning the renovation and the concept of a bond issue for the pool. Burmeister added that the current Brookview pool has Minutes Page 2 September 24, 1984 some amenities which are not found in other municipal pools such as the shaded picnic area for parents to gather and that the public liked the small size of the pool. The Commission held general discussion regarding providing the public with additional notification of issues such as the pool. Corlett was asked why the pool was not dealt with when the golz course and the co mTunity center were renovated. Corlett replic that the funds available did not allow for all three items to be completed and that the pool had not been included in the existing renovation program and further stated that the current financial ability of the City to renovate the pool without bond funding would be difficult and call for a change in the proposed budget. Chairperson Jaffe asked the staff if there were alternatives available for the residents during the 1985 season. Corlett informed the Commission that contact had been made with the Hopkins -Minnetonka Community Services and St. Louis Park Park and Recreation, the Crystal and New Hope Recreation Department and School District 281. He stated that all of the above organizations would be willing to discuss programs which Golden Valley residents could be included in. He further stated that the Community Education Department of School District 281 would be willing to discuss changing the program at S andburg Jr. High. Corlett stated that most of the planning by these organizations would be done in December through February and that each organization will be in contact with our department. Burmeister inquired if the City would run bus transportation to these pools for residents. Corlett stated that it was not the intention of the department to provide bus transportation at this time. General discussion of the Commission included the potential of having a survey sampling of the community to get a good feelir whether a bond issue would be successful. Murad informed the Commission of the efforts necessary by citizen groups to infor and persuade people to vote favorably on a bond issue item. F pointed out that it is necessary to provide information such a:: what the cost per household would be, all the positive things that the bond issue is trying to accomplish and that it would be important that a bond issue provide something to meet a variety of peoples interests. Further discussion concerned the Commission making a recommendation to the Council which would have options available. Chairperson Jaffe asked the Commission if it was ready to recommend: Minutes Page 3 3,eptember 24, 1984 a. Building a new pool for $450,000 which would provide service to the community for approximately 70 days per year and need to be subsidized by the general fund. b. Renovate the existing pool. C. Do nothing. Murad asked the staff if there had been updated estimates for the renovation of the existing pool. Klatt responded that with the current conditions of the pool it was necessary to go further than the report done in 1983. The net result would be to take out the bottom and sides of the pool; and, therefore, would essentially be building a new pool. Murad inquired about renovating the existing pool with a new design. The staff pointed out that this would be building a new pool. At this time McDonald made the motion that the Commission recommend to table any action regarding the pool. Burmeister seconded the motion to enable general discussion. The Commission inquired of the City's current ability to fund such a project without a bond issue. Corlett responded that the current budgetary program begins to repay loans taken out for the golf course and community center renovations and that with this repayment the City will improve its reserve§. However, the original need for the loans was to keep the City's cash reserves at a level which allowed operations for the first six months of each year. This is due to the time table of payments to satisfy by the state which are received mid year and in November. It is necessary for cities to operate with cash reserves from a year to year basis to meet operating expenses. Burmeister stated that every city cannot provide every amenity desired by their community. He further stated that pool size and indoor versus outdoor pools were important issues. He pointed out that the existing pool is not the size needed by the community. Discussion included that the existing pool does not service the entire community. The staff pointed out that it is important to have an aquatics program within the recreation services. Chairperson Jaffe surveyed the Commission members who were present asking if the vote were to be taken today would the members vote for a new pool or renovation of the existing pool. No commission members felt they would vote for the renovation of the existing pool. General discussion included the use of Sandburg Jr. High and the estimated cost of operating an indoor pool. It was stated that the Bloomington School District's Minutes Page 4 September 24, 1984 costs exceed $13 per hour on an annual basis. Murad statedthat he felt an independent ,survey of the community ought to be conducted to determine whether a new pool should be considered. He further stated thatIthe existing pool does not meet the needs of the entire community and felt that a renovation project would not be adequate. Murad inquired of the Commission whether the recommendation to the Council ought to reflect the feelings of the people in attendance at the September 13 meeting in addition to the position of the Commission. Several attempts .to amend the existing motion resulted in the feeling that a new motion was necessary. The staff reminded the Commission that the motion ought to point out the, importance of having an aquatics program for the community. Motion by -McDonald: The Commission recognize$, that it is important for the community to have an aquatics program available for its residents which include instruction, recreation, and fitness;' and after taking into account the expressed feelings of the residents who attended the citizen input meeting, the Open Space and Recreation Commission recommends that the Brookview swimming pool not be renovated as it would be too costly and can only serve a small perc4ntage of Golden Valley residents. The Commission further recommends that the City seek out alternate facilities to provide aquatics programming for the residents of the community and that the City Council conduct a survey by an independent party to determine whether the community will support a municipal pool in the future. Motion seconded by KahloW and Burmeister simultaneour,ly. Chairperson Jaffe called the question. Vote: i 8-0. To emphasize the importance of this motion, Chairperson Jaffe stated for the record that the Commission vot04 unanimously for the above motion. NEW BUSINESS Chairperson Jaffe asked if there' �aia any new business. There was none. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Brookview Improvements Committee Murad updated the Commission, oof the progress being made on t' -- golf course renovation. He ihndicated that the project has 1 1 Minutes Page 5 September 24, 1984 fallen behind since the last report and that the improvements committee will be meeting with the City Manager and City Engineer to see what steps can be taken. Burmeister felt it was important that the Commission realize the Committee's concern about the delays which have taken place. B. Grand Opening Committee Chairperson Jaffe reported to the Commission that progress on the Grand Opening was moving along very well. There will be events such as ice skating, choral groups, and other events which include a grand finale of fireworks. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT A. Cable Television Chairperson Jaffe informed the Commission that she would be on the Senior Citizens program to be taped Friday, September 28. She was not aware of the date the program will be aired, but will let those on the Commission know. The program is an interview format which was conducted by Irene Nowak and will discuss the grand opening of the community center. DEPARTMENT REPORT The Commission members toured the Brookview Community Center at the close of the meeting. ADJOURNMENT Murad moved that the meeting be adjourned. Rahlow seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 P.M. Chairperson J f 1 Vice Chairperson McDonald