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6-22-1987OPEN SPACE AND REI REATICN CC MISS ICN June 22, 1987 Members present: Gordon McDonald, Michele Bix, Jim Johnson, Al Anderegg, George Murad, Rick Groger, Rich Krahulec, Chuck Burmeister. Also present were Rick Jacobson, Sharyl Thompson and Rick Birno, Assistant Recreation Supervisor. The meeting was called to order by Chair Groger. A motion was made by Al Anderegg and seconded by Jim Johnson to accept the minutes of April 27, 1987. Motion carried. Gest - Gary Veverka Rick Jacobson introduced a resident named Gary Veverka who came with a suggestion for future consideration regarding a golf course policy. He expressed his opinion that resident patron card holders should be able to reserve tee times one day further in advance than non-resident patrons. He also felt that if a foursome included at least one resident patron card holder, an earlier reservation time should be allowed. Currently if all in a foursome are patron card holders (resident or non-residents), they may reserve one week in advance. Mr. Veverka suggested that the resident patron be allowed to reserve 8 days in advance. The Commission thanked Mr. Veverka for coming and said they would take his suggestion into considera- tion for the 1988 golf season. XRTIH BASEBALL LJ MATE Rick Jacobson introduced Bob Waataja, President of Golden Valley Little League, to the Commission. Bob gave a summary of their program which currently has thirteen teams. He said that Little League is running well, but sees a possible problem for next year in that there may be a shortage of fields if they increase by an additional team in their program. Chuck Burmeister asked how it was going with the eight year olds in the minor leagues. Bob explained that last year was the first year eight year olds were allowed to play and so far it is going well. Rick Jacobson then introduced Sandy Coughlin, President of Golden Valley Babe Ruth, to the Commission. Sandy reported that the Babe Ruth program was going very well, and they too were expecting to add at least one additional team to their program next summer which could also put a squeeze of fields. Currently there are 5 Babe Ruth teams, 1 Mickey Mantle team and 1 Senior Babe Ruth team with a total of 100 boys involved. Rick Birno, Assistant Recreation Supervisor, gave a sumiary of the summer programs being offered this year. He also showed the Commission a chart of the ball diamond usage in the City and reinforced the potential field shortage next year. Gordy McDonald asked what the recommendation is from 1 the City staff to address this problem. Rick Jacobson explained that there is reluctance in some neighborhoods to having Babe Ruth and Little League games in their area. The City has an agreement with Breck School to use their field during the summer. Breck had not maintained the field and it had gotten to the point of being dangerous for play, so the City crew got permission to go in and make the necessary repairs on the field. Breck also has two other larger fields, but do not allow the City 'to use them. A closer evaluation on total field usage needs to be done before any new field would be recommended. The question was raised as to whether General Mills would help out. Rick Jacobson explained that back in 1978 the City and General Mills had talked of building a bal1field complex. General Mills would provide the land and give money toward the maintenance of the fields with a guarantee that the General Mi l is teams would be al lowed to play at least 50% of their games on those fields. For one reason or another, the offer fell through. There is a committee from Little League that is working at approaching General Mills again,' but it does not look too hopeful. FOOL/RBOREATICNAL FACILITY V" -UP Chuck Burmeister reviewed the outcome of the referendum for the recrea- tional facility. It was the feeling of the Committee that they had not been over zealous in what they proposed, but the overwhelming voice of the residents was due to not wanting their taxes raised. Rick Groger commended Chuck and the Committee on a job we 1 done. Last week the City Counci 1 came to the conclusion that building a facility would not be considered in the near future and not unti 1 there was a major resident groundswe1 l in favor of it. Chuck Burmeister had written a memo to the Commission, Mayor and City staff giving an update on the goose problem. It had been decided not to shake or capture the eggs this year, but rather they captured both the mature and immature geese. The mature geese would be pinioned and brought to northern Minnesota for stocking; the young were banded and brought to western Minne- sota or Oklahoma and released. George Murad reported that the ninth green will be reconstructed and the Corrmittee is in the process of prioritizing the list of desired improve- ments with budget amounts. There was some discussion about the driving range and the problem with balls carrying over the nets toward Hwy. 12 and onto the first fairway. Rick Jacobson reported that as of this week, woods could only be used on the lower tee at the driving range, hoping to reduce the number of stray balls. If problems persist, woods would be eliminated. The golf course staff is investigating other solutions. Rick Jacobson updated the Commission on the current capital improvement projects being done: 1) new parking lot north of Brookview Community Center - done and in use 2 136 2) lights in parking lots and on pathways around Brookview 3) lights on the Brookview tennis courts 4) wallcovering and interior and exterior painting of Brookview 5) reconstruction of the 9th green 6) trail construction and planting on Laurel Avenue 7) asphalt overlay of trails at Wesley and Medley parks 8) new playground equipment NEN BUSINESS Michele Bix inquired about the vandalism to the trees along Western Avenue by Lions Park. Rick Jacobson said that some of the damaged trees had to be taken out and time will tell if the others could be saved. Michele Bix suggested that Golden Valley offer free concerts in the park next summer like Hopkins and Brooklyn Center do. Rick mentioned we have a concert each summer and that the staff would look into additional concerts. Outside funds and volunteers are often needed for such programs. Rick Groger asked if the City has rights along the west side of Bassetts Creek in Bassetts Creek Park. Rick explained that should the property be sold, the buyer would have to get permission from the City and at that time the City would ask for an easement to continue the pathway. George Murad gave a review of the meeting held with the Minnesota Depart- ment of Transportation regarding sidewalks. The MDot is willing to put in sidewalks along with the construction of I-394. George would be writing up a recap of the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM. The next meeting will be a park tour on Monday, July 27th. Chair Groger 3 ZZ, Aice�CZhhair' ahulec 1 1