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10-26-1987OPEN SPACE AND RDCRFATICN CONMI SS ICN October 26, 1987 Members present: Rick Groger, Rich Krahulec, Chuck Burmeister, George Murad, Pat Borchert, Micki Bix, Al Anderegg, Jim Johnson. Also present were Rick Jacobson, Sue Cook - Recreation Supervisor, and Kris Tovson - Golf Course Manager. MIND ES A motion was made by Micki Bix and seconded by Chuck Burmeister to approve the minutes of September 28, 1987. Motion carried. CORRIDCR BUM/HIHE 'TRAIL Rick Jacobson introduced Don King, Chief Landscape Architect with Hennepin Parks. The County is involved in the possible purchase of railroad right - of way, working toward the construction of a bike/hike trail through Golden Valley from Medicine Lake to Theo Wirth Park. The project has been discussed since the mid to late 170's. The County formulated a plan for a regional trai 1 corridor loop in the northeast suburban area of the County. The loop would be 40 miles long, connecting several of the regional park areas and tying in with the Minneapolis park- way system. Several options were considered; one using a portion of the Chicago/Northwestern Railroad corridor, and others connecting with city trails, threading through the city to make connections. Both the City of Golden Valley and the County favored the railroad corridor at that time. Dialogue has recently resumed with the railroad and the project has become a priority. The County has an agreement to purchase property from the railroad and the negotiations continue regarding price, liability, upkeep and maintenance, and how the County and railroad would cooperate in the effort. Mr. King showed the Commission a map of the trai 1. There generally is a 100 foot corridor, with the track in the middle. The railroad must retain 25 feet from the center of the track out, and anything beyond that 25 feet becomes surplus property. It is that portion the County is interested in acquiring. Original ly, the first section crossed the tracks at Plymouth Avenue and Boone, then stayed on the south side of the tracks al l the way to Theo Wirth. At that time there were several spur lines serving nearby facili- ties and the railroad did not want the trail to cross spur lines if at all possible. Alternatives are currently being looked at since some of those spur lines are no longer in use. The track is only used by one train a day, but it will not be abandoned since they still do serve businesses in the area. The trail continues on the south side of Boone Avenue, on to Winnetka. In this area, some land has already been sold to NSP, therefore, there is less land available. The railroad company is also concerned that drainage problems be addressed so it will not be a problem in the future. The trail would go north of City Ha 1 1 and it may be necessary to utilize some City property near the crossing of Bassett Creek. 1 The tracks then cross through the center of Golden Val ley Country Club, which presents a land use problem if a trail were incorporated. The County has not talked with the Club yet, although they do expect some resistance. Consideration is being given to circling around the golf course rather than going through the middle. Al Anderegg asked if it would take the approval of the golf course for the trail to go through. Mr. King responded that it may not require their approval to acquire the railroad property, however the County does intend to talk with them in order to keep a good relationship. The next section of trail crosses the Northfield/Southern track, and past the Tennant buildings. It would slope downward from the building to the track. At Highway 100 it crosses under the frontage road and highway. There is room for a trail at the wooden tressel bridge. The bridge, though, is on the drawing board for replacement within the next five years. The County would hope to utilize City land at the Schaper Property and then look at acquiring property behind the apartments. The trail would cross Ottawa by the railroad tracks. Using the railroad property in this area would be more of a liability than an asset because of the steep grade. The County would try to exclude this property from the*railroad purchase, and work instead with the City for additional land to get around the problem. The last section of trail is in an area where the railroad track is very low and an overpass would have to be built. Chuck Burmeister inquired why they would not just cross Ottawa and go on the north side along that stretch which the City of Minneapolis already owns. Mr. King explained that the grades are fairly steep there and it would encroach on the front yards of residents. The railroad company did not want the trail to cross the tracks unless there was a controlled signal. Mr. King projected that this trail could be in operation in the next three to five years if things proceed on schedule. The trail would be asphalt and available for walking and biking. Although other County trails are not plowed in the winter, they may try to work something out in this area because of the number of residents living in the near vicinity. Rich Krahulec asked if the City would have any liability for maintenance of the portions of trai 1 on City property. Mr. King said they hoped to work out an agreement with the City where they could build and maintain a trail on City property at no cost to the City. . ye.., I . y. 441. Rick Jacobson introduced Sue Cook to the Commission. Sue gave the members a comparison sheet of the summer programs over the past few years. One point she made was that the attendance at Lakeview Park has increased substantially, which indicates it could no longer be considered a "problem park". 2 Pat Borchert felt there was a general concern by parents that more emphasis was made on playing the games themselves than on the instruction. She asked if there would be some adjustments made on emphasizing more instruc- tion. She also felt there was a great deal of variance in coaching philo- sophies of the coaches, and thought this should be improved upon. Jim Johnson inquired if it was difficult to get volunteer coaches. Sue replied that it was a real problem, but she felt it was improving some in soccer because the sport is becoming more popular. Pat thought there would be better response from parents if they knew they would receive a coaching clinic to aid them. Pat Borchert commented that the idea of having the T -Ball kids play their last game at the Honeywell field was great, and the kids really loved it and appreciated it. The proposed 1988 recreation fees were discussed. Staff recommended rais- ing the regular fee by $1.00, and having the early bird fee, which encour- ages early registration, remain the same as in 1987, which would result in a $3.00 differential. Early bird fees are due three to four days prior to the activity beginning. In the past, the difference has been $2.00. Sue explained that the hockey program is run in conjunction with four other communities and thereby we are limited somewhat on what we can charge. If we charge more for the same program, the participant will just go to another community to enroll. It was also proposed to have a greater difference between the resident and non-resident fees in the rental of picnic shelters. Companies which want to use park areas for a commercial or to demonstrate a product would be charged $50 per hour. Chuck Burmeister asked why the fees were raised in some of the summer athletic programs. Sue explained that the goal is to have every two-day program charged the same, every one -day program the same, etc. K -League actually costs more to run because of the number of staff members it requires. Micki Bix asked if people ever mentioned that they could not afford the fee. Rick explained that this has happened, but very seldom. When a request comes in, the fee is waived. There is a statement in the Brochure saying that no one will be denied participation if they cannot afford the fee. Pat Borchert inquired about the open playground program. She felt it could be advertised more and explained more fully to the parents. Sue responded that the basic advertising was through the Brochure. Each playground leader does a weekly newsletter for their park, telling the kids what activities would be happening that week. That flyer is available at the park for the child to pick up. She acknowledged that perhaps a more detailed flyer should be sent home with students at the close of the school year giving more details on the playgrounds. 3 151 A motion was made by Chuck Burmeister and seconded by Jim Johnson that the fees and charges for the recreation programs be approved. Motion carried. The Commission then reviewed the proposed fees and charges for the golf course. It reflects a $1.00 increase on the 18 -hole course and a $5.00 increase for a patron card. Micki Bix asked if it was necessary to have an increase. Rick Jacobson explained that with the expenses going up, continuing capital improvements, and the need to build up the reserve fund, it was necessary. There is a goal to bui ld up a $500,000 contingency fund. Kris Tovson explained that initial ly it was proposed to have a $12 fee for this past season, but due to the construction and loss of trees along General Mi l is Blvd. and the reconstruction of the 9th green, we charged $11.00 instead. George Murad wanted to know what decides how nisch goes into the contingency fund. He expressed that it needs to be kept in mind this is a municipal course. If we had two record breaking years, why should the rates be raised? On the other hand, the City did put a lot of money into the reconstruction of the course and the fund should be built up. Jim Johnson inquired about the Junior Patron Card. Kris explained there was difficulty getting youth to golf in spite of offering free clinics, special advertising and a year-end tournament. Proposing the Junior fee was an effort to continue to promote the program and encourage more parti- cipation. Chuck Burmeister felt the round price should be kept the same if the motive was to encourage more use. Chuck Burmeister commented that the neighborhood meetings regarding the pool reflected concern by residents that they were not getting sufficient input back into the City. They were paying for the facilities, but were not getting the benefits back. Since the $5.00 increase for patron card holders would not generate a great deal more income, he recommended keeping the resident patron card fee at $45.00 as it was last year. - Kris expressed concern that most of the patron card holders were non- residents who basically purchase the card in order to get the advance reservation privileges. Rich Krahulec said that since the course is being used to capacity and it is difficult to reserve a tee time, the residents should be given the privileges. Kris cautioned about raising the non-resident patron card fee and then increase the privileges to the resident patron card holder in addition to keeping their fee the same. George Murad explained that the Brookview Improvement Carmittee has formed an ad-hoc conmittee to come up with some ideas of additional privileges for the resident patron card holder. This may include reserving tee times perhaps 7 days in advance when all of the foursome are residents. A motion was made by Chuck Burmeister and seconded by George Murad to approve the proposed fees and charges for Brookview Golf Course, with the exception that the resident patron card fee remain the same as it was in 1987. Motion carried. 4 Micki Bix felt she could not recommend raising the fees on the Par 3 course unless it were greatly improved. She felt there were four holes that were unplayable. Rick Jacobson explained that some work had been done and that if the fee were not increased it would require a greater percentage in- crease when the time came. George Murad commented that when demand out- weighs the supply, the rates can be raised. George Murad asked what the plan was for the Par 3 course. Rick Jacobson responded that in order to do it right, it would have to be bridged. Al Anderegg commented that the condition of the Par 3 course was in at least as good condition as it was before the flood in July. Micki Bix explained that her concern was not so much the twenty -f i ve cent increase, but that the conditions of the course be improved. Kris Tovson said this was being studied. George Murad reported that the Committee reviewed the priority list at its last meeting, and discussed the geese problem. They voted to recommend changing the 8th and 9th holes to the 17th and 18th respectively; and 17 and 18 become 8 and 9. Al Anderegg asked if the number 2 hole would be widened. Rick explained that it would be widened after construction of Boone Avenue is finished and that a chain link fence would be installed 10-12 feet from the curbline. It will be sodded and landscaped in the spring. OUM BUSINESS Pat Borchert reported that the Task Force on Safety in the community went on a tour. There wi 11 be one more meeting and then the Task Force wi 11 come up with recommendations for the City Council to consider. r The meeting was adjourned at 9:18 PM. 5