2-28-2000CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY
OPEN SPACE & RECREATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
February 28, 2000
Members present: Liz Elder, Jim Johnson, Linda Loomis, Jim Vaughan, Jim Sicora, Tom Zins and Jerry
Sandler. Also present were Rick Jacobson — Director of Parks & Recreation, Sheila Elliott — Administrative
Secretary and Al Lundstrom — Environmental Coordinator. Golden Valley Residents present were Cathy Cope,
Ken Schneider, Glen Eiden, Ardith Eiden, Jim Brickwedde, Amy Newman, Dan Newman and Bill Hume.
Hennepin Parks representatives Del Miller and Tim Burkhardt.
AGENDA CHANGES OR ADDITIONS
No changes or additions.
MINUTES — JANUARY 24, 2000
Approval of minutes motioned by Jim Vaughan and seconded by Jerry Sandler. Motion carried.
BRUNSWICK — DAKOTA/LAUREL AVENUE BUFFER
Rick Jacobson introduced Bill Hume, who is a Golden Valley resident on Brunswick. Bill Hume and residents
from this area have some concerns regarding the buffer strip between Brunswick/Dakota and Laurel Avenue.
The major concerns are as follows:
• Noise levels
• Visibility of the commercial area from the Brunswick/Dakota neighborhood
• Would like additional trees planted
• Some neighbors spoke in favor of the construction of a berm, while other neighbors were not in
favor of this concept
After several residents spoke about the general concerns of this area, Al Lundstrom reviewed the original
planting plan which was completed in 1988 as part of the Laurel Avenue greenbelt and compared what was
planted to what is actually on site today. Al stated that tree canopy and brush cover approximately 80% of the
area, and it appears that only two of the original 16 spruce trees are missing and all the viburnum are still in tact.
The commission suggested that the residents try to arrive at a consensus about what they feel would be
reasonable for the area and then meet with Al Lundstrom and discuss. The neighborhood was reminded that
there has been no funding budgeted for planting on this sight. A representative from the neighborhood will
contact Al after the neighbors have met.
FORESTRY/BUCKTHORN UPDATE — AL LUNDSTROM
Rick reviewed with the commission a letter received from Mary Moreira in which she expressed her concern
regarding the Buckthorn in the Mary Hills Park area. Al Lundstrom then spoke in detail about Buckthorn and
how it can be controlled. After an extensive discussion, Al mentioned that the city is considering a natural
resource inventory of its city land, parks and open space areas. He then went on to say that if this inventory
were done, that would be an ideal time to identify various undesirable species in these areas, evaluate and
prioritize a plan for dealing with the undesirable plants if it were decided necessary and practical, along with a
cost analysis. The commission felt this would be the most logical way to evaluate the problem, rather than, on a
complaint basis.
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FIRST TIER CITIES — TRAIL & GREENWAY PLAN
Del & Tim from Hennepin Parks were present to discuss future plans for creating trails connecting the suburban
area from Brooklyn Center south to Richfield. They gave a brief overview of the entire project, which includes
connecting trails between ten cities. Representatives from the various cities have been meeting several months
to formulate the conceptual plan. They then moved on to two specific connections through Golden Valley,
which would be in addition to the North Hennepin Regional Trail. The first connection would be from the
proposed Highway 100 overpass, (between 36`h Avenue North and Duluth Street) and would eventually connect
to Theodore Wirth Park. The second possible trail, if the railroad were ever abandoned, would be along the
Canadian Pacific rail line, which traverses Golden Valley from the northwest to the southeast. Both of these
trail segments were incorporated into the recently revised transportation and park sections of the comprehensive
plan.
RECEIPT OF ANNUAL DEER SURVEY
The commission received and filed the annual deer survey.
OLD BUSINESS
Jerry Sandler asked about the Meadowbrook gyms. Rick Jacobson updated the commission on the current status
of this project.
NEW BUSINESS
Rick Jacobson announced to the commission the resignation of Rick Birno, who will be taking the position of
Recreation Superintendent of St. Louis Park.
Linda Loomis gave a brief update on the current status of the Laurel Avenue/Winnetka Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Jim Sicora and seconded by Jerry Sandler to adjourn. Motion carried.
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