3-26-2001CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY
OPEN SPACE & RECREATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
March 26, 2001
Members Present: Linda Loomis, Tom Zins, Jim Vaughan, Chuck Cahill, Jim Johnson, Roger
McConico, Jerry Sandler, Lance Ness and Liz Elder. Also present were Rick Jacobson, Director of
Parks & Recreation; Sheila Elliott, Administrative Secretary; Barb Bailey, Senior Citizen Coordinator
and Rich Ozer, Babe Ruth Baseball.
AGENDA CHANGES OR ADDITIONS
Additions to the agenda were made by Linda Loomis and Rick Jacobson.
Old Business:
- Sweeney Lake Water Quality
New Business:
- Metropolitan Regional Parks Capital Improvement Program
ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE -CHAIR
A nomination was made by Roger McConico to re-elect Linda Loomis for Chair. A nomination was
then made by Chuck Cahill to re-elect Jerry Sandler as Vice -Chair. A motion was made by Chuck
Cahill to accept the nominations and Roger McConico seconded. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES — February 26, 2001
Approval of minutes moved by Tom Zins and seconded by Roger McConico. Motion carried.
BABE RUTH BASEBALL — Rich Ozer
Rich Ozer gave details about the program and an update on the status for this year. Rich explained
that the program is for youth ages 13-18 with up to 230 youth participating. It is divided into four
different levels; Prep age 13, Junior Babe ages 14-15, Mickey Mantle age 16, Senior Babe ages 17-
18, which includes both in-house and traveling.
Rich then spoke about requests they have received form area high schools to separate the teams by
school district, he explained that the program is not set up that way because it's set up as a
neighborhood sport and the board would like to keep it based by city boundaries.
Rich also said that the City of Golden Valley values and takes care of the children in its community
very well with its support of the program. He also stated that Golden Valley takes the best care of
their fields. He highly complimented the Park Maintenance staff for their work on the fields.
RECREATION REPORT — Barb Bailey
Barb Bailey gave highlights from the year 2000. She explained that she has two new staff volunteers
and three new advisory members, and also gave detail on two new Special Interest Groups she
added, which are, Tuesday Explorers and Forum & the Fork. After Barb's report, Jim Johnson asked
that the minutes reflect the outstanding job Barb does with the Senior program.
REQUEST FOR FUNDING — FROM SOUTH RICE LAKE ASSOCIATION
Rick Jacobson explained that a request from the South Rice Lake Association was received by the
City Council asking for $5,000 to help in the clean up of water quality of South Rice Lake. The South
Rice Lake Association had been awarded a grant from the Metropolitan Council of $8,000 towards the
project and needs to raise an additional $12,000, to reach the estimated budget of $20,000.00.
Comments from the commission were centered on if the clean up would result in long-term
improvement or just a short term fix because of the lack of nutrient retention ponds, shallow depth,
and the fact that it is the third body of water at the end of the chain of North Rice and Grimes Pond.
OLD BUSINESS
1)
General Mills Expansion — Rick Jacobson distributed and briefly discussed the
Environmental Assessment Worksheet for General Mills Office Expansion.
2)
Sheriffs Site — Tom Zins explained that the study committees will be meeting with the
Council to discuss four options for the site.
3)
Meadowbrook Community Center — Rick Jacobson discussed the progress of the project.
He explained that there were non -stable soils that needed to be removed causing the
completion date to be pushed back. Corrections have been made and construction is
moving forward.
4)
Brunswick/Dakota Buffer — Rick Jacobson announced to the commission that at the March
20th Council meeting, the Council reconfirmed the decision make by the commission. The
plantings will take place this spring.
5)
Sweeney Lake — Linda Loomis explained that the lower level of water quality is caused by
the high levels of phosphorus as well as highway 100 construction. She stated that the
Bassett Creek Watershed is working to improve the water quality. Linda also questioned if
Mn DOT has implemented all the steps to keep construction materials out of the storm
system.
NEW BUSINESS
1) Metropolitan Regional Parks Capital Improvement and Policy Plan — Rick Jacobson
distributed information regarding the Regional Parks CIP and Policy Plan and asked the
commission to read at their leisure and comment as appropriate.
OTHER BUSINESS
Liz Elder mentioned that she attended the Saturday registration for the Junior Golf League and
wanted to compliment the staff for the efficiency in which the registration was handled.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Roger McConico and seconded by Jerry Sandler to adjourn. Motion carried.
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