11-25-13GOLDEN VALLEY OPEN SPACE & RECREATION COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
Minutes
November 25, 2013
1. Call to Order
Mattison called the meeting to order at 8:10 PM at City Hall.
2. Roll Call
Present: Roger Bergman, John Cornelius, Bob Mattison, Gillian Rosenquist, Anne Saffert,
Jerry Sandler, Dawn Speltz, Dan Steinberg, Joanie Clausen, Council Member; Rick
Birno, Director of Parks and Recreation and Sheila Van Sloun, Administrative
Assistant.
Absent: Kelly Kuebelbeck.
3. Approval of Minutes — October 28, 2013
Rosenquist made a correction under Election of New Vice -Chair: Motion made and seconded to
elect Rosenquist as Vice -Chair.
MOTION: Moved by Rosenquist and seconded by Sandler to approve the amended October
28 meeting minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Bottineau Planning Advisory Committee Update
Rosenquist gave an update on the committee, which recently walked the railroad corridor from
Sochacki Park in Robbinsdale to the Wirth Park Chalet to get a feel for the proposed possible
trail route. Rosenquist shared committee discussion about the proposed route.
Rosenquist reiterated the importance of resident engagement to keep people informed on the
entire project and planning process.
5. Lawn Bowling Green at Brookview Golf Course Proposal
Birno said he presented the plan to the City Council and the project was approved to move
forward. He said the parking lot at Brookview is currently being removed. He said all the current
work is being done in house.
Birno said he will meet with Cheryl Weiler next week to come up with a marketing plan.
6. Play Structure Design/Age Levels
Birno said he will be putting together RFP's (Request for Proposal) in December for new play
structures at Gearty, Glenview Terrace, Lions and Wildwood parks.
Birno said he did a park inventory of play structures in Golden Valley. He noticed each parks
play areas have separate structures for ages 2-5 and 5-12. Birno asked for feedback on the
option of eliminating the 2-5 structures at some park locations to allow for a more dynamic 5-12
structure. He said if both age level structures are desired, and with the funds available, it will
minimize the features possible for each structure.
Minutes of the Open Space and Recreation Commission
November 25, 2013
Page 2
Cornelius said he doesn't want to see the 2-5 level structures completely eliminated in our
parks. Birno highly agreed.
Sandler expressed concern about resident needs not being met within their own city, therefore
causing them to travel to surrounding communities for a park that fits their needs.
Birno said it is possible to request specific structure features and characteristics in the RFP's
that are submitted.
Cornelius said it's a good time to take an inventory to accommodate the demand.
After discussion, the OSRC said they would prefer both age level structures at Lions, Wildwood
and Glenview Terrace Parks, and a 2-12 level structure with low level play options at Gearty
Park.
Birno said neighborhood meetings will be held in early 2014 to present the submitted plans and
have residents submit their vote for a structure.
7. Outdoor Skating Rink Consolidation Winter Research
Birno said the Park and Recreation Department will be looking closely at rink attendance
numbers for the 2013-2014 skating season. He wants to collect the data and have a discussion
with the commission about keeping all the locations open. Birno said there are currently seven
staffed skating rinks in Golden Valley.
Sandler expressed concern about closing rinks. He said people come from other communities
just for our rinks. He feels our rinks separate us from other communities. He suggested looking
at the Park Master Plan goals when discussing this type of decision.
Some brief discussion took place regarding warming house hours.
8. Next Meeting
The next meeting will be a joint meeting with the Environmental Commission at City Hall on
Monday, December 16 at 7:00 PM.
9. Adjournment
MOTION: MOVED by Sandler and seconded by Steinberg to adjourn at 9:45 PM. Motion
carried unanimously.
Bob Mattison, Chair
ATTEST:
Sheila Van Sloun, Administrative Assistant