05-18-95 CC Minutes unsigned Special Meeting
of the
City Council
Athletic Field Subcommittee Proposal
May 18, 1995
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a special meeting of the City Council of the City of
Golden Valley, Hennepin County, Minnesota was held at 7800 Golden Valley Road in said
City on May 18, 1995 at 7:00 PM.
The following members were present: Johnson, Micks, Russell, Thompson and Tremere.
Also present were: William Joynes, City Manager; Allen Barnard, City Attorney; and Judy
Nally, Administrative Secretary.
Mayor Tremere introduced the agenda item. William Joynes provided a chronology of events
and answered questions from the Council. Open Space and Recreation Commission
Members Linda Loomis and Roger McConico presented the proposal and answered
questions from the Council. Rick Jacobson, Director of Park and Recreation; reviewed the
locations and provided specifics of the proposal and answered questions from the Council.
Don Taylor, Finance Director; reported on the financial impacts of the proposal and answered
questions from the Council. Allen Barnard answered questions regarding the legal status and
restrictions on the property and answered questions from the Council.
The Mayor opened the meeting for public input and persons present to do so were afforded
the opportunity to express their views thereon.
David Hudson, 4841 Killarney Drive, stated that tree cover and buffer comes late and leaves
early and there is not a lot of greenery.
Linda McCracken-Hunt, 1017 Ravine Trail, has children in Little League program, fully
supports the increase in park plans for recreation programs, stated she feels this could be a
win/win situation, feels from a design standpoint the project can be done right.
Dan Shallbetter, 650 Ottawa Avenue South, representing States Electric Manufacturing Co.;
concerned over loss of wildlife habitat and nature area; has had numerous problems
associated with the beach area; feels it will increase traffic and parking problems; asked
about funding, and use of parking meters.
Lynn Hartman, 900 Ottawa Avenue North, asked how many total number of fields already
exist.
Richard Peet, 3245 Noble Avenue North, stated he visited the site and feels the City should
use the site as it was dedicated to the City; or clean it up or give it away.
Special Meeting of the City Council
May 18, 1995
Page 2
Mark Hendrickson, 4945 Winsdale Street, objects to the proposed use of tax increment funds
for the project; feels the project doesn't meet the objectives for use of tax increment funds;
and feels the money should be returned to the taxing jurisdictions; or used in other
redevelopment areas within the community.
Jane McDonald Black, 924 Adeline Lane, feels the project will have a terrible effect on
Sweeney Lake and asked about the effects of lighting in the area.
Patty McElroy, 1610 Sumter Avenue North, stated she has two boys in Little League, doesn't
feel that building ballfields will decrease the property values in the neighborhoods.
Dave Hanson, 1030 Angelo Drive, likes the wildlife in the area; and enjoys the lake and
doesn't want lights installed.
Tom Zins, 8925 23rd Avenue North, Open Space and Recreation Commissioner; feels the
neighborhoods close to the park will be effected by the lights but it is a trade-off for the
children to participate in the program.
Michelle Meininger, 9450 Olympia Street, stated she is a park and recreation employee and
sees the benefit of the programs and feels the City as a whole will benefit from the additional
fields.
DeDe Scanlon, 7315 Olympia Street, stated she is active in Little League, there is a shortage
of fields; stated changes in her neighborhood in the past were difficult but the problems that
were anticipated never came; and feels everyone should work together.
Arlene Weinzierl, 600 Lilac Drive North, opposes the ballfields as the Schaper's gave the
property to improve the environment.
Gerald Dahl, 4720 Killarney Drive (home), and 4825 Highway 55 (business) stated his
business lot was used for parking by people going to the beach, asked if the area by General
Mills and Kare 11 could be used for fields.
James C. Johnson, 4760 Killarney Drive, stated their neighborhood had terrible parking
problems before the no parking anytime signs were installed, stated the ballfield parking lot
will be used by people going to the beach and feels policing of the lot will be needed.
Heidi Kloss, 4841 Killarney Drive, feels it is the wrong place for fields, asked what the total
acreage of the City is for natural areas, passive areas, and active areas; and feels current
facilities should be upgraded.
Special Meeting of the City Council
May 18, 1995
Page 3
Bob Engberg, 600 Lilac Drive North, enjoys the nature area around Schaper property, and is
concerned for the wildlife in the area, feels development will degrade the natural area and
environment.
Tracy Anderson, 2001 Hillsboro Avenue North, concerned over wildlife in the area, and asked
about future parking at Medley Park if the proposal is approved.
Erwin Schaffer, 1240 Angelo Drive, surprised about taking the property and changing it for
another purpose.
MaryKaye Champa, 2340 Orkla Drive, lives befinreen Medley Park and Wesly Park, and
stated those parks are heavily used, and stated more fields are needed.
Charles Dayton, Leonard, Street & Deinard, attorney representing the Killarney Neighborhood
Association; feels the City would violate the law if fields are built on the property as it was
dedicated for a specific purpose, requested an environmental assessment worksheet be done
before any action is taken; and suggested looking at other sites.
Jay McElroy, 1610 Sumter Avenue North, and 3 other ballplayers from the Golden Valley
Little League program stated they like sports and need more places to play.
Ralph Ferrara, General Mills, stated they have 14 teams participating in the league and
support the proposal to build the fields.
Floyd Anderson, 4920 Killarney Drive, expressed concern over drainage in the area; feels
there are enough fields to use for the program as a number of children from other cities
participate in our programs; and feels the site should be left as it is.
Jerry Sandler, 225 Sumter Avenue South, Golden Valley Little League President; stated there
are alot of people who support the program; stated there are no fields available for new
teams; the fields are over scheduled for games and practices; with rained out games being
difficult to reschedule; and they support the increase in fields.
Brenda Johnson, 4840 Killarney Drive, Sweeney Lake Association, stated they are concerned
for the wetlands; feels tax increment financing is not an appropriate use for the property; feels
the area should be designated as natural environment and integrate trails on the site.
Gerie Wefel, 600 Lilac Drive North, enjoys the deer and wildlife in the area and doesn't see a
need for ballfields.
Richard Brix, 4900 Killarney Drive, stated he builds bird houses and is a bird watcher and
feels the site will just become a place for the beach people to party.
Special Meeting of the City Council
May 18, 1995
Page 4
Bennie Zachery, 4721 Killarney Drive, expressed concern for children, feels that the deer and
wildlife are an educational experience for her children and others; and is also concerned over
the beach.
Steve Fiterman, 960 Adeline Lane, asked what happens after the public hearing, if the plan
goes forward if staff continues to work on the plan; and what the timing is.
James Sansaver, 901 Ottawa Avenue North, feels it is a short-sighted proposal and is an
unneccesary use of time and resources.
The Mayor closed the public hearing.
MOVED by Tremere, seconded by Russell and motion carried unanimously to direct staff to
1) undertake the site evaluation process of the proposed program as recommended,
including potential use of the Arts High School property and the feasibility of 2 ballfields on
the Schaper property; 2) initiate an environmental assessment worksheet as to use of
Schaper property for ballfields and for other semi-public uses possible under the
Comprehensive Plan, subject to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority authorizing the
appropriate funding from the Tax Increment Financing Fund for an environmental assessment
worksheet at their next meeting; and 3) obtain a written opinion from the City Attorney (a)
regarding the use of the Schaper property by the City for the proposed ballfields use in light of
allegations that the City is "proceeding illegally" and (b) regarding any liability the City may
have for the site in its existing condition.
Upon a roll call vote, the vote was as follows:
JOHNSON - YES MICKS - YES RUSSELL - YES THOMPSON - YES TREMERE - YES
MOVED by Thompson, seconded by Micks and motion carried unanimously to direct the City
Manager for the next Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting agenda to get an
opinion from the City Attorney whether tax increment funds can be used for filtration systems.
MOVED by Thompson, seconded by Russell and motion carried unanimously to adjourn the
meeting at 10:50 PM.
Blair Tremere, Mayor
ATTEST:
Judy Nally, Administrative Secretary