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8-23-1982OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 23, 1982 The regular meeting was called to order at 7:08 P.M. at Scheid Park, 1865 Toledo and Duluth Street, by Chairman Burmeister. Commission members present were: Jaffe, Johnson, Kahlow, Micks, Murad, and Younghans. Also present were Charles Corlett, Program and Policy Superintendent; Tom Klatt, Assistant Park Maintenance Superintendent; and Debbie Halvorson, Commission Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Johnson moved that the Minutes of the July 26, 1982, meeting be approved as written. Younghans seconded. Motion passed. NEW BUSINESS 1. Summer Maintenance Tom Klatt gave an overview of what the summer maintenance program consists of: 22 parks 175 acres of park land which needs maintaining 9 shelter buildings, which include 7 park shelter areas, and Brookview picnic and tennis shelter buildings Dutch Elms Weed control 23 tennis courts and 30 ball diamonds This is taken care of with the help of 5 full-time people and himself and a summer part-time crew. He explained what it would require to maintain a two acre park with play area and ball diamond. Approximately three hours mowing time per week, 3 hours for general maintenance, trash removal and pick up. Inspections three or four times a week to check the location. Fifteen hours per year in general maintenance and turf maintenance, fertilizing and leaf pick up. $200 worth of supplies per year - sand, fertilizer. $500 per 5 years for play equipment replacement. These figures are based on established play areas. Burmeister asked Klatt how the maintenance operation was doing this year in relation to the budget. Klatt informed the Commission that it was doing very well. To date nothing unusual has set them back, such as storms or vandalism. Minutes Page 2 August 23, 1982 Murad asked Klatt if he could give the Commission a total dollar figure on the cost of a park. Klatt did not have such a figure available. Micks asked Klatt if $4,000 to $4,500 would be a good estimate of the cost of maintaining a two acre park. Klatt felt that this may be a very good estimate. Burmeister asked Klatt if we could maintain the parks we have now and if we could add another. Klatt felt that the maintenance people were quite efficient and that another park could be handled, but that adding another park would mean that less time would be spent at each location. The 1983 budget has been submitted. There has been a 4% overall increase over 1982; nothing is being cut. 2. Mary Hills Park Public Input Meeting 7.30 P.M. Burmeister opened the Mary Hills Park Public Input Meeting. He explained that in order to change or establish a park where we already own the property is a two step program. First the Commission seeks input from the neighborhood on what their needs, requests, and feelings are regarding the property. The Commission then takes that information and with the help of staff establishes a plan. After which if it is the Commission's recommendation that a park be established, they will then go back to the neighbors and present the plan and get further input. Jaffe then gave a brief summary of the history of the Mary Hills Park property. She indicated that the Mary Hills Addition has been discussed over an 8 1/2 year period. The first Minutes recorded concerning this area was on November 3, 1977. Copies of the Minutes concerning this area dated from November 3, 1977 to August 28, 1978 were distributed to the Commission members and the neighbors in attandance at the meeting. Jaffe informed the people that there were several reasons for no previous action being taken. In the past when neighborhood meetings were held some of the people were not interested in having a park due to the increased traffic and noise it would create. Others desired a park so that their children would not have to cross Golden Valley Road in order to go to a park. Corlett reviewed the current status of an active use park possibly being developed on the Robbinsdale portion of the property. He indicated that Robbinsdale would allow Golden Valley to establish an active use area on the Robbinsdale Minutes Page 3 August 23, 1982 property if all costs were borne by Golden Valley. He further indicated that Robbinsdale will be conducting a study of their property in the fall of 1982, and they indicated an active use area would have to fit into their planned use for this property. Corlett reviewed for the Commission and residents the previous plans presented and indicated that active use areas and natural areas can be maintained on the same parcel. Corlett reviewed some of the current problems within the area i.e. motorized vehicle traffic, dumping of fill materials and construction refuse. He further indicated that the area is easily accessible to motorized vehicles through the Bonnie Lane Culdesac, 26th Avenue North and from 35th and June Avenue in Robbinsdale. Mary King of 4025 Wasatch Lane asked the Commission if the City still plans to keep a bike trail through the area. The Commission assured her that the bike trail would be kept. Non -motorized vehicles will be permitted in the area. Burmeister stated that a survey was made of this area which revealed that this peice of property lended itself very well to being an open space. Burmeister asked for input from the neighbors. Comments were made as follows: Marsha Fudge 4041 Bassett Creek Drive She is relatively new in the area. Sh wasn't a more positive outlook on this the concern that she was worried about hit by motorcycles. Mike Degen 2560 Dresden Lane She asked why there park. She expressed her children being He questioned why this subject was brought up again after four years. He also questioned why the Commission only brought forth proposals of active use. He stated that this area has been used as a dump for the past years. He would like to see the litter would be best served as collected and felt that the area an open space area. Minutes Page 4 August 23, 1982 Hank Kamnitz 2500 Dresden Lane When he first moved in, it was an open area. When the City Council allowed Skyline Builders to landfill the area, access was made easier into the area. A playground could have been made in a central area, but the people did not want it. He felt that the nature path that presently goes through the area is excellent and would like to see a variety of trees, bushes, and flowers added to make it a real nature area. He felt that the motorcycles that use the area is a periodic thing; it is not going on all the time. He felt that the situation got out of hand when they put in all the old tires and junk in the area. Jean Wolf 2145 Bonnie Lane She felt this area was a terrible place for a park because of the water standing near the tracks and because it is a marshy area. She said the nature trail is great. Fideles (Flip) Wolf 2145 Bonnie Lane Expressed concern about traffic in the area. Joe Manikowski 2540 Dresden Lane Asked if the haul road could be removed and plantings put in. At this point, Jaffe asked if anyone wanted a tot lot. As it appeared everyone wanted to maintain the natural trail and get rid of the motorcycles. The neighbors present expressed that they did not wish to see a tot lot in the area. Mary King 4025 Wasatch Lane She asked if it would be possible to extend the sidewalk on the north side of Golden Valley Road/Duluth Street from Noble Avenue to the cross bridge at Scheid Park. She further stated that it is difficult to cross Golden Valley Road at Noble even with the existing traffic controls. Minutes Page 5 August 23, 1982 Leni Wilcox 4035 Wasatch Lane She does not want her children walking down Golden Valley Road to the park. She does not feel that extending the sidewalk is the answer. She thinks we need a play park for the younger children. Scheid park is good for older kids. She did not think the Mary Hills Addition area was a good location for a park because of the seclusion. Paul Kokesh 2460 Dresden Lane Expressed a concern about allowing small children in a secluded area such as the location defined for active use in the Mary Hills property. Delores Mrosak 3900 Bassett Creek Drive She does not want the park; it would be a waste of money. Helen Melby 3930 Bassett Creek Drive She felt that the small children should have a park of their own. Gloria Johnson 4200 Golden Valley Road She brought to the attention of the Commission that a tot lot had been planned years ago on the Rice Creek properties which called for the Creek to be realigned. Burmeister said this was not done because it was felt that the area was not safe for the children to play in because of the Creek and realigning the Creek would call for the Department of Natural Resources approval. Tim Knaeble Courage Center He suggested that the Commission look at a different prospective of having a more adult park to accommodate residents of Courage Center and people on a out-patient basis. Burmeister asked what type of areas and equipment he felt was needed. He answered that he would like to see the walkways made more accessible for wheelchairs. Trails with exercise stations for people in wheelchairs and tennis courts. Presently there are no curb cuts along sidewalks. Minutes Page 6 August 23, 1982 The people from Courage Center do not use the parks a great deal at this time, but it is felt that if the areas were adapted more to the handicapped it would be used more. At this time they do not have any specific programs at the parks. There being no further comments, Burmeister closed the Mary Hills Park Public Input Meeting. The next step will be for the Commission to meet and discuss the information they received at this meeting and make a recommendation. When this is established the Commission will return to the neighborhood for further input. Jaffe asked that the Mary Hills Park area be put on the Park Tour itinerary. OLD BUSINESS 1. Park Tour The Park Tour is scheduled for October 9, 1982. A rough itinerary will be arranged. 2. Sub -Committee Athletic Facilities Younghans reported that they held a meeting last week with representatives from Babe Ruth (Jim Sable) and the adult softball teams (Dan Super). He stated that the Little League is currently discussing organizing a 13 -year old league. Jim Sable informed the Committee of his experience in trying to organize a 13 -year old league. The Committee decided they would not meet again unless they had something specific to discuss due to poor attendance at the meetings. Johnson informed the Commission that the staff expressed a concern for a permanent soccer feild area in Golden Valley. Corlett expressed a need for a permanent soccer field to house existing teams which play in summer programs. He further stated that at the current time one season of sports must end in order to change the fields at Lions Club Park, Scheid Park, Program. and Wesley Park for the Fall Soccer Jaffe suggested that the corner of Hwy. 55 and Winnetka be looked into for the permanent soccer field area. It was Minutes Page 7 August 23, 1982 questioned whether that area may be too small to accommodate soccer due to the need for surrounding open space. Johnson had suggested to the Committee that we look into the Good Shepard property, St. Margaret Mary's area and the south end of Wesley Park. Younghans informed the Commission of the current summer soccer program operated at the Honeywell fields operated by Warren Ditch. Jaffe asked what permanent structures would be needed, and Corlett answered that there would have to be goal posts, which would cost approximately $1,000. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 1. Hennepin County Park Burmeister reviewed a letter from the Hennepin County Park Reserve District concerning the draft of the Park District's policy manual. He stated that the Commission has an opportunity for input into the draft at this time. In his review, he pointed out his concern for the Reserve District to keep communities informed of all district plans within the political subdivisions. He stated that the current wording allowed the District to use their discretion on informing local communities of their plans and actions. With regard to fees and charges, Burmeister expressed a concern that the policy manual does not force the District to give an annual report to all local governmental units and felt that the language should address this issue. Burmeister expressed his concern that the District's policy regarding encroachment was too limiting. He felt that the last sentence of the policy "In the case of the 80 percent of Park Reserves, the Board will not consider encroachments." should be struck from the policy. Burmeister asked the Commission to review the copies which they should have received in the mail and have any input ready for the next meeting. The deadline for the Commission's input is September 30, 1982. 2. Community Center Update This is at a standstill. We are waiting for the Robbinsdale School Administration to come back and determine if they have availabilities or time schedules to accommodate us. There really is no update at this time. Minutes Page 8 August 23, 1982 DEPARTMENT REPORT 1. Preliminary Summer Report Corlett handed out and reviewed for the Commission a copy of the 1982 Summer Playground Report prepared by Cynthia Matzke, Summer Playground Supervisor. He also reviewed for the Commission the decision to close the Brookview Pool. The decision was based on the low participation in the pool the week of August 9 through August 15 and the high cost of staffing the pool for such a low number. At this time, Younghans requested that the Brookview Golf Course be discussed. Younghans stated for the record: "We have already lost one or two tee areas. The sprinkler system is inoperable and Brookview Golf Course represents 40% of the open space of the City." He further discussed the inadequate maintenance of the course and stated the green superintendent only had four young kids helping him maintain the course. He stated that something must be done and that it will take a couple of years to get the course back into good condition. He further expressed that other public golf courses are in good condition. He stated that Todd Christenson is doing a good job and that in the organization structure he is not responsible for maintenance. He stated also that the course is in the worst shape that it has been in 12 years. He cited the example of the tee boxes being covered with broken tees. He stated that we have to fix the watering system and currently no one has the existing watering system plans. DEPARTMENT REPORT CONTINUED 2. MRPA Conference Corlett informed the Commission that the MRPA Conference will be held November 17 - 19. Commission members have received pre -announcements. The registration forms will come later. Corlett informed resignation from Denver where he Denver area. He need to see some getting people t the Commission of Richard Fuller's the Commission. His job has moved him to gill be Regional Director/Manager for the will write a letter of resignation. We recommendations or get some help in D actually apply for a Commission position. 1 1 Minutes Page 9 August 23, 1982 NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held September 20, 1982, at 7:30 P.M. at Brookview Community Center. ADJOURNMENT Kahlow moved the meeting adjourned and Murad seconded. Motion was unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M. Chairman Burmeister n 1 Vice Chairperson Micks