9-22-1997OPEN SPACE & RECREATION COMMISSION
September 22, 1997
Members present: Linda Loomis, Rich Krahulec, Jim Vaughan, Tom Zins, Jim Johnson, Chuck
Cahill and Jim Sicora. Also present were Annette Ozer (Golden Valley Little League), Richard
Ozer (Golden Valley Babe Ruth), Sue Cook — Recreation Supervisor, Sharyl Thompson and
Rick Jacobson.
AGENDA
The following items were added to the agenda.
1. CII' Program
2. October meeting date
3. Asphalting trails
4. Schaper Park wetland area turf
MINUTES — July 28,1997
A motion was made by Chuck Cahill and seconded by Jim Sicora to approve the minutes of July
28, 1997. Motion carried.
GOLDEN VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE UPDATE — Annette Ozer
Annette Ozer gave a report on the history and past season of Golden Valley Little League. Little
League has been in operation in Golden Valley for 42 years. This past summer 275 kids played
baseball with Little League, all Golden Valley residents. The program is going very well, but the
one concern is a lack of suitable ballfields, especially for the minor league team practices. With
the construction of Schaper and the improvement of other fields, hopefully this problem will be
alleviated.
Annette gave special thanks to the Park & Recreation staff for their help and cooperation.
GOLDEN VALLEY BABE RUTH — Richard Ozer
Richard Ozer gave a presentation on the make-up of the teams, the four divisions, the process of
player development, and variations between in-house and traveling teams. They expect 120-130
players in 1998. Richard believes players are leaving Babe Ruth and going to the VFW and AAU
leagues because of a practice field shortage for in-house teams, as well as high school coaches
encouraging their players to play on the same summer team. He feels the three unlit fields they
presently use are not enough. Again, with the above mentioned field improvements, this problem
should be helped.
RECREATION REPORT — Sue Cook
Sue Cook, Recreation Supervisor, gave a report on summer programs including adult softball,
concerts in the park, tennis and Adopt A Park. For adult softball, there is an increase in the
number of co-rec teams. Fourteen softball teams went to regional or state tournaments this year.
The concerts in the park were a success, except for one rainout.
The tennis program was very successful, with enrollment increasing over last year.
Presently, there are two parks available to be adopted in the Adopt A Park program.
Rick Jacobson expressed appreciation to Sue Cook for the great job she does.
ARTS SCHOOL SOCCER FIELD UPDATE
Rick Jacobson reported that City Council has approved a joint powers agreement with the
Minnesota School for the Arts to construct a soccer field. The field will be ready for play in late
1998 or 1999.
COVENANT MANOR PUD PARK DEDICATION
Rick Jacobson showed the Commission preliminary plans for Covenant Manor to add 126 living
units in a new building attached to their present building. The question is whether or not the City
requests land for park dedication or cash in lieu of land. Rick pointed out that there really is no
part of the land suitable to dedicate for park use. The matter has gone before the Planning
Commission which approved the plan with some stipulations.
Following extensive discussion.by the Commission, a motion was made by Linda Loomis and
seconded by Rich Krahulec to recommend that the City Council require the maximum cash
dedication allowed in lieu of land, and not to consider the contribution of labor and equipment
for the improvement of St. Croix Park as suggested by the Planning Commission. Motion carried
unanimously.
A second motion was made by Tom Zins and seconded by Chuck Cahill to encourage the City
Council not to waive the PUD landscaping requirements as set out in City Code Sec. 11.55,
Subd. 5.13.7. The motion requests that as many plantings as is reasonable be placed on the
Covenant Manor property, with unfulfilled requirements being donated to the immediate area
and surrounding parks. Motion carried, 6 in favor, 1 opposed.
OLD BUSINESS
Schaper
Linda Loomis reported that a resident requested that a different type of grass seed be planted
adjacent to the wetland area at Schaper. She researched the matter and requested that the City use
a seed mix according to DNR standards for this type of an area. Staff had a meeting with the
contractor who will submit a price for amending the specs for the seed mix.
NEW BUSINESS
CIP Program
Rick gave out copies of the capital improvement plan for 1997 — 2001. Staff is presently working
on the plan for 1998 — 2002. It will be discussed at the October Open Space & Recreation
Commission meeting.
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Asphalting Trails
Rick Jacobson brought a request from the Park Maintenance staff to asphalt a number of trails
because of problems with washing out the ag-lime during wet weather. The ongoing maintenance
on these areas has become expensive and time consuming. There is money budgeted for asphalt
work. They gave a list of specific areas that would benefit by paving.
Chuck Cahill asked about additional use on paved areas by in-line skaters or bicyclists, and said
this should be considered when deciding where to pave.
A motion was made by Jim Johnson and seconded by Jim Sicora to moved ahead with the
asphalting as staff deems necessary. Motion carried.
October Meeting Date
Rick Jacobson said that he will be out of town on the next scheduled meeting date. He asked the
Commission if they would like to meet anyway, or change the date. It was agreed that the
Commission would meet on October 2e rather than the 27h.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Rich Krahulec and seconded by Jim Johnson to adjourn. Motion carried.
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