4-27-1998OPEN SPACE & RECREATION COMMISSION
April 27, 1998
Members present: Linda Loomis, Jim Vaughan, Jim Johnson, Liz Elder, Tom Zins, Jim Sicora,
Chuck Cahill, Roger McConico, Rich Krahulec. Also present were Rick Jacobson, Sharyl
Thompson and Barbara Bailey, Senior Citizens Coordinator.
There were no agenda changes or additions.
Minutes — February 23, 1998
A motion was made by Chuck Cahill and seconded by Tom Zins to approve the minutes of Feb-
ruary 23, 1998. Motion carried.
Recreation Report — Barbara Bailey
Barbara Bailey, Senior Citizens Coordinator, gave her annual report. Using the printed report
given to the Commissioners, she highlighted the activities for seniors over the past year. The
Commission expressed their appreciation to Barbara for her time and the excellent programming
provided for senior citizens.
Aggressive Skate Park
The aggressive skate park contract has been secured with TruRide. Six portable skate parks will
run throughout the summer at two separate locations simultaneously. Golden Valley will have
the skate park from July 10th to August 9th at the site of the old post office. It will be open seven
days a week from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM. Cost for participants will be $8 per day, or a pass of
10 times for $65.00.
Schaper Park Update
Schaper Park will be open for use on June 15th when the adult softball program will move their
games from Lions Park. There is concern over how to manage the parking lots. Staff feels the
larger parking lot should be locked most of the time, but the small parking lot by the playground
equipment be left open. An attendant will lock and unlock the larger parking lot for adult soft-
ball. It was the consensus of the Commission to try it out this way for this year, and make any
changes necessary for next year.
Comprehensive Plan
A revised copy of the comprehensive plan was discussed. Rich Krahulec mentioned item #8 un-
der "Trail System" which refers to trail design standards. He wondered what these standards
were. Also, under "Natural Resources" item #10, the word "infiltration" should be "filtration".
Rick Jacobson said the trail design standards would be clarified.
Chuck Cahill questioned item #10 on page 2 where it mentions if a part of the city is "deficient"
on park land. The Commission agreed that the term "deficient" gave the wrong message. They
preferred the item state: "to acquire land or expand existing land where it is deemed beneficial".
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Tom Zins requested that the plan be more specific. He felt it was too general and would like to
see three or four focused goals mentioned. He also was concerned that there were too many
qualifiers like "when appropriate".
Jim Vaughan agreed with Tom. He would like to see specifics like de -privatizing lakes, dealing
with mill foil, etc.
It was decided that the Commissioners have a brain storming session at the next meeting to come
up with a list of special priorities to put into the comprehensive plan. Jim Sicora suggested a
method for formulating the list: 1) Evaluate where you are and how you feel about it; 2) Where
to you want to be; and 3) How will you get there.
North Hennepin Regional Trail
Representatives from Hennepin Parks and SRF gave a presentation to the City Council at a
workshop recently, showing the plan for the proposed trail. They will bring it before the Council
at their meeting on May 5th
Soccer Field — Minnesota State Arts School
There were 8 bidders on the soccer field project. Veit Construction was awarded the bid. They
are the same contractors that did the Schaper Park fields. Construction will begin shortly.
Soccer Correspondence
A letter was received and filed from Robyn Hanscom regarding fall soccer, and adding a U6 di-
vision. The letter was received too late for any changes to be made for this fall.
New Business
Commission Dinner
The annual Commission Dinner will be held Tuesday, May 26th, 6:00 PM at Brookview Com-
munity Center.
May Meeting Date
It was decided that no meeting would be held in May due to Memorial Day. Also, rather than
have the park tour in June, a regular meeting will be held to discuss the comprehensive plan. The
park tour will be held at the July meeting.
Sandburg Ballfields
The City has been working with Robbinsdale School District to install lights at the Sutton base-
ball field, as well as irrigating both Sutton and Tapper ballfields. The school board has approved
the joint powers agreement pending attorney review.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Roger McConico and seconded by Jim Sicora to adjourn. Motion carried.
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