05-12-81 Special Meeting (2)Special Meeting
of the
City Council
May 12, 1981
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the 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 12, 1981 at 8:00 P.M.
The following members were present: Anderson, Johnson, Mitchell, Stockman and Thorsen.
Also present were: Jeff Sweet, City Manager and Council Secretary, Joan Thompson.
Introduction - Public Informational Meeting - Little League/Babe Ruth use of Lion's Club Park
Mayor Thorsen presented a brief introduction, explaining what steps have been taken
thus far regarding -the use of Lion's Club Park for Little League/Babe Ruth games.
She explained that in January the Associations came to the Council with a
request for fields due to displacement and the Council referred the request to the
Open Space and Recreation Commission. In February, the Open Space and Recreation
Commission came to the Council with a recommendation approving Lion's Club use (in concept)
and "authorizing use of Seeman and Lion's Park. In April the neighbors informed the
Council of concerns against conversion of park.
Announcement by the Associations
Stu Freidel - proponent - 305 Cloverleaf -.made the following announcement from the
Associations:
"In view of concerns expressed by the neighbors of.Lion's Park over
the present proposal, we request 4 unlighted.baseball fields at Lion's
Park -- 2 Little League and 2 Babe Ruth comparable to what we now have --
to be available for use for the 1982 season."
Presentation of Proposal for use of Lion's Club Park by Babe Ruth and Little League - by
Jeff SWPP_t
City Manager, Jeff Sweet, addressed seven points in his presentation, listed below:
1. Organization of Parks in Golden Val -ley
2. Status of Diamond Sports in Golden Valley
3• What has brought this issue before the Council
4. What action has been taken for 1981
5. How do other communities provide for Babe Ruth and Little League
6. What alternatives were considered
7. Proposed Agreement - summary
Open Space and Recreation Commission - Presentation
Rhoda Jaffe - Chairman of the Open Space and Recreation Commission presented the
actions which have been taken by the Commission, stressing this agreement is only a
proposal and not final.
Presentation by the Associations
John Hoffman.- 2650 Scott - spoke to the informational sheet handed.to the neighbors by
a neighborhood representative. He answered the charges as follows:
1. "Exclusive use" - would not be a concern as the Little League/Babe Ruth
are not proposing exclusive use of the park.
Special Meeting
May 12, 1981
Presentation by the Associations - continued
2. "65 feet high lights" - since the proposal for lighted fields was
withdrawn, this would no longer be a concern.
3. Hours of games - starting games "after 11:00 P.M." - since the
Associations are not proposing lighted fields, this concern
has been answered.
4. Concession stand concern of "profit to Associations" - Mr. Hoffman
explained that the Associations are non-profit organizations.
5. "Six permanent dugouts" - He explained that these dugouts are for the
boy's safety.
6. "Permanent fending" - an alternative plan has been proposed including
temporary fencing.
7. Cost - the cost has been cut due to the withdraw] of the request for lighting.
Mr. Hoffman also spoke to the cost to the community, comparing City -run programs to
Little League/Babe Ruth volunteer programs. Other sports receive funding from the City.
Councilmember Mitchell asked if the Associations had considered a concession that would
be mobile.
Mr. Hoffman answered that the Associations could look into that possibility.
Neighborhood Representatives
Mrs. Tubman - 110 Louisiana Ave. opposed, indicated that previous neighborhood petition
supporting change had been mis-used. Neighbors knew nothing of fences and lights. She
introduced a new petition opposing the proposal.
Mike Sisco - 7405 Ridgeway Road - opposed, cited concerns over character of park and
location of diamonds in relation to adjacent properties because of foul balls.
Testimony from the Public
Mayor Thorsen opened the meeting for public input and those present to do so were afforded
the opportunity to express their views thereon.
Sandy Lederfine - 155 Kentucky S. - opposed to changing park due to displacement of
adult leagues and concerned for football locations.
Mr. Davis - 7465 Harold - opposed - he suggested the Associations solicit own funds
or the City donate Brookview property.
Ted Gemlich - 120 Kentucky Ave. - in favor
David Kelly - 7324 Harold Avenue - opposed - questioned temporary fencing being "temporar ".
Mr. Tubman - 110 Louisiana - opposed
John Paulson - 320 N. Edgewood - opposed - questioned Council about the General Mills
donation.
Special Meeting
May 12, 1981
Testimony from the Public - continued
Jason Moede - 209 Natchez Avenue - in favor - spoke to use of park as it is, noting
that he drove by the park one Saturday and no one was using it.
Shannon Tubman - 110 Louisiana Avenue N. -
Mr. Ryan - 110 Florida - expressed concern for the adult games as they do not
clean up after games.
Mr. Leppik - 7500 Western - opposed
Mrs. Sisco - 7405 Ridgeway - spoke to adult leagues being an undesirable use of
the park. She would like to see unity of neighborhood, and to come up with a
solution.
Gary Edelstein - 170 Maryland - spoke in favor of new proposal using Bonnie Lane
property for Little League and Wesley and Medley for Babe Ruth.
Pat Asplund - 130 Maryland - in faovr - she is opposed to adult use and reminded the
neighbors that the park does not belong to the neighbors but to the City.
Harlen Schraber - 110 Kentucky Ave. - in favor
Lynn Fallon - 150 Kentucky Avenue.- opposed - does not want dugouts and questioned
space to be taken for concession.
Mr. Hess - 250 Pennsylvania - in favor
Mr. Gergin - 7403 Ridgeway - summarized for those opposed - spoke to the commitment
of the Council in 1972 that there would be no major changes to the parks.
Stu Friedel - 305 Cloverleaf Dr. - summarized for those in favor - expressed importance
of the team experience for children offered by the Associations and need for permanent
facility.
Mayor Thorsen closed the public hearing.
MOVED by Johnson, seconded by Mitchell and carried to appoint a committee of representatives
from Little League/Babe Ruth Associ.ations,. Open Space and Recreation Commission, the
neighborhood, and one person outside immediate neighborhood, but from the regional area
to explore alternatives to proposed configuration for four fields and exclusive use of
Lion's Club Park, and to have a Council Subcommittee (Anderson and Johnson) work on the
charge to return to the Council for its May 26 meeting.
It was decided -that a list of prospective committee members should be submitted to the
Secretary by May 21st.
Announcement of Meetings
Subcommittee members Anderson and Johnson will meet on May 14, 3:30 P.M. to discuss
Lion's Club Park alternatives in the Mayor and Council office.
Adjournment
MOVED by Mitchell, seconded by Stockman and carried to adjourn at 11:25 P.M.
Regular Meeting
May 12, 1981
ATTEST:
LI
J