March 2, 2005 Meeting Report
Planning Committee Convened at 5:00 pm 4.1 Bridal Veil Falls Bridge Reconstruction The board had a presentation from Tim Brown (MPRB staff) Kelly Moriarity (MPLS Public Works Dept) and Greg Brown (contracted civil engineer to MPLS)
The Board was presented with a variety of options ( 8 or 9) to replace the bridge and at the same time improve visibility of the falls, traffic flow, pedestrian and bike trails etc... some plans included rerouting traffic through the neighborhoods, others involved traffic circles and the approved plan calls for the road to be shifted to allow for a bigger bike, walking trail. By choosing this plan, which addresses the bridge over the falls and the widened trails, there is still the possibility for a scenic overlook and traffic circle to be added at some future date if funds become available ( Bridal Veil Falls is just north of the Franklin AV Bridge over the Mississippi on the east side of the river ). This plan was also chosen by the city and the neighborhood participants. Construction should begin in 2006.
Study report items
Bureau of Mines Property
Judd Rietkerk, director of Planning for the MPRB gave a presentation about the 27 acre property located just south of Minnehaha Park on the Mississippi that on it's southeastern corner is not far from the MPRB's Neiman Sports Complex. The site also includes Camp Coldwater Springs and 11 buildings in various states of disrepair and possible pollution clean up problems. The property also comes with a host of protective covenants (because of the springs and the proximity to Historic For Snelling) including height restrictions due to the airport and a "light recreational" factor ( to which no one had a definition). Keeping all of these factors in mind Director Rietkerk gave 3 suggestions to the board as possible directions staff could follow.
1) Do Nothing ... watch how the process goes and maybe be offered the site after someone else does demolition and clean up 2) Search out partners with the intent of creating a joint venture (DNR possibly) 3) Feasibility Analysis ... cost estimates, reuse schemes, funding sources etc....
Commissioner Kummer suggested attending the hearings so as to look ahead but not to appear as if we came with the "checkbook in hand" Commissioner Erwin asks if demolition of the large building is necessary (estimated cost to demolish is $500,000) Director Rietkerk points out that having been vacant in this climate for a number of years will probably mean and extensive and expensive rehab if the building is kept and that the MPRB is not in need of more office space. Commissioner Erwin would like to pursue a combination of options 2 and 3 and asks again if the building could be saved and possibly lease out to which Director Rietkerk replies the building is in bad shape and any rents collected might revert to the federal government. He points out that if the MPRB "does nothing" they might be asked to take on the sight at a lesser cost than the $6 million the MAC had offered in a deal that did not go through. There can be advantages to not jumping in first. Commissioner Young brings up a nugget from the past in that at one time the MPRB had considered the site for their headquarters, believes in reduce, reuse and recycle and wonders about saving the building and also prefers the combo 2 and 3 option, perhaps the Historical Society or the Native American communities would be possible partners. Again the costs of rehabilitation vs. demolition are repeated (this time by Operations General Manager Mike Schmidt who toured the facility in 1998 and said the heating plants alone will be an expensive overhaul). Commissioner Dziedzic mentions having been through the site on a 1998 tour and asks some questions about the derelict officers quarters at Fort Snelling and if the site is polluted, then recommends making No Bid on the property. Commissioner Hauser also prefers the 2&3 combo and recommends the Urban Land Institute or the Brownfields group as possible partners Commissioner Kummer mentions that the possible fuel containers might be addressed with the states petrofund. Commissioner Berry Graves suggests keeping a judicious eye on the process. Commissioner Olson questions that if the site has all these problems shouldn't the buyer get a deal to which Director Rietkerk says for the MPRB's purposes it has a negative value and should come with resources. Commissioner Fine (who was also on the tour) agrees with the 2&3 options but states the property is important to the MPRB.
The committee adjourned at 5:57 and the regular meeting was convened for open time.
OPEN TIME Judy Blasak (sp) of Linden Hills the mother of an 11th grade daughter who plays soccer for DeLaSalle (with younger children coming up through the ranks) makes a plea for the MPRB to approve the plan for the DeLaSalle stadium. She comes as a citizen not an attorney or well connected political figure (though she was sitting with John Derus) to ask for their cooperation in the schools plans which will cost the MPRB nothing and will provide fields for their programming during the summer with in the city. She explains that the parents have only known for 2 weeks of the plan and have begun a writing campaign to show their support . She gives some statistics on the number of students and alumni within Minneapolis and states she doesn't understand the opposition to this plan.
End Part One.
Comments
6:05pm
* Administration and Finance Committee called to order by chair Marie Hauser.
Discussion of Action Item 7.1: That the board approve the proposed 2005 golf rates.
There was some statement made about how gasoline prices affect the Park Board with respect to competition for golf customers. Apparently there is some thought that the better golf courses (except for ours, of course) are a long drive away. It was also remarked that golf course revenues are needed to pay of debt obligations at the Neiman Sports complex.
General Manager Don Siggelkow talked about differential pricing for a couple of courses.
Commissioner and president Jon Olson asked a question about efforts to speed up play.
Siggelkow says they are thinking about a blended rate for round of golf and cart rental at hilly Wirth and Columbia, but it is not for this year, not yet a proposal.
7.1 PASSES unopposed.
Discussion of Action Item 7.2: That the board authorize staff to negotiate a lease agreement with an operator for the Minnehaha Falls Concession subject to the same terms as the Calhoun Concession.
Commissioner Walt Dziedzic moves adoption, and talks about how great the Tin Fish at Calhoun is.
Staff recommendation is that SMP aka Tin Fish get the lease contract, 3 years plus a 3 year extension. Sheffield Priest of 1900 Knox Ave S and principle at Tin Fish is in audience to answer questions.
Commissioner Carol Kummer wants to know how much Park Board made at Tin Fish. Answer from staff is $58,000 last year.
Commissioners Jon Olson, Bob Fine, Carol Kummer, Marie Hauser and John Erwin go out of their ways individually to heap effusive praise on SMP/Tin Fish.
When asked questions about about SMP, GM Siggelkow refers to principle Sheffield Priest as "Sheff."
Comr. Erwin complains about a Resolution passed in many DFL Precinct Caucuses on March 1 "Opposing Commercialization and Privatization of Minneapolis Parks" and says wrongly that the resolution is factually inaccurate.
[Having a copy of that resolution right here, and having carefully reviewed it, I can state categorically that each clase as written is factually accurate and backed by the public record of Park Board minutes, City of Minneapolis official documents and minutes, and published newspaper reports. Does anyone think the author(s) of the Resolution would be foolish enough to write a Resolution with false statements in it? The full text of the Resolution with supporting references will be available at http://www.mplsparkwatch.org in the near future.]
7.2 PASSES unopposed.
6:30pm
* Admin & Fin recesses for a Retiree Recognition and Citizen Commendation item.
2 Park Board employees with 30+ years of service have retired. They are recognized, awarded certificates and statues, and given a chance to speak freely to the commissioners. They are photographed with the board of commissioners.
Park Police Chief Brad Johnson awards citizen commendations to John and Linda McCauley (sp?) for saving a life on the Mississippi River ice, and they are also photographed with the board of commissioners.
* Admin & Fin reconvenes
** Study / Report Items: 1. Midtown Community Works. Bob Corrick is present to report on what they do to help the furtherance of the Midtown Greenway in response to the 2005 budget which cut the $20,000 funding that has in the past gone to his organization. He says they are an advocacy group and that money invested with them is some of the best "bang for the buck" money they can spend because of the great amount of money, effort and cooperation going into creating the Greenway and because of the great good it brings to the city, the neighborhoods adjacent which lack parks and the connecting of the city's great Lakes and River parklands.
Comr. Erwin and Hauser make statements supporting spending $20,000 on the Midtown Community Works.
Comr. Annie Young makes a motion to fund the $20,000, but expresses concerns about the Park Board getting stuck with maintaining the Greenway, which is county property.
Motion PASSES and moves to Full Board.
2. Innovation Fund Polices. GM Siggelkow says the 2005 budget approved $500,000 for this fund. [This Fund doesn't seem to be in any 2005 budget documents the public received at meetings.] The purpose is for spending on projects designed to reduce operating costs or increase profit using one-time spending. Any one item $50,000 or over has to be approved by the Board and has to go through RFP process per state law. The guidelines are that each project must have a 7-year maximum payback.
Young moves approval of Siggelkow's request ? regarding March 16 policy ? (notes confused).
Erwin says the $50,000 limit for approval is ok, but that he would like to see any spending over $20,000 be reported to the board. He makes this a Friendly Amendment to Young's motion and it is accepted.
Comr. Rochelle Berry Graves is concerned the $50,000 limit is too high. She wants to know which projects are currently in the works, and how much is in the fund now. She wants the $50,000 limit lowered.
Siggelkow answers there is an Energy Management project in the works now for a cost of $75,000, and it is expected to payback $15,000 a year.
Berry Graves says we have half a million dollars to be spent at the discretion of the staff in amounts up to $50,000 a pop, yet the public has to come to us and beg for funding for $20,000 for projects which have great benefits, like the Midtown Greenway. Why is that?
Kummer is in favor of lowering the $50,000 limit.
Siggelkow says the money was one-time funding from fund balances beyond the 5% reserve.
Olson supports the $50,000 limit by saying if there is a problem in the parks, follow the law (> $50,000 requires bidding), and tell us about it after it is fixed.
Young proposes that if it costs $0 to $20,000, just do it. If it costs $20,000 to $50,000, report to board how money was spent quarterly, and if $50,000 plus, come to board for approval.
Superintendent Jon Gurban says that sounds good, but don't encumber the staff.
Comr. Walt Dziedzic insults some of the commissioners implicitly by telling Gurban that if he has questions, to call all of the commissioners on the telephone, but that he bets some of the commissioners won't return his calls. He repeats this suggestion in different words. He says the Park Board needs innovation and that they are stifling staff and that this committee is nickel and dime-ing the staff.
Hauser asks Young to please write down her motion for the next meeting.
7:40pm Administation & Finance Adjourns.
Regular Meeting Reconvenes.
* Modifications to Agenda.
Young brings the Admin & Fin item regarding funding for Midtown Community Works to the agenda. She wants to table the New Business Discussion Item regarding the Superintendent's Residence, proposed by Comr. Vivian Mason, until Mason can be present.
Erwin says the Superintendent's Residence should come through committee.
Amended Agenda is ACCEPTED.
** Chief Johnson makes presentation regarding second year of five year contract to provide 17 officers to Minneapolis Public Schools. He says the program is "going great." Johnson says the schools now have a "single point of contact," either #1 him or #2 Sergeant Lash, versus when the contract was held by the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD). Johnson spends some time talking about how much better the Park Board police are doing this job than the MPD, and talks about things the MPD did wrong.
Erwin asks about the experience the officers have with schools and children.
Johnson says the officers involved have a lot of experience with schools and law enforcement.
Erwin says it sounds like a newspaper article was wrong about what it said about this program.
Johnson says the newspaper "had an agenda."
[Isn't it the case that many of the park police officers are former city police officers? Isn't it also true that some of these were part of the school liaison program? Why then the criticism of MPD?]
Berry Graves has a question about evening hours.
Johnson says there are 70 MPD officers and some Park Board officers who work part-time when off-duty for the schools at revenue events in the evenings.
* Reports of Officers
** Super. Gurban says something about athletics and then gets to his "sneak preview" of the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) 2010 Congress holding their convention in Minneapolis. It's a definite maybe.
Olson says "excellent work" and a variety of other complimentary things.
** GM Siggelkow talks about how the National First Tee organization suggested the local First Tee organizations band together at the state level to get more done, and mentions an upcoming state tournament.
** GM Mike Schmidt reports on plan to increase adult athletic field fees, and to create youth athletic field fees. There is to be a "dry run" on this plan on Thursday, March 3.
* Consent Business
2.1: Final Payment for tennis court replacement at Matthes and Martin Luther King Parks. APPROVED unopposed.
From Admin & Fin:
7.1: Midtown Community Works funding for $20,000 -- will have to be "found" in the budget by staff. APPROVED unopposed.
8.1: Resolution "Authorizing the Minnesota Department of Transportation to act as the fiscal agent to the Federal Highway Administration on behalf of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's scenic byway enhancement program." Role call vote: 8 Ayes, 0 Nays. PASSED.
* New Business is referred to Committee.
* Petitions and Communications
Dziedzic congratulates Liz Wielinski for successfully leading the precinct caucus, etc. He complains about misinformation about the Park Board regarding Nicollet Island and says the Summer Parks program is fully funded, etc.
Hauser says she didn't sell park land on the river [except voting to sell the Fuji Ya parkland site on the river, of course, right Marie?]. She got a pile of letters regarding DeLaSalle.
Young got 3 piles of letters regarding DeLaSalle and says something about a waste of paper. She mentions that there is a Bassetts Creek Master Plan Open House, which the Park Board should attend, and that the Park Board should acknowledge the requests from the Bassetts Creek neighborhoods, e.g. Bryn Mawr, Harrison, etc.
Kummer says she encountered misinformation at the caucuses regarding the cost of the Neiman complex. She wants a report on Neiman to prevent misconceptions.
Schmidt says there is no retrenchment on the Park Board's support of Earth Day; biggest volunteer clean-up event in the parks.
Berry Graves confirms with Jon Olson that there is no plan to close Bethune Park, which a citizen asked her about. Olson states there is no such plan. Berry Graves has a letter from a Mr. Leckner(sp?) of the American Gardening Association(?) requesting a tour for their organization of the Historic Theodore Wirth Home, for their out of town guests (conference being held here in Minneapolis?).
Berry Graves also got a big pile of letters regarding DeLaSalle. She counted out the letters from Minneapolis and from outside Minneapolis. More than half were from outside Minneapolis.
Erwin again makes his wrong statement that the Resolution about Privatization in the Parks being incorrect.
Olson also got a letter from Mr. Lecker (Olson pronounces his name differently than Berry Graves, so spelling is still questionable) and has apparently talked to him on the phone. He also got letters about DeLaSalle.
[It is particularly apparent in this meeting that some commissioners are campaigning for re-election from the podium, notably Dziedzic, Kummer, Erwin and Fine. Hauser is campaigning for election for city council, and that is obvious as well.]
8:00pm ADJOURNED.
Posted by Chris Johnson | Fri, 03/04/2005 - 11:07pm | Login to post comments