Park Board Meeting Highlights 7/6
5:00pm Commissioner Fine calls the Planning Committee to order ( and the 5 + hour ordeal begins in the standing room only packed boardroom)
GM of Operations Mike Schmidt mentions that the XC ski trails were not suppose to create trouble but sometime there are unintended consequences.
Mary Lyn Pulsher of the staff gives a lengthy presentation on the history of the Wild Flower Garden and presents the staff recommendation that reaffirms the 1964 buffer zone policy (Xerxes AV to Wirth PKWY, Glenwood AV to Wayzata BLVD ). The plan is to keep and restore natural areas and promote low impact uses, no bike trails, on or off road. They would also like better trail planning including better signs. Restoring some of the area to the original Oak Savannah is also part fo the plan. ( This does not address the new XC ski trails for the Loppet that were created last winter). She showed quite a few before and after pictures.
Liz's Note.... Apparently new XC ski trails were created last winter to create a better route( less steep, wider and not on asphalt ) for the Loppet and also provide a link to local schools. One trail comes particularly close to the fence around the Wild Flower Garden within the buffer zone. This spring the buckthorn was removed and some heavier equipment left tracks after going inside the fence to eliminate some diseased and dead trees. Though the fence was replaced and the buckthorn area was replanted with native non invasive species the area looks clear cut.
Commissioner Hauser starts the questions asking if there are "non built trails" of which there are many and asks if this policy would deny MOCA (Minneapolis Off-road Cycling Association) access to the area.
Per Mary Lyn they would have access to the west side of Wirth Park only.
Commissioner Erwin does not feel that cycling is high impact and there is some discussion over biker remaining on designated trails or not and the impact.
Commissioner Young asks if the Friends of the Wildflower Garden were invited to the public meetings ( and mentions the myriad of e-mail she has received on this issue)?
900 cards were sent out and at least 60 were to members
Liz's Note... This will be the first of many discussions about people being notified... a word to all Minneapolitans... WATCH FOR POSTCARDS FROM THE MPRB!!!
At this point Commissioner Dziedzic makes a substitute motion that the staff meet with the Wildflower folks and the Loppet folks and find a compromise
The time is now 5:30 pm and time for the public hearing on the St. Anthony Parkway bike trail plan
First a 5 minute discussion breaks out among commissioners about time limits as so many people have signed up to speak and it is decided that 1 and 1/2 minutes per speaker will be alloted...
Commissioner Dziedzic states he will make a motion for more meetings later...
1. Don Pflaum, city planner and Minneapolis Bike Advisory Board member... for the plan 2. Dan and Jody Hoffman, They would like to see a Master Plan for the completed Grand Rounds before the project should even begin ( the bike trail would cross their yard using the current plan) 3. Liz Wielinski .... let's just say I lost my temper ( see cable repeats for red-faced tirade) because the majority of the folks signed up to speak and mostly against had not been to any of the previous public meetings held for the purpose of discussing this plan and were unhappy because the planned route would cross in front of their property ( on MPRB land ). They kept saying they were never notified, the MPRB budget does not allow for hand engraved invitiations, ( see above note ) but they were here this evening after Commissioner Dziedzic in order to be "inclusive" hand delivered flyers to their doors prior to the meeting ( did you do the same for the residents of Nicollet Island regarding DeLaSalle and the athletic field Commissioner????). 4. Mr. Gould address along the route... opposed 5. Jon Monahan opposed 6. Tracy Weinstein opposed 7. Andrew Vold opposed 8. Pastor Dodd of the Mount Carmel Lutheren Church ( the most affected property, who had the sense to attend meetings and even arranged for extra meetings with the staff ) not opposed and willing to host further discussions at the church. 9. Matt McMerchy trail is needless... opposed 10. Doug Tanner opposed 11. Lars Olson ( the only neighbor besides myself that went on the trail ride portion of the public meetings to see the route) supports the plan 12. Jim ?? plan is fraught with safety issues opposed 13. Wayne Kafra opposed 14. Joel Bruckner serious concers opposed 15. Al Stansbury opposed 16. Peter Hucksman would like a bike trail but not willing to give up land in his front yard that he thought he owned ( better talk to your title company, you may be able to sue) 17. Archie Thomas opposed 18. Lorraine Rogers opposed
Public hearing is now closed
6:10 pm OPEN TIME ( okay... does anyone know what part of the agenda we are at, no wonder the cable viewers get confused )
Laura Stonebarker: Appeals to the MPRB to ban smoking in the fenced in areas of the wading pools and on the tot lots ( after an incident of a child stepping on a smoldering butt and being burnt)
Stephanie Gozum and her son 6 year old Gabriel ( Liz was in the hall and so her notes were forwarded to me.... )
Hi, I'm the mother of a 6 year old boy... Gabriel. I am here to give him a voice... As a child's voice often goes unheard. The wilderness area on Nicollet Island proposed for demolition is very important to Gabriel. Gabriel loves everything about nature found in that park prairie land... my son and i go on nature walks daily... snake hunting, catching crickets, exploring and mapping the prairie land.
Gabriel knows more about snakes, crickets, spiders, wildflowers, and toads than most adults... Why?? Because he observes, feels, hears, he experiences nature in the park sanctuary... passion and inspiration exploring nature... inspiring him to go home and watch national Geographic instead of cartoons... inspiring him to read and learn... to identify the bug he saw.. to find out what garter snakes eat... to learn about the differences in reptiles and amphibians... passion to learn.
Nature in downtown Minneapolis... parkland... where else can you go to experience nature in its unadulterated form downtown? I argue no where in downtown Minneapolis. Park land..
My son Gabriel knows every inch of this area... Ask hi about: Snake rock... and the baby garter family that lives there Cricket fields Baby toads Red foxes Bunny families.. and where heir homes are the spiders.. wolf spiders... garden spiders The birds... goldfinches, nuthatches, redwing blackbirds, finches, mourning doves, killdeers, blue birds that live on the insects in the fields
The leafhoppers.. the very unique animals, insects, and wildflowers that are found on the island... wild catnip and the purple, yellow, pink, lavender, orange, white wildflowers... Stunning
A few days ago Gabriel and I were walking to snake rock. It was just before a summer storm when the air was changing and fragrant with a bouquet, the fields blowing wildflowers in full bloom like a watercolorist palate.
Gabriel and I just stood and breathed in the air... I said to him, Gabriel: just look how beautiful this is...
Gabriel's reply, " Mom. of course it is... it's God's creation... and he made it perfect. God loves all his creatures."
Wisdom.. from a 6 year old child in it's purest form...
My son, a city boy, nature lover...
If you want to provide something for the inner-city kids... provide them the opportunity to experience nature... Teach them to respect and preserve God's creations... and put the Astroturf stadium somewhere other than on park land. do it for the kids... All the city kids...
( there was a rumor that Gabriel had one of his many collected snakes in his backpack for show-n-tell )
Edna Brazaitis : Shows a copy of the Nicollet Island Master Plan from the 1990's. There is no football field shown in this rendition and there were representatives from DeLaSalle on the planning committee at the time. ( A copy is available at Pierre Bottineau Library )
Steve Rosenberg: Discussed how unique Nicollet Island is and that many residents of the coop make less than 50% of the Metro Median Income.
Tammy Wong: Ms Wong a single mother and small business woman was there to support having a field close to the school for the kids that attend that can not be driven to practice because their parents are working etc...
Kate Carlson: Gave statistics on the student body of DeLaSalle 30% students of color, 30% from single parent families, 1/2 get need based financial aid.
Nikki Carlson: (Kate's mom) Claims the mission and goals of the MPRB are consistent with those of DeLaSalle in both wanting to form public and private partnerships
Ethan Lassiter: Wants the DeLaSalle field so that there are more fields in the city as there are many in the suburbs.
Linda Lincoln reading a letter from her husband ( who is very involved with Minneapolis soccer leagues ) He would like to keep Nicollet Island as is and any claims that Minneapolis is suffering from a shortage of soccer fields is false. He schedules many leagues and tournaments in the city and never has had an issue with a shortage of fields.
Christine Viken : $65,477 is the amount the Van Dusen mansion paid in property taxes last year. By building a competing event center on Lake Calhoun the MPRB would be giving a competitor that would not be contributing towards the tax base an unfair advantage. Any enterprise can seem profitable if you eliminate costs that its competitors must absorb. What comes next after this event center? The Minnehaha Mini-Mall?
The time is now 6:35 and we are going back to the Planning Committee and more discussion about the Wildflower garden.
Planning Committee Part 2
Commissioner Mason ( who isn't on this committee) asks to speak to the issue as it is in her district and she has received many calls. She mentions that there was a lot of misinformation floating around and that much needs to be clarified She then reads 5 points from a letter that Steve ( Friends?) wrote to GM Schmidt and asks him to speak to the points.
GM Schmidt's replies....
1) The ski trail will be moved 20 feet further from the fence but will still be within the buffer 2) The area was cleared of buck-thorn and the ski trail is not for biking 3) Plantings have been started ($2000 worth) but they will take time to grow and fill the area 4) The MPRB agrees with the keeping the rest of the substantial buffer area 5) The Friends of the Wildflower Garden will be notified of any and all other projects in the area in the future
Commissioner Mason then suggests that the Friends, the Loppet folks and MOCA all be part of the discussions of the new "trail overlay plan" as all groups have demonstrated through previous contributions to the MPRB system that they wish to preserve and protect the parks.
Commissioner Hauser ( who is on the committee) presents this idea as a substitute motion that the staff should develop a preferred trail overlay and include representatives from the Friends of the Wildflower Garden, the Minneapolis Loppet and MOCA in the discussions.
Public Input on the Wildflower Garden begins.... (again at 1 1/2 minutes per person)
1. Steve Pundt, President Friends of the Wildflower Garden, The Friends are concerned about the type of use allowed in the buffer, and is concerned about invasive species within the fence. 2. Pam Winer (sp?) , VP of Friends and attending as a Bryn Mawr representative. The Bryn Mawr Neighborhood Association has pass a resolution the supports the buffer zone around the Garden/ Bird Sanctuary. BMNA would also like to have been informed of what was going on as the Garden falls within their boundaries. 3. Peter McKinney President of Minneapolis Off-road Cycling Association (MOCA) He supports multi-use and applauds the recommendation for the planning team for the trail overlay. Cyclists are not destructive users and has found that real cycling trails prevent the use of "non-approved" trails. 4. Bill ?, Nordic Ski Group brings up three points 1) access... Theodore Wirth promoted use of the parks and the wildflower garden is closed in the winter when the skiers would be present outside the fence. 2) health of the forest ... XC skiers treasure the forest and are not destructive users 3) Health of the population... XC skiing promotes fitness and the connection to nature. If any action is taken XC Skiing should be promoted 5. Bill O'Rielly trail steward to the new Wirth cycling system. The cyclists are on the side of preserving the park and believe that by having planned cycling trails the system will have fewer unplanned trails and thus less erosion and damage to the park. 6. Constance Pepin has no trouble with XC skiing but the Loppet trail is for Skate Skiing which is more harmful and should not be allowed 7. Maya Ellison as a teacher brings many to Eloise Butler. City kids are unfamiliar with nature ( jokes about kids looking for bears at Theo Wirth) and stresses that other than the parks nature is a 100 mile bus trip away. She also mentions a book called Nature Deficit Disorder. 8. Jenny Harrington: Attended the walking tour of the site and felt that the previous use of the park could be compared to a library, where as opening the buffer to other uses would make it more like a fitness center. 9. Sally Hunt of the Friends and Bryn Mawr, would like another site to be found for the Loppet trail 10. Al Sedgewick, as a 78 year young XC skier does not feel his use of the loppet trail would be considered high impact. The trail is generally used by skiers such as himself and that the elite skiers use it for 2 days and that can not be too damaging. 11. Eric Garrets State Rep for the Minnesota Mountain Bike Association. Points out that the demo cycling project in With Park cost the MPRB $0. That the trails are 18 inches wide as well as built to be sustainable and that families use these trails. They would also not need to come near the fence. 12. Joe Schmidt, is a XC skier and feels the trail where it is will be too hilly and icy for the average skier. 13. Sean Shealy, MOCA trail steward, he is opposed to banning bikes and would like to have the MPRB wait until the Wirth cycling project has been around for a while to see the proof of their claims for low impact and sustainable trails. He would like a chance to participate in the "new " trail overlay committee and would like to see the XC skiers use more sustainable trails. 14. Scott Thayer, President of MN Off-road Cyclists (MORC). 1/2 of the state membership show addresses in Minneapolis and the group provides many opportunities for underprivileged kids. They also do trail reclamation. It is poorly designed or non approved trails that are damaging to the wilderness. 15. Matt Moore, member of MORC and MOCA, welcomes the chance for more dialog, opposes the exclusion of mountain bikes and stresses that the 1964 agreement was written before off-road cycling became a popular sport 16. Jerry Balls. president of the Minnesota Chapter of Audubon, they support the buffer, removal of the invasive species, hiking and classical XC skiing. 17. Cory Brinkman, The Loppet course was designed as not just a race course but for community use. This section of Wirth park is a special place and helps create a continuous white space for winter activities. 18. Clare Wilson, City of Lakes Loppet, City of Lakes nordic Ski Foundation. This particular trail was to connect Bryn Mawr School and Anwatin School to the Wirth Woods for accessibility. This gives the kids a chance to enjoy both nature and physical fitness during the Minnesota winter. 19. Jeff Lee In this era easy solutions to problems are not available. There is a need for a master plan that considers all of the issues, the invasive species have been ignored for 15-20 years and all of the groups need to be brought together to find a workable solution. 20. John Fuster Preserve nature and allow appropriate activities, for XC skiing the trail must be at least 3 meters ( about 9 ft ) wide to allow for proper grooming 21. Emily Anderson, supports the buffer zone, feels the original planning for the ski trail was bad, would like to know if enforcement of staying on the trails will be possible. Planning Committee Continued....
Commissioner Hauser thanks everyone for attending and agrees that a new master plan is needed
Commissioner Erwin asks that in planning the the staff consider moving the trail away from the fence, increase planting in the buffer, work with all 3 groups, consolidate and make better trails to keep folks on them, and states that all the groups will be great helpers and to work together.
all the others toss in their 2 cents worth and the substitute motion is passed.
8:00 pm and back to the regular meeting for a presentation....
Paul Hokeness, District manager for the Lakes district makes a special presentation to Dottie Speidel a long time activist for arts in the parks at Loring Park who has just donated a very fine piano for use in the center.
Ms. Speidel ( who has been patiently waiting for a while) states that they turn out this evening demonstrates the love people have for their parks.
Next DM Hokeness introduces Diane Moe, who has been hired as the Cultural Arts Director for Loring Park. Ms Moe is rejoining the MPRB staff. She announces that on Wednesday July 18th at noon they will be starting the Music in Loring Park series
Commissioner Berry Graves mentions the positive comments she is getting from MacPhail about the new program at Loring and Commissioner Mason asks if Ms. Moe will also be managing the Sculpture Garden as she saw some reference to it in her materials. DM Hokeness says she will eventually be handling the Sculpture Garden as it is considered her "fields" like the more traditional fields at the other park centers.
8:10 and we are back to Planning again ....
Tim Brown lead staff on the St. Anthony Parkway bike trail master plan and Greg Ingraham (outside consultant) give a presentation on the proposed trail , part of which will be repair and upgrades to the 30 year old existing trail and part of which will be a continuation of the trail from Ulysses ST NE to Stinson BLVD (this is the controversial section ). The trail is then planned to be extended in another project south along Stinson to 18th where it will connect with a planned city trail and also a trail along an old RR grade that goes diagonally through the region. A power point presentation shows how the plan would be done and if the trail is kept off of the street it will go along the parkway on what many citizens consider to be their front yards ( though the MPRB actually owns the land).
Tim stresses that the plan is in the loop for funding ( Federal matching dollars ) and too many delays will put the project off indefinitely.
Commissioner Dziedzic wants to change the plan to satisfy the neighbors and feels that another meeting will take care of the problem and makes a motion to do that
Commissioner Olson asks if the plan can just redo the existing stretch up to Ulysses and stop ( not the way the grant is worded )
There is some discussion over whether delays will mess up the funding and if the dollars will be available again in the future to which no one can make a guarantee. Director of Planning Reitkirk also mentions the fact that the schedule for the matching dollars on the MPRB front would also be an issue.
Tim stresses that the plan could be passed and then the trail could be altered during the construction phase to meet the neighborhood requirements and that it is MPRB property but that Met Council Approval is needed soon to keep the project on track.
Commissioner Dziedzic then complains about the notification process (see Scott Vreeland's post about what the proper procedure should have been ).
Commissioner Berry Graves mentions that if they vote to make the trail narrow they should remember the death that led to the wider trail decision years ago.
Commissioner Erwin makes a friendly amendment to Commissioner Dziedzic's motion that another community meeting be held and then come back to the board at the August 3rd meeting.
THE MEETING FOR ALL INTERESTED PARTIES WILL BE AT COLUMBIA MANOR, 3300 CENTRAL AV NE, TUESDAY JULY 19TH AT 6:30 PM per Commissioner Dziedzic who was kind enough to provide me with the information when I called later in the week.
Scott Brink from the City of St. Louis Park gives a presentation on the trail connector they would like to build on MPRB property to join together some bike trails. Commissioner Dziedzic asks about their notification process motion to approve passes.
Planning finally adjourns at 9:00 pm
Lobbyist Report
Brian Rice ( who provided a 30 page document to go with the report listing among other things the wording of legislation they help write and a tally of how much money the MPRB has received from the state over the past 22 years )
The environment and jobs bill had just been pass and other than LGA most MPRB issues were done. Most of their objectives had been met but Governor Pawlenty vetoed the Learn to Earn money. Of the $2.9 million in bond requests made $1.7 million were funded ( pending contract resolution for the Fuji-ya site with the developers). LCMR will be on the block for reform over the next 2 years as part of passage this year. The total in bonding and other funding this year will be around $7.3 million. There will be a new fee from the DNR regarding water usage that will affect the MPRB but the sum in Mr. Rice's opinion is negligible. Mr. Rice stresses that getting a dedicated source of funding should be the MPRB's top priority as it will be more reliable and most likely will increase as new sales taxes ( like on clothing ) are enacted in the future. It would also make the MPRB less dependent on LGA which is less reliable depending on who controls the legislature.
Crown Hydro is brought up and Mr. Rice assures the MPRB that it was Crown Hydro that was dealing with Senator Pogemiller and Rep. Ellison and he brought it to their attention as the MPRB has had dealings with Crown hydro in the past ( Liz's note... both Bill Hawks and Rob Brown of Crown Hydro were in attendance ).
Commissioner Kummer asks about the Met. Council Open Space Committee meeting at the headquarters and Mr. Pederson states he believes that was initiated by staff to which Commissioner Kummer suggests that the board invite the Met Council Open Space Committee to attend a meeting in the future. She suggests they may have a better shot at the Governor's ear for the MPRB's bonding requests.
Mary Ann Campo then gives a brief outline of what is in store for LCMR ( the hunter's and fisherman want it all and the Governor would like the dollars to be controlled by a citizen committee appointed by him ).
The team was heading back to the capitol.
Adjourned
Admin and Finance start time 9:30 pm agenda passed, motions made and passed with no discussion adjourned at 9:35.
Return to the Regular meeting.....
Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Gurban announces that there are now sand volleyball courts next to the Lupient Waterpark in NE and there will be a tournament held in conjunction with the Aquatennial.
The south arena at Parade has been fitted with indoor turf to capture soccer/ volleyball users as skating is becoming less popular.
Dedications are coming up for the Skateparks at Creekview, Armatage and Elliot Parks.
As a gesture towards a more cooperative relationship the U of M is letting the MPRB hold the citywide track meet at their facilities ( cheap, but not free )
The U of M and the Minnesota Lynx are providing tickets for a game on August 8th for kids to help celebrate the anniversary of Title IX
GM Schmidt of Operations reports that for the 4th of July the crowds at Powderhorn Park ( in conjunction with the Powderhorn neighborhood) were estimated at 10-20,000 and at the Riverfront ( in conjunction with the downtown businesses) between 40-60,000.
All items from committees were then moved and passed without discussion.
Unfinished business
Superintendent Gurban reads snippets from a letter he and the board received from the lawfirm of Leonard, Street and Dinard which from what little he alluded to was about the incident regarding Jason Stone and the campaign literature. They are apparently the firm working with the ACLU. The superintendent then announces the temporary "new and revised" rules.
Liz Kramer of the ACLU ( via L,S and D) is allowed to speak and assures the MPRB that they are pleased that the MPRB will allow them to be included in forming the regulations in this area.
Commissioner Dziedzic warns them to watch out for policies that will benefit extremist groups like skinheads and cults.
Brian Rice having done some research admits that some high court rulings in 2000 made the old rules no longer valid.
Commissioner Young states that the City Charter Commission is expecting another new draft in August
Unfinished Business
As to the smoking in the wading pool areas: there are already signs on order to prohibit that activity but policing the tot lots is not as easy.
Petitions and Communications... Commissioner Dziedzic Saturday July 9th was Jim Lupient Day at the NE waterpark ( free to get in and some give aways ) C. Dziedzic has commissioned Charlie Maguire to write a MPRB song ( he raised the money privately) Liz's note... I can still remember the song he wrote for Mary Jamin Maguire when she ran for school board in 2001...
Commissioner Hauser reports that she has heard that some tress planted in Powderhorn were stolen
Commissioner Fine reports he had the pleasure of sharing a canoe with the Mayor at a press conference about the water quality index now being on the website. http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp? PageID=65&termSearchVal=Beach_Status
Commissioner Erwin asks on behalf of a constituent what the status is on the lawsuit about the Fort Snelling Skatepark
Brian Rice replies that discovery has ended and they are moving forward with litigation.
Commissioner Young mentions that Commissioner Fine was doing the canoeing in a dress shirt and tie vs. the Mayor in his outdoor duds. She also attended the Greenway opening and rode in a pedicab.
Commissioner Kummer reads a letter from a constituent.
Commissioner Berry Graves mentions that the Wirth House had an 8 page spread in Minneapolis/St. Paul magazine and that with this coverage more people will certainly be interested in touring the house ( which is in planning limbo...) and that she would like more information regarding the body found in Lake Calhoun. She also mentions the Phillips Neighborhood Peace March and the Opening of the Northway Community Trust at 1501 W Broadway
Commissioner Olson had done a tour with Congressman Sabo to show him how the City Kids federal dollars are being used.
Meeting Adjourned at 10:10 pm (FINALLY)