March 17 Park Board Meeting Minutes
As reported by Liz Wielinski
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board met on the 17th of March at their headquarters at 2117 W River Rd. I took notes and am posting them here. I apologize in advance for any misspellings of names and hope that I do not attribute any statements to the wrong folks.
4:08 pm The Superintendent Search Committee was called to order by Commissioner Erwin. The agenda was approved and discussion moved to the Time line for the Superintendent search. 2 time lines were discussed and the original was kept. Next public hearings were debated. The final plan was to have public input for search criteria to be presented at the 6/23 meeting and then questions from the public as well as questions from the board put to the search finalists. The questions would need to be sent in in advance to be screened for legalities and to weed out redundant questions. These questions would be asked on October 19th and the Boards Questions on the 20th. Staff was directed to figure out how to implement this plan. Then Commissioner Kummers asked the $1million question. What if we end up with no candidate? It was also suggested by Commissioner Hauser that on 11/3 before the Board votes there should be time for public comment on the finalists. The timetable was sent to the full board.
5:03 The Operations and Environment Committee was called to order by Commissioner Young. The agenda was approved and the Van Cleve Park Plaque and Boulder were discussed. The University of Minnesota and the SECNA (Southeast Como Neighborhood Association) wished to plant a Memorial Tree in Van Cleve Park for the 3 U students who died in last year's fire. The MPRB has a memorial tree program and the tree comes with a band that notes the memoriam. The SECNA had hoped to place a boulder next to the tree with an inscribed plaque. Staff had denied this request based on keeping to policy. The request was tabled while Commissioner Dziedzic and SECNA worked with staff for a better solution. Then Commissioner Young brought up that our parks are full of geese which may be the cause of much of the high e-coli levels in the lakes. Asst Superintendent Schmidt mentioned that staff already uses some anti-geese turf products etc., so "collection of geese for food shelves" was put aside.
5:17 The Planning Committee was called to order by Commissioner Fine. Assistant Superintendent Reitkirk listed terms that Crown Hydro had agreed to in advance of the meeting. They included a $100,000 closing fee to the MPRB, $30,000 per year lease, a percent of gross revenue at a certain point and an insurance policy of $10 million in case of a catastrophic event.
The floor was opened for public comment. 13 citizens and Peter Grills from Crown Hydro spoke.
1) Rolf Svenson, former Commissioner. The Plant will be an important interpretation of history and great for tourism.
2) Mary Marsden, Location in a fragile geological area and distracts from Riverfront aesthetic. It also keeps further excavation from proceeding at Mill Ruins Park.
3) Bill Grant {Issac Walton League} The Renewable Development Fund put 30% of its resources here because this is a good source of renewable power.
4) Eric Johnson, As long as the engineers do their jobs and keep enough water to the Falls by using water diverted at specific levels.
5) Sheldon Strom, Director for Energy for the Environment. It will be going from dirty to clean energy and even though not without some impact will not need a transmission system built to use it.
6) Steven DeRyder, In the early days developers estimates were considered bad for actual water over the Falls predictions. Small financial benefits vs. large financial concerns. Don't risk the Falls.
7) Greg Lacker, Move the site downstream to the Lower St. Anthony Falls by the 2nd lock.
8) Sage Coles, St. Anthony Heritage Commission. Minneapolis is finally inviting people back living and visiting the area. The Falls must be preserved.
9) Doug Spalding of SAF Hydro Electric. They are pursuing a permit for the Lower St. Anthony Falls.
10) Michael Nobels, Executive Director, Minnesotans for an Energy Efficient Economy. The Falls that built the city should do its fair share to help with clean renewable energy.
11) Barbara Portwood, The MPRB is responsible to the Parks and after spending $4 million at the Mill Ruins Park should strive to keep it intact. Also Xcel is already doing its part at this point in the river.
12) David Luce, All parks are negatively effected by traditional energy use. Adapting to reuse helps keep historic structures maintained.
13) Dick Miller, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. Any decision made should have sound solid science on its side.
After Peter Grills of Crown Hydro reassured everyone they have the best intent, some of the commissioners had more questions. Commissioner Mason referred to a piece in their information packet touting many supporters and asked for a list. She also questioned why the parking lot needed to go, what the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency had to say, and what the historical features of the park would be impacted. Commissioner Hauser wondered if FERC could override the Historical Society. It was moved from the committee to the full board and should be taken up at the April 7th meeting.
The regular meeting of the full board was called to order by Commissioner Olson. At open time Tom Rittaker spoke to putting the fishing dock back in Lake Harriet. Arlene Freid requested the financials on the new headquarters for the 2nd or 3rd time and was referred to Interim Superintendent Gurban. Mark Schaeffer spoke about the SW Journal article referring to the closing of beaches and reduced milfoil harvesting (mowing).
The full board meeting was suspended and Commissioner Hauser called to order the Administration and Finance Committee. A motioned was made and approved to move forward 7.2-7.5 which are requests for RFPs for Webber Park, Grand Round Signs, Poles for the Grand Rounds signs and Reserve Block 40 Park (yes the neighborhood is going through the procedure to give it a better name).
It also moved and passed 7.6 to approve the NRP funding agreement for the Shingle Creek Neighborhood Associations action plan to implement Creekview Summer Programs.
Next up was moving forward 7.7 to set the Fees for Parade Ice Garden. It was brought up at this time that there had been calls regarding the sale of Parade in a column by Patrick Reusse in the Star Tribune. Apparently while having a discussion with Commissioner Dziedzic, Mr. Reusse misheard, because it was Edison Arena that per Commissioner Dziedzic will be for sale if they do not find refinancing for a $600,000 balloon payment due next year. The Wild has a contract with MPRB through 2005 per Assistant Superintendent Siggelkow.
Next up was to direct that an RFP be sent out to Catering firms for the Cowles Conservatory at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. A commissioner asked which firms would be contacted and Assistant Superintendent Siggelkow said they contact catering firms in the yellow pages.
The committee adjourned and the full board meeting was resumed.
Commissioner Olson asked for any communications. Commissioner Mason had received calls and e-mails regarding closed beaches, milfoil, and ECCO (East Calhoun Community Organization) had questions about the restaurant opening at Lake Calhoun and its parking arrangements. Commissioner Mason had received calls both for and against the Crown Hydro project and also some concerns about the possible delay at Brackett Park over the rocket. Commissioner Erwin had more comments about the rocket and some questions about talking to the Mayor and Fire Department about watering trees.
The board moved onto consent business and passed 2.1 (fix holes #6 and #11 at Columbia Golf) and 2.2 an increase to Herfort/Norby Golf Course Architects for more work at Meadowbrook. The full board then approved 4.1-4.5 the schematics for Jackson Square Park, Currie Park, Brackett Park, Easement of a storm sewer by Ford Parkway Bridge and approve a grant agreement with the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization to repair bluff erosion at West River Parkway and W 34th St. The Brackett Park rocket park had some discussion over the moving of the rocket and tot lot. Commissioner Fine put forward a motion to table Bracket Park until 2005 and skip ahead to Jordan Park which is due for work in 2005. Commissioner Olson stated he was sure the Jordan Neighborhood would be able to have everything worked out and ready to go in no time. Commissioner Erwin stated that all the questions at Brackett had been worked out with the neighbors and the staff and the amendment was withdrawn.
The board then moved onto the fee increases at the Neiman Sports Complex. Commissioner Fine stated he had been informed that the fees would now be higher than the sports complex in Blaine and groups would probably move after this season was completed and that the fields were bad. The fees were passed for the center and also the 2004 Aquatic Fee Schedule.
Next up was moving and passing consent for bids. 7.1 $86,900 for installation of parking machines. 7.2 $137,000 for tee shirts and caps. 7.3 1,050,000 for stump removal and disposal. 7.4 $227,404 for 15 2004 Ford pick up trucks.
Next up was Cable Broadcasting 7.5 was moved and passed to proceed with the preparation and installation of equipment to broadcast MPRB meetings from the headquarters building at a cost not to exceed $70,000. A commissioner asked where the funds were coming from and any new computers at the MPRB are on hold as this fund was tapped for funding per Assistant Superintendent Siggelkow.
7.6 amended expenditure 7.7 negotiation of concessions at Jim Lupient Water Park with Deborah Holerud 7.8-7.10 NRP agreements with Bryn Mawr Community Development Agency, Standish Ericcson Neighborhood Association and Folwell Neighborhood Association.
New Business Minneapolis Tree Commission
Commissioner Erwin proposed this commission and it would form to 1) coordinate issues 2) coordinate fiscal resources and 3) Evaluate and report to the MPRB and the City Council
The commission would be made up of: Michael Schmidt MPRB Assistant Superintendent of Operations Ralph Seifert MPRB (the tree guy, sorry slow note taker) 1 MPRB commissioner 1 city council member or their appointee mayor or his appointee MN Shade Tree representative U of M rep Gary Johnson (urban forestry?) 4 citizen reps appointed by MPRB for North, Northeast, Southeast and Southwest
This will hopefully keep the MPRB and Mayor's efforts from conflicting and being redundant and save everyone money by having an organized tree plan. The cost will be minimal and mostly administrative and hopefully funded by grants. Passed.
Lobbyist Brian Rice gave a report on Legislative issues. Most issues are moving well and had hearings but it is still early yet.
This ended the official business. There was then a heartfelt good bye for Assistant Superintendent Merrifield who is relocating to El Paso, Texas and an apology for not having a formal resolution prepared before he left.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 PM
The next Full Board Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday April 7, 2004.