MPRB discussion of the DeLaSalle motion moved by Commissioner Fine and
seconded by Commissioner Dziedzic....
Commissioner Fine reads part of the motion, President Olson calls on
Commissioner Erwin and he reads the entire motion and explains to those
watching on TV what exactly will be voted upon ( meaning this is just a
design vote not an actual go ahead and build vote ). The various
commissioners weigh in on how they will be voting and make some
speeches including Commissioner Berry Graves mentioning a shale base on
Nicollet Island that could hamper any construction. The discussion
returns to Commissioner Erwin who would like to add a friendly
amendment to include a non-discrimination policy, drop the extra
parking lot next to the canal and add more landscape planting.
Commissioner Fine does not accept it as friendly and then it becomes a
( non-friendly) amendment about including the non-discrimination policy
that is part of the MPRB and city policies. He states that DeLaSalle
wants some good faith steps taken and he would not consider it fair to
lead them on because without these assurances he will not vote to
continue.
The discussion there after circles around if it is the proper place to
put it in and again Commissioner Erwin points out that without it he
will not vote to continue the process.
Commissioner Fine asks Council Rice for an opinion which is basically
you can ask for what you want whenever you want. The amendment
addition is passed. Commissioner Young then asks to add an amendment
to include the dropping of the canal lot and addition of the landscape
plantings as alternatives for the EAW design. This also passes. At
this point discussion starts on the NEW and improved original motion.
Commissioner Mason states she believes the 1983 agreement has been met
and does not see the public purpose for this facility and will be
voting NO.
Commissioner Fine doesn't believe it's been met and claims by
eliminating the tennis courts to build the field will never be met. (
so DeLaSalle can come back and ask for them again???) This would be
adding value to the park system.
Commissioner Hauser states that since DeLaSalle is putting up 2/3 of
the land the MPRB isn't losing $7.5 million but gaining $15 million in
value (2/3 may be stretching the facts a bit there from the schematics
available).
Commissioner Dziedzic states that there is a public purpose and it is
"There is a public purpose and the public purpose is that youngsters
are gonna benefit. Whether it be in the classroom with math, reading,
writing or arithmetic or on the athletic field with the obesity problem
that we have today whether it's gonna be playing football or soccer or
just a regular gym class the kids are gonna benefit. The education
that the Christian Brothers or not too many Christian Brothers left
anymore, or the teachers give the 650 students at DeLaSalle most
college bound, 40% minority, it's a great education. I think that's
the public purpose." (this is verbatim from the DVD and do not ask me
what he meant I have no idea)
Commissioner Olson states that this is a good private/public venture
and is what is needed to bring Minneapolis back to what it used to be.
( which is ........)
The vote is taken 8 ayes, 1 nay ( Commissioner Mason)
The regular meeting adjourns at 6:20 pm and a break is taken before
going to the Planning Committee.
6:30 Planning Committee
Hennepin County will be reconstructing the Portland AV bridge over
Minnehaha Creek from April to July of 2006. Tim Brown engineer/planner
for the MPRB introduces the consultants who give a presentation. The
detour planned is on 35W and Crosstown which had the commissioners
concerned and recommending additional public meetings and the
historical appearing ( 1939 WPA style) arches will be included in the
new facade. There were also some concerns about which agency would be
maintaining the lighting. The motion to approve construction passed
out of committee.
Study Report on Minnehaha Creek
Mike Wyatt of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) presented
the Final Report of the Minnehaha Creek Visioning Partnership. The
main focus was on the physical condition ( flow and bank erosion) of
the creek and the aquatic life and wildlife.
Commissioner Dziedzic asks if Lake of the Isles is part of the
watershed and when informed that it was requested that the staff look
into getting funds from MCWD to finish up the Lake of the Isles
project.
Commissioner Fine thanked everyone who worked on this as it encompassed
cities from Minnetonka to Minneapolis.
Planning Adjourned at 7:05
Admin and Finance called to order by Vice Chair Dziedzic at 7:05
Ms. Sommers ( the new PR Guru at the MPRB) gave an update on the Public
Information DVDs ( commercials for the parks)
She gave some stats on the shelf life of the DVDs and where it might be
appropriate to have them, rec centers, schools, libraries. She said
they were edited a bit to have more sports shots to include more
seasons, the website address, the Lupients and that they have 4
different sound tracks now. The voice over errors will be fixed when
Mr. Quillacy returns from Italy. The budget for the project is $20,000
for all 4 segments.
They are shown again.
Commissioner Young asks if anymore are planned to which Ms. Sommers
replies that 2 more may be in the budget, one on the Chain of Lakes and
the other on winter activities.
Commissioner Dziedzic asks where they will go... to the website, on
cable tv after the meetings, the rec centers, libraries, school .
Commissioner Young suggests a piece on the local neighborhood parks and
Ms. Sommers adds that maybe an explanation of the difference between a
local and a regional park would be good.
Commissioner Berry Graves asks if the MPRB is gifting the DVDs to the
various places and Ms. Sommers replies they will be and only cost $2
ea. (but a DVD of a meeting costs $5...hummmm)
Admin and Finance adjourns at 7:30 pm
Liz Wielinski
Columbia Park
next MPRB meeting in 18 hours :-)
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