HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971/08/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Joint MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL AND PARIS AN
RECREATION COI1iIiu1ISSION D
ST * LOUIS PARK
I' , MINNESOTA
August 9 , 1971
A joint meeting of the City Council and Parks and Recreation Advisory Com -
mision wae
s ca o order by Mayor Howard at 8 : 09 p . m .
j Members of Council present v� ere0 F3: ' 11k Fleetham , Murray Galinson
Richard Graves , James Heltzer , Robert- Reynolds , Leonard Thiel , and Frank
Howard .
Present from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission were : Robert D.
Whalton , Co R . Middleton , Dr . Stanley Veker , Ron Berthe , Rose -mary Griak ,
Debra Hunegs , and Bert Locke .
Councilman Galinson explained that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss
some of the preliminary ideas for the development of Westwood Hills Park into
a Nature Interpretive Center , to discuss acquisition of lands adjoining the park
in order to protect it from further undesirable encroachments , and to obtain
the opinions of Mr . Chris Nelson , consultant , concerning the possibilities for
this area .
The City Manager brought up to date what has transpired in the way of
Preliminary studies of the area and that Council and Parks and Recreation
Commission felt that a Nature Interpretive Center would be a better use of
this land than the small number of children who had been using it for a few
weeks in the summer for a day camp .
Mr . Dave Schaeffer and Mr . Jerry Perkl , Brauer & Associates , who had
done the preliminary studies , displayed some slides which had been taken of
the area illustrating the variety of flora and fauna presently existing in the park .
Mr , Chris Nelson , consultant from the East Bay Regional Park District , Oakland .
California , spoke to those assembled . He said that in the few hours he had
Spent on the site he was tremendously impressed with the area , describing
it as a naturalist ' s dream and a jewel . He congratulated the citizens of
St* Louis Park on their foresight in being able to preserve this piece of
P%pert •
Y in ts tural state i
inan the midst of urban development .
thr • Mitchell Kirshbaum , 1808 Westwood Hills Drive , indicated that he felt
at people fear the unknown and suggested that a committee be appointed
Cons
Iste
Ing of persons in the immediate area , those concerned as "users " ,
aid others from the community who are concerned about the tax base and
4uality o f life . Y
?QaLt 'ty Of0l to He also expressed concern about access to the park and its
j the 1 . 3941 corridor location
the JOhn Neter , 00 ane spoke with enthusiasm concerning
par ee . vation of th Westmoreland Lane ,
state and favored citizen
ticlpate is property in its
n In its planning .
229
P 10
Council Minutes , August 9 , 1971
3 41 Yosexx�ite Avenue , also spoke with enthusiasm
Mr . Michael Spaluer , 9 .
for the preservation of this property in its natural state for future generations ,
razak 8218 West 16th Street , said that the planning is at an
Mr . G . P $
earlier stage than he had thought and asked for an estimate nce ithwa i-metable
earls g
for this development . The City Manager indicated that five - yearproject hoped
to obtain federal funding for this proje � t it may be at . y unless
someone came up with funds to do it sooner than t
Mr . Leland Gottstein , 8527 Westmoreland Lane , asked if there was a way the
citizens could officially express their interest in this program , inquiring if
a petition would be helpful for the neighborhood to go on record as favoring
acquisition and preservation of the land . Councilman Galinson said he felt
Council interpreted the showing at this meeting and the comments to be in favor
of some type of preservation for either open space or a nature interpretive center
He then moved that a committee be appointed to work with the staff and the council
and the various commissions involved as to the feasibility of a nature interpretive
center in Westwood Hills Park and that the committee be composed of as
many members as the Mayor feels workable - - persons abutting , others in the
City interested and knowledgeable and residents who are interested in the general
welfare of the City . Councilman Fleetham seconded . The Mayor suggested
that the schools also be represented on this committee . The motion carried 7 - 0 ,
Councilman Galinson suggested that Mr . Mitchell Kirshbaun be named chair -
man and setting as a goal for the committee a meeting soon so they could meet
at least once or more before the budget session. He also suggested that the
Mayor consider naming Mr . George Haun to the committee as a staff member
and Rose - Mary Griak as an interested citizen . Councilman Heltzer felt the
committee should report to the Parks and Recreation Commission rather than
the Council . The Mayor appointed Mr . Mitchell Kirshbaum and Mrs . Bunny
Novick to the committee .
Mr . Michael Spanier , 3941 Yosemite ; spoke to Council concerning the traffic
the area of 39th Street and Yosemite revenue . He explained that much of it was
truck traffic from Shoppers ' City and some were using it as an escape route from
Excelsior and Highway 100 . After discussion of traffic problems in this area ,
Councilman Thiel moved to authorize traffic study and increase surveillance
in this area . Councilman Reynolds seconded and the motion carried 7 - O •
Councilman Reynolds moved that staff investigate placing a load limit of
3 - tons on this street . Councilman Thiel seconded and the motion carried 7 " 0'
Councilman Thiel moved that an official welcome be extended to the In al
ternat� on
Lions ' Club president who is coming to the City this week . Councilman Graves
seconded and the motion carried 7 _ 00
On motion of Councilman Thiel , seconded by Councilman Graves , the meed
was adjourned at 10 : 20 p , rne by a seven yea vote .
Atte s t .
1&2=: Z -F ank J . H rd , Mayor
Alice M . Carson , Secretary 230