01/15/1974 - 00016059��i
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THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL OF JANUARY 15, 1974
Mayor L�ebl convened the Spectal Meeting of the Fridley C�ty Council of January 15, 1974
at 7:38 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
Councilman Utter, Councilman Nee, Counc�lman Breider,
Counci7man Starwalt, and Mayor Liebl
None.
f�iayor Liebl said he had received a call from Mr. Earl Biermann, 7830 Alden Wad
and Mr. �iermann requested a special meeting be set up for the purposes of a
presentation on the North Park property. Mayor Liebl said the members of the Council
had received a copy of a letter from Doctor Richard Trezona, Chairman of the Spring
Brook Nature Center Foundation. Mayor Liebl called on Dr. Trezona and asked if he
would introduce the members of the Foundation to the Council and audience.
Dr. Trezona addressed the Council and said he did not think he would need much of
an introduction since he had been a resident of Fridley since 1946. He said the
group would like to make an informal presentation.
Dr. Trezona introduced the Secretary of the Foundation, Mr. Ernest A. Petrangelo,
a member of the Rice Creek Watershed District, 520 Rice Creek Blvd., and stated he
was able to provide information on Fridley to the group.
Mr. lJilliam R. Pieper, Treasurer of the Foundation, was introduced as a mem6er of
a Bank in Coon Rapids.
Dr. Trezona next went through the list of Directors of the Foundation and introduced
those who were present as follows: Mr. Lyle Bradley, Anoka-Hennepin �istrict 11 Science
Chairman who was not present; Dr. Walter J. Breckenridge, Director Emeritus, Bell
Museum of Natural Histroy, who was to arrive at the meeting at a later time,
Architect Dennis R. Holloway, Pro,7ect Ouroboros, University of Minnesota School of
Architecture and Landscape Architecture, who arrived later in the meeting; �r.
�onald B. Lawrence, Professor of Botany, University of Minnesota, writer, and
interested in the development of a nature center; Dr. David Meech, Research Btolo-
gist, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who was not present (a Fridley resident);
Mr. John E. INcyer, Professional Consulting Engineer from School District #14;
Mr. I�lark G. Noble, Graduate Student, Botanist, University of M�nnesota, present;
Mr. Davtd �. Schaaf, State Senator, Minnesota District No. 46, not present; Mrs.
�anice R. Seeger, Member of the North Park ad hoc Committee, present; �r. Harris
B. Tordoff, Director Bell Museum of Natural History, not present; Rev. Winston
L. Worden, Eagle Scout and Environmentalist, Fridley resident and referred to as
the Foundation's conscience, Mr. Jack P. Velin, International Brotherhood of
Teamsters; Mr. Donald C. Savelkoul, legal Advisor; Mrs. LeeAnn Sporre, Recording
Secretary.
Dr. Trezona continued the presentation stating the members of the Foundation could
best explain their feelings concerning the use of North Park as a nature center by
viewing the filr^, "I Heard a Whisper", which was produced by WCCO and had been
televised recently by them. He introduced Mr. Chuck Ross, 5895 Central Avenue N. E
a film conservationist employed by WCCO.
Dr. Trezona ran the film presentation for the Council which was a tour of the
Woodlake Nature Center in Richfield.
Dr. Trezona expressed his thanks to the City for notifying a member of the
Citizens Advisory Committee who had asked to be contacted if there were another
meeting on North Park.
Dr. Trezona read aloud the letter which had been sent to the members of the Counc�l
and also made reference to the clipping of a newspaper article written by Jim
Kimball and titled "Group �issolved After Nature Center Success".
Mr. Petrangelo addressed the Council and read a statment aloud in support of a
nature �center in North Park. fNr. Petrangelo passed out copies of his statement to
the Council and City Manager.
Mr. John Meyer, President of the Board of Education, School D�strict #14 passed
a written statement to the Council and City Manager and said his personal enthusiasm
was best summed up by the movie shown at the preseni meeting.
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SPECIAL MEETING OF JANUARY 15, 1974 PAGE 2
He ind�cated a nature center would serve as an educational tool for School District
#14. Mr. P�eyer read the statement aloud to the Council and audience and restated the
Resolution passed by the School Boar� recently, in support of a nature center and
which also offered aid �n the compensation of a naturalist. He believed this program
would be good for the children of School District #14.
Dr. Trezona passed out a written statement to the Council and City Manager and said
there may be some question about his interest in a nature center when he was a dentis
He continued saying the closest he had come to a nature center was to fil7 the teeth
of a friend's stuffed tiger head, in order to question him on the authenticity of the
wild 6east.
Ur. Trezona read his statement aloud to the Council and audience and said the movie
told the story better than he could tell it. He then introduced Mr. Chuck Ross and
said he was the person who had made the film.
Mr. Ross addressed the Counc�l and said he had not produced the film, this was
done by Jack Jones and Peggy Fleetham. He said the North Park area as well as the
Woodlake area was unique because of the urban community surroundings. he informed
those present that the narration within the movie was done by a fifth grade student.
Mr. �ark Noble addressed the Council and said he would like to explain the
pro�ect and thoughts of Dr. Dennis Holloway, who was not yet present at the meeting.
Mr. Nob7e explained Dr. Nolloway was associated with the pro�ect Ouroboros at the
University of Minnesota which was the creation of a solar powered hame. Ile continued
saying Dr. Holloway is �nterested in creating a solar powered nature center in North
park and with the energy cr�s7s, this would be very unique. Mr. Noble explained
the proposal as construct�ng a wind and solar powered center where all of the waste
could be recycled. He added, th9s would be very important, and he thought the City
of Fridley should look into this proposal.
Dr. Trezona again addressed the Council say7ng there may be more members present �
who would want to address the Council. He called on the members present.
Mr. Bernie Fashingbauer, 110 Suzanne Ct., Director of the Warner Center in St.
Paul, addressed the Council a�d introduced himse7f as a naturalist. He pointed
out that from eight to ten groups of Fridley young people attend the Warner Nature
Center facility each year. He stated the facility is filled up every day and
cannot begin to handle the number of calls for requests for tours.
Mayor Liebl said he had 6een cons�dering the many arguments in favor of a nature
center and this is why he favor hirinq a natural interpretive director as a part
of the City of Fridley staff. Mayor Liebl asked Mr. Fashinbauer if he felt this
is the way the average citizen of Fridley would feel, wou7d he favor a nature
interpretive center? Mr. Fash�ngbauer res�onded stating he could not come up
with anything that would do �ustice to the City and its enterprises as a nature
center would.
Mayor Liebl asked how many nature centers in the area or metro wide area could
be depended on for this type of program. Mr. Fashingbauer said at Warner, there
had to be full time people hired to fill the demands of one community. He s�d
�mmediately after the center opened, they were filled with reservations and unable
to take in any walk in vis�tors. He stated, they could not meet the demands.
Mayor Liebl asked if the nature centers were unique in design. Mr. Fashingbauer
explained there are no two alike in physical facilities and no two operate in the
same manner. '
Councilman Nee asked how the Warner Center had been financed. Mr. Fashingbauer
said the Center was owned by a private Foundation and the Science Museum of
Minnesota. He said the fund7ng for the Science Museum had been obtained through
the State Legislature. He said the center operates with almost no public funding.
Mr. Fash�ngbauer said Mr. Goodr�ch Lowry could answer these questions, he would
be one of the best �udges of the metro area nature centers. He explained, Mr.
Lowry had formed Carver and three other centers.
SPECIAL MEETING OF JANUARY 15, 1974
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Mr. Goodrich Lowry addressed the Counci7 and stated before the formation of the
committee to establish the Carver and other centers, he had traveled all over
the country to review nature centers. He recailed when he heard there was d�scussion
on a proposed nature center in the Fridley area, he thought this would be j'ust an
ordinary site. He toured the area with Mr. Mark Noble and Mrs. 5eegar and was
antonished with the beavers, marshes and other assets of the site. He stated this
� is one of the best opportunities in the country for the installation of a nature
center. He said he was impressed with the quality of the people concerned with
the project and also impressed with the environment of the City of Fridley.
Dr. Trezona stated he felt Mr. Lowry's attendance at the meeting and interest
in the proposal was a compliment to the community.
Dr. Trezona cammented that Dr. Holloway had arrived and he introduced h�m to the
Council and audience. He asked Dr. Holloway if he would like to make any
statements and Dr. Holloway said he would like to listen to the general discuss�on
before he would make any comments.
The Rev. Winston Worden addressed the Council and said, as the Council is aware,
he is a Pastor and had had a great deal of experience in Scouting. He stated he
would have to say in all honesty and from the bottom of his heart that his greatest
experiences with God have occurred out of doors. He further explained he was not
saying he did not en,7oy experiences in the established church. Ne said he had
seen more men and young men have religious experiences on top of a mountain or
at the lake shore, than he has experienced as a Pastor in church. He said he
supported the nature center proposal because this would build the educational
experiences for the City of Fridley and also give the people a spiritual insight.
He stated there would be no greater possible use for the land than what is being
proposed by the nature center interpretive advocates.
Dr. Trezona stated he hoped what the Foundation had presented to the Council was
, acceptable.
Mayor Liebl said he was impressed wtth the presentation given by the members of the
Foundation. He said he was also impressed by the proposed nature interpretive
program and said he is sure this type of program would be worthwhile to the community.
Mayor Liebl directed his comments to Dr. Trezona stating he had not been born �n
this country, but had traveled in many parts of the world and had seen many different
k7nds of countries, He assured those present that the future generations and
c7tizens of Fridley will remember and appreciate the decision which would be made
by the C�ty Counc�l on the North Park issue. He recalled the land had been acquired
a few years ago with funding aid coming in the amount of 25% from the City of Fridley,
25% from 5tate Funds, and 50% from Federal Funding.
Councilman Starwalt explained he had been hearing the pros and cons of both sides
of this issue and one of the main factn rsin determination of the usage of North
Park would be the funding source. He said he had heard the golf course would be
self supporting and the nature center would be expensive. He questioned the members
of the Foundation asking if they were prepared to discuss their proposals for
funding the nature center at this time. He asked if this would 6e discussed now or
somet�me in the future.
�r. Trezona said he did not think the Foundation was prepared to make a statement
of the fund�ng at the present time. He explained the Foundation is not sure where
� the funding would come from. He recalled the development of another center in the
area and commented it had obtained funding from the County and also from private
donations. He said this made the nature center possible, He said there wou7d 6e
some educational programs provided from the tax rolls through the interest and aid
of School District #14. He said they were prepared to aid in the compensation of
a naturalist. He pointed out there would be no immediate need for any large
expend�tures of money to use the facility, it could be used at the present time
in its present condition with the use of a naturalist. He concludetl, he did not
know the answer, but thought it could be funded.
Mayor Liebl expressed doubt that the group could accumulate enough funds to m��ke
the nature center operational and maintained without any cost to the citizens of
Frtdley. Mayor Liebl repeated the request by the Chairman of the Foundation, stating
if the City of Fridley would go ahead and lease the Foundation the 120 acres to
the foundation, and tell the people they would not have to contrihute to the pro,7ect,
this would be irresponsi6le. Dr. Trezona agreed, but stated, the facility would
be usable as a nature center as it stands.
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SPECIAL MEETING OF �ANUARY 15, 1974 PAGE 4
Mayor Ltebl said the nature center supporters would have to be honest in the
funding matter. He pointed out that the tax structure of the Ciiy was very good
at the present time and the C�ty and County taxes had decreased, bui the School
District #14 taxes had increased. He said if the School District would have done
the same thing, there would not have been any increases in the City. He said
he would not say the City would agree to give the Foundation the land and this would
resolve the City from any responsilility. He said there would have to be some �
cooperation for the establishment of a nature center in the City of Fridley or the
idea would not get off the ground.
Dr. Trezona agreed saying this could be done with the Cooperation nf the City and
the School D�stricts.
Mayor Liebl pointed out that there is no Federal funding available at this time for
this type of pro,7ect. He said it would be possible to talk to the state. Fie said
again, this would have to be done in the best interest of the entire community, and
all of the people in the community would have to be considered in the decision
making process. He added, both requests for the development of North Park have
to be considered, and he would be making a proposal which he believed would be
acceptahle to the Council.
Councilman Starwalt said he had been questioning all aspects of the proposal during
his time on the Council and he had thought there was not enough firm information
to hang on to any exacting plans. He pointed out that the other successful nature
centers had received contributions from private sources, 5tate funds and also
FederaT funding. He satd in this instance or proposal, the tax payers of Fridley
would be compelled to pay the initial cost which may be about $80,000. He said
the Woodlake Center was only one half of this amount and the remainder was obtained
through State and F�deral funding.
Councilman Starwalt questioned the change in opinion expressed by the School District
#14. He said initially, School �istrict #14 said they would not be ab7e to help ,
with the funding or staffing of such a nature center, and the second decision had
been changed to indicate there would be some aid in the staffing of a nature
center.
i�1r. John Meyers, Chairman of the Board of Education of School D�strict #74,
addressed the Council and said the matter was discussed at two different times
with different criteria in mind. He explained that from the standpoint of the
structure of the curriculum at the time that this was first reviewed, it could not
6e said that the School District could provide this aid which would be something
down the line. He further explained the first decision was one decided upon on
the first set of facts, it was a job well done with what was available to work
with. He said recently the School Board had met and discussed at length the policy
which it would establish in the matter. He said the second was a policy statement
which would indicate their policy for the future. He cont�nued this may be done
with the cooperation of the City and the School District and this would not
necessarily mean there would be an increase in taxes for the people of Fridley.
Councilman Starwalt said he had heard that there is no limit to the amount of
activ�ties that could be planned and executed at the nature center. He addressed
his questtons to Mr. Fashingbauer who had stated the nature centers are fi7led up
for months in advance ,7ust hours after opening. He explained one May day he was
in the area of a nature center and stopped to review it. He stated there was only
two staff inembers present, one was talking on the telephone and the other was
maintaining a bridge. He said there was one visitor and himself there, and not
one other soul in sight. He said he was puzzled and wondered where all of the ,
people were. fle asked what type of scheduling was done, was this during peak
and non-peak times. He asked if there are times where there is no one present.
Mr. Fashingbauer sa�d he wished this was true. He stated at the center where he
is on the staff, they are booked solid, but there are some seasonal hreaks. He
continued to explain that a minimum of 140 people per day would be visiting the
center. He said the staff limits the number to two classrooms or one bus 7oad, and
the schools put as many bodies in the bus as possible. He said the staff consists
of two naturalists and 160 housewives who volunteer their time as trail guides for
one day per week.
Councilman Breider questioned Dr. Trezona on the letter which had been submitted
to the Cour��.il before the present meeting. He said he had read and re-read the
]etter and questioned if the membership of the advisory committee and the directors
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SPECIAL MEETING OF JANUARY 15, 1974 PAGE 5
of the Foundation were in agreement wtth the proposal in the letter. Dr. Trezona
said at the last meeting of the committee, he was authorized to wriie the statement
Councilman Breider asked if the Foundation had any funds in its treasury. �r.
Trezona said there was approximately $200 in the fund.
� Councilman Breider questioned Dr. Trezona asking if the Foundatlon had given
any thought to the Islands of Peace Project and their attempt to gain funding.
He said the funding would be requested from the same people, he asked if this was
a logical plan. Dr. Trezona said the paths of the two Foundations may cross, but
it could not be determined if there would be competition in this respect.
Counctlman Breider asked if the Foundation would like some tentative statement
from the Council on the consider«tion of the proposal. He questioned if this
would be a great task to obtain the necessary funding. Dr. Trezona said he would
like the Counctl's consideration on the proposal of setting up a time tab7e for
the consideration of the estab7ishment of a nature center. He said if the group
had some time to work on the funding, and a statement which would provide for the
installation of a nature center if the necessary funds are acquired by the Foundation,
then it would be possible to obtain the funding. He said again if the money is
obtained in a certain amount of time, he would like some indication frum the Counci]
that they would make a decision in favor of the Foundation.
Mayor L�ebl pointed out that the City had hired a professional for input on the
utilization of North Park, and also an outside consultant and this was done at the
time when the grant was applied for. He said at this time, the City had indicated
they would develop the property with some sort of recreational facility, and this
could be interpreted many ways. He stated the Council would have to be responsible
to its constituents and make a decision which is not based on political pressures.
He stressed the development of the land should be of some benefit to the people of
the City of Fridley and the pro�ect was pressed for time. He said at one point,
� the Consideration was put in the hands of a committee, which was an attempt to
lessen the political pressures. He said the committee was made up of equal members
from each of the requested proposals. He said the land could not 6e left as it
is, because this is not what had been promised the State and Federal Governments
when the funding was applied for. He said he was not referring to monatary benefits
to the people of Fridley, he had taken an oath of office which indicated the majority
of the citizens would rule and he would abide by this.
Mayor Lieb] stated he hoped the proposal hy the Foundation was not being made for
the purposes of stalling the consideration on the issue. He stressed, the Council
cou7d no longer stall, it must make a decision, and live with the decision. He said
he could not give the Foundation years to try to obtain the necessary committment
for funding. He stated this would not be acceptable.
Dr. Trezona said the Foundation had no intention of stalling. He said it would be
their obligation to find the funding and this would take some time.
Mayor Liebl questioned Ur Trezona on what was to be told the people of Fridley after
the City had set up a committee, hired a consultant to give a report on the utilization
of the land, and this was to point out the direction to go according to the criteria
of the area. He said the decision which was to be made could not possibly please
everyone. Mayor Liebl continued stating he would be ready soon to make a recommendatton
to the Council on his suggestion for the utilization. He explained, by the City Charter,
he is unable to make a motion. He further stated he would work to provide what is
in the 6est interest of the people of Fridley.
� Dr. Trezona said the citizens have no power to act on the matter alone, and this
is why the foundation had been set up. He added, they could acquire the funds which
would relieve the citizens, the City, and the tax budget.
Ms. Shelly Gar addressed the Council and said she is a local artist and would l�ke
to speak for artists from all over the state. She pointed out that the North Park
area would prov�de a site for artists to work being it had never been touched. She
continued to state she had been involved with the Fridley Cultural Growth program
and found it difficult to work on as there is no paace in Fridley to work. She
stated she had obtain approval form a well known artist to paint a work which
would be auctioned off with the proceeds from the auction going to the nature center
Foundation. She said not all of the funding would have to be provided immediately
like in the construction of the golf course. She added, this could be a long range
plan. She stated once the area is 6ulldozed, �t could not be a nature center.
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SPECIAL MEETING OF �ANUARY 15, 1974 PAGE 6
Dr. Holloway addressed the Council and said the consideration of the decision in
light of the current energy crisis should be discussed. He indicated alT of the
current information regarding the energy situation is confusing from the politicians
and also the representatives of the various oil companies. He thought it was true,
the American people could expect an energy shortage which would change our life
styles. He recalled the type of situation and forms of recreation that were limited
to the people during the 1930's and he continued saying the people of Fridley would
have to depend on the area open space for recreational activity. He said this is
the reason the open space programs are receiving so much sharp attention in the
Metro area. Dr. Holloway said there is natural untouched beauty in this area
and he would ask the Council to consider the decision wisely with the educational
values being considered.
Mayor Liebl asked Dr. Holloway if he had looked at the area and had seen the traffic,
noise and industry in the area. Dr. Holloway said he had seen the area and he would
still say this is best suited for a nature center. Dr. Holloway called the Council's
attention to the creation of Central Park in the middle of New York City and said the
people of the City could not live without it.
Mayor Liebl asked if Dr. Holloway thought a golf course would be environmentally
detremental to the community and Dr. Holloway said initially, it may not be. Ne
continued with the shortage of fuel, eventually it may not be possible to mow the
lawn. He also pointed out that the people of the area are ab7e to take their
children to the north woods of the State and view natural settings. He thought
this would also be limited in the future. He said North Park may be invaluable
in the future.
Councilman Breider satd there are 32,000 people in Fridley and they are of all
interest groups. He listed some of the activities that may interest the individual
citizens as water sports, birds, golf, skating, softball, and other activities.
He believed the City should create as diversified a recreational program as
possi6le for all those in the City.
Dr. Holloway again stressed �n the future the children may not be ab7e to get out
of the City for natural environmental study. He said the proposed system of
operation would be an economically closed system and this would have a premium
value.
Councilman Breider asked Dr. Holloway if he had seen the other possible nature
center sttes in the City of Fr�dley. Dr. Holloway said the other areas do not
have the diversity of the Narth Park site. He said Narth Park is a large square
which gives the feeling of being enciosed in something. Ne said the other areas
are linear and continuous in natural setting.
Councilman Breider mentioned the possibi]ity of establishing a nature enterpretation
program or a compromise with the staffing of a naturalist out of North Park. Dr.
Flolloway'said North Park �s unique and the features are not present in the other
sites. He thought Councilman Breider's suggestion was an optomistic one.
Councilman Breider stressed tle�e are no other sites in the City which would be
su�table to a golf course and there are others which could be used as a nature
center.
Dr. Nolloway again pointed out the uniqueness of North Park and its suitability as
a nature center. Fie said it 7s a beautiful square and also a beautiful possibility
for the Fridley community.
Couniclman Starwalt said he thought there was a supermarket of nature center
activity in the area. �r. Holloway said each of the individual centers is
unique with many d�fferent types conditions. He said this area contains a
prairie which is not found in many in many nature centers and with this specific
environment, it is an educational tool.
Counc�lman Starwalt asked if the North Park area had been cultivated years back.
Dr. Holloway said he could not answer this question, he is an architect, but there
were others present who would be able to determine this fact, A memher of the
audience sard some of the area had been cultivated years back.
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SPECIAL MEETING OF JANUARY 15, 1974
PAGE 7
Councilman Starwalt said he thought the north area abutting Moore Lake could be
used as a floating bridge interpretation area. He said the techntques studied
by the children at Woodlake Nature Center could also be studied in this area.
He said he was referring to pushtng rods into the mud and studying the life in
the marsh area. He added there is a diversity of areas throughout the City
which would lend to the natural environmental studies.
� Mr. Ross addressed the Council and satd he resided on the east shore of Moore
Lake and the majority of the area has been filled. He recalled the area was
once beautiful and was en,7oyed because of the natural setting and the ducks.
He satd now the area is ftlled and grass had been planted to create a softball
field. He said it is really not a park, it is only a piece of grass.
Counctlman Starwalt said there was a need for additional playgrounds in the area.
Mr. Ross asked what had been sacrificed for this installation. He said the
educational aspects and the natural life of the areas have to 6e considered.
Mr. Bill Hogan, addressed the Council and said he used the area for many years
and there were many species of animals and vegatation. He added the area is wnrth
saving for this reason.
Professor Lawrence said there is so much thought yiven to the financing of the
nature center through the tax payers. He said the Carver center was financed through
private subscripttons which were obtained by a finance committee. He said only ten
subscribers were needed at $25,000 each and the committee received 12. Ne said the
priv�te subscriptions had taken care of the areas funding for three years, and now
the County had taken over the maintenance of the center.
Mayor Lie61 asked how many acres were in this center. Mr. Goodrich Lowry
amswered there was about 1,D00 acres. Mr. Lowry said when he had visited the
nature centers all over the country, he was astonished that there are no two
the same. He said some operate on $100,000 a year and some on $5,000. Some
are heavily staffed and some work with only volunteers. He stressed the economics
of a nature center cannot be generalized.
Councilman Breider questioned Dr. Trezona and his proposed time ta61e. He pointed
out in the instances of the craation of the nature centers being discussed that
the citlzens of those commu m tles were in agreement an the esta6lishment of the
nature centers. He again pointed out that the City of Fridley is split and is
facing a dilemma on the proposed usage of North Park. He continued saying, he had
talked to people all over the City and has received mixed reactions, but it appears
that the ma,7ority of the citizens speculate that they favor a golf course. Ne
said he did not think the Council would be reaching a decision on the matter at
the present meeting and he could not see where they were presently accomplishing
anything which has not been discussed before.
The Rev. Winston Worden said Carver Nature Center was not preserved early enough
and it took thousands of dollars to bring the land back to the point that the
City of Fridley has in North Park. He stressed North Park does not have io be
brought back. He said those concerned with Carver thought it was a good idea to
bring the land back, but the City of Fridley has the good forture to have the land
usable now.
Mr. David Harris, 470 Rice Creek Blvd, addressed the Council and said he was a
member of the City Council when North Park was acquired. He said he represented the
Council at the State of Minnesota when they were considering the funding of the
� project. He stated h e was not present to argue the relative merits of the property
and he added, he had en,7oyed the presentation made by the people from the Foundation.
He said this type of presentation would make those present cogn�zant of many things
which they were not aware of. Mr. Harris 7tsted those present who were interested
in the golf course utilization of North Park and said many people not present were
also interested. He explained that the Chamber of Commerce had offered to do a
study on the utilization of the area as a golf course and had many professionals and
experts who had compiled information supportive to this course of action, and he
would like the same opportunity to address the Council with those experts.
Dr. Trezona said the Foundation would like some time to come up with such a plan.
He said there is some land south of the North Park area where it would be possible
to install a golf course. He explained this to 6e a parcel with very few trees and
not with the same ecologtcal impact as North Park. He said he was not against golf
courses and would not speak against a golf course.
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SPECIAL MEETING OF JANUARY 15, T974
PAGE 8
Councilman Starwalt said he thought the members of the Foundation are sincere
and knowlegeable beyond belief. He said he appreciated the preseniation and
thanked all those who had contributed to it.
Mr. Ken Sporre adressed the Co�ncil and requested the Counc�l give the Foundation
90 days to come up w�th the funding. He said the Foundation cannot say they have
the money at the present time and they could not get the funding until they had
a firm plan on what was to be done.
Mr. John Meyer said the cost of the construction of the golf course would concern
him, this cou7d be adverse. He said to say that a nature center would be a tax
burden, this would be an overstatement. He said the nature center could become
a,7oint pro�ect with all the School Districts participating. He said the formula
could be established as a per child situation to turnish a naturalist. He said
this would have to be done under a specific formula.
Mayor Liebl referred to the 1974 budget and said the City had placed one half a
million dollars in the parks and recreation budget. He said this would prov9de
facilities for people in all parts of the City plus an excellent staff and much
equipment. Mayor Liebl further explained some people say not enough is spent
and some say too much is spent, but the Council had to know where and when to
stop. He recalled at the meeting of the Council the previous evening, there was
a problem caused for a property owner by a toddler park installation. He said
whatever the City does, there is a price tag on it, He said the Council must
be frugal and responsible to the people. He said if the people do not like the
way the members of the Council say yes and no, they wou7d be able to do something
every three years at eiection time.
Councilman Utter explained in the last Cwo years the CIty had acquired a great
deal of park. He pointed out that just recently they had acquired a park in the
East River Road area and this had made the people of that area very happy. He
explained he has received calls of thanks from children.
Dr. Trezona said he would like the Council to consider the request of the Foundatton
and allow them one to two months time. He said he would not want to think it was
the tax load that had defeated the installation of the nature center. He thanked
those who had attended the meeting.
Mrs. Lee Ann Sporre addressed the Council and said she would like the members
of the Counc�l to take advantage of the knowledgeable people at the meeting. She
continued, they are very technical and qualified to answer all the questions in the
Brauer Report. She repeated they can amply answer all of the Council's questions.
Mrs. Sporre asked the Council to take the time to review the matter with those of
the Foundation to get a better feeling of what had been done at the present meeting.
She said she realized there was no Santa Claus, 6ut these people had done something
that had not been done to this point. She said the Foundation could get the answers
and had the ieadership to get the �ob done.
Mayor Liebl thanked those present for attending the meeting and said they would
hear from him and the Council.
The meeting concluded at 10:50 p.m.
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Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Ellis
Secretary to the City Council
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'FCi.e.e.�C � • o�
Frank G. Liebl, May
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