MPRB Meeting Highlights for 5-21-08
Regular Meeting 5:00
Agenda is changed to remove the New Business with the Twin City Catering issue ( they should have been paying taxes on the portion of the MPRB Headquarters building they lease for their headquarters ... will they re-negotiate their lease? will they be forgiven the back taxes? ) and to remove the motion regarding the agreement for Victory Memorial DR improvements to accommodate buses.
Reports of Officers
Superintendent Gurban: 7 buses of Best Buy volunteers worked in Minnehaha Park ( and they didn't need a sign for 6-8 months to say they were there) GM Siggelkow: Putt Putt Golf at NE Park in bidding process GM Schmidt: Arbor Day 2007 award. Chief Johnson: Appreciation event for School Safety Patrol kids at MOA, Fundraising Gold Medal from Special Olympics for 06-07 ($75,000 raised), National Police Memorial Week... group in DC with the Bedard Family CSD Mammen: Juneteenth 6/21 at Wirth Park, 7 parks will have extended summer hours.
Consent Business is passed with some discussion
1/3 of the headquarters building roof is being replaced ( water issues on this building that was rehabbed only 5 years ago ) Commissioner Young had a question about possibly going Green on the roof ( too expensive and must be done ASAP)
Indoor rec turf as Parade Ice Garden.... not the stuff with the ground tire underlayer
Met Council dollars for Improvements at Minnehaha/ Wabun/Lower Glen ( 2 different motions some confusion )
There was no comment on the contract awarded to Simon Delivers for up to $110,000 for grocery deliveries, there was also no sign of an RFP ( request for proposal... bidding) for this expense unlike the other items under consent business.
Reports of Standing Committees
East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center... Timeline, Benchmarks and Design approval- discussion was around cost, operating costs and design Role Call Vote For: Vreeland, Young, Merrill-Anderson, Nordstrom and Nordyke Against: Fine, Olson, Dziedzic and Kummer
Exclusive Lease for SEED Academy/ Harvest Prep for Humboldt Triangle Park. Discussion stated that there would be NO Fence so not exactly exclusive. As to the use of volunteer labor etc... for erecting the equipment, the liability for any incidents is discussed in the contract and goes to the school which was presented as the reason this has not happened in the past.
Appointment of an Ad-Hoc Superintendent Review Committee Chair- Commissioner Young, Commissioner Olson, Commissioner Dziedzic with Karen Robinson as staff support
No OPEN TIME SPEAKERS
6:05 Planning Committee
Approve Lower Glen Cooperative Agreement with the Minnehaha Watershed District to repair the WPA walls at Minnehaha Falls. In a brave (?) new move the committee passed this forward without recommendation because Brian Rice had not checked over the agreement though his staff had and approved it.
Grand Rounds Missing Link CAC recommendation. Dates for public hearing announced 6-18 at the MPRB, 6-23 at Van Cleve Park and 7-1 at Windom Park ( all start at 6:30pm ). Commissioner Dziedzic withdrew his support for the Stinson Parkway part of the "recreational loop".
7:25 Operations and Environment Forestry Update... 2 Arbor Day events one at Lake of the Isles with Kenwood and Jefferson Schools, 2nd at Perkins Hill Park with Cityview School as a reward for the 2nd grade reading program ( 100 books read earned a tree... 65 trees planted ). Trees planted and stumps ground.
2008 Environmental Ed Programs (contact Jamie Mc Bride to get e-mail notifications of the programs jmcbride@minneapolisparks.org ) Eloise Butler... new programs including the Wild Mustard recipes with local chef's
Teen Teamworks update and new crew leaders introduced.
8:10 Admin and Finance
Lowe's agreement: Discussion of $90,000 of materials and labor to be donated... locations decided upon by Lowe's, signs( 11"x17" ) to be posted either next to donation or a banner in the park (2'x4'x8' from time of donation until the sign is damaged or 12-31-2008 whichever is first). No projects picked in the River District ( north of hwy 55 and east of the river).
From parts 9, 10 and 11 of the agreement.... ( Sponsor is Lowe's , Recipient is MPRB )
"9) Sponsor MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR ANY OTHER MATTER WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE MATERIALS, whether used or alone in connection with other products or substances."
"10) Recipient does hereby release and forever discharge Sponsor from any and all liability that may arise from or otherwise be related to the Donation or from and act or omission by Sponsor in connection with the Project"
"11) Recipient represents and warrants that it has adequate property insurance through a reputable and financially responsible insurance company, which insurance shall be in amounts and for that coverage which shall properly safeguard Recipient and Sponsor against liability for any damage to property and that it will provide evidence of such insurance. Recipient warrants that it is self insured in an amount sufficient to meet Minnesota statutory limits or general liability for injury to persons, including injuries resulting in death."
2009 Budget: Schedule given for remainder of the year and discussion of how the new levy cap will affect the MPRB.
8:45.... I had to go home but there was still Standards and Conduct and the naming policy to go...