03/28/1985 - Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
ADVISORY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
MARCH 28, 1985
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Martin at 7:05 P.M. Members
present were: Caponi, Martin, Alt, Carroll, Masin, Kubik and Fedde.
Commission members Ketcham, Thurston and Bertz had notified the Commission
they would be unable to attend. Also present were Parks & Recreation
Director, Ken Vraa; Landscape Architect, Steve Sullivan; Administrative
Assistant, Liz Witt, Program Director, Dorothy Peterson and Parks Intern,
Scott Morgan. Roger Sjobeck and Bob Kline made presentations to the
Commission.
ARCHITECTURAL PROGRAM -ROGER SJOBECK
Roger Sjobeck, architect on the Kehne house, spoke to the Commission rgarding
architectural considerations for park structures and pavilions. He suggested
a building concept be utilized keeping in mind the particular theme of a park.
He said the design should be simple and to remember that form follows
function, not the other way around. He emphasized that when making cost
comparisons, all costs have to be considered. These costs not only include
construction costs but costs for maintenance and operations. All too often,
many costs are not included as in some pre-fab structures.
Commission member Caponi was concerned with costs. He said a good design
would also be economical. Replaceability of materials must also be
considered. He said an architect could use pre-fab products in his or her
design and be responsible for associated costs.
In response to an inquiry about preferred building materials, Roger Sjobeck
said masonry walls are desirable and harder to vandalize. Interior floors
should be concrete or quarry tile. Inside walls could be the same as outside
walls e.g., burnished block. The ceiling could be sheet rock; light fixtures
should be vandal proof and bathroom fixtures of aluminum alloy. He said a
fireplace of fieldstone would be feasible.
Chairman Martin suggested that Eagan residents contribute stones to the
fireplace structure, giving them "ownership" and decreasing the likelihood of
vandalism. Mr. Sjobeck noted that when considering a fireplace you have a
"right" setting. The length of time a building is in use throughout the year
is also a factor.
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Adv. Parks & Rec. Comm.
March 28, 1985
Mr. Sjobeck does not think it a good idea to experiment with untried materials
but to go with proven durability. Commission member Kubik said he would like
to see more innovation in the park structure. He thought the material should
be of a different substance than found at home or in the office. He said
there was an exterior spray being tested that has an almost ceramic finish.
He felt that people needed an "adventure" when going to the park.
Sandy Masin requested that specific buildings be suggested for Commission
members to view. Other members agreed and Mr. Sjobeck will provide Director
Vraa with such a list.
SLIDE PRESENTATION - STEVE SULLIVAN
Landscape architect, Steve Sullivan, showed slides of park structures and
buildings taken throughout the metropolitan area. Commission members noted
time periods for certain type structure, e.g. small high windows with high
pi-tched roofs. An open structure with an unusual . shape (i.e. hexagon) was
-preferred by many members.
PREDESIGNED STRUCTURES - BOB KLINE PRESENTATION
Bob Kline, of Cedar Forest Products Company, presented some slides and
distributed a company brochure. Cedar Forest uses a five-piece laminated
cedar siding with tongue-in-groove installation. The wood is dry kilned to
about 12% moisture content and meets energy requirements. He noted that
concrete, heating, plumbing and electrical costs are not included in estimated
costs of construction. His company has a large catalog of basic plans
available which will adapt to specific conditions. He noted that the paired
hexagon structures in Burnsville cost an additional $2,000 to get the plan to
work for that site. Mr. Kline said that his company could supply an architect
or it could work with a City architect. Commission members expressed
appreciation to Mr. Kline for his presentation.
FOREST RIDGE ADDITION - G.H. GUSTAFSON
Director Vraa said that the developer was coming in with smaller buildings for
the site. He said the building footprint was being reduced by about 15% which
greatly increased the green space. He thought the developer will eventually
change the units to condominiums. He felt that another consideration in
changing the buildings was the decrease in the amount of grading for the
project. Director Vraa did not think it necessary to revise the earlier
commission recommendation for cash and trails for park dedication. The
Commission took no action to revise its dedication recommendation.
PROCESS FOR ARCHITECT SELECTION
Commission members discussed their role in building design. Commission member
Masin said she would like to see more buildings, as those shown in the slides
were not ones she liked. Commission member Kubik agreed. He said the
Adv. Parks & Rec. Comm.
March 28, 1985
buildings will be around a long time and there should be a wide choice from
which to make a selection. He continued by saying the Commmission needed to
look at alternatives. There was general discussion by the Commission on how
best to proceed.
Director Vraa asked if the Commission wanted to hire an architect to lead
members through the design selection process - design, material and cost.
George Kubik felt a professional could help the Commission sort out its
options. Tony Caponi said that the person hired must represent the City's
interests. Director Vraa said he would bring information/recommendation
regarding the process and the time line to the April 4th meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The remaining items of business were held over to April 4, and the meeting was
adjourned at 9:45 P.M.
Dated:
;/Advisory Parks and Recreation Secretary
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