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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-02-09 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD 7:30 p.m. February 9, 1994 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bill Jenkins, Dave Crowther, Jim Fee, Becky Bennett, Jean Rydell, Andrew Montgomery, Bill Lord, Andrew Herring, Beth Hall, John Dovolis, Ernie Fischer STAFF PRESENT: John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton, Ann Kattreh, Tom Shirley, Laura Lancrete I. INTRODUCTION OF NEW PARK BOARD MEMBERS Mr. Jenkins called the meeting to order and introduced the two new Park Board members, John Dovolis and Ernie Fischer. II. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR Mr. Keprios opened up the meeting by accepting nominations for the Park Board Chair. Beth Hall nominated Andy Montgomery. Jim Fee nominated Bill Jenkins. Andy Herring MOVED TO CLOSE THE NOMINATIONS. Jean Rydell SECONDED THE MOTION. NOMINATIONS FOR CHAIR CLOSED. Ballots were handed out to the Park Board members to vote for one person. Bill Jenkins was named as Chair of the Park Board. Mr. Keprios accepted nominations for Vice Chair. Bill Jenkins nominated Jim Fee. Jean Rydell nominated Andy Montgomery. John Dovolis MOVED TO CLOSE THE NOMINATIONS. Andy Herring SECONDED THE MOTION. NOMINATIONS FOR VICE CHAIR CLOSED. Ballots were handed out to the Park Board members to vote for one person. Andy Montgomery was named as Vice Chair of the Park Board. Mr. Herring asked Mr. Keprios if the Park Board could be provided with a staff report in anticipation of the meeting. He noted that in the past there were a lot of items at the end of the meeting that were for informational purposes only. He indicated that by having a report of these informational items it would not take up as much meeting time. Mr. Keprios noted that one of his goals is to send a packet out for both informational and action items. He also indicated that he will explain what action it is the staff would recommend. Mr. Keprios then apologized that it wasn't done for this meeting, but explained that with all of the changes that are taking place there really wasn't time. It was also noted that sometimes there are last minute items that will come up after the packet has been mailed out to the Park Board members. III. APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 11, 1994 MINUTES Jean Rydell MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 11, 1994 MINUTES. Andy Herring SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED. IV. PARK PERSONNEL UPDATE Mr. Keprios indicated that there has been a lot of transition going on in the Park and Recreation Department. He noted that he has been the Director now for seven days. Mr. Keprios then informed the Park Board that Ed MacHolda has been named the new Assistant Director. Therefore, the Recreation Supervisor position is open. Mr. Keprios noted that they are expecting approximately 150-200 applicants for the position. The deadline for applying is February 23rd and they hope to have a person in the position as of April 1st. Mr. Keprios indicated that there has been some juggling of responsibilities between the Assistant Director's position and the Recreation Supervisor's position. He stated that Mr. MacHolda will still be in charge of the aquatic center and that there will be some juggling around of the different athletic associations. Mr. Keprios explained that in follow-up there has also been some movement at Edinborough/Centennial Lakes Park. He noted that Bill Bach resigned back in November and his replacement is Tom Shirley, who was the Assistant Manager of Edinborough Park. Mr. Shirley then introduced the new Assistant Manager, Ann Kattreh. He noted that Ms. Kattreh was the Special Events Coordinator and Office Supervisor. Ms. Kattreh has been with us a year and a half. Mr. Keprios noted that they are in the process of typing up job descriptions for the various positions. He then handed out the job description for the Assistant Director and Recreation Supervisor and asked Mr. Shirley to give a brief job description of the Assistant Manager of Centennial Lakes/Edinborough Park. Mr. Shirley noted that basically it's the on-site manager of Edinborough Park including the maintenance, horticultural and cultural programming. Mr. Keprios asked Ms. Kattreh to give a little bit of background information on herself. Ms. Kattreh indicated that she is originally from Kohler, Wisconsin, a small town on the eastern side of the state. She noted that she went to Southern Illinois University where she played basketball. She then moved to the Twin Cities where she did her internship at the Northwest Racquet Clubs. After this, she went to the University of Minnesota for graduate school and received a Masters Degree in Sports Facility Management. Ms. Kattreh indicated that she has been involved in activities on all levels. She then noted that she is very excited about her new position. Mr. Keprios explained that one of the new twists to her new position is that she will now be working with the Edina Girls Athletic Association and the Edina Girls Traveling Basketball Program. Mr. Keprios pointed out that they will likely be filling Ms. Kattreh's former position of Special Events Coordinator with an in-house movement. 2 V. ADAPTIVE RECREATION REPORT - LAURA LANCRETE Mr. Keprios introduced Laura Lancrete, Adaptive Recreation Supervisor. He indicated that she has been with us now for four years and offices out of the Community Center, next to Susan Weigle at the Senior Center. He noted that each February she is put on the Park Board agenda to give an update on how the program is going. Mr. Keprios then noted that for the benefit of the new Park Board members he would explain the Adaptive Recreation Program. He indicated that Edina is entered into a joint powers agreement with a four city cooperative which includes Bloomington, Richfield, Eden Prairie and Edina. The other three communities also have full-time adaptive recreation supervisors. In coordination with this there is also a community education part of the cooperative program that venture in a joint powers agreement. Mr. Keprios noted that this program has been in existence since 1988. He explained that the reason it was formed was because the number of those in Edina that have disabilities was small enough that it seemed to make more sense to coordinate with other communities, to do joint programs and avoid duplication of services. It is a better use of our resources as well as part-time staff. Mr. Keprios stated that Ms. Lancrete has done a tremendous job for us. Ms. Lancrete handed out the welcome flyer that is given to new families who call in and are interested in the programs. She noted that it explains what the cooperative is. It also has some quotes from parents and children who have participated in the programs as well as some information about the American Disabilities Act, integration, etc. Ms. Lancrete then handed out the winter brochure and noted that the brochure is handed out three times a year listing all of the programs that are offered. Ms. Lancrete then indicated that the tan flyer is what they call their image flyer for the adaptive art program, which is held at the Edina Art Center. Ms. Lancrete indicated that she is trying to beef up the image of that program because a lot of the feedback that she has received from parents is that they think it's for kids that are severely disabled when actually it's for any type of disability, which is the case for all of the programs. Ms. Lancrete then explained that the blue flyer is for people of any age and ability level that live in Edina, who need interpreters. The program is funded through CDBG money, which is grant money. Ms. Lancrete noted that she wanted to be sure everyone is aware of all of the different services that are available. Ms. Lancrete noted that the orange flyer indicates the number of people that participated in the Edina Adaptive Recreation programs in 1993 and it's divided into segregated and integrated. Segregated is for people only with disabilities and integrated is for people with and without disabilities. Ms. Lancrete pointed out that the totals have increased 3 greatly from 1992 which she is happy to see because that means we are serving more people and they are coming back to use our programs. Mr. Herring asked Ms. Lancrete what she attributes that increase to and she noted that she has been doing more marketing. Also, the swimnastics program at Edinborough has added two more days and this has been a widely used program. Ms. Lancrete also noted that she thinks it's good that she is at the Community Center because she has a direct connection to the Family Center and the Early Child Special Education Center. Mr. Jenkins asked Ms. Lancrete if her expenses go up when she has a big increase like this. Ms. Lancrete stated that costs do go up for some classes, however, swimnastics classes actually makes money per participant. Ms. Rydell asked Ms. Lancrete if her numbers are at all connected to the Early Child Special Education numbers, as their numbers go up, do your numbers go up. Ms. Lancrete noted not necessarily because unfortunately some of these people don't want to utilize our programs for one reason or another. She did note that they have had a lot more three to five year olds using the programs which is great and therefore more programs are being offered to this age group. Ms. Lancrete noted that teens are the biggest age group in the Adaptive Recreation programs in Edina. Mr. Montgomery asked what is the total number that we are looking at. Ms. Lancrete noted that it's a little bit over 100 for integrated and segregated in Edina that utilized the programs. However, if you look at the whole cooperative of all four cities it's much more. Mr. Montgomery asked what ages are the programs for. It was noted from age three through Senior Citizens. Ms. Lancrete then explained the new programs. One is adaptive ice skating at Edinborough Park for 4 to 7 years olds. It is being done in the fall and winter and has been a big hit. Next year there will be another age group added since there has been a demand for it. Ms. Lancrete then noted that there is another program being co-sponsored with the Edina Community Center called "Jump, Run and Fun" for 3 to 6 year olds with and without disabilities. It's a program where kids jump, run and play active games for an hour. She noted that they are trying to have the program year round. Ms. Lancrete stated that this year the aquatic center will also be having a few slots available for adaptive swim lessons at the 11:00 and 12:00 classes. This way siblings will be able to take lessons at the same time. There will be one aquatic instructor and one adaptive instructor at the lessons. Parents are very excited about this. Ms. Lancrete indicated that there is a hearing assistance system that is now available to be checked out for just about anything from City Council Meetings to Park Board Meetings to baseball games; anything that the public wants to go to where a person has a hearing impairment. It's basically for people who have difficulty hearing and do not know sign language. Information on checking it out is in the activities calendar. 4 Mr. Keprios stated that a big part of Ms. Lancrete's job are the integrations that are requested. People who have physical or mental disabilities who need aids, interpreters, etc. It's very labor intensive and it's no secret it's an expensive program but a wonderful service. VI. BRAEMAR NATURE TRAIL Mr. Keprios explained that with the construction of the new nine hole golf course at Braemar eliminates the path on the south end. Therefore, in order to continue the length, avoid the wetlands and not go through the center fairway, we're going to have to get legal easements from private land owners and the City of Bloomington. He indicated he has written letters to these people and has met with the Welch Companies Management Corporation and it's looking very positive so far. Mr. Keprios indicated that the time line is 1995 for the construction because it also crosses Nine Mile Creek and that's going to be about a $20,000 to $30,000 bridge that will have to be funded through the capital plan next year, hopefully through Engineering. Mr. Fee asked Mr. Keprios if it would be worthwhile to put an article in the Sun as to what is happening out at Braemar Golf Course. Mr. Keprios noted that would be a good idea and he will probably put up signs to explain that the area is currently under construction. Mr. Keprios pointed out that the nice thing about this arrangement is that it will also hook up to the trailway system that will connect Edina with Bloomington and eventually to Eden Prairie. VII. ACTIVITIES CALENDAR Mr. Keprios noted that hopefully everyone has received their activities calendar. He noted that he put this on the agenda for no other reason other than the fact that they are very proud of it this year. Mr. MacHolda did a fabulous job, it's a new look. We've added four pages to it so it is now 32 pages and the table of contents is different. Mr. Jenkins and Ms. Bennett noted that they have heard some nice comments on the new calendar. Mr. Keprios noted that he thinks it's much more user friendly. Mr. Keprios indicated that this is the first year they have used photographs and so they will be taking a lot more pictures of the different activities this year. VIII. ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT MEETING Mr. Keprios indicated that Wednesday March 23rd will be the annual get together with the youth athletic association presidents and the chair of the Park Board as well as anyone else who would be interested in attending. It is a good time to try and go over any commons issues, etc. Mr. Fee asked about fundraising as an issue. Mr. Keprios noted that is a good suggestion and also stated that if anyone else has any other ideas for the agenda for the meeting to let him know. He noted this is a good time for this meeting especially with all of the personnel changes that are going on. 5 IX. BOB KOJETIN RETIREMENT RECOGNITION Mr. Keprios explained that tomorrow night is Mr. Kojetin's retirement party starting at 6:00 p.m. at Edinborough Park. He explained that as part of the many recognitions that he will get, the City wanted to honor him by renaming an existing park after him. Mr. Keprios noted that the 44th Street Park will be renamed the Robert Kojetin Park. It will be announced tomorrow night at his retirement party and Bob doesn't know about it. What exists at the park is basically a small play field with a backstop and some really nice upgraded playground equipment with a concrete ring around it. It's not a large park, 2.69 acres. Mr. Keprios explained that the City Council voted on this last night and it was passed. Mr. Keprios indicated that he knows Mr. Kojetin will really be pleased with this. X. OTHER A. Normandale Park - Mr. Keprios noted that the ball field at Normandale Park is used for the Jugball program. However, the Engineering Department is going to lower the entire area three feet to create more of a holding pond and it will all be drained to the center where Naomi Drive goes into 66th Street. He noted there's an awful lot of water that's fed there from the hill at 66th Street that comes down. Therefore, we are going to have to possibly do some juggling in the baseball program. Possibly find an alternate site if we can't get the park sodded in time. Mr. Keprios noted that he is planning on putting up signs that say we are under construction and thank them for their patience. Mr. Jenkins asked how long will it take after a big rain to drain where the field can be in actual operation. Mr. Keprios noted that he was told it depends on the rain but by the next day it should be ready for play. B. John Harris Drive - Mr. Keprios noted that the City Council did pass the John Harris Drive issue. The vote was 4 to 1. Therefore officially on April lst the street coming from Braemar Boulevard to the clubhouse will be John Harris Drive. Mr. Herring asked who was in the minority and it was noted it was Jack Rice. C. Roy Terwilliger - Mr. Keprios indicated that Roy Terwilliger will be speaking at the Braemar Clubhouse this Thursday at 7:30 a.m. for anyone who wants to show up. It's a chance to discuss anything that's on your mind politically. XI. ADJOURNMENT Dave Crowther MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:20 P.M. Jim Fee SECONDED THE MOTION. MEETING ADJOURNED. I.