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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-08 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD 7:30 p.m. March 8, 1994 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bill Jenkins, Dave Crowther, Jim Fee, Becky Bennett, Jean Rydell, Andrew Montgomery, Andrew Herring, Beth Hall, John Dovolis, Ernie Fischer MEMBERS ABSENT: Bill Lord STAFF PRESENT: John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton, Vince Cockriel I. APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 9. 1994 MINUTES Jean Rydell MOVED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 9, 1994 MINUTES. Ernie Fischer SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED. II. NOVEMBER PARK BOARD MEETING Mr. Keprios indicated that the November Park Board meeting is scheduled on Election Day. He asked the Park Board if they would like to start the meeting at 8:00 p.m. or if they would like to reschedule it for a different day. The Park Board stated that they would like to begin the meeting at 8:00 p.m. on November 8, 1994. III. SKATING RINK REPORT Mr. Keprios introduced Vince Cockriel, Park Foreman. Mr. Keprios stated that it's not a pleasant thought to close any rinks, however, if staff had its way they would suggest to close none of them if the resources were available to do all of the rinks and keep up with all other interests and demands. Mr. Keprios indicated that he is not looking for any action tonight on this issue. He noted that if any rinks are closed he feels there should be a process where residents will be able to give their input. Mr. Keprios noted that he is hearing comments from different people. He indicated that Ms. Rydell mentioned she would like to see groomed Cross Country Ski Trails. However, we currently don't have the resources to do that. It's a tough issue. Mr. Keprios pointed out that in 1977-1978 it cost $.62 per participant to provide quality outdoor ice skating opportunities. Today it costs $3.69 per participant and that does not include the Centennial Lakes skating facility. The giant participation jump from 92,000 during the 1978-1979 season to 32,000 during the 1985-1986 season had a lot to do with the Edina Hockey Association scheduling most of their program on indoor ice. At this time the majority of games and practices are played indoors. Mr. Jenkins asked if the participation level at Centennial Lakes has been good. Mr. Keprios noted that it has been very good. It was noted that they take attendance the same way as the other rinks. Mr. Keprios added that Centennial Lakes is the hottest outdoor skating rink in the Twin Cities. Mr. Crowther asked if the outdoor rink maintenance budget includes the costs of Centennial Lakes. Mr. Keprios noted that it does not, they are completely separate. Mr. Crowther noted that the $3.69 per participant is just for outdoor rinks exclusive of Centennial Lakes. Mr. Keprios noted that is correct. Mr. Keprios asked the Park Board to let the staff know what other information they would like to see so that a conclusion on this issue can be made. Mr. Montgomery asked if Strachauer Park is the rink without boards. It was noted that is correct and that the only rink flooded this year that didn't have a warming house was York Park because of the petition the residents brought before the Park Board. Mr. Keprios noted that in the past there used to be a lot of rinks flooded that did not have warming houses. Ms. Rydell asked if it would be cost effective to just flood the rinks over the Christmas holidays because that's where the biggest numbers are and stop flooding the first part of February. Mr. Crowther noted that weather plays a big part with the rinks in that January may be a terrible skating month and February may be a good skating month. Mr. Montgomery indicated that he feels people use the rinks on Saturdays and Sundays and questioned why they are flooded on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. He then asked if the work week could be readjusted or possibly not maintain the rinks every day so that other things could get done such as tree trimming. Mr. Keprios indicated that the rinks do not need to be flooded every day but they do need to be swept everyday. Mr. Cockriel noted that they cannot maintain the rinks and then leave them alone for a couple of days because kids will push the ice shavings and snow up against the boards where they freeze solid and the rinks are ruined for the year. The rinks have to be maintained every day at least on a minimal basis. Mr. Keprios noted that some communities do have a day change in their schedule during the winter season, however, Edina's is an hour change. Mr. Jenkins asked if it would be feasible for us to go on a day shift change. Mr. Cockriel noted that it would depend on what issue we are trying to solve. If we are trying to get more done in the park system it wouldn't make a difference. If we are trying to cut down on overtime then it would save on the overtime budget. Mr. Crowther asked the staff if they knew how many rinks Eden Prairie and Bloomington maintain. Mr. Keprios noted that he could get that information but that Bloomington has over 100 parks. Mr. Jenkins asked Mr. Cockriel if he sees this as being a direct translation that the man hours it takes to do the four rinks that could be closed, those men would be put to use somewhere else. Mr. Cockriel noted that yes, he 2 could put two people up immediately to do whatever else needs to be done in the park system. Mr. Keprios noted another easy way to solve this problem would be to get back the two full-time maintenance men that were lost over the past few years. Mr. Jenkins noted that he has talked with the Mayor about this and that will not be happening in the near future. Mr. Fee asked if four rinks were closed could they be reopened next year, will the boards and warming houses remain at the parks. Mr. Keprios noted that everything would remain where it is in case the rinks were to reopen in the future. Mr. Herring stated that Ken Cutler, Edina Hockey Association President, indicated that they are looking at four additional hockey teams next year. Also, the girls program is going to just explode, particularly when there will be a girls varsity hockey team at the high school. Mr. Herring noted that maybe we need to look at a temporary enclosed facility; i.e. possibly a bubble or some other design that other people have used for kind of a quasi indoor facility. Possibly it could even be hooked up to Braemar Arena and this way they can still use the locker rooms. Mr. Herring noted that ice time is only getting tighter especially with the growth of the girls hockey in all of the communities. Mr. Keprios pointed out that some of the hockey teams will buy an hour of ice at $120 an hour in Osseo before they will use an outdoor rink for a practice. Mr. Keprios noted that losing three of these hockey rinks may not be a big impact on their program. Mr. Crowther noted that the outdoor ice is so unpredictable. He noted that this year his sons could practice outside two of the six times they were scheduled because it was either 40 degrees below zero or 40 degrees above zero. He noted that it's hard to maintain a team that's practicing outside when you are at the weather's mercy. Mr. Fee asked if we close two rinks would that be of any help. Mr. Cockriel indicated not really because they work in two person teams. Mr. Keprios noted that the Park Board has given him some good comments and suggestions and noted that he will put more information together and contact other communities. Mr. Crowther stated that, if this is published in the paper the meeting will need to be held in the council chambers because there will be a lot of people attending. Mr. Crowther stated that it would be hard to close these four rinks without quite a back lash from the community. He then indicated that we have to look real hard for alternative plans and funding to try and keep these rinks open because people will definitely react. Mr. Crowther felt that you could close Strachauer on the numbers but the other three rinks that may not be the case. Ms. Rydell noted that even the numbers at Pamela are incredibly down. Mr. Herring indicated that just for the record as we consider this he thinks it is the right move. He indicated that maybe we should go to a regional concept. The fact that people have to drive to a rink is a fact of life already for a lot of people. These rinks are still within 3 half a mile of coverage of all of Edina. Mr. Herring pointed out that yes, it is a tough decision and nobody wants to sit and listen to all of the complaints, but he thinks this is the right decision. It may not be the right four parks, but he felt the Park Board should look at closing four parks and go to a more regional system. Mr. Dovolis asked Mr. Keprios how accurate the attendance numbers are. Mr. Keprios noted that he thinks they are accurate enough to base decisions on. Mr. Dovolis pointed out that the graduating classes are different numbers. There used to be 600 plus kids in the graduating classes and now there are 300 plus. Mr. Fisher indicated that next year the number will be back up over 400. Mr. Keprios explained how the four rinks were picked out. He stated that they tried to leave two rinks in every quadrant. The one quadrant that is weak is the southeast quadrant. He noted that there are no bathroom facilities at the warming house at Cornelia School and it would make sense to close this one. However, the only other rink in the quadrant is Centennial Lakes and they do not have a hockey rink. Also, Strachauer seemed an easy choice because of the numbers. Mr. Fisher asked if the neighborhood could help to maintain the rinks and it was noted that has been looked at but it cannot be done because there would be too much exposure to liability. Mr. Jenkins asked where cross country ski trails would be. Mr. Keprios noted that there are quite a few different spots such at Lake Cornelia, Bredesen, Walnut Ridge, and Braemar. He noted that right now there are no groomed cross country ski trails in Edina. Mr. Jenkins asked Mr. Keprios if he would like the Park Board to think about this for another month or so. Mr. Keprios suggested that the Park Board think about it awhile and ask neighbors, friends, etc. for their input and see what kind of response you get. Mr. Keprios then asked to Park Board to give him a call if they have any other ideas or questions. Mr. Crowther asked why don't we go the hockey association and ask them for a contribution to keep the rinks open. Mr. Keprios noted that it's not necessarily money that is the issue but more the manpower. Mr. Jenkins stated that the Park Board will think about this and discuss it again at the next Park Board meeting. IV. REGIONAL PARK DEVELOPMENT Mr. Keprios handed out information he received in the mail that he thought the Park Board would be interested to see regarding the regional park system. He explained that the 1500 acres of park land in Edina is all city owned. There are no county, state or federal park lands in Edina. V. OTHER A. Park and Recreation Chart - Mr. Keprios handed out a chart explaining the Park and Recreation Department. This chart was handed 4 out at the League of Women Voters field trip day at City Hall. Mr. Keprios then noted that he wanted to publicly thank Becky Bennett for helping to serve as the Park Board's tour guide for the day. She did a great job. Mr. Keprios stated that it was well attended. B. Athletic Associations President's Meeting - Mr. Montgomery wanted to remind the Park Board members of the meeting on March 23rd with the athletic association presidents. C. Golf Course - Mr. Montgomery asked for an update on the golf courses. Mr. Keprios noted that Mr. Valliere has just returned from vacation and he has a meeting set up with him to be brought up date on the golf course status. Mr. Keprios stated that he will bring Mr. Valliere to the next Park Board meeting to give an update of the golf courses. Mr. Herring noted that we should publicize the date when the golf courses will be opened. Mr. Keprios noted that they will for sure do that. VI. ADJOURNMENT Dave Crowther MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:10 P.M. Jim Fee SECONDED THE MOTION. MEETING ADJOURNED. 5