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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-05-11 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD 7:30 p.m. MAY 11, 1993 MEMBERS PRESENT: Pat Vagnoni, Dave Crowther, Beth Hall, Andrew Herring, Bill Jenkins, Jim Fee, Jean Rydell, Andrew Montgomery MEMBERS ABSENT: Bill Lord, Mac Thayer, Paul O'Connor STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton, Tom Shirley Mr. Kojetin introduced Tom Shirley, Assistant Manager at Edinborough Park. I. APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 13, 1993 MINUTES Mr. Jenkins noted that he has one correction in the April 13, 1993 Minutes. It should read Mr. Lord asked for a motion to approve the March Minutes. Jean Rydell MOVED TO APPROVE THE APRIL 13, 1993 MINUTES. Andrew Montgomery SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED. II. SKATING RINK REPORT Mr. Kojetin indicated on a map the location of the residents who signed the petition to keep the Strachauer Park warming house and skating rink open. Mr. Kojetin noted that he has discussed this issue with Mr. MacHolda and Mr. Keprios. They came to the conclusion that since there is a warming house at Strachauer Park, the park should be opened. Also, the three rinks where there are no warming houses, York, McGuire and Todd should be closed. Mr. Kojetin stated that he has put together some numbers from last year. He noted that for the 1992 season, approximately $81,000 was spent on maintaining the rinks. Of the $81,000, $9,600 was spent in overtime. Therefore, $71,000 was spent for regular time for the 16 maintenance men. Mr. Kojetin then explained that for 1993, $63,600 was spent in regular time and $11,000 was spent for overtime. So it cost approximately $75,000 to run the 1993 season. Mr. Kojetin also pointed out that 1993 was open 20 more days than in 1992 because of the weather. It cost approximately $6,000 to stay open for the 20 extra days and approximately $2,800 in overtime. Mr. Jenkins indicated that in 1993 we spent $6,000 less than in 1992 and there were 20 more operating days in 1993. He asked Mr. Kojetin how that was done. Mr. Kojetin explained it was because in 1993 we had two less maintenance men than in 1992. Mr. Kojetin pointed out that if there were approximately 19,416 skaters in 1992 and you divide that into the $81,000 that the cost to maintain the rinks would be $4.00 per skater. In 1993, it cost $2.49 per skater. Mr. Montgomery asked how accurate are those numbers. He stated that a 50% increase in skaters doesn't seem correct. Mr. Kojetin stated that they did end up with 7,000 more skaters in those last 40 days. He also noted that some skaters may be counted twice if they are there each time the attendant on duty takes a count. Mr. Fee asked if this also includes the hockey teams that are practicing. It was noted that it does. Mr. Kojetin agreed that the numbers are not perfect. Mr. Herring asked how much money was budgeted to maintain the rinks last year. Mr. Kojetin noted $81,000. Mr. Crowther asked Mr. Kojetin what he thought it would cost to maintain the three rinks that have no warming houses. Mr. Kojetin indicated approximately $1,000 per rink and they do not get overtime. Mr. Jenkins asked if it would be a wash to open Strachauer Park and close the three little rinks. Mr. Kojetin noted that he thinks it would. Mr. Crowther asked that since it costs such a small amount why not keep all of the rinks open. Mr. Fee stated that he doesn't think they are used very much and from a practical standpoint there are not warming houses there. Mr. Fee felt that the three rinks should be closed and if people want them to be reopened then they should indicate that to the Park Board. Mr. Kojetin noted that he has been talking with people in the Todd Park area for the last few years. He stated that they have been talking about getting a petition together to have a warming house put in and hockey boards put back up. However, he has never received a petition. Mr. Fee noted that the people in the Todd Park area can also be serviced by Highlands Park and Weber Park. Mr. Kojetin noted that generally people will go approximately 3/4 of a mile to get to a rink. Mr. Jenkins stated that the staff's suggestion is to close the three rinks without warming houses and reopen Strachauer Park. Mr. Kojetin stated that is correct. Ms. Vagnoni indicated that a letter should be sent to the people in the Strachauer area so they are aware that this will be done. Mr. Montgomery asked what is going to be done with Arden Park this year. Mr. Kojetin noted that they have it scheduled to be done with money from the operating budget. Mr. Montgomery asked if this is the time to discuss whether we are going to continue to keep all of the skating rinks open. Mr. Kojetin noted that his recommendation at this time is to continue status quo and try to maintain what we have. Mr. Crowther suggested approaching the Edina Hockey Association for money. Mr. Kojetin noted that they have and the Hockey Association is talking about doing improvements on the indoor rink at Braemar Arena and not the outdoor rinks. III. RECREATION REPORT Mr. MacHolda brought the Park Board up to date on what was happening for the summer. A. Aquatic Center - Mr. MacHolda noted that the pool season will begin on May 22nd. Mr. Herring asked if the pool will be opened on the weekends only or.will it also be opened during the week. Mr. MacHolda noted that on the weekends the pool will be fully operable, which means it will open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. During the week the wading pool will be open 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and the main pool will open at 3:30 p.m. Starting June 9th the pool will be open regular hours 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Mr. MacHolda noted that during the off season the aquatic center was vandalized again. Mr. Jenkins asked what type of vandalism. Mr. 2 MacHolda noted that apparently skate boarders got on top of the fiberglass roofing and kicked it in, once inside they vandalized the building. He noted that this year they took a fire extinguisher and fogged everything and anything that was left in the facility was trashed. It cost a couple of thousand dollars to fix the place. Mr. MacHolda then explained that after this last incident they are now installing an alarm system. He noted that it's a good investment and they have found a company that is willing to do it. Mr. Jenkins asked if the alarm goes directly to the police department. It was noted that international dispatch gets the call first and then they refer it to the Edina Police Department. Mr. MacHolda then explained where the beams are set up. He noted that the time he is most worried about vandalism is when the pool is closed for the off season. Mr. Fee asked if there are signs around indicating that there is a security system. Mr. MacHolda noted that there are not. They have had signs in the past and they have not worked. B. Soccer - Mr. MacHolda noted that overall the Soccer Association is up approximately 150 to 200 people and they are now just short of 2,000 participants. He also stated that soccer is for boys and girls. Mr. MacHolda then indicated that the Soccer Association has made a contribution of $12,000 to irrigate Creek Valley. Mr. MacHolda stated that the Soccer Association came to the Park Board meeting a couple of months ago to request that non-residents be able to participate if needed. He noted that they did receive enough Edina residents and that they did not have to go to non-residents. C. Baseball - Mr. MacHolda indicated that baseball is now underway and there are approximately 900 participants. Mr. Jenkins asked if the Baseball Association's first level is T-ball. Mr. MacHolda noted that the Baseball Association starts with Jugball which is for ages 9 and 10. This year Jugball was just short of 400 participants. Mr. Jenkins asked who will be coaching Jugball this year. Mr. MacHolda noted that they are college and high school students. He explained that this year there is a new program director for Jugball only. In the past Jim Donohue was the program director and was also in charge of the umpires. This was too big of a job for one person. Therefore, we should see a difference in the program this year. Mr. Jenkins asked if the T-ball numbers are included in the 900 participants. Mr. MacHolda noted that they are not. He stated that Edina has what is called Coach Pitch, not T-ball, which is for 7 and 8 year olds. Right now there are approximately 325 participants. Mr. MacHolda noted that baseball is basically for boys only and coach pitch is for boys and girls. Mr. Herring asked what is Coach Pitch. Mr. MacHolda noted that it is run by the Park and Recreation Department and the coach pitches to the participant however, the T is available for those who wish to use it. It was also noted that the YMCA has a similar program called T-Ball. Mr. MacHolda stated that Coach Pitch is played on Monday evenings at four sites: Normandale Park, Cornelia School Park, Wooddale Park and Weber Park. Mr. MacHolda explained that the Edina Baseball Association has earmarked $7,000 to fix the benches and dugouts at some of the baseball sites other than Braemar. The Baseball Association feels that because of 3 safety issues, some of the fields need to be fixed. He noted that the Baseball Association appreciates the City being so cooperative in their running the concession stand at the Baseball Complex and that they would like to put some of their earnings back into the city. Bids are starting to be taken for this project. D. Basketball - Mr. MacHolda indicated that the Basketball Association is looking at having a 3 on 3 tournament this summer as well as have a 3 on 3 league. Mr. Jenkins asked what age groups this would be for. Mr. MacHolda noted that they are looking at grades 3 through 12 and possibly adults. Mr. MacHolda indicated that the Timberwolves are willing to work with us and they will bring in all of the hoops and standards. Right now they are looking at having the tournament at the parking lot at Braemar Arena. Mr. Jenkins asked if this is a done deal. Mr. MacHolda noted that it's real close to being final. Ms. Hall asked how this tournament will be advertised. Mr. MacHolda noted that they will be advertising it through the traveling coaches and the adult managers from last year. Mr: Herring asked if the tournament would be done as a fundraiser. Mr. MacHolda noted that this is something for the kids to be able to get out and play ball. Mr. Herring asked if this is for Edina residents only. Mr. MacHolda noted that for the youth it will be but for the adults they will also take non-residents. E. Football - Mr. MacHolda noted that for the last 3 to 4 years there has been inner -league play for 7th and 8th graders because there have not been enough teams for Edina to have a league of their own. Participating communities have been Bloomington, Eden Prairie and Edina. However, he noted that the Football Association will be breaking this bond to move to a more compatible program with Minnetonka. Mr. Herring asked about the program for the little kids who play flag football. Mr. MacHolda noted that this year the coaches will be parents and the referees will be students. The kids are being eliminated as coaches this year. IV. TENNIS COURTS Mr. Kojetin indicated that the tennis courts are in very poor condition this year. He is not sure if it is the weather, but even the ones that were in good shape are now in poor shape. Mr. Kojetin noted that they had a person go and look at the tennis courts and take a survey. It was noted that a lot of the tennis courts need to be completely redone, which would cost a lot of money. Mr. Kojetin suggested that they just patch up the courts at this point so they can be played on through the season. It was noted it would cost between $30,000 and $40,000 per court to completely redo them. Mr. Kojetin noted that last year Garden Park was supposed to be redone but because we now pay sales tax we lost that amount of money in the capital budget. Mr. Kojetin stated that we have $30,000 in the budget to do tennis courts this year. He then explained that they are going to try something new this year. The Street Department is going to try to patch up the tennis courts as best they can. It is something they haven't done before but they will get the courts in shape to some degree and they will hopefully last a couple of years. Mr. Kojetin noted that 4 he wanted to bring the Park Board up to date on what was happening and indicated that some Park Board members may be receiving calls on this issue. Mr. Jenkins asked if there any numbers available on what the participation is at the tennis courts. Mr. Montgomery noted that it seems a lot of people have memberships at clubs. Also, it seems that some of the tennis courts are rarely used. Mr. Jenkins indicated that it seems participation is actually down in the sport. V. OTHER A. In -Line Skating Program - Mr. Kojetin indicated that the staff is looking at starting an in-line skating instructional program at Lewis Park this year. He stated that a group will come in and provide us with the equipment and advertising and we will get a percentage from the lessons. Mr. Jenkins asked about who provides insurance for the program. Mr. Kojetin noted that they have their own insurance. Mr. MacHolda indicated that they wanted to have the program at the Aquatic Center site because of it being so visible off of Valley View. Mr. Kojetin indicated that they are waiting for us to make a decision and he told them he wanted to have more information on the program. B. Cornelia School Park - Mr. Montgomery asked if the Peterson's are happy with the situation at Cornelia School Park. Mr. Kojetin noted that at this point the letters have been sent and we have not heard back so we are assuming everyone is happy. C. FARMER'S MARKET - Mr. Kojetin indicated that the Edina Foundation is looking into having a farmer's vegetable market at Braemar Arena's parking lot on either Tuesdays or Thursdays. It is now in the conversation stage. D. BREDESEN PARK - Ms. Hall asked about the bike path at Bredesen Park. She indicated that she received a phone call from a resident who was concerned about the bicycle path having cracks in it. Mr. Kojetin indicated that the asphalt plants have just opened up and the crews will start working on the path soon. V. ADJOURNMENT Andy Montgomery MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:25 P.M. Jean Rydell SECONDED THE MOTION. MEETING ADJOURNED. 5