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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-10-12 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD 7:30 p.m. October 12, 1993 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bill Jenkins, Beth Hall, Bill Lord, Andrew Herring, Dave Crowther, Jim Fee, Becky Bennett, Marty Nanne, Jean Rydell MEMBERS ABSENT: Paul O'Connor, Andrew Montgomery STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Janet Canton I. APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 14, 1993 MINUTES Jean Rydell MOVED TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 14, 1993 MINUTES. Bill Lord SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED. II. GIRLS AND BOYS PROGRAMS Mr. Jenkins indicated that at the last Park Board meeting Mr. Herring asked that the staff put together a report on the boys and girls programs. It was noted that Mr. Keprios and Mr. MacHolda put together a report and Mr. Keprios explained the different aspects of the programs. It was noted that the numbers listed on the report are approximate. Mr. Keprios indicated that he did the report based on gender because that is what he thought Mr. Herring had requested. It includes all sports with the exception of tennis lessons, t -ball, playgrounds and swimming because there really is no gender break down or segregation by gender for these particular sports. Mr. Keprios pointed out that the boys flag football does have a few girls in their program. He also noted that the Edina Hockey Association has a few girls in their program. He stated that this year there is now a girls hockey program being offered. Mr. Keprios indicated that the girls hockey program does live by a different set of rules and this year a squirt team has been formed with all girls and they have been given 17 hours of ice time. Mr. Keprios then stated that there are no boys, that he is aware of, in any of the girls athletic programs. Mr. Keprios stated that there are approximately 1400 more boy participants than girls. Mr. Keprios indicated that he met with John Valliere and a few other people regarding the Jr. Golf program and ended up with an elaborate report. He stated that the girls currently received better tee times and a lower cost program than the boys and they are in the process of correcting that imbalance. Mr. Herring noted that he is surprised at the difference in the soccer participation. The report indicates that 500 more boys play soccer than girls. Mr. Keprios stated that the price is the same, the field accommodations are the same, the number of games are the same and the time of year played is the same. Ms. Rydell pointed out that the girls also have EGAA tennis, girls slow pitch softball, and girls fastpitch softball that would conflict with soccer. Ms. Rydell felt that a lot of girls drop out of the program in the 5th and 6th grade while the boys keep playing. Mr. Jenkins noted that he was surprised that there are only 85 girls playing in the fastpitch softball program. Mr. Keprios indicated that it is still a fairly new program as an organized board. He also noted that the program is constantly growing. Mr. Keprios stated that currently there is no volleyball offered specifically for boys and that the Jr. Olympic Volleyball program is earmarked for the girls. Mr. Herring asked the staff if they sense there are any programs that we are not offering the girls that we should be offering. Mr. Keprios indicated that the only comments that he has received is for girls hockey and right now they are trying to accommodate that group of girls. Mr. Jenkins asked Mr. Keprios to explain the girls hockey team this year. Mr. Keprios indicated that there will be one Edina Squirts hockey team and they will be playing five other communities. He noted that at this point it's a club system. He stated there aren't enough girls in any one community to form city teams. Mr. Jenkins asked if this is under the Edina Hockey Association and it was noted that it is under MAHA and the Edina Hockey Association has assumed the responsibilities associated with this years girls hockey team. Mr. Jenkins asked who is going to run the program and coach the team. Mr. Keprios indicated that at the last Hockey Board meeting they were asked to endorse the program and help them get through their first year. He noted that the team has been given 17 hours of ice time and their coach needs to go through the coaches certification training. He also noted that there are a few girls who do play in the boys hockey program at the lower levels. Mr. Herring noted that a 1400 difference between the boy and girl participants seems substantial and asked if there was a sense that the girls programs are not as well organized. Mr. Kojetin noted that basically the organizations are equal. He also indicated that the organizations depend on the board and how strong they are. One year a board may be a lot stronger than another year. Mr. Keprios stated that the boys programs were around long before the girls. It hasn't been that many years that it's been socially acceptable for girls to play all of the different sports. Girls sports have come a long way in the last 15 years. Mr. Herring asked if there is anything that we as a Park Board can do to promote greater participation of girls in Edina. Mr. Keprios stated that he knows as a staff they react to every request they get to try to make it happen. He noted that he doesn't know if there's another sport out there that's not being offered that needs to be organized. He asked Mr. Herring if he has heard of any particular sport that we are not offering our girls. Mr. Herring noted ringette. Mr. Keprios stated 2 that is similar to girls hockey. With girls hockey, there is no checking and it is played with a puck on the ice. Mr. Kojetin and Mr. Keprios both noted that they have not received any calls on ringette. Mr. Kojetin noted that if someone commented that they would like to have ringette hockey that they would certainly look into having the program. Mr. Keprios explained that when he started with the City 15 years ago he started girls hockey. They played at Countryside Park, had volunteer coaches and were self -officiated. There were 60 girls participating and four teams. What happened, however, was the best skaters organized a traveling team and that was the end of the program. Mr. Crowther pointed out that he doesn't think girls hockey or ringette is as interesting here because of the strong figure skating club that we have. They are already directed to an ice skating activity. Mr. Jenkins asked Mr. Herring if he is receiving comments that certain issues are not being addressed properly. Mr. Herring noted that after receiving a call on the Jr. golf program this summer he wanted to have a little more information on all of the programs. He noted that this issue has been a hot topic in the news with the University of Minnesota. He stated that he just wanted to know what the numbers looked like and to see if there was any sense of a problem. Mr. Jenkins indicated that he feels the numbers are not surprising. He noted that he feels the trend for girls in sports is continually going up. Ms. Rydell stated that she thinks the numbers fluctuate from year to year. Mr. Kojetin noted that they are investigating different options for fields and batting cages, etc. because more facilities are needed with the girls numbers continually increasing in the different sports. Mr. Nanne asked if there are clinics offered that teach the basic fundamentals of the different sports. Mr. Jenkins noted that usually each association has their own individual clinics. Mr. Nanne noted that by offering youth clinics first, kids are not thrown right into a league without being taught the sport first to see if they like it. III. FEES AND CHARGES Mr. Kojetin reviewed the fees and charges with the Park Board. He indicated that the fees and charges will go before the City Council sometime in December. Mr. Kojetin stated that the City Council has instructed the staff to look at approximately a 5% increase on programs. Mr. Kojetin pointed out that some of the programs can be raised 5% while others cannot in order to stay within the market with other communities. Mr. Kojetin indicated that the Art Center is probably the one facility that gets involved the most with fundraisers because they have a very difficult time in charging a higher fee because of their numbers. He indicated the Art Center has traditionally not been able to balance the budget so that is why they do a number of different fundraisers. Mr. Kojetin stated that the facility that is the most profitable is the golf course. However, during the last couple of years it has been a little bit more difficult because of building the new nine hole course. A lot of extra expenses have been put into the budget for the two new 3 courses. Because of the hiring of extra manpower, equipment, etc. it has put a burden on the operating budget so the golf course isn't going to look real good for the next couple of years. Hopefully, by the end of 1995 it will be a successful year and will be back in a normal operation. Mr. Fee asked Mr. Kojetin about the senior green fees. Mr. Kojetin noted that they have eliminated the patron card for the seniors. In the past there was a separate patron card for seniors. He stated that the seniors had the best break at the golf course and they are the ones who play 70% of the time. Therefore, you can see that the revenue will add up. Mr. Fee asked if the seniors are aware this is being eliminated. Mr. Kojetin stated that comments have been going around the golf course. The senior patron card holder will now pay $15.00 instead of $13.00. Mr. Lord verified that there will no longer be senior classification. Ms. Rydell asked why the patron card at Normandale costs more than the patron card at the Braemar executive course. Mr. Kojetin indicated the reason is Normandale is a course by itself and it is a longer and more challenging course. Ms. Bennett indicated that she had a question regarding the fees for the pool and arena. She asked if it has always been a policy that the larger the family the more it costs. Mr. Kojetin indicated that this is the first year this policy has been in effect. He stated that the reason for the change is because there were so many situations that make up a family. Mr. Kojetin indicated that the season ticket sales increased tremendously this year because the policy has changed from the previous years. Now season tickets include grandchildren, college students, foreign exchange students and nannies. Mr. Kojetin then explained that they arrived on the number seven as the maximum number of people on a season ticket by talking with other communities. Mr. Kojetin indicated that he received a letter from a family that did have more than 7 children in their family. He noted that they did accommodate the family. Mr. Kojetin stated that the single hour rate at the arena as of September 1994 will be raised to $100.00. Mr. Kojetin indicated that other arenas such as Bloomington are now charging $115.00 and Burnsville is charging $105.00. Mr. Kojetin pointed out that this year the arena is charging $96.00. Mr. Kojetin suggested that maybe we need to take another look at this fee. Mr. Lord asked if all of the ice has been sold for this year. Mr. Kojetin stated that it has but we need to look at next year. He noted that we need to try to stay in the middle of what the other community's are charging and right now we are on the low end. Mr. Jenkins asked if the hockey association pays the same fee as everyone else. It was noted that they do. Mr. Fee asked if most of the ice is used for Edina sports. It was noted that the hockey association uses the ice for approximately six months. Ms. Rydell asked if we could charge a resident/non-resident fee. Mr. Kojetin stated that we used to sell the ice $5.00 cheaper to the hockey association and figure skating club. However, at that time we were selling 95% of our ice to our own Edina residents. Mr. Kojetin indicated that during the past few years more private organizations have been buying ice time. Mr. Fee asked if 4 we should go back to having two different rates. It was noted that we really don't want to be cutting back on revenues at all at this point. It was noted that the topic of raising the ice time fee will be discussed with Larry Thayer. Mr. Herring asked how the pool came out this year by extending the season. Mr. Kojetin noted that there was about a $35,000 increase in gas and power. Mr. Jenkins asked if that was for heating the water. It was noted that is was. Mr. Kojetin did note that we were up $40,000 in our income this year because of the season ticket. Mr. Herring asked if the decline in revenue on the golf course is due to the weather that we have had this year. Mr. Kojetin stated that if we have a nice fall, our revenues will help make up for a summer of poor weather. Mr. Herring then asked if the operating expenses are up because of the additional work that is being done on the new nine hole golf course. Mr. Kojetin noted that is the reason. Mr. Keprios indicated that the Edina Foundation has once again provided money for the grant-in-aid program this year. Mr. Kojetin indicated that they donated approximately $1,200. He noted that he had ask them for money three separate times this year because the demand for grants was so high. Mr. Kojetin noted that these grants are for our own programs such as tennis lessons, swimming lessons, coach pitch, playgrounds, pool passes, etc. He then indicated that he is the one who does do the screening for the grants. Mr. Herring asked why the room fees are being raised at the Centrum Building, who is using it and how often it is being used. Mr. Kojetin noted that people are just starting to find out about it and it is being used a lot for weddings. He pointed out that Centennial Lakes can hold approximately 125 people. Mr. Kojetin explained that the four facilities people rent out for weddings are Braemar, Edinborough, Arneson Acres and Centennial Lakes. It depends on the number of people they are having as to which facility will meet their needs best. Mr. Jenkins asked who provides the catering for these functions. It was noted that people need to do this on their own. However, there are five or six catering companies that are usually used and they do need to be licensed in the City of Edina. Mr. Herring asked about the commercial photography fee and asked if this is because of the movie that was being filmed here. Mr. Kojetin indicated that they have had the commercial photography fee for approximately ten years. He noted that professional photographers make money off of their photographs of the parks, etc. and it is only fair the City should be able to take some of that money. Therefore, a permit is needed to take professional pictures. Jean Rydell MOVED THAT WE ACCEPT THE PROJECTED FEES AND CHARGES AS LISTED. Jim Fee SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. IV. RESULTS OF COUNCIL MEETING RECOMMENDATIONS - TENNIS COURTS Mr. Kojetin stated that the City Council approved the go ahead with the 5 golf tournament to be held at Braemar Golf Course next year. However, they did have some questions on closing of the Braemar tennis courts. They indicated that they would like more information as to why the Park Board picked the Braemar tennis courts to be closed. They asked if there are any other tennis courts that we would like to eliminate. They also want to know how much it will cost to upgrade the tennis courts or rebuild them. Mr. Kojetin stated that after a long discussion they indicated they would like the Park Board to do a study on the tennis courts for the next six months. Mr. Jenkins asked Mr. Kojetin if the council is aware that the Park Board has been doing an ongoing study on the condition of the courts, how many people use the courts and the cost to rebuild the courts. Mr. Kojetin noted that the staff will start working on an outline of the courts. Mr. Kojetin indicated that the bid for the Garden tennis courts came in extremely well. Mr. Keprios suggested that possibly next year the park ranger could take a non -partial survey on the number of players that use the courts. Mr. Kojetin also suggested looking at closing some of the tennis courts and have fewer locations where there are two sets of double courts. Mr. Kojetin stated that the City Council asked if there is anything in the Jupiter Report relating to the closing of tennis courts and he noted there is not. Ms. Rydell stated that she thinks the tennis courts were used a lot more three years ago then what they are used today. Mr. Keprios indicated that some of the comments he hears is that the residents would use the tennis courts more often if they were fixed up. Ms. Rydell stated that every time she drove by Pamela Park, which was relatively often, the tennis courts were not being used. Mr. Keprios pointed out that there is a problem with the east court at Pamela Park. It has a very large bird bath or sink hole. Mr. Keprios stated that we will also have to do a study on the playground equipment. He noted that we are getting to a point that a lot of the playground equipment needs repairs or even replacement. Ms. Rydell asked that if anything is replaced now, does it need to be made handicapped accessible. Mr. Keprios indicated that is correct and it is very expensive to do. Mr. Kojetin noted that maybe we could look at a bond issue for the playground equipment and tennis courts. V. OTHER A. Fundraising - Mr. Fee asked where the Park Board is on the issue of fundraising. He indicated that the reason he is asking is because he heard about a good fundraiser that could be used by the athletic associations. Mr. Kojetin noted that a report was presented to the City Council and they accepted it. Mr. Fee asked if they are changing their recommendation on gambling. It was noted that they are not. Mr. Fee indicated that this is a big fundraiser that the different associations could use. It was noted that as a Park Board they are not in the business to help raise funds for the associations. Associations have to do that on their own. If an association asks if a certain fundraiser is okay, that is one thing, but not to try to facilitate a fundraiser. Mr. Fee noted that he is not proposing that, he is suggesting that we send the idea down to the associations and ask them to form a committee to see if it's something they are interested in. Mr. Keprios pointed out that when he suggested that the presidents of the different athletic associations get together in doing a city wide fundraiser that could be split up amongst all the associations, none of them felt it would work out. He indicated that some of the associations do not have a need for doing fundraisers and others already have successful fundraisers that they have been doing for years. Mr. Keprios indicated to Mr. Fee that he keeps a file on all fundraising material he receives and would be happy to put any information he has in the file and if someone asks about the fundraiser he will let them know. B. Playground Equipment - Mr. Herring stated that every Saturday morning when he watches flag football the parents complain about the playground equipment at Lewis Park. He noted that it is very old and has not been upgraded. Mr. Keprios indicated that there are a dozen parks with the same problem and that Lewis Park is not on the schedule for quite awhile yet. He stated that there are a lot of other sites much worse off. Ms. Bennett indicated that someone had asked her why there is no backstop at Lewis Park. She stated that with all the open space there and the fact that there is not one very close to the area she questioned why. Mr. Kojetin indicated that in the original plans there was one. However, because there were not enough baseball players at that time, they never put one in. What was needed at that time was a soccer field. Mr. Kojetin noted that it's the supply and demand of each sport. C. LIGHTS AT LEWIS PARK - Mr. Crowther indicated that Lewis Park is not very well lit at night. He noted that from the south parking lot it is not lit coming through the woods. He feels this could be a real danger. Mr. Kojetin indicated that's a good suggestion and will look into it. VI. ADJOURNMENT Dave Crowther MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:55 P.M. Jean Rydell SECONDED THE MOTION. MEETING ADJOURNED. 7