HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-08-10 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD
7:30 p.m.
August 10, 1993
MEMBERS PRESENT: Beth Hall, Bill Jenkins, Andrew Montgomery, Bill Lord,
Andrew Herring, Dave Crowther
MEMBERS ABSENT: Paul O'Connor, Jean Rydell, Jim Fee
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton
OTHERS PRESENT: Rick Young, Betsy Anderson
I. APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 8. 1993 MINUTES
Bill Lord MOVED TO APPROVE THE JUNE 8, 1993 MINUTES. Dave Crowther
SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED.
II. EDINA SOCCER ASSOCIATION
Mr. Kojetin noted that the Edina Soccer Association has an issue that
they would like to discuss with the Park Board. Rick Young, President
of Soccer Edina, indicated that over the past five or six years they
have had an unorganized, traveling fall soccer program. Traveling
players and coaches organized the program and played wherever they could
find space within Edina. This year, however, the Minnesota Youth Soccer
Association has decided to offer a fall program. Mr. Young explained
that he would like to field 10 teams in this program. Mr. Young
indicated that they would need to have two fields, one large field and
one small field. All games would be on Saturdays and Sundays. The
season would consist of 6 to 8 games beginning on September 11th and
ending with a tournament on October 31st. The program would be for the
Under 10 age group through the Under 14 age group and, therefore, would
not conflict with any school soccer. Mr. Young stated that he does have
10 teams that have shown an interest in participating in this program.
He noted that they will be playing the same opponents that they played
during the regular season because most of the other community soccer
associations are going to participate in this league.
Mr. Young pointed out that he brought this issue before the Edina Soccer
Association to ask for their approval to pursue this program since it is
an addition to what is currently being done. They voted unanimously to
try it for the first year on a trial basis and also indicated that they
would like the Park Board's approval for this trial program.
Mr. Jenkins asked Mr. MacHolda if there are fields available for this
program. Mr. MacHolda noted that he doesn't think there would be a
problem. Highlands soccer field could be used as the large field and
Garden's soccer field could be used as the small field. Mr. MacHolda
pointed out that it's much easier to facilitate an abbreviated program
such as this.
Mr. Jenkins asked about practices. Mr. Young indicated that he thought
teams would practice once a week and that the coaches would probably not
reserve a field but rather just pick an open space area like they did
during the summer months.
Mr. Jenkins asked what level of player will participate in the program.
Mr. Young explained that it will be the traveling players who played
during the summer and are interested in playing this fall. Betsy
Anderson, President of the Edina Soccer Association, noted that there is
one house team that has expressed an interest to Mr. Young to play fall
soccer. Mr. Jenkins asked if they will be one of those ten teams and
Mr. Young noted that they will.
Mr. Jenkins asked if the kids will be able to participate in the
football program or will it be a competing sport. Mr. Young noted that
as an association they do not tell the kids they can only play one
sport, so if it's not conflicting that they can play both sports. Mr.
Crowther noted that his big concern would be that the football players
get priority for the fields in the fall since that is their natural
season.
Mr. Montgomery commented that it seems ironic that soccer goes against
baseball in the summer and we have not offered fall soccer because of
what it will do to football and girls basketball. He then commented
that he doesn't think kids should have to make that decision of which
sport to play. Mr. MacHolda noted that the way soccer has the schedule
set up there should be no conflicts or scheduling problems.
Mr. Kojetin stated that he was not aware of the program until last year
when neighbors of Strachauer Park asked that the field not be scheduled
September and October. He indicated that they were doing their own
chalking and brought their own goals. Mr. MacHolda stated that he would
like to be in control of the program as far as dictating what field they
will be playing on and what time. Mr. Jenkins noted that he does not
want to the see the football program touched at all. Mr. MacHolda
agreed with this.
Mr. Crowther asked where do we stand relative to having more than one
recreational season for a sport. He noted that when people are
traveling they pretty much have made a choice and are dedicated.
However, have we addressed the issue before to start offering
recreational programs year round. Mr. Young noted he is not proposing
to offer it to the recreational player. However, there is one
recreational team that does have an interest to play fall soccer. He
noted that he did not solicit this team, they came to him.
Mr. Kojetin noted that the only sports that run 12 months of the year
through Park and Recreation are Swimming and Figure Skating. In other
sports the parents have taken it upon themselves, if they chose, to play
beyond their set season. We do, however, rent out our facilities such
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as the arena to the hockey program and the golf dome to the soccer
program. These sports have broken away from their associations outside
of the regular season and it is done privately. Mr. Lord asked if this
what the Soccer Association is doing. Ms. Anderson noted Soccer Edina
is still part of the Edina Soccer Association. She noted that the
Soccer Board voted to go ahead with this program on a trial basis. She
also noted that they need to see how it fares with kids who are not
playing traveling soccer and want to play fall soccer.
Mr. Lord asked about maintenance of the soccer fields. Mr. Young
indicated that they would certainly be willing to pay another
participation fee or pay the rental fee of $100/day per field. Mr.
Kojetin stated that it is not so much the rental rate that concerns him
it is that they do not have the manpower to work on the fields. He
indicated that if they go out and chalk the field that means that they
are going to have to divide their time between football and soccer and
the manpower is not there to do that. Mr. Lord asked Mr. Kojetin if he
has a solution to that. Mr. Young noted that for the past five years
they have been lining the fields themselves and they would certainly be
willing to continue doing that again if that's what it takes. Mr. Lord
asked Mr. Kojetin how he would feel about that. Mr. Kojetin noted that
would be okay. However, it has always been an unwritten policy that we
cannot have scheduled events at Highlands Park on Sundays. The
neighbors came to the Park Board a number of years ago with this request
because of the noise level. Mr. Kojetin stated that this is something
that he would be reluctant to say let's go there. Mr. MacHolda
indicated that Pamela Senior could be used as an alternate Park. Mr.
Montgomery asked where the staff is because in the springtime they are
maintaining both the baseball and soccer fields. It was noted that all
of the part-time kids are gone in the fall.
Mr. Crowther indicated that it bothers him to offer recreational
programs more than one season. He stated that if we start offering
recreation programs for multiple seasons that a lot of sports might be
interested in also doing this. Pretty soon there will be six or eight
sports running every season, which we don't have the facilities to
accommodate all of them.
Mr. Herring noted that he also is concerned about sanctioning another
season particularly, if it's not going to be within all of the rules
that we apply to everyone. Such as everyone gets an opportunity to
play, it's open to everyone, and it's adequately advertised. He noted
that he is very troubled by an abbreviated season that has a limited
number of teams. He asked are we really getting the word out and
letting everybody play or is it that if you are in the network you get
to play in the fall soccer league. Mr. Herring noted that he
understands Mr. MacHolda's point that by sanctioning this and becoming
involved in it we have more control. However, you can't go halfway, you
have to open it up and advertise it for everyone to be able to play.
Mr. MacHolda noted that he agrees with Mr. Herring's point but his
biggest stumbling block is the fact that it has been going for five
years. Mr. Jenkins asked why don't they continue the way they have been
all along. Mr. Young noted that they can but they are trying to work
within the system. Ms. Anderson stated that as a citizen it's hard for
her to understand that if fields are available, kids want to play, and
the parents are paying taxes why would you not let them play. Mr. Young
noted that he doesn't want to continue how he has been because he
doesn't want to show up at a field and find out that he can't play
there. They would be faced with fines by the Minnesota Youth Soccer
Association because they would have to take a forfeit from the team that
came.to Edina to play. He noted they are trying to work within the
system.
Mr. Montgomery brought up the point that the Junior Olympic Volleyball's
season is held outside of the normal volleyball season for the girls.
Mr. Jenkins noted that in concept he has no problem, they are residents
and they want to play that's great. He has a problem with other
associations with similar situations wanting to use these same
facilities and we don't have the room for all of them. Mr. Jenkins
asked the staff what they recommend. Mr. Kojetin noted that the office
and manpower can only do so much each season as far as helping out each
of these associations. Mr. Kojetin also indicated there might be a
problem if it is not opened up to everyone. He also stated that he
understands it's an experimental program for one year but usually these
type of situations end up being a program the following year.
Mr. Crowther asked why not let Soccer Edina be a group of people doing
their own thing outside of the Edina Soccer Association. Ms. Anderson
noted that one of the problems with doing that would be that they would
not have to follow our guidelines for behavior, etc. Ms. Anderson
indicated that these are kids who have tried out and have made traveling
teams and now want to play in the fall and Minnesota Youth Soccer
Association has afforded them the opportunity to play. Mr. Young noted
that part of the problem is that the information just came out from
Minnesota Youth Soccer Association and they did not have the opportunity
to open it up to tryouts for everyone because the information has to be
back to them in five days with $100.00 per team.
Mr. Montgomery asked what is considered to be the hockey season. Mr.
Keprios noted that it is from October through March. Mr. Montgomery
asked why the soccer season can't run then from May through October.
Mr. Keprios then pointed out that what they are suggesting really isn't
a lot different than the way the girls basketball program currently
runs. The in-house girls basketball begins in September and goes
through November and all girls can play including the traveling girls.
The difference is they don't break out into traveling teams and play the
same season. There is a short break and then the traveling season
starts. Which is kind of what they are recommending. It was pointed
out, however, that it is two seasons of traveling soccer.
Mr. Crowther brought up the point of the recreational team wanting to
play in the fall soccer program. You are truly not having a group of
kids that tried out for traveling participate in the league.
Mr. Jenkins asked if anyone would like to make a motion on this issue.
Mr. Montgomery indicated that he looks at this as an extension to their
season.
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Mr. Lord asked who will do the maintenance. Mr. Kojetin indicated that
he would prefer the Soccer Edina to do the maintenance. Mr. Herring
asked how can we get notice out to everyone who would be interested in
playing. Ms. Anderson noted it can be done with traveling but not with
in-house. Mr. Young then indicated that if he gets more teams he will
need to come back and ask for more fields. Mr. Lord asked Mr. Young
what would happen if they eliminated the in-house rec team. Mr. Young
stated that if he needs to tell the team they cannot play he will do
that. Mr. Herring noted that he wants to do just the opposite, he wants
to open it up to as many people as possible. Mr. Crowther noted that
they only have five days to put this together. He thought if it's going
to be on a trial basis then they can only go with the traveling kids, he
hates to see kids get excluded but he doesn't think you can selectively
pick one in-house team.
Mr. Lord MOVED TO APPROVE AN EXTENDED SEASON FOR SOCCER EDINA WHEREBY
TWO FIELDS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR A RENTAL FEE OF $100/DAY ON AN
EXPERIMENTAL BASIS FOR ONE YEAR. THE PROGRAM WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH
EXISTING PROGRAMS THAT OCCUR AT THIS TIME. Beth Hall SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 TO 1. FOR - Bill Jenkins, Bill Lord, Dave
Crowther, Beth Hall. AGAINST - Andrew Herring.
Mr. Keprios indicated that he has received a lot of feedback from his
adult softball players in regards to their being no fall softball league
this year. He indicated that he offered it last year, however, he does
not have the manpower to offer it again. Some players have asked if
they need to go before the Park Board on this issue. Mr. Lord asked if
there is any way these people could maintain the fields and have their
own independent league and rent it out. Mr. Keprios noted that would
not work. He indicated that he wanted the Park Board to be aware of the
issue. The demand and the facility are there but the manpower is not.
He indicated that we are two full-time maintenance men short. Mr.
Herring asked Mr. Keprios if he has any recommendation on how to deal
with this. Mr. Keprios noted that his recommendation is to get the
approval to fill the two maintenance positions. He then noted that, on
the plus side, the fields do need a break from being used to keep them
in premier condition.
II. ARNESON ACRES
Mr. Kojetin indicated that a couple of things have come up regarding the
formal gardens and gazebo at Arneson Acres. Mr. Kojetin noted that the
garden clubs have been raising money to build a gazebo at Arneson Acres.
So far the clubs have raised approximately $20,000, which has paid for
the cement base that is now there. Approximately $40,000 to $50,000 is
now needed to complete the gazebo. Mr. Jenkins asked if there are funds
there to do it. It was noted there are not.
Mr. Kojetin explained that Mayor Richards attended the Garden Council's
spring meeting and he felt that we should invest some money into this
facility to work on the master plan. Mayor Richards asked the staff to
try to come up with a way to give the Garden Council a loan to finish
the gazebo and have them pay it off over a period of years. Mr. Kojetin
then indicated that there is a small group in the Garden Council that
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want to finish the project as they raise funds, which could take 5 to 6
years to complete.
Mr. Kojetin noted that he has recommended $80,000 be taken from the
Developer's Fund and put it into the capital budget. This $80,000 would
be used to start the construction of the total development of Arneson
Acres Park. The $80,000 is estimated to do grading work, start a master
irrigation loop within the park pathways and re -construct a lake in the
park area. By starting this project there could be a possibility that
private citizens within the community would possibly want to contribute
funds toward different amenities that could be included. Mr. Kojetin
indicated that possibly a promotional brochure could be made for
soliciting to private citizens because this is a project where everyone
in the city could benefit from it. The $80,000 would be an eligible use
of the Developer's Fund money.
Mr. Kojetin then pointed out that there is a little bit of concern by
the Garden Council if they want to do this project or leave everything
as it is. They have gone through a couple of different plans.
DEVELOPER'S FUND
Mr. Kojetin explained to the Park Board that at the Edina Centennial
$233,845 was raised to build the Historical Museum at Arneson Acres.
The total project cost $267,921 which was $34,076 short. This amount
has been carried for the last two years on the books. Mr. Kojetin asked
for a recommendation from the Park Board to transfer the $34,000 out of
the Developer's Fund into the general fund. Dave Crowther MOVED TO TAKE
$34,000 FROM THE DEVELOPER'S FUND AND CLEAN UP THE BALANCE ON THE EDINA
MUSEUM WHICH HAS BEEN CARRIED ON THE BOOKS THE LAST FEW YEARS Andrew
Herring SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. 6-0
III. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR 1994
Mr. Kojetin handed out a proposed capital improvement program for 1994.
Mr. Kojetin reviewed what the $300,000 would be used for.
Mr. Jenkins asked Mr. Kojetin if they are getting an extra maintenance
person next year. Mr. Kojetin indicated no. The City Council reviewed
all requests and their decision was to not hire any new staff for any
department for 1994.
Mr. Kojetin indicated that each department has made a recommendation for
their operating and capital budgets. Mr. Kojetin noted that as far as
the capital budget is concerned we are receiving $20,000 from the
General Fund, $100,000 from the Utility Fund and $180,000 from the
Developer's Fund.
Mr. Kojetin pointed out that we have a problem with the tennis courts,
hard surface areas and warming house buildings. The buildings will cost
approximately $10,000 per roof per building and some work does need to
be done on these.
Mr. Keprios noted that the tennis courts that we had planned to do in
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1992 did not get done. He indicated that we had hoped to do 4 or 5
courts a year and we were left a little short last year so none of them
were done. Mr. Keprios stated that some patching was done this year.
He then noted that both Braemar Park and Garden Park tennis courts need
to be totally reconstructed which will cost approximately $30,000 each
to do. Mr. Keprios noted that we do have the money budgeted to get one
done this year. Mr. Keprios indicated that we are behind in our
schedule to get the courts and hard surface areas done. Mr. Keprios
then explained that what happens is if we let it go too long you can't
resurface them anymore they have to basically be rebuilt.
Mr. Montgomery asked what would happen if we tear down the Braemar
tennis courts. He did not believe it was being played on now because of
the condition it is in. He noted that the high school courts and Lewis
Courts are not that far away from there. Mr. Kojetin indicated that
they have talked about Public Works resurfacing the court on an
experimental basis next spring. If they do a good job maybe that will
be our answer for the future. It was noted that we have 15 sets of
tennis courts. It was also pointed out that there are a lot of tennis
courts located at the Community Center and at the High School that are
open for everyone's use.
Mr. Crowther asked if all of the tennis courts are being utilized or if
some of them could be pulled out. Mr. Kojetin noted that Mr. Montgomery
has more or less gone around to all of the tennis courts. Mr.
Montgomery indicated that right now you are not going to see anybody of
any ability play tennis on Braemar. Mr. Crowther asked if we run
programs for tennis. Mr. Keprios noted that we do have programs and
they are held at the community center and High School courts. He then
indicated that the only time he has had to rely on the city's tennis
courts for lessons is when the community center's or high school's
courts are being resurfaced. The reason we use the community center and
high school is we need to have more than just a battery of two courts
for the program to function. Mr. Jenkins asked the staff for their
opinion of going to possibly 13 or 14 courts instead of the 15. Mr.
Keprios indicated that he thinks it would be reasonable to remove the
Braemar tennis courts since Lewis Park is not far away. Mr. Keprios
stated that most,people would probably agree that we have too many
tennis courts, however, nobody wants to lose a court from their
neighborhood park.
Mr. Keprios asked what process should be used to eliminate a tennis
court. Mr. Kojetin noted that they could indicate in the newspaper that
a meeting will be held to discuss closing some of the tennis courts.
Mr. Keprios noted that losing Braemar tennis courts would probably be
the most logical courts to eliminate.
Mr. Montgomery MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT WE CLOSE THE
BRAEMAR TENNIS COURTS. Dave Crowther SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED 6-0.
Mr. Crowther indicated that we should look at monitoring some of the
other courts and start to possibly phase some of them out.
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Mr. Kojetin indicated that the playground equipment at Lake Cornelia
Park does need to be replaced soon. The equipment is not ADA and is
really beginning to break down. It was noted that the Federated Women
are donating some money for this project.
V. FILMING A MOVIE IN THE PARK (COUNTRYSIDE)
Mr. Keprios indicated that Castle Rock Pictures Incorporated is in town
filming a movie called "Little Big League". He explained that they want
to have a two day shoot on August 30th and 31st at Countryside Park.
Mr. Keprios indicated to the Park Board that he would like their
approval to do a film down there. That Park Board indicated that would
be just fine.
Mr. Crowther brought up the issue of the bleachers at Countryside Park.
He noted that several people have complained to him at the baseball
games that the bleachers are at a slant and little kids are falling off
of them. He stated that maybe this is something that could be fixed
when the movie crew is working out there. Possibly some asphalt could
be placed underneath it and have it leveled off.
VI. OTHER
A. GOLF COURSE - Mr. Kojetin indicated that the construction at the
Normandale Golf Course is completed and we are approximately two weeks
away from completion at Braemar. Mr. Kojetin noted that possibly by the
September Park Board meeting he will have the plans for the Normandale
Golf Course building. He noted that they are right on schedule even
with the rain.
B. MINNESOTA SPLASH - Mr. Montgomery asked how the Minnesota Splash
event went. Mr. Kojetin noted that approximately 9,000 people attended
on Saturday and Sunday. He indicated that they really have not had a
chance to sit down and evaluate the event yet.
C. FOURTH OF JULY - Mr. Montgomery noted that the fireworks display
were super this year. He noted that has always been a good event.
D. COURTNEY BASEBALL FIELDS - Mr. Crowther indicated that older people
have trouble walking down the hill to the baseball fields at Courtney
Park. He noted that we really do not have good facilities for them to
park down there. He asked if signs could possibly be posted on the side
gate to indicate that cars can drive down to the bottom where the
umpires park. He indicated that it would seem more appropriate to
reserve the parking spaces down below for the handicapped as opposed to
having the umpires park there. Mr. Keprios noted that keys have been
given out to anyone who requests them so they can drive straight down.
He also indicated that the umpires should really not be parking down
there. It is for the disabled. Mr. Kojetin noted that Mr. Crowther had
a good suggestion and they should post signs there.
E. TENNIS PROGRAM - Mr. Keprios indicated that he received a letter
complimenting the 1993 tennis program and especially its Director,
Roshan Rajkumar. A copy of the letter was distributed to the Park Board
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members.
F. PROCLAMATIONS - Mr. Kojetin handed out two proclamations for the
Park Board to sign. One was for Mac Thayer and the other one was for
Pat Vagnoni.
G. SEPTEMBER PARK BOARD MEETING - Mr. Kojetin recommended that the
dedication of the Cahill Settlement be held on Tuesday, September 14th
at 6:00 p.m. before the Park Board meeting begins.
It was also noted that Jean Rydell will be gone for the August and
September Park Board meeting.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Dave Crowther MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:10 P.M. Bill Lord
SECONDED THE MOTION. MEETING ADJOURNED.
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