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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-03-10 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD 7:30 p.m. March 10, 1992 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bill Jenkins, Jean Rydell, Pat Vagnoni, Jim Fee, Mac Thayer, Andrew Herring, Paul O'Connor, Beth Hall, Andrew Montgomery MEMBERS ABSENT: Bob Christianson, Bill Lord STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton Laura Hinton I. APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 11. 1992 MINUTES Jean Rydell MOVED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 11, 1992 MINUTES. Paul O'Connor SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED. II. REVIEW OF THE OUTSIDE SKATING FACILITIES Mr. MacHolda gave an overview of the outside skating facilities. He noted that their method of taking attendance is not a scientific one. Every two hours the attendant on duty goes out and counts the number of people that are skating. Mr. MacHolda noted that where there are scheduled events at the rinks, numbers usually are up. Attendance records for this year as well as past years were handed out. It was noted that attendance has dropped since 1985-1986 and has dropped considerably since 1978-1979. It was pointed out, however, that the in 1978 and 1979 there were two high schools and a lot more kids living in Edina than there are today. Ms. Vagnoni asked if more people are skating indoors? Mr. MacHolda noted that he feels the numbers are down because of three reasons. First, a decline in the youth population. Secondly, kids are not used to a lot of free time, more of their time is scheduled and there are not as many pick-up games. Lastly, kids are used to playing more indoor games. Mr. MacHolda noted that his 4 -Man hockey players prefer to play outdoors on the rinks that simulate ponds. That is where the adults learned how to play. Mr. MacHolda stated that Lewis Park is the most popular and heavily used park. This rink is always scheduled with bandy and hockey games. There is very little general skating. The Normandale and Pamela Park rinks are used for Adult Broomball, while the Weber and Highland Park rinks are used for the 4 -Man hockey program. Rinks that are shaded also have higher attendance late in the season because of better ice conditions due to the shade. It was noted that a lot of Bloomington and non -Edina residents use Lewis Park. Also, a lot of non-residents use Weber Park, since it is close to the Minneapolis and St. Louis Park border. An idea was brought up to possibly consolidate the rinks. There could be one rink in each quadrant of the city and there could be covers placed over these rinks so the ice would last longer and have a better quality. Mr. Kojetin stated that this topic has been brought up in the past. Mr. Montgomery noted that if the system were to go to one rink per quadrant, Lewis Park should not be counted in the that category. Lewis Park is a unique situation. Mr. MacHolda noted that it makes sense to go to a 4 rinks, one in each quadrant and put on a cover. This would extend the season. This topic goes back to the 1960's when the pavilion was built. Mr. Kojetin stated that Pamela would be the only park that could hold a big structure such as this. It was also noted that maybe there should be one big skating center that would have three rinks. This idea also has been talked about in the past. If this happens, however, people cannot always walk to the park. It was also suggested that there would maybe need to be some type of a user's fee similar to what the aquatic center uses. Have always met opposition to closing neighborhood rinks. It was noted that the majority of the skaters are hockey players. It was asked how many rinks are flooded that do no have warming houses. It was noted that there are four rinks without warming houses: Todd, Heights, York and McGuire. These rinks are known as secondary rinks and are not flooded until Christmas vacation. Wooddale used to have a rink and then people stopped using it so it was discontinued. How often rinks are used determines if they will continue to be flooded. York Park is still being flooded because it is still used quite a bit. It was asked if attendance is taken the same way today as it was in 1978 and 1979. It was noted that it is taken the exact same way. Mr. Kojetin stated that the crews begin flooding rinks on the Monday after Thanksgiving and they continue until they lose the ice which is generally around February 15th. Flooding rinks is a lot of work because quite a bit of it is hand work. It was noted that the ice is of more quality when there is one man per rink at all times. Mr. Kojetin stated that on Saturday there is a skeleton crew that sweeps and floods for four hours. Sunday there is also a few people who come in and sweep. This started about five years ago when the City Council requested it. A lot of families skate on the weekends and this is why it was started. Mr. Kojetin noted that with the overtime it becomes an expensive program. Mr. Kojetin noted that Centennial Lakes is the family skating center and on busy weekends they have had as many as 3,000 people there. Mr. Kojetin commented that it is too bad that the permanent shelter building at Strachauer Park was not designed in such a way that would allow it to be easily relocated to another park where the populations demand more activities. Mr. Jenkins asked if the outdoor rinks could have Zambonis. Mr. Kojetin stated that this really could not be done since the Zambonis are too slow unless you have more than one zamboni, which becomes very costly. Mr. Montgomery asked if attendance is taken on the three secondary rinks? Mr. Kojetin noted the only way they take attendance is by what the maintenance men observe as far as skate marks or hard use of the ice. 2 It was asked what the open skating schedule is like at Braemar Arena. Mr. Kojetin noted that it varies. More people skate at the arena in November and December and then the numbers drop off when the outdoor rinks open up. Mr. Kojetin noted that the Park Board needs to think about the subject of possibly closing some ice rinks in the future. This will be discussed again at a later date. Mr. Keprios noted that another reason the numbers are so low is because this winter has been one of the warmest winters on record. Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that he lost the first three weeks of Bandy this season because of the warm weather and had to reschedule a record number of Bandy games. III. PETITION REQUEST FOR A NEW SKATING RINK AT SHERWOOD PARK Ms. Vagnoni asked what other parks in the area had ice rinks? Mr. Kojetin noted that Highlands is the closest. It was noted that the petition had 19 signatures from 11 households and there are only about 20 houses in the circle. Mr. Keprios noted that this area does have a neighborhood group and they were good to work with when they received their new playground equipment last year. It was asked if a skating rink were put in would any other neighborhood would be able to use it. Mr. Kojetin noted that really no other neighborhood would have easy access to the rink. Kids would have to cross over railroad tracks. Mr. Kojetin noted that his recommendation would be to not put a skating rink there next year but to wait another year and look at the issue again. Mr. Kojetin noted that the Park Board should vote on this issue at next month's meeting. Mr. Montgomery felt that he does not see how a rink like this could be justified. Mr. Jenkins also noted that it does not make sense to put a skating rink in that area. Andy Montgomery MOVED THAT DUE TO THE CURRENT BUDGET, CONSTRUCTION DOES NOT APPEAR PRUDENT TO EXPAND ICE SKATING FACILITIES AT THIS TIME. Jim Fee SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED IV. SENIOR CENTER UPDATE Mr. Kojetin informed the Park Board that the workers have started to tape and sheet rock the Senior Center area. Hopefully next week the area will be painted. The last thing then to be done is the carpeting, which will take some time because of the bidding process and ordering the carpet. Mr. Kojetin noted that he has hired a person to do the design and graphics. This person is working on making the area look more like a senior center than a school. Mr. Kojetin has also been talking with the seniors to get their feelings and input on what they would like to see done. Mr. Kojetin noted that he has been buying sample furniture to get input from the seniors. This way they feel they are being a part of the project. Mr. Kojetin noted that he is hoping for a grand opening the end of April. V. BUDGETED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT 1992 The Jupiter Report capital plan of $200,000 per year needs to be re-evaluated each year. There will only be $180,000 in the 1992 Capital Plan, $20,000 less than previous years. The maintenance and upgrade plan of the tennis courts, hard surface areas, playground equipment and various park equipment must be reviewed each year. 3 Mr. Keprios gave an update on the tennis courts, hard surface areas and playgrounds. Mr. Keprios noted that the facts are a little different than what is shown on the schedule. The tennis court at Garden Park is unplayable and Mr. Keprios noted that it would not be feasible to put in an overlayment over the existing surface. Unless this court is rebuilt, no more money should be spent at this site. The tennis courts at Braemar are in poor shape. Mr. Keprios noted that these courts need to be done this year, however, the schedule shows they should not be done until 1993. Braemar could get by with an overlayment like Normandale did last year. Mr. Keprios asked the question, do we stay on schedule, do we fix the courts, or do we eliminate the facility. Mr. Montgomery felt that the Lake Edina courts could be held off this year until we know what will be happening with the Normandale Golf Course project. Ms. Vagnoni asked if a survey could somehow be taken as to how much the tennis courts are being used? Mr. Keprios noted that it would be difficult and costly to do something such as this. It is not as easy as taking the warming house attendance at the ice skating rinks. It was asked if all of the tennis courts are needed. It was noted that there are not as many people playing tennis as in the past. Mr. Keprios noted that he is faced with a judgment call, should he be eliminating tennis courts? Mr. Herring asked what the cost of maintenance is? It was noted that to rebuild a court is $35,000. It costs generally $2,500 to $3,000 per tennis court site (two courts per site) to simply fill the cracks and bird baths and resurface and paint the courts. Other than that it is $100 every 2-5 years for a new tennis net. Also, the maintenance men sweep and wash off the courts once in the beginning of the season. Generally, there is very little maintenance involved. Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that Todd Park has the worst basketball hard surface area. Hard surface areas are also expensive to repair but not as much as the tennis courts since there are no fences to deal with. Mr. Kojetin noted that this year he will have the street department crews tear out the old asphalt and put down new asphalt and paint. Mr. Keprios noted that Countryside Park has the best basketball hard surface area. It was asked if there are volleyball sand courts at any other park aside from Lake Cornelia. John noted that there really are not. There will, however, be a sand volleyball court put in at Centennial Lakes in Phase II. Lake Cornelia Park does have some that are used mostly for people's special events. There have not been a lot of requests for sand volleyball. It was also noted that $100,000 is funded by the utility fund which comes from the rental for the wells and pump houses on various parkland. VI. OTHER A. Adaptive Recreation Report - Laura Hinton, Adaptive Recreation Supervisor, gave a report on the Adaptive Recreation Program. Ms. Hinton showed a video on the Adaptive program and also passed out the recreation brochure, which is mailed out three times a year. 0 Ms. Hinton stated that this year the adaptive program worked with the Thompson Academy of Gymnastics. This program helps kids with their coordination. It is a segregated program with two sessions a year and has worked out very well. Ms. Hinton explained a few of the programs they offer. One is the "Jump, Run & Fun" program. This is an integrated exercise class for kids that has done very well and has had a lot of interest. Another class is the "Sports Club for Teens". This is also an integrated class that is co-sponsored with the South Suburban Adaptive Recreation and Community Education. This class is for 11 - 16 year olds who want to play a few different sports a night. This class is held only in the summer. There is also a segregated program that works in conjunction with the Art Center. This program is individually based and friends and family are welcome to come along. Ms. Hinton also pointed out that this year 30 kids were integrated into the athletic association programs. This number is up from 1990. Ms. Hinton noted that since Edina has had a full-time position for an adaptive recreation supervisor she has really seen the program grow and become very beneficial. Ms. Vagnoni asked how the boy in the wheelchair in the video plays baseball. Ms. Hinton informed her that he probably hits the ball and then someone pushes him to the base. It was asked how do kids react when someone with a disability is on their team. Ms. Hinton noted that usually before the child starts the program she will sit down with the kids and explain that there will be a new person on their team who has a disability. Ms. Hinton explained that there are always some kids who will harass the person with the disability but for the most part kids are very helpful. Ms. Hinton expressed that kids with disabilities are not put into real competitive sports, but are put into more positive situations. Ms. Hinton explained that the South Suburban Adaptive Recreation works in cooperation with the Learning Exchange or ABLE, in a program that serves adults with disabilities in recreation and education. Ms. Vagnoni asked if transportation is provided. Ms. Hinton noted that Edina does not offer transportation. There really is not a super need for it since Edina has no ongoing programs. Transportation is always an issue but not a need. Ms. Hinton noted that most classes are segregated. The trend, however, is towards integration. There usually is a choice and parents tend to like their kids to have both types. Mr. Keprios also pointed out that Ms. Hinton is also in charge of the playground program as well as the puppet wagon program. Mr. Keprios informed Park Board that very few of our existing playground equipment sites are accessible to people with disabilities. Under the new Americans With Disabilities Act, however, all new playground equipment sites being installed need to be accessible. B. Aquatic Center - Mr. Kojetin noted that the aquatic center is coming along well. It is 75% completed and should be opening on time. C. Gambling - John Keprios mentioned that on April 6, the City Council will be addressing the issue of gambling in general in the City as part of the codification of the ordinances. 5 D. Spring Clean -Up Project - Ms. Vagnoni asked if there was going to be some kind of clean-up project in the city. She indicated that there is so much garbage around the city. Mr. Kojetin informed the Park Board that the last week of March and first week of April there will be a spring clean up project. Mr. Kojetin is also taking the names of residents who are interested in helping out. Ms. Vagnoni also asked if there could be more trash receptacles placed throughout the parks. Mr. Kojetin indicated that by adding more trash cans to the parks it would add an additional cost for pick-up. He also stated that since the city has been eliminating some of the trash receptacles more people are taking the responsibility of carrying their trash to a more central location or home. As a result there is less of a burden on the expenses in our budget. Mr. Kojetin noted that he has received a lot of calls about the smell at the warming houses. The reason for the smell is the warm weather with the peat soil and melting snow. Another issue brought up was the dog feces in the parks. Mr. Kojetin stated that he does receive a lot of calls on this topic. What he tells people•to do is write a letter to the Park Board. A lot of the time people call and complain but will not leave their names. It would be difficult to eliminate dogs from the parks unless a lot of people voice their opinion against having dogs in the park. F. Athletic Association Survey on Fundraisers - Mr. O'Connor asked Mr. Keprios if he sent out the survey. Mr. Keprios stated that he did send it out and has received three back. He is waiting until all of the associations have had their next meeting and he will then report back at the next Park Board meeting with the results. VIII.ADJOURNMENT Bill Jenkins MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:20 P.M. Mac Thayer SECONDED THE MOTION. MEETING ADJOURNED. G