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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-04-14 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD 7:30 p.m. April 14, 1992 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Bill Lord, Bill Jenkins, Jean Rydell, Pat Vagnoni, Jim Fee, Mac Thayer, Andrew Herring, Paul O'Connor, Beth Hall, Andy Montgomery STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Janet Canton I. APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 10, 1992 MINUTES Paul O'Connor MOVED TO APPROVE THE MARCH 10, 1992 MINUTES. Jean Rydell SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED. II. ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION FUNDRAISERS Mr. Kojetin mailed out the results of the athletic association survey to the Park Board members. Mr. Keprios noted that the only item not included was the budget. He stated that he has a few left to collect and once he receives all of the budgets he will mail them to the Park Board. Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that there are three additional Edina youth athletic organizations or traveling teams that are not incorporated with the State of Minnesota. These three organizations or teams are: Girls Traveling Volleyball, Girls Fast Pitch Softball, and Girls Traveling Basketball. The Girls Travelling Basketball was part of the E.G.A.A. and Girls Fast Pitch was part of the E.Y.S.A. Basically these three organizations are just clubs at this point and they operate independently of any existing Edina youth athletic association. These organizations or teams have their own by-laws and consider themselves associations. Mr. Fee asked why are the associations breaking off into these clubs? Mr. Kojetin noted that when the Edina Girls Athletic Association was formed in 1974 there were not enough participants at that time to have individual associations so all of the girls sports were under one association. If a sport grew large enough to support their participants then an athletic association was formed for their sport. Mr. Kojetin also noted that Girls Traveling Basketball does have a different season than the House League Basketball. Mr. Christianson asked if there has been any response from these three organizations or teams on the survey. Mr. Keprios indicated that he will mail a survey out to these clubs right away and will have the results at the next Park Board meeting. Mr. Keprios also noted that, because the Wrestling Association has relatively few participants, the survey probably does not pertain to them and they did not fill out a survey. Mr. Montgomery indicated that he felt the Baseball Association should consider sponsorships as a source of income and not consider interest from a savings account as a fundraiser. There are a lot of associations that considered interest from savings accounts as a fundraiser. Mr. O'Connor pointed out that most of the income from the interest on the savings accounts cover the amounts needed for scholarships. It was also noted that scholarships are on the increase with the recession. Mr. Fee asked how it is known publicly that scholarships are available. Mr. Kojetin noted that it is basically by word of mouth and most people who use scholarships want their names to be confidential. Mr. Christianson asked if the budget will show the corporate sponsorships. Mr. Keprios noted that it will show income from everything including the corporate sponsorships. The budget is the missing piece. Mr. Christianson indicated that this survey is very helpful. Mr. Keprios noted that for the most part the associations were very cooperative. Some of the associations were very accurate and some were not as accurate. Most of the associations did agree that they do need guidelines to follow when having fundraisers, etc. Mr. Herring asked how the associations make so much money off of tournaments? Mr. Keprios stated that the information is somewhat misleading. It is read as a net number but really it is a gross number. There is not that much cash made. Mr. Herring asked if the tournaments are designed as fundraising techniques? It was indicated that these are usually held for fundraising purposes. Mr. Keprios did indicate that some of the tournaments did show a net amount. The final budget will show the net income after the expenses. Mr. Herring pointed out that approximately 1% use scholarships. He wanted to know if that was comparably high or low to other communities. Mr. Kojetin stated that it would be difficult to get that information. Mr. Lord asked why would that information be significant? Mr. Herring explained that he wanted to know if people are getting the word that scholarships are available. He is not asking for a huge undertaking, just ask a few communities their feelings on this topic to see how we compare. Ms. Vagnoni asked if it would be appropriate to thank the associations for their cooperation and let them know that they are very much appreciated. Mr. Christianson noted that when the Board is at the point of making a final decision the associations should be invited to come in and comment on what the action will be. Mr. Lord indicated that the associations are doing a nice job. He indicated that there may be one or two to be concerned about but overall a very nice report on how they handle their business. Mr. Kojetin noted that the City will be going through the recodifications at the first City Council meeting in June. One item will be gambling in Edina. 4 III. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA Mr. Kojetin stated that everyone is becoming more and more aware of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Mr. Kojetin and Mr. Keprios recently went to some meetings on the ADA regarding playground equipment. There are some important dates that the City of Edina now needs to follow as far as keeping playground equipment up-to-date. By January 26, 1992 there needs to be someone on the ADA Committee from the City of Edina. This person is Ceil Smith, Assistant to the City Manager. Laura Hinton, Adaptive Recreation Supervisor, is the Park and Recreation representative for the ADA. Since she works closely with this topic we will get excellent feedback from her. Mr. Kojetin stated that the next important date is July of 1992. At this time there needs to be a plan of what will be done with certain facilities. Mr. Kojetin explained that during the past 15 years the City has slowly been removing architectural barriers within the park buildings such as upgrading the restrooms, having accessible ramping of buildings and widening doorways for people with disabilities. Each year the City receives CDBG money which has been used for the architectural barrier upgrades of the park facilities. Mr. Kojetin noted that the ADA falls under the Justice Department. It has been expressed that if someone is trying to get into a building and are unable to get in, there could be a lawsuit. The next date is January of 1993. This is when the City needs to start implementing the plan. In January of 1995 the plan needs to be completed. Mr. Kojetin noted there are 37 parks and not every park needs to be in the plan at this point. For example, we will designate four or five parks that will be accessible to people with disabilities. At these four or five parks playground equipment such as slides, swings, climbing areas, etc. have to be accessible for the disabled which means that if there are three swings, one of the swings has to be accessible for the disabled, not all three swings need to be accessible. If there are two slides, one has to be accessible for the disabled, etc. Mr. Keprios mentioned that when any of the other 32 parks are redone then at that time they have to comply with the law. Mr. Keprios noted that anytime new playground equipment is put in it needs to be accessible to everyone. Mr. Kojetin suggested possibly contracting the person who did the survey for accessibility at the Community Center when the elevator was installed. This person could help in planning were and how to go about putting together an accessible plan for all of the parks. This individual is now working for Hennepin County and works with the CDBG funding program for the City and County. Mr. Kojetin explained that this year the City is doing curb cuts at each corner to comply with the ADA, which is part of the CDBG funds for 1992. 3 Mr. Christianson confirmed that the ADA does not mandate what the City must supply, just that it must provide a like sensation for people with disabilities. It was noted that there will be input from people with disabilities when starting the planning process so they can be involved. It was also noted that the plan needs to be realistic otherwise the City can get into trouble. Ms. Vagnoni asked if the pool is accessible for the disabled. It was noted that it is. IV. SENIOR CENTER Mr. Kojetin noted that the Senior Center is not moving along as fast as he would like. Mr. Kojetin showed a rendering of colors and carpeting that will be in each room at the Senior Center. The colors are warm and will make it a more pleasant environment. Mr. Kojetin noted that he was hoping to have the opening in April and now it looks like it will be completed by the June Park Board meeting so the Board can take a tour. Mr. Jenkins asked how long the contract with the School District is. Mr. Kojetin noted that it is until the year 2000. V. OTHER A. Mayor's Award - This event will be on April 28th and the cost is $6.00 per person. The event will be held at Edinborough. B. Aouatic Center - Everything is going well. However, the protective surface under the wading pool play structure was originally supposed to cost approximately $5,000. Now, because of the new ADA standards, there could be an increase in the cost of this protective surfacing. VI. ADJOURNMENT Mac Thayer MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 8:40 P.M. Jean Rydell SECONDED THE MOTION. MEETING ADJOURNED. 4