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.
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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.
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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.
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