HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-12-08 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD
7:30 p.m.
December 8, 1992
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Andrew Montgomery, Bill Jenkins, Beth
Hall, Jean Rydell, Paul O'Connor, Andrew Herring, Pat
Vagnoni, Bill Lord, Jim Fee, Mac Thayer
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton
OTHERS PRESENT: Rick Young, Betsy Anderson, Janis Chapman, Josh
Chapman, Joel Gustafson, Mary Gustafson, Keith Gustafson,
Chris MacLennan
I. APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 10, 1992 MINUTES
Mr. Montgomery pointed out two corrections. The motion regarding the
swimming pool should read that it will be open until the Sunday before
Labor Day and not Memorial Day. Mr. Montgomery also noted that he would
like the word illegal to be put in quotes when he was referring to being
the treasurer of an "illegal" organization.
Jean Rydell MOVED TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 10, 1992 MINUTES. Beth Hall
SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED.
II. EDINA SOCCER ASSOCIATION RESIDENT/NON-RESIDENT POLICY
Mr. Kojetin stated that the Park Board has discussed the
resident/non-resident issue a little bit in the past, but felt a brief
background should be given on the issue. Mr. Kojetin noted that the
athletic associations are not all the same. He stated that the individual
sports have always had non-residents and they are run basically like a
club. The team sports have always had residents only.
Mr. Kojetin explained that as the youth population has been decreasing new
problems are created. There are no longer enough kids to have five or six
different ability levels in one age group. Mr. Kojetin also noted that
when kids enter junior high they tend to lose interest and drop out of the
programs. Mr. Kojetin went on to explain that approximately 1% of the
participants are excellent players. Each association wants to have the
ability to have a traveling team so that the good players can excel and the
average player can be in a good program where they have the opportunity to
be a better player.
Mr. Kojetin pointed out that Soccer is really like a club situation and
therefore never really grew in the United States. Most of the athletic
programs in Minnesota and other parts of the country are more oriented into
the recreation and not the club system like the Europeans are. Mr. Kojetin
noted that soccer started out as a recreational division back in the early
70's and he feels that is why it has worked in Edina. Mr. Kojetin
indicated that the Soccer Association has done an excellent job in trying
to give everyone an opportunity to play.
Betsy Anderson, Edina Soccer Association President, indicated that soccer
is a very successful program in Edina. They service over 1400 kids each
year in which 300 of those kids fall under the umbrella of Soccer Edina, a
traveling division. Ms. Anderson explained that the issue of the club
situation versus recreational soccer has been an issue that the Soccer
Association has had to deal with for many years. Many different options
have been discussed and there is now a solution that will best meet the
needs of the kids in Edina. The Soccer Association would like the Park
Board to have a full understanding of why they came to the conclusions that
they did and what they plan on doing as well as get the Park Board's
approval.
Rick Young, President of Soccer Edina, indicated that there are a certain
number of youth in Edina that want to be real serious soccer players.
Currently, however, these kids are not being served because there are only
approximately four or six players that are serious players who are
committed to it being their number one sport. Mr. Young explained that
what has been happening is the teams have been filled with the balance of
kids from Edina but once the season gets started the kids are not committed
to the program that is really necessary for the other kids to really have a
good experience. Therefore kids have then been forced to leave Edina and
go into the club format and pay fees that are far above the kind of fees
that Soccer Edina is able to offer. What has then happened is kids and
parents are asking Soccer Edina if there is a way we can do something
similar to what the club teams are doing but keep it within the community.
Mr. Young stressed the point that he is not trying to make super teams,
this is not what it is about. There are four levels of traveling in
Minnesota soccer, Division 4,3,2,1. Edina has never had a Division 1 team
and he wouldn't be moving towards one unless something changes dramatically
with the quality of the players. The kids would continue to play Division
2 and 3. Mr. Young indicated that he sees a lot of kids that want to play
Division 2 but are not able to in Edina so they have to go outside.
Mr. Young read a few responses from a survey that he sent out. One person
indicated that kids, except for a few, didn't want to win, play hard or
practice. Another person stated that the last three seasons he has been on
teams with not enough players. Also, there were rarely ever subs and they
usually played with less than 11 players which makes the game a lot less
enjoyable. Mr. Young noted that too many good players from Edina are being
forced to go play somewhere else.
Mr. Young indicated that a committee of 9 members spent a lot of time
talking about this issue and trying to figure out what could be done. It
was decided to open up the program at certain levels to outside players who
would be willing to meet a defined commitment level. He noted that if
there are 16 Edina kids who are willing make the commitment that they won't
miss practices and games then Soccer Edina wouldn't be looking to put
outside players on teams. However, it is almost certain that is not going
to happen. Mr. Young presented the committee's idea to open up the tryouts
at certain age levels. Not every team in U14 and above will do this.
There were approximately 148 kids playing in the U14 and above last year.
Mr. Young noted that they are trying to serve every Edina soccer player
with a level of soccer that is appropriate to them and the only way to do
it is to open the borders. Mr. Young stated they are not going to end up
with a situation where somebody would not be able to play soccer because of
letting outside people in. There are enough programs where everyone will
be able to play somewhere.
Ms. Anderson explained that this is something the Soccer Association is
asking to try to see if it will alleviate the problem of Edina kids being
forced into club type situations. It's offering the dedicated player a
club type experience within the Edina Soccer Association.
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Ms. Vagnoni asked if this is something that will interfere with or go
against the Soccer Associations by-laws. It was noted this will not. The
Soccer Association's main mission is to serve the kids of Edina and when
you force kids out of Edina programs you really are not meeting those
needs. Ms. Vagnoni asked if the Edina Soccer Board is large enough to
encompass all of the different outlets. It was noted that there are 21
members on the Edina Soccer Association Board and there are approximately 6
additional people who work only with the traveling program known as Soccer
Edina. Ms. Anderson stated that the Soccer Board is a very committed board
in making the program work.
Mr. Herring wanted to clarify that if 16 Edina resident players were
committed to this level of participation that regardless of ability they
would be invited to participate on the team. It is a commitment level and
not a skill level. Mr. Young noted that is correct. Mr. Young then
pointed out that they are not trying to make super teams like some of the
clubs. Their mission is to serve as many Edina people as they can.
Mr. O'Connor asked if other communities are having this same problem. Mr.
Young noted that they are and that Edina has joined with other communities
but generally it has been Edina sending their players to the other
communities. The reason for this is because outside players have not been
able to play with us because of the residents only guideline.
Mr. Fee asked Mr. MacHolda what his thoughts were on the issue. Mr.
MacHolda stated that since he started working for the City in 1985 the
Soccer Association has been faced with this issue. Mr. MacHolda indicated
that he likes the proposal because they are trying to service kids from age
5 to 18 of all ability levels and if the older kids are not serviced it
will force them to go outside of Edina. Mr. MacHolda also noted that he
likes the idea that the kids will be given the opportunity to play in Edina
instead of traveling to Fort Snelling or some other place. Mr. Fee asked
how do you market this. Mr. MacHolda replied that there have been
conversations with other communities who might be interested. Also, Mr.
Young is a member of the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association, so there is a
fairly good network out there already and communication seems to be
strong.
Mr. Young indicated that at registration in February he will know the
number of tournaments, etc. so that people who are registering will know
what the commitment level is. Mr. Young stated that at that point then he
would know if he needed to'go out and market the program. This could be
done by running an ad in the state soccer newspaper.
Mr. Montgomery asked if there would be an adequate number of facilities to
conduct the program. Mr. MacHolda indicated that there are enough soccer
fields for the program.
Mr. Christianson asked what it is the Park Board is being asked to do. Ms.
Anderson indicated that they are looking for the Park Board to approve the
Soccer Associations recommendation to allow non-residents U14 and above to
participate in Soccer Edina with a review by the ESA Board at the end of
one year. Mr. Christianson asked that if the Park Board allows
non-residents will this open Pandora's box for the Park Board? Mr. Kojetin
noted that he thinks the Soccer Association is putting enough control on
the circumstances for non -residence that it will not open up Pandora's
Box.
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Mr. Christianson confirmed that whether an Edina resident makes one of the
traveling teams or not is based solely on commitment and not on level of
expertise or talent? Mr. Young replied that is correct. If a kid is
willing to make the commitment, he is willing to spend the time and the
investment in trying to make the kid a good player.
Pat Vagnoni MOVED TO ACCEPT THE SOCCER ASSOCIATIONS RECOMMENDATION THAT
SOCCER CAN ALLOW NON-RESIDENTS FOR U14 AND ABOVE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
TRAVELING PROGRAM WITH THE CAVEAT THAT IT'S BASED ON COMMITMENT AND NOT
SKILL LEVEL WITH A REVIEW BY THE SOCCER BOARD AT THE END OF ONE YEAR., Paul
O'Connor SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
III. STRACHAUER PARK SKATING RINK
Mr. Christianson indicated that there are few concerned residents who would
like to express their opinion on the proposed closing of Strachauer Park.
Mary Gustafson explained that they just found out a few days ago that
Strachauer Park will be closed this winter. She stated that the children
in the neighborhood got a petition going and there were quite a few
signatures and had there been more time, more signatures could have been
obtained and more people would be at the Park Board meeting. The petition
reads: The people of Strachauer Park neighborhood ask you to please
reconsider and don't take away our healthy, wholesome, winter fun! Ms.
Gustafson noted that she moved into the neighborhood in 1985 and at that
time she had heard rumors that the park wasn't going to be open. She
called the Park Department and they said no that they wouldn't close the
park, because if they did the kids would have to cross France Avenue since
Pamela is the next closest park. Ms. Gustafson said now that is their main
concern the kids cannot cross France Avenue. There is not another park on
the east side of France with a warming house so parents will have to start
driving their kids to a different park. It was also noted that a lot of
parents like to skate.
Mr. Christianson asked the people present if they have been given the
attendance figures from the last few years. A gentlemen addressed the
issue without looking at the figures. He indicated he is willing to admit
that last year attendance was low but the neighborhood has had a turn
over. There are a number of children who will be skating this year who
weren't old enough to go skating two years ago. Last year he felt there
was an admiration in the weather and the ice was terrible. It was noted a
lot of people have moved into the community in the last three years. A
gentlemen indicated that he feels a major reason the numbers are down is
because the boards were taken down for hockey. You take the hockey rink
down and you admittedly have lost a large number of the population who
would be skating, at least as far as the older kids are concerned.
Mr. Christianson explained that the problem is there are limited dollars
available. He stated that it is not pleasant when any of the facilities
have to be closed. Mr. Christianson noted that you get to a certain point
when you look at the resources you have and the usage that you have and
sometimes you have to make some hard decisions. A gentlemen asked the Park
Board to explain why his property taxes have gone up so much in the last
two years, were are the funds going. Mr. Christianson noted that the money
is not going to the Park and Recreation Department.
Mr. Kojetin stated there is one rink on the east side of France where he
has received a petition from the neighborhood down on 55th and York for the
past couple of years. Someone asked if there is going to be a rink open on
east side of France, why not put one where there is going to be a warming
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house. A woman indicated that it seems their neighborhood is the one that
gets cut for something or another. It was noted that York Park is just a
sheet of ice and you have to walk down a long hill to get to it.
Mr. Christianson stated that the problem of maintaining a warming house is
it's an additional expense and it requires staffing. Mr. Fee gave an
example of how Arden Park, one of the most popular rinks, needs hockey
boards but the funds are not there for new ones. It was also noted that
Todd Park and McGuire Park are being flooded this year and both of those
rinks do not have a warming house.
A woman indicated that she felt the numbers possibly are not accurate.
When she moved into the neighborhood in 1985 there were not many kids that
skated there, but the neighborhood is changing and there are more and more
kids. Last year just happened to be a bad weather year. Mr. Christianson
indicted that the numbers are as reliable as they can be since they do not
have a person taking names and addresses, these numbers are what decisions
need to be based on.
A resident asked what needs to be done to get the rink opened next year.
Mr. Kojetin noted that they have done an excellent job in a getting a
petition and that it's the Park Board's decision as to whether or not there
will be a rink there next year. Mr. Montgomery asked if there is any
compromise that can be made. Can the neighbors flood the rinks
themselves. Mr. Kojetin indicated that this cannot be done.
Mr. Fee felt that they are already cutting back on the rinks that have a
lot of activity. He stated that he is very sympathetic to what the
residents are saying but the numbers have got to be relative. Mr. Lord
noted that if the neighborhood is changing the Park Board has to be
flexible in that regard. Mr. O'Connor asked what the cost is if the
warming house is not staffed. Mr. Keprios replied that if you don't staff
a warming house you cannot open it because you get into the question of
insurance. Mr. O'Connor asked about just having a sheet of ice. Mr.
Kojetin replied that people generally do not go to rinks where there are no
warming houses. The kids that use York Park are basically little kids that
put their skates on at home and walk over. Mr. O'Connor asked what the
trade-off is if you do York Park. Mr. Kojetin noted that what you are
giving up is the maintenance on other facilities. There are only so many
hours and so many times that the maintenance men can go around and maintain
the rinks. The manpower is down this year and we are unable to get to all
of the rinks as often as we would like to.
Mr. Fee asked if the weekend maintenance issue has been resolved. Mr.
Kojetin noted that it has not been presented to the Park Board but they are
going to try and maintain on a limited basis four rinks in four quadrants
of the city. This will be done by looking at what the weather is on
Friday. Mr. Kojetin stated that he feels it's important that something is
done on the weekends.
It was noted that there were 92,000 people using the rinks in 1978 and
1979. Last year there were 19,000 people using the rinks. That's a
tremendous drop in numbers but yet it costs approximately $100,000 to
maintain 10 rinks for 19,000 people.
Mr. Lord asked if there is anything that can be traded or eliminated this
year to satisfy the residents. Mr. Kojetin noted that he doesn't think
anything could be traded. The maintenance men are concentrating 100% on
the 10 hockey rinks right now. The only thing that could possibly be done
is maybe York Park people could go to Strachauer Park. Mr. Fee noted that
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at least there is a warming house at Strachauer Park, Mr. Kojetin noted
that York Park is not a rink that top maintenance is put on, it is a
secondary rink.
Mr. Fee asked why Todd Park is being flooded. Mr. Kojetin explained
because he has received a huge response from the neighborhood. Mr. Fee
felt that it would be a lot easier for the people in the Todd Park area to
go to Highlands than it is for the Strachauer Park people to go to York
Park. Mr. Fee asked if York Park or Todd Park could be dropped at this
point. Mr. Kojetin stated that York Park possibly could be dropped but he
doesn't think Todd Park could be dropped. Mr. Keprios noted that they have
already started to flood these two areas.
Mr. Christianson indicated that the issue is whether we do 10 rinks
semi -decently or 11 poorly. Mr. Montgomery asked how many hours it takes
to flood a rink. Mr. Kojetin noted that the weather is the whole basis.
If you have a warm winter this is meaningless. We got a poor start last
year and it affected us the whole year. Mr. Christianson noted that we
have already cut back on weekends, both flooding and maintenance. That's
going to cause a deterioration with the whole program.
Mr. Herring stated that he would like to open Strachauer Park but as he
looks at the numbers the orders of magnitude differ between the other rinks
that we have, with the exception of Cornelia because that is the only rink
in the southeast quadrant. Mr. Herring noted that he is sensitive to their
needs but it's unfortunate in these economic times with the limited funding
that we have, we just can't do it all. Andy Herring MOVED THAT THE PARK
BOARD STAND PATENT WITH THEIR PRIOR DECISION TO KEEP STRACHAUER PARK
CLOSED. Beth Hall SECONDED THE MOTION.
Mr. Christianson appreciated the comments but explained that the Park Board
is caught between a rock and a hard place. Everyone has to deal with
limited resources these days and make allocations and decisions, some of
which may not be very palatable and people may differ.
A gentlemen indicated that he understands the financial situation and
obviously the Park Board is looking at the trend for the last two years.
He realizes that the Park Board has no other choice than to make the
decision they are about to. He stated that he would just like to be
considered since he sees the neighborhood changing and the kids are getting
older and are wanting to skate. He asked to be put on the agenda for a
chance to have Strachauer Park flooded next year and to not flood Todd Park
since they have another rink that is more accessible.
It was noted that decisions for next years ice skating facilities will be
made in April or May, after the season has closed. Mr. Christianson
indicated that arrangements should be made with the staff to be on the
agenda and at that point the Park Board will have some more statistical
information so the board will be able to tell which rinks were in fact used
and which weren't.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
IV. YMCA FIELD RENTAL FEE
Mr. Kojetin indicated that the YMCA has just been billed for using the
City's facilities this past year. The YMCA had indicated that they would
need to know by November or December if the fee is going to be changed.
Mr. Kojetin stated that a year ago he felt it is very difficult for him to
charge only $500.00 for doing their whole program when we charge our own
people in our programs a higher rate. Mr. Kojetin felt that it is
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especially more difficult to justify this now since it has just been
approved to increase the field maintenance fee from $5.00 to $6.00. He
noted that if we charge the YMCA $5.00 per individual it would cost them
approximately $2,430.00 and we are only charging them $500.00. The only
thing that is different between the two programs is the fields are marked
for the Edina programs. Mr. Herring stated that he thought the level of
maintenance was also less. He thought we were just mowing the fields and
were not maintaining the baseball diamond or anything else. Mr. Kojetin
noted that for the Soccer Association all we are doing is mowing the fields
and putting the lines down.
Mr. Montgomery asked if we will be putting lines down this year at Yorktown
Park since it will also be used for Adult Softball. Mr. Keprios noted that
Yorktown Park will be used for adult softball this summer but that the YMCA
program is on Saturdays. The recent rental was a Saturday program that
began September 12th and went until the end of October. There were 486
participating in the YMCA program.
Mr. Christianson noted that his recollection on the issue from last year is
that they had only budgeted $500.00 for each of the two programs. The
primary complaint was they already budgeted it and didn't have a way of
revising that. Mr. Christianson didn't get the sense that they were
opposed to raising the fees if they had advanced notice and could build it
into their budget. It was asked if there is a way to phase this in so that
it doesn't hit them between the eyes all at once.
Mr. O'Connor stated that he had problems at the time it was being debated
because he felt that the City was subsidizing the YMCA program and it was
hardly fair to the rest of the residents of the City. He recalls it was
kind of an indirect threat, that they would find a cheaper field in
Richfield. Mr. O'Connor felt they ought to pay their wages like the other
people in Edina pay their way.
Mr. Keprios noted that the field maintenance fee was raised 20% for the
Edina programs. A 20% increase of $500.00 is still only $600.00 which
leaves a $2,316.00 difference. Mr. Fee pointed out that it is not an
apples for apples deal on that amount. Mr. Keprios stated that if they
were to pay the $6.00 fee and their numbers stayed the same they would pay
just short of $3,000.
Mr. Christianson asked the staff what their recommendation is. Mr. Kojetin
felt the fee should be raised somewhat and that maybe there should be a
step program. Possibly after three years they would reach the $6.00 fee.
Mr. Kojetin also pointed that the kids who participate in the YMCA programs
are not 100% from Edina. Mr. Keprios indicated that if we give the YMCA
half the service that we give the Edina programs, it would still cost them
$1,200.00. Mr. Keprios suggested possibly getting them to that point.
Mr. Fee commented that if the YMCA bails out, what do we use it for. Ms.
Hall felt that some money is better than none at all.
Mr. Christianson stated that the staff should be able to quantify what
percentage of the fee would be equivalent to the amount of maintenance that
is done for the YMCA.
Mr. Keprios also stated that 500 kids on a short program do a lot of damage
and compaction to the ground. It's going to cost money to keep the field
up as one of the premiere adult softball fields.
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9M
Mr. Christianson stated that the Park Board needs to hear a number that
they can work with. Mr. Herring asked if the YMCA was invited to the Park
Board meeting tonight. Mr. Keprios stated that the staff was not
necessarily looking for a recommendation at this time.
Mr. MacHolda explained that he oversees the Edina Youth Coach Pitch program
for the 7-8 year olds and the Soccer program for the 5, 6, 7, and 8 year
olds. Both Coach Pitch and Soccer are played once a week and so it is no
different than what the YMCA is offering for their Saturday program.
Soccer does get stripes but Coach Pitch does not get lines or a graded
field. It's zero maintenance and no more than what the YMCA receives. Mr.
MacHolda felt that if you look at apples to apples they should pay the same
field maintenance user fee that the Edina Coach Pitch and Soccer programs
are paying. This amount is currently $5.00 soon to be $6.00. The program
is the same. Mr. Christianson asked what do we pay the YMCA for the use of
their bathrooms, water, etc. facility. Mr. MacHolda replied that the
people who are using the YMCA facilities are YMCA members and have their
children in the program. Mr. Christianson noted that his recollection is
that when the YMCA people were here last year they indicated that people
who use the park outside of the YMCA activities use the YMCA bathrooms,
drinking fountains, etc. Mr. MacHolda stated that it might be cheaper to
have the adult softball contribute to the YMCA.
Mr. Fee indicated that someone needs to talk to the YMCA people to find out
what would be an acceptable game plan in light of the increasing costs.
Maybe it isn't $6.00, maybe it's a graduated deal up to $4.00 or
something. We need to get some kind of an agreement from them and then
come back to the Park Board. Mr. O'Connor stated that he doesn't agree
with that idea. He feels the Park Board should not negotiate to get the
deal they want. He thinks it should be looked at from the perspective of
the people of the community and the people of the community are paying a
fee that we should also be asking from the YMCA. The YMCA should bill it
into what they charge for their programs. The City also has a lot of
expenses.
Mr. Christianson noted that the Park Board is not in any position to make a
decision at this time, but everyone does have a sense of what is being
felt.
SCHOOL GYM CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE
Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that all of the gyms in the City are
getting a face lift and will be taken out of use for a period of time which
will affect our programs. Mr. Keprios then gave the dates of which gyms
will be taken out of commission.
Mr. Christianson asked if there is any way to gain access to the gyms at
Our Lady of Grace, St. Patrick's or some of the other churches in the
community. Mr. Keprios noted that he checked into that and everyone said
no. They are all filled up with our own programs and do not have any room.
Mr. Keprios noted that they are going to have to adjust the programs around
and possibly go to some other communities to try and purchase gym time.
There is a new volleyball institute that just opened up in Eagan that's a
private venture that sells gym time just for volleyball. Gym space in the
Twin City area is really difficult to come by.
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VI. AVAILABILITY OF GYM TIME (JR. OLYMPIC VOLLEYBALL)
Mr. Keprios noted that he feels he has done a good job of accommodating the
Jr. Olympic Volleyball with their needs. They now have some good quality
time on Saturdays and it is being discussed to eliminate the three man
basketball to get more time. The Jr. Olympic Volleyball people feel they
have been well taken care of.
Mr. Montgomery indicated that they are still not a "legal" entity. He
noted that he disagrees with some of Mr. Keprios' comments from last months
minutes in that the traveling basketball program and the fast pitch
softball program were programs that grew while they were under E.G.A.A. and
then they broke away. Mr. Montgomery noted that Jr. Olympic Volleyball is
in its infancy. He stated that he had to borrow $200.00 from the
volleyball boosters. Mr. Montgomery explained that this is just a starting
organization and for the E.G.A.A. to say no to the volleyball program is
very unfortunate in their formative stages. It's not the same as
basketball and softball. Mr. Keprios noted that is not what he meant.
Strategically it made sense to take girls volleyball and have it be part of
the existing E.G.A.A. volleyball program. This way E.G.A.A. would be
responsible and accountable for the funding as well as make the decision as
to how much gym space they would have to give up for the program. This way
we would be out of the middle man's position and we would not have to make
the unpopular decisions of who gets how much gym space. Mr. Keprios then
stated that the next step would then be for the Jr. Olympic Volleyball to
come to the Park Board and be recognized so they can be provided with the
same services as everyone else.
VII. UPDATE - CORNELIA SCHOOL PARK AND CREEK VALLEY PARK CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
Mr. Kojetin indicated that some of the neighbors around the Cornelia School
area are asking why we are working on the park. Some of the people have
indicated that they will be coming to the February Park Board meeting.
Letters have been sent to these people explaining what is going on at the
park. (NOTE: There were no residents at the Park Board meeting to discuss
the issue at this time).
Mr. O'Connor asked what was their concern. Mr. Christianson explained that
the baseball field that was there is being converted to an adult softball
field. There will not be lights and it will be a low level deal. One
woman was concerned about the increased traffic and noise, etc. She wanted
to know the process and it was explained to her that she should get a group
together from the neighborhood and arrange to get on the Park Board agenda
to express concerns. Mr. Christianson informed the woman that it is not
the Park Board's task to run the parks in terms of managing it, but
basically they are policy advisors.
Mr. MacHolda noted that a couple of years ago when the City expanded the
Braemar Youth Soccer fields the Soccer Association donated $10,000 to sod
it. Now with the reconstruction of Creek Valley there are three small
soccer fields being put in. Mr. MacHolda indicated that he went to the
Soccer Board and requested money to do the irrigation and they approved
it. The cost for this will be approximately $10,000. Therefore, within a
three year period the Edina Soccer Association has donated $20,000 to the
City of Edina.
Vol
VIII.OTMER
A. Adult Three Man Basketball - Mr. Montgomery expressed a concern that
the that the adult three man basketball program, in which he participates,
might possibly be eliminated this winter. Mr. Montgomery stated that he
had spoken with a janitor and found out that the gym can get double the use
by putting the divider down the middle of the Community Center. The 5 man
basketball can then be moved to the smaller gym rather than take up the
whole big gym and have to knock out 10 teams from the 3 man basketball.
Mr. Montgomery thinks there's a way to continue the program and keep
everyone happy.
Mr. MacHolda noted that the 3 man basketball will be continued on a yearly
basis. Mr. MacHolda explained that during the winter season there is a
heavy demand on the gyms. He also noted that although the divider is a
good idea it does not work for two of the three programs we are currently
trying to facilitate. Volleyball cannot use 50% of the main gym because it
needs anchors for its volleyball standards and the 5 man basketball cannot
use 50% of the main gym because there's no three point line. Mr. MacHolda
stated that the 3 man basketball program has just completed an 8 game
season and that this request is basically for a second season which may be
a past luxury that is no longer affordable.
B. Bredesen Park - Mr. Montgomery stated that he had a complaint from a
resident in the Nine Mile Creek area. Apparently there are a lot of beer
cans and garbage dumped on the corner of Vernon Avenue and Schaefer. This
person's recommendation is to place more garbage cans in the area. Mr.
Kojetin explained that they try to cut back on the garbage cans and hope
that people will take their garbage home. Each can costs the City $1.00 to
pick it up. For example if we had 200 garbage cans it would cost $200.00 a
day to pick it up. Mr. Kojetin also indicated that if garbage cans were
added it may not solve the problem. People still may just throw their
cans.
C. Athletic Associations - Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that on
January 6, 1993 at 7:00 p.m. he will be meeting with the athletic
associations in the Council Chambers to discuss any common issues. He
indicated that Chuck Ravine from the Minnesota Assistance Project will be
there to share what they have to offer the associations.
D. Hockey Ice Allocation - Mr. Herring asked if everyone is satisfied
with the amount of ice time that was allocated. Mr. Keprios stated that
everyone is happy, in fact, there are "C" level hockey teams who have more
ice time than the governing District rules allow to use at that level of
play for games. Therefore, their additional ice hours must be used as
practices or unofficiated scrimmages.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Mac Thayer MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:15 P.M. Beth Hall SECONDED
THE MOTION. MEETING ADJOURNED.
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