HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-01-08 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD
7:30 p.m.
January 8,1991
MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Bill Jenkins, Bill Lord, James Fee, Beth
Hall, Jean Rydell, Chip Sour, Pat Vagnoni, Mac Thayer, Paul
O'Connor
MEMBERS ABSENT: Andy Montgomery
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton, Tom
Horwath, Laura Hinton, Jackie Onischuck
OTHERS PRESENT: Ray Zehr, Peter Malkovich
I. APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER 11, 1990 MINUTES
Bill Jenkins MOVED TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 11, 1990 MINUTES. Chip Sour
SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED.
II. EDINA BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Mr. Christianson welcomed Mr. Zehr, President of the Edina Basketball
Association (EBA). Mr. Zehr passed out the news letter that the EBA mailed
to players before the beginning of the season. The newsletter basically
consists of a synopsis of the basketball season. Basketball has two
leagues, a house league and a traveling league.
Mr. Zehr indicated that the numbers are growing and that this year 635 kids
in 1st grade through 8th grade registered. Just three years ago there were
only 450 kids registered. Mr. Zehr pointed out that usually there is an
attrition in numbers, but that has not been the case in the last couple of
years. All grades are starting to get bigger. Mr. Zehr also noted that
basketball is alive and well. He feels one reason kids are more interested
in the sport is because of the good high school team, the Timberwolves and.
the Gophers.
Mr. Zehr expressed a few of the EBA's concerns . One is that as the
numbers continue to grow there is less gym time available. Also, girls
basketball is growing and they have a need for more gym time. This is
starting to become a major problem. A second concern is the budget. Right
now the EBA is being assessed over -time fees for gym usage in the
elementary schools. This past year, the over -time gym usage fees totaled
around $3,000.00. This is something the EBA did not build into its budget
and Mr. Zehr asked the Park Board if they could help the EBA deal with the
rising costs. Mr. Zehr commented that EBA is looking into some type of
fund raising because they want to keep their registration fees down. Right
now the cost for house league basketball is $60.00 per person.
Another problem Mr. Zehr pointed out was the condition of equipment and
safety of the participants. The back boards are bent and broken at the
schools. There sometimes seems to be a lack of communication and
cooperation between the association and the school. Mr. Zehr would like to
see better communication and a long-term plan to purchase equipment. Last
year, the EBA and the EGAA purchased portable electronic scoreboards at a
cost of about $1,000.00 each and they do encourage and allow the physical
education teachers use them for their physical education classes.
Another safety factor that needs to be addressed is the slippery gym floors
in the elementary schools. Mr. Zehr felt strongly that one day someone is
going to have a serious injury due to the slippery floors. This should be
a concern of parents of kids at those schools. It is very dangerous.
Concord Elementary has put carpet in the gym and it has worked out very
well.
Mr. Jenkins asked how much more growth the EBA anticipates in their
program. Mr. Zehr indicated it has been going up about 108 to 158 each
year for the past few years. Mr. Jenkins also asked if there is enough
room. Mr. Zehr replied that Edina as a community is fortunate to have a
lot of facilities, however, there is a tremendous amount of pressure on
available gym time and that demand is escalating each year. As a result,
there are bigger teams, fewer games and less playing time, and playing time
is what basketball is all about.
Mr. Christianson noted that the majority of Mr. Zehr's concerns -are out of
the Park Board's domain. They are more school issues.
Mr. Kojetin stated that there have been a number of policies relating to
open gym. In the past, the Park and Recreation Department has only been
charged if a janitor was not already on duty and thus had to be scheduled
to work over -time specifically for a Park and Recreation function. If a
janitor was already scheduled, there would be no fee charged to the Park
and Recreation Department or athletic association.
Mr. Zehr expressed that his main concerns are to:
A) Have more gym time available.
B) Establish means to somehow pay for costly gym time.
Mr. Zehr also expressed an idea to hold a big fund raiser and put two
wooden floors in the field house at the High School. The Park and
p Recreation Department could be in charge of the fund raiser so the
different associations would not fight over it.
Mr. Kojetin indicated that there have been discussions between the City,and
the Edina School District on different items. Maintenance issues and
overtime gym time have been brought up.
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Mr. Zehr suggested to the Park Board that possibly there could be a program
for basketball in the summer. He stated that other communities have
basketball 12 months a year and that Edina only has basketball during the
basketball season. Maybe basketball could work into a bigger program,
using outside courts during the summer months.
Mr. Zehr indicated that the EBA appreciates all of Mr. MacHolda's help and
he has done a great job.
III. EDINA SWIM CLUB
Mr. Christianson welcomed Mr. Malkovich, President of the Edina Swim Club
(ESC). Mr. Malkovich handed out a brochure outlining the ESC. The Club
started in 1957. Mr. Malkovich informed the Park Board that their mission
is to maximize the long-term swimming accomplishment, personal development,
and enjoyment of Edina Swim Club swimmers to the extent of their ability
and commitment.
Mr. Malkovich explained that this is an 11 month program. There is a
Fall/Winter season which runs from September through February and there is
a Spring/Summer season which runs from March through July. There are
approximately 120-200 swimmers over the course of a year. Generally the
age group is from 6 - 18 years. There are occasionally 5 year olds and
.college students. The ESC is divided into three groups: Olympic Way, Age
Group and Senior. Approximately 85% - 90% of the swimmers are from Edina
and the other swimmers are from Eden Prairie, Bloomington and South
Minneapolis.
Mr. Malkovich stated that the following facilities are used: South View
Junior High; Valley View Junior High, Edinborough Park, Blake and the Edina
Municipal Pool in the summer. The ESC does pay a rental fee for all of
these facilities.
The ESC has a paid head coach and 4 part-time coaches. Mr. Malkovich went
on to say that this is a very quality program. At the end of each season,
there is state competition and Edina has done very well at this level in
the past years. Edina has also gone to the National Competition and has
done well.
The Edina Swim Club has a Board of Directors which is made up of 20
volunteer parents of swimmers. Most of the work is done by parent
volunteers. There is a part-time paid administrator at the office. The
office is located in the Community Center.
The majority of funds are received from dues. The ESC is always trying to
raise money. Every year they have a swim-a-thon, participate in the
Aquatennial and have a poinsettia sale. Mr. Malkovich indicated that it is
hard to balance the budget when they are paying coaches and pool rental
time. In addition to the main swimming program, they also are responsible
for the Learn -to -Swim program in the summer.
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Mr. Malkovich stated that Mr. MacHolda has been a great help over the
years. Mr. Malkovich also thanked the Park Department for doing a good job
in helping the ESC. Mr. Malkovich was glad to hear that the pool is being
renovated. He commented that two lanes have currents and the kids do not
like to swim in those lanes.
Pat Vagnoni asked if the ESC has to pay a fee to use the City's pools. Mr.
Kojetin indicated that it is mandatory that each member have a season
ticket to the municipal pool . Ilso, when the pool is closed down for three
days during the aquatennial there is a revenue loss so there is a charge to
the Swim Club for pool rental and concession rental.
Mr. Christianson thanked both gentlemen for their reports and indicated how
much the Park Board appreciates their efforts. He also stated that if
their associations have any concerns throughout the year to be sure and
bring them to the Park Board's attention.
IV. ADAPTIVE RECREATION - LAURA HINTON
Mr. Keprios introduced Laura Hinton, the new Adaptive Recreation
Supervisor, and gave a brief background on the position. He stated that
the City of Edina began offering a municipal administered adaptive
recreation program three years ago in a four city cooperative venture in a
Joints Powers:Agreement with the cities of Eden Prairie, Bloomington and
Richfield. Eden Prairie has now hired their own full-time Adaptive
Recreation Supervisor and thus did not renew the adaptive recreation
services contract. As a result, Edina needed to hire a staff person to
continue to administer this successful program. When.Beth Timm left her
position as the service contract employee who provided adaptive recreation
services to both Edina and Eden Prairie, Laura Hinton was hired to fulfill
the balance of the service contract agreement, which ended December 31,
1990. The City of Edina advertised and received applications for a full
time Adaptive Recreation Supervisor effective January, 1991. Ms. Hinton
went through the interview process and was the chosen candidate for the
position. She is now Edina's first full-time Adaptive Recreation
Supervisor.
Ms. Hinton is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and has Bachelor's
of Science Degree. Laura is a Certified Therapeutic Recreational
Specialist and has a great deal of working experience with Edina's special
populations.
Ms. Hinton reported that there are currently many scheduled adaptive
recreation activities as well as some disabled persons being integrated
into existing recreation/athletic programs. Some adaptive recreation
opportunities include bowling, a pizza t -shirt class, and swimnastics. She
handed out a brochure on the current programs. She explained there are
both integrated and segregated programs. There are approximately 200 kids
in Edina participating in the programs. Three years ago there were
approximately 30 kids participating. There are also a growing population
of adults becoming involved in the program offerings.
Ms. Hinton's office is in the Community Center at the Senior Center.
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Mr. Jenkins asked if this program is funded through the City as far as
administration is concerned? Mr. Keprios indicated that Laura's salary is
funded by the City as well as some program start-up equipment needs. At
the present time, some research is being done on grant money available,
specifically CDBG monies, for interpreters for the deaf involved in the
programs. Mr. Keprios stated that next to the playground program this is
the most subsidized program per person. This valuable program is very
expensive to administer, however, the City is mandated by federal law to
provide program offerings to the special populations. Mr. Keprios
mentioned that the City of Edina did not begin offering adaptive recreation
program services because of federal mandates, but rather because Edina
citizens requested the City's involvement and the citizens received
tremendous support from the Park Board and City Council.
Ms. Vagnoni asked if transportation is provided for these people? It was
indicated that there is no transportation and this has become an issue with
some parents.
Mr. Christianson welcomed and thanked Ms. Hinton for her report.
V. SENIOR CENTER UPDATE
Mr. Kojetin gave an update on the status of the Senior Center. He
indicated that since the last Park Board meeting Ken Rosland has met with
the school district and discussed the program. Also, this topic was
presented to the City Council. The City Council felt that more information
was needed before they could give an approval on the recommendation. The
City Council would like Mr. Kojetin to put together a booklet on what
specifically would be done and what the agreement now consists of. Mr.
Kojetin indicated that the.agreement at this time runs until 1992 but may
be updated to 1996. Mr. Kojetin noted that he would like the Park Board to
give their final approval at the February 12, 1991 meeting. It would then
be brought to the school board's meeting on February 25, 1991 and then to
the City Council on March 4, 1991.
Mr. Kojetin indicated that the budget passed in late December. There is
$45,000 in the capital budget. Mr. Christianson asked Mr. Kojetin if he
perceives any serious road blocks with the City Council on what has been
proposed? Mr. Kojetin replied that the Council's main concern is the
location of the Senior Center. They want to be sure.the.Senior Center is
at the best location. Before the Senior Center was put in the Community
Center there were 4 or 5 areas investigated and the Community Center was
the best place. Mr. Kojetin indicated that he will reactivate the Task
Force Committee before the February 12th meeting.
VI. EDINA MUNICIPAL POOL
Mr. Kojetin informed the Park Board that the City Council gave the approval
to go ahead with the renovation and upgrade of the Edina Municipal Pool.
The approved proposal does include two major water amenities, a 200' water
slide and a play structure in the zero depth pool. Right now the plans are
in the process of being drawn up. At this time, it looks like the
renovation will begin sometime in the early fall. It was felt that there
may be too many road blocks to start this Spring or Summer. Hopefully the
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project will be bid sometime in late April or early May. However, the
water slide may be installed in the middle of the summer and may be
operating before the end of the season. The pool would not need to be
closed down to install this feature and the fees would remain the same as
last year.
VII. 1990 FORESTRY REPORT
Mr. Kojetin indicated that in 1983 there were 2,976 Elms and in 1990 there
are 1,363 Elms left on the Boulevards. The majority of Elms in Edina are
in the NE quadrant of the City.
Tom Horwath, City Forester, gave a report on the tree trimming program.
Mr. Horwath expressed a concern regarding Oak Wilt. He believes it is the
second most devastating disease. The best way to deal with the disease is
by a vibrating plow that breaks up the roots where the disease is located.
This procedure is 80% to 85% effective. Some oaks are inaccessible to get
to and the procedure used does tend to rip up lawns on private property.
Chemicals have also been used but Mr. Horwath does not like this method.
Mr. Horwath indicated that trees with Dutch Elm fluctuate more or less
depending on the weather. The weather is a key factor in the survival of
the beetle that carries the dutch elm disease and each year is different.
Mr. Horwath explained that there are still effects of the drought on trees
because some trees are not popping out until July and August.
Mr. Horwath explained that he will look at the oak trees before passing
them on to the private contractor, Kunde Company, which handles the Oak
Wilt control program for the City. Mr. Horwath noted that this is a very
highly opinionated business and he tries to read and do as much research as
he can.
Mr. Kojetin indicated that last fall a program was started to try and bring
Elm trees back into the Country Club area. This spring 80 trees will be
planted that range from 1 1/2' to 1 3/4' in size. Mr. Horwath has met with
the neighborhood association on his recommendation of where the trees
should be planted. These people are also aware of the fact that they may
lose the tree in 17 to 18 years. The cost and funding of the program has
not been completely worked out as of yet.
Mr. Kojetin informed the Park Board that the Rotary Club has donated
$3,000.00 for trees in early Spring for Arbor Day. These trees are
intended for the parks and not as boulevard trees. This could be an annual
program.
Mr. Christianson thanked Mr. Horwath for his report.
VIII.ADJOURNMENT
Jean Rydell MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:50 P.M. Chip Sour SECONDED
THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
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