HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-11-12 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD
7:30 p.m.
November 12, 1991
MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Beth Hall, Pat Vagnoni, Mac
Thayer, Andy Montgomery, Jean Rydell, Paul
O'Connor, Bill Lord, Beth Hall, Bill Jenkins,
Andrew Herring
MEMBERS ABSENT: James Fee
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Solvei Swenson, Susan
Weigle, John Valliere
I. APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 8, 1991
Jean Rydell MOVED TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 8, 1991 MINUTES. Andy
Montgomery SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED.
II. LETTER FROM CLIFF SOUR - Resignation
Bob Christianson read Cliff "Chip" Sour's letter of resignation
from the Edina Park Board. Bob Christianson then read a
Resolution of Appreciation from the Park Board to Chip Sour.
Bill Jenkins MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION. Pat
Vagnoni SECONDED THE MOTION.
DISCUSSION: Bob Christianson expressed his appreciation for Chip
Sour's exemplary, outstanding arnd insightful contribution to the
Park Board. Mr. Sour has been helpful in Community Education
Service Board and as a liaison with the Golf Course. Bob
Christianson thanked Mr. Sour for his activity on the Park Board.
Chip Sour shared his appreciation for serving on the Park Board
and for the people on the board.
MOTION CARRIED
III. REPLACEMENT FOR THE COMMUNITY EDUCATION SERVICE BOARD
Mr. Sour will no longer be the Council appointed Park Board
representative to the Community Education Service Board which is
a board that reports to the School Board. Jean Rydell
volunteered to serve on the Community Education Service Board.
Bob Christianson MOVED TO RECOMMEND JEAN RYDELL TO SERVE ON THE
COMMUNITY EDUCATION SERVICE BOARD. Bill Lord SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
Chip Sour also served as a liaison to the Golf Course Board.
Bob Christianson appointed Andy Herring as the new liaison to
Golf Course Board and requested that John Valliere get the
appropriate information to Mr. Herring.
IV. 1992 FEES AND CHARGES
Bob Kojetin presented the proposed changes for -the 1992 fees anc,
charges. The fees for the swimming pool had already been
approved during the improvement discussions. The Arena fees show
an increase which will be in effect in September, 1992. The Golf
Course has increases from $ .25 to $2.00, the Golf Dome has an
increase in the league fees. Edinborough/Centennial Lakes fees
are the same as those approved during middle of the summer for
the opening.
Andy Montgomery noted that the discount for the Senior Fee in
golf has been reduced from $1.00 to $.50. There generally is
more of a discount for players once they reach the age of 65.
John Valliere indicated that over 50% of the players on the golf
course are over 65 years of age and that this age group is
growing.
Bob Christianson inquired about whether the fees were revenue or
cost generated. Mr. Kojetin replied that it is a combination of
both.
Bill Jenkins asked if there were any golf courses that do not
give a senior discount. John Valliere stated that all gave a
discount in the state, however, on weekends they don't give a
discount. Braemar does not give a discount on weekends.
Bob Christianson asked how Braemar compares with the market
place. John Valliere stated that we are slightly above average
on course fees. Lockers and golf car fees are very comparable.
Bill Lord MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THEY ADOPT
THE 1992 FEES AND CHARGES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE PARK AND
RECREATION DEPARTMENT. Pat Vagnoni SECONDED.
Andy Montgomery MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION TO CHANGE THE SENIOR
GREEN FEES TO $14.50 AND $11.50 FOR PATRONS AND NON -PATRONS. Mac
Thayer SECONDED THE MOTION.
DISCUSSION: Andy Montgomery commented that if the seniors are
the ones playing the most, they would be bringing in more dollars
than the non -seniors at a $ .50 increase.
AMENDED MOTION DEFEATED. 2 ayes 8 nays
MOTION TO RECOMMEND FEES AS PRESENTED CARRIED.
Bob Kojetin presented the facility budgets for Park Board's
information. Bob Christianson inquired if Centennial Lakes
Budget was a separate entity from the park budget. Mr. Kojetin
stated that it was.
Bob Kojetin discussed the trust or developers fund inn which the
interest is used to operate the Centennial/Edinborough Park alo,
with user fees and rental revenues.
Andy Montgomery inquired about the golf course's revenue on
investment which is overstated by $115,000. John Valliere
explained that income was from the investments from bonds for the
construction of the new nine holes, which has not be able to
start.
V. RECREATION REPORT
Paul O'Connor reported that representatives from the Edina Girls
Athletic Association and the Edina Basketball Association
attended the School Board meeting because they were concerned
about user fees for gym space. Dr. Ray Smythe will establish a
committee represented by the school staff, volunteers from the
athletic associations involved and an Edina Park and Recreation
Department representative to work through the issues and find
reasonable solutions.
John Keprios reported that Bandy registration materials have been
sent out, Firearm Safety training is done, registration for
downhill ski lessons are currently being taken. The tennis
courts that were reconditioned this year are finished. The
company INSPEC was very professional and good to work with on the
tennis court projects. The Edina Girls Athletic Association
(EGAA) basketball program will finish with championship day on
November 23rd, adult volleyball starts on Wednesday. The
activity calendar is in final proof and is expected to go out the
first part of December.
Mr. Keprios also stated that the EGAA plans to raise revenues
through charitable gambling means outside of Edina. They plan to
have a pull tab booth at the new Gippers on Highway 12 and are
considering having another booth.at Ruperts. The EGAA board has
had several lengthy discussions on having this kind of
fundraiser.
Pat Vagnoni asked if EGAA decided on the pull -tabs on their own
and do they need to do it. Mr. Keprios stated that they made the
decision on their own and that they did not have to acquire any
permits from the City of Edina to operate a pull tab booth in
another city. The continual increases in gym use fees charged by
the school district plus the need for grants and escalating
expenses for in all aspects of their program has created a bigger
demand for revenue. With the higher fees being charged for gym
usage, EGAA cannot raise adequate funds as they have in the past
from their basketball tournament fundraiser to meet future
financial demands.
Bob Christianson inquired if the group as a City of Edina
sponsored organization, has a right to sell pull -tabs without
approval from the Edina City Council.
Paul O'Connor MOVED AS A PARK BOARD NOT TO SUPPORT OR ENCOURAGE
EDINA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS USING PULL-TABS/GAMBLING AS A MEANS
OF PRODUCING REVENUES FOR SUPPORTING THE YOUTH ATHLETICS. Jean
Rydell SECONDED THE MOTION.
DISCUSSION: Paul O'Connor stated that he did not like the idea
of the youth being a part of gambling. Part of the idea of you,
activities is for them to be involved in the fundraiser through
their own activity so that they appreciate it.
Pat Vagnoni is against the youth sports selling gambling tickets.
Mr. Kojetin suggested inviting the EGAA board to come in and
discuss their rationale.
Andy Herring is uncomfortable in making a decision without more
information.
Andy Herring MOVED TO TABLE THE MOTION. Bill Lord SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION DEFEATED.
MOTION TO DISCOURAGE GAMBLING AS FUND RAISER CARRIED. 6 ayes, 4
nays. Bob Christianson stated that this is an advisory motion.
Mr. Montgomery asked how VanValkenburg Park did this year. Mr.
Keprios replied that it did well. However, the concession stand
is not really functional. As a result, he is working with a
designer and trying to redesign it. Fall softball was new this
year at VanValkenburg and the new program went very well.
VI. REPORTS
GOLF DOME
Bob Kojetin reported that the golf dome collapsed during the
recent snow storm. It did not fall because of snow accumulation
on top, two seams burst perhaps do to the wind. Currently, the
seams are being heat sealed and sewn. Hopefully, in two weeks at
a cost of $12,000; however, insurance should cover the cost
except for the $1,000 deductible.
SENIOR CENTER
Mr. Kojetin stated there is a wall which was scheduled to be
removed during the renovation of the Senior Center which they
would now like to leave as a barrier. The down side of leaving
the wall would be the larger room would be smaller in size.
Susan Weigle would like to leave the wall so that when the band
is practicing or playing the three smaller rooms would have more
privacy. Also, people would not be visibly walking through and
interrupting the other programs.
GREENHOUSE MAINTENANCE BUILDING AT ARNESON ACRES
Due to the storm the greenhouse maintenance building will not be
finished before January, 1992. However, construction will
continue.
SWIMMING POOL
The concrete for the wading pool will be poured this week. The
piping and the gutters have already been installed. The
contractor feels he is still on schedule for next summer.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Snowfalls could have a f the maintenance of the rinks.
During a large snowfall, park maintenance works together with the
street department to create larger pool of manpower for snow
removal. They would remove snow from streets and sidewalks first
and then work on rinks.
VII. OTHER
Bob Christianson requested to return to the charitable gambling
issue. Mr. Christianson turned the chair over to Bill Jenkins.
Mr. Christianson MOVED TO RECONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATION
PREVIOUSLY PASSED CONCERNING THE PULL TAB SITUATION. Bill
Jenkins SECONDED.
DISCUSSION: Mr. Christianson indicated that 6 votes to 4 is not
a very large margin and that the EGAA should be invited to
discuss the issue before a decision is made. Andy Herring stated
he would like to hear what they say. Pat Vagnoni stated the Park
Board should create a formal policy for athletic associations in
regard to using gambling as means for fundraiser. Since, pull -
tabs are sold at bars and the biggest problem in the school
system is alcohol it would be best to dis-associate the youth
activities from a bar.
Paul O'Connor stated that he is aware of a couple of other
communities that have used pull tabs and raised more money then
they needed and did not think that they acted responsibly.
Secondly, the Park Board is trying to communicate through the
school system a set of values which would result in much more
mature adults with courage and responsibility. The gambling is
just an easy way out of fund raising. The children do not learn
a value system to solve problems.
MOTION TO RECONSIDER RECOMMENDATION CARRIED. 8 ayes 2 nays
Bob Christianson MOVED TO TABLE MOTION UNTIL NEXT MEETING SO THAT
EGAA CAN COME IN AND PROVIDE INSIGHT TO THE STEPS THEY HAVE
TAKEN. Bill Lord SECONDED.
MOTION TO TABLE CARRIED. 7 ayes 3 nays
Bill Jenkins relinquished the chair to Bob Christianson.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Mac Thayer MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. Paul O'Connor SECONDED.
MOTION CARRIED.
Meeting adjourned 9:15 p.m.
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