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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-02-08 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD 7:00 pm February 8, 1990 Council Chambers MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Andrew Montgomery, Pat Vagnoni, Jean Rydell, Bill Lord. MEMBERS ABSENT: Bill Jenkins, Scott Johnson, Mac Thayer, James Fee, Don Wineberg STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton ASSOC. PRESENT: Kathleen Dannhoff, Mark Johnson, Nan Faust, Jim Swanson, Susan Biwer, Jim Moe, Doug Barber, Dick Higgins 1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Mr. Christianson welcomed all of the Edina Youth Athletic Associations and the Edina Park Board to the meeting. He explained that this meeting is to get to know everyone a little better and talk about some concerns, especially the drug and alcohol policy. 2. ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PARK AND RECREATION STAFF. Mr. Kojetin indicated that every two to three years the Park Board meets with the presidents of the youth athletic associations. He stated that there is a staff member who sits on each association's board. Mr. Keprios stated that the associations and the staff have had a very good working relationship and that communication has been excellent. Mr. Keprios explained to the associations that in the event a problem arises concerning City owned facilities, services, or policies, and the association and staff cannot resolve the issue, the proper procedure would be to: 1. Request to be on the agenda for the Park Board where they could express their concern. 2. The Park Board would then make a recommendation to the City Council. 3. The City Council would then make a decision. Mr. Keprios stated that there have been very few issue or problems that have required Park Board and City Council intervention. Mr. Keprios indicated that Edina's delivery of youth athletic programs is light years ahead of other communities. Each athletic association is independently incorporated with its own Articles of Incorporation, By -Laws, self -supportive budget, and rules and policies to govern their particular sport. The City of Edina is unique in its commitment to quality delivery of youth sports for the following reasons: 1. The Edina Park Board recognizes only one athletic association for each sport as the governing body for that particular sport in Edina. 2. The Edina Park and Recreation Department schedules all team sport league games and playoff games. 3. The Edina Park and Recreation Department provides each athletic association with secretarial assistance in typing, photocopying, mailings and filing. 4. Each youth athletic association has a park and recreation professional staff member assigned to their board as an advisor. Mr. Keprios reminded the associations that Beth Timm, Adaptive Recreation Supervisor, is available to provide professional guidance to assist the associations with issues or needs concerning Edina's disabled youngsters. Beth can assist athletic associations with integration needs. Beth Timm's phone number is 861-9368. 3. EDINA PUBLIC SCHOOLS STRATEGIC PLAN It was indicated that the policy of the Edina School District is that it will not tolerate the use of alcohol or drugs. The Park Board is interested in helping or talking with the School District on this problem because youth are involved. The Park Board feels the associations should be involved in the discussion. Mr. Moe stated that there are three study groups currently involved in studying the drug and alcohol issue; a School Group, Community at Large Group, and Parent Group. The goal is to develop a strategic plan for the school district that is endorsed by the community at large with the focus being the parents. The most successful approach to the drug and alcohol problem is believed to be in prevention program strategy. A main issue of concern now is not peer pressure as much as the impact of role modeling that the parents, guardians, teachers, and coaches display. Role modeling has a major impact on youth attitudes toward the use of alcohol and drugs. Parent and coach behavior during traveling team trips have a tremendous impact on young athletes. Coaches and parents are encouraged to not consume alcohol while interacting with youth while on traveling team trips to participate in tournaments. Mr. Christianson asked if the associations have their own drug and alcohol policies and if the board members discuss this policy on a regular basis. Mr Jim Swanson, President of the Edina Hockey Association, stated that the EHA is currently updating their drug and alcohol policy. The EHA currently abides by the Minnesota Amateur Hockey Association policy regarding drugs and alcohol. The EHA experienced one incident with alcohol use by some Jr. Gold hockey players while out of town at a tournament. The EHA took action to suspend the players involved. Mr. Christianson asked if perhaps there should be one policy for all of the associations to follow since most kids are involved in more than one event? Mr. Christianson also suggested that when parents sign the release waiver to also have them sign a form stating they have read the policy on drugs and alcohol. Also, perhaps have the kids themselves could sign something indicating they have read and understand the policies and will not use drugs. Both parties need to be aware of the policies. Mr. Swanson suggested to have all of the information regarding the drug and alcohol policies be handed out at registration. Mr. Swanson stated that the policies should also be included in coaches manuals and discussed at team meetings amongst parents in small groups. Mr. Higgins indicated that, if there is one policy for all of the associations to follow, there may have to be some sort of an amendment to the policy for each association. Mr. Swanson brought up the topic of how do we know how many times a particular kid has had problems in another sport. Mr. Keprios stated that the staff will keep track of this and keep it confidential. The general consensus was that the associations should all have a common drug and alcohol policy that could potentially affect a youth's participation in all sports. It was also suggested that all associations have a policy for coaches who use or abuse drugs or alcohol while performing his/her duties as a volunteer coach. It was indicated that it would be a good idea to have a meeting with the associations and the Park Board once a year. 4. NATIONAL YOUTH SPORTS COACHES ASSOCIATION Mr. Keprios explained how this association works. It is a non-profit organization which trains coaches by focusing on five important areas of coaching youth in sports: 1. Psychological and emotional needs of children. 2. Safety and first aid. 3. Conditioning and nutrition. 4. Proper specific sport technique. 5. Drug education. Mr. Keprios explained that without proper training, a coach can actually due real physical and/or psychological harm to a child in youth sports. The best facilities, schedules and administration for a sport program cannot compensate for the lack of adequate coaches training. The NYSCA charges $15 per coach to become trained and certified, however, the certification also provides a $1,000,000.00 liability insurance policy for the certified coach who has successfully completed the training program. Some municipalities in Minnesota make the program mandatory for all coaches and also pay for the certification fee. Mr. Keprios explained that the Edina Hockey Association already has an excellent and extensive coaches training program in place that currently addresses all of the same areas covered under the NYSCA program. Therefore, the NYSCA may not be necessary for the EHA at this time. Mr. MacHolda indicated that the Edina Football Association has used the program and had a great deal of success with it. The EGAA and EYSA have also participated in the NYSCA program. Mr. Christianson asked Mr. Barber if he makes it mandatory for the association's football coaches to attend. Mr. Barber indicated he makes it almost unavoidable for them not to show up by handing out rosters and schedules at the clinic. Football has had an excellent turn out and the attending coaches have all expressed a positive response to the program. 5. OPEN FORUM Nan Faust, President of EGAA, expressed concern regarding the staffing at the Braemar ball field concessions stand. There was a concern regarding product offerings and the reliability of the concession stand attendant. Mr. MacHolda explained that it is a difficult position to fill. The position was advertised in the Minneapolis newspaper and the Sun Current for two weeks and there were no applicants. Mr. MacHolda suggested that the EGAA consider the possibility of staffing the concessions stand in the same manner that the Edina Baseball Association does in the summer and use it as a fund-raiser. Mrs. Faust stated that the EGAA did not want to be involved in that arrangement. 6. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at $:35 p.m.