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.