HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-04-10 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD
7:30 p.m.
April 10, 1990
Manager's Conference Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Pat Vagnoni, James Fee, Bill Lord, Beth
Hall, Andy Montgomery, Mac Thayer, Chip Sour, Bill Jenkins,
Jean Rydell
MEMBERS ABSENT: Scott Johnson
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Janet Canton, Susan Weigle, Joyce
Repya
OTHERS PRESENT: Gary Reiter, Anita Johnson, Carol Brozic, Dave Lynch
1. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON
Mr. Kojetin indicated that he is the official secretary and at this time
the Board needs to nominate a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. James Fee
MOVED TO NOMINATE BOB CHRISTIANSON AS CHAIRPERSON FOR THE PARK BOARD. Jean
Rydell SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. Bob Christianson MOVED TO
NOMINATE BILL JENKINS AS VICE CHAIRPERSON. Bill Lord SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Christianson thanked the Park Board for re-electing him Park Board
Chair. Mr. Christianson then opened the meeting.
2. APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 13, 1990 MINUTES
Andy Montgomery MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 13, 1990
MEETING. Jean Rydell SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
3. BRAEMAR CITY OF LAKES FIGURE SKATING CLUB
Mr. Reiter, President of the Braemar City of Lakes Figure Skating Club,
gave a talk to the Park Board about the program. He stated that this
Association has existed for over 50 years. The Association is governed by
the United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) rules. Braemar City
of Lakes Figure Skating Club received a plaque from the U.S. Figure Skating
Association for 50 years of being an association. Mr. Reiter showed the
plaque to the Park Board and indicated the club is one of the oldest in the
country.
Mr. Reiter stated that this year there was an amendment to the by-laws. He
indicated the Association is exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code.
Mr. Reiter indicated that the Association works a great deal with Larry
Thayer and have been very pleased with him.
This year the Braemar City of Lakes Figure Skating Club held three major
competitions at Braemar Arena. Everything worked out very well and it has
been a busy year.
The Association has over 140 members, one of which is a National Jr.
Champion. Mr. Lord asked how many of the 140 members are residents of
Edina. Mr. Reiter replied that they really don't keep track of the numbers
of residents vs. non-residents. Everyone one who applies and has a
professional recommendation is admitted. They do not discriminate against
residents and non-residents. Mr. Lord asked what is the maximum number
that the association can accommodate. Mr. Reiter told the Park Board that
the Association currently enrolls around 150, however, the maximum number
really depends on how much ice time each individual member purchases. The
newer members require less ice than the more advanced members.
Mr. Reiter pointed out that the sport of figure skating is a little
different from other sports. This is a sport where there is a membership
fee of $85.00 and a user fee of $15.00. In addition, a member needs to
purchase shared ice time with 20 members at $85.00 an hour plus a fee to
pay for the professional skating instructor. Professional fees vary
depending on the number of lessons. Generally a figure skating parent will
average as much as $5,000.00 per year for a student in the club. The
Braemar City of Lakes Figure Skating Club is amongst the top 15 figure
skating clubs in the country.
Mr. Sour asked if there are any boys in the Association. Mr. Reiter
indicated that there are very few. There is just no peer support for them
to stay with the Association. The majority that are in the Association
usually drop out after the 7th grade. This Association is hard to stay in
for both boys and girls because there are eight test levels. Usually the
kids drop out after the third and fourth test level because of the pressure
of the sport.
April 20th and 21st is the Silver Anniversary Braemar Ice Frolics. In the
past, Thursday night has been designated as the dress rehearsal night and
was performed for the senior citizens and disabled citizens and were
admitted free. This year, the Thursday night dress rehearsal performance
will be open to everyone. The senior citizens and disabled citizens will
be offered a discounted rate ticket for all performances.
4. JUPITER AND BEYOND REPORT
Mr. Lord's Finance Committee of the Jupiter Report met and discussed the
financial commitments for the next five years with the Park and Recreation
Staff. At this time they also discussed priority listing of the individual
items.
Mr. Lord indicated that the pink sheet (see attached) is the priority list
that Mr. Kojetin and his staff put together on how they would like to
utilize capital dollars through 1995.
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It was stated that the Park Board also needs to make a list of capital
improvements that exceed the minimum priority list that are currently
within budgetary guidelines. This priority list will then be presented to
the City Council.
Mr. Kojetin explained in more detail the capital improvement priorities.
Mr. Kojetin explained that we have already committed capital funds to pay
back the City of Edina for construction of the following:
* Art Center expansion ($50,000 over five years; $12,000 in 1991, $10,000
in 1992, 1993, 1994, and $8,000 in 1995)
* Braemar Arena renovation ($100,000 over 10 years; $10,000 each year from
1990 to 1999)
In 1987, $30,000.00 in capital dollars was set aside for construction of a
maintenance building at Arneson Acres Park. $25,000 is budgeted for 1990
and 1991 to complete the project. The plan is to begin construction on the
maintenance building in the Fall of 1990.
It was stated that the neighborhood park most in need of playground
equipment is York Park. Chowen and Pamela Park would be the next
neighborhood parks scheduled for new playground equipment. Almost all of
the playground equipment installed in 1964 has since been replaced. It was
stated that playground equipment has an average life of approximately 15
years depending upon the material. The City contracts with a private
company that annually inspects all City owned playground equipment and
makes minor repairs where needed. This contractor also makes
recommendations as to removal of unsafe playground equipment.
Mr. Lord came up with three major thoughts for a priority list. The first
project would be either to have the pool renovated for $300,000 and/or
total pool replaced with aquatic features for one million dollars. Mr.
Keprios indicated that this pool is an accident waiting to happen. It will
cost approximately $300,000.00 just to fix it, and then it's the same
pool. To repair the filtration/circulation system and install additional
water features such as a slide and/or sprinkler would cost around one
million dollars.
Mr. Christianson asked if the pool is self-sufficient? Mr. Keprios
indicated that in 1989 the pool did slightly better than break even before
depreciation, however, the number of pool users is not as high as in the
first 10-15 years after the pool opened. Mr. Keprios indicated that we
need some type of water feature gimmick to increase the attendance. In the
1960's the pool had around 3,400 to 3,500 season tickets. Now the pool has
around 1,000. Mr. Keprios indicated that when the City of Moorhead
renovated their older pool by installing new water attractions, such as a
slide and sprinkler, their annual attendance doubled. Mr. Keprios stated
that he could put together a report with some facts and figures for the
Park Board if the Board so desired.
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The second major project is the new Senior Center. Mr. Lord gave his
opinion that possibly it could be put at Centennial Lakes. It was guessed
that it would cost around one million dollars to have a free standing
building for a new senior center.
Ms. Weigle gave some background information as to the status of the Senior
Center. Ms. Weigle indicated that the Senior Center has been at this
location since January of 1989. She indicated that this was a very hard
move. It is not an easy location to get to, however, the installation of
the elevator made a world of difference.
A problem that Ms. Weigle sees is that the seniors are all spread out and
there is not a sense of real identity. Another problem is that the Senior
Center definitely needs air conditioning. In the summer time, the indoor
temperature conditions are unbearable. The Senior Center is currently on
the third floor of the Community Center.
The Senior Center does have Congregate Dining. Right now they are
averaging 30 participants a day compared to 90 participants in the past.
The Senior Facility Committees' thoughts are that we should use the Senior
Center where it is located now at the Community Center and try all options
within the building. There would really need to be some changes as to the
rooms that are being used and also to have parking closer to the building.
The Seniors need something that will not resemble a school so much.
Something needs to be done with the lockers and the hallways. Right now
the Seniors eat their lunch for congregate dining out in the hallway.
Also, the only room that doesn't need to be reserved for a special meeting
is the same room where different activities are held so people are always
being disturbed.
Ms. Weigle indicated that there is a problem with the Maintenance
Department at the Community Center. There seems to be a constant fight.
It is not always a real clean atmosphere. Mr. Christianson indicated that
this problem is not easily solved and that many of these problems are
trying to be worked out right now. It was indicated that we should try all
options before we commit to one million dollars. The Senior Center needs
to explore existing opportunities now. It's very expensive to build. We
have not exhausted efforts in making the facility a better facility.
With the Senior Facility Committee, there are some new ideas. One is to
have more signage as to where everything is located. Seniors need to be
able to identify where everything is located. Mr. Kojetin pointed out
different ways the third floor could be changed around for a better Senior
Center. It was suggested to explore the possibility of moving the Senior
Center to the first floor. Mr. Christianson indicated that this could be
difficult since the users now are all children's activities and by state
law need to be on the first floor.
The third major project would be the complete renovation of the Lake
Cornelia Park playground site. This cost would be approximately
$250,000.00. The project would consist of a new permanent cushioned
surface under new accessible playground equipment. The reason this needs
to be done is because of the liability that is there now. This area has
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been Edina's designated handicap accessible area with accessible playground
equipment that has been largely donated by the Edina Federated Womens
Club. Mr. Keprios stated that Ed, Bob and he will first be meeting with an
architect who will draw up some plans. These plans will then be presented
to some private organizations for possible contributions. This really does
need to be done before 1991. This is the City's most heavily used park.
The wood structure definitely needs to go. It has lasted its life, you can
only do so much maintenance on something such as this.
Mr. Keprios indicated that the best playground equipment material available
is aluminum because of its durability and longer life expectancy. Wood
playground equipment rarely lasts longer than 10 years, whereas aluminum
structures could last over 25 years. Many communities purchase wood
equipment simply because you can get more equipment for the dollar. In the
long run, aluminum equipment is more financially beneficial.
Mr. Lord MOVED TO ADOPT EDINA PARK AND RECREATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PRIORITIES INCLUSION IN THE JUPITER AND BEYOND REPORT. THE COST IS NOT IN
LIEU OF BUT IN ADDITION TO THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET. Bill Jenkins
SECOND THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
Bill Lord MOVED TO ADOPT THE THREE ITEMS ON THE PRIORITY LIST. James Fee
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
6. COMMUNITY CENTER TENNIS COURTS RESURFACING FUNDING REQUEST
Mr. Christianson opened the tabled motion from the previous Park Board
discussion. The staff discussed the topic of the Edina School District's
request for funding part of the costs to resurface the tennis courts at the
Edina Community Center. It is the staff's opinion that because the two
government agencies share each others facilities year around that each
agency should maintain their own facilities within their own budget.
However, when capital improvements are required to alter another agency's
facility, the requesting agency should be responsible for funding that
project. Two examples of this are:
1. Renovation of the Community Center to accommodate the Edina Senior
Citizen's Center paid by the City of Edina.
2. Renovation of the Braemar Arena to accommodate the Edina School
District's graduation ceremonies paid by the Edina School District.
Staff therefore recommends that the Park Board deny the School District's
request for funding the resurfacing of the Community Center tennis courts.
BILL LORD MOVED TO DENY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S REQUEST FOR $19,250.00 TO
FUND THE RESURFACING OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER TENNIS COURTS. BILL JENKINS
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
7. OTHER
Soccer Board - Mr. Kojetin wanted to be sure that everyone had a chance to
read the letter from the Soccer Board. They indicated that they only want
Edina residents to participate in Edina Soccer.
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Community Award - Mr. Kojetin indicated that there will be a program where
an award will be given to businesses, residents, churches, etc. for well
kept lawns. The Garden Council is in favor of this. The title of the
award will be "Scenes from the Street". The award will be given to the
winner at the annual meeting in August.
Compost - Mr. Kojetin indicated that people are encouraged to do composting
only in their own yards. They do not want people composting in the parks.
Van Valkenburg Park Grand Opening Softball Game - Mr. Keprios indicated
that on May 17th at Van Valkenburg Park at 7:00 p.m. there will be a grand
opening softball game between the Park Department and all other City
employees.
Courtney Fields - There will be a dedication of Courtney Fields on
Tuesday, May 1st at 5:30 p.m. The Baseball Board is making arrangements
right now for the American League (11 & 12 year old boys) to play in this
dedication game.
Dave Lynch - Mr. Keprios introduced Dave Lynch to the Park Board. He is a
new resident to Edina. Dave used to work for the Indiana Department of
Natural Resources as a Grants Writer. Mr. Lynch indicated is looking
forward to learning how we operate and how he can help as a concerned
citizen.
Sylvia Wippermann - Mr. Kojetin indicated that Ms. Wippermann passed away.
Memorials are being taken for the Brian Wipperman Memorial Gun Range.
Flowers were sent from the Park Board and Council.
Insurance - Mr. Montgomery asked if the Associations can have one
insurance policy straight across the board? Mr. Fee replied we have tried
this in the past and it cannot be done. It has been studied. Mr. Keprios
indicated one thing that can be done is to have coaches attend the National
Youth Sports Program and through this they can purchase a policy.
8. ADJOURNMENT - Ms. Rydell MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:30 P.M. Andy
Montgomery SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
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