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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-08-14 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD 7:30 p.m. August 14, 1990 MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Bill Lord, Bill Jenkins, Andrew Montgomery, Beth Hall, Chip Sour, Jean Rydell, Pat Vagnoni, Paul O'Connor, James Fee, Mac Thayer STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, Janet Canton, John Valliere OTHERS PRESENT: Jane Reich, Larry Carlson, Sue Ecklund I. APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 12 AND JULY 10,_1990 MINUTES Mr. Christianson first indicated that the July meeting was not a mandatory meeting to be at because it was called on such short notice. Attendance will not be counted for this meeting. Bill Lord MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 12 AND JULY 10, 1990 MEETINGS. Bill Jenkins SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. II. EDINA SOCCER ASSOCIATION Jane Reich, President and Larry Carlson, Vice -President of the Edina Soccer Association (ESA) thanked the Park Board for helping them in the past years. Ms. Reich stated that ESA's main concern with the program is the maintenance of the soccer facilities. She explained that this is the largest association with approximately 1700 participants this summer. The fields are being used constantly. ESA feels they should have more consistent maintenance. Ms. Reich explained that some fields had not been striped often enough and also the nets and goal mouths had not been maintained. ESA will try to raise money to help the soccer facilities. Ms. Reich stated that ESA just gave the Park and Recreation Department $5,000 towards sodding the new Braemar Soccer field. Ms. Reich indicated that ESA would like to take a field out of use for a season to seed it and have it come back in good shape for the following year. Mr. Carlson stated that the community is aging but there is a great number of children ages 6-10 and the ESA's largest group this year was the under 8 division. Mr. Carlson feels they are really strained for junior fields. Mr. Carlson indicated there is no substitution field when they lose the Braemar golf course field. Also, the traveling teams had a difficult time finding fields. Lewis Park West Field was a very dangerous field this year due to the rain. ESA feels the best field in the City excluding Braemar is Pamela. With its over use there are problems. Ms. Reich indicated maintenance is needed on the goals and resodding also needs to be done. She explained that it would be nice to find an alternate field while Pamela is being fixed for a year. ESA would like to know if the Park and Recreation Department could stripe some practice fields, such as, an area at Pamela that is currently not being used. Mr. Carlson indicated some specific concerns. Both Strachauer and Pamela have goal posts that are very much in need of maintenance. Mr. Christianson thanked Ms. Reich and Mr. Carlson for expressing their concerns but suggested that they not pent everything up but let the Park Department hear about their concerns as far as maintenance is concerned. The staff can then address the problem right away. Mr. Montgomery indicated that he coached in the soccer program this year and was unhappy with some of the organization. He stated he was especially unhappy that he did not have any indication of the standings until the season was over and into playoffs. Ms. Reich indicated that during the year three board members resigned and this caused much confusion in regards to some of the publicity and organization. Mr. Christianson asked Mr. Carlson if he had some suggestions for the Park Board? Mr. Carlson indicated that we should recycle what we have now. Making some practice fields may be one way to resolve some of this. Ms. Reich indicated they are willing to put money back into the city for the facilities. Mr. Kojetin indicated that because of adding the new Under 6 age group at the last minute and the increase of the overall young participants created problems with the availability of fields. This made it difficult to provide more fields on such short notice. This was a drastic drain on available fields. Also, the traveling teams in the last few years have needed more fields to be available. Edina use to have teams playing each other on a facility now we have one Edina and one non -Edina team playing because of the home and home scheduling of games. The weather has had a significant impact on the maintenance of the facilities and on the inability to get all soccer games played on time. Fields and open space areas were used in the parks this year that have not been used in the past. The striping of the fields and the immediate turn -around of make-up games helped create some of our maintenance problems. Mr. Kojetin felt badly that they could not make faster adjustments on some of the facilities this year. Some of the same problems occured in the baseball program. 4 Mr. Christianson indicated that ESA has to recognize that we don't have facilities and funds for 1700 kids. Mr. Christianson suggested that possibly the Edina Soccer Association maybe needs to limit participants. This is not something we want to do, but it's an issue we have to recognize because of financial restraints. Ms. Reich indicated that ESA was very surprised with the increase in the number of participants this year. III. EDINA GYMNASTICS ASSOCIATION - TAGS - THOMPSON ACADEMY OF GYMNASTICS Mr. Kojetin distributed a letter he had received from the Edina Gymnastics Association outlining the proposals of the contract. According to Minnesota State Statutes, a sale between 2 non-profit organizations requires a waiting period before the final transaction can be completed. This will not occur and be final until sometime in September. It is Mr. Kojetin's recommendation at this time to possibly recognize the new TAGS organization for the period that the Edina Gymnastics Association has indicated to them. The new agreement includes requirements to purchase more equipment and use some of the assets of the Gymnastics Association to build the pit. Mr. Kojetin stated that after this period of time they would reconsider how to recognize the Gymnastics Association in the City. At the present time there is an additional Gymnastics Association by the name of Olympics who was one of the three associations that were interviewed for purchasing the Edina Gymnastics Association. Mr. Kojetin feels that the TAGS organization has done a good job. Mr. Kojetin indicated that the responsibility the City would have is to provide publicity through the calendar for the TAGS organization and also acquiring labels for mailing out their registration. Mr. Kojetin will bring more to the Park Board after he has received final information. IV. PETITION PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT - 44TH STREET PARK Mr. Kojetin indicated that the 44th Street Park neighboring demographics has changed and does have several young children in the neighborhood. Mr. Kojetin met with a couple of the neighborhood ladies and indicated to them to have a petition circulated for additional playground equipment at the 44th Street Park. Mr. Kojetin indicated that at the last meeting with this neighborhood they had indicated they wanted a minimal amount of equipment installed because there were not a lot of young children in the neighborhood. Mr. Kojetin indicated that in the Jupiter Report this park was on hold as far as having additional playground equipment until the neighborhood had responded. Mr. Kojetin now feels the neighborhood has responded and should be looked into revising the five year plan for additional playground equipment in this park. Mr. Montgomery asked how much money they need for the equipment they want? Mr. Keprios indicated the purchase would be around $16,000 to $17,000 minimum. Mr. Christianson indicated that the Park Board accepts the petition and the staff will study and make a recommendation. 3 V. CAHILL INTERPRETIVE PARK Mr. Kojetin indicated that this park is now being called "Cahill Settlement Park", and is coming right along. Bids will be opening the end of the month and will be awarded on September 4th. The church has been removed (both the Preservation Board and the Historical Society have decided the church was not worth saving.). Two -hundred blocks have been saved and will be used in the steeple. Also, a slice of the original foundation built in the 1800's will be installed in the sidewalk in front of the Kiosk. The railings that were in the balcony of the church where salvaged from the church building and will be used in some area of the Arneson House Museum. VI. POOL STUDY Mr. Kojetin asked the Park Board if they had any questions on the study. Mr. Montgomery asked if there is a water slide will that take away from the lounge and relaxation area? Mr. Kojetin indicated that this area could be expanded on. Mr. Kojetin also stated that there is a problem, some prefer grass and others like concrete for this type of area. Mr. Kojetin indicated that a lot of work does need to be done on the pool. With the new health rules, one of the largest expenses that had not been anticipated was constructing a new concrete deck around the pool. On the present pool the deck slopes to the gutters. Now this slope must be reversed and have all drainage drain away from the pool into a separate drainage area. Also, the wading pool area has to have a separate filtration system. This has presently been converted but is not the proper health standard that is required. The staff has not sat down and discussed how to finance the purchase but if a water slide was added this could generate more income. Mr. Kojetin stated they are looking into the Crystal pool that has just completed their first year of having a water slide. There have been a lot of water slide studies around the Chicago area and all have been profitable ventures. Mr. Kojetin indicated that possibly some funding could come from the developer's fund. The staff will hope to put together a possible financial package for the September meeting. VII. BUDGET A. Park Maintenance - Mr. Kojetin indicated that an additional maintenance man needs to be added to the budget for strictly mowing grass. This has been our toughest year with such a wet and growing season. We don't have enough men to have a turnaround in five days. We are getting a lot of comments and concerns on the conditions of the weeds. We have always responded to complaints immediately whenever possible on an individual basis. All of our park maintenance staff have been working overtime on evenings and weekends. We are having a rash of complaints. We need to set up a program where weeds are routinely cut once a month. Mr. Kojetin mentioned he would like to have two men mowing east of the highway, two men mowing west of the highway, and three men on 7 gang mowers. The part-time summer people will be on the weed whips. 4 Mr. Kojetin stated that so far in the budget assumption meeting the additional maintenance man has been left into the overall budget process. But, indicated they may need some support in further budget meetings. B. Adaptive Recreation Program - Mr. Kojetin told the Park Board that the Adaptive Recreation Supervisor, Beth Timm, has resigned and is now working full-time with the City of Richfield. Beth's replacement to fulfill the balance of the Service Contract Agreement will be hired and on staff within two weeks. The City of Eden Prairie has indicated that they do not intend to renew the contract for 1991 because they have budgeted to hire a full-time Adaptive Recreation Supervisor to begin January 1, 1991. This successful program has been around a couple of years. Mr. Christianson pointed out that according to federal law the City of Edina must provide adaptive recreation services to Edina's disabled populations. The Park and Recreation Department is recommending a full-time Adaptive Recreation Supervisor to begin January 1, 1991, with the assumption that job responsibilities would not be limited to just adaptive recreation programming. Mr. Keprios indicated the the position has grown to a 3/4 time job. Therefore, other duties would include Senior Citizen programming, playground programs and other recreation programs in demand that cannot be provided due to lack of available staff. The City of Edina and Eden Prairie would continue to be part of the four -city joint powers agreement along with the cities of Richfield and Bloomington. The City Council has been very receptive to this program and proposal so far. There are just under 200 participants in the program. Jean Rydell MOVED TO SUPPORT THE ADDITION OF A MAINTENANCE PERSON AND AN ADAPTIVE RECREATION SUPERVISOR TO THE BUDGET. Pat Vagnoni SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. C. Fees and Charges - Mr. Kojetin indicated that in the staff meeting they discussed increases in fees and charges for the T -ball, Playground, Swimming, Tennis and also the gun range. The other revenue facilities are still in consideration as to what areas to increase fees. Mr. Kojetin indicated there will be a recommendation at the September meeting. Mr. Kojetin passed out a yellow sheet of fees and charges for 1991 and asked the Park Board for their response. A topic was brought up on the Senior Discount on carts. There was some discussion on this. A suggestion was, if it could be possible, to have the same percent discount on everything for Seniors such as a flat 10%. Another suggestion for the golf course was to possibly have different rates for different times of the day. Mr. Kojetin indicated that on August 23rd at 5:00 p.m. is the time allocated for boards and commissions. It was indicated this would be a nice opportunity for the Park Board to attend to support the Park and Recreation budget. 5 VIII.NEW SMOKING RULES AUGUST 1. 1990 Mr. Kojetin indicated that there can now be no cigarette machines in the public facilities. Braemar Golf Course does not sell cigarettes across the counter. There is still smoking on one side of the building and there has not been a big problem with it. This is the only facility where there is a smoking area. When the Braemar Room is being rented out, people have the option of smoking or non-smoking. Edinborough also has the same policy. The reason for this smoking policy is to stay competitive with other facilities. IX. OTHER A. "Scene from the Street" - There was a contest put on by the Garden Council to encourage people to do a better job in landscaping. Businesses and residents were encouraged to participate. Awards were given at the Edina, Bloomington and Richfield Flower Show at Southtown. B. Van Valkenburg - Mr. Keprios indicated that he has received a lot of comments on why beer cannot be sold at this park when it can be sold at the golf course. Mr. Keprios stated that he has received many compliments from the adult and youth softball players on the excellent facilities at Van Valkenburg Park. Mr. Keprios also indicated that we have not had many tournaments at the complex this first year because we do not yet have the volunteer staffing for them. Mr. Keprios indicated that next year the Edina Park and Recreation Department will offer a fall softball league. C. Bantam Tournament - It was indicated that Moorhead, Minnesota will be hosting the Bantam A National Tournament. X. ADJOURNMENT James Fee MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:20 P.M. Mac Thayer SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. 2