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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-09-11 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD 8:00 p.m. September 11, 1990 MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Bill Jenkins, Bill Lord, Andrew Montgomery, Beth Hall, Chip Sour, Jean Rydell, James Fee, Mac Thayer MEMBERS ABSENT: Pat Vagnoni, Paul O'Connor STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Ed MacHolda, John Valliere, Bill Bach, Larry Thayer, Diana Hedges, Janet Canton OTHERS PRESENT: Doug Barber, Denny Dahlien, Dick Gunderson I. APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 14, 1990 MINUTES Jean Rydell MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 14, 1990 MEETING. Mr. Kojetin indicated that there was one change on the "New Smoking Rules" section. Edinborough Park is a non-smoking facility at all times. Bill Jenkins SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. II. EDINA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION Doug Barber, President of the Edina Football Association thanked the Park Board for inviting him to the meeting. Mr. Barber read from the football's coaches manual the philosophy of the association. Mr. Barber then indicated that there are approximately 700 kids who are in football this year. There are 200 second and third graders in flag football and around 450 fourth through seventh graders playing 11 man contact football. There is a controversy right now as to whether the fourth graders should be playing flag football instead of contact football. Mr. Barber indicated that the seventh and eighth graders have a draft pick. Coaches draft the kids onto their teams. These grades also play against teams from Bloomington and Eden Prairie. This year there has been an increase in the seventh and eighth grade program. Mr. Barber pointed out that this tends to be when children start dropping out of the football program. Mr. Barber stated that this past weekend Edina scrimmaged against Eden Prairie at Braemar. Eden Prairie thought the new facility was great. Mr. Barber explained to the Park Board that the season started off with a new information brochure explaining the football program. The brochure included their philosophy, registration information and mail -in registration cards for both players and coaches. It was asked where the kids names came from for the mailing? Mr. Barber replied that they received their lists from the school district as well as having their own list for children who are in parochial schools and live on the boundaries. Mr. Barber indicated that the Football Association has excellent coaching. All coaches go through the NYSCA program to be certified coaches for the season. This is a 6-8 hour program. There is also a coaches manual that Mr. Barber feels is second to none. Mr. Barber also stated that there is a grade coordinator for each level as well as a mentor program for any problems or concerns. Football has no traveling teams and everyone gets to play. There is a weigh in at registration and the top 158 cannot be ball carriers due to a safety factor. Another very important feature that the football association has is paid adult age officials. Mr. Barber thanked Bob Kojetin, Ed MacHolda and John Keprios for doing such a great job with the Park and Recreation Department. Mr. Christianson thanked Mr. Barber for his report on the Edina Football Association. III. GOLF COURSE REPORT John Valliere, manager of Braemar Golf Course, and Mr. Gunderson, representing Braemar Golf Association, gave an oral report for the Braemar Golf Association. Mr. Valliere gave the proposal of the Braemar Golf Association to establish and maintain a contingency fund in the amount of $400,000. This fund is to insure the financial liability of Braemar Golf Course against adverse conditions affecting the course. Such a fund would be financed out of the net income from the Braemar Golf Course annual operations. Half of this net income from each year would be dedicated to the reserve until $400,000 is reached. Mr. Valliere indicated that the Braemar Golf Course is concerned about the fact that something could happen at the Golf Course. The Braemar Golf Association would like a fund set aside for a catastrophic incident, especially looking down the road with the planned new nine hole course. Mr. Fee questioned if this fund would be a liaison to damages on the course that is not covered by insurance. It was indicated that this would be a liaison type fund. It was noted if a course is lost, business interruption can be covered by insurance. This contingency fund would be earmarked for use as problems occurred. There would be cash on hand and interest would not need to be paid like a bond. This type of fund could be set up in other facilities if a problem occurred such as at the pool or arena. This way, a facility would not have to get help from the City, they would just have to pay back the fund. Mr. Christianson asked Mr. Valliere if the City has ever refused to pick up slack when a problem occurred due to damage or vandalism? Mr. Valliere said no, they have always helped. Mr. Christianson also asked Mr. Valliere if he feels the City would react similar to a situation in the future? Mr. Valliere indicated he feels he would get the full support from the City and Council. Mr. Valliere stated that it would be nice to have some assurance for a rainy day. Mr. Christianson also pointed out that the users today are paying for something that will possibly not happen until years down the road. Mr. Gunderson indicated that the money is already there, they are not asking that any new revenues and fees be raised for this fund. Mr. Christianson asked Mr. Valliere what last year's net income was after expenses and bond payments. Mr. Valliere noted that the net was $146,000. 2 Mr. Christianson indicated that with a contingency fund the problem is the money is not our money according to state legislature. The state can come along and see X amount of money in the general fund and tell the City they can't tax their citizens because of the City's wealth which includes this fund. It was pointed out that even if this fund is earmarked it still will have to go through the City Council if a problem arises. Mr. Kojetin indicated that the golf course facility and the arena have used the Edina Legislative Law for revenue bonds backed up by operation revenues. If this failed it would go to the liquor store proceeds and if that failed then on to the tax payer. This law was passe in 1960, and was how the original golf course was built and improvements were done, such as the clubhouse and parking lot. If there would be another disaster or catastrophic problem, revenue bonds could be easily sold based on this same law at whatever time in the future it would happen. Mr. Christianson indicated that a fund like this would be great if it were a private enterprise but since it's public there are other options available. It was also stated that the City Council is not amendable to having sinking funds, etc. Mr. Sour asked Mr. Christianson if he could assure him that if a problem did arise would it be taken care of by the City. Mr. Christianson could not assure him of it. Mr. Sour MOVED TO ADOPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE BRAEMAR GOLF ASSOCIATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL. Andrew Montgomery SECONDED THE MOTION. Mr. Fee indicated that he needs to check into insurance that would cover greens, and other facilities. At the present time, all of the buildings are being covered by insurance. Mr. Fee stated that before he could vote on this issue he feels he needs more information on insurance. Another question that was brought up was the fact that all of the net income from the golf course is generally reinvested each year into capital improvements to the golf course. These improvements are mowers, golf carts, redoing of tees, greens and fairways. The repairs to the golf course generally are based on the amount of net revenue that the golf course has each year. Mr. Christianson asked Mr. Valliere if he would be happy about putting his net income into this contingency fund. Mr. Valliere indicated that he would feel comfortable cutting back on some improvements but it would depend on the year and also what needs to be done. Mr. Christianson indicated to Mr. Valliere that if he wanted to build up a contingency fund there will not be available ongoing maintenance to keep the facility in great shape. Another suggestion was to possibly put only 25% of the net income into this fund. THE MOTION WAS TABLED until additional information on insurance could be investigated. IV. FEES AND CHARGES Mr. Kojetin passed out a revised fees and charges sheet (see attached), there were a few changes. Mr. Kojetin indicated that on an average all revenue facilities had a very good year. 3 The topic of the rental of ball fields was discussed. Mr. Kojetin pointed out that in the past when an association or group of people wanted to run some type of tournament or fund raising event on park property, a percentage should be given back to that facility for the rental use. The Hockey Association is charged a rental fee for the arena. The Swim Club is charged a rental fee for the pool. In the baseball area a rental fee has not been charged for weekends or tournaments. The staff is proposing in this report that a rental fee of $100 per day per field be charged. In the past, the baseball and softball fields were rented out at $35 per game but this was not assessed against the Baseball Association. The Baseball Association is not charged a fee if they play a regular season game on a weekend. These games are considered part of their regular baseball season. Mr. Dahlien, President of the Baseball Association, said that it would cost the Baseball Association $1200 for Courtney fields to be used on a weekend. This would be using 4 fields at $100/day per field for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This would increase the registration per team entry a minimum of $40 more per team. Mr. Keprios said a fee needs to be considered because the City cannot afford to continually maintain the facilities for other organization's fund-raising events without a rental fee. With the completion of the new Van Valkenburg facility, several requests are being received from softball teams, residents and non-residents looking to rent or use this facility for fund-raiser tournaments. It was suggested that the rental use by residents and non-residents of Van Valkenburg park and Courtney fields be studied further by the staff and bring it back to the park board for further evaluation. Mr. Keprios indicated that the intent is not to keep people from having tournaments. Mr. Keprios stated that with the construction of Van Valkenburg Park some sound policies need to be established. The City of Edina should not be providing public facilities and maintenance services to individuals or organizations, residents or non-residents, for the purpose of raising money at the City of Edina's expense. There definitely needs to be established rental fees with insurance requirements, especially for non-residents. Mr. Christianson asked Mr. Valliere if his fees are comparable to other public golf courses? Mr. VaLliere indicated that they were fairly comparable. The topic of seniors citizens was brought up. It was pointed out that possibly seniors in the near future will only get a discount of $1.00. Mr. Bach indicated that he had one change on his fees and charges. The last page should read for rental fees $1,300, $1,700, $1,500, and $1,700. Bill Jenkins MOVED TO ACCEPT THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION FOR THE FEES AND CHARGES AND RECOMMEND THEM TO THE CITY COUNCIL. James Fee SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. Andrew Montgomery MOVED TO GIVE STAFF DISCRETION TO DISTINGUISH HOW MUCH RESIDENTS AND NON-RESIDENTS SHOULD BE CHARGED FOR THE VARIOUS BALL FIELD FACILITIES. James Fee SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. 4 V. OTHER Mr. Montgomery MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO OF CONGRATULATIONS TO WILLARD IKOLA, OF THE U.S.A. HOCKEY HALL OF FAME. CARRIED. VI. ADJOURNMENT THE CITY COUNCIL TO MAKE A RESOLUTION WHO HAS BEEN SELECTED TO BE A MEMBER Chip Sour SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION James Fee MOVED TO THE ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:55 P.M. Jean Rydell SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. 5