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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-10-09 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD 7:30 p.m. October 9, 1990 ARNESON ACRES TERRACE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Bill Jenkins, Beth Hall, Chip Sour, Jean Rydell, Pat Vagnoni, Paul O'Connor MEMBERS ABSENT: Bill Lord, Andrew Montgomery, James Fee, Mac Thayer STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, John Valliere, Janet Canton OTHERS PRESENT: Trudy Landgren, Colette Bednarczyk, Dawn Siemon, Dick Gunderson, Roger Harrold I. APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 11, 1990 MINUTES Chip Sour MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 11, 1990 MEETING. Bill Jenkins SECONDED THE MOTION. Jean Rydell had a question on the minutes regarding the Edina Football Association. She felt the second paragraph needed clarification in regards to an increase in the 7th and 8th grade program. It should read: Mr. Barber pointed out that children tend to start dropping out of the football program in the seventh and eighth grade. However, this year there has been an increase in these two grades. MOTION CARRIED. MINUTES APPROVED. II. EDINA YOUTH SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION John Keprios gave a brief history on the Edina Youth Softball Association (EYSA). He stated that EYSA and the Edina Girls Athletic Association in the beginning were one organization. EYSA became its own organization when they had over 400 girls and their finances became large. Also, softball did take up a lot of the boards time. Therefore there was a need to make two different organizations. Mr. Keprios also pointed out that boys can sign up for this activity but they usually do not. Mr. Keprios then introduced Trudy Landgren, EYSA President. Ms. Landgren handed out a report explaining the different aspects of the association. EYSA is divided into two groups, the house league which is slow pitch, and the traveling league which is fast pitch. This year there were 240 girls in the house league and 55 girls in the traveling league. The numbers have increased and they have been getting some sponsors. EYSA is a volunteer run program with the exception of paid youth umpires. Ms. Landgren indicated that at a recent board meeting it was voted to have all coaches certified through NYSCA. Ms. Landgren noted that this year there have been two changes implemented into the program. The first change was to go to an optional flat pitch. The reasonings: 1) To eliminate a large number of walks for pitch change; 2) To make the ball easier to hit; 3) To speed up the game and make it more interesting. The second change was to have a split day/evening game schedule. This was done so both parents could go to the games. There has been positive feedback on both of these changes. Mr. Jenkins asked why all of the games cannot be played in the evening? Ms. Landgren explained because of field availability and also the fact that soccer is held in the evenings and many girls participate in both sports. Ms. Vagnoni asked why softball is split up according to grades and soccer is split up according to age. Mr. Kojetin replied that soccer is under a National level which is based on age. Ms. Landgren stated the EYSA's fast pitch is also under a National level which is age. The house league, however, goes by grade so children who go to school together can play together. The goals of the house league is for children to learn and have fun. The traveling league is more competitive. EDINA GIRLS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION Dawn Siemon, President of the Edina Girls Athletic Association (E.G.A.A.) gave a report. There are five sports that make up this association. They are: Flag Football, Basketball, Traveling Basketball, Volleyball, and Tennis. Each program has four women who run the activities. Mr. Keprios pointed out that this board is a large board with 24 members. There are 330 girls signed up for house league basketball. Last year there were 300. Ms. Siemon reported that the younger grades have had an increase in numbers. This year the 3-4 grade league has 14 teams. In the traveling basketball league there are 59 girls signed up. This year basketball had a shortage of coaches signed up and did need to do some calling. There were 200 girls at the basketball clinic. In volleyball last year there were 313 girls signed up. Volleyball runs from March through May. In tennis last year there were 81 girls signed up. In flag football this year there are 120 girls signed up and it is a five week program. Ms. Siemon explained that this is the first year that E.G.A.A. has had a scholarship fund set up. E.G.A.A. awards $500 to a girl who is going to college and has participated by either playing or coaching in an E.G.A.A. program. Also, this year E.G.A.A. has purchased an electronic scoreboard. In the past flip charts were used. Ms. Siemon brought up a problem with gym space. In the fall especially there is a big crunch for gym space. All gyms are reserved from October through March, Monday through Thursday and Saturdays. There is still not 2 enough gym space. Also, some of the gyms are not adequate. The boys basketball has 22 games and the girls basketball has 16 games. So it is not totally even, due to gym space. It was asked if any of the programs would ever break away from E.G.A.A. to become its own association. Ms. Siemon indicated that this could possibly happen. Right now the traveling basketball program brings in 80% of their income with a big tournament that is held every year. Mr. Kojetin indicated that the original concept was that when a program became self-supporting it could have a board of its own. Also, at E.G.A.A. board meetings, one sport could tend to take up a lot of time and another sport could tend to be neglected. At sometime in the future, E.G.A.A. programs may become separate like the boys programs. Ms. Siemon did point out that fees have not been increased in four years. Ms. Vagnoni asked if E.G.A.A. would consider having younger kids in the program such as soccer does? Ms. Siemon indicated that they have thought about doing this with the volleyball program. This is something that the board will be thinking about. Mr. Christianson thanked the two associations for their reports and for doing such a good job with the programs. III. BRAEMAR GOLF COURSE The Braemar Golf Association's request for a contingency fund was tabled from last months meeting until further information was gathered on insurance by James Fee. James Fee could not attend the meeting but did inform Mr. Kojetin of the status on insurance. Mr. Kojetin stated that the city right now is covered under Hartford Insurance. This insurance does not include damage done to greens. However, there is a St. Paul insurance company that does carry this type of insurance. Most private golf clubs do have this coverage. Basically what is covered under the insurance is only vandalism. It does not cover greens destroyed in another manner. The fee for this type of insurance is $20,000 per year. Mr. Fee did indicate he could do some further investigation. Mr. Valliere stated that he did meet with John Wallin, Bob Kojetin and Ken Rosland and does feel more at ease than he did a month ago. Mr. Valliere still feels concerned to a certain degree that if a problem occurred, would it be addressed. Mr. Valliere feels the golf course is vulnerable to vandalism, disease and winter kill such as what occurred at Brookview Golf Course in Golden Valley this year. Also, Mr. Valliere expressed concern that should a catastrophy occur the course may lose more than $500,000 in revenue; and would also be compounded by repairs and an annual $400,000 of debt service. He would like this to go on the record. He feels a contingency fund would be assurance that a problem would be taken care of. Mr. O'Connor asked if the city is self-insured. Mr. Kojetin replied that they do have self-insurance on the collision of automobiles. At the beginning of the year X amount of dollars are put into this fund. If it goes over the amount, the city pays more. If it is under the amount, the 01 lI U city receives a rebate. Mr. O'Connor asked if the city could get self-insurance for this type of damage. Mr. Christianson indicated that this cannot be done since it is government. Self-insurance is great for private enterprise but not for government. Mr. Christianson stated that the fact the city is prudent and builds up a surplus, does not mean the city can keep it. Mr. Christianson pointed out that historically the city has never established a revenue fund like this. Also, the City Council has always had the philosophy that you pay as you go. What is paid for today, is used today. What is paid for 10 years from now is used 10 years from now, etc. It is a whole different philosophy from private enterprise. The City Council is the one who makes the final decision. It was also pointed out that all of the net proceeds from the golf course go back into the golf course to keep it in great shape. Mr. Christianson asked Mr. Valliere how he would feel about having a surcharge for this fund? Mr. Valliere indicated that he would not like to raise fees and thinks the Braemar Golf Association would feel the same way. (There was a lengthy discussion.) Dick Gunderson, BGA member, stated that the Braemar Golf Association has brought their concern to the Park Board so they are aware of a potential problem. Mr. Kojetin indicated that if BGA could set aside a contingency fund the City Council still has to authorize money that is spent over $5,000. Mr. Christianson noted that historically the city has been very supportive of the golf course to make it a first class facility. Should there be a problem the Park Board would step up and make a recommendation to City Council to do what is necessary to rectify the problem. Mr. Christianson also indicated that he appreciates the BGA's concerns and is glad they approached the board with it. Mr. Sour still indicated that he would feel more comfortable if they could have some sort of assurance from the city if something should happen. Mr. Kojetin again replied that in 25 years he has always been backed by the City Council and feels very comfortable that the City Council would help if a catastrophic incident were to occur. Motion from September Park Board meeting: Chip Sour MOVED TO ADOPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE BRAEMAR GOLF ASSOCIATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL. Andrew Montgomery SECONDED THE MOTION. All in favor: Chip Sour; All opposed: Bob Christianson, Bill Jenkins, Paul O'Connor, Pat Vagnoni, Jean Rydell, Beth Hall. MOTION FAILED. The Park Board expressed concern and support for the Golf Course and has gone on record indicating the city should find a way to support the golf course in case of a catastrophic incident. 4 IV. FEES AND CHARGES (field rentals) At last month's Park Board meeting the board made a motion to give staff discretion to distinguish how much residents and non-residents should be charged for the various ball field facilities. Also, how much athletic associations should be charged for ball fields. The staffs recommendation for non-residents and residents is to pay a fee of $100 per field, per day plus expenses. The staffs recommendation for athletic associations is to be billed only for expenses. Jean Rydell MOVED TO ACCEPT THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE RENTAL OF FIELDS. Paul O'Connor SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. V. OTHER A. Sherwood Park - Mr. Kojetin stated that he received a letter and a petition from the Sherwood Park residents stating a concern that Sherwood was not a park and just a piece of city property. The residents would like more new playground equipment. Mr. Kojetin sent a letter back with a copy of the Jupiter report. The response letter indicated that Sherwood Park is a park and that the capital improvement budget recommends new equipment. Mr. Kojetin will be contacting this neighborhood sometime next spring when ready to select and purchase new equipment. B. Art Center Grand Opening Celebration - Mr. Kojetin reminded the Park Board that they should be receiving their invitations to the Art Center's Grand Opening Celebration. It will be similar to the Areneson Acres Historical Museum's opening. The opening will be Sunday, October 21, 1990 from 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ms. Vagnoni indicated that she felt the Historical Museum opening was nicely done. Mr. Christianson stated he felt it was a nice asset to the city. C. Edinamite - Beth Hall stated that Edinamite is going to be November 10th. VI. ADJOURNMENT Jean Rydell MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:00 P.M. Beth Hall SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. 9