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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-11-13 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD 7:35 p.m. November 13, 1990 MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Beth Hall, Paul O'Connor, Chip Sour, Bill Lord, James Fee, Andrew Montgomery MEMBERS ABSENT: Bill Jenkins, Jean Rydell, Mac Thayer, Pat Vagnoni STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, John Keprios, Janet Canton r OTHERS PRESENT: Reid Evenson I. APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 9. 1990 MINUTES Paul O'Connor MOVED TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 9, 1990 MINUTES. Mr. Sour questioned if Mr. Montgomery was at the October meeting because Mr. Montgomery was listed as absent. The attendance sheet indicated that Mr. Montgomery was not at the October meeting and after the November Park Board meeting Mr. Montgomery confirmed that he was not present at the October meeting. James Fee SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED. II. EDINA HOCKEY ASSOCIATION Mr. Christianson welcomed Mr. Evenson, Vice President of the Edina Hockey Association (EHA). Mr. Evenson distributed a summary and the Bill of Rights for the Edina Hockey Association to the Park Board. The first hockey team in Edina was in 1950. At one point the Edina Hockey Association had over 1800 players. Today there are around 600 players. It is felt that the drop in numbers is primarily due to demographics, other sports occurring at the same time, expense, and burnout because of the high intensity of the sport. Mr. Evenson pointed out that the teams do well despite the fact that they start later than most area hockey programs. The reason for a later start is to keep the different athletic seasons separate. The hockey program does not start until football is over with so that players can participate in both sports. Ages 6 through 19 can participate in Edina Hockey. The,Edina hockey program is divided into A, B, and C levels. The A & B level teams play in District 6, while the C level teams play in the Southwest Suburban League. All players participate regardless of ability. Mr. O'Connor expressed to Mr. Evenson how impressed he has been with the Edina hockey coaches. He feels they have been wonderful role models. Mr. Evenson commented that they have been lucky to have the opportunity to select coaches. Mr. Ikola, Edina High School Hockey Coach, has stated in the past that the Edina Hockey Association has put kids on the right track in playing hockey. Mr. Evenson stated that the Hockey Association has a budget of about $150,000 a year. Sometimes as much as $200,000 goes through the Hockey Association's treasury. Most of the money comes from registration and a fundraiser which occurs the first of the year. There is a $15.00 user fee charged which assists in paying for the new construction of Braemar East Arena. Registrants have not increased in the last three years. Hockey in Edina is a very intense and competitive sport, especially at the traveling level. Mr. Evenson commented that when difficult issues arise the Hockey Board always tries to fall back on the real focus which is the player. Mr. Evenson also noted that he has been exposed to hockey both nationally and internationally and has never seen a program run as well as Edina. Any difficulties have always been well communicated and worked out. Mr. Keprios informed the Park Board that Reid Evenson was the President of the Edina Hockey Association in 1986 and will be the President again next year. This has never been done in the past and Mr. Evenson should be commended for his contributions and devotion to the Edina Hockey Association. Mr. Christianson thanked Mr. Evenson that the Edina Hockey Association is programs in the state and country. III. GOLF COURSE for his report and indicated to him running one of the best hockey Mr. Sour read two letters that the Braemar Golf Association received from the Braemar Golf Club in Scotland. The first letter enclosed a print of the second hole at Braemar Golf Course in Scotland. James Fee MOVED TO ACCEPT THE PRINT, HAVE IT FRAMED AND HUNG ON A WALL AT BRAEMAR CLUBHOUSE. ALSO, TO HAVE JOHN VALLIERE BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ACKNOWLEDGING AND THANKING THE BRAEMAR GOLF CLUB FOR THE PRINT. Bill Lord SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. The second letter Mr. Sour read was asking Braemar Golf Course of Edina to assemble two golf teams to participate in the Braemar Golf Club Centennial event in Scotland in the year 2002. IV. BLUE BIRD HOUSES Mr. Sour brought an idea to the Park Board on building Blue Bird houses to be placed at Braemar Golf Course. The wood shop at the Community Center and the Eagle Scouts may be interested in building the houses. The Braemar Men's Club would be willing to put up the houses. Mr. Sour received plans from the DNR on how to construct the houses. The cost for a blue bird house would be around $2.00. Mr. Sour indicated that he would like to see about 100 houses put up. The houses would need to be placed on metal snow fence posts. Mr. Sour also pointed out that the USGA would like this idea because it would add beauty to the golf course and is environmentally a good project. Mr. Kojetin pointed out that he has been working with an Eagle Scout installing blue bird houses on the Southwest corner of Braemar, close to the Gun Range. Mr. Kojetin also indicated that he has been working with blue bird enthusiasts in the community on trying to construct more Blue Bird Trails in the city. Mr. Kojetin noted that when working with Blue Bird Trails someone needs to be assigned to maintaining and cleaning out the houses once a day in the early spring. Also, in the early spring sparrow nests need to be removed before the blue birds can establish themselves in a Blue Bird Trail. Mr. Kojetin felt that 100 houses would be far too many to start with at the golf course since there is already one trail established. He recommended starting with only 24 houses, or two Blue Bird Trails. Mr. Kojetin also suggested that an authority on blue birds be contacted to find out where the best locations are to establish Blue Bird Trails. Mr. Kojetin informed the Park Board that the houses should not be placed in the middle of the golf course because blue birds generally like open areas and the golf course rough is not an ideal location. Mr. Kojetin felt that the Park Board's main role in a project such as this has generally been to listen to suggestions and ideas. Also, the Park Board can recommend to have the staff look into the possibility of installing blue bird houses at Braemar Golf Course. Chip Sour MOVED THAT A VOLUNTEER GROUP COORDINATED BY JOHN VALLIERE AND CHIP SOUR, INSTALL NO MORE THAN 24 BLUE BIRD HOUSES AT BRAEMAR GOLF COURSE. Paul O'Connor SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. V. VIDEO The Park Board watched a video on duties of Park Board Commissioners that Mr. Kojetin received from the National Recreation and Park Association. The video was entitled "A Board Member Speaks Out", and featured a Board Member from Southern Illinois. VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.