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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-06-13 Park Board Minutes'DINA PARK BOARD .30 p.m. ,,une 13, 1989 Braemar Arena MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Christianson, Jim Fee, Jean Rydell, Mac Thayer, Pat Vagnoni, Bill Jenkins, Andy Montgomery, Bill Lord MEMBERS ABSENT: Don Wineberg, Scott Johnson STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, Larry Thayer, John Valliere, Todd Anderson, Joe Greupner, Stacey Kness OTHERS PRESENT: Mary Lou Foster, Raymond O'Connell, David McEnary, Bob Helgerud, Jack Becker 1. SENIOR CENTER TOUR Susan Weigle gave a tour of the Senior Center at its new location on the third floor of the Edina Community Center. Ms. Weigle indicated their numbers are going up on an average of 12 new members per week. Congregate dining is serving an average of 45 meals per day. The new location of the Senior Center has tapped a new group of seniors in the community. The Park Board proceeded to Braemar Arena for the meeting. Bob Christianson called the meeting to order at 8:15 p.m. 2. BRAEMAR ARENA TOUR Mr. Larry Thayer gave a brief introduction to the Arena renovation. Phase 1 included the ice surface and refrigeration system. Phase 2 included demolition of the old walls and construction of permanent walls, four brand new locker rooms, figure skating club room and administrative area. Phase 1 was completed October 1, 1988, in time for the 1988-89 hockey season. The commons and the administrative area was completed March 20, 1989. The renovation has been very positive for the community and staff operations. 3. APPROVAL OF MAY MINUTES Jean Rydell MOVED TO APPROVE THE MAY 9, 1989, MEETING MINUTES. Andy Montgomery seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4. COMMUNITY EDUCATION SERVICE BOARD REVIEW Mr. Kojetin indicated the Community Education Board has changed to the Community Education Service Board which is divided into four different sections including Kid's Club, Community Resource Pool, Family Center, and Community Enrichment (formerly Community Education Board). The Service Board is in its second year of operation. Sixteen years ago it was set up in this community. All classes sponsored in the community would be sponsored through Community Education, and all athletic and recreation activities would be sponsored through the City since the State bill stated State money should not be used for recreation. The present system is working very well. - 1 - Mr. Christianson added the three entities other than Community Enrichment are three activities that have been governed in the last eight or nine years under the Board of Education. It became apparent three years ago that there had to be some continuity in terms of how these organizations were going to be run. The Board of Education decided to bring all the organizations under one umbrella. The Community Education Service Board consists of a representative from Kid's Club, Community Resource Pool, Community Enrichment, Family Center, School Board, City Council, Park Board, and at -large members appointed by the City Council, School Board, and Community Enrichment Board. The Community Center administration also comes under the Community Education Service Board. Mr. Raymond O'Connell, the first chair of the Community Education board, said when it started the relationship with the Park and Recreation Department was very good. The problems they had were with school administration. They had to go to the State Board of Education to learn the Community Education Board reported to the School Board not to the administration. He said it has been very satisfactory to all who have served on the board to see its evolution. 5. VAN VALKENBURG PARK LIGHTING Mr. Christianson indicated after the Park Board recommendation was made to use money from the developers fund to expand the Art Center, several members of the Park Board wondered about the possibility of using some of those funds to install lighting at Van Valkenburg Park at one time. Mr. Kojetin gave some background information on the acquisition of the park. After some investigation, the staff learned it could cost approximately $15,000 for scoreboards, $110,000 for the lighting, and $5000 for architectural fees for all three fields. As of May 1, 1989, there is $426,000 in the developers fund. Approximately $200,000 will be used for the Art Center with $100,000 being paid back over the next five years from the Park Capital Budget and donations from the Art Center. It could take up to five years to complete the lighting project if it were budgeted in the long range Park Capital Budget. Mr. Christianson said five years is too long to wait for the Van Valkenburg project to be completed when it has been in the works for eight years. Mr. Montgomery asked what other demands could be placed on the fund. Mr. Kojetin indicated the staff has discussed using the interest (approximately $30,000 per year) for capital improvements. Mr. Jenkins asked what kind of revenue Van Valkenburg could produce. Mr. Kojetin said it really doesn't generate that much money but could from some weekend tournaments. It is basically like the baseball complex or like a park. Currently we have 125 adult softball teams in the league which is the most we can handle at this time. We had to turn away 15 teams due to lack of field space. Mrs. Vagnoni asked if the softball players pay a user fee. Mr. Kojetin said each team pays $75 for a total of $9000 for the field maintenance budget. Mr. Montgomery asked if there should be an obligation to pay back some of the fund. Mr. Kojetin said the purpose of the fund is to improve the City parklands and facilities. Mr. Montgomery asked if the expenditure is approved, how soon could the lighting be installed. Mr. Kojetin said installation could start this summer and be completed this fall. Mr. Fee said the complex couldn't sit there another five years. Mr. Kojetin said the fields can be used for two games a night without lights and four games with lights. - 2 - Mr. Vagnoni asked if anything other than softball can be played at Van Valkenburg Park. Mr. Kojetin said the area could be used for touch football in the fall and youth football. Andrew Montgomery MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO USE APPROXIMATELY $130,000 FROM THE DEVELOPERS FUND FOR LIGHTING ALL THREE SOFTBALL FIELDS AT VAN VALKENBURG IN THE FALL OF 1989. Bill Jenkins seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Christianson, Mr. Jenkins, and Mr. Fee will attend the City Council meeting on June 19, 1989. 6. BRAEMAR GOLF COURSE NAME Mr. Kojetin indicated a letter he received from Mr. Christianson addressing different ideas regarding the name of Braemar Golf "Course" or Braemar Golf "Club" and limits on numbers of people in golf leagues. Mr. Kojetin distributed background information on the naming of the Course. It was originally named "Braemar Golf Course". Mr. Christianson said the essence of his letter is to look at the purpose of the Golf Course. The word "club" sometimes steers the public away. Mr. Kojetin said we should reinforce the original name of "Braemar Golf Course". There was some conversation when the course was originally built and signage was going up about calling it "Municipal Golf Course", but the feeling at that time between the Park Board and staff was not to use the word "municipal". Mr. Valliere said most golf courses in the country use the words, "course" and "club" interchangeably. Mrs. Vagnoni asked what the sign on Gleason Road says. Mr. Kojetin said it says "Braemar". He said the Park and Recreation Department will be adding new signs to direct people to the Clubhouse, the office area, etc. and they will read "Braemar Golf Course". Mr. Montgomery, a non -patron, feels it is not an easy course to get on. He doesn't feel it is a municipal course and he is not sure he feels it is a public course. It is extremely difficult for residents to play six times a year. He does not understand the problem with either word "course" or "club". Golf League Limits Mr. Valliere brought attention to the members of the audience and stated he perceives their biggest concern about Mr. Christianson's letter was the word "discriminatory" referring to the league limits. Mr. Christianson asked if a resident who lives in Edina and is a patron card holder can join the Men's Club tomorrow. Mr. Valliere said he could not. Any other public course has limitations. From a manager's standpoint, we have to have open time balanced against league time. If we don't limit the numbers in the golf leagues, we would have 1500 Men's Club members. Mr. Christianson suggested not setting aside any time for anyone and have it on a first come -first served basis. IF an individual wants to join the Men's Club why can't he. It is a public facility. You are preventing a public person from using a public facility. You are discriminating against him over someone else. If you opened it up, you would have the problem solved. Mr. O'Connell asked Mr. Valliere how many hours per week are allocated to the Braemar Men's Club. Mr. Valliere said five and a half hours of starting times per week. - 3 - Mr. O'Connell asked Mr. Valliere what percentage of the total time is used by leagues. Mr. Valliere handed out a breakdown of time showing 28 percent given to league play and 72 percent given to open play. Mr. Bob Helgerud, Vice President of the Men's Club, said their membership is 325. There are presently 168 men on the waiting list. The average person will wait about three years to get in the Club. With the limitations on the number of people it is difficult to play on Thursdays, even for Men's Club members. He feels we have some great leagues going and doesn't want to see them discontinued. Braemar is a well-managed golf course. Mr. Christianson agreed, but there is a problem when there is a public facility that people are being deprived of using. Mr. McEnary said all other cities have Men's Clubs and all have waiting lists. He said Mr. Valliere has done a great job getting times for the Men's Club. Even if you disband the Club, there will be just as many golfers on the Course. Mr. Lord asked how the Men's Club determines who plays on Thursdays. Mr. Helgerud said from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm golfers start signing up a week in advance. Mr. Christianson said the Men's Club does discriminate because it limits the amount of people that can play at a certain times, and even in that Club there are limits on who can play at certain times. His point is everyone could belong to the Club and can play at the designated times. Mrs. Mary Lou Foster, Braemar Golf Association member and women's league player, said there would be no point in having leagues if there were no allocated times. Leagues are social groups. All golf courses have leagues whether they are public or private. Mr. Christianson said no one has made a motion to change how leagues are being handled, but he thinks the leagues should be more creative in allowing more interested people to participate. Mr. Joe Greupner, Braemar Golf Professional, said if the Men's Club was opened up, it would be a challenge to handle them all. He would not recommend changing the way they are now. Resident/Non-Resident in Leagues Mr. Christianson said as the facility has become more popular the number of people who don't live or work in Edina has been diminished, so there has been a gradual focus of limiting non-residents. Mr. Kojetin indicated a letter addressed to the City Council from the Sunshine Gals League about the resident/non-resident in leagues issue. The Braemar Golf Association has recommended to stay with the policy previously passed. The staff recommends to stay with the resident rules passed in 1987. Mr. Becker indicated he thought since Braemar receives Federal funding that it cannot prevent non-residents from using the public facility. Mr. Kojetin said Braemar does not receive Federal funding, and we do not have to allow non-residents use it. Mr. Christianson said the previously accepted policy is in effect. Mr. Valliere said the Braemar Golf Association would like to clarify that people can participate in a co-rec league and a men's or women's league. Mr. Fee said that is the way the policy was recommended and approved. Braemar Golf Association would like - 4 - to recommend that maybe non-residents that have been in a league for more than 15 years could be grandfathered in rather than the elimination of all non-residents starting with the 1990 season. 25th Anniversary Mr. Kojetin indicated the 25th Anniversary Golf Celebration will be on July 9, and the Inspection Tour is scheduled for July 11. He asked if the Inspection Tour should remain on July 11 or be postponed to August since many people invited to the Inspection tour will also be invited to the Anniversary Tournament. It decided to postpone the Inspection tour to August 8. 7. OTHER Mr. Kojetin distributed a list of things going on in the Park and Recreation Department (see attached). Mr. Montgomery asked about resurfacing the basketball courts in the parks. Mr. Kojetin said Mr. Keprios has a schedule of parks being resurfaced. Todd Park and Countryside Park may be on the schedule for this year. 8. ADJOURNMENT Mac Thayer MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 9:55 P.M. Jim Fee seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED. - 5 -