HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-02-13 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
Tuesday, February 13, 1979
7:30 p.m.
PARK BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Virginia Shaw, Chairperson; Frank Gyetvan, Al
Fischer, Marilyn Wooldridge, George Warner,
Joan Lonsbury, Mack Thayer, Les Wanninger
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, Rick Jacobson, John Keprios, Cecelia
Smith, John Valliere
OTHERS PRESENT: Margie Basil, Dorothy Anderson, Mary Lund, President, Edina
Girls Athletic Association
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 9, 1979 MEETING
Mrs. Lonsbury MADE THE MOTION that the minutes of the January 9 meeting
of the Edina Park Board be approved. Mrs. Wooldridge SECONDED. CARRIED.
II. EDINA GIRLS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
Mrs. Mary Lund, the President of the Edina Girls Athletic Association, briefly
outlined the EGAA program and discussed some of the problems they have encountered.
The main problem is the availability of the school gyms. They will have
a certain gym reserved for an event and then the school will call them up
at the last minute and cancel the gym because of some meeting or PTA
function. Mr. Jacobson pointed out that he has experienced the same problem
with the gyms in his programs. He also mentioned that he will be getting
together with Dr. Leiber to have a meeting to discuss this problem. Mrs.
Lund also mentioned that at least one of the gyms (Creek Valley) has no
phone available for use, this could lead to a serious problem if there were
an emergency. Mrs. Lund mentioned that they will be increasing the board
to 18 members in order to spread the work around a little more. Mrs. Shaw
inquired as to how they go about recruiting the girls for these programs.
Mrs. Lund explained that they use flyers and posters which they post in
the schools and some of the local stores. Mrs. Lund also pointed out with
appreciation the help that John Keprios volunteered in the girls hockey program
and stated that she felt this program would grow in the future. Mr. Kojetin
explained that when a sport reaches a certain number of participants it
forms its own board; this relieves the pressure from the Girls Athletic
Association Board. Just such a situation happened with the Youth Softball
Program, and the girls basketball program will. probably be the next one to
branch off. Mrs. Shaw asked if there was anything the Park Board could do
to help out the Girls Athletic Association. Mrs. Lund stated that painting
Volleyball lines in the elementary schools (Concord, Highlands, Countryside
and Cornelia) would help or funds for buying tape for demarcation of the
Volleyball courts would help. She also stated that they needed Volleyball
standards at the right height in the schools. Mr. Warner asked if the EGAA
had experienced a decline in their sports as many of the other associations
have. Mrs. Lund stated that the only sport which had experienced any type
of decline was basketball, the rest are leveling off.
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III. GOLF COURSE
Mr. Kojetin went over the Statement of Income and Expense for Braemar Golf
Course with the Park Board. He explained the increase in operating expenses
was due partly to the fact that the Assistant Manager was this year, a full time
emloyee whereas in the past he had been just a part time employee (during
the winter months he works at the Arena); also part of this increase was
the new arrangement with the teaching Pro on.the city payroll.
Mr. Valliere explained two things about the Income and Expense report:
1) because of the wet spring we had last year, the revenue was down $30,000.
and 2) he had reduced the number of leagues.
Mr. Fischer asked if raising the non -patron 18 hole rate last year had some
effect on this income. Mr. Valliere stated that it might have had some
influence on the non -patron income. Mr. Fischer then inquired as to
whether Mr. Valliere thought that we had short changed ourselves by not
increasing the parton rate last year. Mr. Valliere then explained that the
reason that we didn't raise the fees last year was in the hope of getting
more patrons to purchase parton cards. The increase was, however, negligible
($349.00). Mr. Valliere also explained that the rounds of golf were down
last year for both patrons and non -patrons; 107 for non -patrons and 280
for patrons.
Golf Course Fees for 1979: Mr. Valliere outlined some of the fee changes he
is suggesting for 1979. He suggested: 1) increase computer handicap charge
25(�, 2) pass along part of the linen cost to the patron by charging them
25� per towel (as apposed to increasing locker rental fee and including the
price of the towel with the locker fee), many people use more than one towel.
Mr. Warner inquired as to the vast difference charged women vs. men in
locker rental. Mr. Valliere explained that not that many women use
lockers. Mr. Warner also inquired as to the merit of lighting the driving
range so golfers could practice later in the evening. Mr. Valliere pointed
out that although it would increase revenue, it would also cause quite a
beating to the turf. The only increases that Mr. Valliere suggested were
in the 9 hole championship fees (from $5.00 to $6.00), 9 hole golf car
rentals (from $5.00 to $6.00) and an increase in non -patron twilight rates
(from $3.75 to $4.00). Mr. Fischer stated that he thought our golf car
rental for 18 holes was a little low and should be increased from $10.00
to $12.00. Mr. Valliere briefly went over the Senior rates that we offered
for the first time last year and stated that the Seniors were very happy
with the rate and wanted to expand their hours. Now, basically, they play
during slow times. Mr. Wanninger stated that he felt we were little low
on our 9 hole rates and since this was basically played by non-residents
wouldn't it be a good idea to increase the rates for the 9 hole Par 3
course. Mr. Kojetin pointed out that this course is played a lot by
kids in Edina. Mr. Valliere then gave a brief description of the High
School girls golf league program which is run by Mrs. Lucy Roche and
other members of the women's golf leagues at Braemar. Mrs. Lonsbury
MADE A MOTION that the Park Board accept the proposed fees and charges as
presented by Mr. Valliere with the increase in the 18 hole golf car rental
to $12.00. Mr. Fischer SECONDED. CARRIED.
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Capital Improvement Budget: Mr. Valliere briefly went over the proposed
Capital Improvement Budget for the Golf Course. Mr. Kojetin explained
that as he had pointed out in earlier meetings, the Board must look at a
yearly capital improvement budget of approximately $20,000. to keep the
facilities in top condition. He pointed out that the course will, in
the near future, need a new maintenance building. The remainder of the
Proposed Capital Improvement budget had been discussed in the November
Park Board meeting. Mr. Wanninger MADE A MOTION that we approve the Capital
Improvement Budget as submitted. George Warner SECONDED. CARRIED.
Mr. Fischer complimented Mr. Valliere and John Nylund on the work that they
have done at the Golf Course.
Mr. Kojetin presented a brief update on the progress of the irrigation
system at the golf course. The wells are being installed now and bids for the
irrigation system will be let out March and awarded in April.
IV. SKATING RINKS
The policy of upkeep on the skating rinks was briefly discussed. We usually
start flooding the rinks after Thanksgiving and by December 20 the ice is
ready to be skated on. During Christmas vacation the men go out 1 to 2
hours before the rinks are to be flooded and clear off the snow on the rink.
The rinks are flooded and swept every day. After sweeping the major rinks,
time allowing, they sweep the non -major skating areas. This depends on the
amount of snow which has fallen. During this time, the people start to
work on the rinks at 6:00 a.m.
Mr. Fischer pointed out that the hockey lines at Garden Park are not visible,
making it difficult for the coaches to coach their teams. Mr. Kojetin noted
that this was caused by the clarity and thickness of the ice due to a cold
winter. Mr. Kojetin also brought up the problem of warming house attendants
(not showing up, goofing off on the job, etc.). Mr. Keprios mentioned that
next year he is going to look into hiring Senior Citizens as warming house
attendants.
V. PLAYGROUNDS
Due to the decline in the number of youngsters using particular playgrounds,
it was thought that this year we would cut the program in half. Mr. Kojetin
stated that this would mean running the programs every other day, instead of
every day. Mr. Keprios also indicated that we would cut three parks out
of the program; Cornelia Pool, Heights and York. We would also be eliminating
the Playground Specialists position. In a survey that Mr. Keprios conducted
last summer the Playground Leaders felt they could do as good if not a
better job than the Playground Specialists. Using the concept of having
the programs every other day, the program will cost less and the youngsters
will probably look forward to it more. Also, we will be dropping the age of
participation to 5.
VI. RECREATION REPORT (Fees and Charges)
Mr. Jacobson briefly went over the proposed fees for 1979, stating that they
would pretty much remain the same as last year. It was his feeling that
we are making it with these fees and there is no need to increase them.
The only proposed fee increases would be in summer skating (from $11.00 to
$12.00) and in group golf lessons (from $27.00 to $30.00). Mr. Fisher
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MADE A MOTION that the fees and charges be approved as submitted. Mr. Gyetvan
SECONDED. CARRIED.
VII. ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS
Mr. Kojetin informed the Park Board that sometime within the next couple
of months the Council would like to get together with the Athletic Association
Presidents and the Park Board. One of the things that the Council is
interested in discussing with the Park Board is their involvement with the
Athletic Associations. Mr. Wanninger stated that he would like to see more
involvement between the Park Board and the Athletic Associations. Mr.
Fischer pointed out that it is a general public consensus that these
association programs are Park Board programs. Mr. Kojetin suggested that
perhaps some type of liason person, perhaps a Park Board member, between
the Board and the Associations might be of value. Along this same line,
Mr. Kojetin noted that in setting up the By --laws for the Edina Art Center
he was recommending that any new board members must be submitted to the
Park Board for approval before being placed on the Art Center Board.
Mr. Kojetin also pointed out that thanks to a few words from Mr. Wanninger
regarding gym availability in the schools, a meeting had been set up with
Dr. Lieber and Mr. Kojetin to discuss the matter.
Ms. Cecelia Smith informed the Park Board that the Senior Citizen van
from Farmer's and Mechanics Bank would be delivered within the next
120 days and would be in operation by June.
Mrs. Shaw suggested that the members of the board send a thank you note
to the bank (as private citizens) to thank them for their generous
contribution. Mrs. Lonsbury suggested that, in addition, a note of thanks
be sent to them from the Edina Park Board.
Meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Rosie Hafner