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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-04-10 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 10, 1979 7:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Virginia Shaw, Chairperson; Frank Gyetvan, Arthur Erdall, Les Wanninger, George Warner, Joan Lonsbury, Mary McDonald, Al Fischer STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, Rick Jacobson, Cecelia Smith, Rosie Hafner OTHERS PRESENT: Margie Basil, Garden Club; Jean Moore, League of Women Voters I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mrs. Lonsbury MADE A MOTION to approve the minutes as submitted. Mrs. McDonald SECONDED. CARRIED. II. VAN Ms. Smith inquired as to if there were any questions regarding the outline presented of Rules and Procedures for use of the van. Mrs. Shaw pointed out that the word "or" should be inserted in point 1-a to eliminate confusion regarding eligibility. She also questioned the point of going out of the seven county area without special permission. Mr. Kojetin explained that the reason for the special permission clause was to prevent use of the van on long trips as a "steady diet". Mr. Warner inquired as to whether or not the Associations could use the van for transportation to games. When Mr. Kojetin answered affirmatively, Mr. Gyetvan registered concern that the Association could misuse the van, e.g., reserving it in advance for every weekend throughout the season, thereby making it unavailable for other qualified users. Mr. Kojetin explained that he would not allow this to happen. The Board expressed concern regarding the possibility of this happening, however, if some provision wasn't made to prevent it. Mr. Warner inquired about insurance for the vehicle. Ms. Smith explained that the city was responsible for the insurance except in a case of vandalism while in use. Ms. Smith then briefly went over the proposed van schedule and explained that the van was available to qualified users as long as it wasn't during regular operating hours. Arrangements have been made for the van to be returned to the police department after City Hall has closed so it can be used after 4:30 p.m. Ms. Smith also exlained the procedure for pick-up which will be used during regular operating hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.): people will call the Senior Center at least a day in advance and before 2:30 p.m. to request a pick-up during the time the van will be in their area. Mr. Gyetvan asked whether or not the van would drop people off at any location other than the Senior Center. Ms. Smith explained that at this time they had no plans for any other drop-off points but in the future this might be a possiblity. Ms. Smith explained that they will be using volunteer drivers and by keeping the schedule basically the same any driver will be able to take over the route. Ms. Smith indicated that a person would have to have a Class B drivers license and training sessions for obtaining the Class B license have been set up with Richfield. Mr. Warner inquired as to when we would be receiving the van. Ms. Smith stated that is due to be delivered sometime around May 1. The Resolution of Gratitude for Farmer's & Mechanics Bank was passed around and signed by the Park Board Members. -2 - II. SHELTER BUILDINGS Mr. Kojetin explained that new shelter buildings were needed at Cornelia Pool, Garden and Lewis Park. He presented some concepts of pre -fabricated type structures that have been used successfully in other communities. He explained it was the least expensive way to go to get the most square footage for the cost. Garden Park: The shelter here will measure 384 square feet (24' X16') and will consist of a shelter with removable walls for the summer. It will measure in size almost twice the size of the existing shelter at Walnut Ridge. The cost of the shelter will be $9126.00 not including construction or the concrete slab. The manufacturer will, however, furnish a man for 3 days to supervise construction of the shelter. Lewis Park: This park is slated to be the largest outdoor facility in the city and the shelter is to be more elaborate. It will measure 960 square feet in area, with toilet facilities and a garage to store a tractor with a broom and perhaps a full time maintenance man also. There would be one or two hockey rinks in this park. The exact layout of the rinks has not been determined, but it was the general consensus of the Park Board that two rinks side-by-side would would probably work out the best. Mr. Fischer inquired about the price of the shelter. Mr. Kojetin explained that the shelter itself (with portable walls) would cost around $27,000. The toilet facilities would cost around $10,000. and the exact cost of the electricity could not be determined. The total cost of the shelter would be somewhere between $40,000-$45,000. It could also be used for picnics and Soccer in the summer. Mr. Kojetin pointed out that because the field was going to be lit quite brightly, and there were no trees or anything to deflect the light, there might be a problem with the people in the apartment buildings across the way. Other facilities at Lewis Park would include a softball field, tennis courts and a jogging path. Cornelia Pool: The shelter here would be an octagon shaped picnic building 1200 square feet in area at a cost of $14,000 without the concrete slab and would not have sides. It would hold approximately 20 picnic tables and would include water and electricity. III. HANDICAPPED PLAYGROUND Mrs. Shaw briefly explained the background of the Edina Federated Women's Club. She explained that they have raised $6,500 from Santa House in 1979 and are giving the money to several different organizations, e.g. Youth Storefront, Young Life, a shelter house and $1000 to the Art Center (to subsidize childrens classes). This being the UNICEF National Year of the Child, they are donating the money to youth organizations. They have donated $2,600 this year to the City to establish a playground for handicapped children. Mr. Kojetin then presented a diagram of the equipment that was to be purchased. Mr. Wanninger asked in what park this equipment would be located. Mr. Kojetin explained that it would be put in the playground by the pool and would be situated in such a way that the children would have access to the picnic shelter building. He pointed out that if we started working on this project right away it could be completed by this summer. The Council will put up the $10,000 now on the guarantee of $2500 from the Federated Women for the next 3 years. Mr. Kojetin explained that the shelter buildings for Garden Park and Lewis Park would be paid for out of the Capital Improvement Budget and the Lewis Park shelter would come out of the dedication funds. Mr. Wanninger MADE A MOTION that the Park Board accept all four of the above proposals and start working on the handicapped playground right away. Mr. Fischer SECONDED. CARRIED. -3 - IV. MADRIENNE LARSON - FIGURE SKATING CLUB Mrs. Larson pointed out the good relationship between the Figure Skating Club and the Park and Recreation Department. She explained that they now have 87 skating members in the club with 15 on the waiting list. It is the general feeling in the club that this is just about the right amount of people in the club. The classes begin in September and run through May, ending with the Braemar -McCandless Invitiational. People from all over the United States participate in this event. A skaters ability is determined by the passing of tests with the 8th (or Gold) test being the highest. Along with classes in the fall and winter there are also classes in the summer (June through August). There are 12 sessions per week 80-90 minutes in length; 40 minutes of patch practice and 40 minutes free -style. The Club gets about 32 hours per week of ice time. They lose 4 sessions of this time between November and March because of hockey. Mrs. Larson explained that the one thing they would like is more ice time. They cannot take on any new members without more ice time. Upon an inquiry from Mrs. Shaw, Mrs. Larson went into an explanation as to how the pros are paid. Mr. Kojetin further explained that on individual instruction the pros are paid directly by the parents (approximately $15.00 per hour) depending on the pro. For class instruction, the .pros are paid through Eleanor Fischer, the head pro, who deposits her money through the Park Department and pays the instructors on a 50-50 basis for class sessions. Mrs. Larson concluded her presentation by stating that the Braemar Skating Club is nationally known as one of the best in the country. V. RECREATION REPORT Mr. Jacobson informed the Board that the new brochures would probably be going out the middle of next week. He then gave a brief overview of summer registrations to date: Soccer registration had taken place_: and they had lost approximately 2 teams (125 teams were registered), Baseball had picked up about 100 new people, and the girls volleyball program had started. The tennis courts would be opening soon and there was a brief discussion regarding reserving the courts. Mr. Jacobson explained that we do not reserve the courts unless it is for a school, in which case a sign is posted stating that the school has the court reserved and stating the time for which it is reserved. Others who wish to use the courts may use them whenever they want, limiting their play to 1 hour if someone is waiting to use it. Mr. Jacobson explained that this arrangement has worked well in the past. The other common method of operation is to change on the hour, but it was, generally agreed that since the former method has worked satisfactorily for us to this point we might as well stay with it. Mr. Fischer inquired as to why none of the courts were lighted and what the cost would be tolght a double court. Mr. Jacobson explained that it would cost around $5000 per set of courts and we would only get an extra two hours of playing time during the summer since it stays light until around 10:00 p.m. anyway. Mr. Jacobson also informed the Board that Adult Softball registration was taking place. There were 102 teams last year and would probably be about the same number this year. Mr. Jacobson also informed the Board that the Council had increased the pool swimming instruction cost from $10.00 to $12.00. Mrs. Shaw inquired as to whether we had checked into installing a slide at the pool. Mr. Jacobson stated that he would look into this further. VI. DISCUSSION OF JOINT PARK BOARD COUNCIL MEETING Mr. Kojetin gave the Park Board a brief overview of what would be discussed at this meeting, pointing out some of the things the Council would be interested in -4 - would be the relationship between the Park Board and the Athletic Associations. Another topic that might be brought up is a new bond issue. Mr. Kojetin explained to the Board that he would be getting in touch with them and up -dating them as more information was brought to him. Mr. Kojetin also summarized what had taken place in the meeting between himself, Dr. Lieber and the PTA regarding use of school facilities. The PTA explained that they were not aware that the Park Department activites were being moved or cancelled due to their taking over the facility at the last minute. The PTA is able to schedule their activities ahead of time, and in many situations their yearly schedule is set up at the beginning of the year. From now on the Park Department is going to send the schedules to the principal indicating whether or not the activity is a game or practice and perhaps the PTA will be moved to another room for their functions in the future. VII. SKATING RINKS Mr. Kojetin handed out an outline of last year, which indicated a definite year. Further discussion of this was VIII. GOLF COURSE IRRIGATION UP -DATE skating rinks use comparing this year and decline in the use of facilities over last tabled until next month. Mr. Kojetin explained that the bids for the irrigation system had been awarded to Northern Irrigation. Mr. Kojetin handed out a bid tabulation for the Board to look over, explaining cost breakdown. He briefly went over the problems they are having with the wells, explaining that the wells will probably cost an additional $20,000. The total cost of the wells and irrigation system is now at $298,000.00. Mr. Kojetin explained that'we are in the process of exchanging gravel at the Grand View Park site for the grading of the park. Also, in regard to the 3 lots at Grand View Park the city is exchanging grading of the road in the Carl Hanson area plus some money which would total approximately $65,000 of Capital Improvement money for the 3 lots. Mr. Fischer MADE A MOTION to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Mr. Gyetvan SECONDED. CARRIED.