HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-05-08 Park Board MinutesEDINA PARK BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
Tuesday, May 8, 1979
7:30 p.m.
Edina City Hall
PARK BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Virginia Shaw, Chairperson; Frank Gyetvan, Mack Thayer,
Arthur Erdall, Les Wanninger, Marilyn Wooldridge,
George Warner, Al Fischer
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Kojetin, Rick Jacobson, Cecelia Smith, Larry Thayer, Rosie Hafner
OTHERS PRESENT: Wayne Courtney, June Schmidt, Margie Basil, Dorothy Anderson,
Mrs. Edward Kocourek, Mr. & Mrs. Kloss, Mrs. Donna Montgomery,
Carl Wassenaar, Pat Finley, Hal Raether, Vern Bleitz; Edina
Baseball Association
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM APRIL 10 MEETING
Mr. Wanninger MADE A MOTION that the Minutes be approved as submitted. Mr. Gyetvan
SECONDED. CARRIED.
II. EDINA BASEBALL ASSOCIATION - Mr. CarlWaasen�ar., Vice -President of EBA (for
Darrell Warner
Mr. Wassenaar gave a brief presentation of the Edina Baseball Association it's
policies and procedures. He stated that registration was up this year from last year
and there would probably be even more registrations within the next few weeks.
He attributed this increase largely to the development of the Jugs Program. He
also stated that boys that have participated in the Jugs Program show a marked
improvement in hitting ability over those who haven't. Of 126 players rated who had
participated in the Jugs Program, 57 rated above average in hitting ability,
this compares to a similar group who hadn't participated in the program where
out of 81 rated only 14 were above average in hitting ability. The Jugs Program
is set up for the 9 and 10 year olds. The ball is pitched to them from a jugs
machine of which there are two types; one that throws curve balls and one that
throws the balls straight. The EBA has purchased 6 of these machines; 2 that
throw curves and 4 that throw straight balls. Mr.Wa.s-s-etta_ar. then gave a brief
breakdown of the number of registrants per park; Cornelia, 49, Pamela 101, Countryside
108, Normandale 63. There are full time supervisors at each park site and the
Baseball Board must equalize use of the four parks. The traveling teams consist
of the American League, Sr. Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle. These leagues comprise
the 45 highest ability players in Edina, 16-18 years of age. Our Sr. Babe Ruth
team last year won the Minnesota State Championship. Mr. Wa$sen.aa.,r pointed out
that the players are placed on teams according to ability based on their ratings
in the tryouts and the Baseball Associations past records on them. The primary
reason for placement on teams is balancing of teams. They want evenly balanced
teams so that one team doesnItt dominate the season. Mr. Warner then inquired
as to how complaints are handled. Mr.W.assenaar. stated that if the complaint is
brought to the Board,the Board members will handle it individually; this unfortunately
doesn't always happen. There was a brief discussion of the rating system and
how it operates: the players are rated on in -field, out -field, and hitting ability
and if they desire, pitching and catching. The Baseball Board also checks into
the baseball history and sometimes talk. to the school coaches of the players.
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If a player doesn't perform well in the ratings he is still placed on a team.
The results of the rating are not divulged to anyone and the players are numbered
so they cannot be identified by name. The coaches are assigned to the teams by the
coaching committee, arbitrarily and all are notified at the same time as to
who their team is. Mr. Wassenaar explained that the Baseball Association tries
to avoid the situation of one team winning all of their games in a season.
Mr. Fischer inquired as to why this situation is frowned upon by the association.
Mr. Wassenaar explained that it was their belief that this type of situation
stifles the motivation of the teams that are on the bottom of the standing. Mr.
Fischer disputed this stating that it gave more motivation to the winning teams.
Mr. Fischer also questioned the validity of the rating system and inquired as to
the league's record last year. It was pointed out by Mr. Finley that in the American
League last year the best team had a 14-2 record and the worst team (who went on to
win the championship) had a 3-12 record.
Mr. Warner asked whether or not there were transportation problems with the teams
playing all over the community. Mr. Wassenaar explained that this can be a problem,
but the association will honor team requests as long as the team will be balanced.
Mrs. Shaw inquired as to whether transfers were possible after the teams had been
made up. Mr. Wassenaa.r stated that they generally were not. Mrs. Shaw inquired
as to how many complaints had been received. Mr. Wassenaar stated that last year
there were only 2 complaints and he had not heard of any complaints so far this
year that had come to the attention of the Board.
Mrs. Kloss then pointed out that last year she and Mrs. Kocourek had called the
parents on the rosters and out of 200 calls there was only 1 who said they liked
the system. Last year, Mrs. Kloss pointed out, the parents came to the members of
the Board and the City Council requesting that the teams be neighborhoodized this
year and wanted to know why this had not been done. Mr. Wassenaar stated that the
Baseball Board had voted unanimously that balancing of the teams was more important
than neighborhoodizing them.
There was than a lengthy discussion regarding neighborhoodization vs. team balancing
from which the following were the major points:
1. Fields are located at certain areas in the city and can't be moved
it would be impossible for a team to play all of its games at the same
field, therefore, some bussing is necessary
2. The Baseball Board feels that the kids will get discouraged if their
team continually loses (Pat Finley brought up the example of his son)
3. The parents present felt that the Edina Baseball Association is too
structured and professional for this age group
4. The parents felt it was important for the youngsters to play with their
friends - the EBA's feeling is that they will form new friendships if
they play on a team where they don't know all of the people
5. The rating system is not realiable - this was disputed by the EBA.
Mr. Wanninger pointed out that he felt the rating system was good at
picking out the top and bottom players but didn't do well at judging
the players in the middle
6. Parents don't want to be bussing their youngsters all over Edina all of
the time
7. The youngsters are not evenly distributed around the city and this at times
makes neighborhoodization difficult, Mr. Kojetin pointed out
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Mr. Wanninger pointed out that there must be some sort of compromise that
could be made whereby the teams would be reasonably balanced and neighborhoodized
to some extent.
Mr. Raether stated that there was not much that could be done about
this situation this year, people would have to live with it for now and work
with the Board next year to alleviate this problem: He stated that he would
like to see a group of people such as this come forth and work with the Board
next year. When Mr. Kloss stated that this was what they were told last year, Mr.
Wanninger inquired as to why they hadn't been contacted to attend the meetings.
Mr. Wassenaar pointed out that he was never given a list of names of these people.
Mrs. Shaw suggested that the Baseball Association send out a questionnaire to the
parents of the youngsters on the teams inquiring as to whether or not they
were unhappy with the program. She also suggested working within the system
to change it. Mr. Wassenaar pointed out that there are now 2 openings on the
Board and that next fall there will be 6 more and invited any and all of the
concerned parents to apply for membership. This is the best way, he pointed
out, to change the system.
Mr. Fischer MADE A MOTION that the policies of the Baseball Association (the
selection of teams on ability only) be stated more clearly in the Park and
Recreation brochure, thus alleviating some of this confusion. Mack Thayer
SECONDED. CARRIED. Mrs. Wooldridge also suggested that the EBA contact the
schools and Edina Sun next year regarding their policy since the brochure
will not be out in time to inform the people. Mr. Warner amended the above
motion indicating that all associations should state in the brochure the basis
upon which the teams are chosen. MOTION CARRIED.
III. FINANCIAL REPORT ON ARENA
Mr. Kojetin pointed out that the year end report for 1978 was not very good;
but things are being done in 1979 to change this around, e.g., staff. He
pointed out in looking at the financial report for the first 3 months of this
year one could already see some changes. Mr. Kojetin explained that due to
the re -alignment of the lake conference teams there were more spectator tickets
sold this year than last. In ice rental we lost 359 hours from 1977 to 1978.
Mr. Kojetin also pointed out that by the end of May we would have $101,158.20
in revenues in the bank and if expenses remained the same for April and May
we would then be in the black. Our biggest problem, he pointed out, was to
find some way to increase revenues from the end of March to the end of May.
His suggestion was perhaps to have some type of hockey program during this
time, since the Edina teams were playing in Richfield and St. Louis Park
arenas.
Mr. Fischer expressed concern over the manner in which the concession stand
was run during the ice show. Mr. Larry Thayer pointed out that this was due
the fact that there was more traffic than anticipated and the concession stand
manager had used last years figures when ordering for this year. Mr. Gyetvan
was concerned about the costs listed under "Maintenance" salaries. He stated
that this figure increases every year by a large degree and was curious as to
why. Mr. Kojetin explained that some of this was due to mis-coding and in fact
they were hiring fewer maintanance people this year than last. He stated,.tbat
he would look into this situation further and report back to the Board.
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IV. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
Mr. Wanninger expressed concern regarding Capital Improvements at the Arena
stating that he didn't feel we were doing enough in terms of improvements there.
Mr. Kojetin explained that he wanted to re -surface the front door area and put
glass doors on the front entrance ($4500 quote). The Pavilion also needs a new
entrance ($5000). The matting in the Arena is eroding and is causing a safety
hazard, (to replace this will cost approximately $10,000) and something should
be done with the plexiglass. Mr. Kojetin explained that we would have to take
$25,000 out of the Capital Improvement budget for these repairs and he would
like to take it out of Dedication Funds. Mr. Fischer stated that perhaps if
we made a list of our priorities for Capital Improvements, the $80,000
yearly budget could be increased by the Council. He pointed out that it is
our responsibility to make sure that these facilities are kept up. Mr. Kojetin
suggested forming a committee to put the Capital Improvement suggestions on
paper. Mrs. Shaw suggested appointing a committee to establish priorities
for Capital Improvement. Mr. Les Wanninger, Mr. Al Fischer, Mr. Arthur Erdall
and Mr. Mack Thayer volunteered to form this committee. Mr. Kojetin also
explained that in 1981 the bonds for open space will be paid off and perhaps
and additional bond issue could be used to increase this $80,000 Capital
Improvement Budget to $300,000. It was agreed that the committee should get
together sometime prior to the June Park Board meeting and base the park tour
on the Capital Improvement priorities. This way the priority list would hopefully
be ready for the September budget meeting of the Council. Larry Thayer
suggested that he would like to have the above mentioned improvements done
in the Arena over the next three weeks when the Arena will be closed. Mr.
Fischer MADE A MOTION to give $25,000 out of Dedicated Funds from the Southwest
Quadrant for immediate maintenance repairs in the Arena. Marilyn Wooldridge
SECONDED. CARRIED.
V. PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
Mr. Kojetin advised the Board that the playground equipment for the handicapped
had been ordered and should be delivered in about 3 weeks. It will be installed
as soon as possible after it is delivered. The Concord playground equipment has
been approved by the School Board and will be taken care of by District.
Mr. Kojetin also informed the Board that the Dog Ordinance had passed Council
last Monday, May 7.
Comments on Community Seminar
Mrs. Shaw went over the major points covered by the Council at the Community Seminar:
1. Bond Issue
2. The Council seemed very favorable to the Board conveying their strong
feelings to them
3. Interest in what the Park Board had to offer for adults
4. What to do about insurance coverage with the Associations
5. The Associations need some policy guidance regarding what exactly is
the relationship of the Park Board to the different Associations
There was some discussion on this last point and Mr. Fischer felt that some policy
should be drawn up regarding this situation so that the the Associations understand what
their relationship is to the Board. Further discussion on this was tabled until
a later date.
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Mr. Kojetin informed the Board that Sunday, June 3, there
Festival put on by the Art Center and also the dedication
by the JayCees and the dedication of Bredesen Park.
Meeting adjourned at 10:55 p.m.
Rosie Hafner
was to be an Art
of the jogging path