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10/02/1980 - Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission AGENDA ADVISORY PARK COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING EAGAN, MINNESOTA CITY HALL OCTOBER 2, 1980 7:00 P.M. 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 4, 1980; AND ESTABLISH AGENDA 3. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS None requiring Committee action. 4. OLD BUSINESS A. South Oaks Park - Soccer Kick Board B. Tennis Return Board 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Winter Program 1980-1981 6. OTHER BUSINESS A. Comments by Staff 7. ADJOURNMENT September 1980 MEMO TO: ADVISORY PARK COMMITTEE FROM: KEN VRAA, DIRECTOR OF PARKS & RECREATION RE: WINTER PROGRAM The department staff has begun its planning for the up- coming winter program by reviewing past practices, procedures, problems, etc. Issues being reviewed can be grouped into major categories: 1) Maintenance 2) Staffing 3) Length of season/length of skating day 4) Special needs of the hockey associations 5) Budget 6) "Mischief" activities All of these major issues are further influenced by the uncertainty of the weather and the limiting resources of staff, equipment, time and budget. In addressing the problems, the department is considering the possibility of implanting a "classification system" for the outdoor skating rinks. This system would, "prioritize" the rinks in one.of three categories. Each category would interface with the other, in serving the winter program needs, while co-ordinating the maintenance and staffing function. Reasons for classification of rinks 1. Not all rinks have the same volume of usage. In fact, there is a dramatic difference in some cases. 2. Provide a quality experience; that correspQncld~s to the need. 3. Staff_ can function more efficiently and effectively with predetermined guidelines. 4. Budgetary: Dlans can be more precise when guidelines are clear., and allocation of resources can be fitted to the needs of the skaters. 5. Communications with public improved. 6. Need for "extended" skating season to accommodate hockey play off. Criteria for classification 1, Supervised/non-supervised skating rinks. 2. Volume of usage based on observations over the past 3 skating seasons. 3. Number of scheduled activities, hockey practice, etc. 4. Service area 5. Other Description of three classifications 1. Class A. a. High volume of usage for both free skate and scheduled hockey games and pracrices. b. Volume of usage remains high throughout the skating season. 2. Class B a. Medium. to low volume of usage for free skate and scheduled hockey practices. b. Volume of free skate low in relation to size of adjacent neighborhood. 3. Class C a. Unsupervised rinks b. Supervised rinks with extremely low volume of usage for free skate and hockey. Correlation of rinks to classifications 1. Class A a. Mahn b. Well Site 2. Class B a. Carnelian b. Woodhaven c. Lexington d. Pilot Knob . Class C 3 a. Highview b. Cedar Pond c. Bur Oaks d. Evergreen e. Country Home Heights Priorities identified by classification 1. Opening Date a. Class A, B and C open simultaneously with the exception of the Donds where maintenance must determine safety of ice prior to plowing and flooding. 2. Yaintenance a. Class A rinks cleared and flooded first. h. Class B rinks maintained next. C. Class C can be allowed to wait until the 2nd day if necessary. -2- 3. Closing a. Class C - close first. 1) Closing occurs when ponds are dangerous for children and maintenance vehicles, this could be prior to predetermined date. 2) Predetermined closing date - suggest February 8. b, Class B - closed second. 1) Closing date determined by budget which is based on an 8 week skating season. 2) Suggest February 15. C. Class A - close last 1) Open on a day to day basis determined by ice conditions after February 15. 2) Reduced hours - suggest h:00-9:00 P,:M. school days, 10:00 A,M.-5:00 P.M. Saturday, Noon-5:00 P.M. Sunday. New hours posted,. 3) All hockey practices would be rescheduled to these sites, league facility directors issue ice time to coaches. 4) Attendant must be on duty. 5) March 15 maximum date. However if the ice is lost prior to that date the effort to remain open would be futile, Action Requested: At the October committee meeting, staff will provide additional information and review some of the special needs and rob 1ems with the winter program, as well as to review problems the rink classification concept. The cotn~m.ittee is asked to review and provide additional input to the staff. It is also being contemplated that a meeting of the City staff and the Hockey Associations be held to review their needs before the winter season begins. -3-