4-22-13GOLDEN VALLEY OPEN SPACE & RECREATION COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
Minutes
April 22, 2013
1. Call to Order
Sandler called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
Present: Roger Bergman, John Cornelius, Brad Kadue, Bob Mattison, Gillian Rosenquist,
Jerry Sandler, Dan Steinberg, Rick Jacobson, Director of Parks and Recreation; Andy
Soltvedt, Recreation Supervisor; Pat Dale and Levi Libra, Golden Valley Little
League; and Sheila Van Sloun, Administrative Assistant.
Absent: Kelly Kuebelbeck and Anne Saffert.
2. Agenda Changes or Additions
None.
3. Approval of Minutes — March 18, 2013
MOTION: MOVED by Bergman and seconded by Steinberg to approve the March 18 meeting
minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Golden Valley Little League — Pat Dale and Levi Libra
Dale gave an update on the 2013 season. He said approximately 205 kids are registered, which is
the maximum for the league. He also said over the last 5 years, registration has been around 198,
with the exception of last year which was maxed out at 205. He said more kids are coming out of
the Robbinsdale School District than Hopkins.
Participation is as follows:
- 55 players in the Major League, youth age 12
- 72 players in the High Minors (Gold) League, youth ages 9-11
- 78 players in the Blue League, youth ages 6-8
Dale said the league is now allowing 6 year olds to play in the Blue League if they have a year of
T -ball experience. The Blue League is also using a pitching machine with a four strike out rule.
All three fields at Isaacson Park are in use this season. Parking has not been an issue.
Dale said Isaacson will be hosting the Classic Tournament, which is for the #1 teams from each
Little League program in the district. The tournament will take place the last two weeks in June.
They will also be hosting the State Tournament in 2014.
Dale said they are in the process of upgrading the concession stand and hope to add batting
cages, scoreboards and field lighting in the future.
Mattison asked Dale to explain the scheduling and how lights would benefit. Dale said by having
lights, they could start later in the day and go later, which would allow them more time to
practice and the ability to stagger the days fields are used.
Minutes of the Golden Valley Open Space and Recreation Commission
April 22, 2013
Page 2
Steinberg asked if they receive sponsorships. Dale said they doubled their sponsorships from
last year with about 24 signs across the three fields.
Steinberg wanted to know how Little League is different from park and recreation ball programs.
Soltvedt said the park and recreation programs are run mostly during the day and meets 1-2
days a week for six weeks. Little League is more competitive and meets more frequently.
Cornelius inquired about the payment schedule for the fields. Dale explained they have
approximately four years of payments remaining. Revenue comes mostly from concessions,
tournaments and the paver program. He also said they will be hosting a wiffle ball tournament
again this year, which will contribute to their revenue.
5. Recreation Report — Andy Soltvedt
Soltvedt gave an update on his winter programs, beginning with youth basketball. There were
42 teams total with 19 teams from Golden Valley. There were 28 volunteer coaches, which
received great feedback. The program is run in cooperation with St. Louis Park, Crystal and
Robbinsdale and runs mid-January thru mid-March.
Tap and Ballet runs fall thru mid-April with about 50 participants. The end of program recital took
place on April 13 at Breck School. The program is instructed by mother and daughter, Tony and
Nicki Nelson.
Davis Community Center programs and open gyms are wrapping up and had great
participation.
Spring Adult Softball is scheduled to begin April 29, weather permitting. Men's league plays
Monday -Thursday, with the Co-Rec league playing on Sunday's and run jointly with Hew Hope
and Plymouth. The participants really enjoy the fields at Schaper. Many of the participants are
returning teams.
Soltvedt said there are seven Concerts in the Park scheduled this summer on Monday evenings
with one on a Thursday evening, mid-June thru July 22 at Brookview Park's large shelter.
The Tennis program begins Saturday, April 27, weather permitting. Soltvedt anticipates great
participation again this year. In 2011, there were just under 500 registrations and in 2012 there
were 885.
Both Steinberg and Cornelius spoke very highly of the tennis program.
Soltvedt said as the participation numbers continue to grow, he remains mindful of the court
usage by the program. He makes every effort to keep some courts available for public use.
Soltvedt announced that he has taken a new position with Anoka County Parks and Recreation.
His last day with Golden Valley will be Monday, April 29.
6. Brookview Playaround Replacement
Jacobson said the existing playground equipment in Brookview Park was installed in 1995 and has
been very heavily used over the years and is now scheduled for replacement. Jacobson
Minutes of the Golden Valley Open Space and Recreation Commission
April 22, 2013
Page 3
said the plan is to keep the same footprint. He explained that safety and accessibility remain the
main concerns.
Jacobson said the city plans to get commission and community feedback for the new
playground.
The equipment is scheduled for replacement in the fall of 2013.
7. OSRC Update for Council
A list of major topics discussed in 2012 was distributed. Sandler said the Council requested an
annual update from each Commission and he will present the report at the June
Council/Manager meeting.
8. Updates
Jacobson said the Turf Management Proposal has been taken to the next level. Notices were
sent to the surrounding neighborhoods near Scheid, Welsey and Glenview Terrace Parks
announcing the open house on April 4 regarding the proposal.
Jacobson said the annual Bike Rodeo is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1 from 6:00-8:00 PM
at Golden Valley City Hall.
Jacobson said the annual Commission Dinner is scheduled in June at 6:30 PM at Brookview
Community Center. Sandler encouraged the Commission to attend.
Jacobson thanked Kadue for his time on the Commission.
9. Adjournment
MOTION: MOVED by Kadue and seconded by Gillian to adjourn at 8:35 PM. Motion carried
unanimously.
Jerry Sandler, Chair
ATTEST:
Sheila Van Sloun, Administrative Assistant