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06-22-1976 PR MIN ~ ELK RIVER PARK OOARD CITY HALL June 22, 1976 7:00 P.M. OOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Gene Schuldt, Bob Westerlund, Jim Bredeck, Ken Nelson. BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Stan Moreland. GUREST: Representatives of the Womens Slow Pitch Softball League and the Men's Fast Pitch Softball League. FAST PITCH TOURNAMENT. Held June 12th and 13th. Marlon Glines reported lights were not used for the tournament. SWW PITCH TOURNAMENT. Held June 18th thru 20th at the Fairgrounds Field only. Games played continuously, day and night. Fight occurred off the field Saturday night at approximately 2: 15 AM. So far as is known, meters were not read before and after tournament for light usage. Estimated time of light usage is twenty hours. coolers for beer truck and other appliances connected to City power during the tournament, league will have to .be assessed for power usage. PROPOSED SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION : Representatives of the Women's Slow Pitch League and . the Mens Fast Pitch League made a proposal for the formation of a softball association. It would be called the Elk River Softball Association and would be incorporated with the State of Minn. as a non-profit organization. Its Board of Directors would consist of representatives of the three softball lea'gues in Elk River. Goals of the association would be to provide better coordination between the leagues and a joint effort to improve and expand softball facilities. The association will maintain a bank account for deposit of all profits derived by the leagues. including that of the concession stand. The Park Board will pay the light bill at the end of he season, and the association will made reimbursement. For this season, the amount of profit the Park Board has received from the concession stand will be ~educted from the total amount of the light bill. The amount of profit received to date is $136.40, paid in May 1976. Although the intent of the association is to use their profits toward improvement of facilitie: any such improvements must be approved by the Park Board before undertaken. SOFTBALL FIELD IMPROVEMENTS. The softball representatives offered the following list of improvements as being needed: 1. Backstop fence on the Fairgrounds Field. 2. Lights properly directed at Kuss Field. 3. Back wall on grandstand at FairgroundS Field repaired and painted. 4. Fencing repaired at Kuss Field, particularly around the infield area and the center- field gate. 5. Infield to.be scraped, off arid resurfaced with ag-lime at Fairgrounds Field. Immediate need is for filling of depressions around the bases. Ken Nelson will obtain the necessary screening and make immediate repairs to the backstop at the Fairgrounds Field. This defect is a potential. safety hazard. Softball representatives will contact utilities department for assistance in properly' aiming the lights at Kuss Feld. Since this will have to be done at night, the Park Board pay labor charges of the utility department worker. SWIMMING BEACH USE ON JULY 4th. Park Board members were informed that Mayor Lundberg inquired into opening the Orono Park beach on July 4th. Board members were also informed that the lifeguard supervisOr, Wayne Becklin, was consulted. His reponse was, no more than four hours ime on duty, triple wages due to Sunday and holiday, and security officer present at the each at all times. The Board felt that the anticipated large.crowd would make protection difficulties did not justify opening the beach for this event, and the Board was unanimous in voting against opening the beach. The Board was equally against opening the beach to the public and' providing no lifeguard protection whatever, dure to extreme risk and liability involved. r- SWIMMING BEACH USE ON SUNDAYS. Park Board members were informed that Mayor Lundberg inquired into opening the Orono Park beach on Sundays and allowing the public to use it without benefit of lifeguard protection. The Board was also informed that this question had been considered in previous years,but was denied due to the increased liability it would Place. on the City of Elk River. The Board was also reminded of a survey taken a few years ago which indicated beach usage on Sundays was primarily by transient visitors to the park and not local people. The Board also considered that this year may possibly be the last season of operation for the beach due to fQrthcoming construction of an enclosed swimming pool. The Board was unanimous in voting against opeJ'ling the beach on Sundays. OOAT RAMP CONSIDERATIONS. Board members were informed of a few complaints regarding the new boat ramp. Some boaters may be having difficulty launching their crafts due to shallow water depth. Possibility of adding an additional concrete slab extension was discussed. It was pointed out that further extension into the water was not permitted under limits specified in Dept. of Natural Resources permit. Also, launching difficulty may be due to lack of raim which causes the lake level to be lower than normal. No action will be taken at this time. Board members were also informed of a complaint made to the Police Dept. regarding swimmers in the area of the boat ramp. The Board considered putting up a sign, but felt a 'sign would have no effect on swimmers without common sense or adult supervision. No action will be taken at this time. Board members were informed of a request by a member of Lakeshore Association to put up a sign requesting uniform direction of travel by water skiers. Sign would include Sheriff's Dept. water patrol endorsement and wxpense would be incurred by Lakeshore Association. Board members approved erection of the sign. Meeting was adjourned at 9: 45 P.M. Next Park Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 27, 197 '.