Loading...
8.1.A PRSR 11-18-2009REQUEST FOR ACTION To Item Number Parks and Recreation Commission 8.1A Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Action/Discussion Items November 18, 2009 Steve Benoit, Recreation Manager Polic Issues Item Description Reviewed by Field Usage by For-Profit Agencies Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director Reviewed by Action Requested Field access by for-profit agencies Background/Discussion Our Department has received several requests from private, for-profit organizations wishing to rent City of Elk River athletic facilities for the purpose of operating tournaments for profit. Currently we do not have an in-take process in place to accommodate these types of requests. In the past the primary users of fields has been Elk River Athletic Associations as well as in-house Park and Recreation Programs. A survey of other agencies in how they manage for-profit groups was conducted. Results showed a mix of agencies that allow for-profits to rent athletic fields and others that do not. Those that do allow rentals have higher fee scales developed in relating to for-profit agencies. Other Information to Consider 1. Our current field use process was set up with the intent of accommodating non-profit youth agencies. 2. Most participants in these activities would likely reside outside of Elk River. 3. Renting to for-profit agencies would potentially generate additional rental revenue as well as the economic value of bringing participants into the Elk River community for an event. 4. Activities that for-profit agencies wish to conduct may directly compete against both in-house programs as well as activities being provided by Elk River Athletic Associations. 5. Elk River Athletic Associations do invest financially into field improvement projects. 6. Booking fields to for-profit agencies can cause scheduling conflicts with Elk River Athletic Associations. Even with giving Elk River Athletic Associations' first access to fields, they often do not know the field needs until close to their tournament dates. There was a situation where an association could have expanded the size of their tournament but the additional fields they needed were already booked to afor-profit agency. S:\PARKS & RECREATION\11-18-09 PRC Packct\Authorizadon to Adjust Field Usage by For-Profits.doc Staff Recommendations 1. Staff recommends that for-profit agencies not be allowed to rent Elk River Athletic fields for the purpose of operating a program or tournament for profit. The original intent of building the fields was for use by non-profit athletic associations and in-house programs. Allocating the fields to for-profit agencies would conflict with this intent. 2. If the Commission does determine that for-profit agencies should have access to rent Elk River athletic fields for profit activities, staff recommends a new fee scale be implemented that is more appropriate for these types of events. Also, a priority date system be put in place to ensure non-profit groups have first access to field usage. Action Motion by Second by Vote Follow Up S:\PARKS & RECREATION\11-18-09 PRC Packet\Authorization to Adjust Field Usage by For-Profits.doc f ~" ~~'~~ i~ i ~. !~ ~~ ~ ~ i 1 ~ ~ , I -( Topics for meeting with City of Elk River, MN 11-18-09.6:30 PM ISA is the safest version of softball in the U.S. today. • Bat safety checks- ISA approved bat standazds only. • Ball Safety checks- ISA approved and ISA stamped .44 375 allowed only. • Strict player classification. • Hit by batted ball bat safety check. • Longest baselines in softball in the U.S today. • 53 ft pitchers rubber. • 2 million dollar liability insurance per occurrence. • More home runs allowed than any other association to protect the fielders. • Professional umpire staff trained and certified by ISA National Chief Umpire. • ISA state directors are all certified in first aid and defibrillator operation. Respectful Organization • In the history of ISA softball played at Elk River never had to have police called because of any occun•ences due to players or fans. • MN ISA staff always cleaned and maintained the park during and after events. • MN ISA always paid fees and deposits on time. • ISA has been in business for 26 years. • We offer several levels of play, Men's Elite, C, D, E, Co-Ed Competitive, CaEd Recreational, Women's Competitive, Women's Recreational, 18U Boys, and Girls Fastpitch. • The Elk River Lake Orono Complex will be awarded the 2009 Northern States complex of the yeaz on December 4`h 2009 at the ISA National Convention in Nashville TN. Most unique version of softball today • Ability to steal bases in softball. • More home runs allowed per division than other associations. • 0-0 count three balls and three strikes. All other associations use 1-1 count with a three balls and two strikes. • MN ISA and ISA was formed by players for players. Some of the original founders still play ISAlSSUSA today. Future of ISA in Minnesota • MN ISA wants to build relationships with cities and recreation departments to serve the community with a new updated game of softball for all levels to enjoy. • MN ISA would like to provide training for current officials. And also bring on some of our already experienced officials to the game in your city. • MN ISA would like to qualify teams to be sent to the ISA Softball World Series in Polk County Florida in 2010. • We feel that bringing this game to your city will encourage sportsmanship and athleticism in a new and unique way. • We will stove to provide the players and fans with the highest trained officials, and knowledgeable, professional state directors. MN ISA will always be about safety and quality here in MN, Not quantity and forcing teams to play only 1 version of softball in the metro area. We look forward to working with your city and your recreation department to have along-term relationship. Derrick Bollea Minnesota State Director ROBERT OBRIEN 18734146TH STREET NW ELK RIVER, MN 55330 763-300-6919 MY TEAM REALLY ENJOYED PLAYING IN THE LSA TOURNAMENTS AT ORONO PARK THIS LAST SUMM ER AND WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE AN ISA LEAGUE HERE IN ELK RNER. ISA IS JUST MORE FUN. YOU CAN SHOWCASE YOUR SKILLS MORE WITH THE EXTRA HOMERUNS AND STEALING ON THE OFFENSNE SIDE TO THE ABILITY TO KEEP THE BALL iN THE YARD WHEN YOU HAVE NO HOMERUNS OTHERWISE IT ENDS THE INNING NOT JUST AN OUT LIKE ASA, AND THE CATCHERS THROWING OUT BASE STEALERS ON THE DEFENSNE SIDE. A5A IS GETTING IFFY BEHIND FOR THE NEW ISA LEAGUES. LET ElK RNER BE PART OF THIS NEW GAME. THANKS To whom it may concern: Since 1996, our team has been playing both ASA and USSSA. We have found the ISA rules more enjoyable than ASA or USSSA_ I would recommend any leaguer director to seriously consider converting to ISA. Brian Fieldseth Carefree Nudist Camp Softball 612-221-8823 Ldli rtli'1'iS 702 Birchwood Ave white F3ear Lake, MN 5~ I l n ilS~.t ~n._n^r~ '?'his year I had the opportunity to participate in several ISA softball tournaments aI the ~ ~L~a (~}rnnn rr~rnnln~: T~-~ rsilnt srrl Fn~~e~ of T~,~ -~rmm~ta ~ for c,rnorinr c4;,1~ ,~4'~~1~<,~ __ T_ _ _ 4tI1.13}Je11 C:C1 tlJ 1-1.?ti i:i.i2C! Li SilJt'l. ti l.lli.)YL'J j.31Q~'Cl `u !l3 JtiV YY't61,yG !ilGlr ~Kli1J 1113111 !?lJ!(1 lI3G offensive and defensive sides of the game. Base stewing is art exciting aspect of ISA that ?ilnwc ni.avers to iP~rPr~Q~ their stye°ri in nrrler fn i~eln their t?at?~ sipcreed. I~~ tt~n~. i~:?_c,e ., Jttrtil.lll~ GIiJV 1t~~1t11111LWJ l121i ~.~utl.11N1 i.jlJJill Vil 13 y 1VL t~i11~ Ult+llt llIt.~ !.V !!V iidiily t.u~ti~t.u uilu aware on the action on tine base paths, r'orcing them to make plays. 'i'ne hoanerun rtties and limits instituted by ISA are more conducive for competitive play. Hitting homeruns is n»n ~f {~.~ r,n»~ur;r rt+..Swc~;;~ ~~fih~ii ;~ Fiun TC A ~11,t1'.;'S tau,".~ t~ h=t xruro li~mon.::~5 r J .. lowever, any 3~on~orun after line limit resuJis in tine automatic enu io ine inning (regardless of the number of outs at that time). This element forces players to keep the hall in the park and helps the defensive team to capitalize if a player ends the inning with a homerun. Strategy is far more prevalent in ISA because of these unique rules. I have played in leagues sanctioned by ASA, USSSA and ISA. Of the 3, ISA is the most entertaining format to play softball. I strongly recommend that we allow for more ISA league and tournament play in order to get more exposure with the hopes that ISA can expand throughout the state. Thank you, Dan Purvis