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Home My WebLink About2000-04-11 - MinutesTO: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board FROM: Eric J. Schuldt, Parks Development Coordinator DATE: April 4, 2000 RE: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Soccer Meeting April 11, 2000 at 7:00 p.m., City Hall Room 219 AGENDA I. Introductions 2. Parks and Recreation Soccer Sun ey FAYETTEVILLE PARKS 8 RECREATION • 3. Group Presentations Presentations will be limited to 25 minutes with an additional five minutes for questions from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. A computer projector will be available for use. All groups are encouraged to have backup equipment available. • �. Public Comment 5. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Discussion and Recommendations 6. Adjournment: • • • MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD APRIL 11, 2000 A special meeting of the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was held April 11, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 219 of the City Administration Building, 113 W. Mountain Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas. PRESENT: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members Colwell, Eads, Nickell, Stockland, and Thiel; Fayetteville City Council Alderman Trent Trtunbo; Staff members Edmonston, Gulley, Nelson, Schuldt, and Wright; Press, and Audience. AGENDA I. Introductions Chairperson Thiel introduced Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members, Parks and Recreation Division staff, and meeting moderator, Fayetteville City Council Alderman Trumbo. Mr. Trumbo introduced new Fayetteville Youth Center Boys and Girls Club Executive Director. John Benberg. II. Parks and Recreation Soccer Survey Parks and Recreation Program Director, David Wright, presented questionnaire results from a survey of soccer participants associated with the Fayetteville Soccer Association, Arkansas Comets Club, and the Woodland Junior High School program. Surveys were distributed to participants on site, and the results were anonymous. Survey results indicate the current soccer programs are considered average by polled participants. A wide range of comments were obtained Many of the same complaints have occurred for several years. Registration, convenience of participating in programs, communication between league administrators and participants, and scheduling are repeatedly cited as problems encountered. Other issues included facilities improvements and additional parking. Parks Development Coordinator, Eric Schuldt, said Parks and Recreation maintenance has made a concerted effort to improve the soccer facilities. Drainage improvements have been made at Lewis and Asbell, new soccer goals and nets have been purchased and installed, field lining responsibilities have been taken on by Parks maintenance for all soccer groups, and a soccer advisory board has been created. A turf maintenance program and proposed capital improvements will continue to address facility issues such as parking, additional multi-purpose fields, Asbell playground and concession stand renovations, and retrofitting of April 11, 2000 / Page I PRAB Special Soccer Meeting restrooms for year round use at an estimated total cost of $490,000. Additionally, Parks and Recreation has assumed responsibility for water cost and irrigation. 1I1. Group Presentations Arkansas Comets Soccer Club: Dave O'Brien presented a brief history of the Comets Soccer Club which today consists of fourteen teams, girls and boys, ages under eleven through under eighteen. Mr. O'Brien stated the Comets were not only a soccer club but a youth organization as well. The motto of the Comets is "Developing Great People Through Soccer". The Arkansas Comets Soccer Club proposed a comprehensive organization to facilitate soccer in Fayetteville. A recreational and a competitive soccer program for youth and an amateur adult soccer program was proposed. Mr. O'Brien said these programs currently exist as competing entities and proposed bringing them all together under the Comets umbrella and pooling resources to maximize the benefits for everyone involved. Administration, coordination of facility use, financial planning and management, and coaches, referee, and player development would be governed by the Comets organization. Laurie Haj presented the proposed recreational program whose purpose is to offer an organized program which nurtures individual player development; increases knowledge of the game among players, coaches and parents; and provides an environment which encourages good sportsmanship and playing enjoyment for all participants. Ms. Haj stated a number of goals for the recreational corner program: promote soccer to children of all skill levels, socioeconomic backgrounds, and financial abilities; instruct, train and educate players, coaches, referees, and parents; provide a positive environment where children can develop soccer skills, knowledge of the game, friendships, positive self image, sense of belonging and community pride; establish an administrative structure and communication network which allows all participants to focus on soccer rather than organizational details; set standards which require players, coaches, referees, and parents to abide by the principles of good sportsmanship, fair play, and enjoyment of the game; provide well balanced teams and competitive playing opportunities with safe fields and equipment; and work with local businesses, civic groups, schools and other athletic and community programs. Mr. Colwell expressed concern over the amount of time children are away traveling. Ms. Haj said it was necessary to travel for the level of competition desired and related to the competitive soccer program. Mr. Stockland expressed concern over increasing fourteen competitive teams to a very large number of children and asked about available resources to operate a recreational soccer program. Ms. Haj stated the Comets would be adding a recreational division to the existing competitive program. When asked about coaches, Mr. O'Brien said volunteers would be placed into a mentored environment with a coaching coordinator. Mr. Stockland also expressed concern that the competitive program may receive more attention than the recreational program. Ms. Haj stated all kids deserved a quality soccer program. Mr. Ackerman expressed logistics concerns. Coordinating activities and scheduling between the soccer groups April 11, 2000 / Page 2 • • • • • • PRAB Special Soccer Meeting have been an ongoing problem. Mr. Ackerman said there has been a deterioration in the soccer program over the past few years due to lack of cooperation between entities and leadership problems. Ms. Haj said a board would be established, and the City of Fayetteville could participate at whatever level it chose. Mr. O'Brien stated there would still be problems but more cooperation amongst the groups would occur if everyone was under the same organization. Fayetteville Soccer Association: Fayetteville Soccer Association Treasurer, Jeff Conner, introduced the recreational soccer program as a financially strong organization comprised of volunteers and a current membership of 849 participants. Mr. Conner introduced Fayetteville Soccer Association President, Debbie Winters; Vice President, Duyen Tran; Facilities & Equipment Chairperson, Bill Reagan; Coaches & Rules Committee Chairperson, Terry Delany; Sponsorship & Fundraising Committee Chairperson, Amber Woods; Public Relation & Communication Committee Chairperson, Sam Samavati; and Competitive Soccer Committee Chairperson, Tom Perry. Ms. Tran stated the Fayetteville Soccer Association is a community service based program whose mission is to promote soccer as recreational activity for Fayetteville youth regardless of race, creed, sex or national origin. Although a formal soccer program for special need children isn't currently in place, Ms. Tran said these children are part of and welcome to participate in the soccer program. Goals of the association include providing an affordable program, a developmental program, a focus on the majority, and providing a positive environment for youth. Ms. Tran further explained the function of Fayetteville Soccer Association's Board of Directors, committees, and roles of volunteers. After discussing trends and a review of the 1999 season, Ms. Tran presented association goals for 2000 which include increasing membership, reducing fees, providing earlier and more convenient registrations, improving administrative procedures, establishing a competitive soccer program, improve communication, seek more sponsorships, and provide more training opportunities for coaches. Mr. Stockland asked what efforts had been taken with other groups to reduce overlapping conflicts so children do not have to choose between soccer and other sports. Ms. Tran said no efforts had been made because the Fayetteville Soccer Association was being reorganized and other goals were considered higher priority. However, FSA officials would be willing to sit down with other groups to address this issue. Ms. Nickell questioned a decline in participation based on the documentation provided by Fayetteville Soccer Association. Ms. Tran explained extending registration deadlines in the past as opposed to not extending registration periods currently resulted in lower participation numbers. Mr. Ackerman inquired as to whether Fayetteville Soccer Association had an interest in managing and administering the entire soccer program in Fayetteville. Ms. Tran said it had not been discussed, but it is a possibility. Mr. Conner said competing interests currently exist between the competitive and recreational soccer programs, but it isn't inconceivable for the two organizations to coexist. IV. Public Comment April 11, 2000 / Page 3 PRAB Special Soccer Meeting John Plummer, a soccer coach and Fayetteville Soccer Advisory Board member, spoke of uncooperativeness, logistical problems, and improper board member behavior. Despite complaints, Mr. Plummer said the past year has been an improvement. Phillip Schweitz, a U10 boys soccer coach, expressed concern over the Comets taking over recreational soccer. Awilda O'Leary, a parent of Comets participants, favored the Arkansas Comets Soccer Club. Debra Ghatil supported recreational soccer rather than a competitive league and suggested both Fayetteville Soccer Association and Arkansas Comets Soccer Club be disbanded and a new program be offered by the City of Fayetteville. Merilee Booker researched TOP Soccer program and suggested Fayetteville be the first city in Arkansas to introduce the program and supported the Cornets. Clinton Schmidt stated he has children in both soccer programs, he is a Fayetteville Soccer Association coach, and he is involved in the adult amateur soccer program through the Springdale Soccer Association. Mr. Schmidt encouraged amateur soccer program growth and favored bringing all soccer organizations underneath the Arkansas Comets Soccer Club. Paul Livingston, Arkansas Comets President, discussed the organizational structure of the Arkansas Comets Soccer Club. Jeff Conner reiterated the Fayetteville Soccer Association is a volunteer organization which does not exclude anyone and encouraged volunteers to work to correct problems instead of making disparaging remarks. Missy Harris expressed the importance of all children having the opportunity to play soccer and feared this would be threatened if the Arkansas Comets Soccer Club assumed control of the program. Bruce Ahrendsen expressed an interest in the coordination with other recreational leagues in northwest Arkansas and suggested the Fayetteville Youth Center as another alternative. Tom Perry questioned the Arkansas Comets competitive selection process for uniforms. Alan Kirkup, a University of Arkansas women's soccer coach, spoke on behalf of the sport of soccer. Hung Duong applauded the efforts of Fayetteville Soccer Association volunteers and expressed a need for the availability of a soccer program for all children. Christine Turkos favored the Fayetteville Soccer Association and the lessons her son has learned from participating in the recreational soccer program. April 11, 2000 / Page 4 • • • • • • PRAB Special Soccer Meeting Samir Haj explained a history with Fayetteville Soccer Association and the subsequent creation of other soccer groups. V. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Discussion and Recommendations Mr. Shoulders asked how the vote would affect people's ability to play soccer in Fayetteville and utilize the city's fields. Ms. Edmonston stated FSA has been a concern for several years. Citing commonly received complaints, Ms. Edmonton said it is the City of Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Division's responsibility to provide the best programs and facilities. Other organizations do assist. Ms. Edmonston read a 1997 letter signed by past officials with the soccer program urging a resolution of ongoing problems. Public forums were conducted and efforts to unite these organizations were made. The number one priority of the Parks and Recreation Division is the recreational program because it is offered to all citizens of Fayetteville. Those who wish to go further in soccer should also be supported. A quality soccer program must include all entities Ms. Thiel questioned the possibility of Parks and Recreation assuming control of the soccer program. Ms. Edmonston said a full-time staff member would need to be hired to coordinate soccer. Mr. Ackerman stated the FSA soccer program administrative problems have been ongoing despite efforts to correct them during the past few years. He stated it was time for a change and suggested stern leadership from an administrative point of view and collectively working with the community. MOTION: Mr. Ackerman moved that the Parks and Recreation Division assume all responsibilities of the entire soccer program in Fayetteville beginning with the 2000 fall season. Mr. Colwell seconded the motion. Mr. Colwell stated large programs exhaust volunteer effort and are more organized with paid personnel. He also said both soccer groups need to put aside their differences and combine their strengths to ensure a quality program. »y?� • Ms. Eads said it was her hope that if it were determinedlto place soccer with the Parks and Recreation Division, that those who have worked hard on the program will view it as a benefit by allowing more time to concentrate on the skills better performed. Mr. Stockland asked if the motion is for Parks and Recreation staff take over recreational soccer or get first priority on fields next fall or something much broader. April 11, 2000 / Page 5 PRAB Special Soccer Meeting Mr. Ackerman said it is the taking over of the entire soccer program in the City of Fayetteville. Everything regarding soccer should be coordinated through the Parks and Recreation Division. Mr. Ackerman said a viable approach is each organization work closely with staff in promoting and developing their program. Mr. Stockland expressed concern that current volunteers cease participating.and leave Parks and Recreation trying to administer a soccer program with few people knowledgeable in the sport. Mr. Ackerman stated each association would work directly with Parks and Recreation. Ms. Edmonston said focus should primarily be on recreational and adult soccer. Comet soccer has had few complaints. Mr. Shoulders said the Soccer Advisory Board had made recommendations to FSA, but the suggestions have gone unheeded because there was no accountability. Mr. Gulley said suggestions to FSA have been met with opposition, but the Comets have been cooperative. The Parks and Recreation Division has attempted to resolve these problems for the past two years. AMENDED MOTION: Mr. Ackerman moved that the Parks and Recreation Division assume all responsibility for the recreational and adult soccer programs in the City of Fayetteville beginning in the fall 2000 and proceed with the internal process of hiring a full time staff member to handle soccer activities. Ms. Nickell seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-1-0 with Ackerman, Nickell, Thiel, Colwell, Shoulders, Eads voting yes and Stockland voting no. 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