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051308 PK AgPCITY OF SHOREWOOD 25800 STATE HIGHWAY 7 PARK COMMISSION MEETING FREEMAN PARK — EDDY STATION TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2008 APPROXIMATELY 7:30 P.M. OR IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PARK TOURS AGENDA 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING A. Roll Call Davis Young Hensley Norman Tren Quinlan DeMers B. Review Agenda 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Work Session Meeting Minutes of April 2, 2008 (Att- #2A) B. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of April 8, 2008 — (Att.42B) 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR 4. REPORTS A. Report on City Council Meeting B. Subcommittee Report on Children's Summer Programs D. Update on Arctic Fever E. Report on Adopt -A- Garden Volunteer Meeting — (Park Chair, Sue Davis) 5. DISCUSS PARK TOURS 6. DETERMINE LIAISON FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MAY 27 7. ADJOURN L� 4 • CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD PARK COMMISSION WORK SESSION SHOREWOOD CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2008 7:00 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION WORK SESSION MEETING Chair Davis convened the work session meeting at 7:01 p.m. A. Roll Call Present: Chair Davis; Commissioner Young, Public Works Director Brown Absent: Commissioner Trent and B. Review Agenda 2. DETERMINE QUESTIONSI&W RE As a guideline, Brown indicated that Coi • Commission submit approximately ten q additional twenty. e UnftP-thviciDati( d that becomes too broad DeMers shared copies o 2 e , as had in his DOSSESiGn. decline. and DeMers; liaison den uggested that each Pe Council create an grow but cautioned that if it as, a survey from New Jersey that he Chai vis suggeste the ion decide it's goals for the survey and base its que do obtaining th result he stated that she wished to find out not only what amenities le are using not and why, but also the quality of their experience. She inquired whe hey sho include questions with regard to the trails. Quinlan felt it rele find out how people are using the trails as well as parks, especially in light of find improvements at Manor Park. Chair Davis noted that it would be helpful to find out what infrastructure or programming folks want, inform them of the costs of some needed improvements, such as the tennis courts, and gauge whether there is interest to proceed with these improvements. Since there are finite funds available for improvements, what needs to be done? Norman asked whether the online survey would give the Commission the opportunity to • expand on each specific park rather than just offer up yes or no questions. Chair Davis supposed that the demographics section would be a part of the larger overall survey. PARK COMMISSION WORK SESSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2008 PAGE 2 OF 4 Young stated that he would want to learn how the Commission should allocate its funds based on what parks or equipment folks find inadequate. He believed they must determine what facilities are being used and how frequently. That being said, Brown suggested they use something similar to questions #3 and #5 on the 2002 survey in some version. Young felt the Commission needed to be more specific by framing questions which pinpoint which courts are kept and which get eliminated, for inst e, so that the City makes a responsible decision. Brown suggested a statement such as, if you use the facility would you be more inclined to use, Badger, suggested people be given an opportunity to list of would use or do use. Norman framed it as such, are there any amenities parks that you would like to see — and list options to Y needed for as it is too ci which location or or Ca . In addition, he in the p stem they urrently offgffd by our as well as, a location to write ties, she and barbeques in the t i i a suggested these be Is, racks. to address passive use. asking where people would like to see d, statin Itackle his al preference was to focus on the parks pointed at th vailable dollars would not make a dent in the funds 9 c Mnstruect trails and cautioned this may merely open a can of worms here. Quinlan pointed ouXemw� in his opinion, the average citizen is not aware that the trails are not a part of parks. as still interested in at least hearing how people use trails to access the parks or within the parks themselves. Chair Davis suggested they focus on the daily, weekly, monthly, use of parks as opposed to the number of times a year as in the 2002 survey. She asked whether residents could take the survey more than once on line. With regard to the quality of the parks, the Commission liked the idea of open ended questions with some options to check and spur ideas. What do you use or what is lacking were critical issues during discussion. .7 0 PARK COMMISSION WORK SESSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2008 PAGE 3 OF 4 C • Brown suggested a what are we missing or what would get you to use the parks approach in one question, another which hints at curb appeal, and still another tennis specific. Chair Davis focused further in on questions #3 and #5, according to the parks that you use, she suggested that each be divided up specifically online so that people could answer park specific questions on a separate page. DeMers concurred noting that if a resident were to click on a specific park that would take them to a different screen containing more park specific quesns. Young asked what the City Council foresaw as a frar. would be helpful to have City Council input whether to see the Commission headed with regard to its port suggested the Commission contact surrounding comi frequent to determine a wish list of improveme E out how other communities gauge the interes i %10 vey, he felt it n they would like In addition, he other parks we might make in SHVftood or find Brown stated that staff has been charged with puttin ther a rough draft and that the Council hopes to review the first dra their meeting I weeks. Brown agreed, urging Commissioners to visit parks t in order to ha we are missing or determine their draw. He indicated that to touch with his contacts at Chanhassen to discuss their park improv ent 11 . tip urvey results. The Commission pre -4 -5- rati %tssh focus tem, oan Agee- Disagree- Don't Know format. Following troduc , section ould on and breakout each individual park. For x Belo Aoffli rewood Parks, please provide information for the parkse, dons would then evaluate specifics such as 4;;eck qe, e e of locating, safety, what amenities do you use with a rogramming, what facilities are lacking — with a brief list • At the back end of t k breakout, specific questions about the tennis courts and overall programmin could be included such as; x The Shorewood Park Commission and City Council want to utilize the funds that we have to ensure they are put to their best use, where do you see the priorities being — list things that are considered priorities, tennis courts, picnic shelters, etc. x If a proposed centralized tennis facility were moved to one location, where would you like to see this be? X Have you attended or participated in the Community events, which have you attended, (skateboard camps, kiddie shows, music in the parks, arctic fever, etc) and/or what else would you like to see offered. PARK COMMISSION WORK SESSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2008 PAGE 4 OF 4 X How do you typically hear about Shorewood events? Chair Davis urged Brown to send the Commissioners a rough draft of the proposed survey as discussed this evening when complete for editing and suggestions. 3. REVIEW CITY ENGINEER'S PARK PROJECTS ESTIMATED COSTS — Brown pointed out that if everything was plugged into the 2008 budget, the total expenditure would be over $294,300. Brown pointed out that although the analysis provides the Commission with a framework of costs, there is little Ise to do with the document at this time until priorities are set. Quinlan asked whether staff was aware of how much i run in order to brand Shorewood parks with similar cl Brown stated that the signage in the budget was investigate other contractor options. Norman stated that he would like to see Shorewood about Cathcart Park, especially in li f the propo dollars to complete them. He believed ed to 3. ADJOURN The Commission aftliNnUffft Work RESPECTFULL for metal signs he would dialogue with Chanhassen tLovements and the necessary of April 2, 2008, at 8:35 p.m. signage would 0 C • 9 CITY OF SHOREWOOD • PARK COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2008 5755 COUNTRY CLUB RD SHOREWOOD CITY HALL 7:00 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING A. Roll Call Present: Acting Chair Norman; Commissioners Young, City Engineer Landini; Public Works Directo Pazandak; City Council liaison Wellens; and 1N Absent: Chair Davis and Commissioners T B. Review Agenda Item 3C was omitted from the agenda. Young moved, DeMers seconded, 4/0. • 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Mee Page 3, Item 6, paragraph 2, wa« ifevised to should be allowed..." Young 4/0. 3. RWRTS y, and DeMers; Building Official the Minutes of March 11, 2008, as amended. Report on ;City Council Meeting Brown reported tha , 4 only item of pertinence to the Park commission might be the presentation of the dry` Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan for review. B. Update on Summer Activities Brown reported that thus far the ventriloquist and zoomobile were scheduled for children's programs this summer. Norman commented that he was pleased with the steps the Commission had taken to fill the parks with additional programming. He stated that the subcommittee may add one to two more children's programs this summer noting that he would be eager to hear • feedback the end of the summer. C. Subcommittee Report on Children's Summer Programs — omitted PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2008 PAGE 2 OF 7 D. Update on Arctic Fever Meeting on March 26, 2008 • Brown stated that the Committee had begun to lay out contracts for the upcoming year incorporating the responsibilities that each participating City will need to fulfill for participation in coming years. Norman explained that the rules and regulations, as well as, responsibilities need to be laid out for participating City as the event continues to grow in coming years so that no one questions who is responsible for what. He noted that the 2009 kick -off meeting would be held April 30, 2008. 4. REVIEW AND DISCUSS PARK SITES FOR PRAIRIE PLANTINGS Pazandak presented a proposal identifying sites for prairox`grass pg demonstration projects, the plants themselves, and their costs for the C bm inissions and discussion. Pazandak stated that prairies are a hobby of his and have proved less maintenance than caring for a regular lawn over the years lie shared photo 1us prairie during the spring and summer months noting that aftins 'a spring mowingaand a spray r . of round up, there is little continued maintenance. Pazandak indicated that, with the aid of Charlie Davis, park Jed, they have identified several areas that might work for prairie brass p1tngs v�nthlniorewood. In Freeman, Pazandak stated that there are areas behin the gavel km_g tot near Eddy Station and along the back side of the all fields there, an area near the 1✓ureka Road entrance parking area, as well as, another at the mouth end of the park near'field three that would make good demo sites. He ecl?lained'th he would not propose any forbs or flowers but merely various native grasses ch regnlre little malntnance and go dormant in the winter months. Additl ,A sites to consi r inclui�ded a small area behind the public works building, a demo to in Manor Pai rl ar the t iffs courts and new construction homes, areas near the Skate l' C by Vine H __ toad, a well as, along Highway 7 near St Alban's Bay Road or even withgg,ahe Skate Park itself After reviewing 06*tial Bites, Pazandak shared recommendations of the types of planting he would suggest as well as potential seed costs. Norman asked what area a pound of seed would cover. Pazandak estimated that 8 pounds of seed would roughly cover an acre, noting that it would take more smaller seeds to cover an acre than the larger seeds. He was confident that $160 per acre would cover the cost of both seed and spray, unless a steep incline required hydro- seeding which would cost more. Brown complimented Landini, Pazandak, and Davis for really evaluating viable areas to • test and put together a presentation. He pointed out that time was of the essence if this PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2008 PAGE 3 OF 7 • was a project the Commission wished to move forward on this year picking 1 -3 viable sites for evaluation. Hensley thanked Pazandak and Landini for the presentation, stating that personally he found the information very interesting. He asked whether the prairie would be chemically treated or burned, and what other ongoing maintenance would be necessary. Pazandak stated that the seeds should be planted the end of May or first of June. He pointed out that Davis had already been given permission to borrow the seeder from the Minnetonka School System and that the City already owns mowers and sprayers. After the initial mowing, spraying, and planting, Pazandak stated there iiii§-Jittle ongoing maintenance over the summer, as ongoing mowing is unnecessary. He pointed out that after the initial investment the first year, the city recoups st Jn a couple years since mowing and spraying only occur one time each year and " yerall, staff spends less time 3� P and money mowing and landscaping. Pazandak noted that sorrie p, wtuitl b� di fficult to seed and could be hydro- seeded instead at axa addtn cost of �rpughly $ tl$� -per square foot if a steep bank required it. In some ars, near the P'an 1' entrance for instance, he pointed out that a few trees, like tlix elders that Id and �tng would likely have to be removed as well. Norman cauxiQed against ipmoving any sizable trees, noting that he believed there was an Ordinance td this affect.., Norman asked whether there would be something to see this summer if they choice to dr:''something immediately or would there be no real show for 2- 3 years. Pazandak pointed out that ,while prairies are long term projects, there would be a good show this year which would only get better year after year. If they mowed, and planted this spring, Pazandak was sure that within 2 years the City would have a nicely developed grass prairie as it evolved over time; whereas, if they chose to plant a flower or forbs prairie, it would take up to 5 -6 years to truly evolve. 0 Hensley asked what areas Pazandak would really recommend as good test sites. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2008 PAGE 4 OF 7 Pazandak stated that the entrance to Freeman, as well as, the areas behind the gravel lot and ball fields would be good, as would the areas near the Skate Park for visibility. 0 Brown pointed out that the 38,000 sf area on the map deeded to Shorewood has an erosion problem and is a maintenance issue if this would be feasible as a good prairie project area. Norman stated that he would like to have the project site visible, but would not want to obstruct views of the Skate Park for safety reasons. Brown stated that they could plant varying heights accordingly sda "" 'not to obstruct views.. Brown did not wish to see trees removed from the S ,,,,',,Park site either noting that certain varieties could be chosen to work around the trees.` f Pazandak stated that the slope of the 38,000 s.f. parcel Tong highway could be hydro - seeded for a bit more and suggested some of the ,.S trees be removed the site anyway. .a Hensley asked what happens if the sites don't work F a z ah d pointed out tl a the MC�? ' "the watershed district, was very excited about this, and mlghl den consider corributng to the project. Personally, Pazandak stated that he, too, would be walling to in a donation to see this move forward. He noted that even the DNR is expenting with roadside prairie planting projects. .., DeMers stated that h was so new to the Commission and prairie plantings that he would prefer to think abou'it more before it is done. Young stated that, while he was in favor of the project overall, he was reluctant to jump in so quickly and make a decision so quickly. Hensley stated that although he, too, would have liked to have seen the proposal earlier, he believed that when a good idea crosses his desk and there is the willingness and energy there to support it, it is a good idea and should be acted on. Especially in light of the fact • that, if they wish to see a prairie come to fruition this year, they must move quickly due to planting timelines. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2008 PAGE 5 OF 7 U • Hensley moved, to do prairie demonstration projects of approximately 50,000 s.f at Freeman Park, consisting of both the proposed 20,000 and 30,000 s.f areas at Freeman, and an area of 50,000 s.f within and around the Skate Park. Pazandak stated that he did not mean to spring the proposal on people but when approached to complete put together the presentation, they felt it would be best to capitalize on the season rather than end up waiting a full year to see any results. Young was concerned about arousing any neighborhood animosi feedback on a smaller scale demo project. they had some DeMers and Norman concurred. Hensley questioned how you get people to see it done in plain site and instead planted in some of Freeman and the Skate Park. area. He liked project is not sibility of Norman questioned whether a smaller strip along be less objectionable to others. DeMers suggested the 38,000 s.f. Young agreed, stating Park itself. Hensley withdrew 7 near the Skate Park would earlier. area within the Skate Hensley mpWtf© secbx�ded, to plant demo areas in native prairie grasses wlthmfflli a 20,000 2% f e 11 man Park near the Eureka Road entrance and F ,e . areas }tier the Skate Patr o Highway 7 of approximately 38,000 s.f., as well as, the ,pproximate1 ;20,000 s.f. strip along Highway 7 from St Alban's Bay Road to the ate Park, with the requirement that no significant trees are to be removed, at an expenditure not to exceed $500. Brown stated that, sip, there is both a monetary and educational value to the motion, he indicated that he would be moving the recommendation on to the City Council for their review and support. As a significant enough move on the Commission's behalf, Brown stated the item would be on the next Council agenda for their review. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR As a rich resource on planting, Mayor Lizee stated that she was excited to see Pazandak is on the agenda sharing his knowledge. She noted that Shorewood was making great strides looking at the environment, educating the community, and handling stormwater management. In fact, Lizee noted that Shorewood developed one of the first Wetland PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2008 PAGE 6 OF 7 Protection Policies in the early 1990's which has since been adopted elsewhere. She O thanked the Park Commission for their efforts to plan for the big picture and its ongoing demonstration of stewardship. Mayor Lizde stated that the City Council would be discussing how to best use the funds from the sale of the liquor store operation of approximately $750,000- 900,000. Hopefully viewed as an enterprise fund, she encouraged the Commission to champion a funding program or grant program for neighborhoods who wish to act as stewards of the environment via their own programs such as buckthorn removal, natural shoreline restoration, native plantings, prairie grasses, etc. She noted that if the money were invested, the interest could be used to award mini grants to imps rve °tour community. Rather than spending lump sums, she urged the Commissiowt took at the big picture as a way to invest in the future of the community and spear4 "d in which the parks fit. As the City Council controls the funds, Young askeci'Jv. the Counc�-ewed the parks fitting into the big picture.„ Hensley staffed that he agreed j h the concept long term for community rather than spendln on one tim 6 s, buts cl�stioned how the Commission accomplishes this. He mai that the fun uSt be r" ested in a way that helps community long term. Norman sugg Aed staff invq tigate ways in which other communities and organizations have incorporkgr built scnething like this. r T« 5. APPROVE COMMUNITY REC. RESOURCES AGREEMENT Brown reported that the Community Rec Resources (CRR) agreement was similar to that presented in previous years acknowledging what an outstanding liaison service provider CRR has been to the City. In comparison to the years prior to bringing CRR on board, he stated that he could not speak highly enough of the contributions that CRR has provided to the City as a sports organization liaison and representative. Although staff would recommend approval, Brown asked the Commission to either forward the agreement on to Council or decide whether it should go out for bid. 0 • :7 PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2008 PAGE 7 OF 7 Norman stated that he had no issues with the services provided by CRR and would forward it on to Council. Hensley stated that he has only ever heard good things about the services provided by CRR from both staff and the sports organizations. Young moved, Hensley seconded, sending the Community Rec Resources agreement on to City Council with overwhelming Park Commission endorsement for approval of the contract. Motion passed 4/0. 6. DETERMINE DATES FOR PARK TOURS The Commission scheduled the 2008 Park tour dates as Tuesday June 10"' 7. DETERMINE LIAISON FOR CITY Hensley volunteered to act as liaison for the 8. ADJOURN Young moved, Norman seconded, a4 Meeting at 9:05 p.m. Motion passed RESPECTFULLY Kristi B. Anderson Recorder May 13, and APRIL 14 , Park Commission n U