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051011 PK MINS CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB RD PARK TOUR & COMMISSION MEETING SHOREWOOD CITY HALL TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2011 7:00 P.M. MINUTES PARK TOUR The Commission met at City Hall at approximately 5:45pm and walked over to Badger Park. BADGER PARK: Anderson showed the Commission the condition of the exterior and interior of the warming house reviewing the work needed to rehab the facility. Brown and Anderson suggested the Commission make observations to help them determine the best route to pursue for this space, be it either, replacing boards, painting the exterior or interior, pulling off the lean-to shed, renovate the entire building similar to Manor Park or do nothing. FREEMAN PARK: Anderson pointed out that new park sign bases indicating that the cabinets were due to be installed in the coming weeks. The Commission suggested the pin locations be marked to delineate the pitching rubber distances at the softball fields. The parking lot was tremendously rutted due to the incessant rain. As the Commission walked the trail near the wetland stormwater retention area, Brown explained how the runoff and stormwater issues are handled thru this ‘feature’. In poor condition, Brown noted that the City had WSB lay out a wetland enhancement project a handful of years ago to improve water quality. Anderson and Brown suggested the Commission consider packaging a wetland restoration, buckthorn removal, and parking lot project together and presenting it to the watershed district to consider a partnership. Kjolhaug asked whether the watershed had approached the City about problems in the area and suggested that the watershed might be interested in seeing a proposal to decide whether they might wish to get involved in a project. Hotvet reminded the Commission that the watershed director had come to present to the Council and seemed very interested in some real partnerships. Anderson showed the commission what replacement slides and additions would be proposed on the later agenda for the south end tot lot. #2A PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2011 PAGE 2 OF 6 CATHCART PARK: Anderson showed the proposed swing set replacement site and space for consideration by the Commission on its later Agenda. The Commissioners liked the location as proposed near the tot lot and paved trail leading to the play area. CRESCENT BEACH: Brown explained the shared use and maintenance of Crescent beach to the Commissioners. 1.CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING The Commission adjourned its park tour to its regular meeting at 7:38pm. A.Roll Call Present:Chair Quinlan; Commissioners Robb, Swaggert, Kjolhaug, and Hartmann; City Council liaison Hotvet; Park Coordinator Anderson; Public Works Director; and City Council member Saikel for the tour. Absent: Commissioners Edmondson and Trent. B.Review Agenda Swaggert moved, Robb seconded, approving the Agenda as submitted. Motion passed 5/0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of April 12, 2011 Robb moved, Hartmann seconded, approving the Minutes of April 12, 2011, as presented. Motion passed 5/0. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were none. 4. REVIEW/DISCUSS PARK TOURS The Commission identified several items within each park for consideration. Badger Park: Will be discussed as an action item on the agenda. Freeman Park: As mentioned, mark the pitching rubbers with bristles for the distances. The Commission encouraged staff to pursue grants with the watershed to improve the wetland area and invite the watershed representative to come speak with the Commission about potential partnerships. Brown indicated that staff could arrive at a conceptual plan for the parking lot and water quality area by PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2011 PAGE 3 OF 6 breaking the previous WSB project into stages, though some of the technical work would have to be contracted. Cathcart Park: As parking continues to be an issue, the commission asked staff to make contact with the City of Chanhassen to ask them to remove the ‘no parking’ signs on the street provided it does not interfere with emergency access. Crescent Beach: The Commission agreed this was a nice asset and liked the kayaking based from the site as part of Friday programming. Chair Quinlan suggested the Commission consider adding a second meeting in June to tour parks in other cities. Swaggert stated that he would want to make those park visits very intentional to see specific features. Anderson indicated that she would identify a handful of parks which feature Frisbee golf, ‘exercise pieces’, hard surfaced rinks, and other interesting features and bring those suggestions back to the next meeting for feedback prior to the tour. Once chosen, staff could contact those communities and invite their park reps or staff to meet us on site. 5. REVIEW BADGER PARK REHAB Anderson reviewed the rehab options and estimates for the Commission and encouraged them to make one of four recommendations to direct staff as to how they’d like to proceed – choose from the list of rehab items, paint and patch the exterior, direct staff to pursue grants and partners, or do nothing. Chair Quinlan asked whether the Commission wanted more from this facility than what is currently offered. In contrast to what ‘must’ be done as to what the Commission might envision for this park. Hartmann suggested staff contact the user groups that call Badger Park home to ask what they’d like from the facility. Anderson noted that football, lacrosse, and the community center make use of the park. She indicated that other picnic shelters are rented much of the summer. Robb noted that it wasn’t such a bad structure and questioned why it couldn’t be refurbished as it is serving its purpose now. Anderson reiterated that, similar to Manor Park, the Commission could consider a rehab project which would provide for a shelter, accessible bathrooms set on a timer, and rehab the facility as well as improve other spaces within the park. Kjolhaug stated he was not sure how much added use there would be of the facility, though outdoor accessible bathrooms would be a good feature. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2011 PAGE 4 OF 6 Robb maintained that Badger Park is not a family park and does not have need for a shelter. Anderson pointed out that many people use the playground, especially when sports are scheduled and the Community Center is locked. She reminded the Commission that it was once one of their goals to place a shelter at each of their parks. Chair Quinlan stated it would be nice to have a covered shelter and a place for bathrooms. He suggested the Commission consider a remodel. Brown interjected that, obviously, the Commission was struggling with whether to invest in the rehab or not. He suggested the Commission allow staff time to contact the organizations to determine whether they wish to invest in or partner in a modified use. Anderson stated that, in fact, they may wish to add items we haven’t even thought of, such as a concessions operation. Anderson stated that she would contact the user groups and ask to meet or discuss the park further. 6. REVIEW CATHCART PARK SWING SET REPLACEMENT ESTIMATES AND MAKE RECOMMENDAITON TO CITY COUNCIL Anderson explained that the replacement swing set had been discussed for several years, though the CIP allocated $7500 for the new swing set in 2011. Anderson pointed out that, while the equipment meets the proposed budget, she was directed to obtain bids for the entire purchase, installation, and execution of the project at Cathcart Park by the outside contractors. In an effort to alleviate some of the pressure placed upon Public Works staff, the manufacturers provided estimates that included all but some minor excavation prep work at the site. Going forward, Anderson acknowledged that these additional costs may have a significant impact on what was originally allocated in the CIP budget. As presented, the two estimates include two-bay swings sets with belt, tot, and accessible swings, as well as, a separate tire swing bay, curbing, wood fiber fill, and installation. Anderson suggested the Commission recommend to the City Council that the award be given to Midwest Playscapes in the amount of $12,702.49. Chair Quinlan asked how building these unexpected costs into the park CIP would impact our budgets and whether parks had been singled out as a department. Brown stated that due to public mandates, stormwater and roadway issues, public works staff cannot accomplish all of these tasks at the same time. At a staff head level it was decided that public works must focus its attention on patching roads, which is a huge issue and eats up a great deal of time, and that it can’t work on parks as a priority. Robb asked what the net impact was whether the Commission has public works staff do the work or we contract it out. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2011 PAGE 5 OF 6 Brown stated that he had not reviewed the costs. He maintained that although the City Council did not mandate this, the department heads did. He stated that the Commission could still make a recommendation to the City Council directing public works to assist with the install. Robb maintained that, either way, the work must be done. This swing set has been on the long term plan for many years and is a safety hazard. Robb moved, Hartmann seconded, to recommend to the City Council that they award the swing set installation to Midwest Playscapes in the amount of $12,702.49 and take into account whether directing public works staff to assist in some way in an effort to bring the price down is valuable. Motion passed 5/0. 7. REVIEW FREEMAN PARK ESTIMATE FOR REPLACEMENT/ADDITION OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT FOR SOUTH PLAYGROUND AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL Anderson reviewed the proposed project for three replacement slides and an additional ‘whirl’ tot piece with timber surround previously considered by the Commission last year but due to budgetary restraints had been delayed. Anderson pointed out that she contacted public works to determine whether this was a project they would be able to tackle or whether staff should recruit volunteers to perform the install. Public Works Director Brown stated that he felt his staff would prefer to perform the install rather than direct volunteers on such a small project. Swaggert asked whether public works would be able to perform the install. Brown indicated that his staff would fit it in somewhere. Swaggert moved, Kjolhaug seconded, recommending that City Council accept the quote by Mn/Wi Playgrounds in the amount of $14,905.36 for the three replacement slides and whirl, acknowledging that public works staff will complete the prep work and installation. Motion passed 5/0. 8. STAFF AND LIAISON REPORTS/UPDATES A.City Council Hotvet reported that an eagle scout project was shared with the council last night. Anderson expanded on the explanation, stating that staff, including her, Joe Pazandak, and Brian Heck, had been talking with a potential eagle scout about a project at the Southshore Community Center. He proposed an ambitious project including steps with railings that lead to the small bridge over the creek, reinforcing some of the bridge posts, and completing a trail with benches in a loop around the wooded area. Hotvet indicated that the Council gave him permission to proceed but encouraged him to find funding sources for the proposed $3200 project, such as the rotary, chamber, SSSP, and others to PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2011 PAGE 6 OF 6 assist with the funding. The Council also discussed allocating any contribution to the project from the Park budget since this is park land. Robb pointed out that, as part of its long term plan, the Park Commission designated a trail around Badger Park with benches and a small bridge for seniors and other to enjoy. Robb stated that he found this to be in line with those plans. B.Park Commission Anderson reminded the Commission about the Step To It Challenge program and encouraged them to participate. She distributed incentives from Hennepin County to those who joined. C.Staff th The Joint Park Commission Meeting with other Cities is slated for May 17 and 7pm at the Southshore Community Center. D.Trails Committee Chair Quinlan reported that the trail committee met last week to prioritize trail segments within the City based on criteria, proximity to schools, residential buy-in, and what could feasibly be accomplished within 3-5 years. The highest priority went to County Road 19 to the trail, Smithtown Road from Victoria to Minnewashta School, Galpin Road to County Road 7, and Strawberry Lane to the school. E.Work Program F.CIP Updated G.Quarterly Expenditure Report – No capital expenditures in budget as of yet. H.Grant Update Anderson shared the few outstanding grant applications. 10. ADJOURN Robb moved, Swaggert seconded, adjourning the Park Commission Meeting of May 10, 2011 at 9:18 p.m. Motion passed 5/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Kristi B. Anderson Recorder