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05-08-12 PK MINS CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB RD PARK COMMISSION MEETING SHOREWOOD CITY HALL TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2012 7:30 P.M. or immediately following Park Tours MINUTES 1.CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Quinlan convened the meeting at 7:45 p.m. A.Roll Call Present: Chair Quinlan; Commissioners Kjolhaug, Hartmann, Gordon and ; MangoldCity Council Liaison Woodruff; Acting City Administrator Brown Absent: Commissioners Edmondson and Swaggert B.Review Agenda Gordon moved to approve the agenda as presented. Hartmann seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. 2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of April 10, 2012 Commissioner Mangold moved to approve the minutes of the April 10, 2012 meeting as written. Kjolhaug seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were none. 4. DISCUSS LIST OF POTENTIAL SCOUTING PROJECTS – (This item was discussed after Item #5) Quinlan stated the overall goal specifically dealing with the scouts is to come up with a list of projects that we can refer to and present to those who come in to volunteer their services. He opened up the floor for discussion of potential projects in addition to those raised by Brown. He stated he would also like to coordinate gardening projects, washout on ball fields, concrete pads under picnic tables, for a start. He stated staff has also come up with a walking path extension around Badger Park and buckthorn removal at any and all parks, or vegetation control to be more general. #2A PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2012 7 PAGE 2 OF Mangold didn’t think the vegetation removal was something the scouts seem interested in doing. Gordon stated it would have to be something that included something more lasting such as constructing a bench or a rain garden. Woodruff stated there is a need for a rain garden at the city- owned house next door to city hall. He stated that would be a good, long-lasting project. Kjolhaug stated there is a lot of runoff from the parking lot into the pond at Manor Park where they may be an opportunity for a rain garden construction. Brown stated there may be a future need for a full time gardener for landscaping maintenance. Woodruff stated that would be a good opportunity for an intern. He stated it would be cost effective and good experience for an intern. Mangold was concerned if there is any kind of a maintenance schedule for the landscaping. Woodruff suggested a maintenance plan be developed for the city gardens. Quinlan stated there are a lot of landscaped spots around the city that are maintained by volunteers. Gordon suggested having Eagle Scouts working on painting projects. Quinlan stated the concern with the city would be whether they should be doing typical city maintenance projects. Brown stated it is important it be a project that the scout can look at and say they did that. Quinlan suggested staff put together this list of discussions that can be added to. It could also identify what would be involved, when the work should be done, and any other constraints on these projects. Brown stated it would be very worthwhile for all involved. He agreed it would be provided at the next meeting. Woodruff also stated it could be added to following next month’s park tours. Woodruff suggested considering the boat landing at Christmas Lake also be discussed as a possible project. Brown stated there is a need for securing a few items for the boat inspection program. There is also a need for a place to post signage. Quinlan also suggested carved wooden signage for park identifiers. Quinlan asked the Commission for an idea for a project for Kircher. Gordon stated Kircher indicated an interested in the concrete slab construction. Quinlan agreed as well as finding out more about the library project. He asked where the concrete slab would go. Brown stated it would be where the tables are on grass areas. He stated there is an area between the two parking lots at Freeman where the carved bear is located. He stated he could talk with the Park Lead to find out where tables are generally located. Woodruff stated there is a table next to the football field that would be an ideal location as well. He stated he would like to see some scouts construct a rain garden. Kjolhaug stated it is a good idea to have a list of possible projects and needs. Commissioners discussed vegetation control and the ongoing need. Many agreed it was not a scout project. Quinlan stated the rain garden could be an option for another scout. He asked if there is any further information on what the other scout will be doing. Woodruff stated the City Council approved the trail construction project. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2012 7 PAGE 3 OF 5. SCOUTS STEVE KIRCHER AND RYAN NEBEKER – EAGLE SCOUT PROJECTS (This item was discussed after Item #3) Scout Steve Kircher was present to discuss possible scouting projects. He noted he would have 5-10 scouts available to help out. Chair Quinlan discussed a number of projects that are available for scouts such as trail projects and vegetation control. Kircher discussed the number of scouts available to help th out and the time frame that work would need to be completed (his 18 birthday in October). Quinlan asked if there was a preference for parks. Kircher stated he would prefer Cathcart or Freeman, but it would not matter as he wants to make a lasting impact on the community. Quinlan opened the topic up for discussion. Hartmann asked Kircher if he had a preference for projects. Kircher stated he would be able to construct as he has done so at other locations. Quinlan asked if there were any projects at Freeman that come to mind. Brown stated he believed there are a number of items that come to mind. He stated there is a rain garden in the area of Eddy Station that would need a defined border. There is also a walkway between the ball fields that needs to be redone and the retaining walls need to be rebuilt. Mangold suggested enhancing the shelter area in some manner. Hartmann stated some more seating near the tot lot would be another suggestion. Brown stated someone also mentioned putting concrete pads around the picnic tables. He stated building pads around the ADA accessible tables is also an item of need. Quinlan noted the residents around Manor Park have suggested a trail that would loop the park. He stated that wouldn’t be a bad idea for all the parks that have ball fields. He stated those projects are ideally suited for scout troops. He stated that once the project is completed, it will be enjoyed for a long time. Kircher asked if that would be an opportunity for Freeman Park as well. Quinlan stated it would. Quinlan stated the city would be responsible for tree removal. He discussed what would be involved with the trail construction. Kircher stated he was concerned about it not being a totally Eagle scout project. He was most interested in the picnic table pad project. Kircher discussed the possibility of building a little library box. Quinlan asked for more details. Kircher stated he would find more information. Quinlan stated the Park Commission would be discussing a variety of projects this evening and will let Kircher know what their decision is for a project. He stated ongoing maintenance will also need to be discussed. Woodruff stated the next meeting is June 12, so there will need to be a discussion between Kircher and staff on the proposed project which would be brought back to the next Park meeting. He stated the Park Commission could form a committee to be authorized to bring the project to the City Council for approval. The Park Commission agreed that they would come up with a project for Kircher. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2012 7 PAGE 4 OF 6.REVIEW/DISCUSS PARK TOURS Quinlan noted four parks were visited this evening. Brown noted the trail leading to the tennis courts at Badger needs to be overlaid or seal coated and fencing around tennis courts. Freeman: rain garden and maintenance issues there, shelter and paint issues, different color rain gutter on Eddy Station, who is maintaining Girbaldi Plaza, walkway between ball fields and washout problem. Cathcart: verification of property boundary and usable space. All parks: trails throughout all the parks need to be inventoried. Crescent Beach: parking boundaries need to be reestablished. Quinlan stated behind the shelter at Badger is an electrical conduit, and he asked if it is a safety hazard. Brown agreed that it is a hazard. He understood that it was going to be removed, and he will look into having it removed tomorrow. Woodruff stated the Commission discussed relocating the hockey rink to Freeman. Quinlan stated that should be discussed this month. We were going to discuss engineering issues associated with Freeman Park. He noted there is difficult putting a rink over land with underground utilities and drainage problems. We talked about whether we want the rink at Freeman given the issues, keep it where it is, or eliminate the rink entirely. He stated there was discussion about just having free skating which is at Freeman now. There was also suggestion about placing the free skating on one of the ball field infield areas. He stated the passive spaces at Freeman should also be considered. Mangold stated with aesthetics in mind, will any of the hockey rinks be permanent. Hartmann noted free skating would be more flexible without a permanent structure. Mangold asked if the rink could be placed on the parking lot. Brown stated it would be a possibility. Hartmann asked what the costs would be and stated her neighbor has done something similar every year. Quinlan stated it appears that we do not want to lose the rink, but we don’t have any hard data to that effect. We need to decide how many rinks we want in the city. Brown stated the two rinks are very heavily used, and it would be a serious discussion if we take one out. He asked the Commission to determine what they are trying to achieve by moving the rink from one park to the other as there are costs associated with such an undertaking. Quinlan stated we would also need to determine what to do with the structure out here; does it need a warming house. He stated he would prefer the hockey rink remain where it is. Gordon stated we have Tonka Bay’s rink right down the street. Commissioners discussed moving the rink to Freeman. Kjolhaug noted the majority of the users drive to the rink. He also suggested a cooperative agreement with Tonka Bay to maintain their rink. Woodruff stated it had appeared that a rink is needed. He stated there needs to be a plan for Badger. Quinlan stated we have agreed we do not want to lose any ice in the city. The options are to keep the rink at Badger or move it to Freeman. It needs to be determined if a rink can be constructed in the parking lot in the winter and use it for parking the rest of the time. Brown stated staff can come back with costs and feasibility of a rink. The other issue of green space is to determine the overall use of the park. Hartmann stated the issue is what the residents want. Mangold stated the bigger issue is what would they want long term. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2012 7 PAGE 5 OF Hartmann asked why the rink can’t be paved and hoops added for multi uses. Quinlan asked if that would be an issue with drainage. Brown stated it might be possible without watershed involvement. Woodruff stated he believed it works best by coming up with a plan and having an open house to invite residents to come in and give their input. He didn’t believe a survey would gather the same input. In response to a question from Gordon, Brown stated there may or may not be good buy-in on the TKDA park plan. Quinlan stated there are realistic concerns given the limited funding available. Quinlan asked for input on where the hockey rink should be located. Kjolhaug stated there isn’t comfort with the TKDA plan, and we need professional help when we decide what should go in Badger Park. He stated he didn’t want to lose the ice at Badger, something should be done at Freeman, and we need to talk to Tonka Bay about cooperation. Gordon stated she thinks she sees the rink at Freeman since Tonka Bay has a rink down the road. There isn’t a restful area at Badger. She agreed the park should be repurposed in stages which would be more economical. Hartmann stated she did not want to lose ice. She believed there would be many concerned citizens if the ice is moved from Badger. Mangold agreed the hockey rink would be better at Freeman. He didn’t believe there needs to be an elaborate structure given the proximity to the Southshore Center. Hartmann asked for a cost breakdown to move the rink and lights from Badger to Freeman. Mangold stated if hockey stays here, there would need to be a shelter upgrade. Quinlan stated it is unanimous that we do not want to lose ice. If a rink is possible on the parking lot, that should also be an option. That would also free up more open space at Badger. He asked staff to provide estimates of: demolition of the rink at Badger, construct temporary rink at Freeman in the parking lot if engineering is possible. Hartmann asked if it could also be determined if hoops could be added. Quinlan stated if that is not possible, there could be a slab off the parking lot with hoops. Brown stated information will be brought back to the next meeting. Kjolhaug stated there is some settling on the north and south slabs at Eddy Station. He stated the entry door to the warming house at Badger needs to have the gravel revitalized. 7.FREEMAN PARK EDDY STATION BATHROOM LOCKS Quinlan reviewed a staff proposal for electronic door locks at Freeman Park Eddy Station closer to $3,000 rather than the previously quoted $2,255.72. He also mentioned that one of his concerns has always been from a liability standpoint is what happens if we end up providing shelter for someone a.m. Woodruff asked if the locks at Manor which are similar are working out fine. Brown stated they are working out. Quinlan stated he sees nothing wrong with the locks as proposed especially if it would reduce the likelihood of an unpleasant situation. Brown noted the problem was an ongoing situation and continues to be one. Quinlan asked the Commissioners if they had opposition to the locks. Mangold stated he was concerned about the ongoing issue. He didn’t think this would solve the concern if it is the same person all the time. Woodruff stated this would reduce the opportunity for vandalism which has been a PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2012 7 PAGE 6 OF problem in the past. Brown stated this is why the camera system was installed. We would adjust the times when the restrooms start locking. He discussed the importance of providing a safe environment. Commissioner Gordon recommended approval of the purchase of the locks for Eddy Station, and Commissioner Mangold second the motion. Motion carried 5-0. 8.NEW BUSINESS Quinlan stated Commissioner Swaggert organized a meeting at Manor Park to gather input on the versa court variety of tennis court design. The bottom line is the residents did not have a preference one way or the other. There was an interest from the residents to be informed when the Commission will be visiting Manor Park in June. He also noted one of the residents offered suggestions on how the willow tree could be saved and was told we could discuss that during the park tour in June. Hartmann stated a resident was also concerned about how the soccer balls are traveling into the street due to poor net placement. Brown stated that has been passed on to the proper organization, and he will follow through. 9. STAFF AND LIAISON REPORTS/UPDATES A. City Council Woodruff reviewed the Council activity from the April 23 meeting. The trail on the outside of the pond and creek was approved. The deer management program will continue this year. B. Staff No report. C. Quarterly Expenditure Report Quinlan stated we are probably due for more of a balance sheet at the next meeting to see where we are. D. Work Program Update Quinlan stated we still have to make a decision on the tennis court surfacing for Manor Park at the June meeting. 10. ADJOURN Hartmann moved, Kjolhaug seconded, to adjourn the Park Commission Meeting of May 8, 2012, at 9:55 p.m. Motion carried. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2012 7 PAGE 7 OF Clare T. Link Recorder