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031020 Park Packet CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB RD PARK COMMISSION MEETING SHOREWOOD CITY HALL TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2020 7:00 PM AGENDA 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING A. Roll Call Mangold____ Vassar(Mar)____ Hirner____ Gallivan(Apr)____ Schmid____ Council Liaison Sundberg(Jan-Jun)____ B. Review Agenda C. Introduction of New Park Commissioner Joanne Schmid 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes from February 11, 2020 – (Att.-#2A) 3 . MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Appoint Chair and Vice Chair – (Att-#4A) B. Determine Movie in the Park – (Att.-#4B) C. Determine Liaisons for City Council Meetings – (Att.-#4C) 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Bleachers at Badger Park – (Att.-#5A) B. Fire Lane Visits – (Att.-#5B) 6. STAFF AND LIAISON REPORTS/UPDATES (Staff reports and updates are not meant for discussion. Discussion items will be listed as part of new or old business.) A. City Council B. Staff a. Update on Badger Park Tennis Courts 7. ADJOURN Liaison for City Council Meeting on March 23 is Commissioner Vassar 2A CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB RD PARK COMMISSION MEETING SHOREWOOD CITY HALL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020 7:00 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Mangold convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. A. Roll Call Present: Chair Mangold, Commissioners Vassar, Hirner, and Gallivan ; (arrived at 7:02)City Council Liaison Sundberg; Park and Recreation Director Grout Absent: Commissioner Rock B. Review Agenda Hirner moved to approve the agenda as written. Vassar seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of November 19, 2019 Hirner noted that he is listed as making motions and he was not in attendance at the meeting. Park and Recreation Director Grout stated that those changes have been noted and corrected in the minutes. Gallivan moved to approve the minutes of the November 19, 2019 meeting as amended. Mangold seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were none. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Determine Liaisons for City Council Meetings Commissioners discussed upcoming Council meeting dates and determined the following liaison assignments: February – Hirner March - Vassar April – Gallivan PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020 6 PAGE 2 OF B. Warming House Tours in February Chair Mangold stated that the Parks Commission conducted warming house tours 2 years ago which went really well. He noted that this year the Commission was asked to tour the facilities individually in preparation for discussion at this meeting. Commissioner Vassar asked about staffing levels this year compared to prior years because she has had a few people mention that they have tried to go to Manor Park to skate, but it has been closed every time they have tried even though the posted hours say it should be open. Park and Recreation Director Grout stated that she has had full staffing and rinks have been open other than when they have needed to shut down because of weather. Commissioner Hirner stated that he had also attempted to tour Manor Park last week and the warming hours doors were locked and nobody was there. He stated that he had a conversation with a resident though that said there has virtually been nobody on the ice. He noted that the resident has asked the City to consider putting in something around the edge such as a cross country ski trail. He stated that this resident told him that the most used facility at this park was the volleyball courts. Commissioner Hirner stated that he toured Cathcart last week which was packed and noted that there was some issue with the parking lot because the snow hadn’t been pushed back as far as he thinks it could have been. He discussed various issues he found with the trailer on site. Chair Mangold asked about staffing and if they were last minute hires. Park and Recreation Director Grout stated that there were last minute because as of November, she had nobody interested, but had more people interested by December. She explained that they would prefer to have the applications early because that allows time for the background check to be conducted without slowing things down at the rink. Chair Mangold asked what shifts the City was staffing and keeping the rinks open. Park and Recreation Director Grout stated that rinks are open Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 9:00, Saturdays from 11:00 to 3:30 and 3:30 to 9:00, and Sundays noon to 4:30 and 4:30 to 9:00. She noted that these hours change a bit on weekdays when there is no school. Chair Mangold stated that it appears as though Cathcart usage has increased and Manor usage has stayed the same or decreased. Commissioner Hirner stated that he has one maintenance item to bring up regarding an outlet in the far corner that is not working. Commissioner Vassar stated that as far as she knows, that outlet has never worked. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020 6 PAGE 3 OF C. Concession Agreement Chair Mangold stated that this agreement is basically the same as the City had last year at Freeman Park. He noted that he thinks both the City and Russ have been happy with the agreement and thinks it is good for the park to have a concession element. Hirner moved to recommend approval of the Concession Agreement as presented. Vassar seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. D. Bleachers at Badger Park Chair Mangold asked for an overview of the options that are being presented to the Commission. He stated that he thinks the City should be looking at bleachers but has no idea what scale or size bleachers will work best. Park and Recreation Director Grout explained the proposed location of the bleachers and noted that it will take 6-8 weeks for them to arrive after they are ordered. The Commission discussed funding and whether any of the sports groups would be helping to pay for the bleachers and what scale they would be hoping the City installs. Park and Recreation Director Grout stated that she will contact the lacrosse and football associations for their input and try to get it in time for the next Park Commission meeting so it can be passed along to the Council in order for this to move forward as quickly as possible. Chair Mangold stated that he thinks the question before the Commission is whether or not this group feels it should financially invest in a bleacher in partnership with the sports groups. He stated that he thinks it is a good idea, and just needs some final details regarding how much the sports groups will contribute what design. The Commission discussed pros and cons of various design options and the possible issues with the topography of the land in this area. E. 2020 Meeting Schedule Chair Mangold asked if there was anything specific the Commission would like to see on future agendas. The Commission discussed the upcoming grand opening for Badger Park and noted that it will depend on weather. Commissioner Vassar asked about the tennis courts at Badger Park. Park and Recreation Director Grout stated that Planning Director Darling told her that item will be on the next Council agenda. Commissioner Vassar asked about the proposed fire lane visit scheduled for April. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020 6 PAGE 4 OF Park and Recreation Director Grout stated that is something that Planning Director Darling has proposed, but she doesn’t know any details. The Commission discussed past meetings regarding this issue and the fact that it is a heated subject with snowmobilers wanting access to the lake and some residents putting barriers in the fire lanes. Park and Recreation Director Grout stated that she will confirm with Planning Director Darling what her plan is for that meeting and send an e-mail to the Commission so they know what to expect. Chair Mangold asked if the Park Tours should continue to be broken down and scheduled later in the year. Commissioner Vassar stated that she would support moving the tours up to May, June and July, rather than extending out to August. Chair Mangold stated that he would like to compress the schedule and simply having longer meetings in order to tour all the parks in a shorter amount of time. There was a consensus of the Commission to conduct the tours in June and July. Commissioner Vassar noted that the Parks Commission meeting for June is the last day of school and suggested that it may be a good idea to reschedule that meeting. th Chair Mangold suggested moving it to the 4 Tuesday of the month and asked Park and Recreation Director Grout to confirm that schedule change won’t be a problem. He noted that one thing he thinks the Commission should add to its agenda in the future is to be strategically discussing the playground structures before going on the park tours. He stated that he would like to have an overall goal in mind and make sure that the structures at the parks are not all the same. Commissioner Vassar suggested that the meeting date in September be changed also because she believes that is the first day of school. th Chair Mangold suggested checking to see if that meeting could be moved to the 4 Tuesday of the month, similar to what is proposed for June. Commissioner Vassar stated that the date listed for the October Park Commission meeting may be incorrect and asked Park and Recreation Director Grout to check the calendar. Chair Mangold encouraged the Commission to work with staff if there is anything they are interested in discussing. He stated that staff can research those items and pull together information in order to bring it in for full Commission discussion. He stated that it doesn’t just need to happen on an annual basis at this meeting. 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Review Park Fees and Usage for Picnic Shelters PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020 6 PAGE 5 OF Chair Mangold thanked Park and Recreation Director Grout for gathering this information and noted that he would like this to be done on an annual basis so the Commission can stay informed. Commissioner Vassar asked why the Freeman shelter was used more frequently than the Eddy Station shelter. Park and Recreation Director Grout stated that she believes it is due to the volleyball courts at Freeman Park. She stated that she believes it is also because that shelter is more secluded. The Commission discussed the fees and possible increases for some of the parks, such as Badger Park. They reviewed resident versus non-resident rates. There was a consensus to move Badger Park to the same rate as Eddy Station and keep the other fees the same. Gallivan moved to use the existing fee schedule and add Badger Park into the same rate as Eddy Station. Hirner seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. Chair Mangold stated he would suggest leaving the tournament fee schedule alone. Commissioner Vassar noted that she thinks the City should re-evaluate the fees for the tennis courts when the Badger Park courts are done. Park and Recreation Director Grout stated that she will put the fee discussion on the agenda for the October Parks Commission meeting. Updates to CIP B. Chair Mangold stated that staff is suggesting shifting the CIP plans back a year because of lack of funding. The Commission discussed the proposed changes to the CIP and reviewed previous discussions about the concept of working on one park at a time. Chair Mangold suggested the Commission come up with priorities for the parks in the City and present that to the Council and let the funding work itself out after the priorities have been established. 6. STAFF AND LIAISON REPORTS/UPDATES A. City Council Councilmember Sundberg asked the Parks Commission to look into “age friendly” parks. She stated that the Council has discussed Arctic Fever and the possibility of breathing new life into that event. Park and Recreation Director Grout noted at the Council meeting that Councilmember Sundberg missed, the Council voted on Joanne Schmid as the new Park Commission member and noted that she will start her term in March. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020 6 PAGE 6 OF B. Staff Park and Recreation Director Grout stated that there has been some discussion about adding some events to freshen up Arctic Fever. She stated that the turn out for some of the events was low and noted that some of the vendors cancelled because of the roads and the weather. ADJOURN Gallivan moved to adjourn the Park Commission Meeting of February 11, 2020 at 8:18 p.m. Hirner seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. 4A CITY OF SHOREWOOD  5755 Country Club Road Shorewood, Minnesota 55331 952-960-7900  Fax: 952-474-0128 www.ci.shorewood.mn.us cityhall@ci.shorewood.mn.us To: Park Commission From: Twila Grout, Park & Rec Coordinator Meeting Date: March 10, 2020 Re: Elect Chair and Vice Chair The Park Commission Chair and Vice Chair are one year terms. At Tuesday night’s meeting the Park Commission will need to appoint a Park Chair and Vice Chair. These positions will be effective through February 28, 2021. #4B CITY OF SHOREWOOD  5755 Country Club Road Shorewood, Minnesota 55331 952-960-7900  www.ci.shorewood.mn.us cityhall@ci.shorewood.mn.us To: Park Commission From: Twila Grout – Park & Rec Director Meeting Date: March 10, 2020 Re: Movie in the Park th Staff is tentatively scheduling the Movie in the Park event for Friday, August 28 at Freeman Park. That date is subject to change based on the availability of Twilight Zone the rental company. The following movies are ones that have already been shown at Movie in the Park:  Big Miracle  Aladdin  Frozen  Big Hero 6  The Odd Life of Timothy Green  Tangled  Sing  Mary Poppins Swank Movies has recommended top family movies and favorite throwbacks: The Lion King Field of Dreams Frozen II Dolittle E.T. Back to the Future Trolls You can also go to their website www.swank.com to view movies. The rate for rental of the screen is the same as last year ($1,245) the movie rental varies depending on what movie is picked (cost ranges from $200-400). Staff request that the Park Commission discuss the above selections and select a movie for Movie in the Park. #4C CITY OF SHOREWOOD  5755 Country Club Road Shorewood, Minnesota 55331 952-960-7900  www.ci.shorewood.mn.us cityhall@ci.shorewood.mn.us To: Park Commission From: Twila Grout – Park & Rec Meeting Date: March 10, 2020 Re: Determine Liaison for City Council Meetings Listed below is a schedule for the Park Commissioners to determine who will be the liaison to the City Council meetings. Park Commission Meeting Report at City Council Meeting Liaison March 10, 2020 March 23, 2020 Vassar April 14, 2020 April 27, 2020 Gallivan May 12, 2020 May 26, 2020 June 23, 2020 July 13, 2020 July 14, 2020 July 27, 2020 5A CITY OF SHOREWOOD  5755 Country Club Road Shorewood, Minnesota 55331 952-960-7900  www.ci.shorewood.mn.us cityhall@ci.shorewood.mn.us __________________ To: Park Commission From: Twila Grout – Park & Rec Director Meeting Date: March 10, 2020 Re: Agenda Item 5A – Bleachers at Badger Park At the February Park meeting the Park Commission reviewed the different options of bleachers for Badger Park field. The Park Commission discussed funding and asked staff to contact Minnetonka Lacrosse and Minnetonka Football to see if there was interest in donating towards the installation and purchase of bleachers and what they would like to see for bleachers. Staff sent information to the organizations asking if a 30 seat, double foot plank, powder coated bleacher would be sufficient. The organizations were informed that the 30 seat was estimated at $2,000 and that the edging and padding was roughly estimated at $3,000 for an estimated total of $5,000. Both sports organizations are bringing this to their committees in March to see if they would be willing to donate. The Park Commission also asked if they could see where the bleachers would be placed. Attached is the topography showing where they would be placed. If staff hears from football or lacrosse before the meeting, we will update the Park Commission the evening of the park meeting. 5B CITY OF SHOREWOOD  5755 Country Club Road Shorewood, Minnesota 55331 952-960-7900  www.ci.shorewood.mn.us cityhall@ci.shorewood.mn.us __________________ To: Park Commission From: Twila Grout – Park & Rec Director Meeting Date: March 10, 2020 Re: Agenda Item 5B– Fire Lane Visits The city has 10 fire lanes that the Planning and Park Commissioners will be visiting in April. The first tours will be on Tuesday, April 7at 5:30 with the second tour taking place on Tuesday, April 14 at 5:30. Planning Director Darling will send out agendas listing which sites will be toured for the two tours. The fire lanes will be surveyed and markers installed before the tours. The commissions will determine if any changes to access or allowed uses should be recommended if there is vegetation or private improvements that needs to be cleared on the public lands. Below is an excerpt that briefly describes fire lanes from the joint January 15, 2019 meeting with the Planning Commission. Part of the public input on the Comprehensive Plan Update last year, the City undertook a survey of resident priorities. As part of the open- answered questions, several residents responded that they felt the residents needed greater public access to the lakes and /or more lake - oriented facilities like kayak storage, a public boat launch, etc. What are the Fire Lanes? The fire lanes were land originally dedicated to the public to allow pumper fire trucks to access lake water to fight fires. The fire lanes are no longer needed for water access for firefighting, instead they are used to accommodate an increasing amount of demand for public lake access. The 10 fire lanes all serve as public lake access. There are six on Lake Minnetonka and four on Lake William. Many of the fire lanes are hard to spot and are known mostly to the adjacent property owners. Two of the more well -known and well -used fire lanes are 3 (extension of Grant Lorenz) and 6 (adjacent to Crescent Beach). Over time, private improvements have begun to creep into the fire lanes, such as private landscaping and temporary winter storage of docks. Has the City ever studied them before? In 1956, the City adopted an ordinance that prohibited parking on or blocking any of the fire "alleys ". Any vehicle use on the fire lane was considered blocking and any boat tied up to the fire lane was also considered blocking. In 1977, the City adopted an ordinance that prohibited driving any vehicle on park land except designated parking area and trails. These regulations were also applied to the fire lanes. In 1985, the City adopted most of the current regulations as part of the adoption of a complete update of the zoning regulations. The fire lane regulations were studied for about two -years with extensive resident input. The discussion was spurred by complaints that residents were: 1) tying their boats near the shore, 2) parking trucks and trailers in the fire lanes, 3) constructing docks and other improvements in or near the fire lanes, 4) engaging in loud, disruptive behavior in and near the fire lanes, etc. When City staff began notifying users that vehicle access was not permitted on the fire lanes, requests for expanding /reducing public access to the lake were subsequently received. The fire lane regulations were subsequently amended in 1999 and 2011 to add or alter the general regulations. What does City Code allow? The City Code currently does not allow use of the fire lanes by any motorized vehicles, except for the fire lane directly adjacent to Crescent Beach. The City of Shorewood allows that fire lane to be used for snowmobile access in the winter and parking of vehicles near the beach. No other fire lane allows vehicle access to a lake. All park and recreational areas (including fire lanes) are not allowed to be accessed between 10:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. except for organized activities sponsored by the City of Shorewood. Chapter 611.03 of City Code prohibits snowmobile use anywhere between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and between 11:00 p.m. and 7 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Chapter 611.02 limits speeds up to 10 mph on public property If you are not able to attend the tours if you could please visit these sites on your own that that when the commission starts to review and discuss everyone will have visited the sites for discussion.