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081820 Pk Packet CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB RD PARK COMMISSION MEETING SHOREWOOD CITY HALL TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020 7:00 PM AGENDA 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING A. Roll Call Mangold(Aug 24)____ Hirner(Sept 28)____ Gallivan(Dec 28)____ Schmid____ Council Liaison Johnson(July-Dec)____ B. Review Agenda 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes from July 14, 2020 – (Att.-#2A) 3 . MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Stoddard Development: Review of the PUD Concept Plan for Villas at Shorewood Village development requests for vacant property located north of Highway 7 between Eureka Road and Seamans Drive. (Att. #4A) 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Update on Community Garden – (Att.-#5A) 6. STAFF AND LIAISON REPORTS/UPDATES A. City Council B. Staff C. Resignation of Commissioner Vassar and interviews for a replacement. 7. ADJOURN Liaison for City Council Meeting on August 24 is Commissioner Mangold 2A CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB RD PARK COMMISSION MEETING SHOREWOOD CITY HALL TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020 7:00 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Mangold convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Due to the Centers for Disease Control’s recommendation limiting the number of people present at a meeting, and pursuant to the MN Statute 13D.02, the Shorewood Parks Commission met by electronic means. A. Roll Call ; Present: Chair Mangold, Commissioners Hirner, and GallivanPlanning Director Darling; Parks and Recreation Director Grout; Public Works Director Brown Absent: Commissioners Vassar and Schmid B. Review Agenda Hirner moved to approve the agenda as presented. Gallivan seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: ayes – all. Motion carried 3-0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of March 10, 2020 Gallivan moved to approve the minutes of the March 10, 2020 meeting as presented. Hirner seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote – ayes – all. Motion carried 3-0. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were none. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Recap of Park Tours Chair Mangold noted that with everything going on in the world, the Park Tours were conducted individually this year. He suggested that the Commission go through park by park and review what is going on at each park and what they noticed at each of the parks that may need some work. Freeman Park: There was discussion regarding this being a major sports park in the City and that its function has been quite successful. One issue they felt needed to be addressed is the ballfield washout. The Commission discussed the fencing on the ballfields and the need to do something because they are coming up out of the ground. They discussed concerns shared by the community gardeners about the area by the entrance and their difficulty in getting seed to PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020 6 PAGE 2 OF take and their question of whether the City had sprayed something in that area or if there had been run off. The Commission noted that the building near the men’s bathroom is starting to eat away and one of the gutters is dumping the water right down the side of the building. Public Works Director Brown stated that he has asked for a placeholder in the CIP to do improvements to the field, including a retaining wall to address the wash out issues. He noted that he has asked Bolton and Menk to take a look at the situation and make a recommendation. He noted that one potential solution for the fencing issue is to embed the fence post in a sleeve so the sleeve can float and the fence is free to stay put. He stated that he will get a price for that, as well. He noted that he will talk to their licensed applicator and noted that they have been accused of spraying the garden by wind drift in the past, but because the applicator is licensed, they are pretty cognizant of wind drift, but possible run off could be a valid issue. He stated that he is planning to start steering the sprayers further away from the community gardens so there is more of a buffer. He stated that he is going to seek a quote for replacing the gutters that are near the men’s bathroom and perhaps adding gutters to the pavilion side to try to redirect the water so there can be decent grass in the area. Cathcart Park: The Commission discussed the possibility of the playground equipment at this park being the next to get updated. They discussed the other small concerns at the park such as the chains on the basketball hoop, tree branches hanging over the court on the south end of the basketball court, and the plastic edging around the swing set area. The Commission discussed the increasing requests for a gaga ball pit and the possibility of working on this goal with a local Eagle Scout. The Commission discussed the awkward layout of the playground and the possibility of updating it to have all the equipment in one area so it isn’t quite so disjointed. Gideon Glen Park: Park and Recreation Director Grout shared feedback she had gotten from Commissioner Schmid that there needs to be railings on the long hill entering the area. Public Works Director Brown stated that he also needs to go walk through this park and the trail. Badger Park: The Commissioner discussed loose ends that are being finished up for this park to be completed. The Commission is in agreement that aesthetically the park is looking great and the surface on the playground is very nice. The Commission noted that the Little Free Library also needs some attention and noted that there appears to be a possible erosion issue on the path behind the lacrosse field. The Commission expressed concerns about the amount of trash left lying around this field and that the people using the field are not taking good care of it. They discussed feedback from residents that the playground equipment at all the City parks get quite hot and may not be used as much as it could be because parents are concerned that it may be a hazard to their children. The Commission discussed the necessity of the City having a strategy for the turf. Public Works Director Brown stated that one issue he noticed at this park is that where the posts are mounted to the concrete for the structure, the bolts stick up about 4 inches which is a problem and will need to be addressed. Planning Director Darling noted that the stone pillars around the bases should cover everything when they are completed. Silverwood Park: The Commission discussed whether Cathcart or Silverwood Park were in rougher shape and discussed which park should have the playground equipment updated first. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020 6 PAGE 3 OF One Commissioner shared his opinion that while the park looks old, it is more functional than Cathcart Park. Another Commissioner stated that he felt Silverwood Park was in rougher shape than Cathcart because there is a lot of bare metal, the equipment seemed more worn than at Cathcart, and the retaining wall blocks were starting to shift. The Commission shared concerns about the big slide landing area and suggested putting in some playground safe mulch or other material to help cushion this area. The Commission noted that the stairs going up to the top of the slides are in good shape, but the railings are in rough shape and in some places are completely rotted away. The Commission expressed their concern that the port-a-potty truck was backing up onto the surface and creating ruts in the new surface and asked about the possibility of putting in bollards or something to prevent trucks from driving in this area. The Commission stated that they felt the new bench that was put in looks very nice. The Commission discussed that the possibility of removing the slide and replacing the old playground equipment with new rather than just attempting to repair the issues. The Commission noted that there are 2 or 3 dead trees along the pond area that should be removed. Public Works Director Brown stated that Public Works has tried many materials in the location by the slide and has been a constant issue. He suggested that it may make sense for the City to invest in the rubber landing surface because it is not a large area. He noted that removing the slide may also make sense because the insurance carriers have pretty much outlawed this type of metal slide. He stated that Public Works has a new bucket truck, so they can start to address many of the tree issues in the City, such as dead trees. Manor Park: The Commission expressed the opinion that this park is an excellent showcase of community involvement. They noted that even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic the park has been extensively used. The Commission expressed mild concern about the parking lot layout and ndrd confusion about where to park. One Commissioner noted that home plate, 2 base and 3 base are sticking way out of the ground and noted that they need to be pushed further down so they are not a safety hazard. They noted a conversation with some residents about the surface of the tennis courts and suggested a sign warning people that if they haven’t played on this type of surface before it can be slick, especially when it is wet. The Commission discussed the pond and its appearance. Public Works Director Brown noted that typically the leagues maintain the ballfields, but Public Works will take a look. He stated that the pond is not quite as clear as he would hope, but it is 90% better than it used to be and doesn’t have the thick green algae that it has had in the past. He stated that he thinks the pond improvements was well worth the money the City spent and feels residents will continue to see improvement in the pond. South Shore Community Park: The Commission discussed the community park and its capacity. The Commission discussed the possibility of expanding the community garden space if there is enough demand. The Commission discussed the possibility of planting a tree or two between the entrance and Highway 7 so it isn’t so open in that area. Park and Recreation Director Grout noted that she has a waiting list for space at the community garden next year. She noted that the community gardens at both South Shore and Freeman Park were very popular this year and, in some cases, she had to turn people away. There was a Consensus of the Commission that they were in support of expanding the community garden space if there is sufficient demand from the community. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020 6 PAGE 4 OF Public Works Director Brown stated that preparing this land will not be difficult, but he will need to know by the fall so they can prepare the land before winter. Park and Recreation Director Grout stated that she will plan to update the Commission on how many plots she has already reserved for the following year so they can make a decision about expanding the community gardens. Commissioner Gallivan asked if the City ever collaborated with the local schools to celebrate Earth Day related to planting trees or vegetation. Planning Director Darling stated that Earth Day falls pretty early in the year for planting trees. Chair Mangold stated that he knows the schools have done activities at Gideon Glen and Freeman Parks, but does not think it has been something formalized through the City. Christmas Lake Boat Access: Public Works Director Brown shared that the City has a significant issue out there. He explained that the Christmas Lake Homeowner’s Association purchased the gate operating system with the plans of having a number system for boat inspections and decontamination. He stated that this was blocked by the DNR numerous times and it doesn’t seem like it will be approved any time in the future. He stated that there is an ongoing issue with the operating system for the gate, so the City has been operating it by just having the gates up and not closed at 10:00 p.m., as planned. He stated that he gets requests every now and then for this gate to be operational, which makes sense if there is going to be a system there. He stated that the last quote he received was just over $5,000. He stated that the City would have to schedule it as a CIP item and could hopefully put in a more simplistic system to help minimize the cost. Commissioner Hirner stated that overall, he felt the parks looked really good this year and thanked Public Works Director Brown and his crew for all their hard work. Chair Mangold stated that he agreed. B. Determine Liaison to City Council Meetings July 27 – Commissioner Gallivan August 24 – Chair Mangold September 28 – Commissioner Hirner October 26 – To Be Determined November 23 – To Be Determined December 28 – Commissioner Gallivan Park and Recreation Director Grout stated that she will contact Commissioners Schmid and Vassar to assign the October and November meetings based on their preferences. 5. OLD BUSINESS - NONE 6. STAFF AND LIAISON REPORTS / UPDATES A. City Council B. Staff PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020 6 PAGE 5 OF Fire Lane Report o Planning Director Darling noted that the next step in looking at Fire Lanes throughout the City was to look at them individually and think about what their allowed current use is and if there are any others that would be appropriate for both summer and winter usage. She explained that Fire Lanes 1 – 8 are finished and have been clearly marked. She stated that she will let the Commission know when Fire Lanes 9 and 10 have been marked so the Commission can tour them. Chair Mangold asked if this was ultimately going to be a Planning Commission recommendation and asked about the process. He stated that he understands that the Park Commission is being asked to give input, but asked who would make the decisions. Planning Director Darling stated that both the Planning Commission and the Park Commission would be giving recommendations to the Council. She stated that she is planning to set up a joint meeting between the Planning Commission and the Parks Commission sometime in August. Chair Mangold noted that he has driven by most of the fire lanes and his overall vibe is that the usage is very inconsistent. He stated that his hope with this review is that the City can come to some sort of consistent message and use for the fire lanes. He asked if all of the fire lanes were legally required to remain for emergency access to the lake. Planning Director Darling stated that these fire lanes have not been used for fire purposes for decades. She stated that at this point, they are just serving as community lake access. Public Works Director Brown stated that according to the Fire District, those fire lanes would never be used for tanker operations anymore. He asked if there were different classes of fire lanes in the original study. Planning Director Darling explained that from the study conducted in the 1980s there are three classes of fire lane. She outlined the classifications and noted that Class 1 allows for pedestrian access, fishing, kayak or canoe launching, swimming, and cross-country skiing. She asked the Commissioners to physically go and visit all the fire lane locations and be ready for discussion and a recommendation to the Council. Update on Eddy Station and Badger Park o Planning Director Darling stated that Badger Park is essentially done except for the stone bases around the picnic shelter which will hide the visible bolts that Public Works Director Brown was concerned about. She stated that the painting project at Eddy Station has been finished and looks better. She thanked Parks and Recreation Director Grout for shepherding the painting project. Commissioner Hirner asked about the tennis court at Badger Park. Planning Director Darling stated that it will be started in late September. She explained that they will get all of it done, except for the surface, and let it sit over the winter and then put the smooth finish on it in the spring, after the ground has settled. Chair Mangold asked if there were any additional updates regarding the City of the Council. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020 6 PAGE 6 OF Planning Director Darling stated that the Council has been working on a flurry of engineering projects. She stated that the bond rates are very favorable right now so there are quite a few street and stormwater projects that are moving forward. Public Works Director Brown gave a brief overview of some of the planned projects and noted that the Smithtown Pond project has been bumped up to this year because of the favorable bond rates and construction costs being down. Parks and Recreation Director Grout stated that Music in the Park was July 9, 2020 and there were 192 people which is the largest group ever for this event. She stated that it was a nice event and people did socially distance. She stated that all the other park programs have been cancelled for the summer except for Music in the Park and Movie in the Park. Commissioner Hirner asked if the Movie in the Park flyer could be posted at each park. He noted that he had seen it at few of the parks, but not all of them. Public Works Director Brown stated that it should have been displayed at all the parks, but will have staff double check. Planning Director Darling stated that the City has been working with some donations to put in bleachers at Badger Park off the lacrosse field. She stated that there has been over $3,000 raised thus far so this project may be able to move forward soon. 7. ADJOURN Hirner moved to adjourn the Park Commission Meeting of July 14, 2020 at 8:13 p.m. Gallivan seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote – ayes – all. Motion carried 3-0. 4A 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: Marie Darling, Planning Director Meeting Date: August 18, 2020 Re: Stoddard Development: Review of the PUD Concept Plan for the Villas at Shorewood Village Attachments: Planning Commission Report Attached is the staff report for the Planning Commission meeting dated August 4, 2020 related to the proposed development and provided for you for additional background information, including specific information about the property like lot size, topography wetlands, etc. Background: Related Code Sections: Section 1201.25 Subd 6 of the zoning regulations requires the PUD concept plans to be referred to the Parks Commission for review and comment. Although not stated, the Commissions input would be most applicable to the 1) type of park dedication proposed (land versus cash) and 2) ownership and maintenance of the open space proposed. Comprehensive Plan Direction for Parks: The 2040 Comprehensive Plan indicates that the City of Shorewood is well served by its existing parks, with almost all neighborhoods within ½ to 1 mile of a park, with the exception of the islands and the area south of Galpin Lake. As a result, the Comprehensive Plan directs that the City should concentrate more on developing (and redeveloping) existing parks, with the exception of acquiring more land directly adjacent to Freeman Park. Land may also be acquired through other means as it becomes available through tax forfeiture, vacation of public rights-of- way, donations or other means. Impact for this development: Park Dedication: Park dedication would be required either in the form of land or fees. Assuming a development of 14 lots, that would be $91,000 for parks-related capital projects (assuming the current fee of $6,500). The Comprehensive Plan doesn’t indicate any needed land that is separate from Freeman Park in this area and consequently, staff support the applicant providing park dedication in the form of fees. Should the commission recommend that land be dedicated, credit towards the cash payments would need to be given and negotiated prior to the PUD development stage. This is also consistent with the Capital Improvements Program which projects funding deficiencies for park improvements in coming years. Preservation of Open Space: The applicant is requesting PUD flexibility to cluster 14 dwellings on the north side of the property leaving much of the south side for stormwater features, wetlands and open space. There is an additional wetland in the northwest corner of the site as well. In the past, the City has acquired some wetlands and wetland buffers and other open space lots to protect them from development. As time has passed, the City has acquired many such lots. However, there are alternatives that do not require public management or maintenance. Wetlands and buffers may be protected with conservation easements that can be placed over them at the same time a subdivision is recorded. Additionally, open space may be protected using homeowner association restrictions and PUD restrictions. These options would protect the wetlands and open spaces as well, without requiring the liability for public expense for maintenance of items like storm damage, tree disease, noxious weeds, illegal dumping, etc. As a result, staff recommends the open space should be left under the ownership and management of the HOA. Action Requested: Staff requests that the Commission review the information and determine if they agree or disagree with staff conclusions on the following staff recommendations:  Park dedication as fee rather than land dedication  Wetlands and open spaces to remain restricted, but privately owned. Commission recommendations would be forwarded to the City Council at their meeting on August 24, 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: August 18, 2020 Re: Agenda Item 5A – Update on Community Gardens At the last park meeting, the Park Commission asked staff to bring back an update on the community gardens wait list. The South Shore Community Garden has 21 plots. Out of the 21 plots, 13 of the prior gardeners returned this year. At the Freeman Community Garden there are 15 plots, 12 of the prior gardeners returned this season. All the plots were taken this season. The waiting list for 2021 are those that did not get a plot this season. There are 5 people that are interested in Freeman (this is includes 2 that are currently at the South Shore gardens), and 4 interested in South Shore garden plots. In early March I will send out a letter and application to the gardeners that have a plot and ask that they fill out the application and return by a certain date and let them know that the plots will be available to the public after the due date. After the due date, I will contact those on the waiting list to see if they are still interested in a plot. This season is the first time that we have had a carryover for a garden plot into the next year. The gardens were very popular this year.