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053177 JT PK BOARD MINJOINT PARK BOARD MEETING . Council Chambers - Excelsior May 31, 1977 Members present: Shorewood. John Breckheimer, Winifred Drews, Judy McCuskey, Jim Rgbin, Jean Raby, Roger Stein and Bill Wyatt Tonk Greenwood: Sheldon Bloom � area Miller and Jackie Hoffman a Bay. Jack Griswold; Mar Excelsior: Rod Macpherson, Nancy Smith, Don Ice and Jean Hughes Consultant Bill Short of Short & Associates, St. Paul Rod Macpherson chaired the meeting; each person introduced bimaelf Current Situation John Breckheimer reported that Shorewood is working on long -range plans for three parks; trying to get a buiT4J: g this year at` hope to buy additional land adjacent to one park. Griswold reported they have had a consultant look at long -range plans, for Tonka Bay Presently have two (unlighted) tennis courts, two sw.iaing beaches, two 'baseball diamonds, hockey rink, plus one private clubs. They have just bought some playground equipgent for one of the parks. The new swimming beach is at the yet unnamed park at the pen insula (usually called Tonka Bay park), with tennis courts; the consultant wants: -this finished this summer, A second park is at Manitou where the hockey and baseball a re ; a third park area is next to `the "village hall, where people Kaye for somm time, Bloom reported that Greenwood has money but no available space for . parks; they have built the Cla bike path aloag Co. Road'$2 and hype to have it extend around St. Albans Bay and another into Deephaven. Of riec:es their people use the Commons and, Manor Park extensively; Carnmunity'Ser"ces 1 1 has made possible 'a good relation to fit their residents into recxeaIt al progra He praised the planning and `coordination or Jim Jones_, Director of Community' Services. Macpherson spoke briefly of Excelsior's parks, the well - known, much_ s , used Common area, and Studer Park, yet undeveloped and *ajor uses un- determined at this point. Proposed Study of West Suburban Joint Trails Gomui,ssion Communities Hughes introduced Mr. Bill Short of the consulting firm of Short & Associates, whom several of the group have net at meetings earlier'. Mir. Short reiated the plain that he and the earlier Beckman, Yoder & Associates had developed for the ' mult - purpose `trail system for the City of Plymouth, an area of 6x6 sq. 'mi. Their performance schedule included: (1), setting of policies and goals; (2) decision as to where trail corridors would go; (3) uses,'for corridors; (4) specifics and design prototypes; and (5) plan, far tion. With safety for trail users the top priority they consulted p1 of several communities, and several agencies such as Park Reserve, Hennepin County, Minnesota`bikeways'gu'de Federal Government Bikeways demonstration project, etc. Numerous meetings were held with Park Commission, Planning commission, and many special interest citizen groups, grouping the latter by quadrant of the City of Plymouth. i JOINT PARK BOARD MEETING, MAY 31, 1977 Page 2 Through a series of detailed maps, Mr. Short explained the planning process and the sequence thereof, showing regional trails, cross community trails, collector trails to join the neighborhoods, local trails. In their planning they worked "on down" in usage of vehicles trail, bikes, mini bikes, horses, snowmobiles, walkers, hikers, bicycles, etc. The plan was adopted by the Plymouth City Council last September. The cost formula for a similar study proposed for WSJTC -- (West Suburban Joint Trails Commission) originally included anticipated participation of 14 communities; a later formula sent to all of the mayors and city councils in April covers participation of the nine it is hoped have already expressed or will indicate interest: Excelsior, Long Lake, Minnetonka Beach, Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, and Wayzata. If, and as, interest is indicated by a given Park Board, then the plan will be presented to their local city council. Breckheimer, as a member of WSJTC, explained the function of the joint powers act which must be employed to get funding by the several communities in a joint project such as this. Asked about payment of the study's costs to his consulting firm, Short explained that generally his statement would be submitted at the close of each of the five steps of the study, so actually would cover two fiscal years in each city. Short has also pre- pared a thorough report on possible money sources; Lawcon, HUD Hennepin County Public Works, Federal funds, etc. Aims of Each Community Breckheimer reported that Shorewood aims to designate park areas for . each 1,500 residents; need to acquire land in some areas. Their Commission generally meets twice a month; in their mushrooming community there are so many needs to consider. Drew reported, they are working with Minnesota Environmental Services who have been hired to determine areas for parks, off- street bike trails, etc., and the resulting map will go to Metro- politan Council Miller reported that Tonka Bay had good results from a questionnaire they used last year, indicating many areas of volunteer services and healthy support of their hopes and plans for parks. Macpherson explained that in Excelsior we hope to continue with modifications of our 5-year program, must replace docks and add additional, have Studer Park to develop, studying now to what uses it should be put. Bloom's suggestions concern cooperative efforts of all communities, reiterating the need to include Jim Jones in our planning, adding also that Mr. Jones is particularly knowledgeable regarding planning of park facilities. Future Cooperative Efforts of our 4 Communities/Commissions Wyatt suggested and Griswold enlarged upon the point that by working jointly we could likely appoint one park superintendent and share j maintenance equipment and crews in our four adjacent communities. Wyatt mentioned a problem concerning maintenance, that people are hired under the CETA program, but inadequate supervision is provided. Could we get together and figure a means for supervision of these young people? Griswold felt it would be wise to make a study so that we don't overlap or over build. JOINT PARK BORAD MEETING, MAY 31, 1977 Page 3 McCuskey is concerned over the possibility of getting the shoulder on Highway #7 striped for bike use while the general upkeep work is in progress. Robin sees CDC people and will talk with them about P ossibility of future assistance such as they provided in developing the five -yeas program for Excelsior. Drews suggested we might like to study Shorewood's ordinance covering' guidelines for their park commission. She also described their plan of having each council member contacted by a given park commission member before a particular issue is to be brought before the council; hence the commission knows in advance where they stand; if council generally is not receptive, then the matter is reworked before future presentation. Bloom suggested setting guidelines for shared uses. Macpherson feels that together we can solve facilities and scheduling, suggested that each com- mission write down what facilities they have and where each is located, , particularly in the areas of organized sports. Then our next meeting would direct itself to planning of winter sports. Drews felt it might prove valuable to provide each commission with minutes of each group's meetings. Some of the preceding expressions indicated an affirmative answer to Mac - pherson's question as to whether there are ways we can benefit by meeting together. • Wyatt suggested that for future joint meetings an agenda be developed to cover specific items, with Breckheimer suggesting that each group decide in advance what matters they would like to bring up. No consensus was reached on whether the full membership of each commission or just a representative thereof should be included in future meetings. As to frequency of these joint meetings, it was finally agreed that perhaps two meetings per year would suffice, one in the early .fall to coordinate winter sports facilities and the second in late winter or early spring to coordinate summer recreation facilities. Mr. Jim Jones' participation in these meetings will be urged. It was agreed that we aim to .hold the next meeting the second Tuesday in September -- September 13th. Smith and Hughes provided refreshments and coffee during the meeting. Adjournment came at 9:40 PeM. Jean Hughes, Acting Secretary Note: The following day, in answer to the question Hughes had put to Jim Wold, Director of Hennepin Co. Public Works, for our meeting, he called to report that the bituminous shoulder bike trails on County 19 were scheduled for work between August 16 and 19, possibly even a bit earlier. - - Jean Hughes 4 �f 0 0 / j , JOINT PARK BOARD MEEIZNC? SOUTH SHORE LAKE NCIl[C�1VRA CINITY PARK BOARD6 `= May 31, 1977 City Council Chambers, Excelsior, Minnesota { ATTENDING Li A. Excelsior B. Shorewood Me C. Tbnka Bay D. 6r e E. DISC R=GN OF PARK SYSTEM IN EACH CCM NITY (Useage, facilities available, development, future developwnt,'plans, problems, etc.) A. Excelsior A w t -V7 "-ko- - at B. Shorewood (s ✓o • 0 C. Tbnka Bay D. E. SOUTH SHORE WWNITY COUNCIL Jim Jones BAKE TRAILS PFCFUNS CONCEFNM PARK BOARDS A. Excelsior B. Shorewood C. Tonka Bay D. V 2 O Pn E.