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071982 PK MINCITY OF SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MEETING it MONDAY, JULY 19, 1982 CALL TO ORDER MINUTES COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5755 COUNIRY CLUB ROAD 7:30 P.M. Chairman-Carl called the July 19. 1982 meeting of the Park Commission to order at 8:16 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Gary Carl, Carol Chapman, Launisse Cousins, and Marty Jakel. Absent: Conrad Schmid - due to illness. Gordon Lindstrom — prior commitment Roger Stein Also Present; Tad Shaw, Council Liaison; Assistant, Kathy West. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Cousins moved, Jakel seconded, to approve the Park Commission minutes dated June 21, 1982 as written. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF FREEMAN PARK Staff reported that an order had been placed for free trees offered by Twin Cities Tree Trust. Ash, maple, walnut, spruce and pines were requested, however, it was noted that other cities had placed orders before Shorewood. Staff added that the Tree Trust personnel might be able to dig, ball and replant the trees depending upon their labor force. The Park Commission requested the Planner to detail placement for the trees assuming that all will:be received. The Commission discussed the possibility of tree donation by citizens, schools and private sources. It was agreed that this should be considered but it was emphasized that there was little budget money for tree relocation. It was reported that the City Council had been informed of the Freeman Park development priority list, noting that passive areas were quite low. Chairman Carl reported that a temporary entrance had been made from Eureka Road to the back area of Freeman Park, which was closed off with cables and a lock. Staff distributed a report from Planner Anne Bronken, Northwest Associated Consultants, dated 16 July, 1982,.regarding cost figures on priority items for Freeman Park. The Commission discussed the report and made the following comments /requests. Trails Chairman Carl estimated that the trail base could probably be created in one or two days using City equipment. It was noted that NSP /Asplundh had been contacted and arrangements were made to begin stockpiling wood chips for the trail system. The Commission asked the staff to contact Planner Bronken and request that she draw the exact course for the trails so they can be staked out. It was noted that trail bridges to cross marshy areas as listed in the .report were too costly. 24 inch cul- verts were seen as a more reasonable solution but not an immediate necessity. Chair- man Carl stated that high water is a concern during spring thaw and heavy rains, but generally not a problem in the summer months. It was agreed that minimal effort/ expense should be expended now; problem wet spots can be taken care of with culverts at a later date. The Park Commission noted that as of this winter the trails will be used for X- country skiing; no snowmobiling will be allowed. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES - 2 - July 19, 1982 FREEMAN PARK DISCUSSION - CONTINUED SIGNAGE Chairman Carl reported that ten vandalism signs were currently being made at a total cost of $50.00. It was suggested that the Park Commission develop a list of different signs needed for all parks in Shorewood, including rules, regulations, hours, boundary signs, entrance signs, etc. and that these should be posted before winter. This was noted as an agenda item for the next meeting. The Commission felt that Bronken's cost estimates for signage were reasonable. They requested that she present drawings detailing the entrance signs to Freeman Park. Also, locations for boundary signs should be considered. BUFFER PLANTINGS The Park Commission asked to have Planner Bronken determine specific locations for trees which the Tree Trust program might deliver - optimistically assuming that all requests are filled. Also to be considered are general locations for plantings - what is needed,.what are the priorities. The Commission noted that the 1st priority should be the buffers between the active park areas and adjacent residences; the 2nd should be decorative plantings (entrances, etc.). ENTRANCE DEVELOPMENT The Park Commission asked that Bronken submit specific, detailed drawings of the ent -. rances to Freeman Park. They noted approval of her initial concept utilizing 10 X 10" timbers and requested development of this idea. It was agreed that decorative planings aroun the entrances would be future improvements. Chairman Carl suggested that the planning and development of the Eureka entrance get under way in anticipation of the • winter and the X- country skiing season. A: possible need for a gravel parking area in the beck section of the park was also noted. FAMILY USE /PASSIVE AREAS The Park Commission discussed the high cost of items for the passive areas, the pos- siblil{ities of vandalism and the maintenance costs. They requested Bronken to prepare a scale drawing of her concept for the passive areas. Becau a of vandalism, Chapman suggested starting the picnic area with less than ten table permanently fixed and of an indestructible nature. Also mentioned were sub - stitute items for tables and play equipment that might lower costs but require volun- teer labor efforts. It was agreed that a plan should be proposed, but action would probably be a result of donation of the equipment or materials to the parks. The Commission noted the need to be creative and innovative in the development of the passiv areas of the park. It was noted that the Police had received few reports of vandalism in Shorewood parks. Their'isuggestion was that all problems be reported to them. Chairman Carl summarized the end -of- the -year goals of the Park Commission for Freeman Park development: (not in priority order) - the entrance from Eureka Road - the road into the back area of the park - a partial passive picnic area - trail system - signage 46 PARK COMMISSION MINUTES - 3 - July 19, 1982 . REVIEW OF ORDINANCE #91 The Park Commission read through the ordinance which regulates parks and beaches in the City to determine if any changes are necessary. Areas of discussion included: Camping (Section 6) It was agreed that routine camping should be prohibited as cur- rently stated in the ordinance. Over -night priviledges should be granted by the City Administrator in special circumstances (prior approval) and the Park Commission should provide instructions for specific situations. Bicycles (S ection 6) It was noted that signs should be posted in regards to safe handling o bikes. — S upervision ( Beaches /Water) (Section 10, Subd. 3) The Commission questioned the term "competent supervision "., A definition was requested form the City Attorney. Also requested were his opinions on the issue of legal liability ,.raised in this section of the ordinance, proper wording, and a comparison with Tonka Bay.'s ordinance regulating that City's waters /beaches. Tennis Courts (Section 11) Staff was requested to check the signs posted at City tennis courts and report back to the Park Commission at the next meeting. Skating Rinks (Section 12) Marty Jakel noted that consistant enforcement of Ordinance 1 Section 12 Skating Rinks) was a problem during the skating season. Specific dif- ficulties were equipment requirement rules for hockey rinks, vandalism' no City sup- ervision during tournements, little follow- through on problems reported to the City, • and lack of cooperation between rink attendants. The Park Commission suggested sketching out a pilot program beyond the ordinance to coordinate the skating season, which, if workable might apply to other athletic programs. Some of the ideas to incorporate included the following: - Making certain the rules and regulations are posted. - Establish an attendant's log or reports which note problems, vandalism, etc. on a regular basis (by shift, day -to -day, or weekly). - Continual or repetitive problems should be reported to the Police of City Hall. - Designate a head rink attendant to supervise selection, scheduling and coord- ination of other attendants and rinks. - Require city attendants to supervise special events. - Any association or organization using the facilities would assume all responsi- bility for injury, be liable for damages to facilities, and pay for the super- visor /attendant's time. - Any association or organization using City facilities would be sent copies of Ordinances #91 and ##123 with their yearly contracts. - Input should be solicited from users, particularly organized associations, to aid in evaluating the City's facilities and programs and to compare with the supervisors' reports (a check and balance). - Establish a system or procedure to enforce rules - punishment, banning from facilities, etc. Cousins agreed to study and develop an evaluation form to be used by the athletic organizations using the City parks and Jakel agreed to work on attendant /supervisor reporting forms. PARK ClkffSSION MINUTES - 4 July 19, 1982 0 ORDINANCE #91 - CONTINUED Horses in Parks (Section 13, Subd. 2) It was noted that Chairman Carl had received a complaint of an individual exercising their horse on the hockey rink in Cathcart Park. Staff reported that the party in question had been informed of the rules in Ordinance #91 and had stopped the activity, noting that nothing was posted in the park in regards to the regulations. Penalty (Section 14) The Park Commission requested that the City Attorney be con- sulted for his opinion on updating the amount of the penalty listed in the ordinance. It was suggested that the text read: "...a fine to be determined by the courts ". Chapman moved, Cousins seconded, to recommend that the following deletions /changes/ additions be made to Ordinance #91 - Regulations for Parks and Beaches: - Change Section 7 to read: No person shall drive any motorized vehicle of any kind in any public park, except on designated roads and parking areas and designated trails. - Change Section 9, Subd. 1 to read: It shall be the responsibility of the sponsoring athletic organization to require par- ticipants under the age of 19 to wear proper pro - tective equipment. - Add to Section 10 a Subd.'5 to read: No glass containers shall be allowed on public beaches. • - Add to Section 11 a Subd. 5 to read: No glass containers shall be allowed on public tennis courts. - Delete Subd. 4 from Sectioh.13 and... - Add to Section'13 a Si bd. 4 to read: No gambling shall be allowed in a public park. - Add to Section 13 a Subd. 5 to read: No alcoholic beverages shall be al- lowed in a public park. - Add to Section 13 a Subd. 6 to read: No glass containers shall be allowed in a public park. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). MANOR PARK STATUS REPORT Chairman Carl reported that he and Public Works Director, Don Zdrazil had staked out the softball field, noting that it is currently gravel but is now ready to be finished. COUNTY RAILROAD RICHT -0F -WAY DISCUSSION Chairman Carl presented a final report from the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority including Resolution No.' HCRRA -82 with recommendations for interim use of the abandoned railroad corridor. A change noted from the original report was to include "subject to limitations imposed, if any, by municipalities." in regards to snowmobiling. The Park Commission questioned why bicycles were prohibited and Carl noted that the HCRRA did not want to be responsible for providing the surface necessary for bicycling. He mentioned that cities can surface the trail if they desire. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES - 5 - July 19, 1982 REPORTS City Council: Cousins reported from the June 28th meeting that the City Council was not very receptive to the Park Commission's outline for filling vacancies. It was suggested that the Council could prefer to interview all acceptable applicants, not only the Park Commission's recommended candidates. The Park Commission noted valid differences of opinion overOw decisions should be made and requested the Council to send guidelines. Chapman reported from the July 12th Council meeting that many issues had been tabled. The Council read a proposed gambling ordinance; looked at the proposed park fees; and noted a request by Cha to check with Asplundh regarding wood chips for Freeman Park. The Park Commission requeste that,in general, the staff attempt to have copies of the Park minutes available as s as possible, that they be sent (unapproved) to the Council, and be provided to he Park Commission member reporting at the Council meetings. Staff: Staff reported that a broken slide in Cathcart Park had been replaced with one from Manor Park. It was noted that a letter had been sent to Jim Jones, bf Minnetonka Community Services, requesting closer attention to processing the seasonal athletic agreements. Tad Shaw reported that MCS was currently working with other area services to address problems along these lines and to cut program overlaps. The Commission noted that Mr. Jones had agreed to handle the athletic agreements but it was not part of the formal contract with MCS. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were no matters from the floor. AATOURNMENr Chapman moved, Cousins seconded, to adjourn. meeting was adjourned at 11:25 P.M. The motion carried unanimouslyand, the Respectfully submitted, Kathleen West, Park Commission Assistant