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102185 PK MINCITY OF SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1985 COUNCIL CHAMBERS.,, 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD 7:00 PM 1 M I N U T E S CALL TO ORDER Chairman Lindstrom called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Lindstrom, Commissioners Carl, Schmid, Kooi, Vogel and Squires; Council Liaison Gagne; Public Works Director Zdrazil and Deputy Clerk Niccum Absent: Commissioner Jakel (excused) VANDALISM IN PARKS South Lake Minnetonka Public Safety Department Chief Young was present to give advice on this problem. He said each park should be considered individually. Signs — he said small warning /reward signs on buildings are fine but overdoing signage can present an invitation and may do more harm than good. Lighting — he said more lighting would be beneficial in parks such as Cathcart and Manor where there are neighbors who can see any unusual activity going on. • He also said it wouldn't help right now to do any lighting in Freeman Park because it isn't developed enough and it could encourage vandalism at this time. Alarms — he said the department has a portable alarm system they would be willing to- r -ig up if an area has problems repeatedly. This system does not need power to operate. He suggested following this route rather than having the City purchase their own systems because of cost plus replacement cost. He said most vandalism is done by local people rather than people from outside the area. He mentioned the fact that there have been problems at Crescent Beach, and that they are working on the problem. Commissioner Carl asked what they should incorporate as development takes place. Chief Young suggested sufficent lighting and adequate buildings (i.e. concrete block structures with steel doors). Commission asked Public Works Director Zdrazil about vandalism. He said 4 picnic tables have been stolen in the last year, and at Freeman Park vandals have driven over an area where grass had been planted leaving deep ruts, torn the roofs off the dugouts three times and literally torn concrete blocks out of the dugout. Methods of preventing these things were discussed. Both Chief Young and Public Works Director Zdrazil felt that two .gates at Freeman Park would help to prevent vandalism. To build them right the cost would probably be around $2500, but they both felt that the vandalism costs outweigh the cost of the gates over a period of time. It was suggested that they be opened and closed at certain hours, and that a sign be posted to that effect. Also that perhaps the Police Department could be responsible for locking and unlocking them. CITY OF SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1985 page two i Commissioner Schmid said that they find that most of the vandalism among school age children is done by 8th, 9th and 10th graders. Commission asked Chief Young if the vandalism was drug or alcohol related. He said he would say alcohol related. LIGHTS/NOT-TURNED OFF Commission discussed lights being left on by Athletic groups. They considered putting a clause in the contracts stating that a fine of at least $25 would be charged if the lights were not turned out. CATHCART HOCKEY RINK Public Works Director Zdrazil said he had asked the following four people for bids: Keller Construction no reply Ken Lund no reply Louie Kokesh stopped and talked to him Jack Brancel submitted bid of $6321. for a rink like Excelsior has is Commission discussed the lateness of the season, and the fact that if they tore the existing rink down, they might end up with no rink at all. Schmid moved, Carl seconded, to recommend to Council to have Public Works Director Zdrazil take two days to repair the rink at a cost of no more than $600. Motion carried unanimously. They said they would pursue the new rink in May of 1986. TREES AT CATHCART PARK — TRANSPLANTING Chairman Lindstrom said six of the trees will be moved to Manor Park, the rest will probably remain at Cathcart (in different areas). There is a possibility that some will come to Badger Park. MANOR PARK WARMING HOUSE Commission discussed what to do about the warming house. Council Liaison Gagne said the Council did not want to burn it down. After discussion: Schmid moved,.Kooi seconded;.to recommernd,.to Councils > an`ad.advertising.the warming-.house for._sale. Motion> carried - unanimously. AUTHORITY FOR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO CLOSE FACILITIES Carl moved, Lindstrom seconded, to give Public Works Director Zdrazil the authority to close any park facility if he feels it is necessary. Motion carried unanimously. The above refers to such as football fields, hockey rinks, etc. CITY OF SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1985 page three b MANOR PARK FENC Public Works Director Zdrazil said all the posts are in and all the chain is up except for about 35 DEBRIS DUMPED IN FREEMAN PARK Public Works Director Zdrazil said someone has dumped some rolled sod and small hunks of concrete in the park. FINANCIAL Councilman Gagne suggested to the Park Commission that after this when they have a chance at something free, they get some kind of guarantee in writing before they spend any money on it. SNOWMOB ORDINANCE Mr. John Arnst of 5480 Teal Circle was present to complain about the use of the Railroad corridor by snowmobiles. He said his bedroom window is 50 feet from the corridor and that he has called the police at 3:00 AM and held the phone. out the window and the police could hear the snowmobile, unfortunately because he could not provide them with the information of who it was, a license number or other identifying information, they could not do anything. He said • !'Snowmobiling is strictly out of hand in the City of Shorewood ". He made references to City Ordinances #54 and #59, and to a letter he had written to Councilmember Haugen on October 18, 1983 with a petition bearing 30 signatures. He said he would like to see the corridor put to more environmental use such as walking and running. He mentioned the fact that there didn't seem to be any regulation on hours. Commissioner Carl said that there are regulations, 10:00 PM on week days, and 12:00 PM on weekends, unless coming from or going to a specific destination. Mr. Arnst said he could not understand why a 14 year old could ride a snowmobile on the road with a safety certificate when they could not drive a car. Commissioner Carl stated that the Shorewood Ordinance only amended State and Federal Ordinances. Commissioner Schmid asked how many communities have banned use of snowmobiles on the corridor. Mr. Arnst said Shorewood is the only City that does allow it. Commissioner Carl gave the history of why the Southwest Trail Association uses the corridor as a snowmobile trail, saying they were given permission by the Hennepin County Railroad Authority for interim use with the understanding that they would upgrade, mark, maintain and groom the trail. He said that they were the ones that made the decision that no other motorized vehicles could use the corridor. He said that each individual city was given the choice whether or not to allow snowmobile use. He mentioned Greenwood (wanted to buy land and divide it among property owners to solve easement problems), Minnetonka (denied), Hopkins (denied), Excelsior (felt it would be unsafe on some of their street crossings), Victoria (denied) and Shorewood (accepted). CITY OF SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1985 page four Commissioner Carl said that having n official trail solved a lot of problems g p in the City. Mr. Arnst said that the Shorewood City Council claimed they had no control over the use of the corridor. He would like to know what the situation is because he was informed otherwise. Commission discussed whether or not to outlaw snowmobiles, either partially or completely, in the City of Shorewood. Commissioner Schmid said he had quit using the corridor for jogging because of almost being hit by a snowmobile. Mr. Arnst had also mentioned this problem. The question arose whether Shorewood is still rural enough to allow the snowmobile traffic that they allowed 15 years ago. The fact that'- the Police Department has..a: snowmobile (1978 TX Polaris) for use was mentioned. Mr. Arnst said it was outdated and could not catch up with the snowmobiles used today. Chairman Lindstrom said he felt that the Snowmobile Associations have a right to defend themselves. Kooi moved, Vogel seconded, that the snowmobile ordinance be tabled due to lack • of information, that the Police Department be asked how many complaints they had last season, that Excelsior's Ordinance be examined, and that the Southwest Trail Association be informed as to the situation in case they wish to state their opinion. Motion carried unanimously. REPORTS Council Liaison Gagne said that the DNR had turned down the Christmas Lake Assoc— iation's lake access offer and still planned to condemn the Brook's property. COMMI SSIONER GARY CARL RESIGNS Commissioner Carl said that as of this meeting (October 21, 1985) he is resigning due to personal matters. Commission thanked him for all his help over the years and said they would miss his input. Schmid moved, Lindstrom seconded, to recommend to the Council that Commissioner Carl be recognized and honored with a plaque. Motion carried unanimously. Schmid moved, Vogel seconded, to get in touch with the paper and let them know we need another Park Commissioner. Motion carried unanimously. An.TnTTRNMPN1T 0 Vogel moved, Carl seconded, to adjourn at 9:36 PM. Motion carried unanimously.