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090887 PK MINCITY OF SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1987 M I N U T E S CALL TO ORDER Chairman Jakel called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. ROLL CALL ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD 7:00 P.M. Present: Chairman Jakel, Commissioners Lindstrom, Vogel, and Andrus: Council Liaison Brancel; and Park Assistant Niccum APPROVAL OF MINUTES Lindstrom moved, Andrus seconded, to approve the minutes as corrected. Motion carried - 4/0. SOUTH TONKA LITTLE LEAGUE - DISCUSSION ON BABE RUTH FIELD USE David Walker, Upper Division Director of South Tonka Little League, was present to explain their request to use the Babe Ruth Field in Freeman Park. Up until this time South Tonka Little League (STLL) has only accepted youth up to the age of 12, the 13 to 15 year olds from the area were forced to play in the East Tonka League if they wished to play at all. STLL came up with the idea of placing in its • organization in 1988 a program to cover ages 13 to 15 for youths from Shorewood, Excelsior, Tonka Bay and northern Chanhassen. STLL's philosophy places the emphasis upon participation first and competition second so that more youths are able to participate. They have polled the kids in the existing program, along with their parents, and have received an overwhelming positive response. Addition- ally, Steve Frazier, Minnetonka Junior High Counselor, Miles Ginther, Minnetonka High School Baseball Coach, and Jim Jones, Minnetonka Community Services Director, have expressed their support for this endeavor. Jim Jones has also agreed to make the field available through MCS scheduling. South Tonka originally proposed a more extensive project to include building a new regulation field and converting the existing Babe Ruth Field into a second Little League field. Unfortunately Chanhassen recently announced that they will support Little League play within their own city, therefore current projections no longer indicate a need for a second Little League field at Freeman. Now they would like to renovate the Babe Ruth Field, which is presently completely unsvitab_1e for play; and perform extensive maintenance on the present Little League field. Due to the short time left this year to root new sod the STLL is asking approval as soon as possible. Park Assistant Niccum talked to Mr. Walker this morning and discussed the agreement that was signed between STLL and South Tonka Babe Ruth, along with the City, at the time the City accepted the land for $1.00, with the stipulation that the two organ- izations would have exclusive use of the fields for a period of 15 years, and that they would maintain them during this time. Mr. Walker was not aware of the existance of this document. She explained that some agreement would have to be reached between • STLL and the South Tonka Babe Ruth, Inc., and that the agreement in writing would then have to be presented to the City. Walker then contacted -Scott McKenzie from South Tonka Babe Ruth who was not familiar with the agreement either. He said he did not feel there would be a problem because they only use the field at this time PARR COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1987 page two • SOUTH TONKA LITTLE LEAGUE - DISCUSSION ON BABE RUTH FIELD USE — continued for practice, all their games are played elsewhere. They felt that STLL and the South Tonka Babe Ruth could come to some agreement. For informational purposes - South Tonka Babe Ruth changed to East Tonka Babe Ruth in approximately 1979 and has now changed to Tonka Babe Ruth. Also the agreement is not dated and does not have a signature from Babe Ruth on it. Assistant Niccum also told Walker that a certificate of insurance would be necessary if they were going to be working on the fields with equipment. Walker said he thought that the certificate of insurance that had been provided with their contract would cover this. Tonka Babe Ruth is having a meeting on Sunday, September 20, 1987, and Mr. Walker has been invited to make his presentation and see if he can get the okay from them to go ahead and use and renovate the field as long as they can use it for practice. When asked how they would renovate the field, Walker replied that the existing field is too big, they would: bring the outfield back, bring the infield forward, put a 12' track around the edge (which would involve tearing up the existing sod), eventually put in dugouts and make it as appealing as possible. They wish to present hospitality to visiting teams from "home ". When concern was expressed over making the field smaller, Walker said it would be possible to just move the infield forward if necessary. • When asked about renovation costs Walker said with grading, sodding, and fencing, the cost would probably run around $5000. He mentioned 3 ways of funding: possible help from the City, the Tonka Men's Club, and if necessary, putting on a fund raiser. Lindstrom moved, Vogel seconded, to recommend to Council that they conceptually approve South Tonka Little Leagues request contingent upon the solving of the legalities in- volving the agreement between South Tonka Little League and Tonka Babe Ruth, Inc., and if necessary the drawing of a new agreement with the City, taking into consideration the opinion of the City Administrator and Attorney Froberg, and ask that Council consider giving approval at the September 14th meeting so that after Walker attends the meeting of September 20th, they can start immediately if all conditions are met, including insurance.- Motion carried - 4/0. The problem of watering the new field was then discussed. Walker wondered if the City would consider watering the field with their water truck. Vogel moved, Lindstrom seconded, to suggest to Council that they consider the feasiblity of extending water into Freeman Park, either temporarily or permanently, before the homes in Shorewood Oaks are built and an easement is required. Motion carried - 4/0. NEW COMMISSIONER SELECTED FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL Four applicants, James Wilson of 24140 Yellowstone Trail, Elizabeth Baird Lindow of 27920 Smithtown Road, Angela Weatherly of 19435 Vine Ridge Road, and Michele Herzig of 5330 Vine Hill Road applied for the position. It was a difficult decision to make as all were well qualified. The Park Commission requests that Council appoint • Angela Weatherly as the new Park Commissioner . -2- PARR COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1987 page three • GALPIN LAKE WOODS - PARR DEDICATION RECOMMENDATION Andrus moved, Vogel seconded, to recommend to Council that they accept cash in lieu of land as Park Dedication. Motion carried - 4/0. MANOR PARK WARMING HOUSE /PAVILION Plans have been submitted to 4 contractors to see if there is any possibility of building the warming house /pavilion for under $15,000. Replies should be in by the next meeting. FREEMAN PARK SIGNS Jakel moved, Andrus seconded, to recommend to Council that they approve the expenditure of $688.50 for MnDOT signs to be placed along Highway 7 and saying "FREEMAN PARK ". Motion carried - 4/0. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR Eureka Road Entrance - Freeman Park Niccum asked the Park Commission if they wished to reconsider their decision regarding the Eureka Entrance, leaving the paving of the road until a later time. They said no, they want to stick with their original motion made May 4, 1987 .........that the road remain in its existing location, that it be widened to • 30' in width, that it be extended 30' into the park, that the 6' island shown on Bronkin's plans be installed with the sign in the center, that the 3 posts and gate be installed, as well as one free standing post on each side, and that the road be paved with a 3" base coat of blacktop. Later another 3" of blacktop will be put on to finish the road ............... The Park Commission wishes to know if Public Works can widen Eureka Road entrance this fall or winter or if they should have it contracted out. Woodchips - Freeman Park The Park Commission wishes to know if more woodchips can be spread over the thin spots on the trails where they were already spread. Lawcon Grant Administrator Vogt suggests that the Park Commission hires a Planner to do their Lawcon Grant. Silverwood Park Resident Concerns and Questions Assistant Niccum received a call this afternoon from Harold Ness, a resident of Covington Vine Ridge. He said he was meeting tonight with some residents of Covington Vine Ridge and they have several questions and concerns regarding Silverwood Park. He wanted to know the time table, what order things would be completed in, if the fill would be dumped and left for three years. He said residents of Covington Vine Ridge felt that the layout of the park showed poor • utilization of land. A line of trees running through the area where the tennis court and park building are located on the plan is a deer run and they would like to see the trees remain. Niccum suggested that they make a list of their questions and concerns and get it to her this week, she in turn will distribute it to the Park Commission, Staff, and Council for review. -3- PARR COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1987 page four MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR - continued S ilverwood Park - Fill Staff reported to the Commission that two offers for fill had been discussed, the fill would be free but it would cost $2 a yard to haul it in, a total cost of $40,000 for 20,000 yards of fill. The Park Commission did not make a decision on this at this time. Manor Tennis Court One estimate has been received to repair the wall and fence due to the storm damage. The estimate was for $9271.80. Another estimate will be received this week from Lan -De -Con. The City will receive $3000 in federal aid. Copies of Parks and Eureka Entrance Council Liaison Brancel will check with her work place to see how much they charge for copies. Warming House /Pavilion Plans Ask Planner Nielsen if plans meet approval. Check to see if Lepowsky has been paid. Manor Park - Well Check with City to see if there was a well for the old City Hall and see if it . would be possible to reopen it for use for watering. Signs - Snowmobile and Three- wheeler Ask Don if the signs have been put in the park. Freeman Park Grading The Park Commission would like the action to go forward on the grading of Freeman Park. REPORTS none ADJOURNMENT Lindstrom moved, Vogel seconded, to adjourn at 10:30 P.M. Motion carried - 4/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Sue Niccum Deputy Clerk /Park Assistant -4-