092089 PK MINCITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PARK COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1989 7:00 PM
• M I N U T E S
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Laberee called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
RnT.T. CAT.T.
Present: Chairman Laberee, Commissioners Lindstrom, Christensen, and
Andrus; Council Liaison Gagne; and Staff Rep Niccum
Absent: Commissioners Wilson, Weatherly, and Vogel
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Christensen moved, Andrus seconded, to approve the regular Park
Commission minutes of Wednesday, September 20, 1989, as corrected.
Motion carried - 4/0.
TONKA BABE RUTH F IELD — REQUEST 1990 USE OF FREEMAN BABE RUTH FIELD
Ron McKinney, a concerned parent; Steve Berquist, President of
Tonka Little League; and Tom Zalac, a past president of the South
• Tonka Little League were present.
Staff reported that she had talked to Mr. McKinney last week. He said
he wanted to know if the Shorewood /Tonka Bay /Chanhassen Babe Ruth League
could use the Freeman Park Babe Ruth Field in 1990. Sue checked the
contract to verify McKinney's statement that the scheduling of the
Freeman Park field was controlled by Bennett Field. McKinney went
on to say that not one player from this area has made the major leagues.
He went on to say that many of the parents from this area feel that
players from this area are being "black- balled ". They feel that they
pay a lot of money and very little if any goes into maintaining the
Freeman Park Babe Ruth field. It is used primarily in the spring for
practice games. He said when the teams from this area want to use the
batting cage it is always spoken for. Because they want all the kids
to have a chance to play, they have formed a new league called "Chan/
Tonka ". Brad Johnson of Chanhassen is the president of this league.
This league plays in Chanhassen at this time, but they only have one
field. McKinney is not asking for money, he feels that if their
league is allowed to use the Freeman field, that they may receive aid
from "South Tonka Men's Club" and the "American Legion ".
Laberee said he had been a coach and he agreed with McKinney, that it
seemed as if the kids living west of Vine Hill Road didn't get chosen.
Berquist pointed out that the Tonka Babe Ruth League dwindled
in size, and because of this, it was more or less absorbed into the
• East Tonka (Bennett) League. He said the number of players is now
increasing again. This would make forming a new League feasible.
Zalac said he was one of the people that resodded and striped the field.
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PARK COMMISSION MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1989
Page two
•
SOUTH TONKA BABE RUTH FIELD - Continued
The Commission asked Berquist how many Little Leaguers he has. He
said in 1987 they had 230, 1988 they had 280, and in 1989 it went up
to 330. He said of the 330, 172 were 10, 11, and 12 year olds. 60
of these were from Chanhassen. 172 is enough to make 11 teams, enough
to form a league. Babe Ruth starts at 13 years of age.
The Commission asked about the "Chan /Tonka team and who it would include?
McKinney said Chanhassen, Shorewood, Tonka Bay, Excelsior, Greenwood and
Deephaven.
McKinney also explained that the teams are "rated This means that no
one team has all the good players, they try to make them as equal as
possible.
The Commission explained the insurance and contract to McKinney and
said someone would have to be responsible for them. He said they are
having a meeting the second week in October and he would discuss these
things at the meeting.; The Commission also felt that a meeting should
be held that would include people from Bennett, Jim Jones of Community
Services, people from Chan /Tonka, the Park Commission, and anyone else
that would be interested. McKinney will report back to the Park Com-
mission after his meeting, then a meeting will be set up.
The Commission also explained to McKinney that the field may have limit-
ations, such as lights and loudspeakers.
• McKinney said starting a new league is hard at first but he feels it is
important to do so.
FREEMAN PARK
New fields
The Commission discussed the new fields. Due to the fact that they will
be reseeded, that some areas are still sparse, and the additional work to
be done, they do not feel the fields should be scheduled for play in the
Spring. They feel that if the turf establishes itself fairly quickly,
they may be able to use the fields for a couple tournaments and possibly
a Fall League.
The management of the fields was.also discussed. The Commission did not
feel that the City of Shorewood is over - anxious to get into management
of these fields. Lindstrom explained the Excelsior League. He said it
is completely handled by volunteers. There is a president, 3 division
directors, a secretary and a treasurer, they act as a decision making
board. He said the City of Excelsior was delighted to have them run
there system, that they had offered control to the City and
the City said no, they are perfectly satisfied with the way things are
handled. Gordy suggested talking to Carl Zieman for verification. He
said they handle many different kinds of teams (i.e. church, co -rec,
over 35, open, masters, industrial, women's, etc.). The Commission
thought this might be a wonderful idea. Sue is to take names and phone
• numbers of interested parties until a decision is made.
BMX Location
Berquist said it would be nice to be able to put a Little League Field
in the BMX location. Gagne said that the City would probably donate
the land for the field if the Little League would put it in.
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PARR COMMISSION MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1989
Page three
40 FREEMAN PARR - Continued
Otten Brothers - Driving Ruts in park
Laberee reported that Otten Bros. had driven around the perimeter of
the ballfields with their tree spade to remove some trees from a
resident's yard. He said Zdrazil has already talked to Otten Bros. and
they will correct the problem. Gagne said he will call Zdrazil in AM
and have him file a police report.
Football Goalposts
Niccum gave catalogs with prices to Christensen so he can contact the
Football Association.
SHOREWOOD HIRING AND BIKING TRAIL
The Commission asked Niccum to contact MnDOT to see if they will install
"Pedestrian Crossing" signs on County Road 19 where the trail crosses
the road.
MANOR PARR WARMING HOUSE /TRAILER
Due to the fact that the City Council approved the use of an 8' x 32'
trailer, Niccum asked the Commission where they want the lights, and
what kind of lights they want. They said one pole with one or two
• floodlights. They said Zdrazil would know more about proper placement
because they have to get off and on the ice to flood it and plow it.
They said if NSP wouldn't provide a free pole, ask Minnetonka Portable
Dredging for one. They also asked Niccum to check to see if Gelco
provides protection for the floor, and if they don't do so, to have
the crew get plywood.
JOINT MEETING - PLANNING COMMISSION AND PARR COMMISSION
The Planning Commission is quite busy right now with the public hearings
on the Old Market Road intersection so the meeting will probably not be
held until October.
REPORTS
Gagne explained to the Commission that they should have some park fees
coming because 27 double homes and some commercial property are proposed
for the Waterford Addn. He also explained what's going on regarding
the Old Market Road intersection plan. He asked that the Park Commission
discuss it and make a report to the Council regarding their opinion on
how it would affect Silverwood Park.
MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR
Christensen wants to know what Chanhassen's obligation to us is regarding
the fence, and a letter written by Dan Vogt regarding a curb cut and
a sewer stub?
ADJOURNMENT
Lindstrom moved, Andrus seconded, to adjourn at 9:30 PM. Motion unanimous.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Sue Niccum, Park Staff Rep
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