111489 PK MINCITY OF SHOREWOOD
PARK COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1989
•
CALL TO ORDER
M I N U T E S
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
7:00 PM
Chairman Laberee called the meeting to order at 7:20 PM.
RnT.T. CALL
Present: Chairman Laberee, Commissioners Vogel, Lindstrom, Andrus,
Christensen, and Weatherly; Council Liaison Gagne, and
Park Assistant Niccum
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vogel moved, Lindstrom seconded, to approve the minutes of Wednesday,
October 18, 1989, as written. Motion carried - 4/0.
DISCUSSION - FREEMAN PARK BABE RUTH AND LITTLE LEAGUE FIELDS
On Wednesday, September 20, 1989, Mr. Ron McKinney appeared before
the Park Commission to request use of the Freeman Park Babe Ruth
Field for a new league. At one time there was a Tonka Babe Ruth
League that served the people on this end of the lake but it became
too small so they asked to join the East Tonka League. Now they
• wish to restart a league to serve this end of the lake again.
(See attached copy of the September 20th minutes that relate to this)
The Park Commission felt that representatives from Community Services,
the existing East Tonka Babe Ruth, and the new group, Chan /Tonka should
be invited to a meeting to discuss the field use.
Present were: Jim Jones 261 School Ave., Excelsior 55331
Jim Peck 17605 Minnetonka Blvd, Wayzata 55391
David A. Jenkins 26426 Devon Drive, Mtka.
Joel Eichers 340 Lake Drive E., Chanhassen
Brad Johnson 7425 Frontier Trail, Chanhassen
Dick Brown 2630 Ordhard Lane, Chan /Exc 55331
Ron McKinney 26005 Wildrose Lane, Shwd.
McKinney explained that the reason they were interested in forming a
Chan /Tonka League was because over the years some parents felt that
the kids west of Vine Hill Road, and playing in the East Tonka League,
were being treated like they were from the "wrong side of the tracks ".
He didn't feel that they were receiving the same benefits as the kids
that live in Hopkins, Minnetonka, and east of Vine Hill Road.
Jenkins said they have tried to serve the children of Shorewood equally,
and he hasn't heard of any problems. He said the East Tonka Babe Ruth
holds the franchise for the entire Minnetonka School system, and two
• sanctioned leagues can't operate in the same area.
McKinney said that the kids from west of Vine Hill Road have never been
chosen for the "All Star Team ". He said when they requested time to
use the batting cages, they were always occupied.
PARK COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1989
PAGE TWO
DISCUSSION — FREEMAN PARK BABE RUTH AND LITTLE LEAGUE FIELDS - Continued
40 Jenkins disputed McKinney's statement that the batting cages were never
available. He said the "All Star Team" is chosen by the players, not
the coaches.
Laberee said he felt that the kids from the "east end" all knew each
other. They wouldn't be familiar with the abilities of the kids from
the "west end" so would have a tendency to vote for the All Stars
within their own area. He felt this was a disadvantage.
Jenkins said there are three people from Shorewood on the Board of
Directors. He said they serve kids 13 to 15 and don't turn anyone
down. He said the National Charter would not allow Minnetonka kids
to go to Chanhassen. He said he knows people from Shorewood that
think the League is very nice and said if he had to bring in testimonials
he would. He also mentioned the fact that a few years ago the teams
from the "west end" petitioned to join the East Tonka Babe Ruth because
they no longer had enough kids involved to keep going on their own.
Brown said he felt that the Chan / Tonka League should have the right to
look into the possibility of forming a sanctioned league. He feels
that if they originally had a charter, they may be able to get one
again.
Brad Johnson, Chanhassen Babe Ruth, said that Chanhassen has their own
• athletic program._ The reason they are interested is because they are
short of field space. He said 50% of Chanhassen's children go to
Minnetonka and 50% go to Chanhassen. He felt that in 2 years they
would have adequate fields.
Jim Jones, Community Services, said that he does the scheduling for
the cities and the school districts. He said it is a very fragile
system, if you change oneschedule it disrupts the whole program.
Brown asked to go on record with the statement that it is not illegal
to have 2 Babe Ruth Franchises.
Jenkins said they maintain the Tonka Babe Ruth Field every year. He
said they pay $27 for every child that plays at Bennett Field.
Jones discussed lighting some fields, saying it would give more playing
time.
Laberee said he felt a study on field operation would be helpful to all.
The Commission asked about the playing time at Freeman Park Babe 'Ruth
field. Jones said it was fully booked. Brown said he lives right
across the Highway, and it is not used that much.
Brown
said
he felt
a new
league
could
work.
It
is important to look
•
at the
kids
needs.
This
league
would
not be
as
competitive.
PARK COMMISSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1989
Page three
DISCUSSION - FREEMAN PARK BABE RUTH AND LITTLE LEAGUE FIELDS - Continued
A lot of time was spent discussing the different leagues from Little
League up to Mickey Mantle, scheduling, and what the East Babe Ruth
and Chan /Tonka either do accomplish, or hope to accomplish in the
future.
Everyone is willing to offer additional information. Jones will try
to get a more definative schedule. The Commission wants to know if
it is possible for both leagues to use the field.
Additional discussion will take place when additional information is
received.
FREEMAN PARK UPDATE
Administrator Whittaker joined the meeting to bring the Commission up
to date on the Freeman Park costs. He gave them the information
from the memorandum to the Council, dated November 1, 1989.. He said
the amount of .$4906. had been agreed to by OSM. (See attached memo).
PARK COMMISSION MEETING NIGHTS
Due to the change in meeting nights, Niccum polled the Commission to
see what nights could be designated as permanent meeting nights. The
meetings will be held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from
• now on.
PARK PLANNER /LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT RECOMMENDATION
Niccum reported that Administrator Whittaker and Planning Official
Nielsen are in the process of reviewing the 7 proposals. She asked
that the Park Commission also pick them up or review them at City
Hall before the meeting of Tuesday, November 28th. George Haun
has also reviewed them.
DUMPING /SIGNAGE ON HIKING AND BIKING TRAIL
Niccum was asked to contact Attorney Ahern regarding the laws regarding
driving cars on the trail, and littering on the trail, so signs can
be made up stating what the fine would be.
Niccum was asked to draft an official letter to the cities of Deephaven,
Greenwood, Excelsior, and Victoria encouraging them to extend the
hiking and biking trail through their cities.
Christensen discussed using the existing trail system in Freeman Park
for a cross - country ski trail. The Commission discussed making it a
one -way trail, marking it with 5" x 7" signs, and finding a way to
groom it once or twice a week. Vogel will check to see what the cost
is of the groomer that does Carver Park and let Niccum know.
• OLD MARKET ROAD INTERSECTION
Gagne reported on the Planning Commission meetings with the residents.
PARK COMMISSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1989
Page four
SILVERWOOD PARK
Christensen moved, Vogel seconded, to have Public Works move a tree
trunk and clean up the hill for sliding so it will be safe. Motion
carried - 5/0. (Christensen will go with Zdrazil to show him the area).
The Commission realizes that Silverwood Park in "on hold" until a
decision is made, but they felt that they are not constructing anything
and it is a safety move_
ADJOURNMENT
Vogel moved, Christensen seconded,
Motion carried - 5/0.
to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 PM.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Sue Niccum
Park Administrative Assistant
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