041090 PK MIN
CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PARK COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1990 7:00 PM
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Christensen called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairman Christensen, Commissioners Andrus, Lindstrom, Vogel,
and Laberee; and Administrative Assistant Niccum
Absent: Commissioners Weatherly (Chicago) and Wilson (Nebraska)
TRAIL - COVINGTON VINE RIDGE ASSOCIATION
Postponed until April 24, 1990.
SKATING RINKS
Niccum introduced Todd Latterner, who worked at Badger, and also
oversaw the other rink attendants; Jason Lesmeister, who worked at
Manor rink; and Jeff DeToffel, who worked at Cathcart rink. She
explained that she thought it was a good idea for the rink attendants
to offer suggestions directly to the Park Commission, and for the
Commission to ask any questions they might have.
Niccum said these are her three youngest rink attendants, and they did
the best job this year. The Commission asked the attendants if it
created a problem because they had to deal with people older than them-
selves,
Latterner said he felt that most of the skaters are school age, and
that the highschool kids know them from school and don't want to cause
them any trouble, so he feels it is an advantage. He said he had one
problem with 6 kids throwing popcorn all over the warming house. He
wrote them tickets. All 6 sets of parents came to talk to him, and
apoligized for their kids. He said it worked out very well. He also
mentioned a group of men, 30-40 years old, that came down every
Saturday afternoon, and expected to take over the rink because they
worked during the week. He said their language toward other kids that
wanted to skate was profane, and they one of them would bring their
young kids, toys and all, and expect the rink attendant to
babysit.This was brought to the Commission s attention and discussed at
that time.
The Commission asked the three attendants about "boots". They said it
is becoming more and more popular. Up to 30 people at a time would
arrive to play a game of "boots'. They said it gives the kids that
can't skate as well a chance to play. The "boots" crowd even rents
arena time.
Jason, who worked at Manor, said there were a lot of people that used
the rink. He said they were mostly younger kids because the older kids
want to play hockey, there are quite a few hockey players in the
neighboring area, and no close rink. He said the pond was divided into
two rinks by a snowbank. Even if hockey nets could be put on one side
it would help. He said that all the neighbors bordering the park, and
many others
PARK COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1990
Page two
SKATING RINKS - continued
stopped in to say how glad they were to see a skating shelter in the
park. The Commission asked if there had been any negative feedback on
the trailer. He said not one comment. He said he thought a permanent
warming house and hockey rink would get a lot of use.
Jeff, who worked at Cathcart, said he had a problem with coaches taking
their teams on "soft ice". This has happened every year. Niccum will
send a letter with the contract next year telling the association that
they must inform their coaches to follow rink attendants directions
concerning the ice or they will be barred from the rink (coaches).
Latterner asked if painting the boards white at Badger would help
melting problems.
Maintenance problems
Badger
broken outside window (inside window intact)
door closing (concrete too high)
water seeping into warming house - keeps ruining carpeting
Commission discussed rubber matting - expensive but would save labor
and
carpet costs. Whole foundation of building should be raised.
Cathcart
should have runner from warming house to rink gate broken lock on back
room door
hockey rink light - northwest light - doesn't go on for hour, sometimes
not at all.
Manor
should have another light on other side of pond, a lot of kids won't
skate on that side because its too dark.
Trailer house
had a problem shutting door - trailer settling?
the plywood that was used on the floor kept popping up, and kids
would trip over it
should have a larger trailer next year
Niccum presented the Commission with a seasonal use report (see
attached).
Theft problems were mentioned. Commission suggested some type of
lockers that the attendants could put their food, etc. in, and lock
them. Niccum said sometimes the attendants are there for up to 13 hours
a day, they can't leave, and if someone steals their food, it is a real
hardship.
The Commission thanked Latterner, Lesmeister, and DeToffel for coming,
and asked Niccum to write letters to them, commending them for their
service - to be copied to Council.
PARK COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1990
Page three
SOUTH TONKA LITTLE LEAGUE - CATHCART FIELD
Chuck Freiberg and Bruce Mattson were present to state that they had
been appointed by the Association to bring all the playing fields up to
playable condition. They came to talk to the Commission because they
know that Cathcart ballfield has a relocation plan. They want to put in
new benches, fix the backstop, and put in an aglime infield. The
infield is uneven and they don't want anyone getting hurt because a
ball bounces wrong and hits them, or someone falls. They are willing to
pay for, and spread the aglime if the City will remove 8" of dirt from
the infield. The Commission asked if they would be willing to wait
until the season is over before putting in an aglime infield, so they
can check to see what needs to be done to relocate the ballfield. The
Commission felt it would be a shame to dig out 8" of dirt, put in the
ag lime, and then have to dig it all up and dig out another 8" for the
relocated field. The Commission explained that their reason for
relocation of the field is for the safety of the children who use it.
Freiberg and Mattson agreed that it would be a vast improvement to
relocate the field. Frieberg said they did not want to wait. He said a
groundskeeper at the University of Minnesota said they could scrape up
the aglime at the end of the season and pile it under a tarp, then use
it in the new location next year..
Vogel moved, Laberee seconded, to have Niccum talk to Administrator
Whittaker, to see if Park Planner Koegler could look at the field, and
see what the cost would be, and what would be involved, to relocate the
field; if the field could be relocated without having to put in fill,
if public works could move the backstop, this would allow South Tonka
to put the permanent benches in the right place, the cutting and aglime
would only have to be done once. If the Administrator and Park Planner
feel this is the time to relocate the field according to the approved
preliminary plat of 1987; the Park Commission would like the proposal
to go directly to the City Council so the work can be done before it
interferes with the scheduled season; if the Administrator and Park
Planner feel it is unfavorable to do it at this time, the Park
Commission will do it at a later time. Motion carried - 5/0.
Mattson asked if the City would water the infield of the Little League
Field at Freeman Park. They would like it saturated so they can go in
and roll it.
FREEMAN PARK LITTLE LEAGUE DUGOUT
Niccum talked to Jim Latterner. He said the Tonka Men's Club rebuilt
Tonka Bay's dugout last year, and if we needed help to let him know.
SPRING CLEANUP
Niccum asked the Commission if they had any requests or direction for
Spring Cleanup, to be held in Freeman Park again this year. The
Commission asked that any damage be repaired. They leave the rest, road
included, up to Public Works Director Zdrazil.
PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
The Commission reviewed the Park Capital Improvement Plan.
PARK COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1990
Page four
PARK DEDICATION FEES
Laberee mentioned that the City of Deephaven charges 10% of the lot
cost. He said they did a study of surrounding cities, and asked Niccum
to get a copy for the next meeting. He thinks our fee should be higher.
PARK PLANNER
The Park Commission would like to have a joint meeting with the City
Council to discuss the role of the Park Planner. They feel they are
again in a situation where there is a communication problem between the
Council and the Commission.
BASES
Commissioner Lindstrom gave Niccum the information and prices on the
bases/anchors/home plates/pitching rubber - the cost is $265 a field,
for 4 fields, 3 at Freeman and 1 at Manor.
Laberee moved, Andrus seconded, to recommend to Council to purchase 4
sets of bases, 3 for Freeman Park and 1 for Manor Park, eliminating the
double base at Manor Park, at a cost not to exceed $1,000. Motion
carried - 5/0.
The 3 sets of bases for Freeman Park would be stored until the fields
are playable - only for a tournament this year. The reason for
purchasing them all at once is because there is a discount. If the
bases were put in right away, it would make people think the field is
playable, this is the reason for storage.
PICNIC TABLES
The Commission leaves this in Public Works Director Zdrazil’s hands, he
can order what he needs.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Andrus moved, Vogel seconded, to approve the minutes of January 9,
1990. Motion carried - 5/0.
ADJOURNMENT
Laberee moved, Lindstrom seconded, to adjourn the meeting of Tuesday,
April 10, 1990, at 10:25 PM. Motion carried - 5/0.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Susan Niccum
Parks Administrative Assistant