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082890 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS PARK COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1990 7:00 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Chairman Christensen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Christensen, Commissioners Lindstrom, Vogel, Andrus, and Dzurak; Administrative Assistant Niccum; Council Liaison Watten; and Councilmember Gagne Absent: Commissioners Laberee and Wilson NEW PARK COMMISSIONER INTRODUCED Chairman Christensen introduced Steven Dzurak, 19750 Vine Ridge Road, as the new Park Commissioner Dzurak will be filling the remainder of Angela Weatherly's term, which runs through December 31, 1992. DISCUSSION - PROTOCOL - SECLECTION OF PARK COMMISSIONER Christensen referred to the Joint meeting of August 14, saying that Council had asked the Commission to review the by-laws. He was under the impression that they had also informed the Commission that the by-laws remained in effect until they had been reviewed by the Commission, and that this meant that the applicants for the Park Commission would be sent to the Park Commission for review. Gagne said the Council decision was that the Council will pick new Park Commissioners for the Park Commission, just as they do for the Planning Commission. Andrus said that the Ordinance states that the Council picks the Park Commissioner. Lindstrom said he thinks it would benefit both the Park Commission and the Council to let the Park Commission interview the applicants and make recommendations to the Council. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Andrus moved, Vogel seconded, to approve the minutes of the Joint Park Commission/Council meeting of Tuesday, August 14, 1990, The Commission requested that the information regarding temporary warming houses be expanded to include the fact that the $2500 included 3 sites-Manor, Silverwood, & Cathcart-plus installation of electricity and phone for the 1st time at two of these sites. The normal fee for each temporary warming house alone is $450 for 3 months-motion carried as amended - 5/0. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1990 Page two SOCCER ASSOCIATION Mike Anderson, President of Tonka United Soccer Association; Jim Kohrt, Vice President of the Board of Directors; and Dave Rouse, Vice President of the Instructional Teams; were present to represent the Tonka United Soccer League. Anderson said they were present to address concerns for future development. He said they plan to visit each community involved in soccer to see what they have to offer in the way of present and future fields. Anderson explained that Tonka United Soccer Association is part of the Minnesota Youth Soccer Program, and has a totally voluntary Board of 24 people. He said 12 years ago, when Tonka United Soccer Association began, they only had a couple teams. In the past 5 years the growth rate has been phenomenal. He said they want to provide "quality experience", and prepare for the growing needs of youth. He said he and Jim Kohrt had visited 40 parks in the last two days, trying to determine what is available. Anderson said their purpose in attending the meeting is to establish more effective communication, develop a good working relationship with the City, and make the City aware of the need for soccer fields. He said it's conceivable that there will be a 20%-30% growth per year over the next few years. He said at present there are approximately 750 kids enrolled, 226 of these are from Shorewood. They are divided into two leagues, the instructional league and the traveling league. The traveling league is required to host 508 of all games played. They cover a larger area - to Brooklyn Center on the north and Burnsville on the south, while the instructional league is a house league and only covers the Minnetonka School District. Chairman Christensen said it was wonderful to have the President and officers come to the meeting. He said the Park Commission tries to provide for all organizations, and have agonized over finding soccer fields. Christensen then told Anderson that as far as the United Tonka Soccer League goes, "the deed has been inconsistant with the statement". He said he would be specific: Last year a person came before the Commission to request use of Badger Football field, stating that the field would be used by small people one night a week, and cleats would not be used. He personally went out on the field - it was badly torn up, and there was a cleated footprint that his shoe fit. The Association was asked specifically to move the nets around. Assurance was given that this would be done - it was not done. A contract was sent to the Association to be signed. The signed contract was received the day after the season ended. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1990 Page three Letters sent to Shorewood residents caused Niccum to spend 2+ days on the telephone dealing with questions and antagonism. Christensen said he wanted to assure the Association that the City does want to provide for soccer, but continuation of past behavior will not be allowed. The Association will not play on Shorewood fields unless proof of insurance and the signed contract have been returned. Gagne introduced himself to Anderson, saying he was a Councilmember. He told Anderson that the Association came very close to being totally banned from Shorewood, and said maybe he should talk to the Council. Anderson said he didn't dispute what had happened, but they are a young organization and learning. He said he is here to make a "new beginning". Kohrt said the girls teams are expanding rapidly. Vogel asked Anderson why, when their field use quota was reached, they couldn't just say "there is no more space"? Anderson said they could, but they don't want to. Vogel said the fields were over-used this year. They cannot be played upon every day, they have to be rotated, or the City will lose the fields they have. Anderson said he doesn't want it to appear as though his attitude is "I want - we want - want - want - want". Kohrt said if the kids are not into organized sports, they sit around all day and do nothing. Lindstrom said a soccer field was planned for Freeman Park in the original 1980 Freeman Park plan. He said the City wasn't even aware that soccer was being played in Freeman Park. It was new turf this year, and the Commission did not want anyone to play on it until next year when it would be established. He asked Anderson if the Association had any money available to buy additional parkland so more soccer fields could be put in? Anderson said no, they have no immediate funds. He did explain that in their monthly Board meeting in September he had asked the Boardmembers to come with funding suggestions. Rouse said it might be possible for the Association to organize people to aerate and seed. Watten asked Anderson how many cities were involved in the Association? Anderson said 10, all the cities in the Minnetonka School District. He said the traveling teams interact with Hopkins/Minnetonka. When asked, Anderson said School District 276 has the worst fields. Watten said we are a newer community and it takes time to develop these things. He was told that other PARK CONMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1990 Page four communities are newer, and some of them have whole complexes. Watten suggested the Association look into other communities that are not as developed as Shorewood to see if they have more land to offer. Christensen ended the discussion by thanking the representatives from the Tonka United Soccer League for coming, and stated that the Commission is not against soccer, and is willing to do what they feel is appropriate. ............................................................... The Commission took a break---8:15 - 8:25 ............................................................... BYLAWS Vogel moved, Dzurzak seconded to table the by-laws until they have been revised by Administrator Whittaker and reviewed by the City Attorney. Notion carried - 5/0. PARK DEDICATION FEES Andrus moved, Lindstrom seconded, to recommend to Council that the Park Dedication Fees be raised to $750.00 for each lot, if the lot in a single-family lot, or $750 for each living unit authorized to be built on the plat, if the plat contains lots other than the single-family units, or $750 for each commercial sewer unit assigned to the property by the City, in accordance with the City's commercial sewer assessment and policy hook-up, if the development is a commercial land development. Motion carried - 5/0. FINAL RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ON REFERENDUM VS. TAX LEVY AND THE PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN The Park Commission prioritized the items in each park. Andrus said if the City goes for a referendum the City can be assured that future Councils cannot stop the funding, on a tax levy they can do so. He suggested the Commission start initiating a referendum, for the total PCIP minus the proposed Howard's Point parkland amount. He said this way future income can be used for other things that may come up later. Watten said it would probably take about 1.5 years. He said it would be supervised by Park Planner Koegler. Christensen said Andrus has been doing a lot of work on this for the last two years. It has been well thought out. He said Shorewood is overly taxed, many people are questioning their ability to continue to live here. He said he would support a recommendation for a referendum. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1990 Page five Lindstrom said he felt the City should provide parks as part of the City services. He didn't feel the City should have to ask the taxpayers, they should just levy for the parks. Andrus moved, Vogel seconded, to recommend to the Council that the Park Planner be directed to initiate the bond referendum process for the total Park Capital Improvement Plan; that the Council accept the prioritization of the Park Commission, and spend funds according to this prioritization; and that a 9 month lead time be given, allowing the referendum to take place approximately April, 1991. Motion carried - 5/0. LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD ORIENTATION The Park Commission reviewed Park Planner Koegler's memo offering two alternatives for the field. Christensen moved, Andrus seconded, to recommend to Council that Layout #1 be accepted. Motion carried - 5/0. The Commission wishes to know why the Planner chose Layout #2. HORSES - HIKING AND BIKING TRAIL/FREEMAN PARK Niccum said complaints have been received regarding "horse souvenirs" on these areas. She said there have been requests for signs stating "no horses". The Ordinance does not allow horses in the parks without special permission. The Commission asked her to put an article in the paper regarding this problem. NO MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 11, 1990 - ELECTION DAY Niccum reminded the Commission that this is election day. The Park Chairman will work with Staff to call a special meeting if it becomes necessary (Niccum will be on vacation). ADJOURNMENT Dzurak moved, Lindstrom seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 PM. Motion carried - 5/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED Susan A. Niccum Park Administrative Assistant