120892 PK MIN
CITY OF SHOREWOOD SHOREWOOD CITY HALL
PARK COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1992 7:00 PM
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairman Wilson, Commissioners Lindstrom, Laberee, Mast,
McCarty and Andrus; Administrator Hurm; and Secretary
Niccum
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Lindstrom moved, seconded by Andrus, to approve the minutes of Tuesday,
November 24, 1992 as written. Motion carried - 3 ayes 3 abstain (Mast,
McCarty and Laberee).
CONSIDERATION OF DRAFT RESOLUTION FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY PARK BOARD
"SAMPLE DRAFT - CITY OF - RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT
- LIGHT RAIL TRANSITtINTERIM REGIONAL RECREATION TRAIL CORRIDOR"
Del Miller, Hennepin County Parks Trails Coordinator, was present to
update the Commission. He said that, although the Hennepin County
Railroad Authority is a separate organization, Hennepin County Parks
became involved because the Railroad Authority was concerned about what
was happening on the corridor, what people were doing with and without
permits. The Railroad Authority did not have the personnel to work on
it so Hennepin County Parks agreed to do so. Both organizations felt
that a trail was the only solution. Hennepin County Parks felt they
didn't have a "working relationship with a lot of cities, and this was
a good opportunity to develop one. He said Barton-Ashman, who has a
good knowledge of trails, is working on the plan. There is $250,000
available at this time. Barton-Ashman will come back with a cost
estimate in January or February.
Miller said they want to work with the cities on construction and an
operating agreement. He said some of the issues would be a uniform
curfew, and horses and snowmobiles. He said snowmobiles would not be a
problem if they were at the end of the trail, but if they were allowed
in a city sandwiched in between two cities that do not allow them, it
could be a problem. He also said if snowmobiles continue to operate in
some cities, it would be nice if they had the same operating times.
SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1992 - Page two
Problem areas:
• Hopkins - 8th Avenue - parking - hard sand and dirt
surface - Action Rental/Town and Country Dodge area
• 101 crossing
• Deephaven - Carson Bay Bridge - a little narrow
considering widening it
• Greenwood - pretty narrow - needs widening - 230' where
railroad bridge was removed - they are looking at
attaching a bike bridge to the St. Albans Bay bridge - it
would need an arch to allow boat traffic to pass beneath
it.
• Excelsior - Lyman Lumber/Mill area - the retail part of
Lyman will be moving, ABC Component will occupy the space,
this will help some but ABC will still have semi's
unloading.
• Shorewood - County Road 19 crossing
• Highway 7 crossing - average speed of cars is 63 mph.
Miller said the permit ends at Highway 5 but the trail will extend to
Victoria, and end at the park.
Lindstrom said he felt the Highway 7 crossing was most dangerous, and
asked if a tunnel could be put in under the Highway. Miller said with
the water table the way it is in that area, when they try to tunnel
down that deep they tend to hit water. He said BartonAshman is also
concerned. He said they considered a bridge over the highway but the
cost was estimated at $300,000-400,000.
Miller explained that what they are trying to do is to coordinate
things so there would be continuity from Hopkins to Victoria. He said
Hennepin County would pick up the operating and managing costs.
Mast asked if the City of Shorewood would then lose the governing of
the trail. Miller said the trail would be patrolled by a horsemounted
patrol. If the city wanted to continue maintenance, instead of having
it done, there shouldn't be any problem with doing it that way.
Miller did say that if cities chose not to participate, that Hennepin
county Rail Road Authority could revoke the city's permit if they chose
to do so.
SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1992 - Page three
Lindstrom asked if the trail would be black-topped. Miller said not at
this time, as it is an interim trail. He said that the present surface
is actually safer when wet.
They would like the supportive Resolution passed to help in competing
for funding. They asked that we submit it by March 1993 at the latest.
Laberee said he would like time to talk to some other cities. Staff
reminded him that Minnetonka has already submitted their Resolution
supporting the issue. Miller said the City of Minnetonka has trash
containers and benches along their portion of the trail.
Constance Wiebe, 5457 Mallard Lane, stated she was in favor of having
Hennepin County Parks take over the trail. She said the trail could do
with less signage. She also said she had a concern with snowmobiles,
they seem to create a lot of problems, including noise and air
pollution. She said the trail could use additional patrolling in
general.
Miller pointed out that the residents of the City pay taxes for the
services being offered. He told the Commission if they have any
questions to have Jim Hurm call him.
PARK COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION FOR CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR - 1993
Lindstrom moved, McCarty seconded, to recommend to the Council that
Steve Dzurak be appointed Park Commission Chairman for 1993.
Motion carried - 6 ayes.
Mast moved, Laberee seconded, to recommend to the Council that Jennifer
McCarty be appointed Vice-Chair for 1993. Motion carried - 5 ayes - 1
abstain (McCarty).
Lindstrom said he felt that during the implementation of the Park Plan
the Commission would meet a lot of new people that are interested in
parks, and would be good potential future Park Commissioners.
REPORT ON ADOPTED PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Administrator Hurm said the Council adopted the 5 Year Park Capital
Improvement Plan and the Alternate Plan. He said there is a tremendous
amount of work to be done, and the Commission needs to think about it
and talk about it. He said some of the things to consider are project
management, buildings, and playgrounds.
The Commission returned their surveys for tabulation. They discussed
who would do the tabulation. McCarty will.
SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1992 - Page four
The Commission will meet on January 5, 1993, to discuss the survey
results.
The Commission discussed the cost of a park improvement bond issue. If
it cost the resident $50 a year, that would be $.14 a day. If it cost
the resident $25 a year, that would be $.07 a day.
The Commission discussed various methods of handling the bonding, 15 or
20 years; even debt service or even principal payments.
Laberee moved, seconded by McCarty, to recommend to Council that they
increase the bond amount for the referendum and Park Capital
Improvement Program from $850,000 to $900,000, allowing an additional
$10,000 for each of the five parks for playground equipment, due to
sales tax now payable by the City, the American Disability Act, and
price increases. Motion carried - 6/0.
Mast moved, seconded by McCarty, to recommend to the Council that they
accept “Plan A”, using a $900,000 figure instead of $850,000, for a
“$900,000 Issue Over 15 Years/Even Debt Service. Motion carried - 6/0.
MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR
Wilson said there is trail damage. He said it is a small vehicle that
can fit between the bollards, possibly a Bronco or similar vehicle.
Hurm said he asked Public Works to talk to the neighbors. He will check
and see if this was done.
ADJOURNMENT
Laberee moved, seconded by Lindstrom, to adjourn at 10:10 PM. Motion
carried - 6/0.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Susan Niccum
Park secretary