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042694 PK MINCITY OF SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1994 MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD 7:00 P.M. Chair Jennifer McCarty called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Chair McCarty; Commissioners Wilson, Dzurak, Bensman, and Martin; Administrator Hurm; Park Planner Chamberlain; Council Liaison Benson; Planning Commissioner Malam; and City Engineer Dresel. Absent: Commissioner Fuller 3. REVIEW AGENDA Chair McCarty added Item 6A Planning Commission Report. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Bensman moved, Martin seconded, to approve the minutes of Tuesday, April 12, 1994 with the following technical correction: Page 2, Freeman Park - Gerry Wenkus of the "softballs organization should be changed to "soccer" organization. Motion carried unanimously. 5. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL ON PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE OLD MARKET ROAD TRAIL The plans were reviewed by the City Engineer Joel Dresel. McCarty reported that one resident attended the public information meeting between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. this evening. Joan Recard, 5760 Covington Road, reviewed the plans and was very pleased with the proposal. It was noted that approximately 6 trees will need to be moved which will be done as part of the project at no cost to the owner. However, sprinkler systems that need to be moved will have to be done at the cost of the owner. Property owners will need to be contacted regarding this topic before the construction begins. Bensman moved, McCarty seconded, to recommend that the City Council accept the plans and specifications for the Old Market Road Trail Project and advertise for bids. Motion passed unanimously. 6. REVIEW OF PLAN FOR SOIL BORING TESTS IN FREEMAN PARK Park Planner Bruce Chamberlain received a quote form GME Consultants Inc. to do three soil borings in the tennis court area and one test boring in the picnic shelter area in Freeman Park for a proposed fee of $1,390. It is important to do me soil borings at this point so that plans for the family area of Freeman Park can be finalized. Funds would be taken from the general park fund budget. Dzurak moved, Bensman seconded, to recommend that the City Council accept the proposal from GME Consultants Inc to do soil boring tests in Freeman Park for a fee of $1,390. Motion passed unanimously. SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1994 page 2 of 4 Dzurak reported that Gary Swanson has volunteered to be the project manager for the installation of playground equipment at Freeman Park south. 6A. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT Planning Commissioner Doug Malam reported that the Planning Commission would like to see wood fencing and landscaping around each of the portable toilets in Shorewood's parks. He said the Planning Commission understands that such screening will need to be phased in, and that Freeman Park, being a Community park, has different requirements than the four neighborhood parks. It was the consensus of the Park Commission that with these understandings the wording of the proposed ordinance would be acceptable. The Commission has intended to screen the portable facilities, but is interested in flexibility due to me differing nature of the parks. At this point, J. McCarty reported to the Commission on the discussion that was held at the City Council meeting of the previous night regarding a City ordinance allowing the waiving or delaying surfacing, curbing and striping requirements for City parks. Council member Lewis had voiced concern that asphalting of City parking lots and roads not be delayed indefinitely. He feels that upgrading the roads and lots are just as important as the recreational amenities. The issue was referred back to the Planning Commission and staff to find a way to assure that it is a goal to asphalt and stripe park parking lots and roads. During the discussion on this issue, the following points were made: • Our current Park capital Improvement Program calls for the improvement of the parking lot at Badger Park and provides for a parking lot at Cathcart Part in 1994. The upgrading of a parking lot in Manor Park is scheduled for 1995. At that time each of the neighborhood parks will have upgraded parking areas. • The original Park Improvement Plan, prepared at the time of the park bond referendum, included over $200,000 for Freeman Park road and parking lot paving. This is still an element of the long range park plan (beyond the current 5 -year CIP). • At this point we do not know what the future holds for the entrance to Freeman Park from Highway 7. There is some interest among some sports organizations to acquire land to the east, closing off that Highway 7 entrance, selling that property, and reconfiguring the additional land for parking and ballfields. MnDot has a policy of minimizing the entrances and exits from Highway 7. • This year's CIP should include a listing of projects which are on the long range park plan, but not included in the 5 -year CIP. This would include paving. The Shorewood Parks Foundation by -laws recognize that the City's CIP has projects identified and funds set aside for the next five years. Their fund raising efforts are intended to emphasize planned improvements, such as asphalting Freeman Park roads and parking lots, not currently in the 5 -year plan. This is a real emphasis for the Park Foundation. In addition to the Parks Foundation efforts, the asphalting of parking lots and roads in Freeman Park could be accelerated if the City were to set aside additional funds each year over the next 5 to 10 years. Chair McCarty will relay these thoughts to the City Council. 7. REPORTS: A - Update on Arbor Month Plans SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1994 Page 3 of 4 McCarty indicated that she will write letters to the homeowners' associations around Silverwood Park asking them to donate trees for an Arbor Day celebration at the park Saturday, May 21st at 9:00 a.m. B - Shorewood Parks Foundation McCarty reported that she sent letters to the various organizations requesting their input on recommendations for members to be appointed to the Foundation Board. She intends to coordinate a slate of candidates to bring to the City Council. Dzurak reported that there will be a $200 to $400 cost associated with an IRS determination. These funds will come from the parks general fund budget. C - Report on Park Properties J. Hurm reported that members of the Public Works Department suggested that the Cathcart Park plan be revisited, placing the parking lot on the south side of the grove of trees to try to save as many trees as possible. Park Planner Chamberlain indicated that his recommendation is that the plan be left as it is because free- skating would very likely need to be eliminated due to the orientation of the ballfield, and because a new orientation of the field would have less optimum sun angle. In addition, there would only be room for about a 20' buffer between the parking lot and the properties to the south. This would have to be worked out with the City of Chanhassen and the property owners. J. Wilson indicated that he feels that the grove of trees is not of high quality and should simply be removed. The City Hall and Badger Park parking lot area reconstruction has been rebid and will be starting in the month of May. 8. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were no matters from the floor. ADJOURNMENT Dzurak moved, Bensman seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED. James C. Hurm, City Administrator