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112895 PK MINCITY OF SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1995 7:30 P.M. MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Mary Bensman called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Bensman; Commissioners, Dzurak, Trettel, Puzak, Martin, Wilson and Colopoulos; Administrator Hurm; Council Liaison McCarty. Absent: None REVIEW AGENDA There were no changes to the Agenda. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Dzurak moved, Martin seconded to approve the minutes of Tuesday, September 29, 1995 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 5. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR Commissioner Wilson asked, on behalf of a caller, about the procedure for setting up a softball tournament. Administrator Hurm said to refer them to the City Hall offices, which would then be followed up by Community Services. 6. DISCUSSION ON HWY #7 DESIGN OPTIONS AT FREEMAN PARK City Planning Director, Brad Nielsen provided background information about MnDot studies and plans for State Highway 7 access between Shorewood and Hutchinson. He indicated that the long term plan is for an upgrade to 4 lanes, but stressed that the reality is easily 20 years away. In the meantime, a corridor study has been done to look at other ways to improve safety. A primary goal is to reduce access points to Highway 7 in the urbanized area, which is east of St. Boni. One such place is at the Freeman exit to Hwy 7. Using diagrams, Brad showed this and other points of entry within Shorewood which are under consideration for change. He presented three potential plans, with the recommended option directing traffic out of Freeman onto Eureka Rd. and creating an "entrance only" point at the current Eureka entry, thereby maintaining two access points for the park. One other suggestion from MnDot is to merge the existing Hwy 7 outlet toward the west onto Shorewood Oaks, which Planning feels is not an acceptable plan. Brad asked the commission members for feedback on the idea of creating a service road to Eureka for SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY NOVEMBER 28, 1995 PAGE 2 of 4 the outflow traffic, resulting in both access points being on that collector street. A period of discussion and questions followed, including issues of signage, safety, traffic signals, speed limit, and the effect of possible development of adjacent land. Brad recommends that the plan which is the City's preference be presented to MnDot, rather than wait to react to their suggested plan and wants the Park Commission to have the opportunity to express any objections there may be to the idea. He reminded the commission members that this plan is very conceptual and schematic at this point, but is strongly preferred over the MnDot plan. Bill Colopoulos moved that the Park Commission recommends the recommended alternative approach to revising and rebuilding the entrance currently on Highway 7 into Freeman Park to Eureka Road. Following further discussion, Roxanne Martin seconded and the motion passed unanimously. 7. COMMISSIONER REPORTS A. Snowmobile Task Force - Roxanne reported that things are moving along with the help of Judy Marshik from Research Quick. Judy will be facilitating meetings and creating a survey, with results in March. This timing will hopefully enable the Task Force can go to council with a recommendation by May. The question of expense of time and money was raised. It was explained that Judy's professional and impartial role is going to be a valuable asset toward accomplishing the purpose of the Task Force. The next meetings are set for December 6 and 18. B. Hockey Task Force - John Flood was present at the meeting to explain the current status of establishing a site for the Minnetonka Youth Hockey Association (MYHA) ice sheet and to determine if the Park Commission is still interested in Freeman being an option. He explained that the school district is preferring a location at Minnetonka Middle School East now, rather than Minnetonka Middle School West, and yet they have a timing problem due to the March referendum which could cause a misunderstanding for voters. Although the MME site is "ice sheet - ready" in many ways, the Freeman location has the advantage of being still within district 276 and not tied in with school issues, plus it provides a westerly location for hockey players. John described the ever - growing shortage of ice time and the importance of timing in order to provide more ice by the next season. The purpose of his presentation at this time is only to determine the Park Commission's position in considering Freeman as an option and to have some guidance on protocol with proceeding. Some details were discussed, such as construction plans, cost, funding, program rights, proposed placement at Freeman, off - season use and staffing of warming house. One issue that MYHA has determined is that they would include in a contract with the city that they would have programming rights. Chair Bensman clarified that at this point MYHA is only seeking a letter of intent and that details can be addressed later. J. Hurm presented a memorandum laying out a likely process to be followed. That memo is attached and made part of these minutes. SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY NOVEMBER 28, 1995 PAGE 3 of 4 Bill Colopoulos moved that the Park Commission gives preliminary and conditional approval to the proposal by the Hockey Association and request that they go ahead and develop their plan in full details and submit them to us for further consideration and preliminary approval to City Council. Roxanne Martin seconded and the motion carried unanimously. There was further discussion about timing of approvals, construction and funding. John estimated the cost to be around $600,000 to $750,000 with $250,000 coming from a grant. Approval by the City is the first step and would need to be given by March or April of 1996 in order to skate in November. The Hockey Association would like to proceed with Shorewood and if the School District is able to provide space at a later date, the option for a second ice sheet would be there. John stated that MYNA will have a full presentation prepared for the January Park Commission meeting. C. Park Foundation Meeting Report - Ken Dallman reported on behalf of the Park Foundation. They are planning for a September 21 Fall Festival as this should avoid the rush of spring clean -up and first good outdoor weather. The next meeting is set for January 16 to assemble a committee, which would allow nine months for planning, rather than three. They plan to implement a co -chair concept for each committee. As an aside, Ken added his "yes" vote to the idea of the ice sheet being located at Freeman and commended the Park Commission for proceeding on it. Commissioner Trettel conveyed the information that the Tonka United Soccer Association land purchase did not go through. 8. DISCUSSION ON COMMEMORATIVE SIGNS Roxanne Martin suggested the plastic signs that are sold by the play equipment companies to be used at each of the play structures. There is one that is part of the safety wall in the play structure at the Excelsior Commons and it appears to be pretty indestructible. She recommended that prices be investigated for further discussion prior to the next meeting.. Trettel said that there should be consistency in the style of the signs throughout the parks. As far as the name signs on the backstops at the ballfields, it was decided that they would need to be metal. Staff will investigate costs and options. 9. REVIEW 1995 PARK IMPROVEMENTS Freeman - Due to the weather, the picnic shelter did not get up in the fall. The two fountains are here and will be installed in the spring at the same time as the building. Wilson's Nursery did get the trees in that were planned. Cathcart - Again, weather halted progress. The gravel is in and will be used for parking. A trailer will be brought in for a warming house, which will be larger than the one used at Manor (10' x 40'). New wiring for the lights has been installed to alleviate last years problems with the lights. The ballfield and fencing will be installed after the parking lot in SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY NOVEMBER 28, 1995 PAGE 4 of 4 the spring. Jim has advised Little League and will also let Community Services know that they will need to schedule at Manor. Manor - The parking lot is completed and grass is planted at the location of the previous lot. Bushes are yet to be added. Sandy Trettel inquired about the level of use at Manor and Mary Bensman said that it is mostly used by local residents and more so since it has been spruced up. Silverwood - This years work has been completed. A shelter is yet to be done. As far as markers for the trail, the City Engineer, Larry Brown described some options being considered which would be unobtrusive but easy to locate, such as a disk placed into the ground. Steve Dzurak agreed with the idea because residents would not want markers to be obvious. Markers would be placed at survey points. Badger - No work has been done this fall because of the pending construction of the Senior Community Center. General - Jennifer McCarty reported that the volleyball net at Freeman is still up and has been cut. Jim Wilson indicated that David Steinkamp doesn't know about Manor as a alternative to Cathcart for Little League. Jim Hurm will let him know. 10. ESTABLISH NEXT MEETING DATE It was noted that two appointments will expire in January and discussion followed regarding the timing of this with the next meeting date. There being no meeting in December, and conflicts with dates in the earlier part of January, the next meeting date is scheduled for January 23, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. 11. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Trettel moved and Colopoulos seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. • To: Hockey Task Force Park Commission From: James C. Hurm, City Administrator Date: November 27, 1995 Re: Procedure for Acquiring Approvals for a Covered/Refrigerated Ice Sheet in Freeman Park 1. The Park Commission should review prt#iminary plans, discuss issues and indicate to the Task Force and City Council their interest in the proposal and list issues to be addressed. 2. Upon a preliminary positive recommendation or the Park Commission, the City Council could authorize application for a Conditional Use Permit (CT TP) for this project on City property and consider waiving fees. 3 . Park Commission and staff then work with the Hockey Association on details of appropriate agreements and review and finalize plans (site and building). Park Commission recommendations go to the Planning Commission. 4. The Planning Commission reviews and approves the CUP following public hearing. Such approval can be based on conditions which would need to be worked out between the Hockey Association and the Park Commission. 5. City Council approves the CUP, site and building plans and appropriate agreements. 6. The Hockey Association will undertake the preparation of Final plans and the City Engineer will review and approve plans and specifications and will oversee construction. cc: Brad Nielsen, Planning Director City Council •