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012396 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS PARK COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1996 7:30 P.M. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER 1. Vice-Chair William Colopoulos called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. ROLL CALL 2. Present: Vice-Chair Colopoulos; Commissioners Puzak, Wilson, Bensman and Dallman; Administrator Hurm; City Engineer Brown; Council Liaison McCarty. Absent: Chair Martin; Commissioner Trettel Also Present: Planning Commission Chair Deborah Borkon; Minnetonka Youth Hockey Association Representatives ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS 3. A. Introduction of New Member - Newly appointed commissioner, Kenneth Dallman, who will serve a three year term, was introduced by Vice-Chair, William Colopoulos Jr. and welcomed by the Park Commission. B. Establish City Council Liaison 1996 Schedule - A schedule of the City Council Liaison positions was established for 1996 as follows: February - Colopoulos June - Trettel October - Puzak March - Bensman July - Wilson November - Dallman April - Puzak August - Colopoulos December - Wilson May - Dallman September - Bensman Substitute - Martin Colopoulos moved to approve the schedule for the City Council Liaison for 1996 Park Commissioners as noted. Puzak seconded and the motion carried unanimously . REVIEW AGENDA 4. Administrator Hurm requested on behalf of the Minnetonka Youth Hockey Association (MYHA) that their presentation be placed further down on the agenda to 8:00 p.m. That change was approved and there were no other changes to the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 5. Colopoulos moved, Bensman seconded to approve the minutes of Tuesday, November 28, 1995 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR 6. SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY JANUARY 23, 1996 PAGE 2 of 5 There were none PROPOSAL FOR FREEMAN ICE SHEET FOR MYHA 7. Tabled until later in the evening. (See item after #9.) COMMISSIONER REPORTS 8. Snowmobile Task Force A. - Colopoulos reported that progress is being made in two essential areas: Preparing for anticipated questions which will require answers at the time of addressing the City Council, and establishing a subcommittee to create the community survey which is set for a March mailing date. City Attorney Tim Keane has been included in this part of the process and will attend the next meeting of the task force as well. Also, there is a change in the roster of the task force. Warren Peterson was appointed to replace Troy Stottler, who resigned due to a job conflict. Colopoulos noted that this change does not seem to alter the balance of viewpoints within the group. Hockey Task Force B. - To be covered in the MYHA presentation (item#7). Park Foundation Meeting Report - C. The January meeting of the Park Foundation was postponed until February 15. A report will be included in the next Park Commission meeting. Silverwood Equipment Report D. - Commissioner Wilson had inspected the play equipment at Silverwood in response to a concern raised during a previous meeting that the slide was looking warped. He did not see a problem with any part of the equipment except that one of the three play equipment pads appeared to be set slightly lower than the others, which does not pose a structural problem. He did state that the two-year old equipment is showing dirt stains on the light colored portions. Wilson also added that he had received a call from a Silverwood area resident who had several concerns such as tree trimming to excess, plowing beyond the normal parking areas and heavy traffic on parkland by suspected youth. Hurm diagrammed the area, explaining that the clearing of snow is for rink access and that snow piles are placed to block unwanted traffic on the trail. A bollard is to be installed in the necessary area in the spring. Engineer Larry Brown has also been in contact with someone on these issues and stated that a letter to residents will be sent soon to explain the plans for the bollard and trial area. Wilson concluded by saying that Silverwood is in good condition with no visible litter or damage at this time. Private parties have provided lighting and a picnic table for the skating area. REVIEW FEE SCHEDULE - PARK DEDICATION FEES 9. 2 SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY JANUARY 23, 1996 PAGE 3 of 5 Because it has been over three years since there has been a change in Park Dedication Fees, and, in light of the fact that there is a limit to the number of potential lots within the City of Shorewood (approximately 200), it was suggested that the Park Commission consider a recommendation to Council that the fees be increased. Although a copy of a metro area report of fees was provided, it was difficult to determine how the present fee of $750 compares with other nearby cities. In the course of discussion, the following points were made: The fee is charged to the party who plats the land, but is ultimately passed on to the buyer of the home, as it is considered a part of the property’s cost. Park development does increase property value, although the exact affect cannot be documented. The purpose of this revenue source is not to develop additional parkland, but to complete and maintain existing facilities as is stated in the Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Bensman stated that it would be reasonable to raise fees to reflect inflation and that it seems fair to be in keeping with the increased value of the land. Commissioner Puzak asked about the preference to ask for a fee assessment rather than to increase taxes to fund an established need for park expenses. Hurm replied that the initial assessment is an established and accepted approach, plus an existing owner would be paying twice if a tax were levied at this point. He also interjected that the City Council did approve the CIP as recommended by the Park Commission, which includes an undesignated fund balance in five years of $6,500 which estimates future park dedication fees. This resource will decline with time. Deborah Borkon asked from the floor about the options for generating revenue after the last lot is sold. This is where the Park Foundation would be involved with fund raisers to hopefully take over for park dedication fees Plus, the expense of park development should be reduced as time goes on with maintenance being the main cost, rather than development. The other source of income is user fees and donations. There was further discussion, concluding that although it is impossible to project needs or revenue beyond five years, it is reasonable to implement an increase at this time and that it should be tied in to some index. Colopoulos moved that the Park Commission propose to increase the fee proportional to the land price inflation factor from the last time it was done... to the current adjustment period which should be... to January 1, 1996, thereafter to be adjusted on a calendar year basis. Bensman seconded and the motion carried unanimously. PROPOSAL FOR FREEMAN ICE SHEET FOR MYHA (REVISITED) 7. John Flood, representing Minnetonka Youth Hockey Association, (MYHA) explained the need for additional quality ice for an ever-growing number of players, introduced other members of MYHA who were present, and stated that their proposal is to construct an outdoor, refrigerated, canopied sheet of ice to be used mainly as a practice facility. They are asking the Shorewood Park Commission to give a favorable recommendation to the City Council that MYHA be able to build this arena at the north end of Freeman Park. Ms. Gerry Graham then described the worsening situation with the shortage of ice time and emphasized the importance of strong recreation programs to the community. 3 SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY JANUARY 23, 1996 PAGE 4 of 5 Mr. Jim Finstuen provided statistics to illustrate the rapid growth in the sport of hockey and in the population in general. He also pointed out the issue of gender equality which will require even more time as hockey grows as a girls sport. Mr. Paul Hannan, architect and also a member of MYHA, showed a map of Freeman Park with the proposed placement of the new facility and a sketch of the structure. The 85’x200’ refrigerated concrete surface would be covered by a 100’x225’ canopy, supported by steel trusses. An auxiliary building would house mechanicals, zamboni storage and concession space. During the “off season” (mid March to mid October) the concession stand could be used for other activities at the park and the concrete slab for a picnic pavilion or in-line skating surface. Mr. Jim Wyman presented information on the estimated cost of $650,000 and various funding options. The projected revenue sources include ice rental (at a recom- mended rate of $50/hour) and concession sales. The figures and diagrams were given as handouts and are kept on file in the packet notebook at City Hall. John Flood identified five issues to be detailed in a “Facility Use Agreement”, which will be drafted by and agreed to by both the City of Shorewood and The MYHA. These have been discussed with city staff and will be clarified for City Council: ownership, programmability, insurance, maintenance and concessions. He concluded with a request that the Park Commission advance the proposal to City Council for the next step and then invited questions from the park commissioners. Puzak said that he was impressed with the plan and liked the proposed location. He asked about the refrigerant that will be used and requested that it be a non-toxic substance, especially in view of the high water table in that area. He also stated a preference for a wooden frame rather than the proposed metal for liability reasons as well as aesthetics. John Flood replied that the choice of metal was a budgeting decision. Other questions discussed were: availability for public use, rights to concession revenues, school district property options, timeline for construction, budgeting for landscaping, affect on rink time at neighborhood parks and use of Minnetonka Ice Arena. The overall response was in favor of the proposal as a positive investment in the community and not to waste any time, but to proceed with the recommendation to Council and then continue to work on details. Bensman moved that the Park Commission recommend this project to the City Council for their consideration to authorize application for the Conditional Use Permit. Puzak seconded the motion with room for further discussion. Following discussion, the motion was amended to read: It is the recommendation of the Park Commission that the City Council authorize application for a Conditional Use Permit for this project on city property and to recommend waiving the Conditional Use Permit fees. The motion passed unanimously as amended. John Flood thanked the Commission for their support and stated that he will immediately address the concerns that were brought up and continue to communicate with city staff to work out 4 SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY JANUARY 23, 1996 PAGE 5 of 5 necessary details. Hurm recommended that MYHA begin working with the planning department in preparation for the conditional use process. DISCUSSION ON COMMEMORATIVE SIGNS 10. This item was tabled until the February meeting date. SET DATE TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL FOR OBSERVANCEOF ARBOR 11. DAY As an applicant for recertification for Tree City USA, Shorewood needs to establish a date for official recognition of Arbor Day. The national observance is set for April 26, 1996. Colopoulos moved to recommend to City Council that the observation of Arbor Day, the details of which will be determined at a later date, will take place on Saturday, April 27, the day after Arbor Day 1996. The formula for each year after will be to recommend to Council the Saturday following Arbor Day as the day of observation. Jim Wilson seconded and the motion passed unanimously. CIP 12. REVIEW 1995 PARK IMPROVEMENTS A. One 1995 project that was delayed is the finishing of the parking lot at Cathcart Park. Hurm explained the arrangement with the church to plow their lot in exchange for use of it for park activities. This will be the last year that plan will be in effect. Other 1995 projects that will be carried over are the picnic pavilion and water fountains at Freeman. SCHEDULE FOR 1996 B. Hurm asked if the Commission would like to hire a park planner to review Freeman Park plans before approving any additional improvements. Bensman agreed that with the size and complexity of Freeman Park, it would be best to enlist a professional’s recommendation, especially with signage. Colopoulos added that it should be put on hold until the entrance issue is resolved. It was also recommended that the Badger play equipment wait until later in the year. ESTABLISH NEXT MEETING DATE 13. The next meeting date is scheduled for Tuesday, February 27, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT 14. 5 SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY JANUARY 23, 1996 PAGE 6 of 5 There being no further business, Colopoulos moved and Bensman seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 9:52 p.m. 6