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032696 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS PARK COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1996 7:30 P.M. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER 1. Vice-Chair Bill Colopoulos called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. ROLL CALL 2. Present: Vice-Chair Colopoulos; Commissioners Puzak, Trettel and Dallman; Administrator Hurm Absent: Chair Martin; Commissioners Bensman and Wilson; Council Liaison McCarty. REVIEW AGENDA 3. Trettel moved, Puzak seconded to accept the agenda as presented. The motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4. Trettel moved, Puzak seconded to approve the minutes of Tuesday, February 27, 1996 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR 5. There were no matters from the floor. COMMISSIONER REPORTS 6. Snowmobile Task Force A. -Commissioner Colopoulos explained that some necessary revisions have caused a delay in the time table for survey results. He anticipates that some information will be available to report at the April meeting, with a more complete report out in May. A newspaper article will be released to generally describe the responses at that time. Eventually, the final results will be printed in a summer edition of the City Newsletter. . Hennepin County Park Board Meeting of 3/21/96 B - Colopoulos reported that he had attended the March 21 meeting with the purpose of asking that Hennepin County reconsider their decision to limit trail use to snowmobile activity. No action was taken at that time and the issue is tabled by Hennepin Parks until next year. Administrator Hurm raised the concern about the importance of this decision to Snowmobile Task Force, City Council and Park Commission issues. Colopoulos suggested that a representative from Shorewood should attend all future Hennepin Park Board meetings to protect the cities interest in trail use decisions. Hurm added even if a representative does not attend each of their meetings, it would be a good idea to request a spot on an upcoming meeting agenda 2SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY MARCH 26, 1996 PAGE 2 of 3 to directly approach the Board about the initial agreement to maintain the trail for multipurpose use. The city has invested in trail development and maintenance within those perimeters and therefore would need to have input and interaction as to the rules if and when they are changed. It has been the Cities understanding that in relinquishing control of Shorewood’s section of the trail, it is still given options to decide upon it’s use (with the exception of horseback riding). Following discussion, it was the consensus of those present that there is a need to clarify past, present and future understanding between the City of Shorewood and Hennepin Parks with regard to trail use and responsibility. Hurm will contact Hennepin Parks about scheduling of meetings and arrange a time where he, Roxanne Martin, Bill Colopoulos and Jennifer McCarty can approach them to explain the City’s position and ask for a decision so we will not have to wait for a decision in the fall of each year. Park Foundation Report C. - There has not been a Park Foundation meeting since the report of the February Park Commission Meeting. In relation to sports associations, Hurm reported that we have not had a response from the football or hockey organizations for donations to park operations. This is an area that may need to be addressed by the Park Commission in the future. He also explained that the Hockey Association would be billed for damages done to the warming house at Cathcart Park by a coach. Commission members asked for a follow-up report as to the resulting actions against that coach by the Hockey Association. Trail Update D. - Hurm reported on the community response to plans for a trail along Smithtown Rd. Although there has been strong general interest in development of a trail system within the city, the Smithtown residents from Eureka Rd. to Country Club Rd. are objecting to the plan to incorporate a pedestrian/bike lane along their street. While the money is there and the need for safety is a consideration, the reality of a trail along their yards has raised negative feedback. As this has been a more controversial issue than was ever anticipated, the City Council has decided to put off trail construction along Smithtown and to design a trail in as a future option at this time. Commissioner Trettel voiced some possible reasons for objection and sighted an example of similar opposition to a trial along Vine Hill, which has turned out to be considered a positive amenity. There was discussion about the need to consider the community needs as a whole and to respect the intentions of the Citywide Trail Plan as determined in 1992. In view of the Park Commissions opinion that this trail would result in an overwhelming net gain, Ken Dallman moved that the Park Commission recommend to Council that they re- implement the plan to construct a trail along Smithtown Road as described in the 1992 Trail Plan on the merit that it is a well thought out plan and that this significant part of the trail system is an amenity with great benefit which provides the community with a multi- use corridor for diverse forms of transportation. Bill Colopoulos seconded and the motion carried unanimously. HOCKEY PROPOSAL UPDATE 7. 2 3SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY MARCH 26, 1996 PAGE 3 of 3 A letter from the Minnetonka Youth Hockey Association was distributed, explaining their decision to “temporarily suspend the process with the City of Shorewood. . .[until they are in a financially sound position to proceed]”. As the agreement with Shorewood was being explored, other ideas had surfaced within the Association, and yet the letter expressed their desire to keep lines of communication open. Hurm pointed out that waiting a year to see how things develop will not put other plans at stake and that neither party had made any commitments that would lock them into any sort of an agreement. ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION UPDATE 8. Administrator Hurm has contacted Bob Boyer a resident who had coordinated the Manor Park area residents to help with installation of the play equipment. Bob will contact neighbors with phone calls and/or flyers to get donations and plan a celebration for a tree planting event at Manor Park in honor of Arbor Day on Saturday, April 27. He suggested that responses would be greater if the City would offer to match donations. Ken Dallman moved that the Park Commission agree to match residents’ donations for a tree planting at Manor Park in honor of Arbor Day for an amount of up to $500. Bill Colopoulos seconded and the motion carried unanimously. REPORT ON COMMEMORATIVE SIGNS 9. This agenda item was tabled until the next meeting. CIP - 1996 IMPROVEMENTS 10. Badger Park A. - Hurm reported that the Public Works crew has begun to dismantle the hockey boards for moving the rink 30 feet from its current location. He also suggested that the Park Commission may want to consider appointing a liaison to the Senior Community Center Committee to work with plans for park dollars that have been set aside for Badger development. The 1996 budget includes $22,500 for playground equipment and $10,000 for picnic facility, horseshoe pit, landscaping, or whatever works best with the determined needs. The idea of appointing a liaison will be added to the April Meeting Agenda. Report on Each Park B. Cathcart - Work will begin in early May to finish the parking lot and ballfield. Minnetonka Community Services has been notified that the ballfield will not be ready for use this season. Freeman - The family area picnic shelter and fountains will be done this year. Signage is also being worked on. ESTABLISH NEXT MEETING DATES 11. 3 4SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY MARCH 26, 1996 PAGE 4 of 3 The next regular meeting date will be on Tuesday, April 23, 1996 at 7:30. The first 1996 Tour of Parks will be on Tuesday, May 14 at 6:00. A starting location will be determined. Wednesday, May 29 will start at 6:00 to complete the rest of the tours and a regular meeting to follow at 8:00. ADJOURNMENT 12. There being no further business, Dallman moved and Colopoulos seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. 4