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061097 PK MINCITY OF SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 1997 MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Colopoulos called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. 2. ROLL CALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD 7:30 P.M. Present: Chair Colopoulos; Commissioners Puzak, Dallman, Arnst, and Packard; Council Liaison McCarty; and Administrator Hurm. Absent: Commissioners Bensman and Wilson. 3. REVIEW AGENDA Administrator Hurm requested that the second asterisk under Item #6 be tabled until the next meeting, as the meeting with Mr. Healy is scheduled for Wednesday evening, June 11, 1997. Chair Colopoulos noted that this meeting will include Commissioner Puzak, Chair Colopoulos, Councilmember McCarty, Mr. Healy, and at least one other neighbor. Commissioner Arnst requested that "Old Business" be added to each meeting agenda. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Colopoulos had one change: page 4, 10th paragraph, place a period after "netting "; and delete "which would allow ", and replace with "Moving home plate back... ". On page 2, 2nd paragraph, Commissioner Arnst inquired if Commissioner Puzak requested the empty conduit for electricity, not Commissioner Dallman. Commissioner Dallman clarified that Puzak suggested electricity, and Dallman suggested the empty conduit in the floor for future water. Commissioner Arnst questioned the spelling of "pavilion" on page 2, 4th paragraph. On page 2, 8th paragraph, she recommended deleting the last sentence and replace with "We need to hear from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District." Commissioner Puzak moved, Dallman seconded, to approve the minutes as amended. Motion carried unanimously. 5. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 1997 page 2 Commissioner Puzak stated that he had walked the trail in close proximity to his home, and noted that of the three ponds adjacent to the trail, two were clear, and one (closest to Timber Lane) was covered with algae. He inquired if the City had the ability to investigate the source of the "contamination ". Commissioner Puzak further noted that a commercial fertilizing company has been used by a local homeowner's association. Commissioner Arnst reported that the pond close to the NSP plant has a weird color, and reeks of fuel oil. The City will inquire about the responsible party for these pond investigations. 6. REPORT - LRT MEETING Administrator Hurm highlighted the Light Rail Transit (LRT) meeting of June 4, 1997. Commissioner Arnst was also in attendance at this meeting. Representatives of most of the cities along the Southwest Corridor were present. The Advisory Committee reviewed plans for the next 2 -3 years. The bridge in Excelsior is under construction. Commissioner Arnst mentioned the striping of the trail. Administrator Hurm further reported that the LRT Advisory Committee requested that road striping be done by the municipalities, however consensus was that the most cost effective method would be for Hennepin County to provide stripping at trail crossings. The Advisory Committee reminded cities that all winter signs must be down along the LRT trail. Administrator Hurm raised an issue from last year regarding a potential bridge on Highway #7, and that it was not mentioned during this LRT meeting. Commissioner Arnst noted that it was not in the plans for the next two years. St. Alban's Bay bridge and Valley View Road bridges are priority items now. Administrator Hurm mentioned that the City of Hopkins provides plastic bag dispensers along their section of the trail for animal waste. This system seems to work well. Commissioner Packard inquired about who has authority for making decisions regarding bridge priorities. Administrator Hurm said that Hennepin County would probably apply for a federal grant, and possibly also work with Minnesota Department of Transportation. 7. CONSIDERATION OF PARK PLANNER Administrator Hurm stated that the parks are approximately 90% completed. He noted that $1,500 has been budgeted in 1996 and again in 1997 for a park planner to offer professional input on the last section of park development. Mark Koegler, Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. had prepared the Master Park Plan for the City. The Park Commission would like to ask questions relative to tennis court placement, basketball courts, magic squares, and to prepare final park drawings. They also would like to have a scope of services that a park planner could provide, and at what cost. SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 1997 page 3 Administrator Hurm noted that several changes have been made to the Park Master Plan in the last several years, including 2 tennis courts at Freeman Park instead of 4, and their location has been moved. Silverwood Trail was included in the Master Park Plan also. If approved, Mark Koegler would be able to update the Master Park Plan. Commissioner Puzak would like to add trails to the list of inquiries for the park planner. Chair Colopoulos suggested retaining a Park Planner for consultation purposes, separate from other park issues, during the overall trail planning stages. Commissioner Puzak moved, Dallman seconded, to invite Mark Koegler, Park Planner, to the next Park Commission meeting on June 24, 1997 to discuss trails, tennis courts, basketball courts, the "magic square ", and other park and trail related matters considered by the Commission. Motion carried unanimously. 8. REVIEW OF PARK "TO -DO's" FROM PARK TOURS Administrator Hurm suggested identifying what is most important, considering budget and time constraints. Chair Colopoulos spoke in regard to the request for six picnic tables at Cathcart. He suggested spreading out the allotted picnic tables in each park. Administrator Hurm suggested that two tables be placed at Cathcart. He suggested the additional tables be placed at the Freeman Park picnic shelter. Commissioner Packard requested that a fence be placed around the satellite station at Cathcart Park. Administrator Hurm stated that a permanent building is scheduled in the Capital Improvement Program for the year 2000. He hesitated about placing a fence and arborvitae in a permanent spot, and then having to remove it in three years. A temporary shelter for the satellite was suggested. Councilmember McCarty wanted to see the same standards for the Biff stations in all the parks. Commissioner Arnst requested the "Park To -Do" list be included in the Park Commission packets with a status report until all items have been completed. Chair Colopoulos complimented the City for the maintenance of the fields at Freeman Park since the purchase of the SandPro machine. He also communicated appreciation from Dave Steinkamp, South Tonka Little League. The baseline was increased from 11/2' to 4 1 /2 ' in width on Field #1. Commissioner Arnst moved, Puzak seconded, that the Parks "To -Do" list be included in the next meeting agenda with an indication of what projects have been completed and what SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 1997 page 4 are left to be completed; and to add the fence around the satellite station at Cathcart to the "To -Do" list. Motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Puzak moved, Packard seconded, to allow Larry Brown, Director of Public Works, to determine final location of the satellite stations at Badger Park and Cathcart Park and to place fences around both satellite stations. Motion carried unanimously. 9. NEW BUSINESS Picnic Shelter Sign - Commissioner Arnst noted several items from the May 28, 1997 minutes which were unresolved. One item was the sign at the Freeman Park picnic shelter regarding reservations. Administrator Hurm said that this sign was necessary and will be taken care of during the construction of the shelter. Hockey Rink Plans - Another item concerns the Hockey Association's intention of locating a hockey rink at Freeman Park. A letter has been drafted, but not sent to the Association requesting their updated plans. Unofficial conversations with Hockey Association members have deemed this plan to be financially unfeasible. The question now is if the Park Commission may want to save space at Freeman Park for this amenity in the future. Freeman Park Picnic Shelter - Commissioner Arnst inquired if action by the Park Commission was necessary regarding Mr. Krueger's request for a natural barrier of trees between his property and the baseball field at Freeman Park. Administrator Hurm reported that the City Planner, Brad Nielsen, said that the Planning Commission is considering an amendment to the tree preservation ordinance. This amendment would require that if construction results in a loss of trees, they must replace those trees. However if a development is heavily wooded, a "tree bank" could be developed for placement of trees in the City's parks. This "tree bank" could be utilized for placement of trees along the berm between Freeman Park and Mr. Krueger's property. Play Area - Administrator Hurm communicated that Little League coaches have requested an area near the batting cages for the children to play catch. If the parking lot is moved closer to the playground area, we would lose some smaller trees, however space would be made available for the children to play. Senior Housing Development - Administrator Hurm reported that a proposal has just been submitted for a senior housing development on the Wagner and Land De Con properties. The development will be reviewed in August at the Planning Commission level. Potential discussion issues include the service entrance to Freeman Park and wetlands donation as park dedication. Bituminous Millings - Mr. Wagner had indicated to Administrator Hurm that health problems have been aggravated by dust from gravel roads. The contractor from the Highway #7 project stated that bituminous millings would be provided for the road through Freeman Park at no charge to the City, as the City has allowed parking of construction vehicles in the park. SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 1997 page 5 Trail Plan Review Subcommittee Meeting Notes - Commissioner Puzak stated that the meeting of Commissioners Arnst and Puzak and Administrator Hurm on June 10 at 7:30 a.m. produced an outline of the trail review process. Instead of announcing in the newsletter what we've decided to do, we should be more proactive about what we're thinking about doing for the trails. Because the Master Trail Plan is five years old, and changes have taken place, a Needs Assessment was highly suggested to gather raw data: "Do you bike ?" "Where ?" "Do you walk or jog ?" "Where ?" "Where do you live ?" "How do you, or would you, use the trail ?" From the raw data, we either proceed with the current plan or develop a new vision. The raw data provides direction from the citizens. Commissioner Puzak reviewed the minutes of their meeting. Commissioner Puzak suggested that a colored strip be placed on an aerial map delineating the proposed trails. Chair Colopoulos was in agreement, as the initial opposition was rooted in a struggle to envision the trail on someone's property. He feels that the right -of -way is given to the City for utility use, not recreational use. Commissioner Arnst stated that several different scenarios were discussed: • Several loops of trails Feeders which utilize the LRT to reach a specific point Or a hybrid of both scenarios Chair Colopoulos stated that leadership needs to be from the Park Commission. The Park Commission cannot restrict themselves nor be accountable for past decisions. Administrator Hurm stated that trails should be considered when streets are reconstructed. The next street to be considered would be Strawberry Lane in 1998. Chair Colopoulos was concerned that the trail planning process may not conform to the street reconstruction schedule. Commissioner Arnst expressed a concern that the trail planning process keep a forward momentum. Administrator Hurm suggested an article in each newsletter communicating the phases of the trail plan review process. Concession Trailer - Regarding a financial report from the concession trailer at Freeman Park, Dan Kuzlik, MCES Director, stated to Administrator Hurm that the first three weeks of operation were not that good, as the weather was cold. The subsequent weeks reflect significantly better sales. The first financial report will be included in the packet for the next Park Commission meeting. Park Commission meetings are scheduled for: • Tuesday, June 24, 1997 @ 7:30 pm • Wednesday, July 9, 1997 @ 7:30 pm SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 1997 page 6 • Tuesday, August 12, 1997 @ 7:30 pm 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Puzak moved, Dallman seconded, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting was adjourned at 8:57 P.M. R F.CPF.C'.TFT TT .T .V CT TRMTTTF.T)