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011398 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS PARK COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1998 7:30 P.M. MINUTES CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING 1. Chair Colopoulos called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. A. ROLL CALLAND INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS Present: Chair Colopoulos; Commissioners Puzak, Bensman, Dallman, Arnst, Themig and Cochran; Administrator Jim Hurm B. REVIEW AGENDA Chair Colopoulos read the Agenda for January 13, 1998. The agenda was accepted as amended. He explained the Police Department has requested permission to utilize Freeman Park for an additional snowmobile training session. This will become Item No. 4. A Trail Plan Review will become Item No. 10A and a discussion relative to the Youth Initiative Survey Session will also be addressed as Item No. 10B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. A. Park Commission Minutes of November 11, 1997 Dallman moved, Bensman seconded approving the Park Commission Minutes of November 11, 1997, as submitted. Motion passed 5/0. (Commissioners Themig and Cochran abstained.) B. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of December 9, 1997 Puzak moved, Dallman seconded approving the Park Commission Minutes of December 9, 1997, as submitted. Motion passed 5/0. (Commissioners Themig and Cochran abstained.) MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR 3. Administrator Hurm introduced Twila Grout who has been appointed to the position of Park Secretary. Commissioners Cochran and Themig introduced themselves to the Commission. REVIEW OF GRANT APPLICATION WITH TONKA UNITED SOCCER 4. REPRESENTATIVE PARK COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 13, 1998 - PAGE 2 Mr. Henderson was in attendance and explained the grant opportunity for which application is being made. He thanked Administrator Hurm for his assistance in this application process. The grant is intended to supplement funds which Tonka United Soccer has budgeted for the coming year for recreational soccer development for children in the community. Chair Colopoulos expressed concern relative to the proposed upgrading of the fields and noted it is his belief the Commission had anticipated the fields would be upgraded in such a way that they could still be utilized. Mr. Henderson explained he has discussed this matter with the G&H Earth Moving personnel as well as the irrigation people who have extensive experience in this field of work. He was told it would be best to do all of the work at once. If this work were commenced the 1st of August, irrigation could be utilized to germinate the seeds by approximately the 18th of August. Mr. Henderson also noted there is considerable competition for the grant funds. Commissioner Puzak inquired whether a contingency plan has been considered given the possibility the fields may not be ready for the start of the soccer season. Mr. Henderson felt a plan could be devised to address such a situation. A. CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT 4. FOR AUTHORIZATION TO CONDUCT AN ADDITIONAL SNOWMOBILE TRAINING SESSION Hurm explained a request has been received from the Police Department for authorization to conduct one additional snowmobile training practical session in Freeman Park. Puzak moved, Bensman seconded authorizing the Police Department to utilize Freeman Park for an additional snowmobile training session under the same conditions which were previously imposed relative to the presence of only one snowmobile. Motion passed 7/0. LITTLE LEAGUE PROPOSAL FOR A SCOREBOARD AT FREEMAN FIELD #3 5. Mr. Dave Steinkamp was unable to be in attendance and this item was therefore tabled for consideration until the February meeting of the Park Commission. DISCUSSION ON CONTRACT FOR CONCESSION SERVICES FOR 1998 6. SEASON Hurm explained Mr. Strout will not be working with the concession services for the 1998 season. Commissioner Dallman suggested advertising in the newsletter for someone to fill this position. Commissioner Themig suggested possibly one of the sports organizations would be interested in taking over this service. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 13, 1998 - PAGE 3 Chair Colopoulos felt this matter should be referred back to Minnetonka Community Education Services who would be able to utilized various sources of help. Hurm will investigate this matter with MCES and will report back to the Commission at the next meeting. REPORT ON PARK ACTIVITY 7. Hurm displayed the stakes which were used at Silverwood Park for purposes of the turf trail. These stakes were placed for the purpose of marking the City's property lines relative to the trail. CONSIDERATION OF A MOTION MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1998 8. PARK COMMISSION OFFICERS Bensman moved, Themig seconded to recommend nominating Commissioner Puzak for the position of Chair and Commissioner Dallman for the position of Vice Chair for 1998. Motion passed 7/0. CONSIDERATION OF SCHEDULE OF PARK LIAISONS TO COUNCIL 9. The consensus of the Commission was to continue taking turns as Park Liaison to the Council and to notify who will be attending on the agenda. The schedule for 1998 is as follows: Commissioner Puzak January/August Commissioner Colopoulos February/September Commissioner Dallman February/October Commissioner Bensman April/November Commissioner Themig May/December Commissioner Cochran June Commissioner Arnst July DISCUSSION ON A COMMISSION WORK PLAN FOR 1998 10. Chair Colopoulos suggested adding the issue of green space to the Commission's work plan list. He noted the issue relative to foul balls at Freeman Park also needs to be addressed. It was also suggested the possibility of holding a festival or community event be further investigated. Commissioner Puzak also noted the possibility of developing a brochure had been tabled in the past and could also be added to the work plan list. Hurm suggested the Commission may want to review the 1998 Capital Improvement Plan as well. A. TRAIL PLAN REVIEW Chair Colopoulos felt the Commission may want to give consideration to holding a second monthly meeting which would be dedicated to working on the trail plan issue. Commissioner Puzak noted a commitment has been made to the Council as well as the community that these PARK COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 13, 1998 - PAGE 4 meetings would be held in open public forums. If the meetings are held at a time other than the regular meeting dates and times, it may be difficult for people to be aware of them. Hurm stated it may be necessary to have an additional work study session for Commission discussion on this issue. Commissioner Bensman inquired who would be responsible for appointing the Citizen Review Group. Hurm explained Mr. Koegler will work with the Commission or a sub group of the Commission relative to this. Commissioner Puzak felt the Park Commission should work with Mr. Koegler and present a list of candidates to the Council. Commissioner Bensman and Chair Colopoulos felt a community forum date should be established to allow sufficient time for publication in the newsletter. Commissioner Puzak recommended the week of February 16th with the following week as a backup date. The actual day will be selected by Hurm and Koegler. Commissioner Arnst questioned how the 300 names to receive a personal letter of invitation would be selected. Hurm felt suggestions could come from the Commission, sports groups, as well as petitions which have been filed with the City. Commissioner Arnst felt the invitations should be restricted to Shorewood residents. Commissioner Bensman felt the Citizen Review Committee should be restricted to residents. Commissioner Arnst expressed concern with sending invitations to special interest groups such as sports organizations and noted there are individuals who are very interested in this subject who would not be included because they do not fall into one of the categories listed. Commissioner Puzak noted his agreement and felt the process should be more random and suggested a computer generated list which selects names by random. He felt advertising would bring in the special interest groups. Commissioner Bensman felt the invitations should be sent out more as a general announcement of a community forum. Council Liaison McCarty suggested colored postcards be utilized to announce the community forum. Hurm will discuss this with Koegler and the issue can be further discussed with the Commission prior to the invitations being sent out. Commissioner Puzak asked whether the City is secure that Koegler is neutral on this issue since he will profit if the trail proceeds. Hurm explained Koegler does not profit if the trail proceeds since the City will develop and construct the trail. Commissioner Themig questioned whether there is a way for people who cannot attend the meeting to submit their feedback. Commissioner Bensman suggested forming a subcommittee to oversee communications. Commissioner Arnst felt the Communication Committee should be in charge of any communication and/or press releases which are sent out. It was decided the subcommittee will consist of Commissioners Bensman, Themig and Arnst. It was decided that all Shorewood households will receive postcards announcing the Community Forum. It will be announced in the newsletter as well. The subcommittee will oversee PARK COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 13, 1998 - PAGE 5 communications. The week of February 16th has been selected and the specific date will be selected by Hurm and Koegler. By the end of February, a Citizen Review Group will be established by the Commission and Koegler and will be submitted to the Council for their consideration. B. YOUTH INITIATIVE SURVEY A survey was distributed to the Commission for their information and review. Commissioner Puzak stated he supports doing things which are positive and healthy for children and recommended the Commission proceed with this survey. He expressed concern with the number of messages in Excelsior that children are not welcome such as street signage which prohibits activities such as rollerblading and skateboarding. Commissioner Puzak also expressed concern with the partnerships which would be developed in this regard. Commissioner Puzak did not feel the youth initiative to be a viable goal if it is meant to keep kids off the streets since it will not solve a loitering problem which may currently exist. Any facility which is developed to address this situation will not be of interest to all youth in the area since their interests are not the same. Commissioner Arnst noted not all kids in the area want to be in community education programs or traditional sports programs. Chair Colopoulos requested the issue of a possible skate park be brought back for consideration on a new future agenda and Matt Pike also be invited back. ADJOURNMENT 11. Cochran moved, Themig seconded adjourning the meeting at 9:35 p.m. Motion passed 7/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Cheryl Wallat Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.