Loading...
031098 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS PARK COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1998 7:30 P.M. MINUTES CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING 1. Chair Puzak called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. A. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Colopoulos; Commissioners Puzak, Bensman, Dallman, Arnst, Themig and Cochran; and Administrator Jim Hurm Absent: Council Liaison McCarty B. REVIEW AGENDA Chair Puzak read the agenda for March 10, 1998. The agenda was accepted as presented. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. A. Park Commission Minutes of February 18, 1998 Dallman moved, Arnst seconded, to approve the minutes as amended on Page 2, Item C, Sentence 4, amend to read “YMCA considers meeting areas such as churches and schools to function as an outreach for the YMCA.” On Page 4, Item B and C change Pische to Tichy. On Page 4, Item C, Paragraph 2, sentence should read “ Chair Puzak expressed concern for foul balls and asked if netting could be provided within a one year time frame.” Motion passed 7/0. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR 3. Sara Labelle, PTO Representative for Minnewashta Elementary School; Sheila Johnston, parent of a Minnewashta Elementary School child; Debbie DaLavega, PTO President for Minnewashta Elementary School; and Harlan Lehman, Representative for Gametime Playground Equipment were present to talk about the playground equipment at the school grounds. They explained the current playground equipment is beyond repair and does not meet current codes. They consider this a community playground and the PTO is asking the City for help in donating toward the playground. The school district will provide the cost for the handicap access and also provide the new base for the playground. The school district will recognize anyone that PARK COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 10, 1998 - PAGE 2 donates $1,000 or more toward the playground on a plaque that will be displayed at the playground. Commissioner Colopoulos asked how the playgrounds at Freeman and Cathcart parks were funded. Administrator Hurm stated that sports organizations, the American Legion, and civic organizations helped the park fund these playgrounds. The City had volunteers install the equipment and Tree Trust installed the border on several. It was suggested that these are areas that could be looked at for donations. Other areas to look into are grants. The PTO is hoping to have the playground completed this summer. They have been working on this project since last October. Gametime would like to do a photo shot there. This is one of the reasons for the discount on the equipment. The PTO is receiving $100,000 worth of equipment for $60,000. There will be 30 parent volunteers to install the equipment and one technician from the company. Commissioner Themig asked how they came upon the layout. Sara Labelle stated that according to statistics there will be over 700 children attending school next year and currently the playground is not challenging for the fourth and fifth grade students. Sara Labelle said that the playground will be a little larger then the current one. The School District will do the demolition. Mr. Lehman stated that the 1999 safety standards regarding accessibility which means 25% of the play structure has to be handicap accessible for wheelchairs. This is another reason for being a larger playground. Chair Puzak asked that the PTO send to the Park Commission a short summary of what they are requesting. It was asked that Administrator Hurm look at the CIP and report back at the next meeting. REPORTS: 4. Park tour meetings Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 27 Park tours will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 27. A meeting at City Hall will follow the tour. Engineer Brown report on legal/liability of street crossings at LRT Tabled until the next Park Commission meeting on April 14. Chair Puzak and Commissioner Colopoulos regarding possible changes for Freeman Field #2 PARK COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 10, 1998 - PAGE 3 Commissioner Colopoulos met with Dave Anderson and Brian Tichy at Freeman Field 2 to review the foul ball problem. Little League will be responsible for setting up and taking down the netting. Commissioner Colopoulos asked staff to report back on the cost of netting and pole construction from behind home plate to the left field line. Chair Puzak asked Engineer Brown to design a solution and with a estimated cost and report back at the next Park Commission meeting. Chair Puzak suggested that NSP could set the poles. PRESENTATION BY CITY ENGINEER LARRY BROWN ON REVISIONS TO 5. THE PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Tabled until the next Park Commission meeting on April 14. REVIEW PARK SHELTER POLICIES 6. The park shelter rules and reservations were reviewed and changes discussed. It was determined that the changes will be made and faxed to Commissioner Arnst for review and brought back to the next Park Commission meeting for review. CONSIDERATION OF OBTAINING PERSONNEL TO RUN A CONCESSION 7. TRAILER AT FREEMAN PARK THIS YEAR Administrator Hurm talked with Dan Kuzlik from Minnetonka Community Education Services (MCES) and they hope to hire someone by the end of next week to run the baseball program. Administrator Hurm was not sure if the person they hired would be running the concession trailer. Chair Puzak recommended putting an article in the Shorewood newsletter soliciting help to run the concession trailer this year at Freeman Park. Chair Puzak also recommended that other areas that could be considered are: 1. Partner with MCES and incorporate into the job description of the baseball program coordinator the operation of the concession trailer. 2. Less involvement from Park Commission and turn over to end users (adult baseball, soccer) and ask for user fees. 3. Work with an independent contractor, take bids for 1 to 3 years at a time. 4. Work with high school age kids to run the concession trailer. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 10, 1998 - PAGE 4 Commissioner Colopoulos stated he agrees with Commissioner Themig that staffing is an ongoing problem and that all avenues need to be kept open. Commissioner Themig asked if a copy of last year’s concession trailer report from MCES be available at the next Park Commission meeting. Commissioner Dallman stated that the Park Foundation would like a permanent concession building. They have challenged themselves to raise $10,000 for a new building. They are going to ask the Park Commission to help build. Chair Puzak suggested the Park Commission should set a goal and time and decide how they would like to participate. DISCUSSION ON WHETHER A CITY PARK WOULD BE APPROPRIATE 8. LOCATION FOR COMMUNICATIONS ANTENNA TOWER Administrator Hurm explained there is real potential for income ($12,000 to $15,000 per year, per vendor, and up to four vendors per tower). The FCC ruled there is no health risk, and federal regulations say cities cannot make decisions based on health reasons. Administrator Hurm stated this needs to be brought to the attention of the Park Commission and if there is an interest the Planning Commission and the City Council should be made aware. Commissioner Colopoulos said that he had researched with the FCC on this issue. Chair Puzak is in favor of building towers to support communication. This is our future, and we will see more of this in the future. He said the question is, do we want this in one of our parks? Commissioner Dallman asked what’s wrong with a tower where they are going to close off the entrance on Highway 7 to Freeman Park or down by the wetland. Commissioner Dallman thinks the Park Commission should take advantage of this. Commissioners Colopoulos stated that Badger Park might be a better choice than Freeman Park. Commissioner Arnst felt that this was a Planning Commission topic and should wait for them to decide where appropriate settings are from their perspective. Chair Puzak stated that the City Council saw an issue and in order to bring order to that they put a moratorium on the construction, at which time the City is investigating the use of these devices. Commissioner Themig stated he doesn’t feel comfortable to say right now how he feels regarding the appropriateness of the towers in a park setting. He stated that he would have to go look at the parks before making a comment. There is no consensus at this time on this issue. OLD BUSINESS 9. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 10, 1998 - PAGE 5 Commissioner Arnst asked where Decision Resources was with the survey. Administrator Hurm advised that Decision Resources will send the revised survey out on March 17. Park Commission will be asked to return it with comments by Monday, March 23. The Park Commission will meet with the City Council and Decision Resources on March 30. Commissioner Arnst also inquired about the Citizen Review Group. Administrator Hurm stated that this hasn’t been established yet. Decision Resources will work on randomly selecting the Citizen Review Group per Council directive. Hurm reported Council has appointed Chuck Cochran and Ann Packard to the Park Foundation. Hurm stated that there is still an opening to represent South Tonka Little League and Tonka United Soccer. NEW BUSINESS 10. Administrator Hurm stated the Mayor asked that the City look at the ordinance for clean up of animal litter and suggested that the Park Commission might want to review how we treat animals in the parks. Commissioner Arnst stated that the mutt mitt has been well used and not vandalized in its new location. It was requested that this be put on the next Park Commission meeting. Commissioner Cochran stated that a resident had inquired if a white line could be painted on the backboard at the tennis court at Badger. Consensus was to request staff to paint a white line on the backboard at Badger. Commissioner Cochran also had a resident inquire if a crossing guard could be at Smithtown Road. Commissioner Cochran will refer this to the Minnetonka School District. ADJOURNMENT 11. Colopoulos moved, Bensman seconded adjourning the meeting at 9:54 p.m. Motion passed 7/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, PARK COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 10, 1998 - PAGE 6 Twila Grout Parks Secretary