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081198 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS PARK COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1998 7:30 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Puzak called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. A. Roll Call Present: Chair Puzak; Commissioners Bensman (arrived at 7:33), Dallman, Arnst, Themig and Cochran; Administrator James Hurm; Council Liaison Roger Champa and Park Planner Mark Koegler Also present: Christine Lizee, Doris Lizee and Sue Dunn from the League of Women Voters Absent: Commissioner Colopoulos B. Review Agenda There were no changes to the agenda. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Work Session Minutes of June 23, 1998 Arnst moved, Dallman seconded to approve the minutes. Motion passed 6/0. B. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of July 14, 1998 Bensman moved, Cochran seconded to approve the minutes. Motion passed 5/0, with Arnst abstaining. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR Doris Lizee of Greenwood was present to discuss Shirley Rice Memorial. She explained that the League of Women Voters has been planting flowers every summer and taking care of the flowers. She mentioned that it is hard sometimes for someone to water the plants because there is no source of water. She stated that they usually get the water from the pond and inquired if the PARK COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 11, 1998PAGE2 - City does any watering. She also mentioned that there needs to be some trimming of the trees and shrubs. The City does not water the plants now. Administrator Hurm stated that Public Works Supervisor Larry Niccum is recommending the reduction of the original garden area to about 10 feet each side of the memorial sign and removal of the old dying shrubs and trimming of the lower limbs. Administrator Hurm stated he would ask Public Works how watering could be done in a cost effective way. Commissioner Bensman inquired as to who has been taking care of the memorial. Administrator Hurm stated Public Works and the League of Women Voters have been maintaining Shirley Rice Memorial. Commissioner Bensman mentioned that the first City Hall was also located at Manor Park and she feels a sign should be posted stating this was the location of the first City Hall. Christine Lizee pointed out the dead brush has been cleared out, but that the landscape rock needs to be removed. She suggested developing a landscape plan including perennials and annual flowers. It was suggested that Administrator Hurm make arrangements with Chris Lizee and Public Works to work with the League of Women Voters with regard to the planning and maintenance of Shirley Rice Memorial. Commissioner Bensman asked that consideration of a sign locating the first City Hall be added to the “to do list.” Christine Lizee thanked the Park Commission for their donation to the Minnewashta playground. The playground equipment has been installed and is a wonderful improvement. 4. REPORTS A. Status Report on “To Do List” Administrator Hurm reported that most items had been completed as of July 24. Public Works will grass seed the water trench line in August at Freeman Park. The Park Commission will need to determine if benches are still needed for the baseball field in Manor Park. The tennis court backboard at Manor Park was removed from the list and Manor Park Memorial was added. Commissioner Dallman inquired how far the garden for Shirley Rice Memorial is from electricity. He suggested buying a $25 pump with a garden hose attached to it and plug that in to pump water from the pond. Administrator Hurm will check into this possibility. B. Report on the July 22 Meeting With Surrounding Cities Regarding Skateboarding/Roller Blading PARK COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 11, 1998PAGE3 - Chair Puzak reported that the first Youth Coalition meeting went well. Those who attended include: Matt Pike, area church leaders, and representatives of the cities of Deephaven, Tonka Bay and Excelsior. The consensus was to build a skate park. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12 at which time they will discuss an agreement, prepare a vision statement and appoint a leader. A location for the skate park is still undecided, but it was felt Freeman Park would not be a good location. Chair Puzak said he talked to Tonka Bay regarding Manitou Park, or felt Badger Park might be a good option. Manor Park is a central location to other cities, but can be difficult to find. Administrator Hurm commented that Deephaven is interested in having a skate park in their city near Deephaven City Hall. Commissioner Themig said St. Louis Park is involved with other cities with regard to a moving skate park. Puzak stated that is one option the Coalition will consider. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 11, 1998PAGE4 - 5. MARK KOEGLER - REPORT ON TRAIL & PARK PLANNING PROCESS- CONSIDER AN ACTION PLAN Park Planner Mark Koegler reviewed the report on trails and parks. Koegler stated that at the visioning meeting residents indicated a high priority should be placed on parks. This was very important to people and it came out in many different ways. Parks are a favorite and very critical element of the City. Phase two, the telephone survey, conducted by Decision Resources indicated residents place a first and second priority on parks and trails. The survey indicated a strong support for a trail system with location being the key criteria. Residents did indicate their willingness to travel to a trail. Koegler stated that we were very fortunate to have seventeen people who were committed to their community on the Citizens Review Group. The first meeting of the Citizens Review Group was held July 9th. That evening the Group brainstormed mostly on trails. The Group was asked to identify issues that would need to be addressed regarding a trail system. They came up with property impact, safety (vandalism, safety for children), and concern for the impact on residents living adjacent to the trail. They discussed the planning and design phases, as well as the cost. It was noted the current trail plan is no longer valid. The second Citizens Review Group meeting was held July 16th. The Group talked about the impact of a trail system on the community and what kinds of strategies could be used to gain support. They felt property values and taxes should be considered. Golden Valley was discussed as this was an established city that retrofitted trails. Koegler urged Group members to visit all Shorewood Parks prior to the next meeting. The third meeting was held July 23rd. Group members discussed specific needs identified in the parks, including: open space, and children’s needs. The Group urged the Park Commission to continue exploring implementation of a trail system as the community had expressed a strong interest. The Group felt the Park Commission should work with neighborhoods, get people involved, and get the story out to gain support. They felt the Park Commission is on the right track and concurred with things done so far. Koegler said the visioning session, the telephone survey and the Citizen Review Group sessions have been completed. All of these sources strongly support the desire for trails. Now the question is what do we do and what time frame do we do it in? Commissioner Arnst commended Koegler on a great job summarizing the visioning session, telephone survey and Citizens Review Group discussions. Commissioner Bensman stated there seems to be overwhelming response in favor of trails in Shorewood. Koegler reported it is time for the Park Commission to meet with the City Council. Commissioner Dallman suggested Koegler report the results to the City Council. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 11, 1998PAGE5 - Administrator Hurm stated Koegler will work on the specifics of an updated process plan and report to the Park Commission at their next meeting prior to presenting to the Council. Commissioner Bensman stated she did not want to see the process slowed down by waiting until November to meet. Chair Puzak agreed that they move quickly so they can get input from the Council on how the Commission should proceed. Themig moved, Cochran seconded, that the Park Commission present the results of the trail plan process to the City Council during a Work Session on September 21, 1998 and follow-up with a formal report at the City Council meeting of September 28, 1998. Motion passed 5/1. Bensman opposed. 6. INITIAL DISCUSSION 1999-2003 CIP/BUDGET Commissioner Arnst inquired about outside sources to help fund the cost of trails. Chair Puzak replied outside sources may be an option for funding. He asked Administrator Hurm to review the CIP. He will identify optional sources of funding in working with Mr. Koegler. Administrator Hurm highlighted areas included in the CIP. Commissioner Themig asked what options would be available if outside funding is not available. The balance in the City’s trail fund is all the local funding set aside for trails at this time. Administrator Hurm explained the DNR, ISTEA and MSA all might be sources of funds for trails. He said he would report back at the next meeting 7. REVIEW RESIDENTS REQUEST FOR RECYCLING CONTAINERS AT FREEMAN PARK Chair Puzak felt this suggestions was a good idea. Administrator Hurm reported people in the area are already collecting cans from the park and there doesn’t seem to be a need for an additional receptacle. Commissioner Bensman stated in this county people are required to recycle, and she felt the City should promote that attitude. Themig moved, Dallman seconded, to direct staff to investigate prices for aluminum and plastic recycling containers for the parks. Motion passed 6/0. 8. OLD BUSINESS PARK COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 11, 1998PAGE6 - Commissioner Arnst questioned if the City was made aware of the number of soccer games being played during their tournament in the parks. She had heard that during the recent soccer tournament games were being played on the baseball fields and that cars were parking out on Eureka Road. Council member Champa stated that parking was hard to find because of the mulch in the one parking area from the storms and very hour and fifteen minutes new people were coming. Chair Puzak stated that he and Administrator Hurm need to have a meeting with Tonka United Soccer and go over items such as; field usage, improvements to the soccer field and the grant received for soccer. Commissioner Themig asked about the status of the request for the purchase of a backup snowmobile. Administrator Hurm reported he is researching options. The Mayor can take this request to the Police Coordinating Committee to consider funding. Commissioner Themig inquired when the Commission would next work on the park policy use. It was determined to schedule this in October. 9. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. 10. ADJOURNMENT Bensman moved, Themig seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 p.m. Motion passed 6/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED Twila Grout Parks Secretary