Loading...
011399 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS PARK COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1999 7:30 P.M. MINUTES CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING 1. Commissioner Dallman called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. A. Roll Call Present: Commissioners, Dallman, Arnst, Colopoulos, Themig, and Cochran Commissioner Bensman (arrived 7:35 p.m.) Administrator Jim Hurm; Park Planner, Mark Koegler Absent: Chair Puzak; Council Liaison Scott Zerby B. Review Agenda Administrator Hurm asked that item #6 be pulled from the agenda and said that item #5 will be only a brief report. The Commission agreed to those changes. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. A. Park Commission Minutes of November 24, 1998 Commissioner Dallman pointed out that the header date on pages 2 through 6 was incorrect. The change will be made to November 10, 1998. Commissioner Colopoulos asked for clarification of list item #7 on page 5. It will be changed to say: “We have yet to consider the islands”. Themig moved, Colopoulos seconded, to accept the minutes as amended. The motion passed unanimously. B. Park Commission Minutes of December 8, 1998 Arnst moved, Themig seconded, to accept the minutes as presented. The motion passed 5/0 with Colopoulos abstaining. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR 3. Administrator Hurm explained that Council Liaison Scott Zerby could not make the meeting. He then Park Commission Meeting Wednesday, January 13, 1999 Page 2 reported about the request from the South Lake Minnetonka Public Safety Department (SLMPSD) for $500 to help fund the purchase of a snowmobile. Hurm reminded the Commissioners about a previous request for snowmobile funding where the Park Commission suggested that the SLMPSD look into other funding options. Some money was made available, but there was still a shortage and SLMPSD has now approached each of the four Cities they serve to make up the balance. The City Council has asked that the Police Chief, Bryan Litsey, attend their next meeting to further explain the request. The Council has also directed the Park Commission to stay active on this issue and make a recommendation back to them. It was agreed that Hurm will invite the newly appointed Police Chief to attend the next Park Commission meeting as well. TRAIL REVIEW 4. Park Planner Koegler explained that the first couple of items are carryovers from previous meetings which need some final approval. Modifications have been made to the evaluation form and line items were added regarding goals and objectives. A. Approve Trail Site Evaluation Form Commissioner Themig asked if a follow-up question should be provided for a “No” response to question B. Bensman agreed that it would be good to have documentation as to why any certain trail segment was not developed. Koegler will add a line or two to allow for further explanation of a “why not” response. Themig also asked how a segment is defined. Would it be block to block or from point “A” to point “B”, for example? Koegler replied that it would be identified from some origin point to some terminus. Administrator Hurm suggested that staff be removed from the final section which shows approval, rejection and date of action. Themig added that the approval (or non-approval) will be shown in the CIP. Koegler suggested that the last section be replaced with a space to record what action, if any, was taken with reference to the trail segment under consideration. Themig added that the word, “rejected” sounds too strong. Dallman asked Koegler to make changes to the bottom section accordingly. Colopoulos noted that everything above the dotted line is data, except for question “B” which calls for an evaluation. Hurm suggested that the final part could simply state the Park Commission Recommendation and Date, plus Council Action with Date. Themig asked about a rating system for prioritizing. It was agreed that discussion sessions are the appropriate place to prioritize. Colopoulos added that this form authenticates the development of a particular segment without requiring immediate construction of it. Koegler pointed out that the revised form can still be adjusted. It serves as a working model. Park Commission Meeting Wednesday, January 13, 1999 Page 3 Bensman asked if the School District should be included in part “F”, Administration Review. Hurm stated that they may not want to be obligated to attend meetings, but he will ask the Transportation Director, since they could offer some details that would be helpful to the process and to their own needs. Themig asked about the role of utilities such as NSP and Minnegasco who are also included in part “F.” Koegler explained that they may be able to flag major hurdles. Part ”I” was also discussed. It was agreed that it indicates prioritization, which may be premature to include at this point. It will be scratched. There were no other comments. B. Approve Goals, Objectives and Policies Koegler explained that the current draft is a carryover with language changes as previously discussed. The order of items has also been adjusted according to prior meeting outcomes. Dallman asked if it was agreeable to everyone that these points do accurately state the goals, objectives and policies. Themig moved that the Park Commission adopt the Trail Planning Goals, Objectives and Policies as presented. Cochran seconded and the motion passed unanimously. C. Complete Trail Concept Map-With Identified Alignments Koegler prefaced the map-drawing session by stating that the first step is to finish the designation of any more potential sites. They will then step back and select the four or five segments that make the most sense. This is part of the preparation for the first public meeting. Colopoulos reiterated that these sites are “potential” rather than “planned” trail segments. The segments that were added to the map as potential sites were: Smithtown Road from Eureka Road, west to the Victoria border (linking to Victoria’s trail system) Howard’s Point Road from Smithtown to Edgewood Cathcart Road from Smithtown to the LRT Trail Vine Hill Road Covington Road from Vine Hill Road to Silverwood Park St. Albans Bay Road from Minnetonka Blvd. to Manor Park Mill Street from the Chanhassen border (linking to their trail system) to Excelsior Some comments made in discussion: Koegler commented that when this map is compared with the old Trail Plan of 1992, there are many of the same segments and there are some segments which are not common to both. He also reiterated that the Park Commission is identifying some areas to walk for just a starting point. These are not sited as trails to be built, but trails to evaluate in the spring. Park Commission Meeting Wednesday, January 13, 1999 Page 4 Bensman and Colopoulos noted that the interest for a trail in the west part of Shorewood is high making it very practical to include on the map. It may even serve as a model for future development of trails. Themig asked if the next draft of the map could be less cluttered and adjacent cities be drawn with shading to distinguish the boundaries of Shorewood for ease of reading at the community open house. Also, could we add an estimated completion date to the various segments? The Park Commission should not be timid in identifying potential segments. A little “dissension” will encourage response from the community and greater attendance at the open house. Some points of interest discussed were Crescent Beach and downtown Excelsior. Arnst asked if a partnership with the City of Minnetonka could be considered for the Vine Hill trail segment. It was agreed that Vine Hill Road is very hilly and dangerous and therefore warrants a trail on both sides of the street. D. Identify Priority Alignments The following potential trail sites were selected as priority alignments: Smithtown Road from Eureka Road, west to the Victoria border (linking to their trail system) Howard’s Point Road from Smithtown to Edgewood Vine Hill Road Covington Road from Vine Hill Road to Silverwood Park St. Alban’s Bay Road from Minnetonka Blvd. to Manor Park Mill Street from the Chanhassen border (linking to their trail system) to Excelsior There was a five minute break. E. Prepare for Public Information Meetings 1. Date and Times: Administrator Hurm suggested the fourth Tuesday of February which is typically the date of Park Commission work sessions or special meetings. The date and time agreed to was Tuesday, February 23, 1999 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The location will be at the Southshore Community Center. Park Commission Meeting Wednesday, January 13, 1999 Page 5 2. Further Data Needed: Illustrations or photos of various trail designs will be provided, showing several options including on-street and off-street trails. Information showing the reference and research work that has been done up to this point will also be available. Comment cards will be on hand for residents to complete. 3. Role of Park Commission: At least one Park Commissioner will be present throughout the three hours. Arrival times of the Commissioners will be: 4:30 Themig and Dallman; 5:15 Arnst; 6:00 Cochran, Colopoulos and Bensman. (Puzak was not present to offer an arrival time.) 4. Format for Meeting: It will be an informal “open house” format with attractive visual displays such as maps, policy statements, outline of the process. Some staff and Council Members may be present as observers, but the Park Commission will be hosting the event. 5. Format of Newsletter Insert: Include a brief summary of survey results and history of the trail planning process. Offer options for feedback such as the Shoreline number, e-mail address, but do not include a “clip-out-and-return” response form. That may discourage attendance at the open house. (Commissioner Themig mentioned that he will be attending an open house regarding DNR grant programs on January 14. There may be information provided which is of interest to the Park Commission.) REPORT ON DRAFT ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION POLICY 5. Commissioner Arnst reported that Themig, Hurm and she have met and fine-tuned the language of the Athletic Association Policy. They would like to present a recommendation for a formula needed to determine costs of park use. Staff is working on estimates. A full report, including some sample formulas will be presented at the February 10 Park Commission meeting. The policy concept will be presented to the sports organizations before a recommendation is made to Council. DISCUSS DESIGN CONCEPT AND LOCATION OF FREEMAN PARK 6. MULTIPURPOSE BUILDING Postponed to February meeting. CONSIDERATION OF A MOTION MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1999 7. PARK COMMISSION OFFICERS AND LIAISON TO PLANNING COMMISSION Colopoulos stated that he would like to make a motion on the first part of this agenda item. Colopoulos moved, Cochran seconded the nomination of Ken Dallman as Park Commission Park Commission Meeting Wednesday, January 13, 1999 Page 6 Chair and Pat Arnst as Vice Chair for 1999. Themig asked Dallman if he is interested in the position. Dallman replied yes, his is willing to accept the role of Chair. Bensman asked about the policy of Vice Chair moving to the Chair position for the following year. (Commissioner Arnst’s term is to end after this next year.) Hurm said that it is tradition for the Vice Chair to roll into the Chair position after one year, but it is not a requirement. Bensman asked if a motion was still on the table, explaining that she would like to nominate Pat Arnst as Chair since her term will end in January 2000. Dallman said he would be willing to step down from the nomination. Colopoulos suggested an amendment to the active motion. Themig asked if Dallman would no longer serve as Park Foundation Liaison if he served as Chair and said he would hate to lose Dallman from that role. Dallman said he would probably not do both jobs. Arnst was asked if she would consider serving on the Park Commission after the end of this term. She did not know. Arnst suggested the idea of appointing two Co-Chairs. Hurm read from the Municipal Code and found that there was not an objection stated there. Colopoulos amended the motion to recommend to the City Council that Ken Dallman and Pat Arnst serve as Co-Chairs on the Park Commission for 1999. Cochran seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Hurm asked for clarification on the Vice Chair position. It was verified that here will be no Vice Chair. Commissioner Colopoulos volunteered to serve as Liaison to the Planning Commission. He explained that he may be interested in serving as a Planning Commissioner after his Park Commission term ends and would like to explore that possibility. Themig moved and Arnst seconded that the Park Commission designate Bill Colopoulos as Planning Commission Liaison for 1999. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF SCHEDULE OF PARK LIAISONS TO COUNCIL 8. Park Commissioners will attend the 1999 City Council meetings as liaison according to the following schedule: January Arnst February Themig March Colopoulos April Dallman May Cochran June Bensman Park Commission Meeting Wednesday, January 13, 1999 Page 7 July Puzak August Arnst September Themig October Colopoulos November Dallman December Puzak DISCUSSION ON A COMMISSION WORK PLAN FOR 1999 9. The work plan for 1999 will clearly include the trail process and multi-purpose building at Freeman Park. To prepare a month-by-month work plan for 1999, the new Co-chairs of the Park Commission will work on some ideas and present a draft plan to discuss at the next Park Commission meeting. OLD BUSINESS 10. Commissioner Arnst asked to revisit the issue of the Wagner property. She noted that Chair Puzak has mentioned a concern for the 30 foot strip of land which could alleviate safety and traffic problems at Freeman Park. She asked if the Park Commission could prepare a letter to the City Council and the Planning Commission to let them know of this strong interest and to document the concern for the record. Hurm said that he does not know the current status of the land’s availability, but the suggestion is a good one. Colopoulos and Cochran also agreed that it would be a good idea. Arnst moved and Cochran seconded that the Park Commission draft a letter of recommendation to the Planning Commission and the City Council to state that in the event the acquisition and/or development of the Wagner property comes before the City, the Park Commission requests 30 to 50 feet of land to improve safety of the ball field area. The motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 11. There was no new business. ADJOURNMENT 12. Colopoulos moved, Themig seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed 6/0. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED Connie Bastyr Recording Secretary