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042799 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS PARK COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1999 7:30 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Co-chair Pat Arnst called the meeting to order at 7:43 p.m. A. Roll Call Present: Co-chairs, Dallman and Arnst; Commissioners Bensman and Themig; City Administrator Jim Hurm; Council Liaison Scott Zerby; Planning Director Brad Nielsen Absent: Commissioners Colopoulos, Puzak, and Cochran Also Present: Gordy Lindstrom, Baseball Representative It was announced that Chuck Cochran has resigned from the Shorewood Park Commission due to increased family obligations with the death of his mother. B. Review Agenda There were no changes to the meeting agenda. Dallman moved, Themig seconded to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion passed unanimously. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Minutes of March 9, 1999 Dallman moved, Themig seconded, to accept the minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously. B. Park Commission Minutes of March 23, 1999 Themig moved, Dallman seconded, to accept the minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Park Commission Meeting April 27, 1999 Page 2 3. DISCUSS NOTES FROM APRIL 13, 1999 (QUORUM NOT PRESENT) Due to lack of a quorum at the April 13, 1999 meeting, there were no official minutes recorded. However, notes were taken of the conversation at that gathering. There were no questions or discussion on those notes at this time. 4. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR Mr. Gordy Lindstrom asked to present a proposal on behalf of South Tonka Little League around improvements to fields at Freeman Park. Chair Arnst stated that the Park Commission should be contacted in advance for such a request to allow placement on the agenda. It was agreed to hear the request under Matters from the Floor. Mr. Lindstrom presented the following requests on behalf of the Little League: 1. The League has the opportunity to acquire a scoreboard, which they would like to place for use on the Babe Ruth field. The League will pay for the cost of installation and wiring. It is to be placed near the field #3 scoreboard. 2. They wish to add another flagpole to display the American Flag near the concession stand. 3. The League would also like to move the storage shed near the concession stand for better accessibility of equipment. 4. The opening in the fence on field #2 is too narrow for a person to carry equipment to the field. A post needs to be moved so the opening can be widened. 5. They would like to add two batting cages along side the existing one at field #3. 6. The league proposes a second line of fencing along the east end of field #2 to create a safe walkway. This is suggested as a possible immediate fix to the pedestrian / traffic problem. The Little League would cover the cost of all of these projects, with the exception of the fencing (item #6). Mr. Lindstrom added that the adult softball fields at Freeman are not in use every evening and the softball association has okayed the use of the fields for Little League practices. Co-chair Arnst asked that a written memo, detailing these requests, be sent to the absent Commissioners for their review. The request will be included as part of the May 11, 1999 Park Commission Agenda. Park Commission Meeting April 27, 1999 Page 3 5. REPORTS A. Arbor Day, May 1, 1999 at Manor Park Administrator Hurm announced that the City will celebrate Arbor Day on May 1 by planting a tree at Manor Park. All Commissioners and City Council members are invited to attend the 9:00 a.m. gathering. Other Matters to Report Hurm added that the Police Department is ready to present their end-of-the-season snowmobile report and asked if that should go on the May 11 agenda. Arnst asked for clarification of the role of the Park Commission upon hearing the report. Council member Zerby said the Council would expect recommendations be made by the Commission, based on the report, if needed. It was agreed that the report should be presented in June. Councilmember Zerby explained that a petition was presented during Matters from the Floor at a City Council meeting which states opposition to a trail loop in the Howards Point Road area. Forty-two residents signed the petition which was distributed to the Park Commissioners at this time. It is noted that the four Commissioners present have received the petition. Copies will also be sent to absent Commissioners. 6. REVIEW COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AS IT RELATES TO PARKS AND TRAILS Planning Director, Brad Nielsen explained that the proposed revisions to the Community Facilities Chapter and Transportation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan, as discussed at the March 23 Park Commission meeting, have been incorporated and presented to the Park Commissioners in a memo dated April 9. He referenced some specific changes and asked if the document now reflects the Park Commission recommendations. The final question is if the Trail Planning Process and its map should be included in the final document. Commissioner Bensman pointed out that the City Council has approved the trial concept plan and it should therefore be included for reference. It should be made clear that the segments indicated on the map are potential sites which are being studied. Themig commented that trails are a process, not a plan. Nielsen asked about the segment which has been opposed by the majority, and if a line to indicate a potential trail site should remain there. Arnst explained that it is a concept map, not a plan and it would be dangerous to imply a guarantee that there will never be a trail there which would remove possibilities for the future. Hurm suggested that certain “proposed” trails that have been petitioned against make these trails more likely in the future.. Bensman said that priorities were set for valid reasons from a variety of sources and those reasons have not changed. It was agreed that the map should be included in Park Commission Meeting April 27, 1999 Page 4 the Comprehensive Plan document as a Concept Map and lines should be placed in the center of roads since exact placement of trail segments are not determined. Nielsen asked if other changes to the document are okay and went through the revised draft to review all changes. Arnst asked if there was a policy to consider trails for future street improvements. Nielsen said yes. Themig said that the last sentence in LU-15, paragraph 3 implies that the City is trying to tell Hennepin County what to do and that we are opposed to light rail transit. He suggested replacing the statement with a repeat of paragraph 3 on TR-34. All agreed to the change. Nielsen said that the draft will be subject to neighborhood review and, at this time, he is asking for a recommendation from the Park Commission. Themig moved that the Park Commission forward the Comprehensive Plan to the City Council with changes noted this evening, with inclusion of the trail concept map with all trails identified uniformly, without preferences. Bensman seconded. The motion passed 4/0. 7.STATUS OF EAGLE CREST DEVELOPMENT / DISCUSS FREEMAN PARK ROAD AND OTHER RELATED PARK ISSUES Nielsen stated that at their April 26 meeting, the City Council approved development stage plans for Shorewood Ponds. Based on recommendations of the Park Commission, there were a number of things included as conditions. The developer, Eagle Crest Northwest, will provide a trail from the entrance to Freeman park with an easement or deed to the City. Also, the wetland area to the north side of the development will be public land. The south entrance to Freeman Park from Highway 7 will be closed off. The City will continue to work with Mn/DoT and Mr. Osha to find a workable plan for the entrance to his property on the southwest corner of Freeman Park. The Planning Commission has recommended that the road between the two parking lots in the park be closed off for regular use or be paved as soon as possible. Several members of the City Council had indicated they prefer the staff recommendation of using that segment of road for pedestrian traffic and emergency access only. It has been suggested that the developer choose a park-related name for the newly planned road. There will be a sign on Eureka Road near the entrance of the development that says Freeman Park so prospective buyers will be well aware that it is also a park entrance. Mark Themig suggested that the Park Commission may also prepare a friendly welcome to include for prospective buyers. There was discussion about options for the road and parking area near the south end of the park. Dallman stated that he preferred to leave the road open for a one-year trial, keeping the entrance to Osha’s property as is, in order to evaluate the best plan. Themig said it is hard to comment without the buildings in place. Nielsen said the setback would be 40 feet (2 car lengths). Dallman pointed out that the homes on the east side of Eureka Road are closer to the street than Park Commission Meeting April 27, 1999 Page 5 what the new homes would be in distance from the park road. And in the park, traffic should be moving much slower than on Eureka Road. Themig asked if the loop could be designated a one way road. Nielsen said it is possible and perhaps the second row of fencing requested by the Little League would also be a solution. Arnst supports the closing of the road for safety reasons and to be good neighbors to the new residents. It was agreed to defer a recommendation until after the Commissioner’s park tour at Freeman. 8. TRAIL PLANNING PROCESS A. Discuss April 10, Smithtown Road Trail Walk Themig suggested that a comment be added to include Chris Lizée’s support of a trail along the south side of Smithtown. Hurm said the video will hopefully be available this week. The intent is to discuss further details as this relates to the Capital Improvement Program at the next meeting when cost estimates will be available for consideration. Arnst asked if other funding options have been explored. Hurm said that once trail priorities are determined, Mark Koegler could be asked to look into other funding sources. It’s already too late for the 1999 trail grant cycle. Arnst said that we need to know more about funding opportunities. Themig reported that he spoke with planners about trail development in Ramsey County. ISTEA money has many restrictions tied to it and therefore is not used for trails. They do use grant in aid programs and DNR grants. Engineer Brown will report on cost estimates at the next meeting and staff will report about funding sources. Themig said he would like to see that the whole trail process be kept active while the two preferred segments are explored. Hurm will prepare a schedule. Arnst asked for an update at the next Park Commission meeting from Engineer Brown on funding for a trail along Mill Street (a County Road), Vine Hill Road, and Old Market Road. She would also like to hear an update on talks with Greenwood about St. Albans Bay Road. B. Discuss April 20, Vine Hill / Covington Trail Walk Themig stated that there is support for both of these segments and things should proceed with the next step of getting cost estimates while keeping other potential trail ideas on the table. No action is needed at this point. Videos of the two walks will be available for individual review. It was agreed to proceed with both segments. Hurm pointed out that the limiting factor will be money. One idea is to talk to the City Council about using street funds where safety is an issue. Zerby reported that there is an opportunity to re-do Eureka Road when water is brought through there. The City will meet with residents to get opinions. This may involve running water through part of Freeman Park. Arnst asked if a sidewalk may be a part of the discussion. Zerby agreed that it is a good point to include as all options should be considered when a road is redone. He will carry that comment to the City Council. 9. OTHER BUSINESS Park Commission Meeting April 27, 1999 Page 6 Themig asked about the status of the multi-purpose building for Freeman Park. Hurm said it is being worked on. One question to answer is how the developer of Shorewood Ponds may help with that. (They have said they will help in some way.) 10. NEW BUSINESS Hurm noted that Chuck Cochran was to report to Council for the month of May and asked for replacements. Themig will cover May 10. Arnst asked what is being done about Cochran’s resignation. Press releases are being prepared. Establish Meeting and Tour Schedule May 25: 6:00 Tour Freeman, Cathcart, Crescent Beach and Badger Park. The work session on park policies will be delayed until the following meeting. (Bensman will be absent.) June 8: 6:00 - Tour Silverwood, Manor and Christmas Lake . 7:30 - Discuss park policy. 11. ADJOURNMENT Themig moved, Dallman seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed 4/0. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED Connie Bastyr Recording Secretary