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051199 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD PARK COMMISSION MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS TUESDAY, MAY 11, 1999 8:00 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING A. Roll call Present: Co-chairs, Dallman and Arnst; Commissioners Puzak and Themig; Administrator Jim Hurm; City Engineer Larry Brown Absent: Commissioners Colopoulos and Bensman; Council Liaison Zerby B. Review agenda Commissioner Themig asked to add time for review of a draft letter to Shorewood Ponds buyers. It will be included under item #8, Other Business. Co-chair Arnst asked that absent Commissioners be contacted about attendance. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Minutes of April 27, 1999 Two corrections were made. Page 5, paragraph 3, line 2: Change “Iced Tea” to: I.C.T.E.A. Page 5, paragraph 2, line 2: Change “north” to: south. Themig moved, Arnst seconded to approve the Minutes with the noted revisions. Motion passed 4/0. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were no matters from the floor. 4. REPORTS Administrator Hurm reported that several people attended the Arbor Day tree planting ceremony at Manor Park. A photo was taken and will be published in the Sun Sailor newspaper. Co-chair Arnst suggested that others be invited to participate next year, such as a scout group. Park Commission Meeting May 11, 1999 Page 2 5. REVIEW LITTLE LEAGUE REQUESTS South Tonka Baseball representative, Gordy Lindstrom reviewed items listed on a May 1, 1999 letter to the Park Commission, requesting permission to make the following changes at Freeman Park: 1. Electric Scoreboard —Lindstrom explained practical and strategic reasons for adding a donated electric scoreboard to the Babe Ruth field #2. They would like to install it near right field by the concession stand. Engineer Brown said a water main is very near that area, which is a problem in case of an emergency repair. Other location ideas were discussed. Lindstrom said the League would work with the City to determine the best location. Themig asked if the scoreboard is still usable if the field is reconfigured for younger players. Lindstrom said yes, or it could be moved if needed. Puzak asked about head clearance and safety for pedestrians and players. Lindstrom said the board would be even higher than the information kiosk just behind it. Hurm asked if this improvement would be worthwhile in case there would be changes to that field by next year. Lindstrom said the future use of the field does have other possibilities, including a transition field for 13 year olds. The league is not sure what can be accomplished for this season and it may be best to wait to see if field #2 is altered. Puzak suggested that the Park Commission can decide to allow South Tonka Baseball to make the improvements they are proposing, provided it passes staff review. Arnst asked Engineer Brown if that would be okay. Brown suggested that Mr. Lindstrom and City staff review together the alternatives if the Park Commission doesn’t have a problem with the scoreboard placement. Themig said that would be fine, if needed. But if it can wait two weeks, the Commission could look at options on their park tour on May 25. The five other requests are: 2. Flagpole —To be located by the concession stand. 3. Storage Building —To be moved to a central location between Field #1 and Field #2. 4. Enlarge Fence Openings —The first and third base openings at Freeman Field #2 need to be larger 5. Batting Cages —South Tonka Baseball would like to build two batting cages that would be located parallel to the north side of the existing batting cage at Freeman Field #3. 6. Fence —To create 6 foot wide walking path west of the road located by the right field are of Field #2. Puzak reiterated that this is an organization that is willing to fund their own improvement. He saw no reason to deny South Tonka Baseball a chance to do what it needs. Lindstrom said that the League does realize there are risks in that there may be changes in the future. Dallman added that the first five items are their risk and cost. The sixth request is asking the City to fund a fence and the Commission should take a look at Park Commission Meeting May 11, 1999 Page 3 that on May 25. Puzak suggested delaying that decision until the physical visit and when there is possibly more information from Eagle Crest about the development. The City should help with the safety issue which is addressed in request #6. Brown stated that there is an irrigation line, which needs occasional digging, on the north side where they are proposing to add batting cages. Lindstrom said there may be other solutions that won’t create problems for the City and gave an example. Puzak recommended approval of the first five requests as long as the change is okayed by City staff. Arnst added that they should also keep esthetics in mind. Puzak moved that the Park Commission recommend to Council, approval to allow South Tonka Baseball to create, provide and install requests 1 through 5, provided that staff sees no conflict with underground piping or any other safety concerns that might arise from balls ricocheting off the structure. Themig seconded. There was no further discussion. The motion passed 4/0. Lindstrom suggested for item #6 that the City look at the idea of a temporary alternative to put up construction fencing to protect pedestrian traffic immediately. Puzak suggested orange cones for a temporary marker and then go with something more permanent after additional information is available. Lindstrom also pointed out that if the field was reduced in size and rotated, it solves both the pedestrian and foul ball problems. The Commission will look at that idea on park tour. Lindstrom will be there as well. Puzak thanked Mr. Lindstrom for approaching the Commission in this way. Dallman reported that the ball field at Manor Park was paced off and there is possibly room for a Babe Ruth field. There may be concern about the field’s proximity to the tennis courts. Brown reminded the Commission about the issue of parking, which is quite limited. Puzak added that we also have to consider neighborhood impact. Lindstrom pointed out that East Tonka Little Leaguers currently use the field. The Park th Commission will do a concept review on its June 8 tour of Manor Park. Lindstrom told the Park Commission that South Tonka Little League would like to consider selling concessions at the future north concession stand at Freeman Park. 6. REVIEW TRAIL ROUTE STATUS Engineer Brown reported that the City of Greenwood is working with Shorewood on a possible street overlay of St. Alban’s Bay Road. There is a good chance, if physically possible to include an on-street trail. Hurm related to Greenwood that safety is important to the City and Shorewood will help financially for more than just half of the street overlay. (Funding has not been decided.) Brown cautioned about setting a precedent in using street funds for the trail portion and said we will want to clarify a policy where the trail is off-street. The Commission will look at the St. Albans Bay Road area during the Manor Park tour. Park Commission Meeting May 11, 1999 Page 4 Brown gave an update on Mill Street. He learned from MN/DoT that they may leave a portion of the Mill Street bridge in tact for pedestrian traffic. The plan is hinging on many factors. Administrator Hurm briefly reviewed the Funding Source Summary. Because of early application deadlines, grant funds are not likely for this year. Arnst asked if staff can research grant options further. The possibility of loans were discussed. Hurm said that the City cannot borrow money, but the Park Commission could ask the City Council if money can be borrowed from the City’s General Fund. Themig asked where are we with the whole process and said it seems to not be very focused. Hurm referenced the Potential Trail Route Status and Schedule, saying that they are really not off schedule. 7. RE-EVALUATE 1999 / 2003 CIP FOR PARK AND TRAILS Brown recommended they first assign the cost and get the CIP done. Then the Park Commission can decide where to start. Hurm added that a lot of new things have come up this year and the Commission needs to decide what expenses they will have. These next two meetings will be a time to step back and review decisions and possibly rearrange items on the CIP as costs of projects become known. Brown asked Commissioners if there are glaring questions on the project description list. Arnst cautioned against letting parks become ball field dominated. Puzak suggested developing amenities that encourage non-organized sports, adding that the magic square is important and it is now up to staff to proceed. Themig asked if it would be better to spend $5,000 on the new building at Freeman. Puzak said the Commission should spend the money as already budgeted and then look to the future. The Commission should do what they have thought about, planned and decided upon. Hurm agreed that would be a legitimate approach. Arnst said that the structure at Freeman is a special project and asked why not go to the Council with the need. Puzak said to first spend down to zero by doing what we have planned and the zero budget will show the need. He said the Commission has done a good job at deciding on park needs and those things should be accomplished first. Then say “What will that sustaining revenue be?” and then start up new sustaining fee system. 8. OTHER BUSINESS It was agreed to table discussion on the draft letter to Shorewood Ponds buyers until the next agenda. Hurm reported that City Attorney Keane has drafted an easement agreement for installation of netting on property along the west edge of Freeman Park. The property owners have not signed the agreement to put up netting, and yet are complaining about the foul ball problem. Puzak said the City has done all it can do to resolve the matter and acted on the Park Commission’s request. It is up to the residents to take the next action. Park Commission Meeting May 11, 1999 Page 5 9. NEW BUSINESS The Park Commission was asked if they want to adopt a garden in the City’s new Adopt- a-Garden program. Themig agreed to help with a garden. (Cathcart and the Southshore Center areas are still up for adoption.) Brown commented that he thought it was unfair to make the people who help maintain the gardens to pay for flowers themselves. Others agreed that they should be given a budget for supplies. Puzak moved that the Park Commission allocate $50 per garden in the form of a gift certificate from local merchants for supplies to be used for the Adopt a Garden program. Themig seconded and the motion passed 4/0. (The Park Commissioners will plant the garden at the Southshore Center.) Themig suggested not holding the regular Park Commission meetings on May 25 and June 8 and only do park tours on those evenings. Action can be taken back at City Hall after the tours, if needed (provided the meeting is officially noticed). It was agreed to go over the Shorewood Ponds letter and Freeman Park building recommendation and configuration after tour on May 25. Engineer Brown will provide a drawing of the proposed building for that meeting and define the next steps. Puzak will attend the May 24 City Council meeting as Park Commission representative. 10. ADJOURNMENT Puzak moved, Dallman seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed 4/0. The meeting adjourned at 10:34 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED Connie Bastyr Recording Secretary