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102699 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD PARK COMMISSION COUNCIL CHAMBERS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1999 7:30 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Co-chair Arnst called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. A. Roll Call Present: Co-chairs Dallman and Arnst; Commissioners, Berndt and Themig; City Administrator Jim Hurm; Councilmember Scott Zerby Also Present: Councilmember Lizée; Gordy Lindstrom of South Tonka Little League Absent: Commissioner Bensman; Commissioner Puzak was excused as he was attending the meeting at Tonka Bay with Mayor Love and giving a presentation on the skate park. B. Review Agenda Themig moved, Dallman seconded to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 4/0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of October 12, 1999 Themig moved, Berndt seconded to approve the Minutes as presented. Motion passed 4/0. 3.MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were no matters from the floor. 4.REPORTS A.Park Foundation Meeting October 14, 1999 Commissioner Theming commented the theme "To give where your heart is not just where you business is," is a great concept. Administrator Hurm explained that he has met with Bill Keeler and Connie Bastyr regarding putting the brochure together. Connie is going to put the first draft together so the Park Foundation can start after the holidays. Park Commission October 26, 1999 –Page 2 Commissioner Arnst asked if the Park Foundation could put together a draft timeline at their next meeting so the Park Commission has something to follow. Commissioner Themig asked if those present at the meeting would be the core leaders on the project. Commissioner Dallman felt that they would be. Commissioner Arnst asked if the Park Foundation was going to do anything to encourage the others to help. Commissioner Dallman stated they would be. 5.REVIEW LITTLE LEAGUE REQUEST TO ADD DUGOUTS TO FREEMAN FIELD Gordy Lindstrom presented a proposed plan for improvements on field 2 and the new dugouts that would be like field 3 at Freeman Park. The brick would be the same color as the bricks used for the concession stand. Administrator Hurm asked if there is a plan to bring the wiring for the scoreboard to one of the dugouts. Mr. Lindstrom stated that this would be done at that time. Mr. Lindstrom also explained that Administrator Hurm suggested applying for a grant and little league did receive a grant for $3,000 toward the project. Themig moved, Berndt seconded, to recommend to City Council the acceptance and implementation of the dugout plans as proposed by South Tonka Little League. Motion passed 4/0. 6.DISCUSS LRT WINTER USE Commissioner Arnst explained that Councilmember Lizée, Commissioner Puzak, Mayor Love and Administrator Hurm have met and have come up with the checklist for snowmobiling season. They met with the police chief and there are some concerns with plowing the trail. Administrator Hurm explained the City Council is questioning how the trail should be used during the winter months. The communities to the east plow a portion th of the trial. On the checklist one suggestion is: "until December 15 (at least 2 rideable snows) plow the trail completely. Thereafter plow only 200 yards at each end. Stay flexible on this." The question to the Park Commission is how would you like to see the trail maintained over the winter months? Commissioner Arnst stated that this year is a transition year. There are going to be people who haven't heard that there is no snowmobiling on the trail. She feels that there will be a flow of people on the trail once the snowmobiles are gone. Maybe this year groom half of the trail for cross-country skiing. Administrator Hurm noted that at this point the City does not have a way to groom for cross-country skiing. The cross-country skiers could set their own track. Commissioner Themig suggested contacting Hennepin Parks to groom the trail. Administrator Hurm stated that the county is not interested in grooming. Commissioner Themig stated that Hennepin county does have the equipment but he is not sure if they would do this and it is also a cost factor. Administrator Hurm mentioned that in the City newsletter there is an article that lists options and asks for public input. Park Commission October 26, 1999 –Page 3 Commissioner Arnst explained that on the trails at Freeman Park, the snowshoers stay on their side, the walkers are in the middle and the skiers set a track and they all respect each other's space. It has been like this for the last 3 or 4 years. Maybe this is what will happen on the LRT. The biggest concern would be when there is 10-12 inch snowfall; this could be a hindrance to people. Commissioner Berndt asked if Public Works had a grader that they could use on the trail. Administrator Hurm explained that Public Works has a bobcat with a plow on it that they use for the sidewalks, but it could be 2 or 3 days after a large snowfall before they could plow the trail. Commissioner Themig feels that once the snow is a certain depth it would be helpful to have a way to compact the snow or plow it occasionally. Councilmember Lizée stated that Chief Litsey felt that the trail should be plowed. Shorewood could do like Greenwood and Deephaven—use the bobcat and clear half the trail and leave snow on the other half for the cross-country skiers. Commissioner Themig complimented Councilmember Lizée, Administrator Hurm, Commissioner Puzak and the Mayor for a great job on the checklist. It was suggested that the residents will say what they want to do on the trail and the City needs to encourage their input and keep reminding the residents that this is a transitional year. Commissioner Themig asked what was meant by "expanded right-of-way/hay bale program" on the checklist. Councilmember Lizée explained that the Victoria portion of the LRT trail which is at one end, and the Timber Lane accesses are both heavily used by snowmobiles. The question is, do we put bales of hay there. Then when it snows they are covered and are not safe. It was suggested to put as physical barriers hay bales with an orange barrel and reflective markers and larger signs saying snowmobiles not allowed. This way the snowmobiles will have to slow down and will also see the physical barrier at the trail. Administrator Hurm stated that the City will be contacting other city halls around the lake area and further west to get the names and addresses of their snowmobile clubs and also the name of the newspaper. Shorewood will then send out information and press releases regarding no snowmobiles on the trail. Commissioner Themig asked what the impact would be to other residences in the City in terms of snowmobiles using the street. Councilmember Lizée explained that the snowmobiles are still allowed on the street, but will probably use other streets that were not used in the past to take the quickest route to get from point "A" to point "B." Councilmember Zerby thought that there might be some increased traffic trying to get to the south end of the trail. Commissioner Berndt was wondering if people will be able to park their trailers in the Cathcart parking lot and if there is an ordinance regarding parking. Commissioner Arnst stated that in the past people have parked in the church parking lot. Commissioner Themig commented that he thought the plan was great and Commissioner Puzak's perspective has been beneficial. Park Commission October 26, 1999 –Page 4 It was determined that it would be hard for the Park Commmission to recommend anything at this point until there is feedback from the residents. After one winter under the belt to see what works and doesn't work they can make a more educated recommendation. Commissioner Arnst also stated that next year there will be the concession building and maybe there could be some events in relationship to the trail. Commissioner Berndt brought up the issue of horses and asked where they can and cannot go. What is going to be done with the horse droppings? Consensus was that this would be treated just like the dog ordinance— "clean up after them." Commissioner Berndt felt that there should be some information for the public on this. Administrator Hurm also brought up that if there is an early thaw, horses can do a lot of damage, and the City is responsible for repairing the trail. Commissioner Berndt suggested letting the public know that if there is a lot of deterioration this year, horses will not be allowed in the following years. Commissioner Themig asked Commissioner Berndt, since she is a horse rider, if it is common knowledge of the riders to pick up after their horses. She stated that most riders do not have to pick up after the horse, but as a responsible citizen and riding in Shorewood one would hopefully do this. Administrator Hurm explained that there are five residents with horse licenses and all of them may not be interested in riding the trail. Commissioner Themig asked if these five residents should be called and asked if they would be riding on the LRT. Commissioner Arnst suggested a letter to the five residences. Commissioner Berndt will help Administrator Hurm in preparing a letter to the five individuals and ask for their cooperation and explain that they: need to pick up after their horse, there should be no riding on the trail if there is a thaw, and ride at a walking gate. It was decided to see what happens this year to determine if there will be a need for any ordinances. The Park Commission will re-evaluate in January and see what issues have been brought up and to get an update from Commissioner Puzak and Councilmember Lizée as to the status. 7.REVIEW OF TO DO LIST No changes. 8.OLD BUSINESS No old business. 9.NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Berndt reported that the Land Conservation Environment Committee had a meeting tonight and walked the Gideon Glen land. She explained that the owner is selling the land and would like to see Shorewood purchase it. The committee is interested in keeping it for green space. This is an historical spot. Administrator Hurm explained there is a new grant program. This would help the City purchase the land. Commissioner Themig asked if the land was developable. Councilmember Zerby stated that it is a Park Commission October 26, 1999 –Page 5 challenging area because of the wetlands. At various times there have been proposals for a condo, retail business, and recently apartments and single family homes were proposed. The land is split between two zoning districts. The price on the land is $200,000 to $300,000. Councilmember Lizée also mentioned that this would alleviate some drainage issues. Commissioner Berndt also mentioned that the City is looking for an intern. Commissioner Berndt described the proposed composting bins to the Land Conservation Enviroment Committee and they are really excited about the idea. She explained that the bins are made out of plastic and are available to Carver county residents right now. People can put yard waste, food scraps, coffee filters, paper towels in this compost to create mulch for their gardens. Food Waste Management is trying to start a program to eliminate the 75,000 tons of waste that goes into our landfills. There are also grants available to cities that want to subsidize the bins for the residents. The cost of a bin is about $50.00. The committee will be doing more research on this program (2 or 3 weeks worth) and bring to Council to see if they want any input on this program. Administrator Hurm also explained that the committee would be working on some educational information for the public. Commissioner Themig also suggested maybe doing a cable show. Commissioner Berndt stated that the island residents are wanting to know what they can do to be involved. Commissioner Berndt also stated that they discussed Shorewood having an on site area where people could bring their yard waste to and not just a one day event. Add to the November agenda to have Engineer Brown give an update on the trail planning process, right-of-way research and Vine Hill/Covington design. Also, Commissioner Puzak will be asked to give an update on the skate park. Commissioner Themig asked if the Council discussed the Covington/Vine Hill trail compromise. Councilmember Zerby reported that there was no council action. 10.ADJOURNMENT Puzak moved, Arnst seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed 4/0. The meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Twila Grout Recording Secretary