050900 PK MIN
CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
PARK COMMISSION MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS
TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2000 7:30 P.M.
MINUTES
1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING
Chair Arnst called the meeting to order at 7:52 P.M. (This followed the annual tour of Cathcart Park,
Freeman Park and Crescent Beach.)
A. Roll Call
Present: Chair Arnst; Vice-chair Themig; Commissioners Puzak, Dallman, Bix and Young;
Director of Public Works Larry Brown
Absent:Commissioner Berndt; Council Liaison Zerby
B. Review Agenda
Arnst requested that item 4B (Report on Land Conservation & Environment Committee Activities) be
deferred until the June 13 meeting.
Puzak moved, Themig seconded to approve the agenda as modified. Motion passed 6/0.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of April 11, 2000
Themig moved, Puzak seconded to approve the minutes as submitted. Motion passed 6/0.
B. Park Commission Work Session Minutes of April 29, 2000
Puzak moved, Young seconded to approve the minutes as submitted. Motion passed 6/0.
3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR
There were none.
4. REPORTS
A. Report on City Council Meeting of May 8, 2000
Engineer Brown said that Acting Administrator Nielsen gave an overview for Council of the neighborhood
meeting at the potential skate park site. Mayor Love and Councilmember Zerby had inquired also about
the construction activity at the site. Brown explained that the City allowed Mn/DOT permission to store a
job trailer on the parking lot area. Unauthorized equipment and piles of millings have also accumulated
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MAY 9, 2000 - PAGE
and Brown is addressing that with Mn/DOT. He plans to ask Mn/DOT to restore the area and to install
new posts along the Highway edge of the parking area and to seal coat the surface of the lot.
Chair Arnst said that some residents also had a concern about construction activity starting too early in the
morning. Brown said it has been addressed.
The Commissioners discussed possible ideas for the re-surfacing of the parking area.
B. Report on Land Conservation & Environment Committee Activities
Deferred until June 13 meeting.
C. Report on Park Foundation Meeting of April 13, 2000
Commissioner Dallman reported that the Parks Foundation made final approval of their brochure, which
has since been printed and included in the Shorewood City newsletter. Puzak asked that each Park
Commission receive 10 copies to have on hand. Arnst recommended that various sports organizations be
asked to include a copy in their own newsletters as well.
Arnst gave some information to Dallman on Excelsior’s adopt-a-brick program as a fundraising idea to pass
on to the Park Foundation. The next Foundation meeting is Thursday, May 18.
5. REVIEW “TO DO” ITEMS FROM PARK TOURS
During the tour of the parks, the following items were found to be in need of attention:
Cathcart Park
?
Add ag-lime rock around the team benches in the baseball area.
?
Stripe a “net line” on the practice board in the tennis court.
?
Apply brightly colored paint on gateposts at the end of the hockey rink.
?
Mend a split pipe on the tennis court fencing.
?
Paint a few bare portions of the teeter-totter.
?
Fill the potholes in the turf.
?
It was also noted that cars are being parked on the grassy area of the park when the parking lot is
full. Staff will monitor to see if “No Parking” signs need to be installed.
Freeman Park
?
Replace sod in the waterline construction area (hopefully before the June 17 open house).
?
Repair the rubber surface at the tot lot.
?
Remove graffiti on “doggy-do” sign near the trail area.
?
Remove cinder block near “doggy-do” sign.
?
Inspect park signs by Strawberry Lane and consider for possible replacement.
?
Check on missing biff (There was only one.)
?
Remove wood post in bushes southwest of the softball fields.
?
Take care of dangerous trees that have fallen in the woods.
?
Address matter of “unauthorized” soccer field near the softball area. (Consider planting a few
trees.)
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MAY 9, 2000 - PAGE
The Commission expressed appreciation for the excellent care that Charlie Davis and crew have given
toward parks and asked Brown to say thank you on their behalf. A certificate will be prepared to recognize
their efforts. Brown commented that Charlie takes a lot of pride in the parks.
Brown reported that the Osha’s (neighbors to the west of Freeman Park) are interested in working with the
City to develop a buffer between their property and the new parking area near Highway 7.
Brown also reported that Mn/DOT has now approved the concept plan to close the Highway 7 access at
Freeman Park. They will pay the City $50,000 to close the entrance and create a parking area for the south
end of the park. A meeting is planned at the end of May with Mn/DOT to finalize plans. Brown will
report back to the Commission as things develop. He said he will also be negotiating for bituminous
millings to use as dust control in the parking area for another year.
Crescent Beach
?
There was nothing listed at this time.
Brown added that there will be signs posted on the City’s tennis courts saying “No Pets Allowed.”
6. DETERMINE NEXT STEP AFTER SKATE PARK COMMUNITY MEETINGS
Puzak stated that there were some issues revealed that the Park Commission needs to pay attention to. One
is the question of restoring or sealing the hand pump well at the site. After conversation with neighbors, he
now thinks it should not be restored at its present location.
Another concern is that some kids may skateboard and roller blade through the Seasons neighborhood off
of Excelsior Boulevard. That neighborhood is private property and a quiet area. Puzak said he does not
know the answer, but wants the City to do the best they can to address the issue. He does not think signage
is a good solution.
Arnst said the residents liked the idea of the curb and berm very much. They also suggested a realignment
of the pathway to Highway 7 and other ideas to reduce turn-around traffic in the Seasons development.
Brown said it would boil down to signage and enforcement. A reconfiguration of the parking and driving
area is possible but they have to work with some constraints.
Themig said he would like to hear further discussion around the basic idea of this site as a best selection.
Now that there is more information, he asked about reconsidering the idea of Manitou Park in Tonka Bay.
Puzak said the main problem with Manitou is where to store equipment during the winter because the skate
park would be placed in the hockey area.
There was discussion about the pros and cons of the Manitou location, including accessibility, safety,
traffic, neighboring homes or businesses, etc. The options of Manor Park and Badger Park were also
reviewed. Themig said he is not opposed the St. Alban’s Park site, but feels that the Manitou site has
maximum visibility. Engineer Brown mentioned the idea of the existing (and un-utilized) basketball court
at the Oasis Market near City Hall.
Chair Arnst suggested that someone contact the City of Tonka Bay to see if Manitou is still an option.
Puzak said he is concerned about how that would effect timing and the overall progress that has been made.
Arnst said she would like to have staff contact Tonka Bay to check on the status of Manitou.
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MAY 9, 2000 - PAGE
Puzak reviewed the history of the site selection process. He noted the advantages of visibility and trail
access with Manitou. He is also not comfortable with the potential of creating teen traffic through a senior
neighborhood, which is an issue to resolve for the St. Alban’s site. The Commission discussed various
ideas for designing around that problem. It was agreed that the question of Manitou needs to be looked at
once again.
The Commission agreed to change the park tour of the next meeting to visit the St. Alban’s site again
instead of the Christmas Lake launch. The May 23 park tour schedule was set for: Manor, St. Alban’s,
and Silverwood parks. They will look at the idea of a garden/bench area on the west end of the St. Alban’s
site as an amenity for Seasons residents.
7. DETERMINE NEXT STEP AFTER SMITHTOWN ROAD NEIGHBORHOOD
MEETING
Chair Arnst said that her impression is that the strong support from west end residents along Smithtown
has waned from what it was at the outset. She is hesitant to proceed on such a large undertaking without
the grassroots support. The more vocal people at the meeting were not even from the west end of
Smithtown.
Arnst added that she would hope to consider a concept of one side of the road or another and then ask staff
to proceed with gaining right-of-way for that side. Then in 2 or 3 years, when the roadway is slated to be
improved, look at State aid funding and include a trail as part of the package. Right now we are not seeing
enough support to keep it active at each meeting.
Puzak asked what to communicate to residents now that we have had our meetings, talks, and open houses.
Dallman added that he did not hear enough people on the west side who were in support of a trail. One
person in particular favored a trail, but felt it is impossible to overcome all the obstacles.
Puzak suggested some language to say there was not enough support for a trail and the next review cycle
will be when the roadway is due to be improved. Themig said the idea for a trail along the west end should
not be dropped because of what people on the east side have said. He wants to let the west side residents
know that the Park Commission needs their support. Puzak added that they should also be told what needs
to still be accomplished in easements, etc.
The Commission discussed options for a trail or a smaller walkway if working around Minnesota State Aid
(MSA) standards. They asked Engineer Brown about plans to reconstruct Smithtown Road in two or three
years. Brown said that, although people react negatively to the idea of MSA projects, reconstruction of
Smithtown Road could not happen without MSA dollars. In the meantime, City Council has directed staff
to do reclamation /repair to the road surface. He added that the State allows state aid funding to be used
for obtaining right-of-way.
Brown said that he would like to see Smithtown reconstructed to one standard for both the east and west
potions. The MSA standard would be 26 foot wide curb-to-curb minimum. A width of 32 feet allows for a
bike lane along the edge. Commissioner Dallman said that if staff is going to recommend that Smithtown
be redone at its present width, we should proceed with the trail idea. If it is going to the MSA width, delay
trail construction to be included in that project.
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Brown said the timing for a decision to either go MSA or to reconstruct as currently configured would be at
the next CIP review. This year’s CIP has not been approved. His best guess is that it would be toward the
end of this year.
The Commission discussed how to proceed with communication to residents. Some ideas for survey
questions and format were considered. Arnst and Themig will draft a letter for the Commission to review
and amend if needed.
8. DISCUSSION REGARDING SOUTH ENTRANCE OF FREEMAN PARK
See Item #5 at the end of the Freeman Park To Do list.
9. NEW BUSINESS
Commissioner Puzak will be the liaison for the next Council meeting.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Puzak moved, Dallman seconded to adjourn. Motion passed 6/0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:34 P.M.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Connie Bastyr
RECORDING SECRETARY