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061201 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD PARK COMMISSION MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2001 8:00 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Arnst called the meeting to order at 8:00 P.M. A. Roll Call Present: Chair Arnst; Commissioners Young, Dallman, Bix, Puzak, and Meyer; City Engineer Brown; and Council Liaison Zerby B. Review Agenda Engineer Brown asked to add Item 10, a discussion regarding the operation of Eddy Station. Puzak moved, Bix seconded, accepting the agenda as revised. Motion passed 6/0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of May 8, 2001 Chair Arnst corrected Page 1, Item 4A, the first line to read “..wording of the existing pet policy pamphlet..” and Page 2, Item 4C, line 3 to read “..if they could enforce no parking signs..”. Dallman moved, Meyer seconded, approving the Minutes of May 8, 2001, as amended. Motion passed 4/0/2, with Puzak and Bix abstaining. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were none. 4.REPORTS A. Report on City Council Meeting of May 14, 2001, May 29, 2001 and June 11, 2001 Zerby reported that the City Council approved the installation of vending machines at Eddy Station and to his knowledge they have been installed. The Council also asked South Tonka Little League to take down their temporary dugouts as a safety precaution. As reported by building inspector, Joe Pazandak, the dugouts pose a threat to safety if winds were to lift them up and they would collapse on anyone beneath them. Chair Arnst added that there will be a group of City representatives meeting with Brian Tichy, of South Tonka Little League, to discuss efforts to open lines of communication, as well as, how they and the City can work together to improve the park. Zerby continued that there was agreement among the Council to close the access to Freeman Park and barricades were installed. They are investigating other alternatives including the installation of a chain, fence, or gate at that location. Contact will be made with emergency services and the police department to get their feedback on the gate or barricade system. No action was taken. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2001 Page 2 of 7 B. Report on Land Conservation Environment Committee Brown had nothing to report and informed the Commission of Commissioner Berndt’s resignation. Brown did, however, relay the concerns voiced by the City Council and neighbors over Lake Linden Drive. He said that staff will be checking into the possibility of trails, with other improvements, which will involve the Park Commission. C. Report on Park Foundation Meeting of May 23, 2001 Dallman reported that the Foundation discussed two potential fundraising opportunities; donor bricks around Eddy Station and either a Silent Auction or Raffle. They will be meeting once again next week to further discuss these ideas. D. Report on Closure of Reutiman Lane Brown provided history as to why the closure was needed, and added that he has received quite an outpouring of opposition to its closure. Quite a volatile issue, a petition is circulating to open it back up. He reminded the Commission that with the closure, users of fields one and two at Freeman are required to use Park Drive thru the Shorewood Ponds development. Bix questioned the reception of Shorewood Ponds to this additional traffic. Brown noted that they realize that the traffic associated with the closure is less than they would see if the road remained open. More people would be using them as a cut through and speeding to do so. Brown reported, as Zerby already had, that contact with emergency services will be made before further action is taken. E. Update on Eddy Station Brown was pleased to report that the building has only minor touch ups left. The building has been painted and sealed, the sod is in and grading is being finished. In fact, Brown pointed out, the contractor himself was at the sight daily and off-hours to ensure the job was complete pending a strike by many trades people. Brown reported that the vending machines are in and the City should be seeing its first statement in mid August. They are now merely awaiting the recycling bins. F.Update on Skate Park Installation and Activities Already having been addressed, Brown asked for any additional comments. Young asked for a time frame for the no parking signage to arrive. Brown replied that once he’s made contact with the neighbor across the street, the No Parking signs will be posted within 5 days, however, the overflow parking sign will need to be special ordered and may take several weeks. Brown added that these will all need to be added to the City Council Consent Agenda during their next meeting in two weeks, so that would be a better gauge for installation. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2001 Page 3 of 7 5. REPORT ON FINDINGS/EXPERIENCES WITH NO PARKING AND DOG FECES FROM DEPUTY CHIEF NIELING Chair Arnst reported that the pet policy brochure has been updated and the articles have appeared in the Lakeshore Weekly. She asked the Commission if they still wanted the mailings to go out to pet owners and was unsure whether the information made it into school envelopes. Bix felt the mailing was useful and would promote the dog walking community to police itself. There was a general consensus to send the pieces out. Brown also believed that the school inserts went home as well. Chair Arnst then questioned whether the City Ordinance should be revised to require pet owners to carry along baggies and mitts. Puzak noted, however, this would be difficult to enforce, especially if an owner already used and disposed of their baggies. Chair Arnst was pleased with the number of responses received to the articles and asked that staff automatically send out a thank you letter to people who commented. In response to one such letter, Brown insisted they do replenish the bag supply daily. Chair Arnst suggested placing a second can and dispenser on the LRT. 6. REVIEW “TO DO” ITEMS FROM PARK TOURSOF JUNE 12, 2001 A. Skate Park Investigate trash pick up on weekends ? Post stop sign at exit ? Investigate no parking signs on either/both side of street & Overflow sign ? Rules of the park sign to be posted ? Using the newsletter, invite kids to participate in a youth committee for the Skate park to ? create rule and promote communication with the City Request MnDOT to install a better barrier to Hwy 7 ? Consider Frisbee Golf or Horseshoe courts ? Post a No Stopping, Standing, Parking sign on Hwy 7 ? Chair Arnst will contact Deephaven regarding Bike Rack ? Consider plantings of trees/grasses for the berm ? Check on a cost estimate or quote for punching a well or obtaining a drinking fountain ? B. Manor Park Clean-up graffiti on the walls and ceiling of the picnic shelter ? Check on lighting issues with the neighbors ? Observed East Tonka Little League using the fields, they admitted to frequent use, check on ? user fee status Lower the signage at the tennis courts ? C. Silverwood Park Fertilize the lawn ? Need hours of operation signage posted at all the parks ? PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2001 Page 4 of 7 D. Crescent Beach Check the possibility of Park signage ? E. Badger Park Lower the sign on the tennis courts ? Rink lights are a concern, check on the possibility of obtaining the salvaged lights from ? Frontier Electric Need to street sweep the parking lot after the frequent rains ? Investigate user fees for football ? Potential horseshoe pit ? Start a dialogue with the South Shore Senior Center to partner on gardening or gazebo ? project for the park Look into archery bales for the park ? * All Parks Need Hours of Operation Signage Clearly Posted 7. SCHEDULE GRAND OPENING DATES FOR EDDY STATION AND SKATE PARK A. Skate Park Chair Arnst distributed a Skate Park Grand Opening draft proposal for comment. She pointed out that the shuttle service was necessary due to the parking and traffic issues at the Skate Park. Upon Administrator Dawson’s suggestion, Arnst proposed two separate Grand Openings for the two parks. Chair Arnst asked for feedback and a timeline for the proposal. Everyone liked the draft proposal and preferred a weekend date in mid July contingent on the schedules of both Tim Hughes and Matt Pike. Brown suggested the kids would really enjoy a rally and demonstration put on by Tim Hughes and his skate park friends. Young agreed, adding it would be nice to see the skate boarding cops, we heard word of during the park tours this evening, putting on a display and a presence. Chair Arnst stated she would work with the Mayor, Craig Dawson, and staff to put this together B. Eddy Station Chair Arnst shared Administrator Dawson’s idea of holding an Ice Cream Social for the Eddy Station Grand Opening and asked for Commission feedback. Everyone liked the idea of having Council and Commissioners serving ice cream and mingling with the public. Many Commissioners agreed that the event would need to take place while the park is still active with sports organizations and will shoot for mid August tournament time. Chair Arnst asked whether the Park Foundation might like to offer their Adopt-A-Brick fundraiser during the event. Bix voiced her concern of organizing the fundraiser in time to roll it out at the grand opening but offered to present the idea to the Park Foundation next week at their regular meeting. In order to pull it off PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2001 Page 5 of 7 professionally, Bix wondered whether it could be done so quickly, but said she would do her best to move it forward. Puzak maintained that the event could not be delayed any later in the season or no one would be there. All agreed that the time to strike, be it the fundraiser or grand opening, is when the most people are there. With tournament time in mid August, the Commission could tie it into the Grand Finale of the season. Chair Arnst asked to have these items slated as tentative items for the City Council to approve at their next meeting. Once the dates are verified with the Park Foundation and park use schedules. Dallman wondered if fundraising at these events would send a message that the City is broke. Puzak disagreed, saying simply that it implies that the Community Parks need Community support. Zerby wondered if ties could be made to either event, especially Eddy Station, from a historical or heritage angle. Puzak noted that this could be the First of an Annual Ice Cream Social Event at Eddy Station. Everyone applauded the idea and agreed that the next years could be done earlier in the season. Meyer moved, Bix seconded, approving that the Park Commission supports the Park Foundation fundraising Project of the Buy-A-Brick program. Motion passed 6/0. 8. DISCUSSION OF NON-PAYMENT OF USER FEES FROM SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS Chair Arnst circulated the 2001 Field Use charts and Sports Organization User Fee Agreement record. As demonstrated by the User Fee Record form, there has been hesitation in receiving payment from several groups. Since the beginning of the season, one month ago, letters and invoices have been sent to these organizations instructing them to pay. Chair Arnst voiced the concern expressed by the Mayor and City Council over the non-payments and how the Commission will follow-up with these organizations. After attending the quarterly meeting between the Mayors and Minnetonka Community Education, Brown felt he heard many communities expressing the same concerns Shorewood has already voiced to Dan Cuzlik, the Administrator for MCES. The same concerns Brown heard included the scheduling questions, field usage, and how fees get collected and rosters obtained, they‘ve presented. Since that meeting, Brown reported that Administrator Dawson and himself have met with Cuzlik to address these ongoing issues and plan to do so again. Brown indicated at this meeting with Cuzlik, he and Dawson asked that if the various Cities were willing to spend more and pay for better service could these areas be addressed better. Brown believed MCES is feeling the heat from Shorewood and others. He maintained that MCES should see that the Cities are willing to pay for good service, and in order for them to compete and continue to be the supplier they need to improve. Puzak asked what the City pays MCES and what it covers. Brown replied that the City pays approximately .50 per capita, totaling about $3,200. These fees cover the scheduling of fields and administration of lifeguard and tennis services. Puzak then questioned whether they are capable of supplying us with what we are demanding, or if it would be wise to enter into a shared park and recreation services of our own. The City had PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2001 Page 6 of 7 offered last year to purchase new scheduling software for MCES. Chair Arnst voiced her concern that MCES needs to be more forthcoming with the City and Park Commission. This was the first year Shorewood required sports organization user fees, and while we asked for support and cooperation from MCES, we did not get answers or the cooperation we needed. Chair Arnst asked for feedback regarding their no pay, no play stance as it regards to sports organizations anteing up the required user fees. For example, East Tonka Little League at Manor Park this evening has not paid and was discovered playing there. Brown, pointing to the User Fee Records, showed that staff has repeatedly tried to reach East Tonka Little League. They’ve spoken to members of ETLL and put them on notice of the user fees. According to contacts made in both May and June they are now aware and should know they owe for the use of those fields, especially after found cunningly using Manor this evening. Bix agreed that it is apparent that East Tonka Little League is using the fields and we need to bill them accordingly. If they choose to, they can come back and argue their case in front of the Commission at that time if they disagree. Young suggested attaching a copy of the MCES’s own scheduling document to the invoice showing where and when they use Manor Park fields. Brown noted that the City is only beginning to see funds coming in with the new user fees. He admitted there will always be a few bumps in the road when initiating a new system, but he maintained that he has seen progress as well. With that, they will still be receiving rosters yet this fall and have exceeded the budgeted amount they expected already. Chair Arnst indicated that it seems to her that there is a process in place, the invoices and letters have been sent out asking for payment and she requested to be sure ETLL was added to that list. 9. APPROVAL SUPPORTING THE PARK FOUNDATION FUNDRAISING PROJECT OF A BRICK PROGRAM Addressed under Eddy Station Grand Opening. 10. OLD BUSINESS Regarding operations at Eddy Station, Brown asked the Commission to clarify their perceptions and expectations over buildings hours. Meyer believed it should be open during park hours. Dallman agreed, that the public will expect it to be open 7A.M to 10 P.M., especially after the City spent that money to build it. Bix questioned whether winter hours could be different, with a rink attendant present, than summer hours. Brown reported that the Mayor would like to look into a video camera surveillance system. Dallman added that an automatic timer on the outdoor bathrooms might be useful. Brown said that he will pursue different avenues and obtain quotes from services that can provide the operations we need at Eddy Station. Puzak asked when the City takes ownership of the property. Brown reported that the final building inspection should take place within a couple of weeks. Chair Arnst wondered if a wooden sign could be installed on the LRT pointing people to the Eddy Station vending machines. Brown would follow-up. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2001 Page 7 of 7 11. NEW BUSINESS Puzak scheduled the annual Park Commission picnic on Big Island for August 21, 2001, at 6 P.M. We will meet at the Excelsior Public Docks and guests should bring a dish to share and meat to grill. 12. ADJOURNMENT Meyer moved, Biz seconded, adjourning the regular Park Commission Meeting of June 12, 2001, at 10:02 P.M. Motion passed 6/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Kristi B. Anderson RECORDING SECRETARY