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111301 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD PARK COMMISSION MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2001 7:30 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Arnst called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. A. Roll Call Present: Chair Arnst; Commissioners Dallman, Meyer, Young, Puzak, and Bix; City Council Liaison Garfunkel Absent: Commissioner Callies and City Engineer Brown B. Review Agenda Chair Arnst pulled item #4B under Reports, since Commissioner Callies was not present. Puzak moved, Young seconded, approving the Agenda as amended. Motion passed 5/0. Commissioner Bix arrived at 7:31 P.M. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of October 23, 2001 Puzak moved, Dallman seconded to approve the Minutes of October 23, 2001 as presented. Motion passed 6/0. 3.MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were none. 4. REPORTS A. Report on City Council Meeting of October 5, 2001 Liaison Garfunkel reported on three key items from the meeting. First, he indicated that the Council gave approval for the preliminary design for the Highway 19, Smithtown Road intersection. This will be in front of the Tonka Bay City Council at their next meeting for approval. Second, the Council approved in concept the combination of the police and fire facility. A few issues are yet to be determined, but the concept was approved. Finally, the Council accepted the WSB feasibility study on Smithtown Road. The reclamation process will be paid for with MSA Funds and will allow for a 2-foot and 4 foot shoulder on either side. He continued that a drain tile system would be installed as a part of the process and that they hope to complete the job in the spring of 2002. While right of way issues are still open, recommendations will be made by Attorney Keane to PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2001 Page 2 of 4 get those behind us. B. Report on Land Conservation Environment Committee Report was removed in Commissioner Callies absence. 5. DISCUSSION ON LAKE LINDEN TRAIL WALK AND RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY REPORT. Chair Arnst felt the trail walk was successful. Five neighbors accompanied the Commission throughout. The neighbors seemed very receptive to pursue the trail. With that in mind, Chair Arnst asked the Commission to make a recommendation to Council that WSB carry out a feasibility report to present to Council. Young asked if any new feedback from the neighbors had been heard since the trail walk. Chair Arnst indicated that no new feedback had been received, and that the affected neighbors were notified and present for the walk. Dallman moved, Meyer seconded, recommending to Council that WSB conduct a feasibility report. Puzak asked for further discussion and had several questions regarding the trail and the feasibility report. The first question he posed was who would pay for the feasibility report. He wondered whether it came out of Parks budget or the general fund. Secondly, tied to that, he questioned how much it would cost. Puzak maintained that he was uncomfortable recommending something without knowing the cost. Chair Arnst indicated that these were valid questions which she could not answer, and with no staff person present they would remain unanswered for the present time. Young asked if the recommendation could be delayed until a staff person was present at the next meeting in December. Chair Arnst asked Garfunkel if he knew where the funds for the feasibility report came from. Garfunkel was not sure, however, believed the monies come out of the trail or general fund. The third question Puzak posed was what the future of Yellowstone offered for further trails. He indicated that it is unknown to him whether this 2 1/2-block trail will connect anywhere or just stand alone. Dallman suggested waiting for Brown to give the Commission a cost estimate before moving forward on this segment, as well as, a larger segment along Yellowstone. Meyer pointed out that the one end of the trail could connect to the shopping center along Highway 7, eventually. Chair Arnst pointed out that many of the trails and pieces are coming together in various locations, even connecting communities. Chair Arnst maintained that since we have the support of the neighbors and Council has asked us to analyze this segment, she would like to move forward on this segment. She argued, that going any further would be contrary to our process, we would not have talked to any of the neighbors and they may interpret our actions unfavorably. On the other hand, the neighbors along Yellowstone may see this shorter trail segment and ask why it stops and whether they can have it extended. Bix and Meyer agreed. Young indicated while he was inclined to go forward, he was still curious about the costs. Dallman pointed out that Brown has said all along this is the way to go. Dallman believed the Commission should follow his earlier recommendations and take the next step. Motion passed 5/1, with Puzak dissenting. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2001 Page 3 of 4 6. MASTER PLAN REVIEW - STEP 2 Chair Arnst asked to discuss item B first. B. Discuss Commission Changes/Revisions to Cathcart, Badger, Manor. Chair Arnst asked for any additions or corrections to her Master Plan Review Park Summaries included in the packet. Bix had comments regarding Cathcart Park and the tree line that runs along the edge of the ball field. Recently, she observed the park and felt the trees were a lovely addition. From her observations, she believed that the trees did not really cause the shade problem referred to in earlier discussions, and she would not support cutting them down or trimming them greatly. Puzak maintained that his concern with the trees is a safety issue. Since they are located near the ball field and offer no warning track he is afraid someone may run into one. Chair Arnst suggested adding the installation of a warning track before the tree line to the recommendations or considerations segment of the master plan review. Meyer inquired whether the entire segment should be renamed “considerations” vs. “recommendations”. Chair Arnst agreed and will change the title of the segment throughout. Chair Arnst also learned that the Park, although located within the Chanhassen boundary, belongs to Shorewood. According to a 1973 agreement, Shorewood maintains and owns the park, thus, she will remove Property Ownership from the recommendations section. A. Silverwood Park 1. The current emphasis of the Park - a. Playground b. Slide c. Sliding Hill d. Free Skate on the Pond 2. Population it serves - a. Currently families with young children 3. What are the deficiencies of service - population or opportunity - a. Practice tennis courts are shabby b. Investigate the trail walkway 4. Recommended Changes, Refinements, Refocus of the Park - a. Consider replacing practice courts with painted soccer net or magic square and hopscotch b. Consider adding a warming house for the free skaters PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2001 Page 4 of 4 Chair Arnst opened the Silverwood Park Master Plan for discussion and review. Everyone agreed this park is a wonderful small neighborhood park, utilized by young children and their families. Young noted that the practice tennis courts are extremely shabby and wondered if they ever got used. Chair Arnst remembered that long ago a group approached the City to replace them with a painted soccer net with zones for practice or a roller hockey practice court. Which had been denied. Meyer questioned the rationale behind the denial, and believed the soccer net idea to be legitimate. Chair Arnst then pointed out that this park contains one of the only sliding hills offered in Shorewood. Puzak felt this park was a “baby stroller magnet” and served this group well. He complimented the developer for turning this virtually unusable piece of land into a strikingly successful park. Chair Arnst shared that there is also a trail system that accesses this park along the back half of the properties, which is owned by the City. The trail was part of the initial design, however, the developer did not build it from the beginning and once people were in they liked their privacy and fought to oppose it’s construction after the fact. The City has had it surveyed and marked and continues to watch for encroachment issues. It was suggested they include the trail walk as a part of the spring park tours to remind neighbors that it is owned by the City. Young suggested usage of the backboard be determined and recommended that the court either be resurfaced or replaced. Dallman proposed a hopscotch or magic square be put there. While Meyer also advocated a soccer practice net be painted. It was also brought up that they consider adding a warming house to the park for the pond free skate area in the future. 7. NEW BUSINESS Chair Arnst indicated there would be no second meeting in November. 7. ADJOURNMENT Dallman moved, Bix seconded, adjourning the Regular Park Commission Meeting of November 13, 2001 at 8:25 P.M. Motion passed 6/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Kristi B. Anderson RECORDING SECRETARY