Loading...
040902 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD PARK COMMISSION MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2002 7:00 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Arnst called the meeting to order at 7:04 P.M. A. Roll Call Present: Chair Arnst; Commissioners Young, Callies, Meyer, and Palesch; Engineer Brown; Planning Director Nielsen; City Council Liaison Lizée Absent: Commissioner Bartlett B. Review Agenda Palesch moved, Meyer seconded, approving the agenda as presented. Motion passed 5/0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Minutes of March 12, 2002 Palesch moved, Callies seconded, approving the Park Commission Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2002 as submitted. Motion passed 5/0. B. Park Commission Informational Meeting With Sports Organizations Minutes of March 20, 2002 Callies moved, Palesch seconded, approving the Park Commission Informational Meeting Minutes of March 20, 2002, as presented. Motion passed 5/0. C. Park Commission Work Session Minutes of March 26, 2002 Meyer moved, Young seconded, the Park Commission Work Session Minutes of March 26, 2002, as submitted. Motion passed 5/0. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were none. 4. REPORTS A. Report on City Council Meetings of March 25 and April 8 Liaison Lizée stated that while she had nothing pertinent to share from the March 25, 2002, meeting, she did have several items to report from the April 8, 2002, meeting. REGULAR PARK COMMISSION MEETING April 9, 2002 Page 2 of 5 Prior to the regular City Council Meeting on the 8th, representatives from the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District gave a presentation, as did representatives from the Hennepin County Assessors Office. Lizée reported that a Public Hearing on wards took place during the regular meeting and will be continued for discussion at the next City Council Meeting in order to gain more public comment. Lizée continued that the underground of power lines at the County Road 19 intersection was discussed. Engineer Brown added that the approval process is moving forward as phase one of a landscape concept design will be worked up by Brauer and Associates, Inc. B. Review Written Opinion by Planning Director for Dugout at Freeman Field 2 Planning Director Nielsen gave a report on the status of Ball Field Improvements at Freeman Park, outlining the work that South Tonka Baseball (STBB) is authorized to perform. A list of nine items were identified as STBB responsibilities, with an additional list of 4 items that the City will commit to. With regard to the South Tonka Baseball responsibilities, Nielsen noted that items 1,4, 5, and 6 were merely maintenance matters. In reference to item 2, Nielsen agreed that the installation of plastic safety tubing along the top rail of the outfield fences was a good improvement. However, STBB will be required to install an acceptable color, green or blue. Nielsen reported that the temporary scorers booth, Item 7, had been removed and STBB will contact the Park Commission in the future if they wish to begin the process to reinstate any such structure. Item 9, Nielsen explained with visual aids, addresses the need to extend the steel poles on the third base side of Field 2 between the backstops and batting cage and installation of netting to contain foul balls. Palesch and Meyer agreed this would be a needed improvement. Young moved, Palesch seconded, approving the extension of steel poles on the third base side of Field 2 between the backstop and batting cage with the installation of netting to contain foul balls. Motion passed 5/0. C. Report on City Council Action Regarding South Tonka Little League Requests for Improvements Nielsen informed the Commission that the City Council had held off on item 8, the installation of taller steel poles along the third base side of Field 2 to support awnings, until a Public Hearing scheduled for May 7, 2002 would take place. Nielsen shared the history of the dugout issues for Field 2 with the Commission. Presently, he stated that STBB would like to stretch awnings over the dugouts to protect players from the sun. These awnings would be of a seasonal or temporary nature, which appealed to the Planning Commission. The awnings would be put up in the spring and taken down in the fall, unlike the metal roofed ones installed last year. Nielsen stated that they would be much like a boat canopy, dark green in nature, and unlikely to weather well if left up year round. Meyer asked if he had seen them. Nielsen stated that he had not, but could envision them. He added that the Commission had originally approved the concept of the awnings but he asked for their feedback nonetheless this evening. REGULAR PARK COMMISSION MEETING April 9, 2002 Page 3 of 5 Meyer inquired whether such structures had been denied previously. Brown indicated that a permanent structure with a metal roof and back were denied, whereas this structure would be of a temporary nature without a backside. Chair Arnst was concerned that by approving this temporary structure the City might be opening the door to problems, temporary or not, the property line issue remains. Brown asked if STBB had formally applied for this application or if any plans had been submitted at this time to judge. Nielsen stated that nothing had been submitted, however, the Public Hearing is scheduled and plans will need to be in hand prior to that date. Brown maintained that he was hesitant to have the Park Commission make a recommendation without a drawing. Palesch concurred, stating that STBB put up a structure without proper approval in the past and asked what would stop them from doing so again. Chair Arnst noted that history dictates caution in this instance and asked to view drawings before making any further recommendations. Nielsen promised to provide drawings to the Commission at its next meeting on April 23, 2002. 5. HIGHWAY 7 RIGHT OF WAY PROPERTY Nielsen provided background on the Highway 7 right of way property located near the water tower by the old wayside, north of St. Johns Cemetery. Currently, St. Johns Baptist Church is working on completing a master plan for their cemetery and would like to change their point of entry. Nielsen pointed out that the most desirable location would be the right of way property owned by MnDOT. Nielsen stated that if the City could acquire this property from MnDOT, who has no purpose for it, this piece could potentially be traded for some of the wooded natural land at the southern end of the cemetery. Since the only prerequisite from MnDOT is to provide public service of the parcel, a passive use wetland area would be ideal. Nielsen pointed out that the Planning Commission liked the idea so much that they recommended a comp plan amendment to favor this trade. The LCEC, whose charge is to acquire land for conservation, were also fond of the concept. Nielsen stated that Turgeon, of the City Council, believed it was imperative to get input from the Park Commission, in view that the concept will likely fall under their jurisdiction in the future. Nielsen asked for the Commission’s thoughts. Palesch inquired over the terrain and commented that she liked the idea. Primarily a wetland, Nielsen added that the church is receptive to adding some passive walking trails. Young asked what the Church hoped to get from the deal. Nielsen stated that they would not only change their point of entry, but the grades of the subject property would be much more amenable to the cemetery than the current woodland area, which would require much site alteration. Young asked how big a parcel they are referring to. Nielsen pointed out that the property is approximately 2 acres. Young questioned where the proposal was at currently. Nielsen stated at the May 7, 2002 meeting, the City will be looking at the land use and conservation open space options. When asked whether MnDOT had been approached about the transfer of ownership, Nielsen replied that they had not been contacted yet but he expected the entire process to take up to six months or more. Brown inquired over the placement of future wells at the site. Nielsen stated that the City would retain enough area near the water tower to allow for one at a later date. Chair Arnst asked what Nielsen needed from the Park Commission. Nielsen reiterated that he was looking for their feedback of whether they view this proposal as a reasonable use of land. Callies supported the idea, however thought the subject property currently acts as a good buffer, and wondered what expansion of the REGULAR PARK COMMISSION MEETING April 9, 2002 Page 4 of 5 cemetery at this location would mean to the area. Nielsen pointed out that the unique character of the whole site would be changed more so if St. John’s develops the southern wooded end. While no specific plans were available for consideration, Chair Arnst urged Nielsen to keep the use to a minimum, suggesting perhaps a passive wooded trail. Chair Arnst informed Nielsen that this is the first time she had heard of the possibility of adding open space to the Park Commission’s jurisdiction after the LCEC disbands. She encouraged Nielsen to schedule a joint meeting between the Commissions and Council to begin a dialogue to discuss the matter. 6. DISCUSS NEXT STEP FOR PARK MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR 2003 Chair Arnst asked the Commission what they believed the next step for the Park Management Process to be. Brown reminded the Commission that at the last meeting he had presented a memo identifying alternatives to MCES. As it stands, Brown felt it unlikely that the services would be provided in-house, and believed that contracting out would maximize staff resources and minimize costs. Brown pointed out that the City currently knows a number of people who might be interested in providing services. He felt it best to sit down with those individuals first to determine the responsibilities and costs. By identifying the costs, focusing on how the operation will be managed, and how best to market the service, an RFP can be created. Chair Arnst inquired what the recommended first step would be. Brown stated that a letter of interest, containing an executive summary proposal to go over with staff, followed by a meeting to discuss outlines of each one’s expectations would be the proper sequence. As a recommending body, Chair Arnst asked when the process could begin. Brown stated that if it were the Commission’s desire for staff to define the final product and accept letters of interest they would be free to do so at this point. Chair Arnst indicated that a list of 18 issues was provided to staff after the joint meeting of December 11, 2002, and would go far in assisting staff as they specify the position. Young asked what sort of hours an independent person would commit to and why it would be less costly than hiring some one in-house. Brown explained that it would be easier and less costly to find someone to work from home, available to work the flexible hours that scheduling will require, at a negotiated fee, and for a contracted timeframe. Meyer proposed the Commission direct staff to seek out input and develop the position. There was a consensus among the commissioners to move this forward before the budget process begins. 7. STATUS UPDATE ON FREEMAN PARK PARKING LOT Brown reported that staff has spent approximately six months working with MCWD regarding the construction of the Freeman Park parking lot due to the state closure of the highway 7 access. As a trade-off, the state set a deadline for the City to receive $50,000 to aid them in the closure and construction of the lot. As that sunset date for the money is fast approaching, staff is hopeful that plans and specs will be finalized Thursday. A public open house will take place April 29, 2002, from 5:00 - 7:30 P.M. for public comment. Brown stated that staff is moving quickly to take advantage of these dollars, which will help solve some of the parking and drainage issues. A contract needs to be in place by July 1, 2002. Young asked if the City was able to accommodate the MCWD. Brown affirmed that they were and stated that REGULAR PARK COMMISSION MEETING April 9, 2002 Page 5 of 5 in the future the Commission may be hearing about the possibility of open water ponding along the walking trails at Freeman. 8. SET DATE FOR PARK TOURS Park Tours will take place on June 8, 2002, at 8:30 A.M. beginning at the first park chosen for the day, with the exception of Freeman Park. The Freeman Park park tour is scheduled for June 11, 2002, as part of the Regular Park Commission meeting. 9. DISCUSS WORK SESSION FOR APRIL 23 MEETING Brown reported that Mark Koegler would be presenting the master plan review for Freeman Park on April 23, 2002. Brown stated that Koegler is familiar with the process and encouraged the commissioners to voice their opinions freely. 10. DETERMINE PARK LIAISON FOR MAY Meyer will cover the May 13th and 28th City Council Meetings. Chair Arnst will attend the April 23rd meeting. 11. NEW BUSINESS Lizée invited the Commissioners to join students of Minnewashta School for their first annual Earth Day Walk-in on April 23, 2002. The public will be meeting at Manitou Park at 7:00 A.M., walking along the trail to Freeman Park. At 7:30 A.M. they will leave Freeman Park to walk down Strawberry Lane, with police escort, to the school. Saturday, April 27, 2002, a planning seminar and Land Use Workshop presented by John Shardlow will be held at the Southshore Center. Brown reported that the public open house held regarding Smithtown Road was well attended. The comment period will continue for approximately three weeks, at which time, a joint work session will be scheduled. 12. ADJOURNMENT Palesch moved, Callies seconded, adjourning the Regular Park Commission Meeting of April 9, 2002, at 8:42 P.M. Motion passed 5/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Kristi B. Anderson RECORDING SECRETARY