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022503 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD PARK COMMISSION MEETING CITY HALL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2003 8:00 P.M. OR IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING SPORTS MEETING MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Arnst called the meeting to order at 7:45 P.M. A. Roll Call Present: Chair Arnst; Commissioners Young, Davis, Palesch, and Callies; City Council liaison Turgeon; Engineer Brown; Technician Bailey; and Park Secretary Grout Absent: Commissioner Meyer B. Review Agenda Palesch moved, Callies seconded, approving the Agenda as submitted. Motion passed 5/0. 2. UPDATE ON CONCESSION STAND Brown reported that City Attorney Keane recommended that the Commission appeal the original inspector’s report to the supervisor in order to get another reviewer to take a look at the concessions. Brown stated that was the Attorney’s opinion to investigate and appeal the review before following any other legal process. After contacting John Gruban, of the Minnesota Sports and Recreation Association, Grout reported that his recommendation was to contract the concession business out to a non-profit organization because of the difficulties with the health departments or consider a vending service. She had hoped to hear back from him with more information regarding vending services but did not receive a return call. Chair Arnst asked why a non-profit organization should be allowed to operate a concession stand under different parameters than the City. Palesch stated that, technically, the City shouldn’t have to turn the concessions over to a non-profit organization to allow it to work. Chair Arnst suggested they consider the Park Foundation, as the City’s nonprofit concessionaire as one option. Callies suggested staff follow the direction towards a specific administrative internal appeal process. Young asked if the informal appeal process might be speaking to the supervisor and telling him that we have difficulty accepting the first investigator’s report. PARK COMMISSION MEETING February 25, 2003 Page 2 of 3 Palesch agreed that the City needs to go back and state that we’d like to appeal this decision and what will it take to do so. Chair Arnst recommended that staff proceed with this direction from the Commission and report back at the next meeting in order to expedite the concessions for spring. She feared that if they didn’t get the ball rolling soon enough, similar to last year, the concessions would not be operational until mid summer. Brown indicated that he would try to follow-up with this process and supply the Commission with a report soon. Grout asked the Commission if they wished to pursue the vending route, as they had gone down that path before. The Commission preferred to head in the direction of concessions and was hesitant to give the vending operators all the business. NEW BUSINESS Brown reported that Jim Grube, the Hennepin County Transportation Director, had indicated at a recent meeting that he was sure the County Road 19 project would happen this year. Brown stated that this was the first time he had heard Hennepin County get behind the project in this way. He added that Tom Higgins, owner of Truffle Hill, and the new strip mall owners were also on board. While the Hennepin County Commissioner is aware of the increased costs for the project, Brown stated that there are more parties lining up in support of the project at this time than ever before. One last item Brown noted was that Hennepin County would be handling the ROW issues with regard to the liquor store. Another item of new business that Brown shared was the condition of the Minnetrista Bridge, leading to Enchanted Island. Brown indicated that studies have shown that the bridge is deteriorating more than originally thought, so much so, that school buses and some SUV’s will exceed the new weight restrictions. He noted that even emergency vehicles would find it difficult to cross the bridge. Brown reported that the notification process would begin soon, with construction slated for May, which would include a pedestrian space. Brown reported that the Lake Linden paperwork was now in-house and that hopefully the trail process would be a short one. With regard to a work session, Brown reported that the City Council was hoping to hold joint sessions with the Commission to go over their 2003 goals and priorities in the near future. In regard to the Smithtown Road project, Brown reported that the City put out a mailing to the greater area notifying them of the City’s decision to move forward with the construction including a pedestrian space. While the City anticipated numerous calls, Brown stated that they have not received a single comment or call. He mentioned that Dave Hutton, of WSB, would be taking the lead with regard to gaining easements, assisted by both Boyd Bailey and himself. Turgeon reported that at the most recent Council meeting, the City Council did not approve the additional netting and poles for Freeman Park as requested by South Tonka Little League. The Council did not approve the request due to the aesthetics and the fact that the perceived safety issue did not exist in their opinion. The Council felt the bleachers were adequately screened and the additional poles and netting were PARK COMMISSION MEETING February 25, 2003 Page 3 of 3 unwarranted. Chair Arnst reported that prior to the Park Commission meeting she attended the Spring Sports Information meeting hosted by the City and Community Recreation Resources (CRR) and was pleased with the presentation made by CRR. She asked who would be providing reports with regard to the park coordinator responsibilities and whether a liaison should be present at Park Commission meetings. Brown indicated that he would provide updates and reported from CRR would be provided quarterly. Turgeon requested that the Council liaison be provided with the updates or mailings as well. 3. ADJOURNMENT Davis moved, Palesch seconded, adjourning the Park Commission Meeting of February 25, 2003, at 8:06 P.M. Motion passed 5/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Kristi Anderson Recording Secretary