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091305 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD PARK COMMISSION MEETING CITY HALL TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 7:00 P.M. MINUTES CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING 1. Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. A. Roll Call Present: Chair Davis; Commissioners Young, Farniok, later arrival Moonen and Loheit; City Engineer Brown; and City Council liaison Turgeon Westerlund and Wagner Absent: Commissioners B. Review Agenda Additions to New Business included an update on Manor Park Shirley Rice Memorial Garden and Apple Days. Farniok moved, Young seconded, approving the revised agenda. Motion passed 4/0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of August 9, 2005 Farniok moved, Young seconded, approving the Park Commission Meeting Minutes of August 9, 2005 as submitted. Motion passed 4/0. B. Park Commission Work Session Minutes of August 23, 2005 Young moved, Farniok seconded, approving the Park Commission Work Session Minutes of August 23, 2005 as submitted. Motion passed 4/0. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were none. 4. REPORTS A. Report on City Council Meetings Turgeon reported that the Council has examined the CIP and budget for 2006 Approving and distributing funds for the Freeman Park Wetland Restoration project over a longer period of time. Moonen arrived at 7:08 p.m. Brown stated that the park CIP was inserted into the budget as presented and commended the Commission for a proactive CIP which appropriates funds to numerous projects and improvements. PARK COMMISSION AGENDA TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 PAGE 2 OF 2 B. Update on the Buckthorn Event Brown reported that the city has ordered and is awaiting both a medium and large weed wrenches at the cost of $350 for the event. Young stated that during the Apples Days festival he received numerous comments regarding the detailed boards depicting both the buckthorn removal event at Freeman and the wetland restoration project. He noted that many people stopped and were impressed by the ideas. He complimented staff for putting together such wonderful boards for the public to view the proposed projects. Young added that the info on the proposed Carver County dog park was helpful, though a board detailing the precise location and timeline might have been useful, since many people inquired about donating money for the dog park. Young commented that the boards generated the most amount of public interest he’d seen in all his years volunteering at the event. Brown stated that they would be posting the boards at City Hall for residents to see. Chair Davis stated that more information would be added to the boards as it comes available, especially related to the dog park, to be posted at the Foundation craft fair in November. She stated that she would put together articles regarding the buckthorn event and dog park for the newsletter and suggested staff provide an online registration for residents interested in volunteering for the buckthorn event. Brown stated that staff would be working on the logistics of online registration. Chair Davis encouraged staff to investigate donations for the event including carbs, coffee, cocoa, water etc., though individuals could make brownies, etc. 5. WINTER COMMUNITY SKATING PARTY EVENT Chair Davis asked for Commission comments regarding their level of support for this great concept that had been proposed in the past. Turgeon suggested that the Commission or staff speak to Deephaven, since they successfully hosted a winter festival last year attended by hundreds within their community. Brown stated that the City should have good ice, weather permitting, if the event were to be held late January or early February. He indicated that the entire Manor Park ice could be plowed though parking is limited, or that Freeman’s Eddy Station was intended to be used as a warming house facility. Moonen stated that he believed it could be a great event the weekend before or after the Super Bowl, as the Lions had hosted a similar occasion years earlier featuring dog sled races, out house races, skating, and bonfire. Loheit suggested they investigate funding avenues such as the Wild hockey franchise 10,000 Rinks Foundation, who is always looking for ways to encourage skating. Young stated that if the City hosted the event at Badger rink, an alternate activity could be planned to concur at the Southshore Center in case winter weather doesn’t cooperate. Farniok stated that she was neutral on pursuing the project. PARK COMMISSION AGENDA TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 PAGE 3 OF 2 Chair Davis stated that she would make a few phone calls, and report back at the next meeting. She did not believe the City should pour extra ice at Freeman just for this activity. 6. MOVE TO CLEAR PARKS FOUNDATION OF DEBT FOR EDDY STATION Young moved to recommend to the City Council that the Park Foundation be cleared of this debt allowing them to move forward putting their energy to new projects. Chair Davis pointed out that the Foundation has had more success raising money for the moment more successfully than trying to raise money to service old debt. She indicated that she was satisfied with the motion and noted that they had learned a valuable lesson going forward. Brown summarized that during the initial work session at which the Foundation put forth this pledge, the City Council acknowledged that the Foundation might not be able to meet this commitment. In fact, the City Council transferred funds to cover the debt by the Foundation two years ago to clear the books. Turgeon concurred, stating that though the debt was erased two years ago, the Foundation wishes to see it memorialized by motion that they have been forgiven the debt. Farniok stated that she felt the Commission would like to see a statement of where the Foundation is going from now, what their plan is going forward, and how aggressive they wish to be with regard to coming projects. Farniok seconded, adding that while the historical commitment is recognized as being set aside, the Commission would be interested in working proactively with the Foundation going forward on a fundraising plan. Young accepted the amendment. Motion passed 5/0. 7. DETERMINE LIAISON FOR SEPTEMBER 26 CITY COUNCIL MEETING September 26: Chair Davis October 24: Westerlund 8. NEW BUSINESS Chair Davis shared an email she received from Commissioner Wagner expressing his apologies for his numerous absences and acknowledging that his work schedule will not allow him to be present for several upcoming meetings; therefore, offering up his resignation. Davis noted that, although he had not been able to attend regularly, Wagner had performed several helpful outside tasks for the Commission. Farniok suggested that Commissioners, such as Wagner and Gilbertson, be kept on a ‘Friends of the Park Commission’ list to contact when necessary. Turgeon suggested that Wagner be directed to submit a formal resignation. Farniok moved, Young seconded, to request a formal resignation from Commissioner Wagner, acknowledging his contributions and expressing the Commission’s desire to tap into him as a resource going forward, and direct staff to solicit interest for a new representative. Motion passed 5/0. PARK COMMISSION AGENDA TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 PAGE 4 OF 2 A. MANOR PARK Farniok reported that the plaque was to be shipped 9/23/05 by the Shorewood Nursery. In addition, she noted that the project was moving forward as the club had recently planted hosta under the nearby pine tree. Farniok reported that a nearby resident, Mary Babcock, has offered to spend up to $500 per tree and cover the cost for planting trees east of the ballfield. She has donated trees before and has a vision for the park. Farniok asked staff to look into this opportunity. Chair Davis suggested Babcock be directed to work through the Foundation, and apply for a park commission position. Brown stated that he would try to frame up a proposal if Farniok could provide Secretary Grout with the contact information. Farniok stated that once the weed wrenches become available, the club would like to use them to remove a bit of buckthorn that has begun growing near the pond. She indicated that she would be submitting an article for the upcoming newsletter. With regard to the County Road 19 intersection, Brown reported that Smithtown Road would be closed for 3 weeks starting 9/26/05 and traffic will be redirected. He urged the Commissioners to prepare themselves for comments and this painful inevitable period of the project. Brown noted that Hanks, at the Sun Sailor, has been instrumental in communicating with the public the changes associated with the project and would do so once again. 9. ADJOURN Young moved, Moonon seconded, adjourning the Park Commission Meeting of September 13, 2005 at 8:17 p.m. Motion passed 5/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Kristi B. Anderson Recording Secretary