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050906 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD PARK COMMISSION TOUR SHOREWOOD CITY HALL & REGULAR MEETING 7:30 P.M. OR IMMEDIATELY TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2006 FOLLOWING PARK TOURS MINUTES 1.CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING The Park Commission met at City Hall at 5:45 p.m. to depart for their Park Tour. A. Roll Call Present: Chair Davis, Commissioner Young, and City Engineer Brown, later met by Commissioners Westerlund, Moonen, Hensley, and Norman. PARK TOUR 1.CATHCART PARK Commissioners Moonen and Hensley joined the Commission at Cathcart. Brown encouraged the Commissioners to discuss what some of the parks could be. Though Cathcart Park is located in Chanhassen, Brown indicated that it is owned by Shorewood. He pointed out that two issues in this and other parks include lighting, as the rink is heavily used in the winter, and tennis courts, which are in need of grave repair. He mentioned that the preliminary quote for resurfacing Manor Park and Badger tennis courts was approximately $35,000 for the band-aid approach and that he would price out reconstruction of those courts. Brown continued pointing out that routine maintenance, such as filling under the swing set with sand, would occur when things dried out a bit. Chair Davis suggested that an additional garbage can be placed at the park. 2.FREEMAN PARK Once again, Brown encouraged the Commissioners to consider what demographics are being, or not being, served in the parks. He asked if they felt anything was lacking or what type of vision they saw for each park. Starting at the Southern end of the park, Brown pointed out that the Little League had recently laid ag lime and planned to resurface the batting cages with Astroturf in the future. He asked the Commission to consider if there was adequate bleacher seating, or whether additional seating was necessary at Freeman and possibly Cathcart. PARK COMMISSION AGENDA TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2006 PAGE 2 OF 7 As they continued Brown acknowledged the drainage problem between fields 1 and 2, and the City’s numerous attempts to seed. In addition, he mentioned that Little League has expressed their desire to enlarge their equipment sheds at both fields 1 and 3. Commissioners Westerlund and Norman joined the tour at Freeman at 6:37 p.m. The Commission used the trail to maneuver their way to the other end of Freeman taking note of the buckthorn and proposed Wetland Restoration project as they went. The Commission discussed restoration of the wetlands in order to make the area an amenity to the park with appropriate drainage, kiosks, etc. They agreed that the City has a responsibility to determine the highest and best use of the area, especially near the engineered dam at the north end of the trail. Westerlund questioned whether the Commission could review old photos of the area to determine what was there in earlier years and how to go about restoring the ecosystems. Brown acknowledged that he answers many phone calls about the enormous amount of buckthorn along the trail. CRR, Community Rec Resources, representative Anderson accompanied the Commission at Freeman Park and explained that due to issues created by two sports organizations vying for the same field use, Lacrosse has been moved to Manor Park for the season. In an effort to allow Badger rest this year and to work with the sports organizations, Anderson explained that Soccer would continue to use all the soccer fields at Freeman while intense monitoring of activity and parking would ensue at Manor. She pointed out that the obvious solution would be to improve the field conditions at Badger Park in order to avoid such complications in the future. As increase in demand will only continue from year to year, Anderson noted that the City cannot afford to allow a perfectly wonderful facility such as Badger to go unutilized. As the Commission moved towards Eddy Station, Brown pointed out that many residents enjoy the plaza area, though it needs some plantings. He indicated that the challenge is to find hardy plants that would take little maintenance from public works staff, or find a group of volunteers to tend the garden. Young suggested the City approach the seniors and solicit their interest in maintaining plantings. Brown suggested that, if the Park Commission could determine a budget to offer the volunteers for plantings, this might be the incentive needed to create a group of volunteers. Westerlund stated that if a budget is what is needed to help get a team of volunteers to tend the plaza, the Commission should move forward. PARK COMMISSION AGENDA TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2006 PAGE 3 OF 7 3.CRESCENT BEACH Brown explained that public works staff comes out to Crescent Beach daily during the spring and summer in order to clear out the ditch. He noted that the beach might be in need of a new sand blanket. The meeting continued at City Hall at approximately 7:32 p.m. with Commissioners Young, Westerlund, Norman, and Chair Davis. Moonen and Hensley arrived at City Hall at 7:45 p.m. B. Review Agenda Item 5A, Manor Park Tree Donation, was moved to the front of the agenda and Item 4C, a report on Manor Park Plantings was added to the agenda. Westerlund moved, Norman seconded, approving the Agenda as amended. Motion passed 4/0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of April 11, 2006 Chair Davis commended the recorder for her efforts in accurately depicting the details of the meetings. Norman moved, Westerlund seconded, approving the Minutes of the April 11, 2006, Park Commission Meeting as submitted. B. Joint Park Commission Meeting Minutes of April 18, 2006 Young moved, Norman seconded, approving the Minutes of the April 11, 2006, Joint Commission Work Session as presented. Motion passed 4/0. 5. MANOR PARK TREE DONATION A. Neighborhood Feedback Mr. Babcock thanked the Commission for their efforts in overseeing the parks and inviting him to talk about his proposal to plant trees along Manor Road. He explained that he had lived on Manor Road for 35 years and would like to donate trees to plant along the edge of the park in an effort to replace those lost due to development and for the betterment of the community. Mr. Babcock proposed that 4 additional black spruce, 15-20’ tall, be planted near the one he planted last fall. They would not be infringing on the fields but would deter people from parking on the grass near the north side along Manor Road where it is void of trees. PARK COMMISSION AGENDA TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2006 PAGE 4 OF 7 Chair Davis commented that this would be a very nice donation to the park. Young concurred, stating that it was a very generous donation. Mr. Babcock stated that he could wait until fall, as it would be the best planting time, and in the meantime position stakes for the proposed locations so that the Commission could review them during their upcoming park tour. He commented that the trees would be staggered along the lot line and perhaps someday a nice trail could meander through them. Commissioners Hensley and Moonen arrived. Babcock added that his wife was partial to planting some low maintenance perennials around the bottoms of the trees. Brown informed the commission that if they were comfortable with the donation, they could move to recommend the City Council accept it, subject to the tree locations. Moonen moved, Young seconded, recommending approval for the acceptance of the tree donation proposed by the Babcock’s for Manor Park, subject to approval of planting sites. Motion passed 6/0. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were none. 4. REPORTS A.Report on City Council Meetings of April 24, 2006 and May 8, 2006 Brown reported that the City Council continues to discuss watermain and roadway projects, as well as, police and fire issues. B.Update on Music in the Park Brown pointed out that the Music in the Park series has a great schedule this year. He noted that funds have been donated by the Park Foundation, as well as, Howard’s Point Marina for the event. C. Manor Park Plantings Brown reported that he had not found time to assemble an RFP for the project, and would be trying to focus his efforts on doing so soon. 6. DISCUSS PARK TOURS Brown asked the Commission if it had found any surprises, had any ideas for improvements or enhancements upon completing this leg of the Park tours. PARK COMMISSION AGENDA TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2006 PAGE 5 OF 7 Chair Davis stated that she was unaware that the lighting was an issue. Brown stated that Badger Park lighting has been an ongoing issue with numerous attempts over the years to fix the rehabilitated lights over and over, which often go out during football games. He explained that the current lights were salvaged lights to begin with and that he would like to look at the cost of new single pole light systems. Chair Davis suggested that staff put together a grocery list of needed repairs and field or park improvements deemed necessary for the Commission to consider, such as lighting, beach blanket, seeding or field improvements at Badger, picnic area at Cathcart, etc. Young stated that time after time users come in and provide the City with proposals for improvements. He asked whether the City should approach the organizations and ask them to do the footwork by creating a list of improvements and cost estimates. Brown stated that Steve Gurney, interim City Engineer, was brought on board to free up Brown’s time and shift his attention to buildings and facilities. Young noted that we, as a Commission, must move forward on these issues rather than just continue to talk about them. He noted that a needs and cost analysis would be helpful to provide to the sports organizations to see if they’d like to contribute. Young asked where Shorewood stands in relation to other communities. Brown reported that the City needs to educate the public and the sports organizations that the user fee of $10 per play, per season has been in effect for years and that if the sports organizations wish to place blame for their increases in fees they cannot look to the city. Hensley commented that if the public knew the City merely charges $10 per person for field space, they would believe it to be a bargain and ask the sports organizations where the rest of the registration fee goes. With regard to the tour, Hensley asked how many pavilions are being used and how much they are being used. If the sports organizations were peeled away, he questioned what other activities are being served. He maintained that it would have been his goal to widen Smithtown Road in order to allow kids to bike to and from Freeman Park safely. Chair Davis felt that establishing a little budget for the Freeman Park plaza garden was an excellent idea in order to entice volunteers to maintain the garden. Hensley stated that he felt there was a tremendous opportunity to move on the wetland project at Freeman Park. Brown pointed out that the MCWD would be allocating $60,000 to the project which could kick-off some aspect of the feasibility study. PARK COMMISSION AGENDA TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2006 PAGE 6 OF 7 Hensley asked to be provided with a copy of the study at an upcoming meeting. Westerlund stated that she would like to see more proactive community involvement in the Freeman project and suggested the City host a meeting for users and interested neighbors to voice their opinions and gauge their support. Hensley suggested the funds be used to cut down the buckthorn on an annual basis for several years, at which time the buckthorn finally dies off. Brown suggested that the Commission consider whether its goals are in line with those of the City Council and lead into this project at the upcoming joint meeting. Norman suggested that the Commission consider addressing the infrastructure of the parks and how the existing elements need to be brought up to snuff before broadening the reach with the wetland project. Brown pointed out that 10 years ago many park improvements were made, such as Eddy Station, etc. He noted that the Commission may be moving back into the improvements stage and suggested the Commission bring this up to the City Council that the parks are in need of maintenance and improvements. Chair Davis encouraged the Commissioners to study the Master Plan, schedule a brief meeting to discuss it during a work session before the joint meeting in June. Brown stated that he would have copies of the Master Plans sent out to Commissioners to review, but noted that they must be returned. The next Park Tour would be held June 13, 2006, followed by a work session to get the Commissions thoughts together prior to the City Council meeting. Brown stated that he would be collecting quotes on tennis courts and lights and bring them back to the Commission for a recommendation. Young reiterated that he did not want to see these critical infrastructure items, tennis courts, fields, lights, to be lost in the shuffle. Westerlund stated that she believed Brown was aware what infrastructure items need to be done. She asked Brown to put together a list of priorities for the Commission to present to the City Council at their joint meeting. In addition, she urged the Commission to define and articulate a vision of where the parks are now and in the future. Brown commented that he had heard the City Council talk about open space falling under the responsibility of the LCEC. PARK COMMISSION AGENDA TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2006 PAGE 7 OF 7 Westerlund suggested that the Commission define whether they wished to take on open space or whether the LCEC should be reconstituted. She asked that the definition of open space be provided to the Commission based on LCEC and City Council discussions. Hensley stated that, in his opinion, once an open space has been given a public use, it should be designated as a park; therefore, the Park Commission should oversee it. 7. REVIEW DONATION POLICY Brown presented the donation policy for questions or clarification. He pointed out that the policy addresses perpetuity and substantial gifts, rather than simple issues such as tree donations that can be handled at the staff level. 8. LIAISON FOR MAY 22 CITY COUNCIL MEETING - Hensley Chair Davis indicated that she would request that staff send out the minutes from the Joint Commission Meeting to the Cities of Excelsior, Deephaven, and Tonka Bay to begin a dialogue for the winter activity. 9.ADJOURN Moonen moved, Hensley seconded, adjourning the Park Commission Meeting of May 9, 2006, at 8:55 p.m. Motion passed 6/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Kristi B. Anderson Recorder