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091306 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD PARK COMMISSION MEETING SHOREWOOD CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 7:00 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm A. Roll Call Present: Chair Davis; Commissioners Young, Westerlund, Norman and Trent; City Engineer Brown; and City Council liaison Wellens Absent: Commissioners Moonen and Hensley B. Review Agenda Items 6B, Report on the Damage to the Skate Park, and 4H, an Update on the Manor Park Planting Project were added to the agenda. Westerlund moved, Norman seconded, approving the Agenda as revised. Motion passed 5/0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of August 8, 2006 Young moved, Norman seconded, approving the Minutes of August 8, 2006 as submitted. Motion passed 5/0. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were none. 4. REPORTS A. Report on City Council Meetings Brown reported on the City council meeting of August 14, stating that the Council authorized the winter trails activity permit for 2006-2007, the Eddy Station roof replacement, the expenditure of funds for a drinking fountain at Eddy Station, and a request for proposals of bids for Badger Park lighting. Brown reported that on September 11, the City Council voted 3/2 to deny the collection of anonymous complaints. Council member Wellens stated that he voted against this motion. In addition, Brown stated that the Southshore Center requested permission to file a CUP to place a storage shed on City property, which the City Council granted. He explained that the Council gave the group permission to apply for the CUP which would then go through both the Planning process PARK COMMISSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 PAGE 2 OF 5 and Park Commissions to consider granting them permission to place the shed on the southeast corner of Badger Park fields. Norman asked what the proposed use and size would be. Brown stated that the shed would be used to store items for their attic sale, as well as, their snow blower and other outdoor equipment. He estimated the size to be roughly 12 X 24. B. Hockey Rinks White Surface Brown stated that staff investigated the costs and purpose for installing a white concrete surface on the skating surfaces and found that the installation is very costly and is intended to prolong the skating season. He asked if the Commission felt it was worth pursuing. The Commission did not feel it was necessary to pursue. C. Report on Dog Park Donation Brown reported that the Commission had earmarked a $5,000 matching donation in this years CIP. Seeing as though it had not been signed off on, nor had it gone before City Council, and the project had been slid back, Brown asked if the Commission would like it to be continued to the 2007 CIP. While the Commission wished to move the item to the 2007 CIP, they asked that an update from the park district be scheduled. Norman stated that the Foundation had already raised about $3,400, noting that this too, would be carried over. D. Report on Adopt-A-Garden Brown reported that a Girl Scout troop had volunteered to care for the Park Plaza garden. In addition, he noted that the Foundation had hired a contractor to come back and spruce up the plaza this fall. Brown stated that the City has committed to $100 annual budget for plantings, and would consider a larger sum for an area this size, if the caretakers deem it necessary and share their plans. E. Status on Lights at Badger Park Brown reported that the City Council authorized the bid process for Badger Park lighting and that staff has been working on putting a design together. Although the delay has extended the bid date at this time, Brown felt confident the project could still be completed this year. He commented that many were looking forward to the lighting improvements, as ongoing lighting issues continue this sporting season. F. Status on Drinking Fountain at Freeman Park Brown stated that the drinking fountain is on order and would take an estimated 4-6 weeks at a cost of $4,000-5,000. PARK COMMISSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 PAGE 3 OF 5 G. Concession Stand Brown was pleased to report that Russ Withum, the current concessionaire, has approached the City and expressed his interest in continuing to run the concessions next year. He acknowledged that the City had received numerous positive comments about the service and the vendor. H. Manor Park Planting Project Brown stated that the project is on hold until winter when his design staff is freed up. At that time, Brown indicated that WSB would put together a design with specs to be put out for bid on who would furnish and plant the design. Items 5 and 6 were taken in reverse order. 6. SKATE PARK A. American Legion Donation – Water fountain Brown stated that the American Legion had donated $1,000 for projects at the Skate Park. At an estimated cost of $10,000-12,000, Brown explained that there has not been as much interest expressed for the installation for a water fountain at the Skate Park and asked for the Commissions comment. Young stated that he felt installing a fountain at the skate park would be begging for vandalism, especially in light of recent vandalism there. While he felt the Eddy Station fountain was somewhat warranted due to the volume of folks who frequent Freeman, he did not feel there was a need for a fountain at the Skate Park. Norman agreed that this was an extremely low priority, noting that there were many other items to focus on. The rest of the Commission concurred. B Skate Park Vandalism Chair Davis asked if it was possible to remove the graffiti from the skate surfaces. Brown stated that it is extremely difficult to remove graffiti from the skating surfaces and the pieces of equipment would require all new sheeting. He indicated that the police had asked the city to allow some of the graffiti to remain, though photos had been taken, since the they are still in the process of prosecution. Brown noted that the youths would be facing felony charges and that the surfaces would be replaced when given the go ahead by police. Chair Davis questioned whether the damages would be covered by insurance. Brown stated that, typically, the courts will give an indication as to whether they expect the families to provide restitution. PARK COMMISSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 PAGE 4 OF 5 5. WINTER COMMUNITY EVENT Young commended Norman on his well thought out outline of the winter event. Norman stated that he felt this would help lead into where the event may go. While the highest and best place would be Freeman, he suggested Badger due to the availability of lighting. Norman stated that, in time, the City could look at a vision of concurrent events running along the trails leading to neighboring communities. He asked whether the City was limited in the solicitations it could do amongst the business community. Brown stated that the Park Commission was allowed to solicit donations; whereas, they might wish to consider suggesting people make a charitable contribution to the Park Foundation earmarking the money for the friends of the winter community event. Norman felt it would be good synergy to pull in the Park Foundation, especially since the Foundation would like to obtain a broader lakes appeal themselves. He noted that with the addition of Excelsior, and its strong connection to the Chamber, this could benefit the event as well. Westerlund suggested the outline be updated to reflect Excelsior’s participation and given to them for their review as well. Based on their experience, she suggested the City approach the Chamber to ask for their assistance. Brown stated that, based on the timeline, January will come very quickly; he suggested the Commission assign a subcommittee to move this item forward with some authority. Westerlund moved, Norman seconded, to recommend that the Commission form a subcommittee to work on the Winter Community Event and that this committee be given the authority to move ahead on key decisions and report back to the Commission its progress. Motion passed 5/0. Chair Davis stated that Council member Turgeon volunteered to assist on a committee. Norman, Chair Davis, and Trent agreed to be part of the committee. 7. MUSIC IN THE PARK – SURVEY Chair Davis stated that she thoroughly enjoyed the last event at the Music in the Park series, though it was not well attended. Brown stated that he felt the series provided a cross generational and cultural appeal all season this year. Engineer Brown stated that he had spokes to Shirley Smith the wife of Big Walter who had suggested the City consider partnering with Famous Dave’s rib truck for next season. She indicated that this partnership had boosted attendance tremendously in other communities, for example, in Bloomington the attendance skyrocketed from 150 to about 700 for the event. As a great community event, the concessionaire also benefited by selling beverages and everyone had a grand time. PARK COMMISSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 PAGE 5 OF 5 Chair Davis suggested that staff book Big Walter for next season and begin to investigate this partnership with Famous Dave’s for a Blues and Barbeque event. Brown indicated that this would be a phenomenal way to grow the event and stated that he would have staff begin to investigate the possibilities. With the intent to build a stronger program within the community, the Commission discussed the Music in the Park Series Survey and made several modifications to the form to be distributed in coming newsletters. Chair Davis encouraged the Commission to focus on promoting two very successful music events and additional children’s programs. A suggestion was made that a blurb be added at the top about why the city is doing this survey about Music in the Parks. Norman suggested that an online survey be offered as well. Brown stated that an introduction and contact information of how to return the survey would be added to the survey and that they would likely offer an online survey as well. 8. DETERMINE LIAISON FOR SEPTEMBER 25 CITY COUNCIL MEETING Chair Davis volunteered to act as liaison for the September 25, 2006, Council meeting. 9. ADJOURN Young moved, Trent seconded, adjourning the Park Commission Meeting of September 13, 2006, at 8:33 p.m. Motion passed 5/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Kristi B. Anderson Recording Secretary