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031307 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD PARK COMMISSION MEETING SHOREWOOD CITY HALL TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2007 7:00 P.M. MINUTES 1.CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. A.Roll Call Present: Chair Davis; Commissioners Young, Norman, Moonen, and Trent; City Council liaison Woodruff; Public Works Director Brown Absent: Commissioner Hensley B. Review Agenda Norman moved, Moonen seconded, approving the Agenda as submitted. Motion passed 5/0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of February 13, 2007 Moonen moved, Young seconded, approving the Minutes of the February 13, 2007 meeting as submitted. Motion passed 5/0. 3. REPORTS A. Report on City Council Meeting Brown reported that, at the last meeting, the City Council approved the MCE contract for lifeguard services, as well as, renewed the CRR park coordinator contract. Brown noted that the City Council is striving to work with the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority to get them to require their contractor to clean up the brush and chipping they’ve been doing into the woods, as this exacerbates the drainage issues faced along the trail. Woodruff added that not only was the CRR contract approved, but also the concessionaire contract as well. RD 4. PRESENTATION BY 3 LAIR SKATE PARK CAMP As the representative Mark Mulher, was not present they delayed the presentation and discussed their thoughts on the proposal. Chair Davis commented that the plan appeared to be well thought out, as the camps had been done elsewhere. She suggested they double check with the contact that there is adequate liability insurance for the camps. PARK COMMISSION AGENDA TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2007 PAGE 2 OF 4 rd Brown pointed out that 3 Lair have been hosted by a variety of skate parks over the past few years, though he was amazed that they felt the Southshore park was large enough to support an event. Trent stated that, although he did not wish to see an overly ambitious approach, he felt it was a good way to recruit new uses and was a good fit for the park. Young voiced his concern that the seniors in the nearby development might not appreciate a large scale event which would attract many older youths to this small scale skate park and interfere with the neighborhood. Brown recommended that they find out about any potential PA systems and advertising this might entail. In addition, he commented that, many of the seniors who initially opposed the skate park, had told him that they have come to embrace the park as a place they can bring their young grandchildren. Young pointed out that, to date, the youngsters that came to the park were typically supervised, but it is the older groups that make the neighbors a bit nervous. Norman maintained that, if the park was ever proposed to be made larger, he would not support that. He felt the park, in its current size or state, is a great stepping stone for youngsters to begin and launch them to other larger facilities. rd Mark Mulher arrived and began his presentation with a brief history of the 3 Lair. He rd noted that 3 Lair had been in Minneapolis for 10 years, and Golden Valley for 4 years, of which in the past 6 of those they’ve taken the camps outside throughout the metro area. Mulher estimated that roughly 25 cities have hosted the skate camps. Mulher explained that the City, typically, collects the registrations and fees at an 80-20 rd breakout, cutting 3 Lair a check after the event. He noted that they will host a camp as long as there is a minimum of 10 registrants, with two instructors. Mulher stated that they have developed an interesting curriculum over the past 6-8 years and can accommodate good or bad weather, as long as there is a shelter at which the camp attendees can go if inclement weather occurs. He added that all instructors are background checked and that they have a $2 million certificate of liability of insurance. Chair Davis asked how many registrants typically come and how many he would estimate might attend this event. Mulher stated that it would generally be up to the host City, but noted that, typically, anywhere from 10-45 kids attend the event. In Shorewood, Mulher estimated a group of 10-20 kids. Norman asked what age ranges the curriculum was designed for. PARK COMMISSION AGENDA TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2007 PAGE 3 OF 4 Mulher stated that they mainly see young boys from 4-5, all the way up to sons and dads taking the camp together. He explained that the instructors divide the campers into beginner, intermediate, and even expert groups to groom their skills. Norman asked if the small park and base equipment was adequate or whether they had additional equipment they brought on site. rd Mulher stated that 3 Lair has a full mobile skate park, and that it would be up to the City what additional pieces they would expect. He noted that these were available at an additional charge. Mulher indicated that they typically carry a few spare helmets, boards, and pads for kids who forget theirs, although they do require boards and helmets for registration. Chair Davis asked how the event is advertised or if there is additional signage at the event. Mulher stated that he sends a bulk email to his entire mailing list, makes flyers to hand out in the store, and posters that hang in the store advertising the event. In addition, he will share the flyers with the City to distribute or promote as they see fit. He pointed out that they don’t generally bring a lot of advertising to the event. Trent asked Mulher to explain the deposit scenario. rd Mulher stated that when a City reserves its week, they give 3 Lair their deposit, and then rd simply deduct the $300 deposit from the final check they send to 3 Lair at the conclusion of the event. Woodruff asked how much time the Commission had to make a decision and reserve a week if they were interested. st Mulher stated that the weeks were filling up fast, noting that the 1 week of June, some of July, and August were left to his knowledge. He encouraged them to decide on a week sooner than later. Norman asked if they needed a PA system. Mulher stated that the crowd is small enough that you don’t need a PA, but you do need a shelter to bring the students to if the weather is poor. Chair Davis asked when the registration closes and what happens if they don’t end up with the minimum 10 kids. Mulher stated that the registration can close even the Friday before the camp week. He rd pointed out that if the camp does not take place, 3 Lair keeps the deposit to offset their expenses of advertising the event, reserving the week and booking the instructors. Woodruff asked if the instructors clean up the park after the camps. PARK COMMISSION AGENDA TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2007 PAGE 4 OF 4 Mulher stated that the instructors do pick up the debris, as long as there is a garbage can on site. Chair Davis thanked Mulher for his presentation and asked him to get the City their available dates as soon as possible. She thought it sounded great. Brown pointed out that, clearly, the group had been down this road before working with municipalities. He asked the Commission to consider the minimal risk of recruiting a mere 5-10 kids for the event and believed the Park Fund could support this. Brown commented rd that he did not expect any problem filling the spots given the reputation of 3 Lair. Norman stated that he believed the event could easily support up to 20 kids and that he felt it to be a nice addition to the window of programming the City is looking for this summer. Woodruff asked if they would promote this to the surrounding communities. Chair Davis stated that they would definitely promote the event to Shorewood and its surrounding communities, especially west. Trent felt this was a ‘no brainer’ and that the partnership made all the sense in the world. Norman suggested that staff reach out to past host cities, as a matter of due diligence, and ask what their experience has been working with these folks, with regard to the success of the event, and the investment from a staff perspective fielding questions etc. Chair Davis suggested the Commission do their homework and possibly reserve a date, potentially the week of July 13 to coincide with Big Walter. 5. DETERMINE LIAISON FOR MARCH 26 CITY COUNCIL MEETING th Trent volunteered as liaison for the March 26 meeting. 6. ADJOURN Trent moved, Norman seconded, to adjourn the Park Commission Meeting of March 13, 2007, at 8:10p.m. Motion passed 5/0. RESPRECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Kristi B. Anderson Recorder