111307 PK MIN
CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB RD
PARK COMMISSION MEETING SHOREWOOD CITY HALL
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2007 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
1.CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING
Chair Davis convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
A.Roll Call
Present: Chair Davis; Commissioners Young, Norman, Quinlan, and late arrival Hensley;
Public Works Director Brown; and City Council liaison Turgeon
Absent: Commissioners Trent and Alegi
B. Review Agenda
Norman moved, Young seconded, approving the Agenda as submitted. Motion passed 4/0.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of October 9, 2007
Norman moved, Quinlan seconded, approving the Minutes of the October 9, 2007, Park
Commission Meeting as presented. Motion passed 4/0.
3. REPORTS
A. Report on City Council Meeting
Brown reported that the City Council voted to terminate the Amlee and Manitou Roads road
project at this time, Tom Skramstad of the LMCD gave an update on activities, and an architect
for the City Hall renovation was chosen. During their work session, Brown stated that the City
Council reviewed the general budget and approved a policy regarding appreciation events.
Commissioner Hensley arrived at 7:04 p.m.
B. Report on Arctic Fever Meeting
Chair Davisannounced that the American Legion had pledged $1100 to sponsor the horse drawn
carriages rides at Arctic Fever and would consider sponsoring the event in ‘perpetuity’. She noted
that both the Park Foundation and Tonka Bay had pledged $500 for the event as well.
Brown added that none of those contacted via mail to sponsor the event had contacted Twila
Grout with interest to date.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2007
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Norman mentioned that the next meeting would be held on November 20 and that this would
also be the deadline for much of the collateral pieces.
Chair Davis stated that they have approached the DNR with the Three Rivers Park District to
consider sponsoring the fishing contest. Some of the other potential events include human
bowling, mounted patrol, and Nordic walking demos.
C. Update on Music in the Park
Chair Davis acknowledged that Big Walter had been booked for July 11, 2008.
D. Report on Skate Park Camp of October 18 and 19
Brown stated that he was impressed by the feedback they’d received with regard to the skate
camps and that the target audience for whom the equipment was intended for were those who
participated in the camps.
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Norman suggested the City shore up their summer programs for next year soon and use 3 Lair’s
own PR and marketing to promote the camps over the winter.
4. PARK DEDICATION FEES
– (Planning Director Brad Nielsen)
Planning Director Nielsen explained the current system used to assess park dedication fees, set
currently at $2000 per residential lot since 2002. After reviewing the current statutes, staff
formulated a recommendation to see what other cities were charging relative to their park
dedication and found that, while the fees were somewhat all over the board, fees ranged from
$1000 to as much as $25,000 per lot in Minnetrista.
While Shorewood is approximately 95% developed, Nielsen acknowledged that it’s park system
still has needs, as evidenced by the projects that have been discussed by the Commission over the
last several years. The cost of said projects such as hockey rink lighting and new tennis courts, as
well as the wetland restoration project at Freeman, will outstrip the amount of money budgeted
from the general fund for years to come.
Nielsen stated that it is not reasonable to assume the relatively few lots that will be created over
the next several years should pay for all of the desired park improvements, it is suggested
however that the Park Commission recommend something in the range of $4000 - $6000 as the
updated park dedication fee. While this appears to be a relatively drastic increase from the current
fee, Nielsen stated that it only represents 2-3% of a $200,000 lot and is well under the mid range
of what other cities are charging. He requested the Commission’s input on the suggested
recommendation.
Young acknowledged that some of the Commission’s biggest long-term projects could probably
use these additional funds in the coming years.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2007
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Norman asked how the park dedication fees applied to commercial subdivisions.
Nielsen stated that the change would apply to commercial development as well, and explained that
there is a sliding conversion scale applied to commercial subdivision.
Hensley asked for more information with regard to the $4000-6000 range.
Nielsen pointed out that the range was chosen because it must be defensible with regard to what is
fair and equitable within this and other communities.
Hensley moved, Young seconded, that the Park Commission recommend approval of an
increase in the Park Dedication fees from $2000 to $4000 per residential lot subdivision.
Both Chair Davis and Norman felt justified that the amount be set a bit higher.
Chair Davis stated that she felt Shorewood had a significant percentage of park land in
comparison to developed area when compared to other cities and would be justified in a higher
fee structure. She asked if staff could determine a ratio of park land to developed land as
compared to other communities.
Nielsen acknowledged that Shorewood did have a good ratio of parks to residents and indicated it
might be interesting to draw that comparison as part of the justification process when compared
to neighboring communities.
Turgeon interjected that Shorewood has 96 park acres.
Norman suggested the Commission shoot higher in order to offset the higher costs of replacement
and the issues faced by the parks.
Nielsen pointed out that it is the City’s choice to choose up to 8% of land mass for parks or to
take cash in lieu of land. If one compared the average cost of land in Shorewood, the range is
justifiable, when a developer considers giving up as much as 1-2 acres of land versus a park
dedication fee.
Turgeon indicated that the Planning Commission had also been charged with the task of
examining the potential impacts of future redevelopment of the golf course land in Shorewood.
Norman asked to amend the motion to $5000. The Commission concurred.
Hensley amended his motion to reflect a Park Dedication fee of $5,000 per subdivided lot.
Norman seconded the amended motion. Motion passed 5/0.
Nielsen mentioned that the public hearing would likely take place in January.
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Brown added that, due to levy limits in recent years, additional constraints have been put on
cities, which has led to infrastructure issues.
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5. REVIEW AND DETERMINE SUMMER DATES FOR 3 LAIR SKATE
BOARDING CAMP
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Chair Davis maintained that, in order to determine dates for the 3 Lair summer camps, the
Commission should first look at its overall event calendar for the summer. She felt it was
premature to discuss this item until all of the variables were considered.
Brown stated that he would come back with a potential summer calendar at the next meeting.
6. DETERMINE LIAISON FOR NOVEMBER 26 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Norman volunteered as the November 26 City Council liaison.
NEW BUSINESS
Brown reported that 12-15 people attended the Gideon Glen dedication, many of which were staff
and watershed folks. He stated that more improvements were slated and that the watershed would
be working with the neighbors to make the improvements.
Chair Davis asked whether staff had set up a meeting or spoken to Chanhassen about Cathcart
Park.
Brown stated that staff had intended to visit with Chanhassen at the Dog Park dedication but the
Chanhassen representatives were not in attendance at the opening Shorewood was at. As a recap,
the Commission pledged $5000 from their CIP, the Foundation pledged a matching donation,
while the City of Chanhassen sponsored the park with a $25,000 – 30,000 pledge. He pointed out
that Carver parks not only pledged money for the dog park but also the labor and ongoing
maintenance of it. He praised Carver parks for stepping up and filling this high demand niche for
the western suburban area.
Turgeon indicated that this would be her last meeting as liaison and pointed out that she had
noticed an attendance issue over the past many months on the Commission. She stated that the
Council would leave it up to the Commission if it felt it could function with a team of 4-5 as
opposed to the 6-7 it was set up as. She suggested the Commission discuss the subject and even
consider instituting an unexcused policy of how many unexcused absences a Commissioner is
allotted as a courtesy to the rest of the Commission.
On a final note, Brown mentioned that the drain tile installation at Badger Park had begun thanks
to mild weather conditions.
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7. ADJOURN
Norman moved, Quinlan seconded, adjourning the Park Commission Meeting of November
13, 2007, at 9:06 p.m. Motion passed 5/0.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Kristi B. Anderson
Recorder