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01-08-13 Pk Mins CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB RD PARK COMMISSION MEETING SHOREWOOD CITY HALL TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 7:00 P.M. 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Quinlan convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. A. Roll Call Present: Chair Quinlan; Commissioners Edmondson, Kjolhaug, Swaggert, ; Hartmann (arrived at 7:05 p.m.), Gordon and MangoldPublic Works Director Brown Absent: None B. Review Agenda Gordon moved to approve the agenda as presented. Kjolhaug seconded the motion. Motion carried. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of December 11, 2012 Commissioner Edmondson moved to approve the minutes of the December 11, 2012 meeting as submitted. Mangold seconded the motion. Motion carried. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR None 4. SUMMER EVENTS Quinlan stated a thorough schedule of summer events has evolved over the years. A list of last year’s events has been provided to review as a planning tool. He stated staff is asking whether a fee structure should be created for some of the events. He asked for comments on programs. He noted they have been popular. Swaggert stated those that weren’t as popular have been eliminated over time. Quinlan noted the skate camp is not on the list because of waning popularity. Grout stated a different kind of skateboarding camp could be offered this year. Brown asked Grout to comment on the programs and whether they have been popular. She noted the DNR camp is very popular and no fee is charged. She stated there is no limit to the MN Zoo program. She stated Bugs and Critters program has a maximum of ten, and it always fills up. We pay for her supplies. Grout stated the kite making program fills up which is a free program for kids, but there is a $175 charge. She noted there has been a waiting list for the program. Hartmann asked if a nominal fee would be counter-productive. Quinlan stated it would eliminate no-shows. Gordon agreed it helped people show up, but it is a nice thing for the City to provide free and healthy activities. Grout noted she does send out reminder notices for those who have signed up and asking she be notified if they cannot attend. Mangold suggested there be back-up volunteers available in case there are more attendees at programs. Kjolhaug asked if any of the programs failed because of the time offered or if more volunteers PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 4 PAGE 2 OF could be available to help with programs. Grout noted the kite making program could be offered to more if there were more volunteers. Quinlan asked if there have been requests for additional programs. Hartmann asked if a Yo Yo camp has been considered. Grout stated she has checked into that. Gordon stated juggling is also popular. Hartmann asked if there is any way to get more into the safety camp because of its popularity. She noted she had to attend in another city because Shorewood’s was full. Grout discussed the costs involved with the Safety Camp. Brown stated there are many hours spent working on this program behind the scenes. Quinlan asked if the tennis program is specifically for Shorewood residents. Grout noted all the registrations are done through a particular individual, and the courts are provided. Quinlan asked if there were any City expenses. Grout noted he did pay the City for the camp that was held. Edmondson suggested a pickle ball camp be held. In response to additional questions about the tennis offerings, Grout stated she would get more information about the costs involved with the tennis programs. Commissioners discussed the Movie in the Park program which was very popular. Popcorn was sold at the movie. Commissioners discussed the Cowboy Hoedown event which drew a smaller crowd. Commissioners discussed attendance for both events. Commissioners discussed offerings at Crescent Beach. Paddle boarding and kayaking classes were offered, and all were full. Brown noted story time was very popular through the Excelsior Library. He noted they coordinate with them and bring the truck out that is the same as the book being read. Kid Power was also popular with fifty attending. Grout noted the Sports Unlimited camp didn’t fill up nor did the skateboard camp. Golf was very popular. Quinlan stated he believed the budget is working well and didn’t think the fee structure needs to be changed. Edmondson suggested more events for the winter. Grout stated proposed skating parties have been cancelled due to weather. The Southshore Center and Mrs. M have many programs scheduled. Hartmann stated most of the demographic are in school in the winter. Kjolhaug suggested a firearms safety or archery class be offered. Gordon suggested an ice fishing class or fishing in the summer. Grout discussed DNR offerings. Staff was directed to provide additional information on suggested offerings this year. Kjolhaug asked about Minnetonka Community Ed offerings. Grout stated summer day camps are offered through Community Ed at Freeman Park. 5. ARCTIC FEVER – SNOW SCULPTURES Brown updated the Commission on the snow sculpture event at Arctic Fever. He stated snow cubes are being constructed at Badger Park. He stated 21 cubes will be available. He discussed issues involving the event such as police patrols, use of power tools, and the weather. Grout noted there are three contestants to date. Edmondson discussed the importance of using social media to promote this and other events. He noted food and beverages will be served at the Southshore Center on Friday night (January 18). He stated portable fire pits are still needed. Swaggert stated he has two he can bring. Hartmann asked what our position is for businesses promoting themselves at public events. Commissioners and staff discussed involvement of businesses and the City’s policy. Edmondson noted voting will take place inside the Southshore Center. Several volunteered to be at the event. 6. DETERMINE AGENDA FOR JOINT MEETING WITH SURROUNDING PARK COMMISSIONS Quinlan discussed the possibility of having a joint meeting with other Park Commissions. He stated he hasn’t had any response from Excelsior commissioners. February 26 was the suggested date. He suggested the date be agreed on and a rough agenda be created. Hartmann suggested Chanhassen be included for cross-promotional purposes. Kjolhaug stated some limits need to be set. Grout stated the impression was to invite the smaller cities in the surrounding areas. Swaggert suggested discussing what PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 4 PAGE 3 OF should be on the agenda. Quinlan stated the top priority should be to find out what programs each city offers and how they can cross-promote. Edmondson stated the big issues are having programs on the same nights and to combine resources in order to save costs. Gordon stated facilities are also a concern and what facilities can be shared. Brown stated the preparation for the meeting is key and a questionnaire would be important. He stated one of the big questions is whether the skate ramps are viable. Leverage of other cities’ research would also be important. Kjolhaug suggested a couple representatives from each commission be a part of the meeting rather than the entire commission from each city. Following discussion, Quinlan stated the agenda should be to learn more about what the other commissions are doing and how they can work together following completion of a survey. Quinlan suggested staff work to contact the other groups. Quinlan stated he would like to attend and believed any other commissioner should attend if desires. He suggested the meeting be held at Southshore Center. The meeting would be held on Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 7 p.m. This item will be on the February meeting agenda. 7. REVIEW PROPOSED SCHEDULE FOR 2013 WORK PROGRAM Quinlan stated staff has prepared a work program for 2013 for the commissioners’ review. He stated the plan appears to be very reasonable. He asked for input or questions. Kjolhaug asked where the Rustic Trail box culvert would be placed. Brown noted it would be in the area where the creek narrows. Kjolhaug asked if there would be any Watershed permitting required. Brown stated permitting might be required. Kjolhaug suggested the backboard be installed as soon as possible and that Gideon Glen be available for use by fall. Edmondson suggested completion of items such as the backboard be included in the newsletter. 8. COMMUNITY GARDENS - REVIEW LOT SIZES AND FENCING Grout stated information would be provided at the next meeting although gardeners have suggested that larger plot sizes be provided. She noted the existing spots are 5’ x 8’ now. This item will be placed on the next agenda. Lot dimensions and additional fencing will be discussed. 9. FREEMAN/BADGER PARKS HOCKEY RINK Brown stated staff has reviewed four options for a location for a hockey rink at Freeman. Option A would disrupt drainage. Option B would require relocation of the parking lot. Option C would locate the rink in field 6 and eliminate the field. He stated the question is whether it is feasible to move the rink to Freeman. He stated it is if you are willing to eliminate a ball field. Commissioners discussed the feasibility of moving the rink to Freeman. Brown stated the ball field and lights are two major considerations. Gordon asked if all the fields in Freeman are in use. Grout noted they were. Gordon asked if the warming house a distance from the rink if there are boards laid down for the skaters. Brown stated a rubber mat is placed down on the ground. Mangold stated if the rink is moved toward Eddy Station, there would be room for a field. Brown noted there is a drainage ditch that runs adjacent to the field which is important to draining a majority of the area to the creek and the wetland. Kjolhaug asked if it could be addressed with tile and some grading. Brown stated it becomes a challenge where underground pipes can heave or become crushed. Mangold suggested configuring the rink so some of the park and some of the ball field would be taken. Commissioners discussed options. Brown stated staff can refine options discussed and refine costs. 10. NEW BUSINESS PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 4 PAGE 4 OF Brown discussed the lighting repairs at Badger Park. 11. STAFF AND LIAISON REPORTS/UPDATES A. City Council Brown stated Mayor Zerby and Councilmember Kristine Sundberg have been sworn in. The new Council approved a new contract with Mr. Joynes for the next two years on a part-time basis. Quinlan suggested he be invited to a Park Commission meeting to introduce himself. Grout stated a joint meeting with the City Council is scheduled for Monday, February 11 at 6 p.m. Brown stated there is an electrician working on the lights at Cathcart. B. Staff 12. ADJOURN Edmondson moved, Hartmann seconded, to adjourn the Park Commission Meeting of January 8, 2013, at 9:35 p.m. Motion carried. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Clare T. Link Recorder