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031213 PK Mins CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB RD PARK COMMISSION MEETING SHOREWOOD CITY HALL TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013 7:00 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Quinlan convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. A. Roll Call ; Present: Chair Quinlan; Commissioners Kjolhaug, Hartmann, Mangold, and Dietz City Planner Nielsen Absent: Edmondson B. Review Agenda Mangold moved to approve the agenda as amended: move discussion of garden at Freeman Park before Item 4. Kjolhaug seconded the motion. Motion carried. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of February 12, 2013 Commissioner Hartmann moved to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2013 meeting as amended: Under New Business: Swaggert resigned because of a conflict in his schedule. Kjolhaug seconded the motion. Motion carried. B. Park Summit Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2013 Commissioner Hartmann moved to approve the minutes of the February 26, 2013 meeting as written. Mangold seconded the motion. Motion carried. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR None 7. DISCUSS POSSIBILITY OF A COMMUNITY GARDEN AT FREEMAN PARK Mary Donahue was present to discuss the possibility of having a community garden at Freeman Park. Quinlan noted there had been some discussion at the previous month’s meeting, and staff was directed to research the location. Donahue discussed the importance of gardens and the need for a garden at Freeman Park. Quinlan stated there had been discussions about whether opening another site would take users away from existing parks. Donahue stated she is more than willing to campaign to assure that every site is used. Nielsen stated as many as ten people are interested for the site at Freeman Park. He believed there should be no problem filling the plots, and someone has offered to use any that are not rented out for community food shelf donations. He discussed the proposed size of the Freeman site which would have ten plots at 10’ x 15’. Donahue assured they would be filled. Quinlan asked if there is a reason why the location is the west rather than the east side. Nielsen stated there is a tree in the middle of the site. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013 6 PAGE 2 OF Hartmann was concerned people would be parking on the garden. Donahue stated it shouldn’t be a problem with a fence. Nielsen stated it could be parked further south of the parking lot if needed. He stated there isn’t a plan for fencing this year, but there will be some kind of an enclosure. Quinlan stated he envisioned a similar scenario to the other garden where we would create the garden the first year and fence it the second year. Mangold asked about the water access. Nielsen stated we would have Public Works fill rain barrels the first year. Mangold stated it is important to have availability to expand and add water access at some point. Commissioners discussed the cost of water access for the site. Donahue stated rain barrels can certainly be used. Quinlan asked if there are any other issues that need to be considered. Nielsen stated there was concern at the Council level about the initial expense such as preparing the soil and compost preparation. Dietz agreed about the value of gardens. He asked who is using the gardens. Donahue stated there isn’t a typical profile. She stated where she lives, they cannot have gardens. Dietz asked what the cost is to create the site. Nielsen explained what needs to be done to create the garden and add fencing at some point. Commissioners discussed the location of the garden at Freeman Park. Following further discussion, Nielsen stated staff would look at moving the location further south to address any overflow parking concerns. He stated the availability of water on the site will also be discussed. Quinlan suggested discussing this item again at the next meeting. Hartmann moved to recommend putting in the gardens with details worked out at future meetings. Mangold seconded the motion. Motion carried. 4. APPOINT 2013 CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR Quinlan welcomed new member Steve Dietz to the Park Commission. Quinlan stated Commissioner Edmondson is willing to be Chair this year. He stated he is also willing to serve. Mangold moved to keep Steve Quinlan as Chair for 2013. Kjolhaug seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mangold moved to appoint Bob Edmondson as Vice Chair for 2013. Kjolhaug seconded the motion. Motion carried. 5. RECAP OF PARK SUMMIT MEETING Quinlan stated it sounds like there is interest in regular meetings of the Park Summit group. He opened the floor for additional comments about the meeting. Hartmann stated it is critical to have a joint website and cross promotion. Mangold stated it sounded like a great idea to have a South Lake Park and Rec office at the Southshore Center. Commissioners discussed the PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013 6 PAGE 3 OF interest expressed by other cities in having quarterly meetings. Music in the Park was discussed and moving it around to other cities. Commissioners discussed how to move forward with any decisions made. Mangold stated we may not be as successful right away. He suggested sub-committees be formed for issues such as a joint website. Quinlan suggested staff investigate a domain name for the website prior to the May quarterly meeting. Nielsen stated a composite map would be created of surrounding cities’ park locations and amenities. Kjolhaug believed it would be a good idea to move ahead with the website. Nielsen stated he would like to run it by the City Council first. Dietz stated it could turn into a lot of work when there are many groups involved. Nielsen stated he would check with staff to see what kind of effort will be involved. Quinlan stated we need more information from Excelsior on Music in the Park. Dietz recommended staff explore the cost and effort involved in a joint Southshore activities website and confirm the interest of other cities. Kjolhaug seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mangold recommended that Shorewood participate and support the Excelsior Music in the Park effort subject to staff getting additional details on the events and publicity deadlines. Hartmann seconded the motion. Motion carried. 6. BADGER PARK CONCEPT SKETCHES OF BADGER PARK Quinlan gave a background on the Badger Park Master Plan. He stated a couple of concepts have been created based on previous discussions. Nielsen stated the first plan is an “issues” map identifies the issues that came up during the joint meeting with the Park Commission and City Council. It involves enhanced screening along the north side of the park, an enhanced connection from City Hall to Southshore, an outdoor gathering space, creek crossing, the remaining playfield and tennis courts, removal of the hockey rink and repurposing the space. He noted the major issue is the hockey rink. He noted the TKDA concept was that the idea was to have a civic campus. Organized sports would be shifted to Freeman Park. The TKDA plan also showed the tennis courts moving to where the hockey rink is currently located. A “village green” would be created where the tennis courts are currently located. Nielsen reviewed a rough graphic showing a pedestrian corridor leading to the Southshore Center, additional parking opportunities, the creation of a play area, picnic site with shelter, and green area along the pedestrian corridor, change the direction of the playfields which would create additional parking opportunities. He asked for comments from the Park Commissioners. Quinlan stated the plan as presented is an excellent start. Nielsen discussed parking options on the site and easier access to the Southshore Center. Dietz asked if there is a narrative for the TKDA plan. Nielsen stated it is located in the Park Master Plan. Dietz stated parking is not identified as an issue and asked when it became one. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013 6 PAGE 4 OF Nielsen stated it came into being when the Center was built. Quinlan stated the Center has become more a park amenity, and its purpose has changed from a senior center to a community center. There are more activities for kids. In response to question from Dietz about hardcover, Nielsen discussed the hardcover policy. Hartmann left the meeting at 8:53 p.m. Commissioners discussed the TKDA plan vs. the plan presented this evening. Mangold believed this plan is the best of any that has been seen. Quinlan commented on the plan’s flexibility and room. Nielsen agreed and stated it is important that there be the connection to the Southshore Center. Dietz asked if art is part of the plan. Nielsen stated it is part of the TKDA plan and there is no reason it can’t be part of this plan as well. It could happen later on or by donation. Dietz wondered if there is a way to enhance the connection without adding a huge cost or tapping into other funding sources. Quinlan stated we should keep the presence of future artwork in mind when designing this site. Kjolhaug asked what is really being connected. He didn’t understand why the movement is needed. Mangold stated it is a safety issue. Nielsen stated it is literally trying to draw the Southshore Center into the park as a whole and connects city hall to the Center. He stated it also becomes part of the perimeter walk around the park. Quinlan believed there is value in pulling in the Center to the entire park as a whole. Kjolhaug discussed possible reorientation of the passive areas on the site and proximity to the Southshore Center. Nielsen stated the site itself dictates the uses on the site because of the bad soil conditions. He stated any time there is a water feature, you want to take advantage of it as an amenity. Kjolhaug asked if there has ever been any discussion of redevelopment of the commercial area to the north. Nielsen stated there have been discussions about building a senior housing development that work extremely well. Dietz stated the water feature would be a natural attraction on the site. He suggested artwork could be more than sculptures and more creative. Quinlan stated there have been some great ideas raised. He suggested alternative plans be developed for future review. He also asked that cost issues be reviewed as well. Nielsen stated staff is attempting to pare it down and keep costs under control. Kjolhaug stated he would like to see a hockey rink constructed to replace the one leaving Badger Park. Nielsen discussed plans for the future of hockey rinks and possible sharing with Tonka Bay. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013 6 PAGE 5 OF Quinlan suggested more discussion occur when the CIP is discussed later in the year. Nielsen stated additional sketches will be brought back. 7. DISCUSS SERVING ALCOHOL IN THE PARKS FOR AN EVENT Quinlan stated this is being brought up in light of other events occurring such as music and movies in the parks. He suggested we discuss what the current ordinance allows. Nielsen stated the only city property where alcohol can be served is at the Southshore Center. He stated the Southshore Center is planning a Hoedown again this year and would like to have alcohol sales. Quinlan supported allowing consumption of alcohol for specific city-sanctioned events. He stated Edmondson also supports. Mangold stated he does not support it. He didn’t think there was an overwhelming benefit. Quinlan asked what liability issues could arise. Nielsen stated he didn’t have the answers to that question. He stated security is certainly an issue. Commissioners discussed liability issues. He stated it would be difficult to make any recommendation without knowing any costs involved. Dietz stated he wasn’t against allowing alcohol in the parks. Kjolhaug stated he would think the city should review on a case-by-case basis. He believed more information is needed for a formal recommendation. Nielsen stated more information will be provided on liability, serving alcohol, etc. 8. DISCUSS LOCATION OF SATELLITE AT FREEMAN PARK No discussion 9. UPDATE ON SUMMER ACTIVITIES Quinlan reviewed activities planned for the summer in the parks and asked for any comments from the commissioners. Nielsen stated it is for informational. Dietz asked how many attend the outdoor movie. Nielsen didn’t recall the number. Commissioners discussed noise as a result of the showing. 10. NEW BUSINESS None 11. STAFF AND LIAISON REPORTS/UPDATES A. City Council Quinlan noted fencing for the garden was approved at the City Council meeting the previous evening. Nielsen discussed the progress of the trail along Smithtown Road. B. Staff 1) Financial Update Quinlan reviewed the financial update included for review and noted we were over budget by $7000. Nielsen stated he was not prepared to address that and would need the finance official to discuss in a memo or at a future meeting. Nielsen discussed the funds which are earmarked for park development. Mangold asked if there is a set policy for the hockey rink lighting. Nielsen stated there have been some issues. He knew there were set hours. If the warming house is open, there are PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013 6 PAGE 6 OF lights on. They are usually done for the season the end of February. He stated he would check it out with the Public Works Director. It was noted there is a closed sign on the building. 2) Trails Update No discussion 3) SSCC Update No discussion 12. ADJOURN Mangold moved, Kjolhaug seconded, to adjourn the Park Commission Meeting of March 12, 2013, at 9:58 p.m. Motion carried. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Clare T. Link Recorder