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051314 pkmin CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB RD PARK COMMISSION MEETING SHOREWOOD CITY HALL TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 7:00 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Mangold convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. A. Roll Call ; Present: Chair Mangold; Commissioners Hartmann, Dietz, Sawtell, and Ische City Council Liaison Hotvet; City Planner Nielsen Absent: None B. Review Agenda Dietz moved to approve the agenda as amended: postpone Item 4B and replace with Herbicide Discussion. Sawtell seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of April 8, 2014 B. Park Commission Park Tour Minutes of May 7, 2014 Commissioner Sawtell moved to approve the minutes of the April 8, 2014 meeting as amended: Chair Quinlan should read Chair Mangold; and Park Commission Tour Minutes of May 7, 2014 as written. Hartmann seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were none. 4. REVIEW LANDSCAPE STANDARDS FOR CITY PARKS A. Humming For Bees – 30 Minute Presentation by Patricia Hauser A TED talk on bees was presented. It explained how changes in farming practices since World War II have impacted the bee population. Ways to help the bees were discussed which included planting bee-friendly flowers and not using pesticides. Patricia Hauser requested that bees be considered in the budget for Badger Park. She stated a Bee-Safe resolution be adopted to make a public commitment to turn public spaces into Bee- Safe areas, plant pesticide-free flowers (such as clover), not spray bee food, and educate residents about bees. She stated public signage in the park might also be a consideration. She indicated there are also several DVDs about bees that could be shown at the Southshore Center. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 5 PAGE 2 OF Mangold thanked Hauser and those present for taking the time to bring the information to the meeting. Hauser asked if there is anything in the resolution that the Commission would not agree with. Mangold stated we are unaware of what is currently being used on plants at this time. Hauser asked when Badger Park would begin construction. Mangold stated it is hoped it would be this fall. Ische stated before the resolution can be adopted, they will need to talk to City staff about what pesticides are currently being used, the alternatives available, and the development of park maintenance standards which might include weed control. As a group, we need a better understanding of what the City is currently doing. Hauser asked how long the information will take. Nielsen stated the list is being compiled and will be available at the next meeting. Commissioners discussed the resolution language. B. List of Landscape Standards – postponed to next meeting C. Herbicide Treatment Nielsen stated the list is being prepared for discussion at the next meeting. Commissioners and staff discussed alternative treatments that can be used. Nielsen noted that some alternatives are not always as effective as herbicides might be. Ische stated it is important to weigh what chemicals are being used, where they are being used, and what is being sprayed. Nielsen asked if any chemical treatment is being used on the native plantings around City Hall. Mangold stated the only thing being used is very low key. Weeds are picked rather than sprayed. Hotvet noted the City Council is excited about what will result from this discussion. 5. EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT Nielsen introduced Benjamin Bushnell who is going for his Eagle Scout badge. He stated a list of pre-approved projects is reviewed with the Eagle Scout. He reviewed the plan to construct and install a bench in Silverwood Park in the vicinity of the playground equipment. He reviewed a sample bench which is assembled and the Scouts do all the assembly and concrete work. th Bushnell stated the work needs to be completed before his 18 birthday in July. He explained that 4-6 helpers will be utilized. Nielsen stated staff is looking for a recommendation to request from Council $1200 for the bench. He is hopeful the bench will be received in time to complete before the deadline. Bushnell stated it st is hoped it can be completed by June 1. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 5 PAGE 3 OF Ische asked if there will be any staff involvement with the assembly and concrete work. Nielsen stated staff will determine the location but, otherwise, this is a Scout project entirely. Sawtell moved to recommend approval of the project and order the bench. Hartmann seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. 6. BADGER PARK UPDATES AND UPCOMING JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL ON MAY 27 AT 5:30 Nielsen stated the engineers have put together two cost estimates; unfortunately, the costs are well in excess of what had been discussed. He stated both projects are over one million dollars. The engineers will be at the joint meeting to discuss how the costs got so high. As far as the future of the project, staff will be presenting three options for going forward: bond for the improvements and include trails, phasing the project over a longer period of time, or scaling back on the plans. Ische asked if there had been awareness of the original budget amount of $600,000. Nielsen stated the engineers were aware of the amount. Ische asked if the City has been in contact with any contractors to help quantity the figures. Nielsen state we are not at that point. Commissioners and staff discussed playground equipment. Nielsen stated there are grants out there that could bring costs down; however, you cannot count on grant money. Nielsen stated the parking lot is about $138,000 alone. He stated the estimate will be sent out to th Commissioners prior to the joint meeting on May 27. Ische stated there may be funding available from sports organizations. Commissioners and staff discussed items which will be included on the meeting agenda. 7. STATUS OF PARK SUMMIT MEETINGS Mangold stated the Park Summit meeting has been canceled twice now. He stated meetings have become a repeat of the previous meetings. He stated quarterly meetings are not working out. Nielsen stated the map has been created from the information provided and is on line. He discussed the need for a park coordinator especially for Excelsior. Mangold assumed there is still cross communication among the cities of park events. Hotvet asked if there was ever any discussion about have a South Lake area park and rec. Nielsen stated that was one of the earliest discussion items. Mangold asked when another meeting should be attempted again. Nielsen stated it could be discussed at the joint meeting. Mangold suggested it be pushed until fall when the Southshore PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 5 PAGE 4 OF Center future is determined. Nielsen agreed to wait until fall for another summit meeting. Commissioners concurred. 8. REVIEW PARK TOURS FROM MAY 7, 2014 Mangold asked if anything needs to be done at this point following the tour. He stated it was great to have the tours separate from the regular meeting. Sawtell asked if any future fence replacement at Freeman Park is on our schedule. Nielsen stated none of them are on the schedule and should be included if needed. He stated he would check into it. Hartmann asked if the trail through Freeman Park is a maintenance issue or a park issue. Nielsen stated it needs to be done and it doesn’t matter if it is a maintenance or park issue. He stated he would ask Larry Brown to do a pavement analysis. Mangold stated there is a bad section from the ball field to the parking lot. Nielsen stated there was discussion at the Council retreat about hiring a part-time forester and/or wetland specialist that would do the work that Public Works is currently doing. Mangold asked if a tour date and time was set. 9. ESTIMATES FOR WATER AT THE FREEMAN PARK COMMUNITY GARDEN Nielsen reviewed estimates for the water at Freeman Park to service the community garden. He stated they will need to tap into a water main for a total cost of $8,700. Sawtell noted the alternative is to keep bringing water to the site. Ische asked if there is an analysis of who is renting the garden spots. Nielsen stated there aren’t any apartments. Most rent a spot for a majority of reasons – lack of sun on their property, lack of area provided, and some from other cities. He stated more information can be provided. Ische asked if there are any requirements for limiting the use of pesticides. Nielsen stated we have always tried to educate before we regulate. He suggested brochures but believed those who rent the spaces are cognizant of what is needed. Ische believed the estimate to provide water is very costly. He suggested garden areas be expanded where water is readily available. Mangold suggested looking at next spring to provide additional spaces. Nielsen stated additional fencing would be needed. He asked what kind of expansion would be reasonable. Mangold stated he would prefer to not install more fencing until there are renters for a few years. 10. NEW BUSINESS PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 5 PAGE 5 OF Mangold stated when we tour Manor Park; there are Greenwood residents who want to be present to discuss the park. 11. STAFF AND LIAISON REPORTS/UPDATES A. City Council Hotvet stated a resolution was adopted relating to the scenic byway designation for Lake Minnetonka. B. Staff Sawtell attended the latest Park Foundation meeting. Mangold suggested we have rotating attendance at the meetings. Nielsen stated the Council liaison rotation should also be discussed in June or July. Commissioners discussed whether to have a separate meeting for the park tour. Nielsen ndth suggested the 2 and 4 Tuesdays. It was determined the regular meeting would be on June thth 10. The park tour will be on Thursday, June 5, and the recording secretary will be unable to attend. Commissioners will take their own notes. 12. ADJOURN Dietz moved to adjourn the Park Commission Meeting of May 13, 2014 at 8:50 p.m. Hartmann seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Clare T. Link Recorder