061014 Pk Mins
CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB RD
PARK COMMISSION MEETING SHOREWOOD CITY HALL
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 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, Ische and SawtellCity
Council Liaison Hotvet; City Planner Nielsen
Absent: Dietz
B. Review Agenda
Sawtell moved to approve the agenda as written. Hartmann seconded the motion. Motion
carried 4-0.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of May 13, 2014.
B. Park Commission Park Tour Minutes of June 5, 2014.
Commissioner Sawtell moved to approve the minutes of the May 13, 2014 meeting as amended:
change 15-minute presentation to 30-minute presentation under the Bee presentation; and the
minutes of the June 5, 2014 Park Tour meeting as amended: replace panels at the skate park as
needed and two of them need to be replaced now. Ische seconded the motion. Motion carried
4-0.
3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR
There were none.
4. DEVELOPMENT OF PARK MAINTENANCE STANDARDS
Nielsen stated there are ten general categories of levels of service. Each property in the City was
assigned a level. He stated the lists can be used as checklists for maintenance staff. He stated he
noticed during the park tour that tree care is lacking and needs to be improved upon.
Ische asked why Director Brown isn’t preparing this list. Nielsen stated Brown is very busy and
could not prepare the list. He did talk to Brown about the list. Nielsen stated he explained to
Brown the list is not a criticism of the work being done and may identify additional staff members
are needed. Ische stated they need to prepare a list of what is currently being done first. He
indicated development standards should be done after that list is reviewed and not before.
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Mangold believed the current crew already has some standards. He also indicated there are
different levels of service for fields depending on the use.
Ische suggested ball fields be Level 1-A, and the parks without ball fields should be Level 2.
Mangold believed that is a great start.He discussed the levels of service needed on ball fields
depending on the type of use.
Hartmann stated there needs to be a seasonal checklist as well.
Hotvet stated when this gets finished, a recommendation to the City Council would carry a lot of value.
Ische stated this needs to be developed with Brown.
Hartmann stated it would also be good to know what maintenance is contracted out and what is not
contracted out. Ische stated that would also help to determine if an additional staff person is needed.
Nielsen stated we shouldn’t spend too much time with this item without Brown’s comments. He
discussed the ranking of the various parks and suggested Gideon Glen be Level 3.
Ische also believed the trails should be categorized as well based on the trail material.
5. HERBICIDE TREATMENTS
Mangold asked how often herbicides are used in the parks. Nielsen stated he did not know. He did,
however, indicate the Bee people are pleased with what is being used. He indicated one herbicide has
been discontinued because of residents’ concerns. He also believed he thought they were using
roundup on the warning tracks but would check for sure. He believed spot areas can be sprayed when
mowing is done.
Ische stated an annual license is available to be certified to wear a spraying unit. Nielsen believed it
would make sense to have a couple people certified.
Mangold asked have we noticed a difference from the change in herbicides. Nielsen stated the person
who is doing the spraying has indicated he is pleased with the results.
Hartmann asked what the unmanicured boulevards areas include. Nielsen identified where they are
located.
Commissioners discussed areas where spraying does not take place at all, such as Silverwood Park
where there is not a ball field.
Hotvet asked if this information about what herbicides are being used is on the website. Nielsen stated
it is not currently there, but that is a good idea. Ische stated he would be careful specifying what
product is being used. He stated it would be better to post when spraying will take place and not what
is being used.
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Mangold stated they are required to post on site when they have sprayed.
Nielsen stated we need to spray tennis courts and trails. Ische stated it is important to maintain courts
and trails.
6. FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION OF JOINT MEETING ON BADGER PARK
Nielsen reviewed concept two for Badger Park. He stated it gives a strong connection to the
Southshore Center. He indicated the Center is not going away, and there might as well be a
connection there. He indicated the bulk of the added parking is at the Center. He stated the trail
could be more curvilinear to wind through proposed park features. The concept creates more
space and a better location for the field. The trail can loop around the field on the south side, and
this is not currently shown. The driveway to the Center can be straightened out more. He stated
the park elements are open for discussion as far as where they should be located. He stated the
consultants are working on concept 1.5 right now. He stated we need to move forward with a
concept. He stated the pinwheel design in concept one looks good on paper.
Nielsen stated he is recommending concept two. Hartmann asked what would be included in
concept 1.5. Nielsen stated he did not know what would be included but would be meeting with
WSB soon.
Ische stated concept two’s sidewalk goes right along the parking lot as well but there are trees on
each side. Ische suggested additional trees be planted along the sidewalk. He believed it would
be easier for Public Works to maintain turf on the ball field oriented north/south rather than
east/west. He believed there would also be problems with lack of sunlight. Ische also believed
the Southshore Center is not a destination that would normally be used if someone is at the ball
field. Nielsen stated the intent is to tie the Center to the park.
Ische stated he would like the City Council to tell the Commission how much is available over the
next five years for park development. He believed we might be spinning our wheels until we
know what our budget will be over the next few years. Nielsen stated a phased option is probably
the preference, and bonding might also be an option. Ische stated the City Council needs to make
that decision.
Sawtell stated this process has been frustrating. He agreed with Ische’s comments.
Mangold stated we need to make it clear to the City Council that we have expenses planned. He
was concerned about phasing Badger Park.
Nielsen stated we always look for grants but can never count on them. We have to budget for the
money.
Mangold stated he was unsure how far down the road to go with pricing out a concept at this
point.
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Nielsen stated we need to know what the concept will be before we even do soil tests because of
their expense.
Hartmann discussed using the Southshore Center for restrooms. Nielsen stated the pros and cons
of such an option. He believed it is worth looking at but believed the park should have separate
bathrooms.
Hotvet asked when the financial discussion will take place at the Council level. Nielsen believed it
should be discussed at the next meeting. Hotvet asked if bonding would also be discussed.
Nielsen stated it could.
Mangold stated he still preferred concept one. Ische did as well. Sawtell agreed. Hartmann
stated she voted for concept one and stated something needs to be done now.
7. REVIEW PARK TOURS FROM JUNE 5, 2014
Mangold stated the priority should be the tree situation. He believed all the parks should be visited and
tree issues identified by staff.
Nielsen stated a list needs to be compiled, and Brown needs to indicate when work can be completed.
If they cannot do it, it needs to be done somehow.
Hartmann stated the runoff issue needs to be addressed at Manor Park. She stated there didn’t appear
to be room for a trail between the tennis court and the private property. Nielsen stated that would be
reviewed.
In response to a comment from Mangold, Nielsen stated the majority of the pond is on private property
but would provide additional information at the next meeting.
Mangold stated the key issue about the dog park is that it would be too small. He stated it appeared to
have the most tree damage as well. An informal survey would be sent out following the Commission’s
review which would question the use of the park. Garden space will be expanded at some point.
Commissioners discussed Silverwood Park. Nielsen stated a separate e-mail will be sent identifying the
date the shelter was constructed. Ische stated something needs to be done to keep basketballs from
rolling into the pond. Mangold stated landscaping could solve that problem as well as the goose
problem.
Mangold asked for an update on the locks on the message boards. He stated there wasn’t anything
posted about Excelsior events.
Mangold asked for an update on the bench project. Nielsen stated he would get an update. The bench
has been ordered.
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Commissioners discussed Christmas Lake.
Mangold stated long term items in the CIP need to be discussed at some point. He stated the
Commission will add items as needed and juggle when necessary.
Hartmann stated knowing the expected life span of equipment, etc. is very helpful. Such a list was
already prepared. Nielsen stated that list can be updated. Mangold stated it is also important to create
a list of our structures, when they were constructed, and their replacement schedule.
8. COMMUNITY GARDEN UPDATE
Mangold stated every space has been filled. He reviewed a chart showing many of the same gardeners are
returning year after year.
Commissioners discussed community garden locations, gardeners, fencing, and how plot sizes are
determined.
9. DETERMINE LIAISONS FOR AUGUST THROUGH DECEMBER CITY COUNCIL
MEETINGS
Commissioners volunteered to serve as liaison to the following City Council meetings:
August - Ische
September - Hartmann
October - Sawtell
November - Dietz (tentative)
December - Mangold
10. DETERMINE DATE FOR AUGUST PARK COMMISSION MEETING
Commissioners discussed the date for the August Park Commission meeting. The new meeting will be held
on Tuesday, August 19.
11. NEW BUSINESS
Concert in the Park is Friday, June 13.
12. STAFF AND LIAISON REPORTS/UPDATES
A. City Council
Nielsen and Hotvet reported on recent City Council activity.
B. Staff
Public Works is swamped with the high water levels.
13. ADJOURN
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Hartmann moved, Sawtell seconded, to adjourn the Park Commission Meeting of June 10, 2014 at
8:45 p.m. Motion carried 4-0.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Clare T. Link
Recorder