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030921 Park Minutes CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB RD PARK COMMISSION MEETING SHOREWOOD CITY HALL TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 7:00 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Vice-Chair Hirner convened the meeting at 7:03 p.m. A. Roll Call Present: Commissioners Schmid (arrived at 7:09), Hirner, Gallivan, Heinz, and Tauer; City Council Liaison Siakel; Parks and Recreation Director Grout; Planning Director Darling B. Introduction of New Park Commissioners Samantha Tauer and James Heinz Commissioner Tauer gave a brief overview of her background and how she came to be involved in serving on the Commission. Commissioner Heinz introduced himself and gave an overview of his experience at the University of Minnesota and his interest in serving the City as part of the Parks Commission. C. Review Agenda Gallivan moved to approve the agenda as written. Heinz seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Motion carried 4-0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of February 9, 2021 Gallivan moved to approve the minutes of the February 9, 2021 meeting as written. Hirner seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – all. Motion carried 4-0. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were none. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Elect Chair and Vice Chair Gallivan moved to appoint Mike Hirner to serve as Chair of the Parks Commission. Heinz seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote – Ayes – all. Motion carried 4-0. Gallivan moved to appoint Commissioner Gallivan to serve as Vice-Chair of the Parks Commission. Hirner seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – all. Motion carried 4-0. B. Update on Summer Programs PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 PAGE 2 OF 6 Parks and Recreation Director Grout gave an overview of the programs for summer 2021 and stated that there are some places that are not doing off-site classes due to COVID-19. She noted the options for Movie in the Park and a list of what movies the City has already shown. Chair Hirner asked what the pricing for Movie in the Park would be and whether there was a pricing difference between a new movie and an older movie. Parks and Recreation Director Grout explained that the newer movies cost around $400-$450 and the older movies are around $380, so there is not a huge price difference. Commissioner Gallivan asked if attendance was different for Movie in the Park during 2020 due to COVID-19 as compared to previous years. He noted that the City chose an older, throwback type movie last year. Parks and Recreation Director Grout stated that the City had a nice turnout last year, despite COVID and stated that quite a few people came up to her and thanked her for choosing that older movie. Commissioner Gallivan stated that because it was so popular, he is a bit more inclined to once again choose a throwback type film. The Commission discussed movie options for Movie in the Park. Heinz moved to select E.T. as the movie for Movie in the Park. Gallivan seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – all. Motion carried 5-0. The Commission discussed possible dates for the Movie in the Park event. Hirner moved to select August 27, 2021 as the date for the Movie in the Park. Gallivan seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – all. Motion carried 5-0. 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Silverwood Park Playground Planning Director Darling noted that there was an error in the quote amount for engineered wood fiber surface plus geotextile roll and the previous estimate should be $7,127, not $5,729 as indicated in the report. The total difference is also reduced accordingly. Chair Hirner stated that this change basically makes the cost from old to new about the same for that line item. He noted that the swing set structure has been changed to a single post design on each end and asked what the lifetime of that type of structure would be compared to the double pole on each end design. He stated that he felt perhaps the two-post U-shaped type would be sturdier. Planning Director Darling stated that she assumes that the warranty would be the same for either, but can ask that question of the manufacturer. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 PAGE 3 OF 6 Commissioner Gallivan explained to the new Commissioners that within the CIP the City had budgeted $240,000 for addressing the slides and the playground at Silverwood Park. Planning Director Darling gave an overview of items that were not included in the estimate that may change the price, such as erosion control and removal of the existing pea rock. The Commission reviewed the revised proposal for the Silverwood Park playground equipment. Planning Director Darling explained that because the Park Commission had asked to remove one of the platforms from the main structure, that reduced the size of the safety zones so she was able to add a free-standing piece of equipment such as the duck that is shown. There was consensus of the Commission to include the double slide at the end of the playground equipment. The Commission discussed the potential removal of the existing sidewalk near the bottom of the slides. Commissioner Gallivan asked about ADA compliance within the City’s parks. Planning Director Darling stated that Manor Park is wheelchair accessible; Freeman South is handicapped accessible which means you can get a wheelchair out to the structures even though the structure itself is not wheelchair accessible; Badger Park is handicapped accessible and you can get a wheelchair all the way out to the structure and the structures are designed to be ADA accessible but it is not wheelchair accessible; there is an adaptive swing in Manor with a hard surface for the wheelchair; and in Badger there is an adaptive swing for handicapped accessibility as well as the Merry-Go-All. Commissioner Gallivan asked if any of the swings being proposed for Silverwood would be accessible like in Freeman South and Badger Parks. Planning Director Darling explained that the proposed adapted chair swing would be handicapped adaptive. The Commission discussed the possibility of rotating the proposed swing configuration so the adaptable chair swing is closest to the sidewalk. They discussed the finalized costs that are still needed and things that Public Works may be able to take care in order to keep the price down. Planning Director Darling explained the musical instrument component to the equipment and noted that it seem as though the City could be getting a lot drums and asked if the Commission would like to make a change to this. Chair Hirner asked if there was a different instrument that could be included rather than so many drums. He stated that he would like to see the musical components moved closer to the sidewalk in order to enable someone in a walker or wheelchair to be more easily be able to reach them. Planning Director Darling stated that she will check with the contractor to see if there is something that could be swapped out for some of the drums. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 PAGE 4 OF 6 Commissioner Gallivan asked if Planning Director Darling was looking for feedback on colors for the structures tonight. Planning Director Darling stated that it would be nice if the Commission could give some basic input on the colors. The Commission discussed color options for equipment and the possibility of keeping the color scheme consistent throughout the City parks. They discussed the option of switching out the canopies from fabric to steel in order to have more durability. There was a consensus to incorporate the spring green color that was included at Freeman Park and Badger Park within Silverwood Park. Chair Hirner stated that he is hopeful that the Commission may be able to finalize the plans at the next meeting once the additional pricing information and tweaks are determined. Planning Director Darling noted that she believes the City will be applying for a grant to cover some playground costs through Hennepin County. She noted that she did not think this would be eligible for the DNR grant unless there are plans to expand the ADA accessibility at this park which may be difficult. She stated that the hope would be to get the equipment installed sometime in September. Chair Hirner asked if painting the tennis wall would be included in this project and noted that if the City is freshening up the park, it may also want to freshen up that wall. Planning Director Darling stated that she wouldn’t think that would be too expensive of an item, so it should be able to be included. Chair Hirner noted that it could be something like what happened with the hockey boards and paint it with a volunteer labor force. Planning Director Darling asked when the Park Commission would like her to schedule a public meeting or presentation on the proposed changes to the park. Chair Hirner suggested it be held after the next Park Commission meeting so some of the additional tweaks and changes will have been worked out. B. Update on Badger Park Grand Opening Park and Recreation Director Grout reviewed the plans for the June 16, 2021 Grand Opening. She noted that the tennis courts should be completed by May, depending on the weather. She reviewed the various food truck options she had contacted but noted that some of them she has not heard back from and some are not sure if they will be operating this year due to COVID-19. She stated that she had also reached out to someone who does balloon twists and a children’s musician as possible options for the event. She stated that she would like feedback from the Park Commission on what vendors they would like to see involved in the Grand Opening. Commissioner Tauer noted that she has a few food truck options that have been operating through Back Channel Brewery and will e-mail them to Park and Recreation Director Grout. She PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 PAGE 5 OF 6 stated they are still operating and are willing to travel to Mound which would mean they should be willing to come to Shorewood. Commissioner Gallivan stated that he likes the idea of Joey Nova’s participation and the Frankenstein balloon creations, but does not think the music would be necessary because there are already so many activities going on. Chair Hirner noted that he also likes the idea of having the Kona Ice truck, Joey Nova’s and the Frankenstein balloon creations. Park and Recreation Director Grout stated that she would like to have the plans finalized by the next Commission meeting so she has time to get information into the City newsletter. Chair Hirner stated that he thinks the consensus is to see if there are a few more food truck options in addition to Joey Nova’s and Kona Ice. He stated that he would like to make sure that an official invitation to the Grand Opening is extended to Justin Mangold as the long-time chair of the Park Commission. He asked staff to also put together a draft program schedule and possible speakers for consideration at the next meeting. C. Review 2021 Work Program Chair Hirner reviewed the items that were asked to be included in the work program: park opportunities south of Galpin Lake/Highway 7; park tours; Freeman Park long term/playground equipment/CIP; and what the Commission would like to see at Southshore Park. Commissioner Heinz asked if the existing community garden spaces have been full because he feels that may be a good way to use the City’s real estate. Planning Director Darling stated that the existing spaces were full and they also had a waiting list. She stated that the believes the Commission had also decided to add a few plots to Southshore Park. Commissioner Gallivan stated that he thinks the work program looks great and makes sense. He stated that he is looking forward to seeing the survey results. Chair Hirner asked how many people have responded thus far to the survey. Planning Director Darling stated that there have been about 100 responses received on the survey. Commissioner Heinz stated that he supports the use of this type of survey because the City can learn a lot, be sensitive to users and trends, as well as give the City a chance to look to the future. He stated that he utilized this same type of survey with his clients through the years and they were always thankful for helping open their eyes to their target audience which is the same thing the City is facing in this situation. Chair Hirner asked if there was anything from a Council or staff perspective that they felt should be added to the work program. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 PAGE 6 OF 6 Council Liaison Siakel asked if there was anything included regarding the removal of buckthorn in Freeman Park. Planning Director Darling noted that she did not think anything needed to be added to the work program, but does have an update on that item at the end of the meeting. There was a consensus to support the 2021 Work Program, as presented. 6. STAFF AND LIAISON REPORTS / UPDATES A. City Council Council Liaison Siakel introduced herself to the new Commissioners and apologized for missing the last meeting. She gave an overview of the recent Council activities. B. Staff a. Freeman Park Forest Restoration ECP Grant Award Planning Director Darling stated that Freeman Park was the recipient of the Forest Restoration ECP Grant which is a $50,000 award for removing buckthorn in the park. She stated that there is a lot of buckthorn that has taken over much of the wooded areas so receiving this grant is very exciting. b. Update on Badger Park Trail Restoration Planning Director Darling noted that there have been some invasive species that have crept towards the new trail and have broken it up even though it was only installed a year ago. She stated that the trail will be corrected this spring and there will also be a landscaping project done to remove buckthorn and willows which have encroached too close to the trail. Chair Hirner asked if the cost for this work would come out of the Park Commission budget. Planning Director Darling explained that it would not be a 402 expense. 7. ADJOURN Gallivan moved to adjourn the Park Commission Meeting of March 9, 2021 at 8:45 p.m. Tauer seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – all Motion carried 5-0.