082305 PK WS MINCITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
PARK COMMISSION WORK SESSION CITY HALL
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2005 7:00 A.M.
MINUTES
1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION WORK SESSION
The Park Commission began its discussion at 7:06 a.m.
A. ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Davis; Commissioners Farmok, Young, Westerlund, and late arrival Wagner; and City Engineer
Brown
Absent: Commissioner Moonen was absent
B. REVIEW AGENDA
Item 2B Park Foundation report and 2C Shirley Rice Memorial Garden were added to the agenda.
2. MUSIC IN THE PARK
Farmok reported that there were approximately 100 people at the final Music in the Park series event.
While there were fewer numbers present, she indicated that the band was entertaining. Overall, she felt
there had been a nice variety of music over the summer.
Chair Davis commented that the arboretum had learned through experience that by appealing to younger
children and families, attendance increases. She questioned holding the June concert later in the month to
ensure more reliable weather next year. She also commented that she had a contact with someone in an
orchestra whose group performs show tunes and musical numbers.
The Commission agreed that expanding the children's programs would be a good idea.
While he agreed that appealing to youth and families by adding an additional kids program was a good
idea, Brown reminded the Commission of the huge draw Big Walter had earlier in the summer and
suggested the Commission focus on a high quality program list.
Proposed dates for 2006 included June 23, July 21, and August 18 for the adult concerts; June 14 and July
19 for the kids series with the latter held at Freeman and Manor.
Young asked whether the arboretum had a traveling activities program that could be rotated to various
parks over the summer as an alternative to music. In addition, he encouraged Davis to pursue an orchestral
group for the adult series as an alternative for the more mature listener.
Brown noted that it might behoove the Commission to reserve Big Walter for a second year as an anchor
for the series, since it was so well attended and would provide continuity to the program next year. In
addition, the Commission could investigate other options such as blue grass, orchestral, etc. With regard to
PARK COMMISSION AGENDA
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2005
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the children's concerts, Brown agreed that tailoring one concert to the preschool circuit and one to the
slightly older hands-on age group was an interesting concept.
Chair Davis asked Brown to determine whether the budget for 2006 would be the same as this year at
$2,000 or be increased to $3,000.
B. PARK FOUNDATION
With regard to a letter from the Park Foundation which addresses old debt, Chair Davis reported that
Foundation member Callies, on behalf of the Foundation, has asked the City to formally forgive the old
debt for Eddy Station in order to allow the Foundation to start its fundraising efforts with a clean slate.
Brown reported that the Foundation is made up of a different group of people than those who had made the
original commitment to donate $10,000 annually towards Eddy Station, and it is their desire that the City
allow them to move on. While the City Council forgave the debt in order to reconcile its accounts, the
Council hoped the Foundation might still try to satisfy the old debt and live up to its commitment.
Young commented that he could see where the enthusiasm of the current Foundation members might be
sapped trying to solicit funds for old debt. He stated that he would like to see the Foundation freed of this
debt and allowed to move forward in their fundraising efforts. He asked whether the Commission could
make a recommendation to the City Council that they take formal action to clear the slate.
Chair Davis stated that she got the feeling from the Foundation that they had learned their lesson from that
experience.
Brown stated that the Commission could make a motion at its next formal meeting. H explained that there
was a rather spirited discussion during the Council work session regarding drinking fountains and the
Foundation's commitment to participate. Callies urged the City to resist the temptation to plug in numbers
or specific dollar amounts with regard to the Foundations level of participation.
Chair Davis stated that the Foundation also requested that the Commission or City provide them with
information that they could use in their Apple Days booth in order to display what the City is working on
with regard to parks. She suggested a display be put together containing the Manor Park water quality
study, Freeman Park wetland enhancement project, and buckthorn recruitment for November. Young and
Wagner volunteered to serve an hour or more in the booth if necessary during the event. In addition, she
asked for volunteers to assist the Foundation with the Art Show in November, presumably early morning
set-up. Farniok and Davis volunteered to assist with the Art Show.
C. SHIRLEY RICE MEMORIAL GARDEN.
Brown reported that the City Council had voted to approve the memorial garden proposal. Farniok stated
that the garden club would move forward.
Chair Davis indicated that the Foundation had requested that either the Garden Club or City maintain the
plazas annual garden as well.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2005
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Farmok stated that the garden club is a small group of people who would probably not be able to
accommodate the request. She suggested the Foundation plant perennials in order to eliminate the need for
ongoing maintenance.
Young suggested that the City or Foundation contact the nearby seniors and ask them if they'd be willing to
maintain the garden.
Chair Davis stated that she would contact the seniors, since she wished to discuss the buckthorn project and
other items with them.
3. ADJOURNMENT
The Commission adjourned their meeting at 7:55 a.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Kristi B. Anderson
Recording Secretary