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050801 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD PARK COMMISSION MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2001 MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Arnst called the meeting to order at 7:47 P.M A. Roll Call Present: Chair Arnst; Commissioners Young, Dallman, Meyer, and Berndt; City Engineer Brown and Council Liaison Turgeon Absent: Commissioners Puzak and Bix B. Review Agenda Chair Arnst asked to move item 6 up to #4 and revise the agenda accordingly. Dallman moved, Young seconded accepting the agenda as revised. Motion passed 5/0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of April 10, 2001 Dallman moved, Berndt seconded, approving the Minutes of April 10, 2001, as submitted. Motion passed 5/0. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were none. 4. ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT IN THE PARKS (Dep. Chief John Nieling) Discuss enforcement possibilities for: A. Dogs in Parks Deputy Chief John Nieling explained that the wording of the existing pet policy pamphlet as it applies to pets defecating in parks and on the LRT makes it difficult to enforce the ordinance. He suggested rewriting the wording of the ordinance to allow for more than verbal warnings, which cannot be tracked anyway, which will in turn make it easier to give citations to people not following the law. Engineer Brown said he will do his best to get a revision of the ordinance slated on the next Council agenda. Chair Arnst inquired if the amended ordinance could be included in the mailings being sent to pet owners and the information packets being sent through the schools. Nieling also suggested using officers on bikes, or their own CSO, to observe and patrol the misuse of the trails. Using bike patrol at the parks and LRT during peak times, rather than the usual complaint driven enforcement, could be a good alternative. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2001 Page 2 of 6 B. Cooperation from Hennepin Parks for LRT Deputy Nieling offered to contact Hennepin Parks and ask them for additional patrols to hit the LRT and Freeman Park area during peak times. Nieling did caution the Commission that due to recent cutbacks at Hennepin County, they are shorthanded and may be unable to accommodate the City’s request. C. “No Parking” Zones Chair Arnst brought up the concern the Commission has regarding “No Parking” zones at Freeman Park. Currently, Arnst reported, people park everywhere along the access roads with little regard for the no parking areas. Arnst asked Deputy Nieling if they could enforce no parking signs and enforce those especially during peak times. The Commission further voiced concern over getting emergency vehicles in and out of the north side of Freeman Park. Deputy Nieling felt they could readily post signs and patrol the area during peak times. 5. REPORTS A. Report on the City Council Meeting of April 23, 2001 Council member Turgeon reported that the Park Foundation Board of Director Appointees were approved by the Council on a 3/2 vote. B. Report on Park Foundation Meeting of April 18, 2001 (Commissioner Dallman) Commissioner Dallman reported that the Park Foundation nominated its Board Members to submit to Council for approval. Dallman noted that he will once again act as President, Bill Keeler as treasurer, and Jim Eddy was nominated secretary. C. Report on Land Conservation Environment Committee (Commissioner Berndt) Commissioner Berndt reported that LCEC member Anthony Pini gave an informative presentation on low impact development and cited an example in Lake Elmo utilizing these methods. He also shared a new rain barrel concept placed at the downspout of homes to catch runoff for later use. Berndt mentioned that the LCEC Open House will be separate from the Compost bin pick-up date slated for May 19. The Open House will be incorporated into the Excelsior Art Fair. At the Fair the LCEC will have a booth and hand out a variety of literature. Berndt went on to report that Anthony Pini will represent the LCEC on the Gideon Glen Advisory Committee and she mentioned her desire to do so for the Park Commission. Chair Arnst noted that she would enjoy acting as Berndt’s back up for the position and asked for a motion. Dallman moved, Meyer seconded, to appoint Commissioner Berndt as the Park Commission’s representative to the Gideon Glen Advisory Committee with Chair Arnst as the alternate. Motion passed 5/0. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2001 Page 3 of 6 D. Update on Eddy Station Construction (Engineer Brown) Engineer Brown reported that Eddy Station is within a week of being finished, once the weather cooperates and dries up. The building is progressing and once the sod is laid they will be very close to completion. He shared with the Commission the positive feedback he has received about the facility. Tonight, on Park Tours, Mayor Howard Benis of Deephaven commented how incredible the building was. Chair Arnst suggested waiting to schedule a grand opening date until the next Park Commission meeting. E. Update on Skate Park Site Preparation and Equipment Order (Engineer Brown) Brown was pleased to announce that the overlay of the Skate Park was completed last night and the equipment arrived the other day. He went on to cite several other improvements that need to happen before he feels placing the equipment would be wise. First, the placement of the parking chalks or wheel stops needs to be done. Other issues include, the desire to highlight the crosswalk on Highway 7, and hopefully, obtain a florescent crosswalk sign from the state to mark the walk; he also voiced others concerns that residents may stop along Highway 7 to drop off youths; Chair Arnst asked if MnDOT would consider prolonging the length of the crosswalk light at the intersection. At Engineer Brown’s encouragement, Chair Arnst postponed setting a grand opening date for the park until the next meeting. There was also talk over placing a bike rack at the park. Commissioner Young expressed his concern, and that of others in the Seasons, over the City trucks using the Seasons for their turn around. Resident’s point to this example as proof that people will use the Seasons to do their loop from the park. Brown maintained that this will not be the case and that the overlay trucks had no choice but to use the Seasons for their turn around due to their size and the requirement they stay off the overlay after it is finished. F. Report on MCES Field Assignment Meeting of April 3 (Engineer Brown) Brown indicated that the assignments have happened and are identical to past years. Although he did not have the information at his fingertips, Brown did not notice any changes in the scheduling as it pertains to new sports organizations (i.e. Girls Softball). He will supply the Commission with additional information at the next meeting. G. Report on Progress with MnDOT Regarding Freeman Park Closure Chair Arnst noted that discussion over the Freeman Park Closure had been addressed earlier. Young inquired whether this closure is likely to happen this year. Brown felt hopeful that the closure could be done this year. He continued that by dividing the two ends of the park into two separate entities it would eliminate the large amount of traffic present. 6. REVIEW “TO-DO” LIST FROM PARK TOURS A. Cathcart Park 1. Post and lower signs on Tennis Courts advising that pets are not allowed on the courts . 2Fix the latch on the tennis court door PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2001 Page 4 of 6 B. Freeman Park 1. Follow-up on Insurance and ownership questions concerning the Concession stand 2. Check the status of the public pay phone near the concessions - removed or vandalized 3. Post “No Motorized Vehicles” signage on the Shorewood Ponds Path 4. Check on dugout design with Joe Pazandak 5. Cut dead tree down near the picnic shelter 6. In the future, add trees to the passive use space behind the tot lot in the north park\ 7. Turn power off at Eddy Station to avoid cord cords running across the ground 8. Sod situation will be corrected when weather permits 9. The 2nd satellite will be delivered shortly 7. PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM RELATING TO DOG FECES (Att.-#7) A. Review Draft Article for Newsletter, School Distribution, etc. Chair Arnst asked for feedback regarding the article she had drafted for the newsletter. Berndt commented that she found it moving and powerful. Arnst noted she would like to move paragraph 8 up to the top in order to make it more meaningful to Shorewood residents. Brown pointed out that the water quality issue may not be as moving to everyone as the impact the feces problems pose to our children. Arnst felt the article should be shortened to one page. Meyer suggested removing the ordinance in its entirety and only reference it. Chair Arnst said that she will make revisions to the article and e-mail it to everyone and present it by May 14th for print. B. Reaffirm Time Line for Public Education 8. VENDORS AT FREEMAN PARK A. Summary of Communications with Interested Concessionaire (Engineer Brown)(Att.-#8A) Brown reported that he had followed up with two mildly interested parties who have not expressed any real desire to run a week night concession. B. Explanation of Proposal and Time Line from Midwest Vending for Vending Machines (Engineer Brown) Mr. Manion, of Midwest Vending, presented a team of representatives from the City of Shorewood with a proposal for vending at Eddy Station. Brown reported that, thus far, they have negotiated a two-year contract, the City is to receive a 22% commission on sales, and Midwest vending is responsible for all repairs, maintenance, operations and restocking. Brown pointed out that the vending machines would be placed under the outside canopy of Eddy Station. Chair Arnst asked how quickly the machines could be installed. Brown reported that the machines (two pops and one snack machine) could be installed within a week. He also relayed that repairs will happen quickly, within two hours on weekdays and four hours on weekends. Young asked if there were enough waste receptacles located in Freeman. Brown reported that there will likely never be enough trash receptacles, however, they will be installing recycling bins and have currently 43 waste cans at Freeman. Meyer suggested posting a sticker of who to call for refunds on the machines. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2001 Page 5 of 6 C. Discuss City Vending Operations as They Currently Interact with Sports Organization Vendors Dallman inquired whether the contract would allow the City to run concessions at Eddy Station next year if a vendor is found. Brown noted that there is no conflict between Midwest Vending and a Concession stand, however, the City will not be allowed to operate other vending on the premises. D. Review Current Vendor Permit Ordinance (Att.-#8D) Chair Arnst pointed out that during tournament weekends, many vendors are at Freeman Park selling things, but until now have not been required to have vendor permits as required by the ordinance. These vendors will now need to be notified that they will be required to pay the annual $50 permit fee. C. Recommendation to Council Dallman moved, Berndt seconded, to recommend to Council they approve the proposal presented by Midwest Vending to install vending machines at Eddy Station. Motion passed 5/0. 9. NAME IDEAS FOR SKATE PARK A. Review and Discuss Name Ideas (Att.-#9A) Chair Arnst added another name for consideration. “The Passing” was offered by Tim Hughes. Dallman then presented a letter from the Clarence Clofer American Legion Post and Unit No. 259 offering to provide Shorewood with a cash donation of $1,000 a year for the next five years for improvements within the park area, provided that post 259 is allowed to visually identify itself on the premises as a sponsor of the park. He added that they also ask the park be named to reflect its muti-purpose communal use and not only as a skate park. Berndt commented that she liked the opportunity to show the community that the American Legion is a part of the Community on many levels. Chair Arnst asked for comment whether the Commission liked the name South Shore Community Park as a whole. B. Recommendation to City Council Young moved, Meyer seconded, to recommend to Council that the name South Shore Community Park be adopted for the overall park. Motion passed 5/0. Young moved, Berndt seconded, to recommend to Council we accept the offer as laid out in the letter from the Clarence Clofer American Legion Post and Unit No. 259 to sponsor the South Shore Community Park. Motion passed 5/0. Chair Arnst requested staff send a response letter to the Post’s offer. The meeting recessed from 9:13 to 9:15 P.M. to give Chair Arnst an opportunity to call to obtain the additional name submitted by Commissioner Bix. Chair Arnst returned to add the name “Easy Rider” to the name idea list. She asked to vote on the list of given names. During the process the only name to receive one vote from Commissioner Berndt was “Rails”. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2001 Page 6 of 6 More discussion continued with Commissioner Young questioning why a second and separate name for the Skate Park was necessary. Many agreed that the overall park name fit well and asked if the second sign on premises could merely acknowledge the contributors to the park. Brown felt this approach to be consistent with the other Shorewood Parks whose signage also thanks contributors. Dallman moved, Young seconded, recommending Council not give a separate name to the Skate Park at the new South Shore Community Park but instead acknowledge contributors of the overall park. Motion passed 5/0. 10. OLD BUSINESS There was none. 11. NEW BUSINESS There was none. It was noted that the meeting on the 22nd will begin with a park tour of Manor, Silverwood, Badger, Skate Park and Crescent. 12. ADJOURNMENT Berndt moved, Meyer seconded to adjourn. Motion passed 5/0. The meeting adjourned at 9:23 P.M. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Kristi B. Anderson RECORDING SECRETARY