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081401 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD PARK COMMISSION MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2001 7:30 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Arnst called the meeting to order at 7:31 P.M. A. Roll Call Present: Chair Arnst; Commissioners Callies, Young and Dallman; City Engineer Brown; and Council Liaison Turgeon Late Arrivals: Commissioners Meyer and Bix Excused Absent: Commissioner Puzak B. Review Agenda Dallman moved, Young seconded to approve the agenda. Motion passed 4/0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of July 10, 2001 Slated for next month’s agenda due to lack of quorum, as Commissioner Callies abstained from vote. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were none. 4. REPORTS A. Report on City Council Meeting of July 23 and August 13,2001 Council member Turgeon had nothing to report from the July 23rd meeting. Turgeon did report that the August 13, 2001, meeting consisted of an analysis of the new budget, which indicated a deficit for the Park Commission. Due to the expenses incurred from Eddy Station and the lack of financial support received from the Park Foundation, the Park Commission may need to raise user fees and will no longer be able to take its resources from the general fund. Brown reported that the wireless Internet provider, MetroCom, has filed bankruptcy and the funds the city was counting on for Eddy Station will not be there. Commissioner Meyer arrived at 7:36 P.M. Turgeon went on to report that the City would be entering into an agreement for a new police and fire station off Smithtown Rd. Meyer, Park liaison for the Council meeting of the 13th, added that the Park Commission and staff was complimented on the two park grand openings. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2001 Page 2 of 5 B. Report on Park Foundation Meeting of July 19, 2001 and July 26, 2001 Dallman reported that the fundraising focus of the Foundation was kicked off at Eddy Station’s grand opening with the Buy-a-Brick program. Much interest in the fundraiser was generated, however, exact figures will not be available for awhile since the sales effort continues and future sales will be offered based on a newly designed brochure. Turgeon inquired whether the buy-a-brick program is offered on the website. Dallman noted that an application will be available on the website, as well as, offered in an upcoming newsletter. C. Report on Land Conservation Environment Committee As there is no representative to the LCEC, no report was available. Chair Arnst reported that she had recently attended the first Gideon Glen Task Force meeting. D. Report on Minnetonka Community Education Services meeting of July 17, 2001 Brown reported that MCES is finally acknowledging that more needs to be done. Brown noted that although MCES has not come up with any viable alternatives, they more clearly understand what the city wants from them. E. Report on Meeting with South Tonka Little League Representative Chair Arnst reported that the meeting between the City and Brian Tichy, Liaison for South Tonka Little League, went well. Administrator Dawson and Tichy have a good rapport and it is critical that Tichy remains the liaison for the time being. Chair Arnst shared comments she recently received from a resident who blames the City for the poor coordination of the fields and tournaments, which she felt further brings home the point that the City should have more control and rely less on MCES. Meyer questioned why the City has remained so patient with MCES, after hearing the same story from them over and over. Brown concurred, saying that the lack of response from MCES has caused the City to consider looking into joining forces with other communities to hire a person to perform these services. Young asked what the specific responsibilities of MCES are. Brown maintained that among others, the major responsibility of MCES is to manage the fields and their usage. Young asked if they have difficulty with their other tasks as well, to which Brown replied they have problems across the board. Chair Arnst shared that recently two additional soccer organizations had inquired over access to the fields. One had no problem with the user fee and asked to be given access and the other chose not to pay the fee and go elsewhere. With this in mind, Arnst noted that the soccer fields are already too heavily scheduled with little separation between games. Brown reiterated that action needs to be taken to manage our parks, including the parking levels. During the recent TUSA tournament weekend, TUSA reported that over 4400 people visited Freeman Park with little available parking. This issue urgently needs to be addressed. The park is not able to handle that many users at one time and TUSA will need to work with the city in the future. Meyer asked whether other City’s have user fees. Brown indicated that Shorewood is the only one currently, however, many others are considering them. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2001 Page 3 of 5 5. REVIEW MASTER PLAN A. Park Tours Engineer Brown passed around the 2001 Park-To-Do list, indicating with check marks the many items already accomplished. B. 2001 Goals Chair Arnst referred to the 2001 Shorewood Park System Master Plan Review Draft of 8/10/01 and asked for input and suggestions. Brown reminded the Commission that the Capital Improvement Plan should not be the basis for a Master Plan. The Park Master Plan should act as a comprehensive tool to individually plan and look at the visions and goals we want to achieve. Brown continued that he had WSB draw up an overall plan/map of each park to refer to as we develop and evaluate them. Chair Arnst asked for comment on Step 1, asking if the questions were appropriate for the discussion. She indicated that by taking a macro view of what we want to achieve in our parks, we will work through the steps, creating a comprehensive plan to present to the City and its citizens for their input. Callies referred to the question “why the parks exist” and felt this had been addressed by the Park Commission goal statement. Callies added that the Commission may want to address the future evolving needs of our citizens and the diversity we provide for in Step 1. Young agreed that the diversity provided by our parks is a must. Callies went on to point out that the future parks may encompass green space and open space. Brown concurred that soon it is likely that the Gideon Glen property will fall under the Park umbrella, as well as, future wetland and interpretive spaces. Brown cautioned the Commission not only to address what and whom we need to serve in light of what we’ve got now, but also what the future may hold, i.e. a water park was used as an example. Bix added that these evolving needs in the future might change the existing parks. With this in mind, Brown maintained that the Park Commission has been so busy implementing capital improvements and trails, that they have not been in a position until now to sit back and look at the goals of the parks and their individual visions. Chair Arnst asked if the Commissioners felt comfortable with Step 2. Young noted that in Step 2, item 2, by reviewing the deficiencies in service, we need to ask if we have a balance, are we servicing as many people as we can. The addition of usage data was suggested. Chair Arnst added the review of parks, green spaces, and open spaces to Step 3 based on earlier discussion. Step 4, gathering public input, Brown suggested using the services of Hoisington Koegler for the Open House to obtain the data. Young inquired whether this was an aggressive enough approach, indicating that not all users will attend an Open House and therefore not be heard. Chair Arnst felt that the public input required to make a change would warrant a more aggressive approach in order to hear from all walks of life, but not necessarily in this review process. She did, however, suggest adding item 2 to Step 4, considering other options. Chair Arnst then relayed comments given to her from Commissioner Puzak, absent this evening. Puzak maintained, much like Young, that further data collection might be necessary using private surveys, especially when it comes to the services provided for by the smaller parks. Chair Arnst reported that she would take the suggestions she received this evening and rework the review draft in order to begin addressing Step 1 in September. Turgeon suggested that each Commissioner look at the current Comprehensive plan, its definitions, and either address what’s contained therein or amend the PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2001 Page 4 of 5 existing plan. 6. APPOINT LIAISON TO LAND CONSERVATION ENVIRNOMENT COMMITTEE Commissioner Callies volunteered for the position; however, Brown will investigate the requirements for her appointment. 7. SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY PARK A. Discuss Naming Proposal from American Legion on Sign/Installation Chair Arnst referred to the letter and draft of the proposed sign. She pointed out that while she felt it was consistent with the signage used at other parks, she was uncomfortable with the wording “sponsored by”, in that it may offend other early on sponsors of the Skate Park. Everyone agreed that the wording “supported by” would be more appropriate. Bix moved, Callies seconded accepting the Tonka Sign Crafters signage proposal for the South Shore Community Park with the language modified to instead of Motion passed supported by sponsored by. 6/0. B. Discuss Rules and Sign for Skate Park Chair Arnst reported that an effort was made to solicit input from youths for the signage and rules, without success. After being contacted, Tim Hughes had nothing to offer either. With that in mind, Twila and staff obtained a copy of the City of Chanhassen’s rules to use as an example. After reviewing the Chanhassen Skate Park rules, the Park Commission felt the hours of operation were necessary, followed by rules and regulations. Regulations will include what is and not allowed on the skating surface, suggested use of helmets and kneepads, users assume all risks etc. Chair Arnst will modify and submit the changes made to the rules and regulations. C. Request for Additional Seating for Spectators Chair Arnst passed along requests received from parents looking for additional seating at the Skate Park. She asked Brown if he could find any extra picnic tables to place there from other park areas. Brown said he would try to locate additional tables. D. Meeting with Seasons Residents at City Hall Chair Arnst reported that a meeting would be scheduled with the Seasons residents for September, as promised at the advent of the Skate Park, to discuss any issues that may exist. 8. NEW BUSINESS Chair Arnst reminded the Park Commission of the Big Island Picnic scheduled for Tuesday, August 21st, at 5:30/6:00 P.M. at the Excelsior Public Dock. Brown reported that the first act of vandalism had occurred at Eddy Station. He added that the City is in final negotiations with the South Lakes Police to perform the lockup at night and offer a police presence. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2001 Page 5 of 5 Dallman said he would be unable to act as September liaison to the City Council and asked for volunteers. Chair Arnst volunteered to cover the September meetings. 9. ADJOURNMENT Callies moved, Meyer seconded, adjourning the regular Park Commission Meeting of August 14, 2001 at 9:35 P.M. Motion passed 6/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Kristi B. Anderson RECORDING SECRETARY