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091101 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD PARK COMMISSION MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 7:30 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Arnst called the meeting to order at 7:41 P.M. A. Roll Call Present: Chair Arnst; Commissioners Young, Meyer, and Callies; City Engineer Brown; and Council Liaison Turgeon Excused Absents: Commissioners Bix, Puzak, and Dallman B. Review Agenda Chair Arnst asked to add report #J, a request to reconsider the CIP expenditure request for bleachers at Badger Park football fields, and item #6 discussion over a joint session with other South Lake Park Commissions. She then requested they remove the old item #6 for discussion at a later date. Meyer moved, Callies seconded to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 4/0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A Park Commission Meeting Minutes of July 10, 2001 Young moved, Meyer seconded to approve the Minutes of the July 10, 2001 meeting as submitted. Motion passed 4/0. B. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of August 14, 2001 Callies moved, Meyer seconded approving the August 14, 2001 Minutes as submitted. Motion passed 4/0. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were none. 4. REPORTS A. Report on City Council Meeting of August 27, 2001 and September 10,2001 Council Member Turgeon and Engineer Brown had nothing to report regarding Parks from the August 27, 2001 meeting. Turgeon did report on the September 10, 2001 meeting. She indicated that the Council would like the Park Commission to reconsider the CIP expenditure for football bleachers in Badger Park and make a recommendation to the Council. Brown added that the City approved the winter use trail request and it will PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 Page 2 of 4 be submitted to Hennepin County. Brown also noted that the City is working on accepting a gift at 6075 Chaska Road from the owner there offering this mostly wetland area to the City. B. Report on Park Foundation Meeting of August 16, 2001 No report from absent Commissioner Dallman. Young mentioned that although he attended Apple Days for a few hours in the morning, there were poor weather conditions. He was told things improved later in the day. C. Report on Land Conservation Environment Committee The meeting this evening was cancelled. Commissioner Callies has been approved as the new liaison. D. Report on Meeting with Minnetonka Community Education Services on 8/15/01 Chair Arnst indicated that she and Commissioner Meyer have attended two recent meetings with MCES and other representatives from the City. On August 15th, Administrator Dawson laid out the problems and questions the City of Shorewood is looking for MCES to address and asked them to return with a proposal. Chair Arnst shared, that after laying out what we needed, MCES came back with two plans. A Macro view in which they act as a one time facilitator between the City and sports organizations, and secondly, a plan providing for pretty much the same services they have thus far, scheduling the fields and acting as liaison at an additional charge. The City now realizes that MCES may be unable to deliver any more than they already have. With this in mind, Brown mentioned that the City will be investigating contracting out these services with other agencies. He said that all options are being considered, including discussions with other City’s, like Chanhassen, to combine services. Young asked whether other Cities have been faced with the same problems in dealing with MCES and what problems are we faced with exactly. Chair Arnst indicated that via Mayor’s meetings there seems to be some concern among other Cities, however, Deephaven and Excelsior having new administrators have not felt the same pressures yet. Chair Arnst continued by pointing out the areas of concern, which include, who is using the fields, how they could be scheduled better to absorb users, allow for better spacing between games, and create ways to communicate with our user teams. What we want MCES to handle, they view as outside their capability. Young asked how Bennet, a private park, handles these concerns and questioned the possibility of contacting them. Brown believed that while ongoing investigation continues, if two other cities joined forces this could easily support a full time position for someone. Turgeon pointed out that the Council will be appointing an MCES Advisory Board representative should be appointed to further negotiations and investigate other opportunities. E. Report on Sign for South Shore Community Park While Dallman was absent, Brown reported that The Tonka Bay Sign Crafters owner recently suffered a stroke and will be unable to provide the City with a final proposal at this time. F. Report on Skate Park Rules Sign Young moved, Callies seconded, to accept the South Shore Community Skate Park sign as submitted. Motion passed 4/0. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 Page 3 of 4 G. Report on Vandalism to Eddy Station Brown reported on three vandalism incidents at Eddy station. First, windows have been broken out three times at Eddy Station, the TUSA field paint was used to paint the building, and the bathroom vents were kicked in to gain access to the building. Unfortunately, Brown felt the structure would not be secure enough this year to be used as a warming house and requested the Park Commission delay the free skating park and warming house idea for another year. Brown noted that South Lakes Police will now be locking up Eddy Station at night and opening it on weekends, and whose presence should deter additional vandalism. Chair Arnst suggested an article be submitted to the paper and newsletter pointing out that vandalism has occurred to the structure and tell people what a shame it is they cannot use the beautiful building created for them due to these instances of vandalism. Perhaps, parents will speak to their kids about it. H. Update on Dog Problems Brown reported that Charlie Davis has commented that there has been great improvement in all parks. Turgeon suggested submitting an article to the newsletter congratulating the public and thanking them for keeping the parks clean. Although an ongoing effort, the awareness has grown. I. Report on Schedule for Neighborhood Meeting at the Seasons Chair Arnst reminded everyone that an informal meeting will be held at Commissioner Young’s residence on September 19, 2001 from 5 -6 P.M. to discuss any ongoing concerns about the Skate Park as promised. J. Reconsider CIP Request Bleachers at Badger Park Early this spring during the walking tours, discussion took place whether bleachers were necessary at Badger, and whether football was the direction this park would be taking in the future. The old bleachers were in need of too many repairs and were removed. With this in mind, Brown noted that by early 2002, bleachers will all need to comply with new safety codes and currently two other sets need to be retrofit. Commissioners noticed that spectators have been using lawn chairs at Badger this year and will wait to see the response. It was also suggested the football boosters consider buying or donating the bleachers themselves should the question arise. 5. REVIEW PROPOSAL FOR PARK PLANNING BY HOISINGTON KOEGLER GROUP Brown reported that staff believes the expenditure to hire Hoisington Koegler to be a good investment. Freeman Park is a premier park in Shorewood and is in need of a solution. Chair Arnst asked Brown to coordinate the proposal in order to be presented the evening the Park Commission addresses the Freeman Park Master Plan. Meyer moved, Young seconded to accept the proposal for Freeman Park as presented by Hoisington Koegler. Motion passed 4/0. 6.MASTER PLAN REVIEW - STEP 1 Discussion of the Master Plan Reviews will be postponed until the October meeting. Chair Arnst and Brown encouraged all the Commissioners to get creative and think outside the box by envisioning what could be possible. What is the South Lakes community lacking that people might enjoy, a water park, etc. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 Page 4 of 4 6. JOINT SESSION WITH PARK COMMISSIONS As added earlier. Chair Arnst suggested inviting other South Lakes Community Park Commissions over to discuss similar budget issues, shared services, and open up new dialogues with them on all fronts. Other Commissioners were agreeable and urged the open house to be informal and a light fun evening. 7. NEW BUSINESS Brown mentioned that September 18, 2001 from 5 - 7 P.M. there will be an Open House for Lake Linden Drive residents to talk about the possibilities there, even a potential trail, and he invited members of the Park Commission to attend. 8. ADJOURNMENT Meyer Moved, Callies seconded, adjourning the regular Park Commission Meeting of September 11, 2001 at 8:42 P.M. Motion passed 4/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Kristi B. Anderson RECORDING SECRETARY