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102301 PK MIN CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD PARK COMMISSION MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2001 7:30 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Arnst called the meeting to order at 7:32 P.M. A. Roll Call Present: Chair Arnst; Commissioners Dallman, Meyer, Callies, Young, Puzak, and Bix; City Engineer Brown and City Council Liaison Lizée B. Review Agenda Puzak moved, Bix seconded, approving the Agenda as presented. Motion passed 7/0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of October 9, 2001 Chair Arnst revised page two, paragraph four, line seven, to read “...shortfalls of the Park Commission are due to Park Foundation shortfalls for...”. She also corrected page four, paragraph three in two areas. First, line one, “...the question was asked what...” and secondly, line five, adding, “...the park layout, as is currently shown in the plans...”. Meyer moved, Callies seconded to approve the Minutes of October 9, 2001 as amended. Motion passed 7/0. 3.MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were none. 4. REPORTS A. Report on City Council Meeting of October 22, 2001 Lizée deferred to Engineer Brown to elaborate on the problems faced by Highways 7 and 41 intersection construction following her report. In the meantime, she stated that the City Council will be hosting a meeting of four City Council this Thursday evening at the Southshore Community Center to discuss the new fire and police station complex. Engineer Brown reported on Highways 7 and 41 intersection project. He announced that, as everyone was probably aware, a second fatality had occurred at the intersection two weeks ago. Although investigation has shown that the accident was unrelated to the construction, further site analysis by the City, construction representatives, and MnDOT has prompted the City to ask that a 45 MPH construction zone speed limit be posted, along with fines doubled in construction area sign. Even though the City and other representatives felt this was a reasonable request to protect the welfare of the motoring public and the construction workers, it has since been vetoed by the State. The City is PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2001 Page 2 of 4 fighting this judgment however, and has sent a letter putting the state on notice that they are assuming the liability because the City does not feel they have taken the appropriate action in this case. In essence, Brown relayed that the State’s response has been that they do not want to have a City telling them how to run their highways. Engineer Brown was pleased to report that the County Road 19 project has been approved by Hennepin County. Although they have identified some stipulations, they are on board. Final design options are being negotiated, as are negotiations regarding raised medians and driveway access at this time. As shown in the proposed plans, additional turn lanes and warning lights are to be added near the Bishop property, where the police and fire complex will be located. Brown went on to report that sidewalks would be added along all of the new road construction. He also mentioned that now would be the time to consider adding sidewalks along Country Club Road, since the County will pay for those as well. Brown added that he hopes to have preliminary layouts for approval at both the next Shorewood and Tonka Bay City Council Meetings. B. Report on Land Conservation Environment Committee Callies reported that during the recent LCEC meeting, City Consultant Dan Dickel identified several properties that the City should pursue based on the potential for preservation, conservation, or historic significance. One such property is an 1880’s prairie farmhouse located near Christmas Lake Road. A historic home, it should be put on a registry and preserved in its precious state. Dickel noted that the elderly woman who occupies the home now might be receptive to speaking with the City about easements or more. Callies went on to mention that while some tax incentives may exist, other opportunities encouraging owners to donate or partially sell their conservation easements to the City are under consideration. C. Report on Status of Setting Date for Trail Walk With Lake Linden Neighborhood - November 3rd or November 10th Engineer Brown had no set date, however, hoped to have one finalized by the end of the week. 5. MASTER PLAN REVIEW - STEP 2 A. Badger Park 1. The current emphasis of the Park - a. Tennis Courts b. Hockey - both organized and free skate c. Playground Tot lot d. Football 2. Population it serves - a. Currently mostly youth PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2001 Page 3 of 4 3. What are the deficiencies of service - population or opportunity - a. Parking for Football vs. Senior Center b. Improve the Trail Walkway 4. Recommended Changes, Refinements, Refocus of the Park - a. Consider relocating the football field Chair Arnst opened the Badger Park Master Plan for discussion and review. Liaison Lizée noted that parking is an issue at Badger Park. She mentioned that the seniors at the South Shore Center often try to schedule events at the center so that they do not coincide with scheduled football games in order to avoid parking conflicts. The seniors would also like to have input and be kept apprised of any developments at the park. Lizée continued that the Garden Club has an interest in cleaning up the area and planting native vegetation, perhaps including or along the trail behind the center. Chair Arnst indicated that although the park is kid oriented, the City should investigate what can be done to increase rentals of the senior center facility. Clearly, an actively used park, especially the west side football fields, Lizée questioned whether more passive use design elements could be added, i.e. garden areas, pavilion, etc. Callies brought up the fact that football is a unique offering that isn’t widely available away from high school settings. She maintained that this addresses the diversity question, that the City is offering a unique opportunity to this audience. Brown mentioned that the light fixtures for the football field are in poor condition. Dallman asked if football was better suited for Freeman Park than Badger, especially if light fixtures need to be updated. Puzak suggested looking into the possibility of moving the football field to Manitou and swapping it with soccer. He maintained that having football at Badger at all seems an inappropriate match with the senior center. Callies questioned what impact football truly has made on the senior center rentals. Chair Arnst agreed that more data collection would be necessary before further discussion should continue. Chair Arnst requested that liaison Lizée invite representatives from the senior center to join us for further discussion once data collection has occurred. Young noted that it might also be wise to invite members from the Football organization to ask them how they are impacted by the location and find out what they are looking for. Puzak stated that, in his opinion, Football is better suited for Freeman. This large organized activity belongs at a regional park like Freeman, as long as we don’t exacerbate the current parking problems we are having there. He added that the critical mass provided by moving football to Freeman might also enhance the potential for concessions there as well. Chair Arnst saw this as an opportunity to enhance the trail walkway at Badger. B. Manor Park 1. Current Emphasis of the Park - a. Non-organized events and usage b. Neighborhood Park c. Free Skate on the Pond PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2001 Page 4 of 4 d. Volleyball for anyone e. Youth - little league 2. Population it serves - a. Neighborhood family park b. Currently mixed use by youth and adults 3. What are the deficiencies in service - population or opportunity? a. Tennis Courts are not used b. Volleyball courts are not used much 4. Recommended Changes, Refinements, Refocus of the Park a. Horseshoe Pits b. Bocce ball c. Collect data on tennis court usage Chair Arnst invited discussion over Manor Park. Young stated that he never sees the tennis courts in use. Chair Arnst indicated that data collection would be necessary to determine usage. She went on to point out that the current ball field is a softball field, even though little league uses it. Dallman believed there was enough room to turn the field into a fine Babe Ruth little league field, but thought parking may cause a problem once again. Bix then suggested that the little used tennis courts or volleyball be turned into a multi-use area for horseshoe pits and/or bocce ball, which could then be advertised via the newsletter in 2002 when features of each park begin. Lizée asked whether the pond could be aerated due to its poor appearance and the amount of scum on it. Brown mentioned that the Shirley Rice Memorial Flower Garden offered a $2,500. fund to enhance the garden area nearby, however, aeration would require a great deal more. Chair Arnst then relayed a comment given to her by City Councilman Scott Zerby the night before. Zerby suggested the Park Commission coordinate efforts with the other local Park Commissions in order to enhance the overall Park system and avoid duplication of efforts. For example, the tennis courts at Manor may not be necessary to maintain since both Deephaven and Excelsior have nicer courts nearby. 6. NEW BUSINESS There was none. 7. ADJOURNMENT Young moved, Puzak seconded, adjourning the Regular Park Commission Meeting of October 23, 2001 at 8:57 P.M. Motion passed 7/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Kristi B. Anderson RECORDING SECRETARY