PARK COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 7:12 p.m.
Chairperson Woody Woodburn, Jennifer Young, John Dupont, Charty Oliver, Bryan Sykora, John Flynn, Council Liaison Jon Monson, Staff Dana Young
Lucy Hicks, Hans Larson, Jean Midthun
Dana Young stated that the April 28, 2004 minutes were inadvertently left out of the Park Committee packet. Woody Woodburn stated that the Committee would review these minutes at their July meeting.
Dana Young stated that the Committee had asked him to check into whether it would be possible for the City to set up its own foundation to assist with the receipt of park donated gifts. He stated that Minn. Stat. 465.717 state that cities may not create a corporation unless explicitly authorized to do so by law. Cities that created corporations prior to May 31, 1997 have been able to retain these corporations under more stringent guidelines. John Dupont stated that he would invite a foundation representative to appear at an upcoming meeting to discuss the possible benefits of affiliating with a foundation.
John Flynn provided a brief update on the ballfield improvements at Thorpe and Village Parks. He stated that Castlerock intends to return to spread more dirt on the north field at Thorpe Park. He stated that the ballfields are in much better shape and the drainage is much improved. He added that Castlerock didn’t use near as much dirt as they thought so their final bill should come in under their original quote of $4,500.00. Further discussion was held on the need to drag the fields more frequently and the need to install the bench back at the south field at Thorpe Park.
Dana Young provided a brief update on the request made by John Tudor of Tonka United to create several soccer fields at Thorpe Park. He stated that Mr. Tudor requested installing two soccer fields east and north of the basketball court, approximately 35’ x 45’ in size, with each field having two soccer goals. The Committee recommended approval of the addition of soccer fields at these two locations on a motion by Jennifer Young, seconded by John Dupont. Motion declared carried.
Discussion was held on having each member inspect their designated park or beach for discussion at next month’s meeting. Woody Woodburn stated that the inspection should include a verification of the inventory of equipment at each park or beach and a wish list of items that could be added to each facility.
Further discussion was held on establishing a land trust for each park to ensure that they remain as parkland rather than change to some other type of use. Dana Young stated that he would contact the City Attorney for his input on this issue.
Dana Young provided a brief summary of the survey results that showed that the majority of respondents (36%) either strongly or lent some support to rebuilding the tennis courts next to Westview Drive at Thorpe Park. The second highest support was to remove the courts and replace them with grass (33%).
Woody Woodburn stated that the decision to improve or remove these courts was an extremely difficult one and asked each member to give their opinion on the matter.
John Dupont stated that we should take the courts out and see what happens. Bryan Sykora added that no one was using the any of the tennis courts at Thorpe during the Committee’s tour of the facilities on April 28th. John Dupont stated that perhaps the courts could be converted into a basketball court.
Woody Woodburn asked Clm. Paul Skrede for his comments. Paul Skrede stated that going from 10 courts to 8 courts in the city doesn’t seem like a lot but you are cutting the number of courts at Thorpe in half. He added that the courts next to Westview are not being used because they are in such poor shape.
Charty Oliver stated that she agreed with John Dupont that the courts should be taken out.
Jon Monson stated that unless we have conclusive evidence that the popularity of tennis has dwindled, it would be a bad idea to remove an amenity that has always been there. John Dupont stated that it might be a good idea to sit on this decision for a year.
Woody Woodburn stated that he is frustrated because he doesn’t know what the actual utilization is of the courts. He stated that the Committee needs to decide whether to repair the courts, remove the courts, table the issue or present the issue at an upcoming town hall meeting.
Paul Skrede stated that there is nothing wrong with waiting on the issue. He stated that it could be brought up at a town hall meeting and if the $50,000.00 that has been earmarked for this project isn’t spent by the end of the year, it would simply be carried over in the 2005 Park Improvement Fund Budget.
Bryan Sykora stated that he felt that the Committee has to recommend what to do with the space rather than leaving this decision open for discussion at a town hall meeting.
Woody Woodburn stated that he is not comfortable with making a decision on the tennis courts tonight and asked each member to email him with ideas on what can be done with the space if the tennis courts are removed.
Bryan Sykora suggested that a master plan could be developed for Thorpe Park that would be available for the public to discuss at the town hall meeting. He stated that it would be very helpful to receive feedback from the public on a master plan. Several members thought while it was a great idea to develop a master plan, there wasn’t enough time to develop a master plan before the town hall meeting.
Jennifer Young suggested holding neighborhood park meetings like they have done in Minnetonka to find out what residents would like to see accomplished at each local park or beach.
John Dupont suggested that neighborhood park meetings could be held in October, November and December in which one or two parks are discussed at each meeting.
Jon Monson stated that these meetings could also include creative discussions on how to raise additional funds for the Park Fund, such as allowing tennis players to purchase a $5.00 permit that would give them top priority on any court in the city. Paul Skrede added that perhaps you could charge $5.00 for each second residential parking sticker, which would increase park revenue.
Woody Woodburn stated that each member should email him with ideas on what can be done with the tennis court area, he will assist Dana Young on the drafting of a town hall meeting notice on the tennis courts, and requested that the City Council establish a date and time for the upcoming town hall meeting.
Dana Young presented a schedule of 2005-2011 planned park purchases and projects from the Capital Improvement Fund for Committee review. He also provided a brief update on the progress of 2004 park purchases and projects from the Park Improvement Fund.
Jon Monson stated that Paul Skrede had to leave but wanted to present two items to the Committee. First, the City is planning to remove a section of the parking lot abutting the rear entranceway to City Hall and have the entire area sodded. He stated that sod would also be installed around the new Wellhouse. The Park Committee will be asked for their recommendations on any future landscaping plans around the Fire Station.
Second, Jon Monson stated that Paul Skrede wanted the Park Committee to be aware that plans are underway to have the gazebo at Village Park re-painted as part of an eagle scout project.
Further discussion was held regarding the June 15th Park Committee mixer.
Motion to adjourn by Jennifer Young, seconded by John Flynn. Motion declared carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m. The next meeting of the Park Committee will be held on July 7th.