Woody Woodburn reminded the Committee that the Town Hall Meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on August 12^th at the Deephaven Education Center and hoped that all Committee members would be able to attend.

Dana Young reminded the Committee that it was time to start putting together a 2005 project list for incorporation in the 2005 Park Improvement Budget. He stated that the Council would ordinarily start looking at the Park Improvement Budget beginning in September.

Dana Young stated that the City Council has expressed disappointment in the appearance of the City ballfield at Thorpe Park, particularly the north ballfield, after the improvements made by Castlerock. He stated that Castlerock had made significant improvements to the drainage of the ballfields but had left the north ballfield in such disrepair that it was unplayable for much of the year. The Committee recommended that the Public Works Department dress up the field and hydroseed the infield as soon as practical in order to return the field to playing condition by this fall.

Dana Young presented a copy of a survey of the Main Beach. The Committee recommended that property pins should be located in order to determine the exact boundaries of the east property line. Once the property line is known, the Committee felt that stronger enforcement action could be taken against any property owner encroaching on City property.

Dana Young stated that the City had contracted with Koda Landscaping to do some weeding at Shuck Park and Thorpe Park. He stated that Koda Landscaping consisted of two local kids who did a fairly good job although their inexperience showed in their use of a bobcat when removing weeds at Shuck Park. He stated that the City Council had allocated $1,000 towards the hiring of a contractor to weed parks and Koda Landscaping has charged the City $679 for 25 hours of weeding.

Dana Young stated that there had been interest on behalf of a group of tennis players using the Village Hall tennis courts to have the three silver maples bordering the courts and the street removed. He stated that the tennis players felt the maples were too messy and served little purpose but to add debris to the courts. He stated that he had asked Jerry Hudlow, the Public Works Supervisor and City Forester, his opinion on the trees and that Jerry had told him that the trees were worth saving. The Committee requested that the City trim the branches of the trees back from the tennis court.

Woody Woodburn provided a brief update on the possibility of Dr. Poage donating his land next to Sandy Beach to the City for use as a public park. Woody Woodburn asked Jon Monson to provide a current update on the proposal. Jon Monson stated that Dr. Poage had tabled his application to construct a single family home on this parcel to explore the possibility of working in conjunction with the Lymans and Baskervilles to jointly donate their land surrounding the pond for a public park. Jon Monson stated that Dr. Poage’s intention was to see the development of a park similar to the Nuremberg Park in Orono. Woody Woodburn asked how the Committee could help to facilitate the proposal? Jon Monson recommended that Woody Woodburn call Dr. Poage and the other interested parties. Woody Woodburn stated that he would contact Dr. Poage, the Lymans and the Baskervilles to offer his encouragement and assistance in the development of a public park.

Dana Young stated that the City Council adopted the Park Committee’s resolution requesting that the Three River’s Park District purchase and maintain the Veteran’s Camp on Big Island. He stated that letters of support were in the process of being sent to Senator Gen Olson, Rep. Barb Sykora, Commissioner Linda Koblick and Met Council Commissioner Mary Hill Smith.

Dana Young stated that the City Council has authorized the Park Committee to negotiate with Landscape Structures, Inc. on the donation of a climbing playstructure with the understanding that the Council has limited the location of the playstructure to Shuck Park, Thorpe Park and the Main Beach. Dana Young stated that the Council also wanted the proposed agreement between the City and Landscape Structures to be memorialized in a Letter of Understanding. Bryan Sykora stated that the only condition within the proposed Letter of Understanding that would be difficult for his company to accept is the City’s request to have the playstructure painted. He explained that the paint, which is actually a powder, simply does not adhere to the surface.

The Committee recommended that the playstructure be located on a 26’ x 26’ area in close proximity, but not contiguous to, the other playground equipment at Thorpe Park on a motion by Woody Woodburn, seconded by Hans Larson. Bryan Sykora abstained. Motion declared carried.

The Committee recommended the installation of sod surrounding the fountain at Children’s Park in order to address problems with sand erosion and the depositing of sand into the fountain.

Motion to adjourn by Woody Woodburn, seconded by Hans Larson. Motion declared carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Park Committee will be held on Wednesday, September 1, 2004.