PARK COMMITTEE MEETING
February 2, 2005
Minutes
Chairman Woody Woodburn called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
Woody Woodburn, Jennifer Young, Bryan Sykora, Lucy Hicks, Hans Larson, John Flynn, Jean Midthun, Council Liaison John Wheaton, Administrator Dana Young
John Dupont, Charty Oliver
The Committee approved the January 5, 2005 minutes on a motion by Lucy Hicks, seconded by Bryan Sykora. Motion declared carried.
Woody Woodburn introduced Neil Tessier, an engineer with CEI Engineering Associates, Inc., to the Committee and invited Mr. Tessier to give the Committee an overview on the repair of the Thorpe tennis courts.
Mr. Tessier stated that our courts are in rough condition and described the following factors that need to be considered before determining the proper method of rehabilitation.
1. Facility types of use competitive play vs. general recreation.
2. Conformance with USTA regulations slope, size and space between the courts and between fence lines.
3. Pavement section bituminous pavement, concrete pavement, thickness of base aggregate, type and density of subsoil.
4. Outside perimeter of tennis courts sod or soil buildup, drainage of exterior water across the courts, proper drainage away from the courts, trees and landscaping around the courts.
5. Net posts, net tie-downs and fence proper size and depth of concrete footings, condition of posts, tie-downs, type of fence, fence fabric, posts and rails.
6. Tennis nets, windscreens and practice backboards condition of materials, type and location of windscreens on fence, condition of fence and post spacing.
7. Color coat system and striping condition of materials, condition, amount and width of cracks, water pond areas and depth.
Mr. Tessier stated that it appears that our tennis courts are somewhat smaller than regulation size and appear to have some slope problems. He stated that a 1% slope across the slopes is the most desirable layout of a court. He recommended that the Park Committee consider a geotechnical evaluation that would determine the existing condition of the bituminous, aggregate base and sub-soil and that a limited survey of the court should be undertaken to provide a better idea on elevations. He further recommended that courts should be color coated every 7 years and estimated the cost at approximately $3,000 per court.
The Committee discussed whether the courts at Shuck Park should be color coated this summer since the courts were rebuilt in 1999.
Mr. Tessier stated that once the tennis court has been properly analyzed, one of the following rehabilitation options could be selected.
1. Crack seal and color coat - $3,000 to $5,000 per court
2. Reclaim and repave - $20,000 to $25,000 per court
3. Complete reconstruction - $30,000 to $35,000 per court, additional granular fill costs could add $5,000 to $15,000 per court
4. Post tension concrete tennis courts - $35,000 to $60,000 per court
5. PVC Grid Systems (Sports Court) - $25,000 to $30,000 per court
6. Artificial Turf Systems - $35,000 to $40,000 per court
Further discussion was held on placing basketball posts at the rear of the courts. Mr. Tessier stated that it is not uncommon to combine basketball with tennis and stated that he would send the Committee a brochure on basketball posts.
Engineering services for this project was discussed. Mr. Tessier stated that he could provide schematic design, final design and construction administration for this project at a cost of 10% of the project cost. He stated that the primary benefits of engineering services is that it would provide uniform specifications that would allow the City to properly compare bids from contractors. He stated that their specifications and construction administration would ensure that the project is done properly and at a reasonable cost.
The Committee recommended that CEI Engineering Associates, Inc. undertake a geotechnical analysis at an estimated cost of $1,500.00 and a limited survey in the amount of $1,000.00 in order to determine the scope of rehabilitation work needed on the Thorpe tennis courts on a motion by Hans Larson, seconded by Jean Midthun. Motion declared carried.
Woody Woodburn recommended that the Committee invite Jon Monson to appear at the April Committee meeting with a sketch drawing of his ideas on the development of Amesbury Park. Jean Midthun suggested that a representative from Amesbury Homeowners Association should also be invited to attend the same meeting. Woody Woodburn stated that he would prefer to meet first with Jon Monson so that the Committee would have an opportunity to review a plan of the proposed park before meeting with an Amesbury representative.
Further discussion was held on establishing a City Celebration. Various suggestions included a neighborhood park BBQ, beach dance, street dance, snow-surfing events, concerts at Thorpe Park, developing an event in unison with the Cottagewood 4th of July and holding a skating party in St. Louis Bay that would use the Minnetonka Yacht Club as a warming house.
Discussion was held on whether snowplowing services should be provided during the weekends for the City ice rinks and trails. Discussion was held on the added cost to the City to have the city crew work overtime to remove snow from the rinks and trails on weekends and on impact of requiring the crew to work extended hours.
The Committee recommended that funding for the removal of snow on ice rinks & trails over the weekend should come from the Park Improvement Fund. The Committee also felt that a plan should be developed that, depending on the circumstances and the amount of snowfall, would allow for a number of different individuals to clear snow from the ice rinks and trails over the weekend, including:
1. Volunteers could clear the rinks if the snowfall was light
2. The Public Works crew could clear the snow on a Saturday morning if they had completely cleared the city streets by Friday afternoon
3. A private contractor could be hired to clear snow if the Public Works crew was still clearing snow from the street during the weekend
4. A specific number of volunteers could be hired and properly trained to use the Citys equipment to remove snow over the weekend
Motion to adjourn by Woody Woodburn, seconded by Hans Larson. Motion declared carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Park Committee will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2005.