PARK COMMITTEE MEETING
April 6, 2005
Minutes
Chairman Woody Woodburn called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Woody Woodburn, Bryan Sykora, Jennifer Young, Jean Midthun, Lucy Hicks, John Dupont, Charty Oliver, Hans Larson, Council Liaison John Wheaton, Administrator Dana Young
John Flynn
The Committee approved the March 2, 2005 minutes on a motion by Charty Oliver, seconded by Lucy Hicks. Motion declared carried.
Neil Tessier, an engineer with CEI Engineering Associates, Inc., was present to review the soil boring report provided by Terracon. Mr. Tessier stated that Terracon performed four soil borings at the Westview tennis courts at Thorpe Park and the borings indicated that the asphalt was not uniform, which indicated limited construction monitoring, and the fill material beneath the asphalt consisted of silty and clayey materials placed over partly organic topsoil. As a result, Terracon recommended the excavation of the existing subsoil and placement of 2-feet of drained granular material. Mr. Tessier stated that Terracon further recommended the installation of 8” of base and 3” of asphalt on top of the fill material. He stated that he felt 6”of base rather than Terracon’s recommendation of 8” should be adequate.
Discussion was held on the impact of adding 2-feet of fill material would have on the estimated cost of renovating the tennis courts. Dana Young asked if a complete reconstruction would be recommended as suggested in Mr. Tessier’s letter dated July 27, 2004? Mr. Tessier stated that he would recommend a complete reconstruction for these two courts at an estimated cost of $40,000 - $45,000 per court. Dana Young asked if this estimate included all costs with the exception of the engineering fee of 10% of the bid cost? Mr. Tessier stated that the estimated cost should include all costs associated with the reconstruction of the tennis courts including the fencing.
Jennifer Young asked whether the tennis courts were in a good location? Mr. Tessier stated a better site could be selected but even grassy areas that look like great sites can have problems with subsoil conditions.
Mr. Tessier suggested that due to the increased cost for the additional fill material, the Committee might want to consider constructing post tension concrete tennis courts. He stated that concrete courts cost more, from $55,000 to $60,000 per court, but they don’t require fill material and last 50 years with no cracking or sealing required. John Wheaton stated that he has found concrete courts to have such a hard surface that they are hard on player’s knees. Mr. Tessier stated that additional savings could be realized if the City removed the existing fence and asphalt prior to the reconstruction of the courts.
The Committee reviewed a topographic survey of the court, which showed some elevation problems on the east side of the court. Jennifer Young asked about the cost of a clay court and a backboard. Neil Tessier stated that clay courts are very expensive and typically cost around $100,000 per court. John Wheaton added that clay courts would also require on-going maintenance to roll and water the courts. Neil Tessier stated that a 10’ high x 20’ wide soundproof backboard typically costs around $10,000.
The Committee thanked Mr. Tessier for his recommendations and stated that the Committee would consider their options on the tennis courts.
The Committee recommended that the two tennis courts on Westview Drive at Thorpe Park not be replaced and a future decision would be made on whether to replace the courts with grass, or use the courts as a basketball court as a replacement for the existing court at Thorpe Park, or some other appropriate use on a motion by Hans Larson, seconded by Charty Oliver. Motion declared carried 8-0.
The Committee listed the following reasons for not replacing the Westview Courts:
· The condition of the courts require a complete reconstruction estimated at $40,000-$45,000 per court. This estimated cost is far higher than the Committee’s budget of $50,000 to repair the courts.
· The Committee members believe that there is a general lack of demand for tennis and have observed that there appears to be lack of use on many of the City’s tennis courts.
· There are currently two other courts at Thorpe Park that appear to adequately handle the demand for tennis.
· The eight other tennis courts in Deephaven are not being provided with adequate maintenance and funding would be better served maintaining the existing courts rather than spending a minimum of $90,000 on reconstructing two courts that are not really needed.
Dana Young stated that the City Council decided to contract with John Raby, President of Minnesota Safety Services, rather than MCES for 2005 Lifeguard Services. He stated that the City Council felt that John Raby has been instrumental in developing the aquatic services program with MCES and that his lifeguard training program would be clearly superior to the training provided by MCES.
Dana Young stated that the tree treatments at Burton Park and Thorpe Park would be completed prior to April 15th.
Dana Young stated that the City Council approved a $5,000.00 donation to the Field of Play project.
John Dupont requested that, in the future, he would prefer to have advanced notice of controversial issues like the Field of Play donation included on the agenda rather than brought up for discussion the evening of the meeting as was the case at the last Park Committee meeting. Woody Woodburn stated that he was unaware of the intensity of the members feelings on this issue and that any member should not hesitate to request that a decision be postponed if more time is needed to consider a proposal where there may be a strong difference of opinion. John Dupont thanked Woody Woodburn for his consideration of this issue.
Further discussion was held on the Field of Play Committee’s consideration of a fence that would border the ballfield and Burton Park. Woody Woodburn stated that the fence was under consideration for security reasons. John Wheaton stated that the installation of a fence might be a concern to the City Council and potentially effect the $5,000 donation that was approved for this project at the last Council meeting. John Wheaton stated that while he can’t speak for the Mayor or the rest of the City Council, he stated that the Mayor favored the donation due to the fact that the project bordered Burton Park. Woody Woodburn stated that he would meet with Field of Play Committee members this week to express the Park Committee’s concern over the fence and if the matter is not resolved at this level it was suggested to bring the matter back to the City Council for their further consideration.
Lucy Hicks, Charty Oliver and Jean Midthun stated that they would have a report on Thorpe Park Tree Replacements ready for Committee review next month.
Dana Young stated that he had been approached by Nextel about whether the City would consider allowing Nextel to install a cell phone tower at Thorpe Park or Village Hall Park. Dana Young stated that this proposal is at a very preliminary stage and he would like to report back to Nextel on whether the Park Committee would be agreeable to this proposal to have a cell tower constructed in a public park. Woody Woodburn stated that he felt it would be a very bad idea to have a cell tower at Thorpe Park. Hans Larson stated that he would at least like to hear what Nextel had to offer before making a decision on this issue. The Committee agreed that they would be willing to listen to Nextel’s proposal before making a recommendation to the City Council.
David Gross asked if the Park Committee has met with the Boat Committee to discuss the redevelopment of Deephaven Beach. David Gross stated that the Boat Committee is considering relocating shore spaces at the end of Park Avenue and using that area for a public fishing pier. Dana Young stated that the Boat Committee’s focus is currently on the reconfiguration of the Carson Bay docks but the Boat Committee intends to invite the Park Committee to participate in a discussion on the possible expansion of Deephaven Beach at the appropriate time.
John Dupont stated that the annual Arbor Day Celebration will be held at 1:00 p.m. on May 1st at Children’s Park.
Discussion was held on Dr. Poage’s property and the possible donation of his property to the City to allow for an expansion of Sandy Beach. Woody Woodburn and John Wheaton offered to meet with the property owners involved in the land donation to see if they can open the way to some movement on the donation of property abutting Sandy Beach.
Woody Woodburn stated that he had been approached by a resident interested in donating a memorial tree at Thorpe Park. Hans Larson suggested that the memorial tree should be one of the trees recommended by the Thorpe Park Subcommittee.
Hans Larson stated that the City should clarify its position regarding park usage. Woody Woodburn requested that Mr. Larson develop a preliminary policy on park usage to be reviewed at the next Park Committee meeting.
Dana Young stated that he had received a request to hold a wedding ceremony at Robinson’s Bay Beach. He stated that all the guests would park off-site and the ceremony would be held around 8:00 p.m. Jennifer Young stated that the Park Committee does not need to make a decision on this request since all parks and beaches operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Motion to adjourn by Hans Larson, seconded by Charty Oliver. Motion declared carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Park Committee will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2005.