PARK COMMITTEE MEETING
October 5,
2005
Minutes
Vice-Chairwomen
Jennifer Young called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Jennifer Young, John Dupont, Charty Oliver, Bryan Sykora, John Flynn, Lucy Hicks, Jean Midthun, Council Liaison John Wheaton, Administrator Dana Young
Woody
Woodburn, Hans Larson
Lucy Hicks stated that Chairman Woody Woodburn had asked for her recommendations on the proposed location of the stone bench that Jan Seeger and her friends would like to donate on behalf of Gary Penke. She stated that she thought the stone bench might look somewhat odd on the path due to its unique style and stated that there were two other locations that might be more suitable. The first site is on a slight incline behind the pavilion and the second is across the playground next to a pine tree. She stated that the first location is a contemplative site that might be ideal for the bench but might not be used a great deal due to its location. The second site is in a more accessible location and would be used more often due to its location next to the playground and overlooking the pond. The Committee discussed the merits of both locations.
John
Flynn recommended locating the bench on the slight incline next to the
pavilion. Seconded by Charty
Oliver. Jennifer Young abstained. Motion carried 6-0-1.
Paul Skrede was present to discuss three improvements to the ice rinks that had been proposed last month by the Park Committee. He stated that the Public Works Committee had the opportunity to review the following three requests earlier today:
·
Install a pipe underneath the ditch leading into the Village Hall
hockey rink and covering the ditch with black dirt to enable the Zamboni to
enter the hockey rink more easily.
·
Relocate the entranceway into the Thorpe hockey rink from the north end
to the east end of the rink.
·
Grade & level the Thorpe hockey rink.
Paul
Skrede stated that the pipe had been installed earlier today but the Committee
would like further explanation on the rational for relocating the entranceway
and grading the rink. John Flynn stated
that the intent of relocating the entranceway is to be able to close the
entrance behind the hockey net to keep pucks in the rink. He added that the grading would help to level
the ground and enable the public works crew to lay down water more
efficiently. He stated that he had
talked to a contractor who estimated the cost of grading the rink at
approximately $1,200.00.
Motion
by Lucy Hicks to recommend grading the Thorpe hockey rink at a cost of
$1,200.00. Seconded by Jennifer
Young. Motion carried 7-0.
Dana Young stated that Ray Finley of Tennis West estimated the cost of a concrete backboard to be approximately $20,000.00. As an alternative, Ray Finley had sent a proposal on a reasonably quiet 8’ x 24’ wood practice board at a cost of $4,970.00. John Wheaton and Bryan Sykora presented information from Bakko and Accurate Tennis on 10’ x 20’ fiberglass backboards that cost from $4,500.00 - $5,000.00. Both John and Bryan noted that fiberglass might be a superior product over wood due to its durability, its ability to muffle sound better, and would not have to be permanently fixed at one location like the wood backboard. Discussion was held on whether to purchase the backboard this year or wait until next year to purchase it from the 2006 budget. Bryan Sykora stated that it was likely that prices would increase after the first of the year and thought that it might be cheaper to purchase the backboard this year.
Motion by John Flynn to purchase a 10’ x 20’ fiberglass backboard in 2005 at a cost not to exceed $5,500.00. Seconded by Lucy Hicks. Motion carried 7-0.
Dana Young stated that, according to Ray Finley of Tennis West, resurfacing Village Hall and Thorpe tennis courts should enable the courts to last 3-5 years or longer. He stated that the hairline cracks, however, would return almost immediately. He added that Mr. Finley predicted that the Thorpe courts should last longer than the Village Hall courts because they are not in as poor condition. Jennifer Young stated that she would prefer the courts to be repainted dark green & green instead of the traditional green & red. Further discussion will be held on the color scheme this spring.
Dana
Young stated that the Park Committee had developed specific standards for park
signs, garbage cans, benches, picnic tables and donated benches about four
years ago. He stated that the standards
were never adopted by the City Council and the current Park Committee will have
to decide whether to adhere to those standards or develop their own
standards. He stated that he had talked
with Chairman Woody Woodburn on this issue and Woody stated that he felt that
individual donations should be judged by how well they fit into a particular
park rather than requiring each donation to fit a specific type.
Committee
members generally noted that they felt the donated benches, particularly those
down at the Main Beach, were very attractive and should be encouraged. Jennifer Young offered to take pictures of
the donated benches and picnic tables and bring them to the next Park Committee
meeting to help with the discussion on standards. The Committee felt this would be very
beneficial.
Dana Young stated that he has been recently been made aware that the Cottagewood Store is under the impression that there is an arrangement with the City whereby the City purchases $75.00 bricks for each new member of the Cottagewood Store that are installed at the Children’s Park. He stated that the funding for the bricks comes from the Park Improvement Fund. It was the consensus of the Committee that this was not their understanding and recommended that Dana Young clarify the matter with former Clerk Sandy Langley.
Dana
Young presented 2006-2010 Budget Projections for the Park Improvement Fund for
Committee review. The Committee reviewed
the following projects and purchases for inclusion in the proposed 2006 Park
Improvement Fund Budget:
Project / Purchase |
Est. Cost |
|
Thorpe
Tennis Court Resurfacing |
$10,500 |
|
Village
Hall Tennis Court Resurfacing |
$13,500 |
|
Sandy
Beach Swimming Dock |
$2,500 |
|
Robinson’s
Bay Swimming Dock |
$2,500 |
|
Tennis
Court Backboard |
$5,000 |
Motion
by Lucy Hicks to approve the 2006 Park Improvement Fund Budget as
presented. Seconded by Charty
Oliver. Motion carried 7-0.
Dana
Young stated that the Shuck tennis court fence has lifted due to the frost
causing a gap between the court and fence that is allowing balls to roll under
the fence. He stated that Ray Finley of
Tennis West has offered to repair the fence for a cost of $990.00. Motion by John Flynn to contract with Tennis
West to repair the Shuck Park tennis court fence in the amount of $990.00. Seconded by Lucy Hicks. Motion carried 7-0.
Dana
Young stated that Tennis West has also offered to paint basketball lines on the
new court at Thorpe Park for a cost of $320.00.
Motion by John Flynn to contract with Tennis West to paint basketball
lines at the new court at Thorpe Park in the amount of $320.00. Motion carried 7-0.
John
Wheaton asked if there has been any progress in finding a contractor to clear
snow from the ice rinks over the weekend.
Dana Young stated that he has called three contractors and not one was
interested. He stated that there is a
lack of interest for several reasons.
First, a contractor needs both a vehicle with a plow and a snow blower
to clear the snow from the hockey rinks and most contractors do not want to
have to bring two pieces of equipment to a job. And second, contractors already have
customers lined up and aren’t willing to guarantee that they can clear snow
from our rinks before noon on the rare occasion that we need snow removed from
the rinks on a Saturday or Sunday.
Bryan
Sykora stated that there have been a number of people who have used the sports
court at the Main Beach as a dog park.
He stated that they have done a nice job in cleaning up any mess and
that he only brought the matter up to see if there was any future interest in
locating a dog park somewhere in Deephaven.
Motion to adjourn by Lucy Hicks, seconded by John Flynn. Motion declared carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Park Committee will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2005.