PARK COMMITTEE MEETING

February 1, 2006

Minutes

 

 

Call Meeting to Order

Chairman Woody Woodburn called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

Members Present

Woody Woodburn, Jennifer Young, Bryan Sykora, Lucy Hicks, Hans Larson, John Dupont, Jean Midthun, Charty Oliver, Council Liaison John Wheaton, Administrator Dana Young

 

Members Absent

John Flynn

 

December 7, 2005 Minutes

The Committee approved the December 7, 2005 minutes on a motion by Lucy Hicks, seconded by Bryan Sykora.  Motion carried 8-0.

 

Eagle Scout Project

Patrick Noll, 20380 Linden Road, and Dan Schlesinger, 20560 Linden Road, were present to request permission to undertake an Eagle Scout Project on behalf of the City.  Woody Woodburn asked what was the main purpose of an Eagle Scout Project?  Patrick Noll stated that the purpose of an Eagle Scout Project was to demonstrate leadership, organizational skills, the ability to recruit volunteers, and the ability to plan a project and get it done.  He added that the reason that he was interested in doing something in Deephaven is that he would like to give something back to the community. 

 

Woody Woodburn stated that he had talked to Patrick Noll earlier about the possibility of shortening and angling the fishing dock at Burton Park and constructing a bench at the end of the dock.  Dana Young stated that this might require LMCD approval.

 

Woody Woodburn asked if both Patrick and Dan could work together on the same project.  Dan Schlesinger stated that they have to be assigned two separate projects and that they can’t work jointly.  He added that they are both in separate troops.  Dana Young asked when the project would have to be completed?  Patrick Noll stated that the project should be completed by the end of the summer.

 

Dana Young suggested that one project could be clearing trails and building park signs.  Woody Woodburn suggested a tree-planting project at the Deephaven Education Center.  Dana Young stated that they would need permission from MCE rather than the Park Committee in order to proceed with a planting project at the Deephaven Education Center.  Darel Gustafson suggested that they could contact Tim Lifkin, Executive Director of Minnetonka Community Education.

 

Jean Midthun stated that the Eagle Scout Project could also involve the construction of nice garbage can enclosures at the parks and Main Beach.  John Wheaton suggested the possibility of constructing enclosures for the porta potties.  Bryan Sykora suggested constructing a gate or fence to replace the chain across the St. Louis boat ramp.

 

Woody Woodburn stated that he would act as the liaison with the Boy Scouts for this project and recommended that they also keep in contact with Councilmember Keith Kask as they continue to move forward.  He stated that both Patrick and Dan should return to the Park Committee in March or April with specific ideas and plans.

 

2006 Park Chair & Vice Chair

Hans Larson moved to recommend the appointment of Woody Woodburn as 2006 Park Chairman.  Seconded by Bryan Sykora.  Motion carried 8-0.

 

Woody Woodburn moved to recommend the appointment of Jennifer Young as 2006 Park Vice-Chairwomen.  Seconded by Charty Oliver.  Motion carried 8-0.

 

Deephaven Days

Darel & Cindy Gustafson were present to meet with the Committee to begin discussion on the organization of Deephaven Days for 2006.  It was decided to hold Deephaven Days on August 12th and to consider the following public comments that were made regarding the events:

·        Keep the triathlon a family event

·        Consider lengthening the bicycle portion of the triathlon

·        Have tighter age groupings

·        Consider including younger contestants

·        Include more activity for younger kids at the picnic

 

Woody Woodburn stated that he would like to keep Darel & Cindy Gustafson in charge of the triathlon and to find someone to run the picnic and the Thorpe Park activities.  Darel Gustafson recommended that the individual in charge of the Thorpe Park activities should contact Grace Church and St. Therese Church about their youth programs.  He stated that they would be an excellent resource.  Darel Gustafson added that MCE would also like to be involved in Deephaven Days, perhaps through the organization of a tennis tournament.  John Dupont stated that it might be difficult to keep Deephaven Days a small event if MCE were involved.

 

Dana Young presented the following summary of revenues & expenses for 2005 Deephaven Days:

 

                        2005 Revenues -           $1,873.50

                        2006 Expenditures        -           $2,520.96

                        2005 Profit (Loss)        -           $  (647.46)

 

The Committee further recommended that Deephaven Days should be operated future on a break-even basis in the future.

Woody Woodburn suggested devoting a good portion of next month’s meeting to continuing the organization of Deephaven Days and invited Darel & Cindy Gustafson to return next month.

 

2007 Regional Winter Event

Woody Woodburn stated that he has been contacted by Sue Davis, who is the Chair of the Shorewood Park Commission, about whether we would be interested in participating in a joint winter event for 2007.  It was the consensus of the Committee that several members should meet with the Shorewood Park Commission to discuss the possibility of establishing a joint winter event for 2007.

 

Open House

Discussion was held regarding the Open House that was held on December 17th at the Village Hall ice rink and whether to hold a similar event next year.  It was generally conceded that the event was poorly attended and that next year’s event should have better advertising and held after the holidays.  The Committee decided to hold it annually at Village Hall ice rink on the second Saturday in January.  Lucy Hicks stated that the second Saturday in January 2007 would be January 13th.

 

2006 Park Projects

The Committee reviewed the following 2006 Park Project & Purchase list and decided to postpone a decision regarding whether to pursue purchasing these improvements until each project can be reviewed this May.

 

Projects & Equipment

Budget

New docks at Sandy & Robinson’s Bay Beach

5,000

Pump Park Path Update

1,250

Pump Park Benches (2)

1,700

Walden Beach Rip Rap

1,000

Walden Beach Picnic Table

850

Cleveland Park Sign

3,000

Cleveland Park Parking Bollards (4)

2,000

Cleveland Park Path Upgrade

2,500

Robinson’s Bay Parking Bollards (9)

4,000

Village Hall Picnic Tables (2)

1,500

Village Hall Benches (3)

1,850

Thorpe Park Tennis Court Resurfacing

10,500

Village Hall Tennis Court Resurfacing

13,500

 

Bench & Equipment Standards

John Dupont stated that the Standards Subcommittee is continuing to work on recommending two or three different equipment styles.  He stated that the Subcommittee would meet with Bryan Sykora who agreed to help present the recommendations on a power point presentation.  It was agreed that the Subcommittee would present their recommendations to the Park Committee at their April meeting.

 

Other

Hans Larson asked if the Committee shouldn’t be spending more time towards designing Paddle Tennis Park.  Woody Woodburn stated that developing a specific design for this park would not be easy because of the different views and expectations on the use of the park.  It was decided that the Committee would review Jon Monson’s proposed park design at their April meeting.  Woody Woodburn asked Hans Larson to act as the point person for this project.

 

Discussion was held on what agenda items to include for the March Park Committee meeting.  It was recommended that discussion should include cell tower locations, Main Beach improvements proposed by the Boat Committee, Arbor Day and Deephaven Days.

 

Lucy Hicks asked whether the Park Committee should keep sending members to the City Council meetings to provide an update on Committee activities.  It was decided that since the Council is already familiar with the Committee’s activities by reading the monthly minutes, it would make sense to only appear at those Council meetings when there is something important to present.

 

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn by Jennifer Young, seconded by Hans Larson.  Motion carried 8-0.  The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.  The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Park Committee will be held on Wednesday, March 1, 2006.