1d. Park & Recreation Minutes dated August 23, 1994CHANHASSEN PARK AND
RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 23, 1994
Vice Chairman Lash called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Fred Berg, Jim Manders, Jan Lash and Jane Megers
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jim Andrews, Ron Roeser and Dave Huffman
STAFF PRESENT: Jerry Ruegemer, Recreation Supervisor; Dawn Lemme, Recreation
Supervisor; and Michelle Braun, Recreation Intern
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS: None.
SELECTION OF VENDOR, PHEASANT HILL PLAY STRUCTURE.
Michelle Braun gave the commission an update on this item.
Lash: Mike, since we had your presentation last time, do you want to just quickly bring us
up to speed in a couple of minutes.
Mike Korth: Yeah. I know the two of you were not present last time. I don't know how
' much time you've had to go over everything. I can start over and show you the photos.
Saying I don't have to if you don't want me to do that.
Lash: Well why don't you just try and sum it up in a couple of minutes and then if any of
the people have questions, maybe the other commissioners will direct them personally.
Mike Korth: Okay. My name is Mike Korth from Value Recreation. I would like to make
you aware of one omission. Todd put us side by side with Earl F. Anderson in a comparison
that I'm sure helps you out to decide who offers the most play value. On Phase 2, unlike
' Phase 1 where Earl F. Anderson is offering one track slide, on Phase 2 he omitted that.
We're offering our's on Phase 2 as Todd mentioned.
iBerg: What page are you on, I'm sorry.
Mike Korth: Page 5. Since that's a major play item, I wanted to make you aware of that.
It's shown on the quote and so forth but it wasn't here. If you're comparing this, you would
have been aware of that.
Lash: Do we have any questions from the commissioners?
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Park and Rec Commission Meeting - August 23, 1994
Berg: I had a couple. I don't know if they're directed to you or to Jerry, whomever. Page
2. Is there any difference, is one better than the other of galvanized steel versus aluminum?
Mike Korth: We offer both but in our opinion we don't like using aluminum because from
our experience in looking at other competitors and our play structures it's proven that
aluminum does not hold paint as well as steel. We look at playgrounds around the state. We
find it very difficult to look at playgrounds that over 3 years old that are still holding paint
well when they're made out of aluminum.
Berg: Are they just as strong?
Mike Korth: Strength isn't a problem. They're not as strong but both of them are overkill so
I don't think strength is an issue on that one.
Berg: Okay. My next question, I guess again Jerry. On top of page 3 with the area
available, it says if it exceeds, I'm assuming approximately 70 x 90, that there may have to
be a retaining wall built. Is that a problem with this bid because it's 71 x 95?
Ruegemer: Fred, I don't know the answer to that question but we can certainly take a look
into that and make that.
Mike Korth: I talked to Todd about that and he said it was no problem with that.
Lash: So we would not need the retaining wall?
Mike Korth: Well if it needs a retaining wall, we'd be willing to do that but according to
the, if we expand that amount to the north, he said there would not be a problem with that. I
think it was to the south that there would be a problem.
Berg: Yeah, south and east. Okay.
Mike Korth: So Todd didn't mention, you know I went over it with him and I made him
aware of that and he had no concern.
Megers: I have a question on the item below that. The border material. Your specification
includes the wood border but is excluding the hardware. Jerry, how much additional cost
would be for the hardware on that?
Mike Korth: The hardware means rebar. You know what rebar is? It's just the stuff that
they use to reinforce concrete. Probably about $30.00. You get long pieces of it and you cut
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Park and Rec Commission Meeting - August 23, 1994
off maybe 3 foot pieces and you drill a hole in the timbers and point it down there just to
stabilize the wood.
Ruegemer: ... landscaping supplies typically.
Berg: On the slides on page 4. The phase I and page 5 for phase II. How tall are those?
What's the hei�iht?
Mike Korth: 9�ay, over here on phase I, again if you have a chance to look at your plan.
All the decks h ve a number on them and their's are the same way. Those the inches off the
ground of that deck. So if you see a slide connected to a 60 inch deck that's coming off of a
5 foot deck.
Berg: Well if it says a 72 inch deck, it's 6 feet.
Mike Korth: 6 Moot, yeah.
Berg: Okay.
Mike Korth: On this particular plan, I can't remember what their's is like but they do have
72 inch decks c n there. Our's is fully enclosed except for our safest climbing ladder.
Sometimes peo�le are a little concerned about what's connected to a 6 foot deck. It's not
really safe to put a sliding pole, as an example, on a 6 foot deck because the smaller kids that
get up there, thi're's sort of a gap. It's rather dangerous for smaller kids.
Berg: That wa3 all I have.
Lash: Okay. Iny other questions? And I believe last time if we could specify the color and
you said that wouldn't be a problem.
Mike Korth: No, I have a chart that can be used to determine colors and again, I mentioned
the colors on page 16 of the catalogue.
Lash: According to my recollection when we looked at, when we were at Lake Minnewashta
Park. I don't remember who all was there. But we saw the green.
Manders: Yep; and tan.
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Park and Rec Commission Meeting - August 23, 1994
Lash: Green and tan and we thought that would be really a nice color combo and it's quite
wooded and we thought it would help to sort of blend in a little bit. Does anybody have any
objection to that?
Manders: That would be fine with me.
Lash: Okay. If there are no other comments or questions, I guess I would ask for a motion.
Manders: Actually I do have a question. Jerry, was there any follow -up questions or
statements from Anderson's?
Ruegemer: They just, from what I understand, they resubmitted their initial bid without any
changes.
Manders: Okay.
Mike Korth: Can I just have one minute to summarize everything?
Lash: Yes.
Mike Korth: Again, our plan meets all CPSC ASTM guidelines and the ADA specifications.
We also met any questions that Todd had in going in and talking with him. In trying to help
you summarize it. What I see in these as far as what we offer with our 8 slides versus 6.
And since that's one of the major, or more costly items on the playground, I think that's
important. We also offer a large climber over here that's a rather expensive item. The total
number of play events, that's climbers and everything combined in the whole plan, we have
35. They have 27. We also offer a bench upon our track light which is a moving piece of
equipment. We have padded decks on each end which is much safer. And at the base of the
slide near the accessible areas, our rubber surface goes all the way to that slide where their's
does not. So a child coming down the slide, again as I mentioned last time, is in the pea
rock or sand, whatever you choose to put there, and on our's, they're able to at least have
access to the wheelchair and get back to their access point to the playground. I guess Todd
chose a couple real high quality vendors and from what I see and what we have to offer,
our's is a better proposal.
Manders: Actually I do have one remaining question. In terms of issues that need to be
resolved such as color, is there any related questions that would have to be answered at this
point?
Mike Korth: I don't see color right now as being a problem. That's something that.
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Park and Rec Commission Meeting - August 23, 1994
Manders: Could be decided later.
Mike Korth: Y ah. If you wanted to make the color selection tonight. '
Manders: Not particularly, no. I
Mike Korth: I an give you the chart and. just match up the three colors you want and be
done with it. '
Manders: What I'm asking really is there any other related issues like that?
Mike Korth: No. If the colors you want. We met the supporters frame and ... who was '
looking for it, Te can get it to you this fall. Other than that I have no other. Thank you.
Lash: Okay. I'd ask if any other commissioners would like to make a motion?
Manders: I would make a motion that we accept Value Recreation's proposal and I don't I
know if there's la decision on color that we need to make at this point.
Lash: I guess I think it's typically done by staff but I think we were in agreement for this '
particular site t iat we thought the green and tan color combination was nice. However it
shakes out for ou guys to do it I guess.
Manders: We an recommend that color. Whatever. '
Lash: Is there a second? '
Megers: Secor d. '
Manders moved, Megers seconded to select Value Recreation's proposal for the Pheasant
Hills Park pla ground equipment with the recommendation to go with the colors of
green and tan All voted in favor and the motion carried. ,
Lash: Mike, I'm going to be real honest with you here, and I don't know for sure that any of '
the other commissioners were here when we had, I believe it was the Herman Field
playground equipment and another park that we had equipment with you guys and that was
sort of a, at th t point in time it was the first time we had ordered from Value Recreation and '
Bill Janahosky I believe was the one who gave the presentation and we said because he was
local, we want to give him a shot but that we had had a very positive experience with E.F.
Anderson in thl past and we said that this is, you know we're going to give you a shot and if '
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IPark and Rec Commission Meeting - August 23, 1994
it doesn't go very well, then you know you're pretty much done, and we did have some
' problems. And I don't recall what all they were but I think there were some problems with
delivery and I can't remember what all it was. You could find out if you were interested so I
just want to make sure that you understand that again right now. That we don't want to have
' any problems with this installation and if we do, then that would be your last shot, okay?
Mike Korth: Okay. Very good.
Lash: Thanks.
ISOUTH LOTUS LAKE PARK OPERATIONS.
Michelle Braun gave the staff presentation on this item.
' Lash: Do you happen to know if Mr. Melby, besides this copy had a chance to talk to Todd
and does he seem to be content with this?
' Braun: I don't know that off hand.
' Ruegemer: I think Todd was having problems getting with Mr. Melby and he indicated to
Mr. Melby that these items would be taken care of and I know Dale has been working on
' those to get the items finished. There was concern about down at the beach, the access itself
down where the fence, where his fence ends and there's still a little bit of room to walk
inbetween there. There was another fence stating private property. I don't know if it's past
this point. There will be a sign posted at that location and also the rest of the concerns. I'm
not sure at this point, if they have been done. If the fence for the boat landing, that type of
thing, will be put up again. That was all I believe taken down. I think a truck had backed
' into that and I think it was just taken out of there. That will be put in place again and then
as a part of, like Michele said, in cooperation with the Sheriff Department, that will be ... daily
basis again.
Lash: So does Mr. Melby seem okay? Did he have other ideas? I know at the end of the
last meeting I asked him if he had any suggestions to give them to Todd. So did they work
' together?
Ruegemer: Yeah, I think that's what Todd is trying to do at this point. To work with Mr.
Melby on these types of issues and I think he seems to be pacified with these items and I
believe they'll take care of the problem initially here so.
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Park and Rec Commission Meeting - August 23, 1994
Manders: Actu dly I have one question. Concern as it's stated in Mr. Melby's letter. On the
second page tht re. Second to the last paragraph where he's talking about surface water
runoff and silt d other contaminants running into the lake. Is that, it seems like water
quality is one o our concerns as a commission and it seems to me if this is happening, as he
has stated here, that that should be addressed.
Ruegemer: Okay. Is he referring to the rip rap area down to the east of the boat landing
itself?
Manders: I guess I'm personally not sure what he's referring to.
Ruegemer: HiAl and Todd have been talking with Dale. He made that reference too as far as
working on a n e w filtering system for that and I believe this is right down by the
handicapped parking spot. I believe the engineer's work they were doing at that time was
hoping to filter the water before it went into the second holding pond before it went to the
lake to purify fliat water just through filtration process. That type of thing. I'm not sure if
that is doing any good. I know Todd's been talking to Dave Hempel, our Assistant City
Engineer ... dow there because right now it's just a big weed fest down there with all the
weeds and it's growing and it's an ugly sight down there so we can certainly take a look into
that. Into that �oncern Jim and get back to you on that.
Manders: Yeah, that would be great.
Lash: Any other questions?
Berg: Yeah, Od it's not directly related to this so if I'm out of order, tell me so but because
I missed them ling the other night with the concern with the, sorry I don't remember her
name. The lad with the home near Rice Lake Marsh with the path. The trail right behind.
Lash: Colleen
Berg: I'm loo:
property signs
hedge or some
give them a lit
about this part
here.
Ruegemer:
you familiar
g here at separating yards with fences and lakes and I'm looking at private
.ng posted and then I'm hearing that on the other hand we can't extend a
)wers or something to help this person break up their yard a little bit and
protection from the people on the trail. And not knowing an awful lot
lar incident, it seems to me that we're applying almost a double standard
not so sure if, this isn't a trail down by the lake itself. It's just where, are
h that area at all Fred?
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Park and Rec Commission Meeting - August 23, 1994
Berg: Not really and.
Ruegemer: Maybe I'll give you a little background on that. Where the boat landing is down
there, there's a old turn around area down there. Just to the right or to the east of that little
turn around area where the handicap parking spot is, there's like a holding pond with rip rap
and everything. Just on the other side, that's where Mr. Melby's fence is. It's a chainlink
fence that extends out up to the north, to the edge. There's a bank about 2 to 3 feet where
the chainlink fencing stops and that's where I believe people have been going onto his private
property right there. Had that chainlink fence been extended right away I think the problems
would have been mitigated right away but.
Lash: Is that the city's fence or is that Mr. Melby's fence?
Ruegemer: I'm not sure.
Berg: Philosophically I guess is where I'm having my problem. If we're extending a fence
or that fence can be protected to his property, why can't we extend a hedge like fence to
protect someone else's property? My understanding from the meeting was that we can't do it
or we didn't want to do it because it would set a precedent. Well, isn't this a precedent too?
Manders: Given the circumstances of the two situations, I guess I don't see the issue. I
understand what you're saying Fred. The situation down at the lake is one of trespassing on
his property where her's I don't see the trespass being the issue because the property that's
the city's is quite wide there and it's a visual trespass if you will as much as anything is what
you're referring to.
Lash: Yeah, so far. I mean it could become trespassing for her in the future.
Manders: But with the trail alignment the way they cut that trail in there since, I've been
down there, it looks real acceptable to me. Maybe if I lived there maybe I would see it
differently but.
Berg: Yeah, I see your point and I don't disagree. I think they're both a violation of
privacy.
Manders: Yeah.
Lash: I look at getting the gate back up as the least we can do. That was there initially and
it should stay and it should be monitored and it should be locked, the same as Lake Ann is
supposed to be locked at night. But I think in principal you have a good point there. Of
course it was my point on the other item so naturally I agree.
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Park and Rec Commission Meeting - August 23, 1994
Berg: I'm not gainst the action being done for this gentleman at all but I think you look at ,
cases on an individual basis and not reject it just because it's going to set a precedent. That
now we're goin to have to do it for everything. If we want to reject the one down at Rice
Lake Marsh, that's fine. On the merits of it's not appropriate for that person at that place but
I think there's teen precedence established with this.
Lash: I guess I'd be interested in seeing who's fence it is. If it's our fence. If we initially ,
put the fence in I don't have a problem with extending the fence. If it's Mr. Melby's fence,
I think I'd have a little different feeling. I'm not quite sure but.
Megers: And hold it to... ,
Lash: Yeah, it �s. But I think Fred's got a good point so I agree. I think we need to look at
them individually.
Berg: I don't l now if that means there's any recourse for the lady at Rice Marsh. I guess ,
that's a closed issue too. I don't know.
Lash: Any other comments? We don't need any action on this do we Michelle? '
Braun: No.
A. TOURING TEENS. '
Ruegemer: Towing Teens was a trip that we offered in the summer for 6th, 7th and 8th '
graders. Just in an attempt to I guess target that age group again and try to offer some more
programming. is year we offered three trips starting in June. The first trip to St. Croix
was a canoe trip
down the St. Croix River and unfortunately I did not have a single person '
register for that program. The second was the Beaver Mountain and we had a real low
registration wits that too but we did get 11 people to sign up for that. We did decide to go,
on that trip lus to make it go and give the kids an opportunity to participate in a program this '
summer. We c id have kids sign up for that already at the end of May already so that was in
July. That trip The third trip to Trout Air was kind of to see how their operation worked
with a hay ride ..that type of thing. That had 2 people register so we're kind of I guess '
baffled in a wa . We try to offer these types of programs. We try to get kids out just to get
them off the couch or get them away from the house and maybe get them together with their
friends maybe that they haven't seen since school got out for the year. It's summer really '
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Park and Rec Commission Meeting - August 23, 1994
seems to be a real difficult time period for us to try to offer programs for kids of this age and
we tried to hit the schools hard. Right before school got out. We constantly did advertising
in the Villager and also in our newsletter. That type of thing. We just didn't get the
numbers we had thought about. And Michelle did get some interesting feedback just from
kids that did go to Beaver Mountain with some ideas that we thought wouldn't go but they
seemed to be real interested and that's going to the zoo and the wave pool or even a movie
and that can certainly be things that we could do during the school year as well. Just get a
bus load of kids and go out to a movie or something in Eden Prairie or Waconia or
Minnetonka. Something like that. It's certainly an idea that we can really take off from.
But you know we're just going to, I think this is an important age group to target and we're
still going to continue. We failed this time but what can we do to improve it and we're
certainly going to go on and continue to offer the programs. Our teen dances are always
popular. Ski trips are always popular. I think that's just because we have a captive audience
during the school year so we're certainly going to continue to look for new ideas and if
there's any ideas that the commission members have, we'll certainly take those and go with
those...
Manders: Have you run into similar interests past summers? I mean is this just a summer
thing that it's.
Ruegemer: As far as with trips and that for that age group?
Manders: Yeah.
Ruegemer: We tried, what a couple years ago. A couple years ago and it went some of the
same kind of trips and I changed up a few of them this year but we even gave them different
names and tried to offer them different days, the whole thing and it just didn't take off again.
We would try to schedule around maybe other dates. We stayed away from the later part of
the week because people would be going on vacations or long weekends. We offered the
program on Tuesday this year just because we thought kids would be around a little bit more
and with things maybe not being so hectic in their schedule ... get people.
Lash: I'm really surprised. And I wonder if for this age group if transportation is a big
obstacle for them. You know if their parents are both working, maybe they can't get up here.
Ruegemer: Most of the trips, with the exception of the Beaver Mountain, we try to go
somewhat early in the morning. 9:00 -9:30 and then we got them the majority of the day so
it's a good opportunity to not have to worry about daycare or babysitters or leaving the kids
home alone. We really thought that it would work out but.
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Park and Rec Commission Meeting - August 23, 1994
Lash: Althoug 9:00 in the morning could be too early for that age too. I mean you just
don't know for sure.
Berg: And they've got Dial -a -Ride as far as transportation.
Lash: Yeah, this true. You know did any of them run late enough that you think that
sports could ha *e interfered with it?
Ruegemer: Ot# first trip was I believe like the 16th of June and we'd go once a month. I
think it was th 16th or 19th or something like that of June and I don't know if that one was
too close to scllool getting out. Possibly.
Lash: No, but i meant like late in the day. Did they get back too late that they wouldn't be
able to make itl I mean most of them are in some kind of sport.
Ruegemer: Some were like 4:00 or 5:00 but it did get into like 6:00 or 6:30.
Lash: Well I fliought of some I know the age range just below this, I think goes up to 12,
some of the thi ags that that age group was going on was what my son was more interested in,
and one was, or maybe it was some other group. I can't remember anyway that was going to
the Apple Rive and he thought that would really be fun. And the wave pool was one that he
kind of wanted to go on and I wonder if maybe a day's Twins game would be popular. I
don't know.
Ruegemer: I ]
the loons this
Park and Recr
day games ne)
bring in park
dog, coke and
cheap or reduc
involved with.
Lash: Well I
Megers: What
flyers once we'
kids what they
.ow one thing too just working, I worked on a little bit of a focus group with
;ar too and just talking about next season. What they can do to appeal to the
lion Departments, that type of thing and they are going to be offering like
year. A limited amount but there still are going to be games. We could
d rec departments at a really reduced rate. Group rates. Include like a hot
verything and that's certainly going to be an opportunity for next year at a
i rate so it's really going to be a nice type of program that we can get
we really need to keep trying.
kind of access do we have to the schools? I mean we go in and distribute
ve selected what we want to try .but what's the access to get in and ask the
want to do before we select?
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Ruegemer: Not our problem. It's just a matter of going down during lunch or sometime and
do like a little survey.
Megers: I don't know if that would help at all. Maybe that they're giving their initial ideas
and we're buying it.
Lash: Even on the ski trip. On the bus. Ask a few. Mike, do you have a question?
Mike: The only notification that I get of these things is in the paper. I'm wondering how
many kids really read the paper. I mean is this something that is initiated by parents?
Something like this I think you want the kids to initiate it. You know they see it. I don't
know if a lot of these kids are being notified by their parents that these things are even
available.
Ruegemer: Well a lot of times during the school year, that type of thing, we'll go around
during lunch and hand out flyers. That's what we did do a handout to the kids at school at
MIS and also at Minnetonka and also the Chaska Middle School and also St. Hubert's
...Jonathan. So the flyers are going into the kids hands. Whether they bring them home or
not is another story but.
Mike: Another question. Is there an open gym time for the kids in the summer? Is that
possible?
Ruegemer: In the summer time it's a little bit harder. A lot of the times during the summer
there's maintenance... getting ready for the next school year.
(There was a tape change at this point in the discussion.)
Mike: ...is there any way that someone could run those and have like certain age groups
could come at a certain time and hit. I would think that would go over with them.
Ruegemer: And seeing our ... staff. '
Mike: That's what I'm not too sure about. How many guys...
Lash: You know Dave mentioned what, that Leo Lewis Football Clinic too. I want to make
sure we remember about that for next year. Try and see if we can schedule that.
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Park and Rec Commission Meeting - August 23, 1994
Ruegemer: AlsJb I'm working on the Twins. Like they had this year too. They had a Twins
camp with the Legion that they put on in June so we're trying to get that back again for next
year.
Lash: Did you shave a good turnout for that?
Ruegemer: OhJ incredible. That's one that we had. Because I talked to Jason Minge... and
he came into the office one day and talked about it. He said they had the best turnout in the
midwest. They go around to South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota and do this clinics
and said this is the best turnout that they've had. It was great. The kids were well intent.
Lash: Was it t o many do you think? You know sometimes those things when they get to
be too many it , eases to be fun.
Ruegemer: I tliink he was very surprised.
Berg: Depend ty t on the age group. The 8 and 9 year olds were thrilled to death and it
didn't matter. daughter just had a ball. She didn't ever think about there being too
many. I think f you were a little bit older and more sophisticated in your skills, you didn't
get as much of a chance to get the individualized instruction. Half of them were there for the
hot dog and the coke anyway.
Lash: And they gave away something free, didn't they?
Ruegemer: Yeah, I believe they worked in conjunction with the Twins and had...
Lash: You know another thing with this team deal is it's so hard for them, and I'm speaking
from experience, here, it's so hard for them to get their act together and they will not sign up
for something sinless they know that about half a dozen to a dozen of their closest friends are
going to go took and they can't, for some reason, seem to get themselves organized enough
ahead of time t� get on the phone and call their friends and sort of promote it and you know
then somebody's going on vacation and whatever and they don't know if they can go and
then they just never pull it off because they're so afraid that they'll sign up and then nobody
that they know will go. That I think that really holds so many kids back. I mean it's nothing
we can do but maybe the underlying problem.
Berg: Maybe
increase the nu
Rec was doing
hen you do something with...if you work through CAA. Not only could you
bers but then you could make sure that those kids understood that Park and
this, and we do a lot of other things too.
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Ruegemer: ...for the most part for that age group haven't been successful in the past either.
You know senior groups yeah, we'll take a couple...
Lash: But a team. You know if a whole team went. They might think that was fun. At
least they'd know somebody was going.
Ruegemer: Yeah, I think that's what they're working on for next year too. Appeal to groups
and associations so.
Lash: Okay. Any other questions or comments? Thanks Jerry.
FALL SOFTBALL UPDATE.
Ruegemer: Fall softball, this is just an FYI for you. It's going to be starting on Thursday
night. We only had 7 teams register this year which is down. We had 14 last year. Or 15
last year, which is down this year. I don't know if everybody's just getting burnt out or too
much to do or what but we're still going to do the league. We'll be starting the 25th, like I
said and going to September 22nd. It's approximately 5 weeks. In fact there's 7 teams here,
not 8. One dropped. Womens and Co -rec leagues, I offered again this year but I had little or
no interest in those at all so ... in the future we'll continue the second ... so we'll just keep
offering those types of programs until they catch on. The open league is going to be played...
on Thursdays evening so if you see the lights going until 9:00 -9:30 at night out at Lake Ann
Thursday nights, you'll know what it's all about. We'll be starting that already on Thursday
night and going through September so everybody seems to be very interested in playing
again. The teams that are playing out here in the fall and...
Lash: Questions or comments?
CO -REC 11/12 INCH CLASS C STATE TOURNAMENT, LAKE ANN PARK.
Ruegemer: Okay, I just had a meeting with our umpire and chief and tournament director
tonight in fact and we're all set to go for this coming weekend. We're going to be having 43
co -rec teams out here this weekend. Again we're going to be starting on Friday nights.
Friday night this week and then playing all day Saturday and the majority of the day on
Sunday so, the farthest team is coming from International Falls so it should be a lot of fun
this weekend. We're going to have quite a few teams out here and it should be a lot of fun.
There's also picnics going on at Lake Ann so it's going to be a hopping place this weekend.
In case you guys want to get out there and take a look. I can certainly give anybody a
schedule who would like to see what games are going to be played but you can pretty much
have a very good time and catch a softball game. Chanhassen has 3 teams out there this
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Park and Rec Commission Meeting - August 23, 1994
weekend so they'll be playing on Friday nights so we'll have our representation out there. So
it's going to be great. A lot of people are looking forward to that and Dale and a lot of the
park maintenan a crew are getting the fields into top shape and it's going to be a great '
weekend.
Lash: Question or comments?
Megers: I have)I a question in regards to when we host a State tournament like that, is there a
benefit to the Perk and Rec Department?
Ruegemer: Itltink the benefit that, what we look at it as a department is that we're all
p ,
members, or professional fessional members of our MRPA, Minnesota Recreation and Parks
Association anc as membership, I guess my thoughts and I believe it's our department's
philosophy too is that's one way that we can give back too as far as hosting these
tournaments an help out our association. It's a money maker for our association. That's
one way that wD can create revenue and maybe help offset some of the other costs that are
associated with our state association. It's one way that we can help out too in that our '
department feel& good about that and really it's a great way for us to show off our premiere
parks.
Manders: How does this tournament, how does the cost of putting on the tournament offset, '
you know just the staff that it takes to run it and the park people.
Ruegemer: The tournament director and the umpire chief and I are paid through the state '
association. A the umpires are paid through the association. Basically all those types of
costs are cover through that. Softball, any type of that, those activities. Really the cost ,
that we incur a having seasonal staff out there to maintain fields during that time and any
type of materi Maybe we use a couple bags of chalk or...so it's not that significant.
Lash: Mike? ,
Mike: Who does the concession stand? '
Ruegemer: Chanhassen Athletic Association. It's a great opportunity for them to make a I
little money to for their association.
Mike: Another benefit for the community, those teams hang around all weekend long. I'm '
sure some of these local people like Subway and so forth and McDonalds are going to see
increased revenue.
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Park and Rec Commission Meeting - August 23, 1994
Lash: How about, do they have to buy a parking permit to get in?
Ruegemer: Yes.
Lash: Oh, there we go.
Megers: And I'm sure those people from International Falls aren't driving back and forth
either.
Ruegemer: Yeah, they'll be staying in the area too so.
Lash: Okay. Any other questions?
COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS:
Lash: Let's move on to Commission Presentations. Are there any?
Berg: I don't really have any. I have a couple comments in the Administrative packet but.
ADMINISTRATIVE PACKET.
Lash: Okay, we'll move on to the Administrative packet for Fred.
Berg: Just two comments. One, I can't remember the name of the woman again. I didn't
mark it. The lady who was talking of trying to limit the speed limit on Kerber to 30 mph.
Lash: I believe that was Janet Arnold. Previously. There's a new one in here now.
Berg: There's one in here now. I highly endorse that. That can't come soon enough. I'd
like to see it done on Highway 17 as well but anything to discourage traffic on that road as a
cut off and also to, for safety purposes. There's going to be an accident there soon with all
the kids that are on both sides of that street. It's just an accident waiting to happen.
Lash: I don't know that we can do anything about it but.
Berg: No. I just want to be on record as supporting it is all. I know there's nothing we can
do.
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Park and Rec Commission Meeting - August 23, 1994
Lash: I wouldn t mind being on record and supporting a speed limit. I don't know that I'd
be thrilled to ha e a stop sign at every intersection. That'd be a major hassle to get
anywhere.
Berg: My other thing was I guess to Dawn. Looking at the program evaluations for this
summer, what a wonderful compliment. The comment I saw on most of them was, we want
to have more. thought that was fantastic.
Lash: For the Summer Sunsation?
Berg: Yeah.
Lash: Yeah. It looks like there's quite a demand for that age. Activity for that age range.
Lemme: In the fall we're offering some more opportunities ... 3 year old classes—there does
seem to be a de nand with the early childhood stuff locally.
Lash: I had on' question and I don't know that anyone will know the answer but, and I'm
just being curio is I guess but in the letter, the first letter to the president of the townhouse
association. O 1 item 5(b).
Ruegemer: Is this regarding the fence? .
Lash: I don't low what it's in regard to. That's why I'm asking.
Ruegemer: re's that?
Lash: It's on p ge 2 of the letter that Todd's sending back and it's item 5(b).
Ruegemer: I g ess I'm confused as to what letter that is.
Lash: The July 20th letter to Mr. Hofer. It looks like the very first thing inside the packet.
Ruegemer: Frr interested in discussing this allegation with you?
Lash: Yes.
Megers: I think he's talking about that they have observed that the city is less than effective
in keeping the park clean and maintained so he's looking for more information as to what his
experience was I in that regard.
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iPark and Rec Commission Meeting - August 23, 1994
Lash: Okay. Because ause I thought that was what he addressed in (a) and so I wondered if (b)
was something different. Okay. Anyone planning on attending the thing in October? I see
he's got a note on here, who is attending the NRPA Congress in Minneapolis in October.
Anyone interested?
' Megers: I'm interested.
Lash: Good for you Jane. So should he sign you up?
Megers: Well I think what he's looking for us to do is select, I certainly can't attend
everything so I'm not sure how that works as far as picking out.
Ruegemer: You can select by days.
Lemme: It is well worth it, even if you go to just go through Exhibit Hall and take
advantage of, even if you can't go, if you sign up for Saturday and you can't go for the
' whole day or something, it's definitely worth your while. I would highly recommend it. I've
been to National Conferences before. They are tops.
' Manders: Yeah, I plan on attending. I don't know when and what but.
Lemme: I think our reservation deadline is September 1, isn't it Jerry?
Ruegemer: Yeah. I think I remember that date.
' Lemme: So if you could just let us know by then, we could sign up for a specific day.
' Manders: September 1?
Lemme: That's when we have to register by.
' Ruegemer: If you're interested in a book too, have you guys seen the book...
' Manders: Yeah. It's part of that, isn't it?
Lash: Then I also was wondering, I think it was at the last meeting or the meeting before
' that when we talked about, that the Youth Commission needed a representative. We kicked
around different ideas. Do you know if anything came of that?
Braun: Someone...
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Park and Rec Commission Meeting - August 23, 1994
Lash: Oh
Ruegemer: Any'Ibody have a chance to take a look at all the picnic evaluations? You see
what the number one problem is out there?
Lash: Parking.
Ruegemer: Parl ing.
Berg: Parking. Followed closely by people walking through their picnics.
Lash: Well you know, and that was, would that be so hard if we were to get some type of a
sign that we car put out that just says reserved.
Ruegemer: We I have a sign out there...
Lash: Okay. I�didn't know we had a sign and that was one of the comments. That that
would be helpf 1.
Lemme: We th' ught about putting something up at the concession rental building just
saying, for infoirnation on how to reserve this park for your picnic, please call ... realize it's
been like a paid for thing.
Berg: Are they coming up through the back and cutting like diagonally across?
Ruegemer: Thway it sounds, they're coming right up down the asphalt path. Cutting
through the back of the shelter on the opposite side of the wall and going down the, and
walking out the back steps.
Berg: Could w get one of those signs where you put letters on it and just say, reserved for
the Berg family
Lemme: That' S what we've got.
Ruegemer: Yeah, we've got that down below. Down by the concession building with all
three sites ... par iew and picnic pavilion.
Lemme: One t iing we did talk about doing was having one of those kind of signs maybe
attached to the gate house so that when people come in, the gate attendant thing you'll see,
because a lot o$ times people will ask, where's the parkview, where's this and ... for a picnic,
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Park and Rec Commission Meeting - August 23, 1994
where's that. Well you see it's at the parkview and having it right at the front gate as well as
the one that's down on the wall.
Lash: Yeah, that would be a good idea. Plus if there some kind of map. One of the
comments was the gate attendant didn't know where it was so at least they'd be able, anyone
in there would be able to read the map.
Berg: Yeah, they shouldn't have to spend the money to reserve the park and then fight
people to maintain it.
Lash: It sounds like everybody likes you Jerry.
Berg: What a sweetheart of a guy.
Ruegemer: That's why revenues have increased.
' Manders: You got to take credit when you can.
Lash: Any other questions or comments on the Administrative packet? Okay, we need a
' motion to, or are there any corrections or additions, deletions to the Minutes from July 26th?
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Megers moved, Berg seconded to approve the Minutes of the
Park and Recreation Commission meeting dated July 26, 1994 as presented. All voted in
favor and the motion carried.
Berg moved, Megers seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor and the motion
carried. The meeting was adjourned.
Submitted by Todd Hoffman
Park and Recreation Director
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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