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PRC 2001 10 23CHANHASSEN PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 23, 2001 Chairwoman Lash called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Jan Lash, Rod Franks, Mike Howe, Dave Moes, Tom Kelly and Frank Spizale MEMBERS ABSENT: Jay Karlovich STAFF PRESENT: Todd Hoffman, Park and Rec Director and Jerry Ruegemer, Recreation Superintendent VISITOR PRESENTATIONS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Howe moved, Moes seconded to approve the Park and Recreation Commission Minutes dated September 25, 2001 as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously. ROUNDHOUSE RENOVATION UPDATE. Hoffman: Thank you Chair Lash, members of the commission. I've handed out, there should be some correspondence from Deanna Bunkelman and it's pretty in-depth. If you had a chance to page through, there's some 14 odd questions there. I've responded and Ms. Bunkelman and I have not spoken since that time. It will be back to the City Council on the 12th of November, which is a Tuesday evening to present her report to the City Council. And they will hand down a decision at that time whether or not they will approve an extension of the project into next season. She's got some good questions and I think she did a fine job in her presentation. Lash: Michael, you were at this, were you not? Howe: I was. Lash: Anything you want to share? Howe: Yeah. We all talked at the meeting about how, well how the one of us. We talked about how a little disappointed we might have been and I think she did have some, for a better word, issues over the summer but she came in spitting fire and I was glad that those pictures, they had some renditions of what this thing might look like and very nicely done. That showed me that they had put some thought into this and I think the council was impressed with that. And I thought it went pretty well and I'm impressed to see this laundry list here of questions so I think they're gearing up and they've got all winter to do the planning and I think she's up to the task and should be making some contacts so I have a pretty good feeling about it. I can't say what the council might do in 3 weeks but I think this is going to be a pretty decent looking report, I would guess. So that's all I had but maybe we should plan to be here on the 12th. I didn't speak at the meeting publicly so those are my impressions, thank you. Lash: Okay, thanks Mike. Todd, so you'll be responding to all of her questions here? Hoffman: Back page. Park and Rec Commission October 23,2001 Lash: Oh! I haven't got that far. Okay. Did you, oh Janet Carlson. That was the woman I was, because she's the one that lived there, correct? Hoffman: No. As a child. Lash: Yeah. Okay. Do people want time to keep looking through this or can we look at it later? Alright. So we don't really need to do anything with this at this time, do we Todd? Hoffman: No. Lash: Okay, thanks. Howe: Do you know who's up for the 12th? The rep from the Park Commission. Hoffman: That person will be so notified. Through the mail. It's automatic. Lash: I'm fairly confident if David is the appointed one, that he would represent the view of the commission. Moes: Absolutely. Lash: I have total confidence. But I may try to be there just to make sure. Howe: I'll put it on my calendar. Lash: What's the date on that again? Hoffman: Tuesday the 12th. Franks: Tuesday, November 13th. Hoffman: Yeah, that's it. Lash: Is what? Franks: The 12th is Monday. Hoffman: Because the Monday is a holiday. That's Veteran's Day. Lash: Oh, so it is Tuesday. So it's Tuesday the 13th. Hoffman: Excuse me. Lash: Okay. PROGRAM REPORTS: A. 2001 TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY. 2 Park and Rec Commission October 23,2001 Ruegemer: The tree lighting ceremony is coming up Saturday, December 1st. It's going to be right out front again. We'll have to find out kind of next year what's going to happen with the library. Where that will be held but this year it's going to be right down here. Corey's working on that again with Nancy Lipinski with the Chanhassen Chamber of Commerce and doing kind of a joint effort on that again so the Chamber helps with certain components of that and Corey coordinates a lot of the event as well so it's a fun event and it's traditionally been kind of a fun weekend with a lot of activities going on down at Market Square. We have the tree lighting ceremony here, and also that's the weekend of Breakfast with Santa out at the Rec Center so. Real fun evening. Just an FYI for you. Howe: Do we have that same Santa guy coming? Ruegemer: Was it Brian Beniek? For the tree lighting? Yes. Anyone have any questions? Lash: Okay, thanks Jerry. B. 2002/2002 ICE SKATING SEASON. Ruegemer: Much is the same as last year as far as the number of hours. Kind of time frame when the rinks will be flooded. Same type of operations again this year with portable satellite trailers at certain locations. A noted change is that we are not going to be doing a wanning house at Chanhassen Hills this year. Low numbers. We had kind of talked about that last kind of late winter, early spring. We will be doing a pleasure rink at that location so there still will be a skating option there but it just didn't pay to have a, pay a wanning house attendant at that location. So we will be having 4 sites. The Rec Center, City Center Park, North Lotus and Roundhouse this year. Attached is a wanning house kind of locations on the map and also the addresses and kind of featured amenities at the rest of the sites at the rec center. Does anybody have any questions on that at all or any changes that the commission would like to see? Franks: The only thing is I know in years past when we've had the site map of the ice rinks we've had the service areas for those parks circled. And it just helps to give a little bit better idea of the coverage. That's just a little thing. Ruegemer: Would you like to see one? Franks: Well not this year but just for the future. It just I think is more helpful. Ruegemer: Okay. Hoffman: When was Pheasant Hill cut Jerry, last year? Ruegemer: I think there is one at Pheasant Hill. I didn't know that it was on this. I think it was in the newsletter. Is it not on this? Hoffman: So there's one missing here for Pheasant Hill, so you're aware. Franks: There is a Pheasant Hill one as well? Hoffman: Yeah, so that's a big void up. Franks: Yeah, that's one reason that made we think of the circle thing. That is a pretty big void. Park and Rec Commission October 23,2001 Ruegemer: I think that was a typo on here but it is advertised in the newsletter. Lash: Okay. Anybody have anything else about ice? Hoffman: No indoor ice yet. Just outdoor. Certain bankers still ask for it on a weekly basis in town. Lash: Okay, well speaking of ice we'll move onto the February Festival. C. 2002 FEBRUARY FESTIVAL. Ruegemer: This year's event again is more of an FYI for the commission to put on their calendars. It's coming up again. It's always the first Saturday in February so February 2nd this year. Corey's already working on the event. We already did get approval from the Chamber of Commerce to kind of sponsor the fishing contest again so he's in the process of getting the appropriate permits for the Minnesota Gambling Board and getting that information kind of put together so he's working very hard on trying to get dog sled rides again. So if anybody knows contacts. I know that's the weekend now of Beargrease and some other events in the state. It's kind of been hard to find dog sled people to do rides and such but we are still trying very hard to find those so if anybody's got contacts, send them our way. Spizale: You know Mound had that big winter festival with dog sleds, which they don't have now but do you know anybody from Mound that you could contact to get a hold of. Ruegemer: I know some people over at Community Ed over there. Spizale: Yeah I mean they had a ton of people with the races and everything so that might be a good spot to get a hold of some people. Kelly: Just curious, whatever happened to the ice golf? I know that was an event a couple years. Was it just lack ofa tumout or? Ruegemer: A little bit of both. The Jaycees are the ones that coordinated that event. They have since disbanded for lack of interest and that's kind of where that is. That was. I think we did it for like a year or two. Kelly: I remember that being fun because it was different. Ruegemer: Yeah. I think their thought was it was going to be the next Chilly Open but it never got to that point. Kelly: Are there any other events you're thinking about? Any non-fishing related, like maybe I don't know...hockey puck shooting contest or something. Something non-fishermen people can do besides playing bingo or whatever else. Besides the past events, something more active out there. I don't know, just a thought. I don't fish. I know I'm in a huge minority but I'm just trying to be. Ruegemer: Well if you have some ideas let us know. We'd be happy to, we do have the skating. The sliding. Down there. The medallion hunt was there last year. Franks: Is the library going to be involved this year? 4 Park and Rec Commission October 23,2001 Moes: How about the bonfire and s'mores too. Cub Scouts. Ruegemer: So beyond that please let us know. Kelly: How about the, what happened to the scuba people? Was that just not a very popular family event? Watching someone go. Ruegemer: The diving team? Kelly: Yeah. Ruegemer: Well kind of through 3 or 4 years ago Carver County was having some issues with their dive team and with budget cuts, that sort of thing, that was disbanded and it kind of was put back on the local entities. And to this, I don't know that they have formed another dive team. Kelly: I was just trying to think of events that I've seen in the past. Ruegemer: Yeah. Hoff`man: Tom's got the history in this event. Ruegemer: That goes to Lake Susan. Lash: Back in the day when there was no fish. Franks: Yeah, didn't they have like cross country skiing and snowshoeing and stuff`going on at Lake Susan too? Ruegemer: That was out at the Arboretum. Franks: Arboretum, right. Lash: We have talked about having a ski through Lake Ann though, didn't we? Back in the trail. Is that a possibility or don't you think, did it die for lack of interest? Ruegemer: For that particular event? It'd be in coordination with finding the grooming. Hoff`man: It had good support, the event at the Arboretum at the time and so they put all they could into it for probably 4 years and it never made a go of it so. They had their own committee chair and their own committee and the Arboretum backing it and what happened was the weather would never cooperate. They were skiing through slush a couple times. Howe: I believe, isn't February 2nd Ground Hog's Day? Lash: Yes it is. Ruegemer: Is it? Lash: It is every year. Park and Rec Commission October 23,2001 Howe: I know, I mean yeah... Ruegemer: Have Mikey come out of his hole, see if he sees his shadow. Hoffman: We'll have to get the ground hog in there. Howe: Just a thought you know. Someone dress up like a ground hog. Get that Goldie Gopher out here to walk around. Lash: Get animal control to get their live traps out there. Find something. It could be a raccoon. Hoffman: We can put the Hoffman kids in that. They'll... Lash: Are you interested in recruiting a guest announcer? Hoffman: You know somebody? Lash: Well I might know someone who might be interested. Ruegemer: Big beard. Franks: Looks like Santa. Lash: Yeah, a burly fellow with a very warm hat. Ruegemer: We would welcome that. Lash: Well could somebody send a nice invitation. Besides me. Somebody besides me. Thanks. Ruegemer: Can do. Lash: Okay. Anything else on February Fest? SELF SUPPORTING PROGRAMS: A. 2001 ADULT SOFTBALL EVALUATION. Ruegemer: Does anybody have any specific questions on softball? We did gain a couple teams this year which was good, and most notable was probably the Thursday night league again. We were up to really capacity and Friday night we added some teams too. That was from the Excelsior League that folded. A lot of people gravitated down this way, which was nice. Very nice. Adding some teams. A couple years ago we had 4. This year we had 9 so. Lash: I'll ask this question since Jay's not here, because I figure this would be Jay's question. Where does the money that, if we do generate revenues on something, and I know that's not very common that we actually ever come out money ahead on anything, but where does that money go? 6 Park and Rec Commission October 23,2001 Ruegemer: That goes to help pay, that goes back to the self supporting programs and that pays, well a portion of my salary and it should, if there is any money left over from that, it will go into pay all the rest of the expenditures in self supporting. And it's. Lash: So like the rec programs and things like that that we host that we end up not making money at? Ruegemer: Yeah, there's a little leeway within that budget. Hoffman: If there's any left over it goes right to the general fund. Lash: That's kind of what I was thinking but I knew Jay would want to know. Well once you take your salary out of that $7,000, there probably isn't a whole lot left. Ruegemer: We're in the hole. Hoffman: 20%. Lash: Okay. Anybody have anything for Jerry on that? B. 2001 ADULT FALL SOFTBALL EVALUATION. Lash: Oh, there's another $1200. Ruegemer: Getting close to my salary. 20%. Lash: Anybody have anything for Jerry on that one? Hoffman: That's a big money maker. Ruegemer: Minimal effort. Big money. Lash: You ought to have about a hundred of those. Ruegemer: We're always working on it. ADMINISTRATIVE: A. 2001 GOOSE REMOVAL ANNUAL REPORT. Hoffman: The goose report is interesting. The goose numbers are down across the metropolitan area, which means when numbers are down, our cost per goose removed goes up. So in 2001 the City of Chanhassen paid $5450 to get rid of a single goose in Chan. 60 of them. They removed from 3 sites. Lake Minnewashta, Lotus Lake and up on Near Mountain Boulevard. A couple of factors. The goose removal program itself is holding down numbers. The metro goose season, which was extended from 5 days when it started about 10 years ago to 3 weeks now, so people shoot geese in the metro for 3 weeks in September. And then the fact that we had a wet and cold spring. Geese nested first time around and then waters rose and drown out many of those nests. And then young geese that they found out their first nest typically don't re-nest. The old geese will re-nest so they're holding numbers down. Very few complaints this year. And I think if you noticed, just fewer geese around town in general. 7 Park and Rec Commission October 23,2001 Lash: I remember back in the day when we were taking large, large quantities. Hoffman: 180-200. Lash: Yeah, quantities of these geese and from other sites too. What do you think would happen if we skipped a year? Hoffman: We skipped a year in the past. Lash: We have? Hoffman: Yes. I don't think it'd be a bad recommendation. Lash: Just see what happens. Franks: I couldn't remember if we were in a term contract or whether it was year by year. Hoffman: Year by year. Wejustletthemknowafterthefirstoftheyearifwewanttoparticipate. They may see a number of communities drop out actually. I'll call him and talk to him about that and I'll report back to you next meeting. See ifyou need... Lash: Yeah, if we should have some kind of radical shift next year or the population doubles or triples or something, then. Hoffman: I just want to make sure he doesn't have a waiting list so once you're out, you're out. Lash: Yeah, that's probably a good idea. Hoffman: So I'll call him and then report back next meeting. Franks: And the decision would need to be made, then our recommendation to the City Council before the first. Hoffman: Yeah. There's time even after that. Lash: Okay. Anybody else have anything on the geese? B. CITY DIRECTORY UPDATE. Lash: Anybody need to make corrections to your. Kelly: Just on my e-mail address. It's f. It's fairisaac, not sairisaac. Hoffman: Not an s. An f. Thank you. Moes: Yeah for mine Todd, and I may have communicated this. Just take the work and fax numbers oft~ And then it's a different e-mail. Which is djmol060@aol.com. Hoffman: Thank you. 8 Park and Rec Commission October 23,2001 Lash: Anybody else? Okay. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS. None. COMMISSION MEMBER PRESENTATIONS. None. ADMINISTRATIVE PACKET. Hoffman: The item in here on tobacco free recreation, there was a cover letter that was not included from a resident and she's requesting that the city consider tobacco free at youth athletic arenas or fields. Events. Those type of things. I think the 2 cities that are noted in here, Rochester and Bloomington. Bloomington made all city parks and ballfields in Bloomington. That's Rochester and Bloomington did youth athletic facilities tobacco free. One thing I'll be recommending that once the skate park is fenced and we have the skate park formed, we should chat about here before we leave tonight, that that entire area be smoke-free. Tobacco free. So that's our first location and then we would go from there and outdoor spaces. Lash: I have a quick question for you Todd on the Lake Susan Revegetation, whatever you call that thing. Is that just to, if you're facing the lake, is that just to the right of the boat launch of the right of where the little beach area was kind of made? Hoffman: To the left of the boat launch. Lash: To the left of the boat launch, okay. Franks: Between the dock and the boat launch? Hoffman: All the way around it's side. Where the trail is. You'll see some pretty aggressive erosion going on there. Lash: Okay, I'm really tumed around then. Hoffman: Is the map goofy? Lash: Yeah. Because if you look at where Lake Drive is, you come in from Lake Drive going south, right? Isn't that big area the park? And then the black thing would be to the right of the launch, wouldn't it? Hoffman: Yeah, the proposed location shows from about the beach, and all the way around to past the fishing pier. Lash: Where's the access? Is this it? Hoffman: Access is just near the arrow. Lash: Okay, never mind. Okay, I get it. Thanks. I'm assuming we'll get an update on. Hoffman: Whether or not we're successful. Lash: Okay. And then under the doggy park, I thought that was very interesting. 9 Park and Rec Commission October 23,2001 Hoffman: That's a good news letter in that. Lash: Yeah, it had a lot of good ideas. And of course I got my wheels spinning and I'm trying to figure where in the world we could put one of these, and I think we talk about it almost every meeting now and we can never come up with any good spot. How about, and I'm just throwing this out and I know it's probably a goofy idea but I'm desperate. What about the Fox property? Is there some area there that we could, because isn't there a pond there and could we do something right off`of tat? Does it go out to tat? No, it doesn't go out to tat? Hoffman: In the future when access is there, there could be a location. Lash: I mean it's not very centrally located in the city by a long shot but it's not by a residential area. It's big. It's open. It's got water. It's got some of those things we're looking for. It's not exactly what people envisioned for there but maybe we could do something in a way that wouldn't be too disruptive to the site. Hoff`man: Yeah. It's probably, well there won't be access for 10 years. And I think the reasoning behind the acquisition was for open space and wildlife preservation and putting a dog park in the middle of it is probably not going to be that well received. The horse people are also going to be lobbying the park commission when the time comes to develop a management plan. There is a group of residents down there have that horses and currently they have ridden on trails within the Fox property for the last 20 years and are continuing to do so today. And so they will talk to the commission about that continued use. So that's something to think about. Marty Walsh is also out at the regional park is going through the master plan redevelopment process for the regional park and he'll be addressing the dog park as a part of that. And a golf course. And all sorts of other potential amenities out at the regional park so. That's a tough one to find a spot for. It really makes you think, there's a couple of things. Dog park. Frisbee golf. A couple of the things that have come up over the years and we don't have a location to put them in. BIVLX track and all those type of things. Spizale: How much space do you need for a dog park? Hoffman: 3 acres. Spizale: 3. Hoff`man: Yeah. Someplace accessible with parking. Franks: So when the city combines with the DNR to purchase the Seminary Fen property, some of that upland grass area around the old seminary building itself, would that be? Hoff`man: Sure. When you buy something like that you'd have plenty of locations to look at. Long tenn. It's also a tough place to get to traffic wise. Meadow Green Park would be a great location. Just take out the ballfields. Put the fence up. Lash: How about Pheasant Hill. That's got water. Hoffman: Trying to put one of these in a neighborhood park would be. Lash: A political nightmare. ta Park and Rec Commission October 23,2001 Franks: If you had a situation like that triangle of land on the, to the east of Chan Hills Park. Inbetween 101 and Lyman there, that's probably about 2 acres. And what you'd have is the neighborhood park would be the buffer between the neighborhood and, if you ever get your hands on a piece of property like that. Lash: How about when 212 comes through? There's going to be a bunch of odd little parcels here and there aren't there? Again, it's not going to be very centrally located but. Hoffman: There's a lot of questions surrounding 212 acquisition. They're currently talking to a landowner who has considered giving the city 22 acres of excess land or MnDot wants it so they're considering the tax benefits for giving it to the city and MnDot is offering them a cash off'er so those things are underway. We're making it as attractive as possible. We offered to pay for the appraisal so the appraisal will be getting back to the property owner and if it works out with their.., give it back to the city. Lash: Well I think this is one of those issues that's kind of right up in everybody's mind, so when something happens, people will jump right on it and try and make it happen. I think it's something people have been asking for. Quite a few people. Hoffman: Pretty popular. The other thing I didn't mention was Tuesday, yesterday. Monday, a group of athletic, private athletic club investors came in to meet with the city and talk about a Crosstown or what's the one in Eden Prairie, Flagship type of a club on the Highway 5 frontage road. On the south side near the recreation center. So they're considering 130,000 square foot facility, about $20 million and so watch for that in the upcoming news. Lash: Whatever happened to the YMCA? Hoffman: Still out there. Lash: Has anybody heard anything new? Franks: Do they have a new contact person? Hoffman: Yeah. I know most of them. We met with John Foss, Foss Swim School. He would like to build an athletic pool, a competition pool in town. We haven't heard from Lifetime in quite some time. ...but I think the type of club they're talking about is going to appeal to only a certain market. Howe: That's not cheap, Flagship. Hoffman: Yeah, so there's still going to be a large percentage of the Chanhassen, especially family market that is not satisfied by that facility so they're still going to be asking in the future for a community center type of a facility. This group would not like a Y. There's long standing battles across the country between private clubs and YMCA's and so if you get one, you're pretty much setting yourself up for...battles in the future to construct another one. Lash: Okay. Anybody have anything else in the packet? Just, I'm going to double check on the skate park forum. Is that supposed to be right before our meeting, is that your plan? Hoffman: Right before our meeting. Howe: I can't make that meeting. I won't be here that night. 11 Park and Rec Commission October 23,2001 Hoffman: For the whole thing? Howe: Whole thing. Hoffman: This comes about as, the city manager's office. Staff continues to manage a variety of issues basically litter and conduct and those type of things that people walk in our front door and say, this is inappropriate. Cities should not be involved in sponsoring an environment such as that environment. Or certain portions of that environment. And so to allow those folks who have a chance to discuss with the community, we want to host this and talk about the successes and the challenges there and use that feedback to talk about future management. I think the one way, or the one management change that would be looked at is hiring a CSO type of individual and then charging to pay for that person's salary we would have to charge at the gate. Have operating hours. Have closed hours. And then that person would be responsible for monitoring the conduct at the skate park. That brings a whole other set of issues along with it. You certainly aren't going to pay for that person's salary with just charging and it changes the whole environment there so is that a good thing or a bad thing? Those are some of the issues we want to talk about that evening. We'll post this at the skate park so we have some of the users present and parents. I'll also, I'll finish the flyer off`with letting people know that they can send written comments or e-mail comments so if they choose not to attend, they can still get that feedback. Lash: Okay. Anybody have anything else? No? Ruegemer: IfI can bring up the Halloween party real quick. That's this coming Saturday out at the Recreation Center. Jan, Mike and David, I know you have confirmed with Corey that you're going to be out there that evening. If you could be out there at 5:00, that'd be wonderful. And then I have to put the screws to, I know Jack's out of town. Franks: I will be out of town too now. Ruegemer: Rod. Kelly: We have our neighborhood Halloween party that afiemoon. Ruegemer: Okay. Okey dokey. Lash: Do you have anything Todd? Okay. Should I wrap it up? Okay, is there a motion to adjoum? Spizale moved, Franks seconded to adjourn the Park and Recreation Commission meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned. Submitted by Todd Hoffman Park and Recreation Director Prepared by Nann Opheim 12