SUM PRC 2005 05 24
CHANHASSEN PARK AND
RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
MAY 24, 2005
Chairman Stolar called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m..
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Glenn Stolar, Jack Spizale, Paula Atkins, Steve Scharfenberg, Ann
Murphy, and Kevin Dillon
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Tom Kelly
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Hoffman, Park and Rec Director; and Jerry Ruegemer, Recreation
Superintendent
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Todd Neils 990 Saddlebrook Curve
Eric Kittelson Sheriff’s Office
Rian Thiele Sheriff’s Office
Bryant Benzinger 8581 Mission Hills Lane
Jon Kraus 8008 Cheyenne Avenue
Brandon Bagley 911 Penamint Court
Luke Moffatt Nez Perce Court
Marsha Gaulke 890 Saddlebrook Pass
Ed & Nate Janowski 890 Saddlebrook Pass
Bob Numrich 1321 Lake Drive West #316
Todd & Zak Owens 6535 Peaceful Lane
Tony Oberstar 2170 Baneberry Way West
Elise Dye 18630 Magenta Bay, Eden Prairie
Ray Hardtse 1851 Sunridge Court
Ryan Sage 930 Powyaki Lane
Anthony Huot 950 Saddlebrook Trail
? 425 Chanview Road
Tim Woodworth 7741 Chanhassen Road
Bob Harold 7411 Frontier Trail
Deb Lloyd 7302 Laredo Drive
Janet Paulsen 7305 Laredo Drive
(Taping of the meeting began at this point in the discussion.)
RESPONSE TO CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION CONCERNING SKATE PARK.
Todd Hoffman provided background information on this item. Chairman Stolar opened the
meeting up for public comment. Bryant Benzinger, 8581 Mission Hills Lane stated last year the
Park and Rec Commission Summary – May 24, 2005
people using the skate park were asked to take care of the trash, which they have done. He asked
where are they going to go to skateboard if the skate park is closed. Eric Kittelson, the evening
supervisor for Chanhassen from the Carver County Sheriff’s Department stated that in cities that
do not have skate parks, the sheriff’s department spends a lot more time dealing with skaters.
Related to the resolution presented by City Council, he would like to be involved in future
discussions but would favor a fee that would allow there to be some type of staffing to check
passes or to maintain some kind of behavior. Mr. Kittelson stated that most of the calls they
receive are not related to the diehard skateboarders, but the fringe element that hang around the
skate park and suggested enacting a city ordinance prohibiting skateboarding in the downtown
area. If you look at the number of calls for service in the skate park compared to some of the
other parks, especially North Lotus Lake, it’s actually not that bad. Commissioner Murphy
expressed concern with skateboarders skating in and around seniors and the senior center. Tony
Oberstar, Baneberry Way West asked for clarification on skateboards being used as a means of
transportation versus recreation in the city. He stated he’s at the skate park as often as he can get
there, and suggested that supervision is needed during the daytime hours. Marsha Gaulke,
Saddlebrook Pass agreed with Officer Kittelson’s comments and has witnessed foul language
and inappropriate behavior over at Lake Ann Park and does not feel closing the skate park is
addressing the problem. Jon Kraus, 8008 Cheyenne Avenue stated rollerbladers usually leave
their rollerblades on when going to the gas station or Wendy’s, but try to stay away from hitting
people. Elise Dye,18630 Magenta Bay in Eden Prairie agreed with Officer Kittelson’s comment
that the fringe element kids are the ones causing problems, not the users of the skate park. She
likes to use the Chanhassen Skate Park because it’s outside and sees it as a place to stay out of
trouble rather than a place to get into trouble. She suggested that locking the skate park when
it’s closed might help with the vandalism. Todd Owens, Peaceful Lane, who is 48 years old,
uses the park with his kids. He believes bad language is around everywhere and that’s why he
hangs out with his 5 boys to teach them the right thing to do. Terry Campbell, Saddleridge Trail
North asked Officer Kittelson to comment on if he thought fees would keep the fringe kids away
from the park. During commission discussion, Commissioner Murphy asked what a city
ordinance would cover that the rules right now don’t. Bob Numrich who lives in the Power
Ridge Apartments stated his son is a skateboarder and that he would not support charging a fee
but that the city should look at getting volunteers. During further commission discussion
residents stated that they did not feel language was a problem solely at the skate park but that it
was the parent’s responsibility to teach their children about the use of foul language. They also
stated that age didn’t make a difference at the skate park. The older kids would teach younger
kids tricks and there was a rotation that was used by all skateboarders regardless of age.
Todd Hoffman provided historical background on the skate park and presented some options for
getting the community, parents and skaters, involved. Chairman Stolar asked for a motion from
the commission.
Dillon moved, Murphy seconded that the Park and Recreation Commission recommend
that the City Council adopt a four tier proposal for the skate park, noting that the
commission sees the skate park as a significant asset for the community and does not want
to see it closed.
1. Re-open the skate park, recognizing that the community has gone through a wake up
period. There are expectations at the skate park, just like at any other park in that the city
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Park and Rec Commission Summary – May 24, 2005
would look to the community for increased involvement to make sure that the skate park
does remain a desirable location.
2. If that fails, to solicit formation of a skate park association with both users and parents to
monitor the activities of the skate park.
3. If the skate park association and the city is seeing that their expectations have not been
fulfilled then consider a paid staff and potentially a fee at the park.
4. If all of the above items fail, close the skate park altogether.
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0.
PUBLIC NOTICE; DAVE HUFFMAN MEMORIAL 5K RUN ROUTE CHANGE.
Jerry Ruegemer presented the staff report on this item outlining the proposed route change for
the Dave Huffman Memorial 5K Run.
Scharfenberg moved, Murphy seconded that the Park and Recreation Commission
recommend approval of the route change for the Dave Huffman Memorial 5K Run as
depicted on the attached map. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with
a vote of 6 to 0.
CHANHASSEN ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION PROPOSAL TO DONATE AND INSTALL
SCOREBOARDS AND AMENDED PROPOSAL FROM CHANHASSEN ATHLETIC
ASSOCIATION CONCERNING ADVERTISING SIGNAGE.
Todd Neils, Vice President of the Chanhassen Athletic Association Little League presented their
proposal to donate and install scoreboards. He talked about the growth of Little League in the
city since 1990 with 250 kids participating to an expectation of over 1,200 kids in 2007 and
reviewed their original proposal for scoreboards and signage, highlighting the changes made by
the city attorney. Staff and the commission asked for additional information and specifications
regarding the scoreboards before making a recommendation. After discussion of the signage at
Lake Ann Park and Bandimere Park, the following motion was made.
Scharfenberg moved, Murphy seconded that the Park and Recreation Commission
recommend the City Council approve the amended agreement between the City of
Chanhassen and the Chanhassen Athletic Association governing the provision of dedicated
advertising signage. All voted in favor, except Dillon and Atkins who opposed, and the
motion carried with a vote of 4 to 2.
Regarding the issue of scoreboards, Chairman Stolar asked for clarification on the timeline to act
on this item, given that staff did not feel there was sufficient information to make a
recommendation. After discussion the commission came to consensus that the commission
would be in general support of the idea of scoreboards being tried on a limited basis at Lake Ann
Fields 1 and 2 and Bandimere 1 if they meet the criteria needed by the park’s and rec staff for
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Park and Rec Commission Summary – May 24, 2005
accepting scoreboard donation. Mr. Neils requested that on the bottom of the scoreboards it
state that the scoreboards were donated to the city by the Chanhassen Athletic Association Little
League.
REPORTS: LAKE ANN PARK SUMMER SCHEDULE.
Jerry Ruegemer reported on the Lake Ann concession stand schedule.
SUMMER PROGRAM NEWS.
Jerry Ruegemer reviewed the programs and field trips being offered during the summer and an
update on registration.
SELF SUPPORTING PROGRAMS-ADULT SOFTBALL LEAGUE.
Jerry Ruegemer presented the update on this item.
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS.
Todd Hoffman reminded the commission of the special Park and Recreation Commission
th
meeting being held on June 14 to receive vendor presentations regarding playground equipment
for Lake Susan Park. Chairman Stolar recapped the commission’s visits to Lake Ann and Lake
Susan Parks as potential sites for off leash dog park and discussed the item be discussed at the
regular meeting in June.
Scharfenberg moved, Atkins seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor and the
motion carried. The Park and Recreation Commission meeting was adjourned.
Submitted by Todd Hoffman
Park and Rec Director
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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