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Administrative PacketI� Administrative Packet Email from Josh Ortiz, MN Twins Play Ball! Youth Clinic, dated February 29, 2016 Softball Participation Slump Star Tribune article, dated March 11, 2016 Email from Glenn Kaufmann, Lions Legacy Project, dated March 10, 2016 MnDOT Contractor Conviction Star Tribune article, dated March 8, 2016 Letter to Honda Electric President Laurie Plzak, dated February 7, 2008 Letter to Honda Electric President Laurie Plzak, dated June 2, 2008 Ruegemer, Jerry From: Ortiz, Josh <JoshOrtiz@twinsbaseball.com> Sent: Monday, February 29, 2016 5:55 PM To: Ruegemer, Jerry Subject: Play Ball! Minnesota Youth Clinic Dear Jerry, Thank you for applying to host a 2016 Play Ball! Minnesota Youth Clinic. I am happy to inform you that City of Chanhassen was selected to host a clinic this summer! Our staff did our best to accommodate your date requests in your application, however we were not able to accommodate every organizations request. We did stay away from the dates you listed as unavailable. Your clinic is scheduled for: Sunday July 3, 2016 10:00 AM — First session for 6-9 year-olds 11:30 AM — Second session for 10-13 year-olds Based on your application the following are the locations for the clinic: • Outdoor location — Chanhassen High School Baseball Stadium Indoor location — Chanhassen Recreation Center To complete the application process, please complete the form at the following link— CLINIC CONFIRMATION AND INFORMATION FORM. You must complete this form by March 4 to confirm your clinic. After you have completed the online form we will follow up with a host guide that will help you plan and execute your clinic. Thank you for promoting youth baseball and for bringing a clinic to your area. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Best Regards, Josh Ortiz Manager, Community Programs Minnesota Twins Baseball Club Target Field I 1 Twins Way I Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403 P: (612) 659-3506 1 M: (651) 485-0617 1 F: (612) 659-4031 This email has been scanned for email related threats and delivered safely by Mimecast. For more information please visit http://www.mimecast.com Softball participation slump leads Minneapolis to try 5 -player teams - StarTribune.com SOUTH METRO Softball participation slump prompts Mpls. to try rec league with five -player teams The new option means less recruiting and more playing time in a bid to offset declining full -team softball. By Steve Brandt (http://www.startribune=m/stwv bmndt/10644486/) Star Tribune MARCH 11, 2016 — 3:22PM Adult slow -pitch softball is in a slump across Minnesota. With parents chasing their kids'teams, adults tied to work and some baby boomers aging out of competition, mc league officials say, teams are snuggling to find enough players to fill their rosters. In Minneapolis, the number of adult teams has sunk from more than Boo in 2013 to 577 last year. St Paul, which registered 539 teams as recently as 2010, now is under 400. Hutchinson has lost a third of its men's teams in the last 10 years. And more teams drop out each year. "One of the things I hear from teams that are not going to be playing is that they can't find enough players to Commit," said I.acelle Cordes, a Rosemount recreation supervisor. That's why adult softball captains scrambling to fin rosters have a new option in Minneapolis parks this spring —five -player teams. The format, known as five -on -five -on -five softball, has been hied in other states, in an attempt to offset the impact of changing lifestyles on softball participation But it's only now reaching Minnesota. Rosemount plans a small -team tournament next fall. The new small -ball option will rotate three teams of five through batting, the outfield and infield each inning, with four -inning games that last about an hour. Each team still gets three outs at bat in an inning. "Me X generation and the millennials, they're out doing other things," said John Miller, membership director for the Oklahoma City -based American Softball Association (ASA). 'The 5 -on -5 is something that's kind of perked everybody's ears up." The Minneapolis season for men's and coed teams starts in late April, and offers six or 12 -week options. A fall season is also planned Partldpation drop Minneapolis recreation workers attribute the falling numbers to parents attending or coaching the games of busy youth and the requirements of demanding jobs. State softball leaders are concerned enough about the falloff that they're surveying high school athletic directors to find out why. "A lot of them, the reason they gave was lack of time," said Cordes, who is on a task force formed to recruit and retain players in Minnesota And organizing a traditional slow -pitch team roster that typically numbers more than a dozen players can be time consuming. "Nobody wants to be in charge," Cordes said. Hutchinson recreation supervisor John McRaith said parents seem more involved in their children's sports, coaching themselves or following teams to away games, rather than dropping them off for practices or forming carpools for away games as they did years ago. Page 1 of 3 2ssoflballee22.22342a.jp8) When: Registratidff(sTbpWtPir@TfWR((iJ"gBg E #fi8iti€S4v�itdgg�{ip(>y�I�eing declining participation, so Minneapolis will try EoeM tldeMMWf liXPN8 frftMitswith Two sessions offered. For more information: Go to http://tinyurl.com/haugy5u or contact Scott Gagnon at 612-230-6487. http://www. startribune.comisoftball-participation-slump-prompts-mpls-to-try-rec-league-w... 3/11/2016 Softball participation slump leads Minneapolis to try 5 -player teams - StarTribune.com Page 2 of 3 Plus, many of the large generation of baby boomers are aging out of the game, despite senior leagues, and the succeeding generation is smaller. McRaith, a longtime player who dropped out two years ago at age 56, stopped playing, in part, because of changes in the game itself. "As sports become popular, the upper -ability players make the Hiles, and they tend to make the Hiles to make it more challenging for themselves," he said. In softball, he said, that has meant a harder ball now zipping off an expensive composite bat that can cost several hundred dollars. "You can't play today's game with slow reactions, or you might get hurt," McRaith said. Hutchinson had 16 women's slow -pitch teams in the 1980s, but none now. But women players from those teams have helped keep the number of coed teams steady. The new five -player format is aimed at players who have wandered away from the game. 'Vhat we're trying to do is get those players back playing again," said Troy Mickelson, Minnesota slow -pitch director for the U.S. Specialty Sports Association. His organization last year registered about 4,300 youth and adult slow -pitch teams, compared to more than 5,000 five years ago. Saved by small ball? Ben Hickerson, a Penn State professor in recreation, park and tourism management, sees several advantages to small -team softball. One is that small teams can mimm;ze the differences in abilities of team members that can result from having to fill a larger roster. Another is that small teams minimize time spent on the bench. Not only does that promote greater fitness but, "you're always involved and that creates a greater sense of accomplishment about the activity," he said. The adaptation of traditional softball is just one of the changes underway to meet the needs of new generations, according to Connie Magnuson, director of park recreation and leisure studies at the University of Minnesota. 'We need to reach them at what's appealing to them and what's realistic to them, their fitness level, their capabilities," she said. Other sports have been making or considering adjustments to changing lifestyles as well, One example is golf the university is considering is whether its Les Bolstad Golf Course should be reconfigured with options that would allow a golfer to play three or six holes. 'Not everyone wants to go out and do an 18 -hole course," Magnuson said. Cities have tried other things to lure more softball players —starting the season later to attract high school and college students, even instituting free -agent pools so players can fill in as needed. But rec league officials hope the small -team softball format offers more flexibility. "It's easier to get five people together to play than 10;" said Dan Pfeffer, Minnesota commissioner for the American Softball Association. With the new fiveon-five-on-five format, Scott Gagnon, a Park Board employee who serves as softball commissioner, expects to register 15 coed teams and 12 men's teams per six-week session. And registration comes with a price cut from the regular leagues: $75 for six weeks instead of $485 for a full -team 12 week season Twitter: @brandtslrib sbrandWstartribune.mm 612-673-4438 http://www.startribune.comisoftball-participation-slump-prompts-mpls-to-try-rec-league-w... 3/11/2016 Hoffman, Todd From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Thanks for the feedback, Todd. We'll be in touch. Glenn Glenn Kaufmann <glenny98@hotmail.com> Thursday, March 10, 2016 3:37 PM Hoffman, Todd Hess, David RE: Lions Legacy Project From: thoffman@ci.chanhassen.mn.us To: david.hess@fmglobal.com; glenny98@hotmail.com CC: PkRc@ci.chanhassen.mn.us Subject: RE: Lions Legacy Project Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2016 21:28:01 +0000 Dear Glenn and Dave Thank you again for approaching the City of Chanhassen to open up a conversation about a Chanhassen Lions Legacy Project (100 Years of Lions International). Here is a list of potential projects for your consideration. ➢ Give the Historic Village Hall a Fresh Coat of Paint ➢ Change Lake Ann Park Drinking Fountain to a Lions Fountain ➢ Construct and Plant a Pollinator Garden at Lake Ann Park ➢ Install Concrete Tee Box Pads and Four Lions Benches on the Bandimere Disc Golf Course ➢ Contribute to the Chanhassen Fire Fighter Memorial Fund ➢ Plant a stand of Legacy Trees in a Chanhassen Park ➢ Install Six Lions Benches at Key Locations in the Cities Trail System We are also open to other ideas that may come up in the future. Please keep in touch. Sincerely Todd Hoffman City of Chanhassen Park and Recreation Director 952-227-1129 d 612-490-4405 m thoffman@ci.chanhassen.mn.us P.O. Box 147 7700 Market Boulevard Chanhassen, MN 55317 1 From: Hoffman, Todd Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2016 10:17 AM To: 'Hess, David'; Kaufmann, Glenn Subject: RE: Lions Legacy Project I think that kind of arrangement would be welcomed by all. Please continue your project discussions at the club level — we will forward an ideas list in a few weeks. From: Hess, David [mailto:david.hess(@finelobal com) Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2016 10:02 AM To: Hoffman, Todd; Kaufmann, Glenn Subject: RE: Lions Legacy Project Todd, This is something we need to talk about within our club. We don't have a huge budget. I'll respond to your questions with a question! I wondered, would it be possible to make something like a three year commitment? Pick a number and say $5000 per year for three years ($15K total) as a reimbursement to the city for a project in the Lions name? Again the number is something we'd need to get approved by our board before we could confirm a budget but was wondering about a multi-year reimbursement plan like this. That would allow us to possibly commit to a larger project. Dave From: Hoffman, Todd [mailto:thoffmanPci chanhassen mn us] Sent: Monday, February 29, 2016 8:34 AM To: Kaufmann, Glenn <glennv98(@hotmail.com>; Hess, David <david.hess(@finelobal.com> Subject: Lions Legacy Project Dear Dave and Glenn Thank you for attending last week's Park and Recreation Commission meeting! Individual commission members will present their ideas for potential legacy projects in the coming weeks. I will forward the assembled list to you. One question I have been receiving is what amount of money (range) that you think may be available for the work. Thanks again for all you do in the community! Sincerely Todd Hoffman City of Chanhassen Park and Recreation Director 952-227-1129 d 612-490-4405 m Minn. contractor convicted for shorting $242K in worker wages - StarTribune.com Page I of 2 WEST METRO MOOT contractor who shorted workers $242K is convicted of theft by swindle $242,000 case involved co-owner of firm hired for MnDOT project. By Paul Walsh (http✓/www.startribune.cora/paul-waish/20646171/) Star Tribune MARCH a, 2016 — 9:09PN A co-owner of a Twin Cities electrical contracting company has been convicted of cheating nearly two dozen employees out of a total of $242,000 in wages by paying them far less than the law required for their work on a state highway project in the north metro and elsewhere. Laura Plzak, 54, of Loretto, was convicted in Hennepin County District Court of 16 felony counts of theft by swindle. County Attorney Mike Freeman praised the bench verdict issued by Judge Tamara Garcia, calling it "a good decision, based on the enormous amount of evidence gathered by the FBI and the Minnesota Department of Transportation," Freeman said Monday that Plzak was "driven by greed, pure and simple, and it was the hardworking electricians who suffered." According to the criminal complaint: Honda Electric which is based out of the home of Laura and Jeffrey Plzak, was the electrical subcontractor on a Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Project at Interstate 35W and Interstate 694 in the north metro. The legally mandated prevailing wage for electricians on that job was $58.50 an hour, but one of the workers told state investigators in late 2010 that he was paid $17 an hour. The worker provided investigators with timesheets and pay stubs from some of the pay periods betw, ug. 24, 2010, and Oct. 6, 2010.�Phe stubs showed fewer hours worked than what he had reported on has In all, 22 employees were shortchanged $242,000 for their work from 2010 through 2011 Garcia wrote in her verdict that Plzak submitted bids for government work promising to Pay the higher prevailing wage `without any intention of fulfilling those promises." Further, the judge continued, Plzak admitted falsifying government forms to make it appear that her workers were receiving the prevailing wage. The work Honda Electric did, besides several road projects, included assignments at the Bois Forte Reservation in northern Minnesota, the University of Minnesota and the Three Rivers Park District. The most serious counts against Plzak, who ran the company's office, each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Jeffrey Pink, who did electrical work in the field for his company, pleaded guilty last year to similar charges in U.S. District Court in connection with the scheme and is sentenced to 22 months in prison. Plzak's attorney, Mark Kelly, countered Tuesday afternoon that "greed was not the motive here." Kelly added that the state initially brought charges against his client claiming the employees were victims of theft by swindle, but "court dismissed those charges, and the state changed its theory of the case to claim the state agencies and the general contractors were the victims." http://www.startribune.comlcriminal-convictions-of-mndot-contractor-who-shorted-worker... 3/10/2016 Minn. contractor convicted for shorting $242K in worker wages - StarTribune.com Page 2 of 2 The attorney said that showed that by malting a new claim of who was victimized, the county attorney is conceding that no money was obtained by my client or her company as a result of her actions." pwalsh@startribune.com 612-673-4482 http://www.startribune.conilcriminal-convictions-of-mndot-contractor-who-shorted-worker... 3/10/2016 February 7, 2008 CERTIFIED MAIL Ms. Laurie Plzak, President Honda Electric 5075 Nielsen Circle P.O. Box 236 Loretto, MN 55357 Re: Lake Ann Park Ball Field Lighting Project Dear Ms. Plzak: I am writing to alert you that the City of Chanhassen has significant concerns with the management of the contract that we hold with Honda Electric for the installation of ball field lighting at Lake Ann Park. On July 23, 2007 the Chanhassen City Council awarded a $410,300 project to Honda Electric. On July 31 of the same year you signed a contract agreeing to complete this work on or before October 31, 2007. This agreed-upon construction timeline was three months or 92 days in duration. An additional three months or 99 days have passed since October 31St and the project still is far from complete. In the event that the project is not complete and accepted by April 15, 2008, the City of Chanhassen will deduct $600 per day in liquidated damages from the payment due Honda Electric. April 15 is two months or 68 days from today. A second concern we have is Honda Electric's failure to make prompt payment to your subcontractors. Recently the City of Chanhassen has been contacted by two subcontractors requesting a copy of your payment bond. Together these companies are seeking in excess of $50,000 in late payments from Honda Electric. The City has paid our bills from Honda Electric in a timely manner and we expect that in return you will pay your bills associated with this project. Failure to pay your subcontractors in a timely manner is just cause for termination of our contract. The City of Chanhassen has been more than patient with Honda Electric on the Lake Ann Park ball field lighting project. We continue to incur costs that are directly attributable to Honda Electric's failure to complete this work. In the event this project is not completed and accepted by April 15, 2008, our entire community will be affected. We trust you understand the urgency required in order to satisfactorily honor your contract. Sincerely Todd Hoffman Park & Recreation Director c: Todd Gerhardt, City Manager Roger Knutson, City Attorney Duncan Schwensohn, HTPO gApark\thVake ann ballfields & pimic shelterliquadated damages.doc June 2, 2008 Via Fax and U.S. Mail Ms. Laurie Plzak, President Honda Electric 5075 Nielsen Circle P.O. Box 236 Loretto, MN 55357 Re: Lake Ann Park Ball Field Lighting Project Dear Ms. Plzak: I am notifying you that based upon our observations; the City of Chanhassen will not accept the restoration work that has been completed on the areas to be seeded on the Lake Ann Park Lighting project. In the past week, representatives from both the City of Chanhassen and HTPO have communicated our expectations to your subcontractor; however, they have failed to meet basic performance standards. From our observations, your subcontractor failed to adequately till the disturbed soils, failed to employ a leveling bar, failed to employ any type of mechanized fine leveling device, and improperly applied straw mulch. These deficiencies will guarantee the failure of a quality stand of new seed and turf in the disturbed areas. It is our position that the only available recourse is to remove the straw mulch from the restored areas and start the restoration process anew using standard and acceptable turf restoration practices per the specifications of our contract. The disturbed portions of the park have not been restored to a reasonable finish grade and the majority of the areas currently mulched are smothering the growing region and exhibiting rot. After the failure of your seeding contractor to perform last fall, followed by this second failed attempt, we are becoming increasingly concerned over your lack of care in closing out this project. Please contact your restoration contractor immediately to communicate our position. Sincerely, Todd Hoffinan Park & Recreation Director c: HTPO