PRC 1976 08 03
Park and Recreation Commission
',..... August 3, 1976
Chanhassen City Hall
The regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission was called to
order by Chairman Joe Betz at 8:20 PM. The following members were
present: Phyllis Pope, Pat Boyle and Margaret Thompson. Absent were:
Ron Berg, Shirley Challis, and Denis Stedman. Interested persons
present: Dale Gregory and Don Ashworth.
APPROVAL OF JULY 20, 1976, MEETING MINUTES: Phyllis Pope made a motion
that the minutes be approved as typed. Pat Boyle seconded. All in favor.
Motion carried.
{~
REVIEW OF ~ffiETING OF JULY 20, 1976 AND ACTION:
Inventory: Phyllis Pope has finished the inventory of the schools.
Newsletter: Call Gail Stone if you are interested in taking on this,job.
Si~ns: All the signs requested by the Park and Recreation Commission
should be available and posted by August 4, 1976.
Garbage Cans: Dale Gregory suggested that the Park and Recreation
Commission add a few more garbage cans to the beach area. Garbage piBk-up
is done twice a week; once on Monday and then on Friday. Phyllis Pope
suggested that the smaller cans be placed by the tennis courts where less
garbage is thrown and the larger ones be put by the beach area. It was
suggested that more garbage cans should perhaps be picked up for next year.
Ordiance #14 Revision: This has been passed on to the Planning Commission
and the City Attorney for review.
Tennis Courts: All action items on this and other projects which appear
in the minutes should be coordinated with Don Ashworth before proceeding.
The contractors have given the City more paint for tennis court surfaces.
It was suggested that the tennis court sign b:e made to read until "5:00"
thus allowing children rnore playing time after school. A block should be
made with 5:00 on it and placed over the 4:00 thereby enabling changes
in times to be made easily.
Lake Ann Property: Joe Betz, Don Ashworth, and Bruce Pankonin will meet
with the owner to discuss what can take place.
LAKE ANN PARK DISCUSSION: Dale Gregory gave his proposals. A walking
mower is needed. The one that is used now is not big enough for park use.
A new mower should cost between $500 and $600. Walking mower has higher
wheels and larger blades and sits out in front. It's made more for
commercial use.
tl""
Split rail fence should be extended both ways. A few cars are driving
around the fence. Would cost around $425. Opinions from the Park and
Recreation Commission wer:erequested. Fence would run from the park
entrance to east and west property lines.
Park and Recreation Commission
August J, 1976
City Hall of Chanhassen
Page 2
Garbage can covers and posts are needed. A rough cost estimate is $400
for 40 can covers and 40 posts for all areas. that need them. The posts ~
are needed to chain the garbage cans.
Chain link fence around the ball fields would cost $5.50 per foot.
Enclosure would be made just where the snow fence is now located. The
snow fence on some fields are very bad so either snow fence or chain links
will be needed for replacement. Six-foot fences are recommended so
people are not as apt to get hurt. ~here are 440 feet for the two soft-
ball fields and 510 feet around the baseball field. The total cost would
be about $7700. The north Little League field would cost about $2475.
This would include posts, top rails, ties and fence. Maintenance and
concrete are not included in this. This figure was gotten from Century
Fence.
<:
Dale spoke to Henry Wrase regarding sand for Lake Ann. Also, the weeds
are coming through. A chemical called Aqualthal was suggested which
could be applied to the beach to kill the weeks. Sand would cost approx-
imately $1.10 per ton. Sand is needed to fill up the drop off. The cost
of the Aquathal would run about $75.
Hoc~yrink will get by this year with repair but around $1000 will be
needed to repair it for next year. The plywood is being chewed away.
New plywood and braces would be needed. A brand new fence would be
around $2000. The drawback in repairing the plywood would be that plywood
requires more up-keep. It was estimated that between $200 and $JOO was
spent each year on repairs. This does not include labor cost. Dale
Gregory recommended the""plank since it would be a lot sturdier. No repai~
have been made on the plank fence other than painting.
Greenwood Shores does not have many items because too much damage is
being done there each year.
The Park and Recreation Commission have received requests to upgrate the
ball diamond at Chanhassen Estates.
Dale Gregory was wondering how much use was given
skating rinks.
the Chanhassen Estate
Greenwood Shores does not have a skating rink. Would consideration be
given in getting a skating rink in that area. Pat Boyle to check with
their association to see if they would want a rink there.
Approximate cost of $1200 would be needed to put in better lighting at
some of the dark spots on the hock~y rinks which some of the larger leagues
use. This would be two posts in the center equipped with two lights
on each post. Utilities run close to $500 per year.
No complaints have been received on the bike paths.
The lifeguards have not yet received their blow hOInor ring buoy.
According to Don Ashworth, the ring buoy has been ordered and he will
recheck on the blow horn. .-,
',...
(~
.1""-.
Park and Recreation Commission
August 3, 1976
Chanhassen City Hall
Page ~
there is a lack of parking space. A memo was received from the Police
Department by Don Ashworth saYlng that most of the tickets given were
on ball playing nights. Pat Boyle suggested that we ask the gate keeper
to check in the next two weeks to see if there isreally a large parking
problem out at Lake Ann. Pat Boyle suggested that since it is not
that crowded on non-ball playing nights, it would be too expensive to
invest in a new parking lot. It was suggested that if the parking lot
was established it would be for over-load in the flat area which would
be the furthest parking lot going down to the lake area.
Western Hills Park needs things done with it. Don Ashworth will meet
with the engineer on Thursday, August 5, 1976, to go over the basic
guidelines. The survey work will need to be done first, then the
topography. At that point, someone from the Park and Recreation
Commission should take a look at the park. Pat Boyle to take on this
assignment. Don Ashworth suggested seeding in the fall instead of laying
sod. Priorities would be the picnic tables, boardwalks and benches.
The cost last year was $80 per picnic table. Shrubs and trees would
be needed also in the budget. Phyllis Pope suggested that we use what is
there in relation to shrubs and move them into the picnic area instead
of just destroying them. Joe Betz suggested an approximate figure of
$750 for this. The check dam should have the first priority. That may
cost close to $500. There is still $2979 in the acquisition fund which
could be used.
Bike paths were discussed. It was suggested that $1000 should be
budgeted for bike path segment No.2. Phyllis ~ope will check if Federal
funding would be available.
Park and Recreation Director was discussed. Don Ashworth voiced the
opinion that the Park and Recreation Commission was in no position to
obtain a full-time Park and Recreational Director. He suggested that one
or two school districts could provide someone to act as a coordinator and
advisor to the Commission. It was suggested that if the Park and Recreation
Commission could get a contract situation that through joint efforts of
Chanhassen, Chaska and Minnetonka schools someone could be gotten with
each paying a certain percentage. Joe Betz was of the opinion that~the
Park and Recreation Commission needs someone of physical and mental talents
on a full time basis. Technical assistance is needed. Margaret Thompson
voiced the opinion that someone is needed to draw up a growth plan and
analyze what is needed. Pat Boyle suggested that we include $12,000 to
$14,000 in the budget for a Park and Recreation Director.
At the next meeting, the budget should be finalized as to what areas should
have priority.
Brenda Urke and Jim Jones to be invi"ted to the next Park and Recreation
Commission meeting to be held August 17, 1976.
There will be a Regional Trails Advisory Task Force meeting on August 17,
1976, at the Metro Square Building in St. Paul at 7:00 PM.
Park and Recreation Commission
August ;3, 1976
Chanhassen City Hall
Page .3
Dale Gregory's proposals on equipment will be sent to Don Ashworth.
-'
ADDITIONAL BUDGET REVIEW: Don Ashworth would like to receive the reports
and budget proposals by the end of this month.
Walking Mower: Dale Gregory thinks this is a necessity. This should be
listed as high priority on a mechanical list.
Split rail fence: This should be listed about second on the list of
priorities.
Garbage can covers and posts: Worst ones could be done first, therefore,
this is not a real priority.
Chain Link Fence: Dale Gregory to check to find out how much a new snow
fence would cost. A snow fence appears to be more dangerous than a
chain link fence. Margaret Thompson suggested that perhaps an advertise-
ment board could be used as is done elsewhere thus cutting the cost of
the chain link fence for us. Pat Boyle suggested that we jus~ put in
the fence on the north field for $247~. for this year. That would
include 450 feet.
(
AQuathal and sand: These two items are needed badly. Pat Boyle suggested
that we get this in right away since the drop off is about two feet and in
an area where many children swim. High priority.
Hock~y Rink: It was suggested by Joe Betz that maybe something could be~
worked out with the lumber company to do it now but put it in the budget
for next year. There ~ $500 in the budget for this year. Without the
boards, hockey could not be played, therefore, this is high priority.
Perhaps the CAA would be interested in this. Phyllis Pope suggested
that perhaps the hockey rink would be a better place to put advertisement
boards. The choices are whatever is done on the hockey rink would be
with existing funds and then obtain more funds elsewhere or put $1000
in the budget for next year and use the $250 we have left for ~epairs.
Don Ashworth suggested that the logical approach would be to squeeze by
with as little expense as possible for this year and then budget more
for the next year. This is rated high priority.
Dark spots on Rinks: Since only a few coaches have mentioned this,
it would be put low on the priority list.
MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION: Phyllis Pope suggested that resurfacing of
the tennis courts at Lake Ann would take priority over fence for ball
fields. The estimated cost to resurface would be about $t500.
Don Ashworth suggested that the Park and Recreation Commission look at
the capital side in listing their priorities.
Additional ~arkin~ for Lake Ann was discussed. The Police Department have
been receiving complaints from citizens being ticketed out there saying
"""""
,....
(
)If"""'-
,...
Park and Re~reation Commission
August 3, 1976
Chanhassen City Hall
Page .5
Margaret Thompson made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Pat
Boyle seconded. All in favor. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned
at 10:4.5 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Wostrel, Secretary