PRC 1976 12 07
PaJ::k and ~creation CoIrmission .Minutes
Dece.rra::>er 7, 1976
City Hall
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The Cllanhassen Pa:rk and ~creation Cbmni..ssion neeting on 'I'uesday, ~oember 7,
1976, began shortly after 7:30 p.m. with an open public neeting for residents
interested in the planning and developing of trails in Olanhassen for bikers,
horseback riders, snCMnDbilers, hikers and cross-countrY skiers. John
Breckheiner, member of the Shorewood Parl< ccmnission and Joint Trails Ccmnission
spoke to the group e}(f>laining Joint Trails and what Shorewood has done in
planning a trail system. He e}(f>laimd that the aim of Joint Trails was a
bike trail all aromd Lake Minnetonka with areas for rest stops and over-night
canping. A bike trail will be put in along Cbmty Road 19 this surrmer north
of Highway 7. He showed us the panphlet that Shorew::xJd sent to all residents
asking their input on the possible park inproverrents in their village. l-bst
residents favored putting in bike trails. He felt that Cllanhassen should be
plarming trails nON since we are not carpletely developed, and also suggested
that the shoulder of County Road 17 be marked as a bike trail. He answered
questions fom the audience and members of Parl< and Recreation. Pat Jensen
said that the north side of lake Lucy had a lovely trail for hiking and
horseback riding and she hoped it could be included in future trail plans.
Fred Wagner, a rranber of the O1anhassen snownobile club said that they had
marked about 4 miles of trails getting signed releases from property owners in
case of injUlY of riders on their property. These trails could not be used for
horseback riding because of the fences used in the surrmer, but have been used
by cross comtry skiers. County Road 17 can be used for both smwrrobiles
and horseback riders in the ditch.
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Cbnrad Fiskness of the Riley-Purgato1:Y Creek Watershed District requested that
they receive any minutes or correspondence regarding any trails planned
paralleling creeks in that district. That does not include Lake Minneswashta.
Al Harvey, a member of the Frontier Riders supported that idea of a trail system
and also requested that the Pan and Recreation Cbrrmission consider purchasing
land for a riding ring such as Minnetonka has built when naking future park
inprovercents. The Frontier Riders could build ~ ring. He agreed to return
with a written proposal for the project.
Fred Wa'9l1er asked Cbnrad Fiskness about the future developnent around Lake Susan,
if ~ builden had to set land aside for parl<. area. Mr. Fiskness replied that
it was not necessaJ:Y, but that the flocrl plain could not be developed. He
worrlered if Cllanhassen had a Flood Plain ordinance, if not the Riley-Purgato1:Y
Creek ordinance would be follONed. .
'Ihose present at the meeting were: JOM Breckheiner, Shorewoodj Ron Roeser,
Al Harvey, Fred Wagner, R.M. lX>dd, and Pat Jensen who agreed to work actively
on a Trails Ccmnittee. Also attending were Conrad Fiskness, Dick r-Eredith
and Ken White. All those present were in favor of planning trails for Olanhassen
and were in general agreenent that it would be worthwhile for the city to spend
$2,000. to $10,000 in conjunction with the Joint Trails gIOup to have professional
plarming of trails.
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'Ihe Park am Recreation neetinJ began at 8:30 p.m. Merrbers present were Joe
Betz, Cllairnan, Pat Boyle, Margaret Tharpson, Denis Stedman and Shirley Chellis
and Phyllis Pope. The minutes were approved as read.
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IX>n Ashworth told us what has happened to the new proposed Parl<: Ordinance. It
has been reviewed by the Plarming Comnission. '!hey had several changes suggested.
'!heir concems were about the legality of the tenn "develoFftel1t costs II after
discussion with the city attorney. Also of concern was whether m::mey should
be collected at the; tine of sUbdivision; that c::ormercial and irrlustrial building --'
slDuld be included in parl<: ordi.nan.cs, the charge to 'be levied on an equitable
basis; also that ncre infonnation was needed on what otl}er neighborinJ cities
park ordinances said; and that the Parl<: and Recreation Cbn1nission should
develop criteria for neighborhood parks. Ibn Ashworth and the City Attorney
will redraft the ordinance and incltrle a paragraph ~1aining a charge to
ccmrercial and industrial develq:m:mt that the O:mnission will see at their next
:rreetinJ. '!he staff will also get copies of Park Ordinances from area cities
to oonpare with.
'!he 1976 budget was discussed. '!here was sone concern with a la1:ge deficit
in the noney allotted for lifeguards. N:> total figures are yet available.
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IX>n AsbNorth said that the O:nncil had appointed a O:mm.ni ty Facilities Interim
sttrly O::mni.ttee because of concern about what to do with the Old St. Hubert's
Church and the Old Village Hall. '!he Ca1:ver <bunty LibraI:Y reported that about
S ,000 books are checked out nonthly by people in O1anhassen indicating the
need for a branch library here. '!he Study Cbmnittee will consist of one nerrber
from each comnission ani one carmunity m.:mber. D:mis Stednan noved that Pat
Boyle be our representative, MaI:garet '!harpson secbnded the notion. r-btion
unaninously approved.
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In response to a question from Denis Stedman, Ibn Ashworth reported on the
status of the Ecklund arrl SWedlund proposed deveJ.qment on East lotus rake.
'!he <buncil gave preliminaI:Y approval on Plan G, subject to approval by the
DNR on the dredging of a lagoon. '!here are severcUJ. changes in the new plan.
Denis Stedman asked Ibn if the wanning house behirrl the fire station could be
opened soon. '!he operator will be contacted soon and it can be opened.
Joe Betz asked I:bnAshworth about the proposed Lion's Club project, if there
were any question of a donation of that sort being legal. Ibn said that any
project like that should be first accepted by the City <buncil.
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'!here will be 2 vacancies on the camrl.ssion ~r January 1, 1977 when Margaret
'!harpoon is resigning. '!here are currently 4 applications from people who
wish to be on the a:mmission. Another request should appeal1. in Karen's <brner
for applications. Any applications should be returned to City Hall before Dec.
23, 1976. All applicants should be then contacted by the city to cnne to the
next PalX and Recreation meetinJ beginning at 8 :00 p.m. on Janu:u:y 4, at
10 minute intervals. We will endeavor to choose 2 new members at that neeting.
Phyllis Pope
Acting Secretary
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