7 2006 Ballfield Improvements
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MEMORANDUM
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
TO:
Park and Recreation Commission
Todd Hoffman, Park & Recreation Director /
February 20,2006
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
FROM:
DA TE:
Administration
Phone: 952.227.1100
Fax: 952.227.1110
SUBJ:
Recommendation Concerning 2006 Ball Field Improvement
Projects
Building Inspections
Phone: 952.227.1180
Fax: 952.227.1190
Engineering
Phone: 952.227.1160
Fax: 952.227.1170
On January 24, 2006, the Park and Recreation Commission took public
comment on the 2006 Ballfield Improvement Project. Letters soliciting input
were mailed to local athletic association contacts, all of whom utilize our ball
field inventory. The following individuals were present at the meeting and
provided input:
Finance
Phone: 952.227.1140
Fax: 952.227.1110
> David Dines - Minnetonka Lacrosse
> Todd Neils - Chanhassen Little League
> Tom Nygaard - CC United Soccer Club
> Larry Doran - Chaska Area Lacrosse
Park & Recreation
Phone: 952.227.1120
Fax: 952.227.1110
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone: 952.227.1400
Fax: 952.227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Phone: 952.227.1130
Fax: 952.227.1110
In addition, comments made by Rob Norby, representing Chaska Area Football
and Jim Moss, representing Chaska/Chan Baseball contacted us after the
meeting. Mr. Norby and Mr. Moss both expressed their regrets for not making it
to the meeting and offered their association's assistance in any improvement
efforts we identified as desirable.
The following issues were identified during the public comment period:
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Phone: 952.227.1300
Fax: 952.227.1310
. Dug outs or player bench covers
. Fence extensions along the foul lines of fields #1 and #2 at Lake Ann
Park
. Installation of plastic fence topping
. Repair of a cracked home plate on Lake Ann Park field #2
. Addition of a storage building for association use at Lake Ann Park
. The installation of more accessible routes to the fields
. Barrier netting to assist in containing balls within the field areas at
Bandimere Park
. The pitching mound on Lake Ann Park field #2 seems hard
. Fields at Lake Ann didn't seem to drain well after significant rain events
. Need for additional Lacrosse goals
Senior Center
Phone: 952.227.1125
Fax: 952.227.1110
Web Site
www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us
The City of Chanhassen · A growing community with clean lakes, quality schools, a charming downtown, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautiful parks. A great place to live, work, and play.
Park & Recreation Commission
February 20, 2006
Page 2
Our findings and recommendation for each item follows:
Dug outs or player bench covers: Staff is in agreement with this
recommendation.
Fence extensions along the foul lines of fields #1 and #2 at Lake Ann Park:
Staff is in agreement with this recommendation
Installation of plastic fence topping: Staff has been unable to locate a source
that identifies chain link fences as a significant threat to safety. The cost for
outfitting our athletic fields with a fence topping would add up quickly and the
resulting look would be considered garish by some. For these reasons we are
not recommending the installation of fence topping.
Repair of a cracked home plate on Lake Ann Park Field #2: Staff will
replace the home plate as a part of our spring maintenance routine.
Addition of a storage building for association use at Lake Ann Park: The
master plan for Lake Ann Park features three buildings, the large park
maintenance building, the picnic pavilion overlooking the lake, and a shelter
building serving the ball fields. The shelter currently in place near the ball fields
is too small to effectively serve all the needs associated with operating a ball
field complex serving multiple user groups. In lieu of adding an additional
building, staff is advocating that we explore a joint project to build a new shelter
replacing the existing ball field shelter. The new shelter would include modem
restrooms, concessions, seating and storage.
The installation of more accessible routes to the fields: Staff supports the
installation of additional bituminous pathways to improve accessibility at Lake
Ann Park
Barrier netting to assist in containing balls within the field areas at
Bandimere Park: This issue was identified shortly after the opening of
Bandimere Park. Staff supports the installation of additional barrier netting
and/or fencing to aid in restricting balls to the field of play. This project will
include both the soccer and baseball fields.
The pitching mound on Lake Ann Park field #2 seems hard: Maintenance
staff will evaluate the condition of the mound in the spring and make
appropriate modifications.
Fields at Lake Ann didn't seem to drain well after significant rain events:
Maintenance staff will evaluate the condition of all infields in the spring and
make appropriate modifications.
G:\P ARK\TH\2006 ballfield improvements.doc
Park & Recreation Commission
February 20, 2006
Page 3
Need for additional Lacrosse space and nets: We currently have enough nets
for the fields being made available for lacrosse. Staff is evaluating the merits of
offering additional field time for lacrosse. (Any new time for lacrosse will result
in less field time for soccer.)
Upon receiving feedback from the commission on this report, staff will continue
to develop the project plan including cost estimates for each item.
G:\P ARK\TH\2006 ballfield improvements.doc
Park and Rec Commission - January 24, 2006
Hoffman: We'd like to announce that the City was honored today at the Chanhassen Chamber of
Commerce luncheon as Business of the Year. So there was 5 I believe nominees for Business of
the Year. Mayor Furlong accepted that award on behalf of the City and the elected appointed
officials and staff and parks and recreation plays a significant part in that award. It was
mentioned first hand on a number of occasions throughout the presentations so I'm sure you'll
see more about it in the paper this coming week but that was a nice honor the City received today
at noon.
Stolar: Anything else? Alright, commission members anything else? Okay.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS: None.
APPROV ALOF MINUTES: Scharfenberg moved, Atkins seconded to approve the
verbatim and summary minutes of the Park and Recreation Commission meeting dated
December 20, 2005 as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously
with a vote of 5 to o.
Stolar: Actually it's not in these minutes. I'd like to thank Jack and his wife Eileen for hosting
us at our holiday party. Christmas party. Appreciate it. It was very nice.
Spizale: You're welcome.
Stolar: Should we give Tom a little more time or should we, what do you guys think? Wait until
Tom gets here for the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson decision? Okay.
INVITATION .FOR PUBLIC COMMENT - 2006 BALLFIELD IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT.
Hoffman: Thank you Chair Stolar, members of the commission. As a part of the development
of the 2006 eIP we included $60,000 in one line item for ballfield improvements. We also have
an additional $25;000 at Bandimere Park for athletic field netting and so you combine those two
and you're at $85;000 in ballfield related improvements for the 2006 season. This started as a
part of a conversation that you had last year. Different athletic associations specifically Todd
Neils who is here this everiingand presented to the commission on a couple of occasions and I
think, did we count 42 ballfields the other day when we were discussing this? Soccer and
baseball. 42 fields. Our fields are very well known as being in good condition for public
facilities but there's always room for improvement, especially as it relates to safety needs at our
athletic. field complexes. . So in response to those desires this money has been recommended by. .
the commission, approved by the City Council as.a part of your 2006 CIP and now the best way
to do a quality project is to hear from those who actually utilize those facilities and take some
input about their ideas and then make some recommendations back to the City Council so that's
our intent this evening. We have some people here representing different athletic associations
and sports if you'd like to take the chance to hear their input.
Stolar: And for clarification we are talking, it's not just ballfields. It's athletic fields because
there might be other uses outside of ballfields.
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Park and Rec Commission - January 24, 2006
Hoffman: Correct.
Stolar: Alright. So why don't we open it up then for public comment. Would you like to, are
you here for the ballfield issue?
. David Dines: Yes, I'm David Dines.
Stolar: Would you mind stepping up here. Introduce yourself and your address. And your
association.
David Dines: Thank you. Okay, I'm David Dines. I'm with Minnetonka Youth Lacrosse. We
have been beneficiaries of using Instant Web in years past. I'm relatively new to the
organization but I'm here representing the organization tonight. I would ten you that we've been
very pleased with Instant Web. I'm here to say that we have no safety recommendations other
than I'm here to introduce myself. It is our goal to get closer to' you and to build a relationship
with you because youth lacrosse is growing leaps and bounds and quite honestly we're going to
need and ask for more field space so it's just a way for us to introduce ourselves but I have no,
no needs from a safety aspect. So I'll stop there. Thank you.
Stolar: Thank you. If you don't mind waiting a second. Are there any questions from the
commission? Great, thank you very much.
David Dines: Okay, thank you.
Stolar: Appreciate you stopping by. Todd, you want to go next?
Todd Neils: My name is Todd Neils from Chanhassen Little League. I was recently elected
President in October, taking the place of Jack Jensen who served for 16 years. As you know
we've spoken on several occasions over the past year about the need for additional ball park
space, whether it be lighted fields at the Lake Ann complex, or a more well rounded experience
for the youth that are playing baseball in the community. There are I think some safety issues
that need to be addressed, at least from a ballpark standpoint. A baseball park standpoint. I
don't know if you wantme to go into detail about those right now or if you want to wait until a
later time.
Stolar: Now's fantastic.
Todd Neils: We have made the recommendation, or at least the request in the past that Lake Ann
Park and Bandimere Park be outfitted with dugouts. We have changed our stance to the extent
that there are some additional needs for those parks, specifically the extension of the fences
along any of the ballparks at Lake Ann, specifically Lake Ann 1 and 2. Lake Ann 3 and 6 are
completely surrounded by fencing at this .point. Additionally we feel that there should be some
type of topping. I know that down in Chaska they have a yellow plastic topping to the fields so
if any children do stick their hands over, they don't get caught on the fencing itself.
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Park and Rec Commission - January 24, 2006
Scharfenberg: Just to clarify Todd what you're talking about is on the outfield fence, some sort
of protective covering over the, what would be the home run fence, just to designate or more of a
protective device.
Todd Neils: I think that all fencing should be capped in some manner because whether it's a foul
ball next to the dugout or down the either base line, there's till the opportunity for a child to
reach over in some manner and cut themselves on the fencing. Additionally there is a cracked
base, specifically home plate at Lake Ann 2 that I know about. I'm not quite sure necessarily
what would be under the, what would be under the responsibility of the City to fix some of these
items versus what this additional windfall shall we say of money is going to be used for. Beyond
that, we have made a request for additional storage space. I know that some of the storage space
that has been used in the past, specifically the metal containers had, could have easily fallen and
almost did on someone's head where we stored our equipment for umpires. So there was an
umpire that almost got bonked in the noggin when he went in to get his umpire equipment. So
some "additional storage with possibly, you know whether it be a storage shed that is split up into
sections would be very helpful. Additionally if there is extra money involved after all that is said
and done, there are numerous things that we would like to see the Park and Rec Commission, as
well as the City take on to improve the experience of our ball players. Again from a safety
standpoint, foul balls are always a danger and whether we add dugouts for safety reasons or for
aesthetic reasons, orfor a well rounded experience, it's irrelevant. I think dugouts are necessary,
particularly during the hot days of summer when some screening of some type over the top of the
dugouts is necessary. Because the kids, particularly the catchers are wearing catchers masks
during the game and get quite warm and need some place to kind of cool down.
Stolar: Anything else?
Todd Neils: I can go on forever.
Stolar: Those are your top?
Todd Neils: I think those are the top concerns at this point because I think when we originally
started having our conversations, there was an interest as I said to add lighting and dugouts.
Once the safety concerns are taken care of, and again if there is extra dollars to be spent, if
there's any way we can add those dugouts as requested, that would be fantastic.
Stolar: Great. Any questions for Todd?
Kelly: When you say extend the fences, I mean could you elaborate on that a little more? I
mean are these fields are what fully enclosed right now and instead of making them 300 on the
lines you want to make them 330 down the lines? Is that?
Todd Neils: No, no, no. What I mean is on, if you walk Lake Ann 1 or Lake Ann 2, currently
there is fencing only to the extent that it goes past, I think 1 or 10 feet past the dugout. We have
quite a few parents that sit along either side line, along the fencing there in the foul territory
watching games. When there are over throws or again fouls, but over throws specifically, there's
always that danger that a parent who may be conversing with another parent is in danger of
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Park and Rec Commission - January 24, 2006
getting hit. I don't know necessarily that you need to extend the fencing all the way down the
line to the outfield, but at the very least it should be extended another 20 to 40 feet to ensure
those parents are not being in danger in any way. Additionally we use some of that area for
warm up pitching and so again our children that are warming up for their next pitching, or
pitching performance and therefore there's that possibility that they may be hit by a ball as well. ,
Stolar: Any other questions?
Spizale: I've got one. What does a dugout cost to put in? Does anybody have a figure on that?
Todd Neils: I don't necessarily have the figures. I would suggest however that if in fact your,
, the cheapest alternative, and we've seen these in Hopkins and I believe t4ey also have them in
the Chaska district, they have an enclosed fence dugout with a fence top and then they have some
sort of wind screen that covers the dugout, which I think would provide both ample protection
. from foul balls as well as the opportunity to keep the kids cool during the 'hot summer.
Hoffman: And those are probably a couple thousand dollars on each side versus you could spend
up to $20,000, $30,000, $40,000 on a dugout if you made it out of masonry and roof tops and
stuff too.
Todd Neils: I know that one of the requests that has come from members of our league is the
inaccessibility of some of the fields and some sort of path, particularly for disabled in
wheelchairs or with walkers would be greatly appreciated so that they have the ability to get to
the fields and watch their grandchildren or children play sports.
Atkins: Has anyone, have any of your players been injured going over the fence or jumping for
balls?
Todd Neils: Not yet. Not that I know of. I wasn't alerted of anything last year as the Vice
President. I sure would not ever want to see it happen because I know those things can be sharp,
you know. But I'd like to see something to ensure that it never does happen.
Atkins: The storage equipment that you have, was that provided by the City initially?
Todd Neils: The storage facility?
Atkins: For your equipment. Whatever you're storing your umpire's equipment in.
ToddNeils: The umpire's equipment is supplied by the league itself. The storage facility I
think, if I'm not mistaken was supplied by the City.
Ruegemer: The storage boxes at Lake Ann were actually made by Ziegler back in the early 90' s,
by the ex-President of the CAA, Jeff Bros. And those were.
Atkins: Donated?
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Park and Rec Commission':'" January 24,2006
Ruegemer:Made by Ziegler and donated to the City for the fields so those go back quite a few
years. 15-16 years.
Atkins: I was just wondering if the City is required to provide storage for something like that.
Hoffman: We provide storage at the fields. When we remodeled City Center Park, we put
storage boxes at those fields.
Todd Neils:. I think we'd like to see something, if possible, a little larger in scale because our
intent is to have trucking equipment and umpire gear and possibly temporary mounds that the
Little League will use on the fields. Provided they will take them out to the field at night and
then return them to the storage shed after they're done using them.
Atkins: From my experience it appears that maybe the only fields that aren't accessible to
handicap would be 3 and 6, the ones down on the end because the path extends to the top of the
hill all the way down.
Todd Neils: I agree with that. I think one of the concerns of the difficulties is, as you walk the
tree line along the path between I think ifs 1 and 6 at this point, it does go up a grade and so it is
difficult to get down that grade if you want to get low enough to see the field because the
overhang of the trees may shade that.
Atkins: The trees are getting bushy.
Todd Neils: A little bit.
Stolar: Any other questions?
Todd Neils: Thank you.
Stolar: Thank you Todd. Appreciate it.
Tom Nygaard: Hi I'm Tom Nygaard. I'm the President of the CCUnited Soccer Club, which is
the Chan-Chaska Soccer Club that serves the Carver County community here and just briefly
talking with Todd when I came in, I guess we're all on the same page of these, there's some
discussions at least regarding some of the expenditures, but tonight I just bring forward one
about the Bandimere Park, the complex. I have to tell you guys, you haven't heard, when we
have visiting teams come in from the other metropolitan areas from outstate, that Bandimere
complex by far is probably the premiere soccer site. A 3 field site grant you but premiere as far
as quality and upkeep, the size. Constantly get compliments. Everyone wants to play at
Bandimere so thank you. We appreciate it and it's been a pleasure working with Jerry I think
probably 8 years. I've been with the club for about 12 years and just, it's a great facility. In
conjunction with that though, the only thing that was ever missing was some type of barrier,
netting, fencing on the fields behind the goals to prevent the balls to go into the woods on one
side and the pond on the other. And that would be the only reason we're really here tonight is
looking for a field improvement is to do something in that regard. Our proposal we, if it's
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Park and Rec Commission - January 24, 2006
cyclone fencing. If it's a temporary netting that has strings that you pull up. I guess we're here
to say we're willing to work with you to find a solution that works not only for the soccer fields
but also I know there's residents around the park that are going to have concerns about seeing the
fence up all the time. Butwe want to work with you and find a solution to that one detriment
because I think we're still looking for 6 kids from last year that went to... I'm kidding but we do
lose a few soccer balls and we do have the balls go in the ponds and if anything more, it's not so
much safety as it is inconvenience but I guess there is a walking path and shots can be taken and
shots are taken into the parking lot, and we'd love to teach our kids to put the b~ll on frame but
that's not going to happen so. So we're here tonight to help solicit ideas, funds and see if we
can't find a working solution for Bandimere in regards to some type of protective or barriers for
the soccer balls behind the nets. And in conjunction with that we've always been trying to be the
club that has, that gives back to people that work with us well and if it's labor that you need,
we're willing to invest labor. We have a lot of talented people within the club that would be
willing to help with the labor to help save costs. In other notes, I mean we have 490 competitive
players. About 53% are from the Chanhassen residents or boundaries. That's up 60 players
from last year. Our rec program will probably near 2,000 this year so we'll be about a 2,600, I'm
sorry, 2,500 play organization by next year easily so we want to continue working with you and
finding ways and parks and solutions to continue helping our program grow. And before I
forget, do you take care of the rec program for soccer in the fall then for, is that? Because what
we'd like to do is offer the. services of a Director of Coaching because we do that. We don't
have arec program in the fall, so he's looking to help communities like Chanhassen, Chaska,
Carver, Victoria. If they have a rec program going, he's there to assist you in any way he can so
that's also an extended offer to the City of Chanhassen.
Stolar: Okay, thank you.
Tom Nygaard: And that's a11 I have. Any questions?
Kelly: I guess the netting or the fencing you're looking at, are you looking at, would it be
preferred that to be on the field side of the path or on the opposite side of the path?
Tom Nygaard: If it's on the field side of the path, it's probably best it be a little bit higher
initially because once the shot goes by the goal and gets down to the path, your projectory is
lower so it's not such a concern. It could be a lower fence. The problem is that you still have
people walking dogs, bicycling and that. We're willing to talk about it. I mean we're not ruling
anything out. We want to provide thesafety. We haven't had any incidents but that doesn't
mean there couldn't be an air shot that takes someone down one of these days but if it is on the
field side of the walk, it might have to be a little bit higher just to keep the shots, the higher shots
and stopping them initially.
Kelly: Okay, thanks.
Tom Nygaard: Alright, thank you. Appreciate it.
Stolar: Actually David I have a question for you. Where do you currently play in the city for
lacrosse?
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Park andRec Commission - January 24, 2006
David Dines: Where do we, we practice at Instant Web. Behind that, Friday and Saturday of
last year for Chanhassen. And we practice at other fields in the Minnetonka area.
Hoffman: Most commissioners aren't aware, Instant Web is a temporary field situation that the
City is just, we have a long term relationship. Thatfield's been available for 8 to 10 years now I
bet. Yeah. But it's not owned by the City. The property is not owned by the City. We did do
some grading -and field improvements there, but the field will not be there forever. It will be a
building some day most likely.
Stolar: Okay. Good to know. And then Todd, do you wanttotalk a little bit about the process
that we're going to follow on these improvement suggestions.
Kelly: I had a quick question. Was there something in our CIP that, for Bandimere
improvement that talked about fencing along the, okay.
Hoffman: Bandimere Park athletic field netting, $25,000 for this year and that's in addition to
the $60,000.
Kelly: Right, okay. So it's possible that we wouldn't even need to tap into the $60,000 to satisfy
that concern. Probable actually. Okay. Just some more about that netting. I know last, a couple
of years ago they had the_ orange netting that went, I want to say was it the north side of th~
fields. Is it, do something a little different this time than the orange netting? Because I do live
around there so I know how well that stood out at the time. So okay. I just wanted to address it
because I thought there was something in our budget that kind of addressed the Bandimere fields.
Hoffman: Yep. There's some challenging grade out there as well. On the south side of the
field, if you take the netting away from the back of the net, you drop down the hill real
dramatically as well so you're going to lose that advantage, the height because you'll have to
regain it in the height of the fence so there's some challenges out there, but we can find a
solution.
Stolar: So after we get this input, the process will be.
Hoffman: Process will be your thoughts from the commissioners and then staff would make a
recommendation at a future meeting for the commission to consider and then to make a
recommendation to the City Council.
Stolar: And specifically to the offer that was on the table, and I believe your organization has
talked to us many times before also. That as we go forward we would ask for their participation
as we start finalizing some of the information, actual designs and implementations of what we
chose to fund, as well as we would welcome any assistance in implementing.
Hoffman: As staff moves forward with developing each of these projects we would work with
those different representatives and talk about where appropriate, where they could participate in
assisting the site.
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Park and Rec Commission - January 24,2006
Stolar: And I appreciate the offers that everyone has put forth because Todd, you wanted to.
Todd Neils: Todd Neils again. I'd like to mirror what Tom suggested. I've been given the go
ahead by our board that if there is anything necessary in terms of labor that needs to be done,
we're more than willing to throw people at it. Whether it's pounding nails, I'll put my tool belt
on all weekend on a Saturday if I need to. I missed a couple points earlier and if you don't mind
I'd like to hit them really quick. The sole baseball mound at Lake Ann 2 is made out of, I'm not
quite sure but I can tell you that it is so hard that it gets, it's very slippery for the kids. And so
that may be necessary to be chopped down and redone. Additionally, some type of re-grade for
3 and 6. Well all the fields at Lake Ann because with all the rain we had last year, we had swim
meets rather than baseball games, and whether they are, whether they are re-graded from the
mound out, or whatever the city thinks is necessary. Some better drainage really is necessary at
those fields. There are minor things that we can always get by, new spikes for base pads and
mounds. I know that from a softball standpoint, as the softballers use Lake Ann 1, they've got 2
spikes set up for pitching. They bring temporary, the temporary pitching rubber. . .
(There was a tape change at this point in the discussion.)
Kelly: Is there aneed for part of that money to go to installing those scoreboards or are you
taking care of all that?
Todd Neils: Absolutely not. We purchased the scoreboards out of the budget of the Chanhassen
Little League. The scoreboards when they came were not quite what we expected. Two of them
were damaged. And only one was in working condition. I think last year, I think it was May
you approved the donation of scoreboards, and it was going to go to City Council. Because we
received the scoreboards in such poor condition we felt we weren't going to pursue it at that
time, so we're looking for other alternatives for scoreboards. When we do receive them or find
that alternative, we definitely will be either coming back to you, if that's necessary, or
approaching the City Council. I'm not quite sure what the path will be at that point, or the
necessary path. I suspect I'll talk to Todd about that in the future. To offer our assistance in any
way to have those, to install those scoreboards.
Kelly: Thanks.
Stolar: Thanks. Any comments from commissioners? We'll start with Steve. Any questions,
comments for staff. Thoughts.
Scharfenberg: Well part of what I think what we talked about in 2005 with the CIP and that with
that $60,000 was primarily for lighting. If I remember right. VI asn' t that right?
Hoffman: We pushed lighting out, athletic field lighting, 4 fields, $300,000 to 2008.
Scharfenberg: Oh okay.
Stolar: This was for ballfield improvements.
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Park and Rec Commission - January 24, 2006
Scharfenberg: Alright. I think the necessary thing is to kind of prioritize some of the things that
we want done and you know say here's priority 1,2,3 and 4 and say, can we get those done
within the amount of money that we have. That's I think what we need to do.
Stolar: And that's something you wo~ld suggest the commission does tonight? Or at a later
meeting have this list kind of put together for us?
Scharfenberg: Yeah.
Stolar: Okay. Paula.
Atkins: The CAA would have to do that. Prioritize? Present us. I mean you listed 4 or 5 things
that you thought were most important but I don't know if you listed them in order exactly.
Stolar: Or I guess one of the questions I have for the commission is, if we ask, if you could
submit that to Todd and then maybe at the next meeting we have your prioritized list based on
some input priorities also. Would that workfor you all? Because that'd be easiest I think for us
is that if you can just mail your list with your priorities, and feel free to copy commissioners. I
don't mind you sending it to us, but look to Todd and Jerry to take the different priorities, plus
things that maybe Dale or you guys have seen also, you know you didn't get a chance to give the
input. That's where you wouldgjvethe input of things you've seen also.
Hoffman: Mr. Neils referred to it. Some of these items are not CIP items. They're maintenance
. items so we'll differentiate between the two at our future recommendation.
Stolar: That'd be great because yeah, there might be a set of these that you say, look at. We'll
deal with some of these in a different fashion this year. Here are the ones that belong in theCIP.
Great, thanks.
Kelly: Actually I have a question about the lacrosse. I just want to make sure that a well
maintained soccer field is good enough for lacrosse. There's no additional needs that you need
on a lacrosse field other than just.
David Dines: As long as it's 60 yards by 110 yards. Once in a while we need. . . we just need
more of them, that's all.
Kelly: Yeah, the only thing I would request of the netting that we do around Bandimere is to
make sure it's sufficient to stop lacrosse balls as well because those things, they go a lot faster
and they're a lot easier to lose than soccer balls. And ,they hurt a lot more when they hit
somebody. I've been there so.
Murphy: I have to go along with the idea of having the CAA prioritize the needs that we have
because we heard a lot of them tonight so if you can have those prioritized.
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Park and Rec Commission -January 24,2006
Stolar: And just for the record, since no one said on record, Chaska, Chan-Chaska Soccer Club
put their priorities on the handout that they gave us. As far as which field you feel should have
first, the netting so thank you.
Spizale: No additional comments.
Stolar: Okay, great. Anything that you guys would like to add?
Ruegemer: No. Just it's exciting time for staff too to go through this process with the
associations and for some much needed improvements so just for the record too, District 112
baseball did send an e-mail to me today expressing regrets that they couldn't be here tonight but
they fully would like to be involved in the process and look forward to that.
Stolar: Great. So should we target our February meeting? Is that sufficient time for you guys?
That'd be great. And then you know as always, we welcome comments and participation and
again appreciate your offers to be here, to help us as we do this process and also appreciate you
being here tonight. Thank you. To facilitate for our guests here, why don't we move to the
lifeguard contract.
RECOMMENDA TION CONCERNING APPROVAL OF 2006 LAKE ANN LIFEGUARD
CONTRACT.
Ruegemer: Thank you Chair Stolar. The City does review the annual contract at Lake Ann
every year about this time if possible. The City of Chanhassen has had a long standing
relationship with Minnetonka Community Education and Services and that relationship dates
back to the 1970's. It started as a handshake between, it was Jim Jones I believe and Don
Ashworth was back in the day so. They've had a presence at Lake Ann for a long time and the
City values that relationship. 2005 we did go through the process of having two different entities
bid for those services at Lake Ann. Minnetonka Community Education Services and also
Minnesota Safety Services. A new company that was formed by former employee of
Minnetonka. Went through that process last year. After much debate from the commission and
City Council, ultimately City Council did approve the contract for Minnetonka Community
Education and Services in 2005. Staff had a good working relationship with.. . Sarah Best,
representing Minnetonka Community Education Services last year. Everything seemed to go
just fine with the swimming lessons and also the day to day operations of the beach contract.
Staff asked Minnetonka Community to submit a contract for the 2006 beach season, as they did
and tha(s attached for the commission's viewing tonight. The contract amount came in at
$25,900, which is less than the 2005 contract in the amount of $1,655. Tim has looked at, Sarah
and Tim with Minnetonka have looked at the contract and kind of fine tuned it a little bit and are
. going to be looking at things a little bit more efficiently this year. Doing some functions of the
contract and that was kind of the reasoning for the reduced price for this year. Same, it's
essentially the same contract as the 2005 contract. That does include lifeguards 7 days a week,
from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lake Ann, from June 10th until August 20th, 2006. It is staffs
recommendation that the Park and Rec Commission recommend that the City Council approve
the contract for Minnetonka Community Education and Services in the amount of $25,900 to
provide lifeguard services at Lake Ann beach for the 2006 season. This amount has been
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Park and Rec Commission - January 24, 2006
budgeted in the Lake Ann Park operations budget again for 2006. That's my recommendation
and the contract attached. Mr. Tim Litfin is also here from Minnetonka Community Education
Services tonight if the commission would have any questions for Tim.
Stolar: Tim, did you want to make a statement?
Tim Litfin: Thank you. Good evening and thank you for having me here tonight. My name's
Tim Litfin. I'm the Community Education Director at Minnetonka and I'd like to first of all
begin by saying thank you for 2005. You put your trust and faith in Minnetonka Community
Education and we, I believe we delivered well. We trained, equipped and outfitted our staff to
provide for the City of Chanhassen on excellent service and I believe we did not only represent
ourselves and community education well, but ultimately you as the City of Chanhassen. And we
were proud to do that and we very much look forward to doing that again this year at 2006. The
bid is a little less than last year as Jerry mentioned. And that just goes to show that we've fine
tuned things. I've been on the job there for Community Ed Director now 16 months so we've
fine tuned a few things in our operations and some costs were shifted where they perhaps should
more likely be and not in the beach contract, and that is why it is reflected that way, and it will in
no way reflect less services. In fact last year we provided more services than what we said we
would. We over staffed on certain days, specifically on hot days and on July 4th we were there
with extra staff and we met the need at the beach for the lifeguard. As well as for the lessons.
We provided 104 people with lessons last year, 90 of which were city of Chanhassen residents.
So that's about 87% of the beach lessons were given to city of Chanhassen residents. We were
al~o there for other services as well. Any time Jerry would have a need, we would try to help out
and I look forward to doing that again this year, 2006.
Stolar: Okay. Any questions for Tim?
Spizale: I don't have any questions. It seems great the price is lowered. That's all I got.
Stolar: Ann, anything?
Murphy: No.
Kelly: I've just got a question for Jerry,. but not for Tim.
Atkins: Nothing.
Scharfenberg: No.
Stolar: Okay Tim, if you want to sit down. One may come up as we're in. discussion but thank
you.
Tim Litfin: Sure. Thanks for having me here tonight. Appreciate it.
Stolar: Tom, you have a question for Jerry.
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