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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 02-13-20201 Approved Minutes February 13, 2020 Approved Minutes Park & Recreation Advisory Commission Thursday, February 13, 2020 MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners: Margie DuPuis, Ann Hoekstra, Marilyn Sunseri, Vita Wilson MEMBERS ABSENT: Chair Tricia DeBleeckere, Vice Chair Dick Burkhardt, Commissioner Allie Storti STAFF PRESENT: Parks & Recreation Director Diane Evans, Deputy Director Barb Northway, Recreation Manager Kari Hemp, Creek Center Manager Chris Fleck, Forester, Paul Buck, Office Support Specialist Sarah Josephs COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES: Planning Commissioner Michael Boo 1. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Sunseri called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Wilson and seconded by Commissioner DuPuis recommending approval of the January 9 Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting minutes as written . With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 3. OPEN FORUM: 4. PRESENTATIONS (NON-ACTION ITEMS): 4a. Recreation Division Overview Recreation Manager Kari Hemp shared that the Recreation division had a very successful 2019 and are looking forward to what 2020 brings. Last year they had 67,100 participants attend special events and programs; 46,766 at special events and 20,224 in programs. Several new education programs were launched in 2019 including STEM programming for 2-5 year olds. Mah Jongg classes for adults have been very popular. Staff also offered a CarFit event for seniors that was well attended. The 2019 Kids Fest hit a record high attendance. New health and fitness programs in 2019 included the popular Park Passport program that encouraged youth to visit 8 parks in Plymouth. A Junior Master Gardener Program was launched in partnership with the Hennepin County Master Gardener Program. Halloween at the Creek had an all-time high attendance. Staff initiated a partnership with IOCP to provide onsite registration and financial assistance information to families. The Summer Series Skate competition was extremely popular and brought competitors from around the state to this free event run in partnership with 3rd Lair Skate Park. Other new sports offered included; an Open Table Tennis program, Intro to Tennis, and AllSports – Futsol classes. In 2019 our Arts & Music Supervisor tried offering a pop-up movie during spring break time and it was well attended. Art Talks were also added during the annual Primavera art event. The Plymouth Sings competition sent 4 finalists to the Minnesota Sings competition. A new event geared toward adults was added – the Date Night at the Hilde. This event brought out a live band, food truck, and culminated in an outdoor movie. 2 Approved Minutes February 13, 2020 In September of 2019 we hired Katie Yandell as the new Aquatics & Safety Program Supervisor to replace Cindy Anderson after her retirement. New swim offerings in 2019 included a women’s -only swim class, Swim Stars lessons (mix of parent/child lessons for first part of session and transitions into independent lesson). With Ms. Yandell’s vast training and certification that she brings, we will now be able to host lifeguard instructor trainings in -house. Four staff won 6 awards at the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association annual awards reception. Recreation Supervisor Jess Koch was awarded a Horiz on Award and a Presidential Award. Recreation Supervisor Paul Pearson and Recreation Supervisor Alyssa were each awarded a Presidential Award. Project Coordinator Sonya Rippe was awarded a Presidential Award and a Board of Directors Award. Ms. Rippe also received recognition for her USSSA Hall of Fame Softball induction for League Managers. In 2019, sponsorships from local businesses brought in over $25,000. Most of the sponsorships received were financial, but some were in-kind donations. TCF Bank, HyVee, and Kyle Vitense State Farm Agency were our Platinum sponsors this year. Discover Plymouth is a new event that will be held this year on April 18. This event will showcase community businesses and organization. The Mayor’s State of the City address will be held during the event. There will be three themed Friday night open swims offered this summer; Glow in the Dark, Sharks and Mermaids, and Family Game Night. New programs this year include; offering Mermaid swim classes and Water Safety Instructor classes. A new playground site has been added this summer. A Splash & Play program will be hosted at East Medicine Lake Park. A new morning park program option has been added at Zachary Playfield. Staff are partnering with IOCP to promote program options and Police to run a Cops and Bobbers youth fishing program. An adult pickleball tournament will be hosted at the Bass Lake Playfield pickleball courts. A new all-ages field trip to a MN United Soccer game is planned for this fall. Commissioner Wilson asked for more information on the partnership with IOCP. Manager Hemp shared that IOCP offers a similar fee assistance program for the families that they serve, called Great Expectations. They are able to offer their clients a set dollar amount that can be appli ed towards programs in the community. When partnering with our Program Assistance program we can help the family apply and receive up to 75% of their program cost covered. They are then able to submit that remaining 25% balance as a request to IOCP to be covered by their fee assistance. Many new families have been able to start participating in our programs, most popular is our swimming and water safety lessons, now that the financial barrier is covered. Recreation and IOCP staff went to communities where many of their clients live and shared information on our program offerings. For many families they were also able to take programs for the first time using our Program Assistance on its own. 5. NEW BUSINESS (ACTION ITEMS): 5a. Open Space Management Plan Director Evans shared with Commissioners that the city’s Open Space properties would be discussed and shared an updated Open Space Management Plan. The Management Plan is a working document that evolves as Open Space is acquired throughout the city. Forester Paul Buck manages the care of the city’s Open Spaces and annually updates the Management Plan as needed. He shared that there are not many changes on any individual site in this version of plan, however the title of the plan was updated to Open Space and Natural Area 3 Approved Minutes February 13, 2020 Management Plans. There are three open spaces, purchased with bond money, which had been set aside with a different purpose than the other open spaces. Staff want to now highlight that there are two different types of areas; Open Spaces and N atural Areas. The focus of the Management Plan has traditionally been on management and removal of invasive species growing in the open spaces. So far, Emerald Ash Borer has not affected our Open Spaces. Open Space is land that the city is required to keep natural. Staff is only able to manage and maintain the space. Schedule activities, and formal (paved) trail are not allowed in the space. Each open space operates under a take in-take out method of preserving and trash management. While similar, Natural Areas were acquired as park property, but never became a park. Formal paved) trails are not present in these areas. These areas could have future development or infrastructure, but are currently a green space. New signage was designed to designate the different sites; each with generic rules such as take in- take out, keep dogs on leash, and no camping. Staff are hopeful the new language on signage will increase visibility and awareness of the sites. Commissioner Wilson inquired about Ferndale Natural Area and its location. Forester Buck shared that Ferndale Natural Area is a parcel of land that had been purchased in the 1970s and is surrounded by houses on all sides. There are three access points to t he Natural Area and all are signed to identify that the area is City property and is open to use and available for walking throughout. Staff recognize that the location of the Natural Area is not ideal being surrounded by housing on all sides. When the land was acquired fifty years ago, the philosophy was to purchase land within a neighborhood. Now when arranging neighborhood parks, staff work to line up the land along roadways so that the property is easier to see and more welcoming to use. Motion by Commissioner Hoekstra, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, recommending the approval of the Open Space Natural Area Plan. 5b. Swan Lake Playground Recreation Manager Kari Hemp shared that 34 people attended the Swan Lake playground Open House. A summary of comments from the community were shared. Renderings from each project designer were shared. Community votes were close with 15 votes for the Flagship Recreation/Landscape Structures submission. There were 19 votes for the Minnesota Playground/GameTime playground submission. Motion by Commissioner DuPuis, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, recommending the approval of the Minnesota Playground/GameTime playground submission for the Swan Lake playground. 5c. West Medicine Lake Playground Plymouth Creek Center Manager Chris Fleck shared a summary of comments received from the West Medicine Lake Playground open house. Renderings from each project designer were shared. Community votes were close with 16 votes for the Webber/Miracle playground and 13 votes for the Northland Recreation/Little Tykes playground. Both submissions offer a good mix of high and low elements, as well as unique climbing options. Motion by Commissioner Wilson, seconded by Commissioner Hoekstra, recommending the approval of the Webber/Miracle playground submission for the West Medicine Lake playground. 4 Approved Minutes February 13, 2020 5d. Annual Report Draft Recreation Manager Kari Hemp shared a draft of the 2019 Annual Report with Commissioners. This year has a revised look to the report. This year’s report is a 2 page summary from the past year that highlights the financial summary, new parks and trails, scholarship funds provided, inclusion services, as well as program and event attendance. A final version of the Annual Report will be brought to the May meeting for final approval. Commissioner Hoekstra asked for clarification on what inclusion services were provided. Manager Hemp shared that any participants with any type of disability or medical condition is welcome to participate in our programs. The family connects with our Inclusion Coordinator to provide information on what modifications or services would be needed in order to participate. Services can range from notifying participants prior to class about a severe peanut allergy, to providing an inclusion aide during the program. 6. COMMISSIONER/STAFF UPDATE Discover Plymouth and Primavera will both be held on April 18 at the Plymouth Creek Center and Fieldhouse. Bark in the Park is scheduled for May 30 at the Hilde Performance Center. Music in Plymouth will be held a week later than usual; July 14. The Minnesota Orchestra has an international tour that conflicts with the usual week that Music in Plymouth is hosted. At this coming Tuesday’s Council study session, staff will present an update on the Plymouth Creek Center project. The discussion will focus on exterior color choices of the building. Staff will also be able to show an updated look at the interior and site renderings. The Plymouth Farmers Market will start the 2020 season on July 17 at Parkers Lake Playfield. Special thank you to Vice Chair Burkhardt for volunteering each year at the market. Thank you again to Michael Swanson for serving on the Commission, we appreciate his years of service and contribution. Incoming Commissioner Allie Storti will join us at our next meeting. Thank you to Planning Commissioner Michael Boo for joining our meeting tonight. 7. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Wilson, seconded by Commissioner Hoekstra, recommending adjournment of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting. With no objection, Commissioner Sunseri adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.