HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 06-02-2022
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Approved Minutes
Park & Recreation Advisory Commission
Thursday, June 02, 2022
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tricia DeBleeckere, Vice Chair Vita Wilson, Commissioners: Ann Hoekstra, Marilyn
Sunseri, James Kuznia, Hannah Wegner
MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner: Allie Storti
STAFF PRESENT: Director Jennifer Tomlinson, Recreation Manager Kari Hemp, Office Support Specialist Genny
Layne
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES: Planning Commissioner Julie Olson
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Tricia DeBleeckere called the meeting to order at 6:02.
PUBLIC FORUM
PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
APPROVE AGENDA
(4.1) Approve Agenda
Motion by Vice Chair Wilson and seconded by Commissioner Sunseri recommending approval of the
June 2 Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting agenda with reordering 6.1 and 6.2. With all members
voting in favor, the motion carried.
Consent Agenda
(5.1) Adopt proposed Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Hoekstra, and seconded by Commissioner Kuznia recommending approval of the May 12,
2022 Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting minutes as written. With all members voting in
favor, the motion carried.
General Business
(6.1) CIP Update
Director Tomlinson introduced herself and stated this is her second day on the job as Director. She was Deputy
Director for three months before accepting this position.
Director Tomlinson presented a quick overview of the Capital Improvement Plan. So, we have had a couple of
staffing changes. We have been working through some of our projects for fiscal year 22, including the Zachary
Playfield pickleball courts, playground renovations at St. Mary's in Shenandoah, and then the Plymouth Creek
parking lot. That parking lot is under construction. St. Mary's and Shenandoah are both also under construction.
And the pickleball courts will be hopefully under construction at the end of July. There's a real need in the
community for those and we have a lot of support for getting more pickleball wherever we can. Because of
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changes in staffing, and then we also concurrently have some Public Works road projects. We want to minimize
our impact to the public as far as construction because construction season around here is gangbusters. So really
interested in trying to get those projects lined out a little bit better and we do have some additional scoping that
we need to do on a few of them. We're going to be delaying five of the projects: We are still doing the master
planning for the Meadows Playfield, the Elm Creek playground we're looking at renovating that one instead of a
full replacement, and then the Zachary parking lot we're waiting on some condition assessments for the rest of our
parking lots just so we can make sure that we're appropriately prioritizing those dollars. This will be going before
Council as part of the budget process. And it's an information item only I don't believe there's a need to make a
motion on it. But if anybody has any questions on any of our current projects, I am happy to answer them.
Commissioner Kuznia asked what items are planned for the Meadows Playfield and Nature Canyon?
Per Director Tomlinson the Meadows Playfield is going to be more of an active site so it will have some field space.
We are right now looking at doing a sledding hill on that one because there's some topography that we can take
advantage of. And then potentially we're looking at co-locating that transit facility there so that we can work on
funding the parking lot, and then potentially a building there. We're working through the rest of the amenities
right now ad having a few final meetings in the next couple of months.
As far as Nature Canyon is concerned, we don't have that project budgeted. So, we've looked at a couple of
different options. Our cost estimates are coming in much higher than we had anticipated, just like all construction
right now. So, we're evaluating whether to go with a more active or a more passive type of model. Preservation of
the existing canopy through there and looking at trail preservation, there's opportunities for single track mountain
biking. And, and then also looking not necessarily in Nature Canyon, potentially over at the Meadows, a skate
facility. So skating, scootering, stridering, and mountain biking. We're trying to work through all of those things.
Nature Canyon is topographically challenged. There is a lot of terrain to deal with. We're just trying to balance
whether we should be doing as much cut and fill as we would need to do.
Commissioner Kuznia stated that the budget shows Zachary Playfield with artificial turf. My question would be why
and then how do you maintain that to keep it from deteriorating from other use? Can you make sure people do
not abuse it?
Director Tomlinson states that as far as artificial turf is concerned, the typical lifespan is seven to 10 years. As with
the one at the Field House, we have a pretty robust maintenance program for it. But we are evaluating whether or
not that is the best place for that. What we have found in looking at what other communities do in the area is that
it is really successful when it's overseen on a day-to-day basis. The intent of it would be to add a few weeks on to
the playing season because of the weather.
Commissioner Kuznia stated I was surprised I didn’t see a base budget that increases for inflationary purposes
every year, but it varies. I don't understand why that occurs in the budget.
Per Director Tomlinson, the way the budget was put together was with a point in time estimate for the costs. We
do have a TRO replacement study that articulates a high, mid, and a low priority for either replacement or
reclamation. We've looked at that study, but we have not budgeted for it yet. It's probably going to be a large
number just because of the condition of some of the asphalt so I want to say somewhere around a third of the
mileage is in poor to pretty horrific condition. We're doing an updated evaluation because it's two years old. Once
we get those numbers, then we will put in numbers for trail replacement as we move on. But, from what I
understand, the city doesn't have a dedicated funding source for trail replacement. So, it was a balancing act
between all of the other projects that are going on and what we can accomplish in a year. Generally, there would
be an inflationary factor especially as we're looking into the five to seven years. I've only gone through the first two
years in this plan. So, I fully intend to come back with something a little bit more consistent.
Commissioner Kuznia asks if they are planning on putting a boardwalk through the Greenway for $1.7 million?
Director Tomlinson state the Juneau Wetland Boardwalk is remaining in the budget. The Pomerleau Loop
Connection may not be able to happen as proposed due to cutting the corner of the pond and whether it is
buildable due to the impacts to the wetlands.
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And then as far as the boardwalk through there, we are in preliminary design with our consultant. The intent was
to get it all the way around Pomerleau Lake, but I just don’t know that that is physically possible.
Commissioner Wegner asked when the Plymouth Creek Playfield parking lot would be done.
Director Tomlinson states that the parking lot is technically open now. We are waiting on a pipe that is back
ordered. Substantial completion should be mid-July.
Commissioner Wegner asked for an update on the Ice Center roof replacement.
Per Director Tomlinson, that happened in this last fiscal year ad it is wrapped up.
(6.2) Upcoming Events
Manager Hemp stated the next commission meeting will take place September 8 at the Maintenance Facility with
a tour of the shop.
We have quite a few events coming up. This Friday is our beaches and bonfires that's at East Medicine Lake.
They're going to have music, bonfires, and some food trucks. Plant swap is coming up on Monday from 4:30 to 6 at
the maintenance facility. Entertainment in the park series starts June 9. That’s our Thursday night music events,
and you can find the full listing on the website. Farmers Market begins June 22. Couple of weeks away. And then
the Music in Plymouth 5k, June 25. There is the water ski show June 27 at Parkers Lake. The Happy Birthday
America parade is June 30. And then Music in Plymouth 50th anniversary on July 6. Kids fest follows that on
August 4. Plymouth sings is Wednesday, August 3 and 10 at the Hilde Performance Center. That's our state
competition where people can represent Plymouth in the competition. And then Movies in the Park. We have
three of them this year, August 12th, 18th and 25th, and they're all at the Hilde. And then the most exciting one is
this building's ribbon cutting. That's coming up on July 18, from 4-5:30 pm. We'll have a ribbon cutting, light
refreshments, and tours of the facility. You are getting a sneak peek of that tonight.
Reports and Staff Recommendations
Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner Wegner, seconded by Vice Chair Wilson, recommending adjournment of the Park
and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting. With no objection, Chair DeBleeckere adjourned the meeting at
6:20 p.m.