HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 02-14-2013AE:)OPTEE:)
MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
February 14, 2013
PRESENT: Commissioners: G. Anderson, N. Carroll, T. DeBleeckere, M. Riley,
A. Vanderwall, K. Wyse
Staff: D. Evans, B. Northway, D. Sankey
Planning Commission Liaison: D. Kobusson
ABSENT: J. Vecere
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Carroll called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION was made by Commissioner Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Wyse
to approve the January minutes.
Vote: 5 Ayes. Motion approved. (Commissioner Vanderwall arrived after vote.)
3. OPEN FORUM
Chair Carroll thanked Director Diane Evans and staff for the wonderful Fire & Ice event.
He had a great time volunteering and was impressed by the amount of activity going on
and how well it all went. Evans said attendance was down a bit because of the cold
weather, but it was a very good day. Commissioner Wyse asked if there were any new
events. Evans said the snowshoeing and cross-country skiing were new. Commissioner
Anderson asked if anyone had ever discussed the possibility of doing it on another
weekend. Evans said this seems to be the best weekend for us.
4. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS (NON -ACTION ITEMS):
a. Welcome New Member — Tricia DeBleeckere
Chair Carroll welcomed our new commissioner, Tricia DeBleeckere. She introduced
herself and stated that she grew up in Plymouth, moved to Crystal for seven years,
and moved back to Plymouth. She works at Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
b. Commission Information & Roberts Rules
Chair Carroll explained that we try to run the meeting by Roberts Rules as much as
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possible.
c. Staff Presentations
1•CTiO
d. EAB Information
Deputy Director Barb Northway presented an update on Emerald Ash Borer. It was
recently found in a number of sites in Minneapolis, so the march continues. We are
updating our management plan. Minneapolis has a very large problem with 190,000
boulevard ash trees. In Plymouth, we have 2,300 park and boulevard ash. We will
need to ramp up our plan, which will be discussed by City Forester Paul Buck in June.
We need to educate the public so they can make decisions about their own trees.
Director Evans said the timing on this discussion is important as we head into the
budget process. The Commission will make recommendations for Council.
Commissioner Wyse asked if a deep freeze would kill the borers off. Northway said the
temperature has not been getting low enough to accomplish this.
5. NEW BUSINESS (ACTION ITEMS):
a. Designate Chair & Vice Chair
Chair Carroll asked for nominations for Chair. Commissioner Anderson nominated Ned
Carroll. Commissioner Wyse seconded. There were no other nominations.
Vote: 6 Ayes. Motion approved.
Chair Carroll asked for nominations for Vice Chair. Chair Carroll nominated Greg
Anderson. Commissioner Riley seconded. There were no other nominations.
Vote: 6 Ayes. Motion approved.
b. 2013 Work Plan
Director Evans introduced the 2013 Work Plan. She explained that it is tied to
Council's expectations for this Commission. The plan lays out the goals for each
quarter of the year.
Commissioner Riley moved to adopt the plan. Commissioner Anderson seconded.
Vote: 6 Ayes. Motion approved.
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c. 2012 Annual Report
Recreation Manager Regina Michaud presented the Annual Report for 2012. She went
through each page, pointing out highlights. We received the Tommy Johnson Award
from MRPA for donating a used playground to Poland. A second one went to Haiti. We
were the first city in Minnesota to do this. This was the first year for the Pet Expo, and
over 900 people attended. A fly dog competition was part of the event. The Plymouth
Art Fair attracted over 1,500 people over 2 days. Director Evans announced that we
received a $100,000 grant for a trail gap on Xenium Lane. Chair Carroll asked why we
noted that we "unsuccessfully applied" for a grant. This sounds too negative. Michaud
said we would reword the sentence. Evans mentioned that on the budget page we
should note that these figures are unaudited. Michaud pointed out the statistical data
on participation in the recreation programs. She also spoke on the statistical
information for the Plymouth Creek Center, Fieldhouse, and Ice Arena. Carroll asked
why the open skating participation went down. Michaud said she did not know but that
her speculation would be that Bill Abel might have lessened the open skate times in
favor of rentals. Commissioner DeBleeckere asked why the hockey group in which her
husband is involved does not play at Plymouth Ice Arena. Michaud said the youth get
first choice for hours. Evans said the hours desired by the group might not be
available. If they are interested, they should certainly call Bill Abel.
Commissioner Vanderwall moved to approve the 2012 Annual Report. Commissioner
Wyse seconded.
Vote: 6 Ayes. Motion approved.
d. Department Strategic Goals — 2013
Director Evans presented the department's strategic goals for 2013. Trails and parking
lot repair funding is in the CIP. Playground renovation is scheduled for Mission Hills
and Schmidt Lake Parks. Emerald Ash Borer management is an important project.
We are looking at costs and structure for park patrol. Trail gaps will be a large project
to be considered. The Cheshire tunnel is scheduled to be constructed. There will be a
parking lot near the tunnel, which is the easterly trailhead for the Northwest Greenway.
We are updating our parks and trails map. We are also working on a technology
update for the Parks Division. This includes a GPS program to help improve efficiency.
Improvements at the yard waste site include putting down an asphalt pad to keep
products clean and not contaminated. We are looking at paid outdoor events at the
Hilde, perhaps bringing in a big name entertainer. Alcohol could be an issue — we
might need to get a liquor license for the event. Pickleball is a hot new trend for active
senior adults. We have had court lines painted at Plymouth Middle School and at
Oakwood for this sport. Commissioner Wyse asked where it originated. Evans said
maybe Florida or perhaps Arizona. We are celebrating the 20 -year anniversary of our
Volunteer Program. We are commissioning a piece of art in honor of the anniversary.
We are also recognizing 20 outstanding volunteers. We are looking at netting for the
Fieldhouse to keep walkers safe. We are planning to resubmit a grant application for
the Ice Arena training facility in 2014. Commissioner Riley asked that the commission
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members support the volunteer program 20th Anniversary, and she would like to be
kept up to date about the events surrounding it. She had some concerns about the
grant application regarding the private entity involvement. She understood that the
grantor also was not comfortable with this. She would be interested in keeping up with
the ongoing conversation regarding this issue so she can ultimately support it. Evans
said they would really like to have the Commissioners help serve the volunteers at the
Ice Cream Social. She explained that the grant proposal was originally submitted last
year. We were relying on capital funding from the City, Hennepin County, Wayzata
Youth Sports, Wayzata Hockey Boosters and perhaps Providence Boosters. Part of
the reason the County struggled with the application was because the private partner
was not putting any capital dollars into the project. We are looking for an eight- year
pay back without a grant. If we receive a grant, it would be a faster pay back. We will
apply for the grant if it makes sense, otherwise we will look at internal dollars.
Commissioner Riley moved to approve the Parks & Recreation Department's strategic
goals as presented. Commissioner Wyse seconded.
Vote: 6 Ayes. Motion approved.
6. COMMISSIONER/STAFF UPDATE:
a. Upcoming Community/Special Events
Recreation Manager Michaud spoke on the Fire & Ice event and thanked
commissioners who volunteered. Over 3,500 people came that day, and 110
volunteers made it happen. We had hockey games with Wayzata Hockey Mites, sled
dogs, pony rides, lots of entertainment, and fire works. New events included cross-
country skiing and snowshoeing. The Rotary sponsored the ice -fishing contest, and
the Civic League sponsored the fire works. Dan Lauer and Travis Karlen did the
planning for the event.
The Little Sweetheart Ball is on Feb 15. The Art Banner competition has begun, and
we have been accepting artist submissions. Prairie Fire Theater performances will be
on February 22 and 23, with the kids acting in their rendition of Cinderella. Plymouth's
Got Talent will be on March 1 and 2. The Healthy Living Fair is a free event for the
community, with health screenings, education sessions and close to 40 vendors. It will
be held on March 10 from 1-4:00 p.m. The Bridal Expo is on March 23.
The Spring Summer Activity Guide went to printer this week. It will be delivered the
last week of February. Registration starts March 12 for residents and March 19 for
non-residents. The brochure is on line and is now more interactive. The pages turn
like a book and it contains links to registration software. In the future, we may add
video and animated graphics. Commissioner Anderson asked if the City would invest
in a go pro cam so people can get a participant's view of an activity. Michaud thought
that was a very interesting idea.
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7. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Carroll entertained the motion to adjourn. MOTION was made by Commissioner
Anderson and seconded by Commissioner DeBleeckere.
Vote: 6 Ayes. Motion approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
The next meeting will be held on May 9 at the Plymouth Creek Center.
Donna Sankey — PRAC recorder