HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 06-13-2013Approved Minutes
Park Et Recreation Advisory Commission
Thursday, June 13, 2013
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Ned Carroll, Vice Chair Greg Anderson, Commissioners: Merrillee Riley, John
Vecere, Tricia DeBleeckere, Kipp Wyse
MEMBERS ABSENT: Aaron Vanderwall
STAFF PRESENT: Park and Recreation Director Diane Evans, Deputy Director of Park and Recreation
Barb Northway, Office Support Specialist Sarah Josephs, Activity Center Manager Susan Muelken, Senior
Program Coordinator Sara Mittelstaedt, Rental Coordinator Angie Dehn, Forester Paul Buck
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES: Planning Commissioner Dick Klobussen
GUESTS PRESENT: Wayzata Public Works Director Dave Dudinsky
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Carroll called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner DeBleeckere,
recommending approval of the May 9, 2013, Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
meeting minutes as written and corrected. With all members voting in favor, the
motion carried.
3. OPEN FORUM:
4. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS (NON -ACTION ITEMS):
4a. Staff presentations - Buckthorn Management Et EAB Management, Pau( Buck
Handouts provided. Map distributed shows status of current buckthorn projects;
where mowing has taken place, where pulling buckthorn has begun and where the
final step of spraying of buckthorn is occurring. Buckthorn is a plant with little value
that takes over other vegetation. The process to alleviate buckthorn takes
approximately 2 years of cutting and pulling and an additional year of spraying. Left
untreated, it will grow uncontrollably. There are 12 weed wrenches available to
residents wishing to pull Buckthorn on their own. Plymouth's Yard Waste site will
take any buckthorn that has been pulled.
Handout provided. Emerald Ash Borers eat ash trees exclusively. When found, they
are typically in the larva stage. The emerald ash borer lays beneath the bark and
feeds off of the tree tissues. In only 5 years a healthy tree can grow from 1 beetle to
over 204 million beetles. After several years, the trees become hazardous as they
are dry and brittle and will break easily. Plymouth has completed an inventory of all
ash trees in parks, streets and private properties in the right away to keep track of
any changes in the coming years. Ash trees are being removed and replaced with
more diversified trees. Trees in the legacy range (15" or greater) will be treated
every other year to kill the larvae. These methods will reduce the impacts of loosing
so many Ash trees in the city. Public awareness and bare root sales are methods
being used to notify residents with Ash trees on their property.
Approved Minutes
June 13, 2013
4b. Staff presentations - PCC/Fieldhouse Staff, Susan Muelken, Angie Dehn Et Sara
Mittelstaedt
Angie Dehn, Rental Coordinator: At the Plymouth Creek Center, weddings are still
being booked for later this year. To -date, 89 large events have been scheduled for
2013. Catering choices are evening out amongst the three catering companies.
Starting in 2013, data regarding the number of corporate bookings at the Plymouth
Creek Center will start to be tracked. Staff have begun seeing more unique ceremony
styles, traditions and decoration ideas.
Sara Mittelstaedt, Senior Programs Coordinator: Arts continue to be a large part of the
Senior programs. Weekly the Plymouth Creek Center hosts 2-3 art classes. Acrylic
Painting and Drawing classes have been added this year. Fitness classes have been
another large draw for Seniors. Currently they host Bocce Ball, Tai Chi Chih, Yoga,
Zumba and mediation on a weekly basis. Within the Senior group, there are 21 smaller
sub -groups. The biking club is a popular group that currently has 90 members. Special
events for the Seniors include themed parties, luncheons and fundraisers. The Nifty
Nineties party is a special event only open to those 90 years of age and older. The
Plymouth Creek Center also offers educational programs such as guest speakers, bridge
lessons and computer classes. Every quarter they offer 4-5 bus trips around the state.
Susan Muelken, Community Center Manager: Handout provide. This year the dome
received new turf. New signage styles were introduced to help walkers in the dome to
be aware of rules and any updates. Home Depot volunteered to perform some building
maintenance improvements including updates to Conference Room 2, bathrooms, lower
lobby and the front entrance.
5. NEW BUSINESS (NON -ACTION ITEMS):
5a. PCC/Fieldhouse Policies Et Fees
In an effort to stay competitive and offer more benefits to renters, staff is
requesting three changes to Plymouth Creek Center and Fieldhouse rental policies.
Staff would like full -ballroom weddings to be priced as all-inclusive instead of charging
for each individual item needed. Another request is to change the cost of having a
Plymouth Police Officer. The recommendation is to have one officer onsite during the
last 4 hours of the wedding for $240. Currently renters are giving feedback of feeling
overwhelmed by having to pay for each item separately (AV, projector, etc.). Staff
would also like to offer a $100 discount on all off-season, full -ballroom rentals. The
hope is that this will increase interest in business conferences and off-season weddings.
Currently the Plymouth Ice Center offers off-season price discounts.
Motion by Commission Riley, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, recommending to
approve all three suggested changes to rental policies at the Plymouth Creek Center
and Fieldhouse. With no objection, motion passed unanimously.
5b. CIP Draft
An updated draft of the CIP is included in PRAC packet. This draft will be presented to
the City Council in August 2013. The Recreation Department is hoping to acquire up to
25 acres of land for future park space. In 2018, there are plans to add a splash pad at
East Medicine Lake Park.
In 2014, there will be $366,000 available to complete trail gap projects. The
Recreation Department is budgeted to have $266,000 available and Hennepin County
will contribute $100,000.
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June 13, 2013
5c. Medicine Lake Retaining Wall
There is a 1,000 foot span of retaining wall that will need to be replaced. There are 22
property owners on West Medicine Lake Road that have been granted right -away to put
their docks and boats in the lake. This fall, residents will need to remove all property
from the shore at their own expense. An arrangement has been made with the
Medicine Lake Community Center to use their field space as winter storage for boats
and docks. City Engineers are recommending the use of steel sheathing as a
replacement retaining wall. Residents are invited to attend an information meeting
with Park Et Recreation and Engineering staff on June 20. There are approximately 36-
40 trees along the retaining wall that risk being removed.
5d. Trail Gap Presentation Et Prioritization
A map of trail gaps was presented to the Commissioners. Diane requested for the
Commissioners to determine the top 10 trail gap recommendations. Recommendations
will be moved forwarded with and costs will be determined. Chair Carroll moved to
table additional discussions today, but to continue again at the September Commission
meeting.
6. COMMISSIONER/STAFF UPDATE
Upcoming Community/Special Events
o Fun Run on June 29 Et Music in Plymouth on July 2
o Kids Parade at the Hilde Performance Center on June 28
o Farmers Market runs June 19 -Oct 2
o Three large donations from area youth athletic associations will be
recognized at the June 25th City Council meeting
August Park Tour
o Scheduled for Thursday, August 22
o Tour would be from 5:00-8:00pm, leaving from Plymouth City Hall
Summer Entertainment Schedule
o Summer Concert Schedule included in packet
Marilee Riley served on a committee to select a piece of original art for City that will
represent the 20th Anniversary of Volunteer Program. The committee's
recommendation will be presented at the next City Council meeting.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Commissioner DeBleeckere, seconded by Commissioner Vecere,
recommending adjournment of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeti
With no objection, Chair Carroll adjourned the meeting at 9:22pm.
Approved Minutes
June 13, 2013