HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 09-12-2013Approved Minutes
Park &t Recreation Advisory Commission
Thursday, September 13, 2013
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Ned Carroll, Vice Chair Greg Anderson, Commissioners: Merrilee Riley, John
Vecere, Aaron Vanderwall
MEMBERS ABSENT: Tricia DeBleeckere, Kipp Wyse
STAFF PRESENT: Park and Recreation Director Diane Evans, Deputy Director of Park and Recreation
Barb Northway, Park Maintenance Supervisor Dan Heitke, Office Support Specialist Sarah Josephs,
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES: City Council Liaison Ginny Black, Planning Commissioner Dick Klobussen
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Carroll called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
On behalf of the Park Et Recreation Advisory Commission, Chair Carroll thanked Council
Member Black for her years of service both on the Plymouth City Council and the Park
Et Recreation Advisory Commission. Councilwoman Black in turned thanked the
Commission for their service to the City as resident volunteers.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Commissioner Vecere, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, recommendin
approval of the June 13, 2013, Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting
minutes as written. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
3. OPEN FORUM:
4. NEW BUSINESS (ACTION ITEMS):
4a. Prioritization of Trail Gaps
A map was distributed to Commissioners highlighting trail gaps of high importance.
Projects in process are highlighted in blue with their year of completion. Trail gaps
numbered 19, 20 and 21 are gaps that the Commission has previously highlighted as
high priority and will be completed in 2016. Trail gap 79 near Hwy 169 and 36th
Avenue has a potential to be a partnership project with the City of Golden Valley.
Trail gap 47 is on County Rd 24 and may have the opportunity to have a portion of
the cost covered with a Hennepin County gap.
Commissioner Vecere would like to see gap 43 along Medina Rd near
Greenwood Elementary completed.
Commissioner Riley would like to see gaps 49, 56, 60/61, 73, 102 as primary
projects considered and gap number 47 completed if a grant was available to
complete.
Chair Carroll suggested beginning with completion of the smaller trail gaps as
opposed to only partially completing a larger trail gap. He would like to
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September 12, 2013
research the possibility of receiving a grant to complete gap 47 and would
also like to prioritize gap 56.
Commissioner Anderson would like to consider neighborhoods closed off by
major roads around them. Specifically, trail gap 5 along Dunkirk Ln would
create an outlet for neighbors to travel outside of their neighborhood.
Director Evans added that gap 5 will be completed as Dunkirk Ln is
reconstructed in the near future. Gap 6 is another gap that would create a
safe means of crossing the railroad tracks. Near Parkers Lake, trail gaps 89
and 90 would provide a helpful connection.
Commissioner Vecere would like trail gaps 49 and 56 set as a priority as it
would finish off a long stretch of trail.
Motion by Commission Riley, seconded by Commissioner Carroll, recommending to
approve the completion of Trail Gaps 19, 20, 22 and, if Hennepin County Grants are
available, Trail Gap 47. With no objection, motion passed unanimously.
Director Evans will present these trail gaps to City Engineers for price estimates and
will complete the grant paperwork with Hennepin County for possible support of Trail
Gap 47.
4b. CIP Draft
A copy of the most recent CIP draft was distributed within the commission packets.
The City Council has reviewed the copy during their past meeting. There is a City
Council Study Session scheduled for October 15 to finalize discussions on the $1.4
million update project within the Hilde. Depending on the council's,
recommendation, the CIP included will remain accurate.
Motion by Commission Vanderwall, seconded by Commissioner Anderson,
recommending to approve the 2014-2018 CIP as written. With no objection, motion
passed unanimously.
5. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS (NON -ACTION ITEMS):
5a. Park Assets & GIS - Barb Northway
Deputy Director Northway welcomed the Commission to the Park Maintenance
facility. Park Maintenance Supervisor Heitke was introduced and presented on recent
maintenance updates.
This summer, their department opened 2 temporary yard waste sites to help
collect hundreds of trees that were knocked down or uprooted during the
strong storms in June.
All city mowing and ball field/sport field maintaining is managed from this
building.
There are several volunteer groups that help the staff with their projects
throughout the year. Photos of recent completed projects were shown.
Maple Creek Park was experiencing weathered and aged equipment and in
2012, had a complete park renovation performed.
In 2013, Mission Hills Park was renovated due to large amounts of wear and
heavy usage. Neighbors participated in a clean-up night helping to update
the large plant area.
Also in 2013, Schmidt Lake Park was renovated due to old age.
Plymouth Creek Playfield was opened in 1994 and is scheduled for renovation
in 2014. Staff are planning to keep the park fully accessible.
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September 12, 2013
Fairway Greens Park is in the process of construction. The playground and
surface structures are in place. A pavilion space is also in the process of
being installed this week. There is a potential opportunity to add a putting
green within the park space to continue with the golf course theme.
Director Evans shared that Plymouth is seen as a leader in regards to park
renovations. Other cities spend up to $30,000 more to fully reconstruct a park as
opposed to renovating and updating the park while reusing portions of the
equipment.
The Park Assets - GIS software program was introduced to the Commission. This
software is helpful for tracking all assets, value and repairs to each feature within
every park. There is an increased benefit by being able to visit the park sites
virtually and review its needs. An example was demonstrated where all of the lights
within Parkers Lake park were plotted on the map and specific details and photos
were available for each light.
5b. Shop Tour - Specialty Equipment, Gravel Bed - Dan Heitke £t Lowell Luebeck
Commission members were given a tour of the Park Maintenance property and garage
areas.
6. COMMISSIONER/STAFF UPDATE
Upcoming Community/ Special Events
o Plymouth on Parade to be held on Saturday, September 28.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Chair Carroll, seconded by Commissioner Riley, recommending adjournment
of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting. With no objection, Chair
Carroll adjourned the meeting at 8:30 pm.
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