HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 02-10-1994Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
February 10, 1994
Page 5
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Johnson, Mikula, Wahl; staff Blank and Pederson
Absent: Commissioner Watson
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Wahl and seconded by Commissioner Mikula to
approve the minutes of the January meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present at the meeting.
b. Staff Director Blank thanked the commissioners who volunteered their time to assist with
the bonfire and the selling of s'mores at the Fire and Ice Festival.
c. Others. None were present.
4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION
a. 1994 Park Facility Rental Policies and Fee Schedule. Council approved the facility rental
policies and fees as recommended by PRAC. These policies and fees cover the Parkers
Lake Pavilion, the Parkers Lake picnic shelter, the Bass Lake shelter, canoe racks and all
the major athletic complexes.
b. Set 1994 Park Dedication Fees. Council approved the 1994 park dedication fees as
proposed by staff Commercial/industrial fees went up from $3,600 per acre to $3,750,
and residential fees went from $885 per unit to $940. The new fees go into effect March
1. Fees collected in park dedication in 1993 were approximately $682,000. These fees
are used to acquire land for new parks and trails and for improvements to existing parks
and trails.
c. Appointment of New Commissioners. Council appointed two new Park and Recreation
Advisory Commission members at their February 7 meeting. They are Henry Willegalle,
representing Ward 2, and Ron Fiemann, representing Ward 1. The new members will
begin their service at the March 10 meeting. Director Blank congratulated Commissoner
Johnson on his reappointment to PRAC.
PRAC Minutes/Febman- 1994
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5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Amberwoods Park Update. Director Blank stated that the Amberwoods homeowners
group needs to have a meeting of its members to vote on donating the park land to the
City. If the outcome of that vote favors donation of the land, then a formal request will be
sent to the City requesting that the land be accepted. Following that, a public meeting
would have to be held with the Planning Commission and PRAC, so that the Park System
Plan could be amended.
b. Review 1994 capital improvement projects. Director Blank reviewed the list of projects
proposed for 1994. The Open Space Committee has had all of its members appointed
now, except for the Planning Commission representative. As soon as that final
appointment is made, the Open Space Committee can get started on reviewing possible
land to acquire. The accessible playground committee will reconvene in the near future to
select a final plan, so that constriction can begin on this project. The owner of the land
proposed for the ninth playfield site has indicated his willingness to sell. This is a joint
development project with School District 284. The owners of the land proposed for the
tenth playfield site have also indicated their willingness to negotiate with the City. Signs
will be posted at the four park playgrounds proposed for improvements this year, asking
residents to contact the Parks Department with their ideas. A consultant will be selected
to design the tennis courts proposed in Plymouth Creek Park. The Gleason Lake
playground committee is anxious to begin their project. Staff has submitted a grant
application with the DNR for the possible fiinding of the fishing pier on Medicine Lake.
Trails to be worked on in 1994 include closing a 300 foot gap north of City Center that
was somehow overlooked in 1993, the trail in the Laukka Development that goes around
the wetland from Fernbrook Lane over to Fazendin Park, and the Turtle Lake Park trail.
Lundgren Bros. has submitted a final plat for the Seven Ponds development, which means
that neighborhood meetings to plan their park can now be scheduled. The acquisition of
the Cardinal Ridge property is currently on hold, while an environmental assessment
worksheet is prepared.
c. West Medicine Lake Park Update. Director Blank stated that the focus group met twice
with staff and the design consultant and at their last meeting, unanimously endorsed a
concept plan. This plan will be reviewed by the City Council at a study session on
February 28. A public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 2, where residents
will have an opportunity to view the plan and express their opinion. If the plan meets with
resident approval, it will be on the agenda of the March 10 Commission meeting for a
recommendation of endorsement by PRAC and may then be forwarded to the City
Council. Director Blank stated that appraisals have been done on the three properties
remaining within park boundaries, and a relocation firm has been hired to help relocate the
three property owners. Director Blank then spent several minutes going over the plan with
the Commission. The road realignment and constriction process should take place later
this year, along with paving of parking lots, etc. The constriction process would continue
throughout 1995 with completion sometime in 1996.
d. Study of unique open spaces update. Director Blank discussed some possible meeting
dates and times. Members of PRAC who are on the committee indicated that 5 p.m. was
PRAC Minutes/Febman- 1994
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an acceptable time for them to meet. The first meeting of the full committee will be
tentatively scheduled for Thursday, March 10, at 5 p.m. Director Blank indicated that at
first, two meetings per month may have to be scheduled.
e. Review and Approve 1993 Annual Report. A MOTION WAS MADE BY
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COMISSIONER WAHL TO
ACCEPT THE 1993 ANNUAL REPORT. The motion carried with all ayes.
Commissioner Wahl or Chair Anderson will be in attendance at the City Council meeting
on February 28 for presentation of the Annual Report to the Council.
6. NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business to discuss.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
None.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
Park tour dates will be discussed at the March meeting.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.