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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 11-09-1995Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting November 9, 1995 Page 37 Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Fiemann, Priebe, and Willegalle; staff Anderson, Blank and Pederson, City Manager Johnson Absent: Commissioners Bildsoe, Johnson and Wahl 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Anderson called the November meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Priebe and seconded by Commissioner Fiemann to approve the minutes of the October meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Associations. None were present. b. Staff. Nancy Anderson, the Volunteer Coordinator for the City, was in attendance at the meeting. She explained how volunteers are used by the Park and Recreation Department and other departments in the City. She stated that volunteers in the Recreation Department contributed hours in 1995 equivalent to a half-time person working a full year. They worked as assistants with our summer playground program, the puppet wagon, day camp, as aides for pre-school events, summer softball/baseball programs, equipment check-in, and for youngsters with special needs. They helped with events such as the Fire and Ice Festival, the Art Fair, the History Fest, the Goblin Walk, and Old Fashioned Christmas. They also assisted with park and recreation mailings, swimming registration, newsletter editor for the senior program, clerical aide for the senior coordinator, drama coach for the senior Story Time Theater, as interpretors, and in other miscellaneous areas. A total of 5,000+ volunteer hours were given this past year in various departments throughout the City of Plymouth. c. Others. A number of Wayzata High School seniors were in attendance at the meeting to observe government in action. 4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION PRAC Minutes/November 1995 Page 38 a. Council approved the cost estimate for the facilities outlined in the Recreational Sports Facility Report as recommended by PRAC. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Private swimming,pool update. Director Blank indicated that there are three agencies in addition to the City that are interested in a joint effort to build a swimming pool in Plymouth. Staff will continue to work on this project and keep PRAC informed of the progress. b. West Medicine Lake Park update. Work has begun on the road project. A problem was encountered when the contractor attempted to dig the sewer. A homeowner on 18th and Forestview was concerned about some large trees on his property that appeared to be in the way of where the sewer was going to be dug. The job was delayed until staff could survey the situation. Everything eventually turned out fine, the sewer was dug, without any damage to any of the trees. The road surcharge is being placed now and it may be ready for use by next July. Director Blank says the project is about four months behind schedule. The City is still waiting for a permit from the Corps of Engineers, but he is confident that it will be sent in the near future. c. Open spaces update. Three of the sites have been purchased. An offer has been made on the fourth site, but because it has three owners, negotiations are complicated. Director Blank is confident that an agreement fair to all parties will eventually be reached. d. Playfieldlhigh school update. The current CIP shows $1.5 million for development of the playfield, which includes base earthwork (contract already awarded); irrigation on four softball fields and five soccer fields; softball backstop, benches, fencing, lighting and building; asphalt walkways; soccer goals; trash receptacles; bike racks; scoreboards; signage; sod; and miscellaneous contractor fees. The 1996-2000 CIP shows an additional $100,000 allocated in 1997 for additional playfield development, which could be used to cover soccer field fencing, an asphalt trail, and a children's playground. Director Blank commented further on requests made by the Girls Fastpitch Softball Association and his feeling that most of these requests can be met. The requests include: a 25 foot depth for the backstop, bull pens, batting cubicles and cage, electricity at mounds for ball machines, foul ball netting over the backstop, 8 foot fences to protect spectators along 1st and 3rd baselines, fenced dug outs, permanent storage at the fields, scoreboards, etc. Director Blank said that the Coke and Pepsi companies may donate the scoreboards, not only for the girls fast pitch field, but for all the fields at the playfield. PRAC Minutes/November 1995 Page 39 e. Study of sports facilities - adopt report. A RECOMMENDATION WAS MADE BY CHAIR ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FIEMANN TO ADOPT THE RECREATIONAL SPORTS FACILITY REPORT AND FORWARD IT TO THE CITY COUNCIL. THE RECOMMENDATION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. f. 1996-2000 CIP. Director Blank reviewed the capital improvements program and explained that the Bass Lake shelter building may need to be air conditioned next summer. We offer a number of programs there in the summer, and there were many complaints last year about how uncomfortable it was in the building. He also stated that the City may have to build a pedestrian bridge across the railroad tracks for access to Cardinal Ridge neighborhood park. There was some discussion then about residents' request for a tennis court in Turtle Lake Park. Commissioners feel that there is a need for tennis courts north of Highway 55, but they aren't sure if a neighborhood park is the appropriate location. It has been the City's policy in the past to build tennis courts only in community playfields. Tennis courts have been in the overall concept plan for Plymouth Creek Park for many years, and have even been in past CIP's, but for more pressing needs, have been eliminated, so the money could be used elsewhere. Director Blank then explained how the CIP is approved. He stated that the parks component is just one part of the overall CIP and once it is approved by PRAC, it goes to the Planning Commission, along with the other parts, such as streets, sewer, government buildings, etc. The Planning Commission then holds a public hearing, after which the CIP is adopted by the Planning Commission and forwarded to the City Council. The City Council then adopts the overall CIP at the same time that they adopt the operating budget for the next year. At this point, PRAC then re- examines each item in the parks component and decides if they do, in fact, want to implement it. Director Blank explained that this version of the 1996-2000 CIP does not include a pool or ice rink, and he anticipates that the Council may give direction to PRAC to add those items before final approval. g. Senior citizen needs analysis update. The first meeting of the senior citizen subcommittee is set for Tuesday, November 14, at 2 p.m. Director Blank believes that a report may be available by the end of the year. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Discuss golf course ideas. The most desirable golf course in Plymouth is currently under pressure by developers, but the owners insist they are not going to sell. Commissioners asked if there was any property in northwest Plymouth that could be purchased and developed into a course cheaper than buying Hollydale. City Manager Johnson was in attendance at the meeting and stated that the Planning PRAC Minutes/November 1995 Page 40 Department will be planning northwest Plymouth in the next six months and that the Parks Department should be on the lookout for available land for a possible golf course. It was also suggested that perhaps a study could be done in 1996 to determine the community's feelings about a City owned golf course. Director Blank explained that this item will be on all future PRAC agendas until a course of action is determined. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION None. 8. STAFF COMMUNICATION The facilities tour scheduled for November 18 has been postponed until after the Council work session on November 27. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.