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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 07-11-1996Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting July 11, 1996 Page 32 Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Fiemann, Johnson, Priebe, Wahl and Willegalle; staff Bisek, Blank and Pederson; Planning Commissioner Bildsoe; Councilmember Wold Absent: Commissioner Thompson 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Priebe to approve the minutes of the June meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Associations. None were present. b. Staff. Mary stated that the Summer Carnival went well and that the park is beautiful right now with all the blooming going on. She announced that the History Fest is August 10. There will be lots of new entertainment. A pig roast is scheduled for noon. She stated that a new advisory group has formed and to be on the look out for their logo, which was displayed. This group is interested in promoting visual and performing arts within the community. Mary announced that the Recreation Division is looking at changing direction, what with the addition of Life Time Fitness in the community. One of the things that has been brought to our attention is that some youth athletic associations are saying they are strained for time and volunteer staff and cannot handle soccer any more on their own, for example. Commissioner Willegalle asked if we could hire another recreation programmer to offer support to this group. Mary responded that we haven't added any recreation programmers since 1987, but that we have budgeted for a part-time person in 1997. Commissioner Priebe asked about Music in Plymouth and who had been in charge of that event? Director Blank responded that it was sponsored by the Plymouth Civic League and was held at the new amphitheater site. The crowd was estimated at over 10,000. Garbage collection doubled pound wise over last year's event. A complaint came in about the site being too dark after fireworks. Director Blank wants to put up some spotlights next year. Will put money in CIP for this. People are still arriving at 10 p.m. just to watch fireworks, so it's difficult to estimate crowd size. Commissioner Priebe heard PRAC Minutes/July 1996 Page 33 that it was 30,000. There were many spectators south of Hwy. 55 in the Industrial Park area. Lost and found items included pagers and cell phones. Tim Bildsoe was in charge of police reserves. He explained that there was a problem with traffic afterwards and with a couple of kids who threw smokebombs. They were apprehended. Fifty police personnel were on duty, including bike patrol. Director Blank stated that we need to do a few more upgrades to the amphitheater, which will be used for other events in addition to Music in Plymouth. c. Others. There were no other visitors. 4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION Several contracts were awarded for the ice arena and Life Time Fitness complex. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Review ice arena/pool complex. The project is still in fast track design. Five contracts were awarded recently totaling over $3,000,000. Next bid package is going out in the next few weeks. Received the footing permit July 11. There were plans to pour the footings the same day, but it rained. Director Blank said we have now lost four weeks due to weather and other problems. He is moving the anticipated completion date from January 1 to February 1. He received the first request today from an individual who wants to rent the practice arena for a cat show. The last week in April is ice out on the practice rink. He announced that there were 35 applicants for the ice arena manager job. Narrowed it to three. Will make offer tomorrow. Council ratified the agreement with District 281 on their use of the arena by their hockey teams. b. West Medicine Lake Park update. Pilings have been driven down 35 feet and footings poured for the bridge. The next step is to build the road and have it paved by November. The City is waiting for a permit from the DNR to dredge the beach. Road will be done this year. c. Open space update. Director Blank is meeting tomorrow with Jean Williams. She is in the process of reclaiming property from Mr. Stewart. This is the open space parcel in the southeast corner of Plymouth. d. Playfield/high school update. Director Blank explained that the bids opened on June 3 were very disappointing. All came in way over the estimate. The School District awarded the irrigation and landscape contract, electrical for lighting, and asphalt contracts. Building came in at $377,000, and it was rejected. Fencing was budgeted at $85,000. Two bids of $195,000 were received for that item. This project is about $350,000 over budget now. Director Blank explained that some of these items will go back out in August PRAC Minutes/July 1996 Page 34 for rebidding. If no better at that time, will rebid in January. Seeding and sodding playfields will take place in August. e. Senior citizen needs analysis update. There are no new developments on this item. g. Request to place log cabin in Parkers Lake Park update. Council approved this. Mark Peterson and Director Blank looked at two sites. Proposing to put it south and east of open air shelter. There is a little grove of brush and trees 15 ft. wide and 35' long. Can tuck it into the grove. Will fit right along trail. Mark will be meeting with Mrs. Creelman and log builders from Ely. f. Continue golf course discussion. Director Blank asked for input from the Commissioners on the next steps to take after meeting with all three owners. Commissioner Priebe commented that if we can take them at their word, there's nothing to worry about. Mr. Sherber would probably develop the Elm Creek course if numbers come in right. The Hampton and Hollydale owners insist they'll keep their golf courses. Commissioner Priebe doesn't necessarily accept that the children of the Hampton and Hollydale owners will continue the family tradition and wonders if we should look at the private - public ownership thing like we have with Life Time? Director Blank has similar concerns. He feels it could change if the right situation came along. How do we determine which one to have a relationship with if we pursued a public-private venture? Director Blank will try to hire a consultant next year to help decide this. The Commission suggested sending a letter to all three owners inviting them to discuss such a proposal. Councilmember Wold wondered if we might appeal to them by offering to help them out in some way with their taxes, since they had all expressed concern about this, although he wasn't sure this was even possible. Director Blank indicated that the taxes are something the county would have to get involved in. Chair Anderson asked when a letter might be sent? Director Blank responded that he would send it out in the next few weeks. He also explained that all rural property owners will be getting a letter inviting them to a meeting at the end of July to discuss future development of northwest Plymouth. The golf course owners will be invited. Director Blank will not hire consultant until after budget is approved which happens in December. Director Blank says there probably isn't any other acreage in Plymouth for building a new course. PRAC will have to update park system plan along with the planning for northwest Plymouth. 6. NEW BUSINESS None. PRAC Minutes/July 1996 Page 35 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION Commissioner Priebe asked if PRAC needed to address the request from the seniors for tennis court time in Parkers Lake Park? Director Blank explained that he will include it next time we update the fees and rental policy for playfields, shelters, etc., in January. Commissioner Willegalle stated that the seniors are well organized and are looking at Saturday mornings to accommodate those who work during the week. Director Blank said they can come to the PRAC meeting in December and make a pitch. Commissioner Johnson suggested that we need to find out level of current usage at Parkers Lake on Saturday mornings. Mary responded that we have no statistics on that. Director Blank commented that we have maintenance people out on Saturday mornings, and they can start monitoring this. Director Blank will discuss with the seniors the various options that may be available. Will talk with other cities to see if they've had similar requests and see how they've responded. Commissioner Willegalle stated that beer cans are turning up on the south side of Parkers Lake. Who should people call? Planning Commissioner Bildsoe said he will talk to park patrol officers to check it out. People should call 911 if they see someone drinking. A worse problem is wine bottles being tossed and broken. Commissioner Johnson asked when trail will be completed to Hwy. 55 along West Medicine Lake Drive from the railroad tracks? Director Blank said bids are being opened next week, and it should all be wrapped up by November 1. The project got delayed because of some easement problems. Commissioner Willegalle asked about the names for ice arena. Will wait until September meeting to discuss that further. Staff will remind commissioners when the September agenda is sent to bring their three favorite names to next meeting. 8. STAFF COMMUNICATION No meeting in August, unless there is critical business. 9. ADJOURN Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.