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
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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
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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.
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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.