HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 09-15-1997Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
September 15, 1997
Page 26
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Johnson, Priebe, Thompson, Wahl, Willegalle; staff
Bisek, Blank and Pederson
Absent: Commissioner Fiemann
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the September meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Willegalle and seconded by Commissioner Anderson to
approve the minutes of the August meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present.
b. Staff. Mary Bisek talked about the annual art fair held Saturday. Many of the bands that
performed were rescheduled from summer Tuesday night concerts that had been rained
out. Fall registrations for the most part are completed. Many programs filled immediately
and some that filled last year by this time have not yet filled this fall. Some of this might be
caused by the opening of Life Time. This is the first time the city is doing the school year
swimming program. We had very high registrations for that, but are short of staff. Next
Tuesday, Sept. 23, the Arts Council is sponsoring another new event. Joe Dowling from
the Guthrie is coming to the Radisson to do a presentation. We are having loaded into our
computer system a new software package, which includes touch tone telephone registra-
tion. We are a beta site for this, so we are testing the software. Recreation staff is starting
to plan winter programs. Dates have been selected for the grand opening of the ice arena
and Life Time Fitness, October 17-19. Commissioner Wahl asked if we have Internet reg-
istration. Mary said no. The concern with people who have done Internet registration is
security of credit card numbers.
c. Others. There were no others present.
4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION
Council selected the architect for the activity center - Delano Erickson.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. 1998-2002 CIP. Ruth Solom and Barb Deede, from the Pilgrim Lane PTO, expressed ap-
preciation for the $15,000 the City has already allocated for their playground upgrade and
then explained that they were in attendance at the meeting to request an additional
PRAC Minutes/September 1997
Page 27
20,000-$23,000 for the purpose of adding a pre-school stricture, which wasn't part of
the original plan. The Pilgrim Lane school encompasses a large geographic area and serves
as the neighborhood park. The current proposed stricture is designed for kids in K -5th
grade. The PTO feels strongly that the addition of the pre-school stricture will make this a
more complete park and will meet the needs of many more families; however, the PTO
does not have the ability to raise all the fiinds needed to complete this project in its entire-
ty. They expect to raise a total of $65,000 which includes school fiind-raisers conducted
during the 97-98 school year, donations from corporations and neighborhood businesses,
grants, donations from civic organizations and residents, plus monies already raised, as
well as the contribution from the city. Another speaker, Colleen Kennedy, has pre-school
children and is participating on the fiind raising committee. She will target those families
with pre-school children. She explained that it is a daily ritual for her and her children to
visit the park. She's very interested in a pre-school stricture and is doing everything she
can to help raise fiinds, along with other moms of preschoolers. Commissioner Willegalle
asked about the total amount they are requesting. Ms. Solom said that the $15,000 already
allocated would be for the regular playground stricture, and that the additional $20,000-
23,000 is for the preschool stricture. Mark Peterson worked with them and came up
with the amount necessary to build the entire stricture. Commissioner Johnson asked
some questions about the site itself. Ms. Solom explained that it's a relatively large park
and can easily accommodate the additional stricture. Chair Anderson then brought up pol-
icy concerns that the Commission needed to discuss. He reminded them that a year ago
the Commission voted to increase the contribution they give to park/school playground
improvements from $10,000 to $15,000, if they had received fiinding previously, and
25,000 if they were first time requests. Director Blank then explained the five year capital
improvement plan. He said no action was necessary tonight, but would be required in Oc-
tober. The budget will go to the Planning commission in late October and then on to the
City Council in December for final adoption. He explained the different fiinding sources;
park replacement fiind, park dedication fiind, and the community improvement fiind. He
then went through the items allocated for 1998; a lease payment on a portable stage for
the amphitheater, the activity center and field house, trails, the neighborhood park at
Vicksburg and Schmidt Lake Road, the upgrade at Zachary Playfield, which involves new
lighting and would be phased in over two years, bleachers and painting of graphics at the
ice arena, art in the parks, amphitheater garden, aggressive skate park, Pilgrim Lane play-
ground upgrade and playground replacement at East Beach, because they have nothing at
the present time. All of the playgrounds are inspected weekly and park maintenance gives
them a ranking in terms of which ones need to be upgraded and when. In 1999, projects
include a trail over the 494 bridge along County Road 9, another lease payment on the
portable stage, an upgrade of youth sports facilities at East Middle School and/or Green-
wood Elementary, the second phase of Zachary field lighting, a neighborhood park, art in
the park, and Oakwood School playground upgrade. In 2000, projects proposed are trail
development, a neighborhood park, lease payment on the portable stage, and land acquisi-
tion for the I Oth playfield. The 410 account, which is neighborhood parks, shows shortag-
es beginning in 1999. We have to make up for that somehow. Director Blank then dis-
cussed requests from the Curtis Lake Homeowners Association for extension of trail along
Northwest Boulevard north of 44th to Schmidt Lake Road. There is money built into CIP
PRAC Minutes/September 1997
Page 28
for trails. If this trail is considered, we need to amend the comprehensive trail plan. Direc-
tor Blank reminded PRAC about guidelines adopted for funding school playgrounds.
Commissioner Wahl asked about pre-school equipment at other school playgrounds. Di-
rector Blank said it is fairly typical to include preschool strictures. The guidelines say the
city could go as high as $25,000. The estimate for the Pilgrim Lane project is $65,000 for
the K -5th grade stricture without the pre-school stricture. Director Blank explained the
boundaries of the walking neighborhood for Pilgrim Lane. Commissioner Wahl asked
what procedure PRAC would follow if they were to approve more than $25,000 as stated
in the guidelines. Director Blank said PRAC would just make a recommendation and it
would be up to the Council to approve or disprove. Chair Anderson stated his concern
with the long range budget and how the money just isn't there. He is also concerned with
setting a precedent. Commissioner Priebe asked about the policy on placing preschool
equipment in neighborhood parks. Director Blank said it is typical to put preschool stric-
tures in neighborhood parks. Commissioner Thompson said there are two issues; money
and setting a precedent. Chair Anderson said the Council may not look favorably on
changing the school/park playground policy less than a year later. In December of 1996, it
was raised from $10,000 to $25,000 on parks that have not been fiinded before. Director
Blank stated that Pilgrim Lane was the first school to request help with upgrading their
playground back in 1984. Commissioner Johnson asked what an additional $20,000 would
buy them. Director Blank said that would be difficult without seeing a plan. He said we
now budget $75,000 to $80,000 when we put in a new playground at other neighborhood
parks. Director Blank asked Ms. Solom if the school district is putting in any money. Ms.
Solom explained that the school district is covering the cost of removing and disposing of
the old stricture, but will not put in any actual cash. Director Blank explained that 50% of
today's increased playground cost is for surfaces that meet ADA guidelines. The Wayzata
School District is now helping out their PTO's by contributing fiinds for those new surfac-
es. The Robbinsdale District isn't doing that for its PTO's. COMMISSIONER JOHNSON
MOVED AND CHAIR ANDERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO RAISE TO $25,000
THE TOTAL FOR THE PILGRIM LANE REQUEST FOR FUNDING, DUE TO THE
INCREASED SIZE AND SCOPE OF THEIR PLAYGROUND. MOTION CARRIED
WITH ALL AYES.
Commissioner Priebe suggested that in the fiiture, school playground replacements should
include a preschool stricture in their plan. Director Blank agreed. Director Blank then dis-
cussed the 410 account and how to make that balance. He said that the neighborhood
parks in 2000, 2001, and 2002 may have to be deleted. Almost all of the property in
Plymouth is now developed up to the MUSA line, unless they extend the MUSA. There
was a major meeting with all the land owners in northwest Plymouth; 52% don't want it
developed, while 48% do. Director Blank will work on the CIP and will bring it back bal-
anced at the October meeting. The Zachary upgrade will run about $210,000 for new
lighting and new fencing, backstops, etc. He explained that we may be able to buy the
bleachers for the ice arena out of the arena constriction budget. Art in the parks would be
for some type of sculpture in front of the ice center and at West Medicine Lake Park. The
Council feels very strongly that the bridge at 494 & 9 is very dangerous and that we need
a trail here. The youth sports upgrade at Greenwood Elementary and Central Middle
PRAC Minutes/September 1997
Page 29
Schools is for new fields, both in 1999 and 2000. Director Blank has been working with
the City Manager and is assured that the city will find the resources to complete the West
Medicine Lake Park. Everything is in place to complete the project. There is a verbal
commitment from the DNR for a fishing pier. The only item that is an unknown at this
time is lighting in the park. We can go two ways here - rent the lights from NSP, or buy
the lights. The playground stricture has been ordered, sand is there for the sand volleyball
courts, bids are being opened for four picnic shelters tomorrow, and the budget has al-
lowed for lifeguards in 1998, so park should be fiilly operational next summer. Director
Blank said there is nothing in the CIP for buying a golf course. Commissioner Johnson
said the 70/30 park dedication formula maybe needs to be looked at. The park dedication
policy goes back to 1974 explained Director Blank. The 30% has, in the past, been
enough to build neighborhood parks. We have a legal commitment to put money back into
neighborhoods, when we collect park dedication money. Commissioner Johnson ques-
tioned the trail on the County Road 9 bridge over 494. Has anyone thought of asking Tar-
get or Rainbow to assist with this? By building this trail, we are helping people gain access
to this major retail area. Perhaps someone from the city should contact these major retail
stores and ask for a contribution toward this trail. Director Blank said he would discuss
this issue with the City Manager. Commissioner Thompson pointed out that traffic on
Vicksburg has doubled over the last year, and she thinks residents will ask for a safe way
to cross Vicksburg to get to the new park on Schmidt Lake Road and Vicksburg. Director
Blank mentioned the memo from Councilmember Spigner. She is asking PRAC to keep in
mind Sunrise Park when considering locations for skateboard parks. The skateboard park
focus group will get together at least once before the next PRAC meeting.
b. Ice arena update. Director Blank said that we have reached an agreement with Life Time
for a grand opening ceremony on October 17-19. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony
at 6 p.m. on Friday. Life Time will have a party for their members and guests. The remain-
der of the weekend the center would be open to the public for touring, etc.
Elm Creek Playfield. Director Blank stated that we need to sod that complex in order for
it to open next spring. It's been seeded twice now, and it's not taking.
d. East Medicine Lake Regional trail update. It's under constriction, and the road is closed.
Director Blank anticipates substantial completion by early November.
e. Armstrong High School gym update. Director Blank is hoping that this will be done in
time for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Recreation programmers have been meeting
to come up with ways to use that new space.
f. Activity center update. A car count was conducted in early September, and now there are
meters at the entrances counting the cars coming in. The complex is being used extensive-
ly. The girls play high school hockey games on Tuesday nights and draw crowds of 100 or
so. The boys play on Thursday and Saturday nights, and they draw 400 to 500 typically.
The Life Time Club reaches its peak on Monday, and from there it goes down. Parking
could be a problem on Thursday nights if there was a hockey tournament going on. We
PRAC Minutes/September 1997
Page 30
may have to look at locating the activity center north of 34th Avenue, where the tennis
center was proposed, rather than attaching it to the south end of Life Time, because of the
parking issue.
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. There was no new business.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
None.
8. STAFF COMM[_]NICATION
The next PRAC meeting will be Monday, October 13, at the Ice Arena.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.