HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 02-12-1998Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
February 12, 1998
Page 6
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Fiemann, Musliner, Priebe, Thompson, Wahl,
Willegalle; staff Bisek, Blank and Pederson
1. CALL TO ORDER
Introduce new commissioner, Melissa Musliner. Commissioners were introduced to Melissa
Musliner and each spent a few minutes describing their backgrounds and number of years on
the Commission, followed by Ms. Musliner explaining her background.
Chair Anderson then called the February meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. in the Council
Chambers.
Appoint Chair and Vice Chair. Commissioner Priebe moved and Commissioner Fiemann
seconded a motion to reappoint Don Anderson as Chair and Mark Wahl as Vice Chair. The
motion carried with all ayes.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made to approve the minutes of the January meeting as presented. The motion
carried with all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None.
b. Staff. Mary Bisek thanked members for their help at Fire and Ice. S'mores sold out once
again. The issue of dogs at special events came up at the Fire and Ice evaluation meeting.
Mary stated that the City of Crystal has made a decision that dogs are not welcome in
their parks during special events. She suggested that PRAC might want to discuss this at
a fi ture meeting and make some kind of motion. Commissioner Thompson suggested that
Mary come to a fi ture meeting with some appropriate wording for such a motion. Mary
mentioned the gentleman that attended Fire and Ice who referred to himself as the
Snowman." He took pictures of people attending the event and offered to share those
pictures with Park and Recreation staff. A discussion then took place about whether or
not this individual should be included in next year's event and should a background check
be done on him. Feelings were divided on this topic and it was suggested that individuals
who show up at special events and present themselves as "entertainers" should at least
check in with a staff person. Mary stated that the Touch Tone Registration system has
been going very well. Between February 3 and February 12, 348 registrations came in on
the TTR system, which is 34% of the total registrations during that time period. The next
special event coming up is Primavera, the fine art show. Work has begun on the summer
brochure. Staff is trying to come up with user policies for the new gymnasiums. Mary
PRAC Minutes/February 1998
Page 7
explained to Commissioner Musliner that the City contributed money toward the
development of these new gyms.
c. Others. Outgoing Commissioner Johnson stopped by to say goodbye to the
commissioners and stated how much he had enjoyed his time serving on PRAC. He also
gave high praise to this group for how well they work together and all that they
accomplish.
4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION
More change orders dealing with the ice center were approved by Council.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. West Medicine Lake Park update. Crews wrapped up work on the picnic shelters. Stone
work on the shelters has to be stained to match the stone on the footbridge. Final
arrangements are being made to build lifeguard towers, etc. We received official
notification from the DNR that we will be getting a fishing pier. It should be delivered
around June 1.
b. Elm Creek Playfield update. No new action has taken place on this item. Four more
bleachers have been ordered, which will be assembled by our crews. Staff is hoping that
girls fastpitch softball will be played there this summer. The soccer fields won't be
operational until fall.
c. East Medicine Lake Regional Trail update. Work is being done on the retaining walls, etc.
Paving of the trail will be done in late May/early June. The mile gap on the south side of
the lake from West Medicine Lake Drive to 13th Avenue will be very expensive to
constrict and may be contingent on some kind of bonding bill being passed.
Commissioner Willegalle asked about the stretch of the Luce Line east of 494 and if we
would be selling it or continuing to maintain it. Director Blank said it looks like we will
continue the maintenance. There has been a lot of discussion on whether or not the Luce
Line should be paved. The DNR is holding public meetings to hear opinions on this.
d. Armstrong High School gym update. The dedication ceremony was Wednesday, February
11. The facility is being used extensively. We will be sponsoring some open gyms there
this spring.
e. Activity Center update. A subcommittee meeting was held Monday evening. Five council
members were in attendance and some citizens. We are getting better pricing from the
architects. Those council members in attendance favor holding a bond election in May.
The target date to open is the end of the year, 1999, to coincide with the Millennium.
Director Blank said he isn't getting a lot of feedback at this time on the desire for a field
house from the various athletic associations. Council will have to approve wording of the
special bond election by March 18 in order to hold the election in May.
PRAC Minutes/February 1998
Page 8
f. Aggressive Skate Park update. The temporary skate park will be behind the ice center.
Commissioner Musliner asked about the apparent conflict between using the parking lot
for the skate park and the need for the parking lot to handle all the cars visiting the ice
arena and Life Time. Director Blank explained that the attendance at the fitness center is
supposed to peak this month and then start dropping off and hopefi lly will not be an issue
after that.
g. Name for northeast neighborhood park. Director Blank explained that it was necessary to
finally name this park officially, so that signs can be made and it can be included in this
year's park map that is inserted in the summer brochure. A list of suggested names was
included in the PRAC packet. Chair Anderson moved to name the park Three Ponds
Neighborhood Park. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Priebe. The motion
carried with all ayes.
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Approve 1997 Annual Report. Commissioner Wahl moved and Commissioner Thompson
seconded a motion to accept the annual report as presented. The motion carried with all
ayes. Staff thanked the Commission for their hard work over the past year.
b. Capital improvements budget. Director Blank had to change a few numbers in the budget.
He had to lower the amounts for the Zachary upgrade phases 1 and 2 and the skate park
was also lowered. This allows the park dedication fiend cash to flow properly.
Commissioner Fiemann asked about the youth sports fields upgrade in 1999. Director
Blank explained that it's for Greenwood Elementary and Central Middle Schools.
c. Extended stay hotel/Little Peninsula . Director Blank stated that the City Council
unanimously voted that they would not approve this project if submitted by the developer.
It would have filled a wetland and a road would have had to be vacated. The location for
the extended stay hotel was perfect, but the land is a swamp. The council is very
interested, however, in the Little Peninsula. The property has been referred to the Open
Space Committee. It's an ideal location for wetland mitigation. Director Blank feels that
it will likely be purchased by some developer in the fi ture and may eventually be donated
to the City.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
None
8. STAFF COMM[_]NICATION
Director Blank needs to change the March meeting to the 19th.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.