HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 01-14-1999Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
January 14, 1999
Page 1
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Fiemann, Musliner, Priebe, Thompson, Willegalle;
staff Blank, Bisek, Sankey; Planning Commissioner Koehnen
Absent: Commissioner Wahl
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Thompson and seconded by Commissioner Musliner
to approve the minutes of the meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes.
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.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present.
b. Staff Mary Bisek said that even with too much warmth in the early season, warming
houses are now open. Now it is so cold that we have had to close them on some days.
The middle school ski clubs are having the same weather problems.
We are starting to promote Park & Recreation as a great summer employment
opportunity. She asked the commissioners to please refer potential employees to the
department. Commissioner Thompson asked how old the applicants must be. Mary said
most positions need 16 year olds; some need 18 year olds. A few positions can use 14 and
15 year olds. The positions which use 14 and 15 year olds are limited in hours and scope.
Preschool program aides, water safety aides, and concession stand workers can be the
younger ages. Park & Recreation is a good first job for young people. We will be
advertising soon for the seasonal clerical position. The person would work from mid
March to mid September for about 30 hours per week. Karol and Mary have been
thinking of a millennium theme for our special events this year. If anyone has ideas for
this, they would like to hear them.
Fire & Ice is coming up. We will have some competition from the Chili Open, since they
changed their date this year to coincide with ours. There is also a We Love Our Kids
event with the school district that day. A new performer for Fire & Ice is Nia Imam, a
youth gospel choir. Also scheduled are: artistry on ice, youth skating races, a DJ, a
magician, concessions, skating, snow bowling, kick sleds, fireworks, and hopefiilly the
PRAC Minutes/January 1999
Page 2
voyageurs. Commissioner Willegalle asked whether the boy scouts would be doing their
demonstration again this year. Mary said that Mike Lennon, the leader of their group, has
moved out of the community. Commissioner Willegalle also asked about where the
rescue demonstration will be held. That is undecided. He asked also about the sound
system. Mary said a highboy trailer is being used for the sound system. A new 10 x 10
tent was purchased last fall with fiinds left over from Plymouth on Parade.
c. Others. See item 5b.
4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION
Director Blank said that the open space issue has been postponed, because the Council had
such a fiill agenda at their last few meetings.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Activity Center. Director Blank spoke about the open house held on Monday, January
11. A model had been made up of the site, and colored diagrams were available to view
the project. Only nine people attended, but it was a successfi l meeting. Some people
asked about what their view of the project would be. There were questions about playing
rugby in the facility. Many general questions were also asked. On January 27, the
Planning Commission is scheduled to make final approval. Director Blank is not
expecting any complications since no variances are requested and all conditions have
been met. We are allowed to take out 75% of the trees for a project such as this, and we
are only removing 15% of them. There will be ponds providing a two -cell system of
settling on the site. The ponds will also be integrated into the formal garden, so it will
provide a very beautiful view from the building. We need to receive final Council
authorization and get the information out for bids. Director Blank said he would like to
award contracts at the first Council meeting in April and have the ground breaking
around May 1. The landscaping would be substantially completed in October. By
November 1, the bubble should be open to the public, with interior work continuing on
the building. March I would be the target date for completion of the activity building.
Once a contractor is on board, a more detailed schedule will be available. Bonds have
been sold and the money is available now. Director Blank met with the seniors for an
update on the project recently and will meet with the Arts Council and the Athletic
Associations.
Director Blank reported that he, Cindy, and Rick flew to Cincinnati to view the use of a
new turf which is under consideration. They talked to coaches and players about this
product. It looks better than grass, plays better than grass, doesn't cause burns, and is
simple to maintain. We will also bid an all nylon carpet. The nylon carpet is a little more
versatile, but the Cincinnati carpet is $300,000 cheaper. Commissioner Fiemann asked
about the differences in the carpets. The Cincinnati carpet is polypropylene, with a sand
base. The nylon carpet is harder and can give burns. Polypropylene doesn't burn skin
when a player slides, and it isn't slippery. It also has lower maintenance. Commissioner
Priebe asked about how long it has been place in Cincinnati. Eric said that it is a new
product and has only been in use for seven months. It has a 5 year warranty right now
PRAC Minutes/January 1999
Page 3
because they don't really know its wearability yet. It is installed with a layer of sand, a
layer of ribber, and a layer of sand and ground ribber. Spike shoes can be worn on it. If
this carpet is chosen, nylon carpet would be installed on the outer 15 feet, then the field
surface would be the polypropylene carpet. The other bid would be all nylon carpet
throughout. In Cincinnati, college, high school, and pro teams are all using it and loving
it. For warranty purposes, Astro Turf would prefer to do the complete installation
including the sub -base.
Commissioner Priebe commented that the pictures of the great room in the Activity
Center are really striking. Commissioner Thompson agreed.
b. Request from Zachary Lane PTO to Fund Playground. Stephanie Parsons (the Principal
of Zachary Lane Elementary), Nancy Zats (11610
48th Place N), and Lois Sugme (4665
Yorktown Lane N) appeared before the commission to request fiinding for the
replacement of the school's playground. Sugrie said they have been doing extensive
fund raising within the community, but they need additional money. Zats said the
playground is being brought up to date for safety, and it also must be brought up to date
for ADA. They have had a great response from the community for their fiind raising
efforts. They have raised $44,950 already. They feel that since the school provides
playfields to the population in general, the city should contribute to the effort. The
athletic associations use it, and many residents use it year round. The school only uses it
during the day, during the school year. Having a nice looking playground makes the
community more attractive. The school is listed in the park & trail guide. Commissioner
Fiemann asked how much they had in mind. Zats said $15,000. Their figures are not
final yet. Parsons added that the committee has been working on the issue for over a
year. The school district has put in $12,000. The PTO is working on funding for upkeep
in future years. They would like some assistance in this endeavor. Commissioner Priebe
asked if School District 281 is prepared to cover this since it is school property. He also
asked whether a school which is not designated as a neighborhood park can receive city
funding. Director Blank said that Kimberly Lane and Zachary Lane are not listed as
neighborhood parks for their respective walking neighborhoods, and the policy is that
they would not receive fiinding. Commissioner Priebe asked if the facility is scheduled
for games. Director Blank said that during the summer, the department does the
permitting for the athletic associations on behalf of the school districts. The school is
listed on the park and trail map for the convenience of parents in finding the school.
Chair Anderson told the group that raising the amount of money that they have was a
tremendous effort.
Chair Anderson advised that the commissioners should review the staff report. Director
Blank said that there is a policy for schools requesting money for playgrounds which was
adopted in the early 1980's. Requests must be in by May before they can be considered
for the CIP. The Zachary group called in early November. He told them at that time that
they do not qualify for the fiinding. They called two weeks ago and wanted to press
forward with the issue. The CIP has already been approved. Chair Anderson noted how
much the City has already given to the Robbinsdale District. Commissioner Willegalle
PRAC Minutes/January 1999
Page 4
noted that if we are using their fields, perhaps we should contribute to the upkeep.
Director Blank said we do line them and do much of the maintenance in addition to doing
all the scheduling. Rick Busch does all the scheduling for all the fields in the City of
Plymouth in order to keep a handle on what is being used for what purpose.
Commissioner Priebe said we should stay with the policy because it makes sense. He
also felt that liability becomes an issue if we contribute to the project. Director Blank
explained that when we have given money to schools for playgrounds in the past, it is on
the condition that they give us a letter stating that the district assumes 100% of the
responsibility for care, maintenance and liability. Chair Anderson asked if the school
groups usually have this much money in hand when they request help from the City.
Director Blank said sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. Commissioner
Fiemann stated that they should wait until next year's CIP for consideration of the
request. Commissioner Thompson said that it sounds like we are proposing to change the
policy. She finds the current policy reasonable and is not sure it should be changed.
Commissioner Willegalle observed that the commission probably should not tell them to
come back next year if the policy is going to be followed. The commission should decide
now and not give them hope if it will be denied anyway. Commissioner Fiemann felt it
was probably not a high enough priority for the city. Commissioner Priebe asked if the
commission should tell them that the chances of approval are slim, but they can try again
next year. CHAIR ANDERSON MOVED THAT BASED ON CURRENT POLICY,
NO RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL COULD BE MADE AT THIS TIME.
THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER THOMPSON. THE
MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Review draft of annual report and 1999 work plan. Commissioner Willegalle asked for a
definition of unmaintained space and open space. Director Blank said we do some
maintenance on open space such as garbage pick up and none on unmaintained space.
Director Blank said he would invite Anne Hurlburt to come to the next meeting to talk
about the Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Priebe asked about the skateboard park
project. Director Blank said the $85,000 which had been allocated for the park was
reallocated to a trail by Armstrong High School. The Council didn't want to compete
with the private enterprise of Four Downs. Four Downs is having problems and may not
continue in business. Commissioner Willegalle said the equipment at Four Downs is not
moveable, as it is built into the walls and floor. He also felt that we should reconsider the
multiple city consortium for the portable skate park. Everyone felt that they should not
put it back into this year's work plan. It may come back into focus later. Director Blank
felt the dog park should be added. Staff is studying various issues regarding this potential
project. Chair Anderson asked about adult soccer and space for them to play. Director
Blank said that staff is working with other cities to come up with an equitable way of
allocating fields. Chair Anderson felt this didn't need to be in the work plan. Director
Blank said the Activity Center issues and comprehensive plan will be a lot of work.
Chair Anderson said that if anyone thinks of new issues to add, they should call Eric,
Mary or Nancy to have the issues added to the plan.
PRAC Minutes/January 1999
Page 5
Director Blank said he would send out the Ice Arena pages which were unavailable for
the meeting. The preliminary reports show the ice arena making $205,000 in profit. At
this rate, they should reach the $600,000 enterprise fiend goal in about 3 years, which
should allow us to keep the building in good repair forever. They should not need to
raise the rates in the near future. Commissioner Fiemann asked if they should consider
three sheets of ice. Director Blank said that the population and needs would have to be
monitored before a decision on a third ice sheet could be made. Everyone was very
impressed with the Ice Arena's first year. Commissioner Willegalle asked what would
happen to excess revenue after the fiend goal is reached. Director Blank said that as of
right now, the money would continue to accumulate. Commissioner Willegalle noted
that convincing the public to undertake these projects is so hard because all they see is the
price. They don't realize the future revenue.
Commissioner Priebe commented that we have always covered sports, and now the arts
are being covered. He wondered if the Commission should give some thought to what
other areas of human endeavor could be addressed. Mary Bisek said that once the
Activity Center facility is in place, the activities will find us. The people who have a use
in mind will ask for the facility space to use. Poetry readings, quilting groups, and
community band groups are some possibilities. She agreed that we do need to think
about these things and provide the space for them. Commissioner Willegalle also agreed
that they would come to us. Mary felt that part of our function is to facilitate, not always
to plan and sponsor.
Director Blank added that people will be retiring earlier and living longer, and they will
need encouragement of their interests. Commissioner Willegalle said that the younger
seniors need to be attracted to programs, and evening offerings are important for them.
They are not all retired yet, but if we reach them now, they will take part during the
daytime hours as they do retire. He feels the senior segment will grow tremendously.
Director Blank said the 12-15 year old age groups are the hardest to reach. Teen centers
are usually not successful. The commissioners agreed that some thought should be given
to these age groups.
Mary encouraged the commissioners to come to the staff with any ideas they may have.
The staff is always looking for new concepts.
A draft work plan will be put together and sent to the commissioners.
c. Selecting a name for park at Vicksburg Lane & Schmidt Lake Road. Commissioner
Musliner liked the names Gateway Park and Corner Park. Commissioner Fiemann felt
Plum Tree Park was too much like the name of a development west of the area.
COMMISSIONER MUSLINER MOVED THAT THE PARK ON THE CORNER OF
VICKSBURG LANE AND SCHMIDT LAKE ROAD BE CALLED GATEWAY
PARK. COMMISSIONER FIEMANN SECONDED THE MOTION, AND IT
CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
PRAC Minutes/January 1999
Page 6
d. Little Peninsula. Director Blank reported that the hotel developers had offered to donate
the peninsula to the City, but have now sold it to a private individual. A letter from the
Planning Commission went out to this individual to let him know that no development
can be made on the site. The attorneys have said that there is an access issue with the
railroad tracks which run near the property. Commissioner Willegalle asked if the hotel
was still going to be built. Director Blank said it has been approved, but he is not sure
when constriction is planned to begin.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
None.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
Director Blank congratulated the commissioners on a great year. He invited them to look at
the graphics showing interior and exterior views of the activity center and also to look at the
model which had been prepared.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.