HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 02-13-2014Approved Minutes
Park Et Recreation Advisory Commission
Thursday, February 13, 2014
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Ned Carroll, Vice Chair Greg Anderson, Commissioners: Merrilee Riley, Aaron
Vanderwall, Michael Swanson, Kipp Wyse
MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Tricia DeBleeckere
STAFF PRESENT: Parks & Recreation Director Diane Evans, Deputy Director of Parks &t Recreation Barb
Northway, Recreation Manager Regina Michaud, Office Support Specialist Sarah Josephs
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES: Council Member Jeff Wosje, Planning Commissioner Dick Kobussen
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Carroll called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
Jeff Wosie joins the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission as our new Council
Representative for 2014.
Michael Swanson has joined the Commission, filling the open spot from John Vecere's
departure.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Wyse, recommending
approval of the January 9, 2014 Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting
minutes as written. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
3. OPEN FORUM:
4. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS (NON -ACTION ITEMS):
4a. Welcome New Member - Michael Swanson
Michael Swanson grew up in Brooklyn Park and has now lived in Plymouth for over 20
years. Mr. Swanson attended Law School at William Mitchell College of Law. He now
works as an attorney and enjoys running in his free time. He has run 174 marathons
including one in every state.
4b. Commission Information it Roberts Rules
Updates phone numbers and Roberts Rules are included in the meeting packets.
4c. Emerald Ash Borer Update
A Memo was provided to commissioners and will be presented to the City Council next
week. In 2011, the City adopted an EAP plan which included smaller ash trees being
removed and treating remaining trees. During last budget session, funding was made
available to treat the EAP movement this year. Park trees and legacy trees will begin
treatment this summer. A Legacy tree is any ash tree larger than 15" in diameter and
those targeted to remain standing. There are approximately 338 trees that will be
treated this summer. City staff is planning the treatments to take place over the next
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February 13, 2014
8-10 years. EAB treatment will be completed by Parks Et Forestry staff. Staff are
planning to treat City boulevard trees beginning in 2015.
There are several options are laid out for City Council to review and approve. Staff
recommends Option B - a cost share option between the City and residents. It will cost
approximately $150-250 to treat a tree using option B for 10 years.
EAB has been reported in locations as close as 10 miles away. Staff plan to supplement
the treatments with continued tree preservation, tree sales, and education on the
benefits of creating a diverse tree population so there won't be large scale losses with
disease in the future.
5. NEW BUSINESS (ACTION ITEMS)
5a. Approve Master Plan for Prairie Ponds Park
Last Thursday evening a neighborhood meeting for Prairie Ponds Park was held. Nearly
275 nearby residents were invited, and 38 attended. A new feature at this year's
meeting was allowing attendees to vote on shelter and playground choices. It was a
very close vote on the playground choice and there was an overwhelming majority vote
for the park shelter.
WSB representative Amanda Prosser led the park site analysis and development
meetings and was on hand to answer any Commissioner questions. The park will include
themed and natural prairie sculptures. Amenities include a picnic shelter, play area,
open play field, benches, picnic tables, portable restrooms, '/z court basketball court,
fitness stations, and a 20x20 shelter. Staff worked with Amanda and WSB staff to
create a preliminary master plan for the park. This plan includes a'/4 mile paved
asphalt trail surrounds the park which will have several neighborhood connections via
the south and north and east. A nature trail would wind through the existing forest.
All trails will be accessible and wide enough for maintenance/ safety vehicles to drive
through. Trees and natural grasses will be planted to buffer the park from housing.
Future plans include a pond overlook, interpretive garden, and sculpture feature. The
park also has future fitness stations, such as elliptical and bosu balls, planned which
gives parents an option to workout while kids play.
Motion by Commissioner Riley, seconded by Commissioner Vanderwall, recommending
to approve the Preliminary Master Plan for Prairie Ponds Park. With no objection,
motion passed unanimously.
5b. Designate Chair Ft Vice Chair
Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Wyse, recommending to
designate Mr. Carroll as the 2014 Chair. With no objection, motion passed
unanimously.
Motion by Chair Carroll, seconded by Commissioner Riley, recommending to designate
Mr. Anderson as the 2014 Vice Chair. With no objection, motion passed unanimously.
5c. 2013 Annual Report
Commissioners were presented with a final draft of the 2013 Annual Report. The land
donation from Pete Schmidt was added to the highlights section on page 6.
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Motion by Chair Vanderwall, seconded by Commissioner Wyse, recommending to
approve the 2013 Annual Report with changes as noted. With no objection, motion
passed unanimously.
5d. Department Strategic Goals - 2014
As part of Accreditation requirements, the Parks Et Recreation Department needs to put
forth a variety of yearly goals for the Commission to approve. At our mid -year
meeting, strategic goals will be addressed again and commissioners will be updated on
the status of these goals. Several projects are listed below:
The replacement of the West Medicine Lake retaining wall will be completed in
spring of 2014. This project was initiated in 2013, but at the bid opening bids were
too high and rejected. Bids are currently open again in hopes that costs will
decrease. Staff and Project Managers will open and finalize the bids next Tuesday,
February 17. The lowest responsible bid will be forwards to the City Council for
approval.
Work will begin on Phase 2 of improvements to the Hilde Performance Center and
Veterans Memorial. City Council has met with architects and like the plans thus far
and has directed staff to prepare the project for bid.
Looking for land acquisitions for NW Plymouth for potential future park land. The
Wayzata School District currently needs land for a new school so they may work
together with the City to purchase land for a school/park.
Fairway Greens Park will start receiving its final touches this spring. Landscaping
and tree work still remain along with a few small touches on the playground. Plans
will be made for a grand opening party with neighbors and City Council.
Plymouth Creek Playfield will receive a playground renovation this summer. RFPs
have been sent to vendors.
Prairie Ponds Park will begin construction this summer. City Council will review and
approve/deny the park plans on February 28.
Improvements will be made at the Bass Lake Playfield tennis courts.
The City Council authorized $50,000 to be used for eradicating buckthorn this year.
Staff will work with the ICWC two times a week from March -December to remove
the buckthorn. Educational/ preventative information will be provided to the
community.
In 2015, the Plymouth Ice Center/Lifetime parking lot will receive a new overlay
and replacement of the irrigation system. Staff is hoping to pick up additional
parking spots during the project.
City Council authorized a Park Patrol unit in cooperation with the Police
Department. There will be a designated vehicle and reserve officers assigned to be
proactively monitoring the parks and able to address any issues in the parks.
Applied for a TAP grant to initiate the development of the Northwest Greenway
trail from Vicksburg Lane east to Cheshire Ln.
A grant application for completing the trail gap along County Road 24 was denied.
Hennepin County would like to complete the gap and may be able to work with City
staff to create an agreeable design and complete the trail by 2015.
Funding for trail repairs has increased. Typically $70,000-80,000 is designated for
trails each year. In 2014,$200,000 has been made available. All trails have been
rated in order of repair and work will begin on those areas in most need.
The City Council agreed to allow liquor sales Et consumption at the Hilde
Performance Center. Plans will move forward with hosting a paid event on June 6
with an estimated 3,000-6,000 people in attendance.
2014 will be last year of contractual relationship with Senior Community Services.
Sara Mittelstaedt works for the City through SCS and will retire in 2014. The
position will move in-house and will incorporate senior programs into the overall
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structure of recreation programs. The senior volunteer program will be
incorporated into our volunteer program.
The Plymouth Creek Center will undergo some equipment replacement and repairs.
The building is now 17 years old. Projects in 2014 include updating the sound
system, and purchasing new chairs. In 2015, tables will begin being replaced.
The Plymouth Ice Center will receive their new Zamboni on Friday, February 14.
They were able to sell the previous Zamboni for just under $29,000 dollars. The
company delivering our new Zamboni is the same company that purchased the old
one.
Staff will be moving forward with development of the Ice Center dryland training
facility and have contracted with RJM to be the project manager with a design firm
of 292. This design company was also the architect of the 3rd sheet of ice project.
Motion by Chair Carroll, seconded by Commissioner Swanson, recommending to approve
the 2014 Department Strategic Goals. With no objection, motion passed unanimously.
6. COMMISSIONER/STAFF UPDATE (NON -ACTION ITEMS):
Phase 2 improvements on Hilde are moving forward. The City Council has authorized;
updates to the north entry area, adding a central entry off Plymouth Blvd, making pond
improvements and added plaza area, and add restroom facilities. A water feature and
remembrance wall will be added to veteran's memorial area.
The Zachary Johnson Foundation has approached the City of Plymouth and would like
to work together to build a universal -designed park at Zachary Playfield. The
Foundation plans to do fundraising over the next 2-3 years.
The 25th anniversary of Fire Et Ice was held on February 1. Thank you to the
commissioners who were able to stop by and help out during the event.
A Prairie Fire theater production of Pinocchio will be performed on February 21 Et 22.
The Healthy Living Fair will be held on March 9 at the Plymouth Creek Center. Abbott
Northwestern is a co -host for the event.
Primavera entries are being accepted now. The event will be held April 4-7 at the
Plymouth Creek Center.
The Yard Et Garden Expo will be held on April 11 Et 12 at the Plymouth Creek Center.
Hennepin County is in the process of redoing their bike plan. They have hired a
consultant to gather more information. The County is planning on engaging more with
cities to integrate their bike systems into city systems.
A new generation of LED light replaced outdated lights at the Hilde Performance
Center.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Swanson, recommending
adjournment of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting. With no
objection, Chair Carroll adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
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