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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 10-14-1982Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Regular Meeting October 14y 1982, 7:30, p.m.. Page 26 Present: Chairman Rica, Commissioners Chesebrough, Edwards, Threinen, Mullan, Berg (arrived at 8:20 p.m.) and Dvorak; Planning Commissioner Magnus, staff members Blank, Busch, Helgeson and Patterson 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Rice called the October meeting of the Plymouth Park and Recreation Advisory Commission to order at 7:37 p.m.. an October 24 in the Plymouth City Center Council. Chambers. 2, APPROVAL OF MINUEE Commissioner Chesebrough moved and Commissioner Edwards seconded a motion to approve the September minutes with a correction in the third paragraph of item 3. b. The word "to" had been omitted. The motion carried with all ayes. 3. VISITOR,PRESENTATIONS a Athletic Associations. None were present at this meeting. b. Maty Patterson and Rick Busch. nary handed out copies of Winter programs at. theepaaT— rtme-ntw 1 be offering. She explained programs called Santa's Calling" and the "Life.. Be In It." Contest. It was suggested: that we attempt, to get civic group, church group and school support for the contest. Another way, to encourage participation. will. be the awarding of prizes. Mary also discussed an assignment she's been given by Director Blank which is to form a Programming Subcommittee. This group would get together quarterly to plan new programs and activities for the citizens of Plymouth. It would consist of two or three PRAC members and several Plymouth residents from various age groups who have participated. in our recreation programs.. 'RAC ;members will be asked to volunteer for this committee at their November meeting. Rick handed out a list of his summer programs showing total enrollment and the years the programs were: initiated.; He also discussed a chart he had prepared; showing what softball tournaments had taken place this past summer and what costs and revenues had been generated from these tournaments. The chart indicated that where beer` sales had taken place, revenues were higher. The cost of dram shop insurance had prevented some tournament sponsors from selling beer. Rick indicated that the fall soccer program was now finishing op its season, and he anticipates that next year's enrollment will be even higher. 4, REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION Director Blank reported that the Council approved the budget at their October 4 meeting, but that some problems with the CIP have delayed its approval. 5. UNFINISHED BUSYNESS a. Negotiations with St. Mar 's Church. Director Blank has a meeting with St. Marys Paith Council on Tuesday, October 19, to further discuss the purchase of their land, PRAC Minutes of October 14, 1982; Page 27 b. 1983 LAWCON/L.CMR Grant. Our application is moving through the process on schedule.. Director Blank reported teat the appraised cost: of the land was less than. the grant amount requested. d. Project Reports. Zachary Playfield has been used this fall for soccer, and we have received good, comments from the New Hope. -Plymouth Athletic Association on this facility. The area that was seeded through a cooperative effort between the University of Minnesota and Northrup King looks, excellent according to Director Blank.. Mr. Blank reported that he has had a discussion with the Lillyblad family regarding; the purchase of seine of their property for proposed park. Thov are willing to sell if the price is right. We have recently completed the fall planting of $17,000 worth of trees.. A number of 2,5 foot evergreens are being planted around the pond ire Zachary Playfield and on the west.boundary to act as a screen between neighboring homes and the park. The fencing of Fernbrook Playfield is proceeding well and should be completed by Friday, October 15, The bridges for .Shiloh and Greentree Parks are expected to be delivered within the next couple of weeks. Soil borings are, being done at this time. The bridges should be constructed and ready for use this winter. c. Review Joint Meeting with Planning Commission. Planning Commissioner gna[ us state t at t e Goals and Objectives chapter of the Comprehensive. Plan will be discussed at their next meeting. PRAC`members felt that the joint meeting was, good and that: future meetings of this type should be held only once a year unless Plymouth begins to develop more rapidly. 6. NEW BUSINESS a New Plats.- Plymouth Creek Estates. Theta was nothing new to report on this pat. b. Select Date for Joint Meeting with Athletic Associa_t_ions. It was decided that this joint meeting should be held on December 2nd which is PRAC's regular meeting date for that month. The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m.. A letter inviting Athletic Association participation will be sent to each group along with two copies of the Mayor's Task Force Report for their review.. Association representatives are asked in the letter to make written comments of their views on the report if they are unable to attend the joint meeting. c. 1982-83 Ice Rink Locations. Director Blank reviewed his memorandum to PSC regar ing t e _ 1982-83 winter season ice rink locations and policies. Director Blank is recommending that some rinks maintained in the past be dropped this year because of problems in maintaining them, damage to equipment, their proximity to other, more easily maintained rinks, and in some cases, safety factors. He is suggesting the addition of a couple of new rinks in the Vicksburg/Dunkirk area and the Heritage Estates area near the northwest side of Medicine Lake FRAC Minutes of October 14,. 1982 Page 28 COMMISSIONER CHESEBROUGH MOVED AND COMMISSIONER BERG SECONDED A MOTION TO SUPPORT STAFF'S RECOMMENDATIONS AS OUTLINED IN DIRECTOR BLANK.'S MEMO DATED OCTOBER 8, 1982 Discussion then continued regarding ice rink locations for the coming winter season.. Commissioner Mullan wondered if all ponds should be deleted from the list, since problems arose last year with Timber Shores. Commissioner Dvorak prefers that more, rinks be maintained in neighborhood parks rather, than eliminating any. Commissioner Chesebrough would like to review the costs of maintaining our rinks and has asked that staff prepare a report outlining these costs for the November meeting. Hockey rinks should be listed separately.. Commissioner Dvorak is concerned that if we continue to eliminate rinks in an effort to save moneys that we will eventually be maintaining only major rinks located at playfields.. He feels that skating is a family activity, and therefore, should be in neighborhood parks so that they are walking distance from all residents. Cu;,nissioner Berg indicated that he would rather see children skating on well maintained, large rinks such as those located at the playfields rather than on small, neighborhood rinks that are maintained only occasionally. Commissioner Threinen suggested that, in respozise to those requests we receive from resident;. to flood small family rinks, perhaps the fire department might be approached about flooding those Chairman Rice reasoned that if the derand is there for more neighborhood rinks and; continues to increase., staff may have to consider hiring additionalpersonnel rather than decreasing the number of rinks. It was finally agreed that staff should come up with a new map for, the 1983=84 season, and develop a criteria for which rinks to eliminate. and where to add new rinks. The, following were given as reasons why the department will not honor requests for additional rinks this year; 1) the City is growing more sensitive to maintenance costs 2) staff and PRAC are using this year to study the Issue and will be soliciting residents` reactions and v) there will be no new ponds or rinks during this period of study. The -motion rude by Commissioner Chesebrough died on the floor due to hack of a vote. d. General Discussion on the Future Role of PRAC. This item was postponed until' the November meeting. The Commission did not feel prepared enough to talk about it at this meeting e. LCMR State Grants. Director Blank informed the Commission that the stateegis ature is considering a funding cutback of the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources. We have received many benefits from LCMR through their Outdoor Recreation Grant Program, and unless we let them know of our support for their continued funding, monies may be cut or redistributed to other programs.. COMMISSIONER DVORAK MOVED AND COMMISS!"NER.Till; INEN SECONDED A MOTION RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL PASS,A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING FUTURE FUNDING OF THE OUTDOOR.RECREATION GRANT PROGRAM BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. PRAC Minutes of October 14, 1482 Page 29 Director Blank also urged FRAC; members to write individual letters. to legislative members in support of this, program. If letters are sent, he would like: to receive a blind carbon copy for his files. f. Art Print. Director Blank showed a copy of an art print to PRAC that has been commissioned by the NRPA from Roger Medeari:s, the artist. Copies of the print are available for sale through the Park and Recreation Department for $15 each. 9. Medicine Lake Regional Park Task Force. Director Blank asked FRAC to appoint one or two members. to a task force on Medicine Lake Regional Park Lake Use. Commissioners Mullan and Chesebrough volunteered, to represent FRAC. 7. COMMISSTONPRESENTATION None. 8., STAFF COMMUNICATION The City has been approached by the American Association of Slow Pitch Softball to sponsor a very large Labor Day tournament from Friday through Monday with approximately 80 teams participating from all over the country., The request is being considered and Director Blank will keep PRAC apprised of thelproceedings. The November meeting will be held on November 4. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9;15 p.m.