HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 03-06-1980MINUTES
PARK b RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
March 6, 1960
A meeting of the Plymouth City Council and Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
was called to order by Vice -Chairperson Threinen at 7:30p.m. on March 6, 1980 in the City
Council Conference Room.
Members present: Brass, Chesebrough, Mullan, Threinen, Edwards, Terry.
Members absent: Rice.
Others present: Mayor Hunt, Council Members Schneider and Davenport, Manager Willis,
Administrative Assistant Boyles.
The minutes of the: regular February 7, 1980 meeting were moved for approval by Commissioner
Brass seconded by Commissioner Terry with the following corrections:
1. Page 2, approval of priorities for participation in Plymouth Athletic
program be amended to show the priorities in entirety as adopted by the
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission.
2. The Last paragraph of page 2 be amended to show the eligibility/conduct
100 fee required by athletic teams. Minutes to also reflect that this
fee will be lost for infractions of ordinances prohibiting liquor in the
parks.
Motion passed, 5-0,
Approval of Consultant Selection Process for Timber Shores and Mission Hills Parks
The Commission discussed the proposed calendar and selection process for construction and
park consultant selection for Timber Shores and Mission Hills parks. Commissioner Brass
expressed concern that there had been negative. aspects of the resident participation process
with Shiloh and Greenloch parks. He was concerned that a more effective method would have
to he found with dealing with citizen participation. Chairperson Threinen felt that the
major cause of problem was the fact that people did not get involved in planning until
the: final phase. Commissioner Mullan stated that. he felt it would; be necessary to have
peop" ', involved early on in the process. There was some discussion regarding the most
app ;,driate time to receive citizen input. Commissioner Mullan felt that citizen input
should be: received only a.t concept plan time. Commissioner Edwards questioned whether
citizen input should be minimized in the process. City Manager Willis commented that the
City Council would probably want the entire neighborhood to be invited to participate
in the planning process.
Commissioner Brass commented that the procedures used for selection of a community play-
field consultant had worked well. Commissioner Brass asked if cost estimates could be
made by consultants in the short time frames allotted. Commissioner Mullan stated that
it was his opinion that they could.
MINUTES - Park 6 Recreation Advisory Commission
March 6, 1980
Page 2
The Commission discussed the time schedule proposed by staff for the construction of
neighborhoodparks. It was recommended that for smaller parks, citizen input could
be obtained before and during the concept plan stage and that the process could be
shortened by eliminating the preliminary report. Commissioner Brass questioned how
best to notify residents in the surrounding area and. whether or not it would be
sufficient to contact homeowner's association. representatives or mail to each address
in the walki'ny neighborhood. Chairperson Threinen felt that it would be appropriate
to send letters to the residents in the walking neighborhoods. Manager Willis indicated
that in his opinion, one evening meeting would be necessary for receiving resident input
on the concepts.. Residents would then be advised that the consultant would review the
plans and make revisions for presentation to PRNC. Residents would be invited to this
meeting should they desire. Chairperson Threinen asked for volunteers to the sub -committee
for selecting a neighborhood park consultant. Commissioners Brass, Edwards and Mullan
agreed to serve on this sub -committee to provide a recommendation for City Council action
at their March 17 meeting.
Review of Public Information Brochure
The Commission reviewed the contents of the artwork submitted by Friendship Productions
for the public information brochure. Chairperson Threinen indicated that in discussions
with Chairperson Rice, she was aware that he had concerns with the wording and layout
on the inside pages,._ She also indicated her own concern was that the brochure allowed
for more flexibility so that it could be used over numerous years as the Plymouth park
system developed. Commissioner Brass indicated that in his mind the front cover is accept-
able, along with the map, but that he was concerned about the remaining elements on the
back page. Chairperson Threinen named a committee including Jim Rice, frank Boyles,
and herself to review the second page of the brochure and make revisions a.s appropriate
for revisions in the brochure by Friendship Productions.
Informal Review of Park Contained in Preliminary Plat of Amhurst
ro?",
Chairperson introduced this item by discussing the fact that the devepers of Amhurst
have indicated'a desire to dedicate some 11 acres of land from their development for
park purposes. The City Council, in reviewing Amhurst preliminry plat proposal,
directed that the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission have the opportunity to review
the plans prior to final platting to comment upon the appropriateness of the land to
be dedicated and to comment about some of the requirements associated with the park.
ommissioner Mullan expressed concern about the fact that most of the hand to be
dedicated was wetlands. Manager Willis indicated that there are clearly constraints
on the site especially associated with the pond running down the middle of the area.
Commissioner Brass stated that he was concerned that the park was not large enough
for the intensity of development in the immediate area. Manager Willis commented that
originally a larger park was going to be provided through land dedications by both
Pflaumwell and Ban -Con. However, it appears now that. the Pflaumwel;l will not, proceed..
Commissioner Brass questioned how important unstable lands are for park areas. Manager
Willis maented that to the a ,:y!nt that tennis courts or building facilities are
installed,, unstaale lands will i,,jve a constraining impact. Chairperson Threninen.asked
that staff check on the advisability of tennis courts on an otherwise neighborhood facility.
Commissioner Mullan pointed out that tie would not want to accept the land until the
ponding and drainage questions had been worked out.
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RINUTES - Park ?i Recreation Advisory Commission:
March 6, 1980
Page
41 Discussion of Facility Priorities for Community Playfi.elds
Chairperson Threinen announced that representatives from various athletic associations
had been invited to the meeting to discuss prioritization of improvements to go on
the community playfields.. The necessity for such a prio',itization is the possibility
that the $2.95 million available for construction of the six parks may not be sufficient
for all construction: presently anticipated. Therefore, as a "fail-safe" position it
would be best to prioritize the types of items which would be constructed first and those
which might be set aside for future construction in the event that financial problems
arise..
Athletic association representatives asked how project cost estimates had been reached.
Manager Willis responded that approximately 40% had been added on to 1918 preliminary
cost estimates. He also indicated that while these estimates are the best available
at this time, the athletic associations have added facilities subsequent to these
estimates, consequently one cannot be absolutely certain that the funding available is
sufficient. Mayor Hunt advised those present. that his; experience has shown that owing;
to existing market conditions, many contractors are looking for this type of work.
Comn ni ssi over Chesebrough asked whetkor or not the City will. have problems i n selling the
bonds. Mayor Hunt replied that the legislature will probably adopt new legislation
revising the interest maximums for bonds by the time of Plymouth bond sales. Athletic
association members expressed concern that in order to get maximum use out of a field
that they must be lighted. One other high priority item.was drainage and underground
irrigationto insure that the sites can be maintained in the face of intense usage. The
park consultant advised athletic association representatives that it was their intent, to
provide quality facilities in each of these sites and in their opinion, the budget
appeared to be appropriate for this purpose. Athletic association representatives
indicated that they were least concerned, about the: trail systems to be included in the
park and desired that all available funds be directedtowards the provision of athletic
fields. They also expressed a preference for sod over seed. Some discussion washeld
regarding the possibility of general lighting of the fields as opposed to lighting
specific playfields within a park. The park consultant commented that general ligiiti'ng
has a far greater spill-over affect and is not nearly as economical as selectively lighting,
the playfields.
Athletic association representatives indicated concern that they be given an opportunity
to comment upon the concept plans provided by the park consultant. A meeting was.
scheduled for Tuesday, March 18 for the purpose of reviewing and discussing these
plans,.
Presentation by Individuals Interested in Mission Park Construction
Representatives for the Mission Vills area addressed the Park and Recreation Advisory
Commission regarding their desires in the construction of Mission Park. The representatives
indicated the following priorities for construction.
1.. Complete grading be accomplished.
2. A pick-up soccer and baseball field with back stop be provided:.
3. The area be seeded"and maintainable on a continuing basis.
Representatives of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission indicated that Mission area
residents would be contacted to provide additional input if the Council approves construc-
tion of this park
Meeting adjourned at 10:38 p.m.