HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 01-08-2015Approved Minutes
Park Et Recreation Advisory Commission
Thursday, January 8, 2015
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Ned Carroll, Vice Chair Greg Anderson, Commissioners: Tricia DeBleeckere, Merrilee
Riley, Aaron Vanderwall, Kipp Wyse
MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael Swanson
STAFF PRESENT: Parks & Recreation Director Diane Evans, Deputy Parks Director Barb Northway, Office Support
Specialist Sarah Josephs
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES: Planning Commissioner Dick Kobussen
1. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Commissioner DeBleeckere, seconded by Commissioner Wyse, recommending
approval of the December 11, 2014 Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting minutes
as written, with changes as discussed. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
3. OPEN FORUM:
4. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS (NON -ACTION ITEMS):
4a. 2015 City Budget Er CIP (Diane Evans)
In the meeting packets, information is provided on the 2015 budget, which was adopted on
December 9 by the City Council. The general fund budget was approved at just over $33 million.
There is a property tax levy for future park replacements to continue building a fund in order to
keep parks in good condition over time.
The 2015 CIP was also adopted at this time. A larger project for 2015 includes a parking lot
expansion at Life Time/Plymouth Ice Center. Staff are proposing to add 101 parking spots. The
Ice Center draws nearly 500,000 people annually and the Plymouth Life Time is one of the busiest
in state and are at 83% of their membership capacity. The parking lot is used during Music in
Plymouth (which brings in around 12,000 people), the farmers market, Plymouth on Parade and
other large events. The project is projected to cost $900,000 and will be paid for in a 50/50 split
with Life Time Fitness, using the park replacement fund. The removal of some trees to make
room for the expansion may cause some concern for residents. A parking lot expansion was
considered during 3rd sheet addition, but was not opted for due to a large legend maple tree that
would have been removed. Over time that tree has died and been removed which opens up the
opportunity to add parking.
Three playgrounds are scheduled to be replaced or renovated in 2015. Heather Ponds Park will
see their playground replaced, Circle Park will have their playground renovated and Hemlock
Park may be either a replacement or renovation. A neighborhood meeting will be scheduled for
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the Hemlock Park neighborhood to gather input and feedback. Staff would like to adjust the park
area from a playground to a picnic/gathering area.
The hockey boards at Ridgemount playfield will be replaced in 2015. The project will just put the
boards in, no cement surfacing will be applied.
Work will begin on the NW greenway trail. Staff will seek authorization to proceed with
collecting bids in the first quarter of 2015. Construction will put a trail running from Vicksburg Ln
to the east. The pedestrian bridge will be delayed until 2016, to coincide with road construction
project on Vicksburg Ln.
The yard waste site will receive asphalt improvements in 2015. Each year there are around
40,000 visitors. The surface area will expand and be paved.
Ice Center improvements are also scheduled for 2015. The City will be looking for a $2.1 million
match from State Legislatures to complete nearly $4.2 million in projects. Purchasing a new
Zamboni to replace an existing one, replacing Ice Center rubber flooring and the dehumidifier
desicant wheels are scheduled for 2015. Larger projects include the refrigerant conversion,
converting the Olympic rink to a professional rink and replacing the Ice Center roof.
The question was asked about water resources projects taking place in parks and which
department oversees that crossover. The upcoming projects in the CIP will be dealing with
watersheds, and water quality projects in or near parkland. Most of these projects have been in
the queue for many years. The Parks & Recreation Department will work in cooperation with the
Engineering Department for these projects, with Engineering being the lead on these
improvements. One of the projects listed will work on the Elm Creek stream near Wayzata High
School. The City will work to improve how the stream water is being filtered, shoreline
restoration, bank stabilization, how to infiltrate water better, and creating a better flow through
the area.
4b. 2014 Parks Et Recreation Department Annual Report (Diane Evans)
Commissioners were given an early look at data and information within the report. Please let
Sarah know of any changes, suggestions, additions. At February PRAC meeting, the commission
will go through the annual report, in detail, and make any final changes or recommendations.
This is an important document to give a comprehensive summary of what the department has
accomplished through the year.
4c. 2015 P&R Work Plan - Draft (Diane Evans)
The City Council held a goal session last Tuesday night to establish overall goals for the city. Each
department was asked to provide overall goals they intend to reach in 2015. At the February
PRAC meeting we will be discussing the department's CAPRA strategic plan. Some of our
department goals include completing upcoming CIP projects.
Establishing a new method for collecting athletic association will need to be established. In 2009,
the City Council implemented a plan to recover costs for the upkeep and maintenance of the
city's athletic fields. The goal was to collect $100,000 a year from associations to help offset the
700,000-800,000 spent annually. Currently the process is for associations to pay $10 per
participant to the city. Since 2009, the city has yet to meet the $100,000 goal each year. Staff
plan to meet with the local association presidents within next month to determine new
methodology in order to reach the council's goal of $100,000. A proposed plan is for associations
to pay a percentage of the total $100,000 that is equal to their percentage of usage of fields.
Staff have considered multiple options for fairness such as; higher fee for those who use the
fields the most, hardest on fields, maintenance needs, per player, number of fields, number of
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hours, etc. The question was asked regarding how much associations are charged per hour for
the field usage on top of the $10 per player. Currently, all associations are able to reserve field
space at zero cost. The only fee collected is the $10 per person.
Staff will also be updating joint power agreements with the Wayzata School District. Currently
we lease two pool facilities (East Middle School & West Middle School) for swim lessons and
aquatic programs. The current contract is set to expire in 2015. Other agreements include
scheduling of facilities (gyms, courts) and the shared gyms added to Wayzata High School. The
agreement states that the city could use gym when school is done, but the language needs to
clarify specific times that Parks &Recreation can use the gyms.
The Ice Center may add a retail space to the front of the building. A feasibility study will be done
before moving forward. There are also plans to renovate a space within the Ice Center for
Breakaway Academy to operate their school from.
Emerald Ash Borer and Buckthorn programs will continue to operate through 2015. Buckthorn
removal continues through the winter and crews have been making great progress.
Parks & Forestry will be looking at adding some contractual agreements to outsource the
mowing of our smaller parks.
The Plymouth Creek Center will complete their first year with all five caterers. Staff are
considering an addition to the Plymouth Creek Center. Later in the year, PRAC will need to
initiate need surveys, a council survey, and a feasibility study with a consultant to determine a
cost.
A new all -electric Zamboni will be purchased for the Ice Center.
A CAPRA review team is scheduled to visit March 16-18. The team will review current processes
and sites to determine if we are reaccreditated.
Plans are in place to replace the recreation software used for registrations, facility bookings and
class management. This is a 2 year project of reviewing options and then transition to a new
software in 2016.
4d. New Parks £t Trail Map (Diane Evans)
A new Parks & Trail map was distributed to all Commissioners. This map is similar in style to the
last map printed, however includes the new parks and the trails that have been since added.
5. NEW BUSINESS (ACTION ITEMS)
5a. 2015 PRAC Work Plan (Action)
A copy of the 2015 PRAC work plan was shared with PRAC members. Each commission in
Plymouth needs to provide a yearly work plan to the City Council. Changes and adjustments can
be made based on Commissioners' feedback.
Motion by Commissioner Riley, seconded by Chair Carroll, recommending to approve the 2015
PRAC Work Plan as presented. With no objection, motion passed.
6. COMMISSIONER/STAFF UPDATE (NON -ACTION ITEMS):
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Fire & Ice is coming up on February 3, from 3-7pm. If you are interested in volunteering,
connect with Jackie Maas at 763-509-5230.
The New Year's Eve event went very well at the Plymouth Ice Center. Nearly 500
participants showed up and enjoyed skating, swimming, games, entertainment and a meal.
This event is great for families.
Tonight's meeting will be Dick Kobussen's last meeting as the Planning Commission
representative for PRAC. He will be stepping down from the Planning Commission and
joining the Environmental Quality committee. Mr. Kobussen was thanked for his service to
the Commission.
Tonight's meeting will serve as Ned Carroll's last meeting as a member of the Parks &
Recreation Advisory Commission. He has been elected to the City Council and will serve as
PRAC's Council representative. Mr. Carroll was thanked for his service as a Commissioner
and as the outgoing Chair.
T ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Chair Carroll, seconded by Vice Chair Anderson, recommending adjournment of the
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting. With no objection, Chair Carroll adjourned
the meeting at 7:51 p.m.
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