HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 11-10-1983StRegular
Meeting of the. plyMouth Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
e r 10, 1983
7 30 p.m.
AGENDA
1, Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes.
3. Visitor Presentations
a. Mary Patterson and Rick Busch
b. Dave Ferrens - NHPAA
c. Others
4. Report on Past Council Action
5. Unfinished Business
a. L.AWCON/LCMR Grants 1-088-84
b. Play Equipment Plymouth Creek, LaCompte, Cast Beach
c. Pilgrim Lane PTA Request
d, Athletic Association. Insurance - see attached letter
6. New Business
a. Request from Westminster Homeowners Association for Neighborhood Park
b. Golf in Playfelds
c. Rental of Canoe Racks and Sail Boat Moorings
d. Community Center Review - Steve Chesebrough.
Commission Presentation
8, Staff Communications,
9. AdJournment
10, Joint. Meeting with City Counc'i'l - Tuesday, November 9, 5,30 p.m,
Next meeting date - December 8, 5c30 p.m, (with dinner)
Minutes of the Regular ?Meeting of the Park. and Recreation ,Advisory commission
E October 13 1983
page 20
Presents Comissiaanerr Chesebroughk Edwards, Threioen, Mullan, Dvorak and
Serqk staff Blank, Patterson and Pedersviii, Pilgrim Mane PTA
representative Len Theide
1, CALL TO ORDER
I Chair Threinen called to order the regular meeting of the Plymouth
4'FarC. and Recreation Ad,vfisory Conmi'ssi'on on Octcbet, 130 1983, at 7,35 p.m.,
24 APPROW IF MINUTES
Chair T6 `noo corrected the minutes of September, 1, page 16, item 3. b,
from 118Z Aebd"to "8O attending." following this correction, a motion
was aide by Commissioners Ehetebrough to approve the minutes as corrected.,
The motion carried.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a.. Athletic Asiociation Representatives.;, None Were present at this meeting
b, dart Patterson and Rick 'Busch. Mary handed out comparisons between the
astwosunnier s program enrollment and a second chart showing year -to-
date totals for her programs, She also discussed a metmo she sent to Eric.
regarding this year's beach concessions and suggestions she has for next.
year's season. Rick also had hand-outs for the commissioners in his
absence; he was videotaping soccer gashes and unable to attend the meeting.
4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION
a, 1984 Budget. The budget was, approved at the October 3 Council meeting, with
t' ,e exception of our showootle', Director Bland; stated that the: Council
wants our Shade Tree program to promote the care and maintenance of healthy
trees, e,g. reforestation of our urban forest. Steve Cook, the. City's
forester will be doing a number of informational/educational "short
subjects11 fori the City's c.,.able tv channel on tree maintenance, gardening, etc,
DirectorBlank discussed briefly other aspects of the budget and answered
questions regarding various categories. While on the subject of the budget,
Commissioner Chesebrough 'mentioned that Bob Sorenson of the NHPAA had
approached him about attending our next PRAC meeting in order to discuss the
fees outlined fn the Mayor"s. Task. Force Report.
b, Parkers Labe Planned Develo nt, Council approved Phase I of this project
afthetr as meeting. Phase covers that area between Vicksburg and
Dunkirk Lanes.
c. Final Payment - Zachar Fence Project. The fencing of tha three ballfields
at Zachary Flayffeld ii noir comp e e and the bill has been paid,.
5. UNRNISHED BUSINESS
at LA I MR Grants: 1983_84. Director Blank stated that our 1984 LAWCON
gran sou be comp eteiy'processed within a month,. He also explained
our status regarding our 1984 application. He is confident that, although
ie are not ranked number one in all considered categories, we have a very
good chance to be funded'.
PRAC Minutes of October 13, 1983
Page, 21:
b. P a ui nt - Plymouth Creek LaComP—to East Bench. All major pieces
of pl. eqv p!nert a r ip` e ed at Plymouth an LaCampte Parks. Beach
construction will begtri wewk of Octother 17.
c. Letter from Gary Welch re! Son's In ur at Lions Park, Director Blank
Feminaid the comm ss oners of this Incident that too place this past
summer at Mons Park during a youth baseball game sponsored by the Wayzata,
Plymouth Baseball Association. Mr. Welch is asking the City's insurance
to cover some of the costs associated,with his son's injury. Our City
attorney is 'looking into this matter now to determine if the City is liable
in this type of injury, ie,, a non -City sponsored event. PRAC needs to
consider establishing a policy whereby Athletic Associations would be
required to carry some form of liability insurance before they would be
allowed to use our facilities. This item will be discussed at PRAC's next
work session.
b` aEW Ma"AS'Lane PTA Request. len Theide; representing the: Pilgrim Lane PTA,
appeared before the Commission to show them a model of playground equipment
their organization designed and is proposing for installation at the
Pilgrim Lane neighborhood park, He briefly explained how this project
began and its current status, He estimates that the completed project, as
proposed, would cost approxirm telt' $50,000 with the parents providing the
labor to construct the equipment. Once the project is completed, the PTA
will donate it to the Pilgrim Lane Elementary School, and they would then
be responsible for its maintenance. Mr. Theide commented that the PTA would
be very grateful if the City could contribute some financial assistance toward
completing this project, Chair Threinen asked Director Blank to research two
areas of this project prior to the: November meeting and be -Fore FRAC makes
any recommendations. One is the safety factor of the proposed equipment,
and second is to cost out the project, Director Blank pointed out that our
involvement in this project may encourage other schools that act as neigh-
borhood park sites to ask our support for similar projects. It was suggested
that our financial contribution could be 50% of what we would normally
spend to build play equipment in a neighborhood park, rather than 50% of
what this organization has proposed. Play equipment already in place at
Pilgrim lane is about one-third of what is installed at Plymouth Creek Park,
PRAC will make their recommendation at the November meeting.
b. Review Winter Skating Rink Locations, The Commission reviewed a map of last
yea7s r n ocat onsand scusse -the sites for the winter of 1983--84. The
sites will remain the same With the exception of Gleanloch and Heritage Estates.
Gleanloch is being dropped at the request of the homeowners, and Heritage
Estates is being deleted due to lack of flat land..
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER BERG AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CHESEBROUGH
TO APPyOYE THE RrNK LOCATIONS PROPOSED FOR 1983-84 AS OUTLINED IN DIRECTOR
BLANK'S MEMO OF OCTOBER 10, 1983, THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
c. Review NRPA Conference and MRPA Conference. Director Ri ank discussed some
o, the seminars he at ended ur ng t s year's annual National Recreation and
Parks Association Congress held in Kansas City in early October. Of particular
interest to h.im was the Overland Community Center located in Overland, Kansas..
Cha,i`r Threttlen reminded the commissioners that she is still looking for a
member to chair the Community Center Citizen Committee.
PRAC Minutes of ortober 131, 1993
Page, ZZ
Commissioner Chesebrough volunteered for this responsibility, Director Blank.
announced that the annual MRPA Conference will be held in Rochester in November,
t4oney is budgeted for FRAC members to attend, Members should inform Nancy
if they wish to go to all or part of the, conference,
d, Joint Meeting with City,Council, Tuesday, November Z9, has been. chosen as
t, a date for the:joint meeting between PRAC and the City Council It will
begin at 5.30 p.m. and will include a Light dinner. suggested agenda items
include: the community center, athletic associations carrying liability
insurance, fees to be charged to users of our facilities, and requests by
PTA's/citizen groups to fund playground equipment at school sites that serve
as neighborhood parks:
7, CCh'X'' MION PRESENTATION
The FRAC work session will be held on Thursday, December 8, and will be part of
the regular menthly meeting, to order to cover both a regular meeting agenda
and the wore sessiol,, the meeting will begin at 5130 p,m. In order for PRAC to
preparo for discussing user fees, Dtrectot+ Blank Will submit to them, 1xrior to
the meeting, costs associated with, the operation of the recreation programs,
field' maintenari e, etc,
B. STAFF COMMUNKATION
Director Blank shared with the commission some preliminary sketches of Phase I1
of the Lundgren eros, development, Chair Threinen asked each. commissioner to
think of someone who might be interested fn filling the vacancy on the Cormission
and she welcomed Steve Ches.ebrough as the new Vice Chair:
9, AWOORNMENT'
A motion Was ma.G'e by Commissi;oner Rerq and seconded by Commissioner Dvorak to
4d4ourn at 9.15 p,m,
CITY QF PLYMOUTH
3100 PLYMOUTH 9lVQ„ PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447
TELEPHONE (612) 559-28Q0
OATE: November 7 1983'
Tp,
FROM:
PRAC-
Eric: Blank
CLARK, AND RECREATION DERARTMENT
MEMO
SUBJECT, Citizen Request for Allowing Golf in Community Playfields
On October 18, 1983, PaulKuzma appeared before the City Council to make
a request with regard. to allowing golf on community playfields. The City
Council referred this matter to the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
for review. T asked Paul to send me a letter outlining specifically what
he would like.
Currently, the Pipputh" Citi, Code, Section 805,01 Park Regulations; Subd.
9, reads "Golfing. No person shall engage in golfing practice with other,
than light plastic hollow balls and then only at areas designated for such
Practice."
We have signed the community playfields as "no golfing allowed," our number
one concern with this is the use of irons on the gpass causes the removal
of divots, and if done often enough, could cause us a tremendous amount of
maintenance regarditng community playfields. obviously, the second reason
is the matter of safety, Even though it may appear at times that there is.
not a large n°umber, of people at the playfield, someone, could be. hitting
a ball, and at the same time another person could come riding through the
playfield on one of the trails, or be jogging, and possibly be struck by
the golf ball, Because we have no way of administering or regulating a
safe time to hit practice balls, the only way we can adequately patrol
this matter is to abide by the rule of no golfing allowed in the community
playfields. There are a number of privately owned driving ranges located.
within the; City where this type of activity can take place, If the
Commission feels that this request warrants setting aside land far this
specific purpose, direction should be given to staff to further review
the matter in terms of looking at public grounds that may be adequate
and safe to use for such activities,
Recommendation: r would recommend. that the Park and Recreation Advisory
T&m— ss on recommend that the City Council make no change in the current
policy which prohibits golfing at the community. playfields,
n"p
Attachment
Now
loom
krmmwm I
4,f
0-0 X
Az ZZ
K tt Lo
cvj t,"
AAft + :it ft ,A t
k It ,44
N IL
vtz e
v, 0
lie
A 1'k -Ve t
t
Minnesota open.. meeting law
A recent Supreme Court decision. clarifies the law
On my 1$1 1l1d8, the Mhnoesots
Suplsarte Court ended a bttgshnd
s:ontraversy to to the meaning ofi.l i'
under the Minnesota open
Moet tg Law when k bWA%d down its
deeiaan in Moberg Y. Independent
Sol otar L*&kict >bh. Most public boil.
in have been acting under an attorney
Ile!1"W's opinion, that views diaevs.,
nous relating to Official business
between two members of a five -mem-
ber body ss a meeting.
Repettg its ruling in a prior de+eas m
which was wt dear, RubbornfBr ',
9 v, CWY of Mtms, the court said thatIt600" between two members of a
Vvetnting body' about a matter before
this body is not a per se violston of the
Open Meeting Law. 'Therefore, the
UOb ter csoe ends the magnyVew that
whsnev er less limn a quorum of go'vetn-
meatt O&ikls discuss, dtlic matters, the
0&WB must Wuw OW Meeft Law
reWinettet.
The Court's decision supplements
the Open MeetingMeeting Statute which does
no( define 16 Meeting. i,. Do Court. said
that seri,! meetings 0( gra 0(, le"
then a quorum for the purposes of
grading: Public or la
nsement on an issue may be
tion of the statute de:pertding on theitdirF
tdual catse. This important warningindicatesthatthecourtwilllookatthe
intent of pu fi afficisb me by an to
deternnae whether their Puryoee was
to avoid public discussion which would. F
be a violation of the Open MeetirgLaw,
Several at6ens of the Robb dale
School district brought the Moberg . ON before the costrt. The arse greed
much attention, and on appeal the
Minnesota Supreme Court received
several Allskiwa cutise briefs on both
Bides of the issue. (An amicus curiae
brief is Ore is whoh ra persa i, not a.
06 in Sing 0 amicus
of the deleldants the
t an the •
and bond members) arguing that
Open Meetng Lau applies, only
s of at least a quorum
members of a loverYnt public body, The tobbinsdale School Board hi
held numerous public meetings on th
issue of dosing owe of its par
schools dues to decreased enrobnen
During. this lengthy decision-::vkin
Ps' m, the board became dead ock
o its decision a8 to which school tdose. '!'Ile plaintiffs (the people
brought the rail. to court) said that
PW to the fin) board vote,
members violated of the Open Mee
LAW on 17 occasions. They sough
p sties of a $100 dile against
board member for each occurrence
removal of the. members firm office,
and an invalidation of the bowd's
Sion to dose RobWnsdaie Senior
School,
Of the 17 alleged violations, 14 were
gatherings of two board, members
where they discussed the deadlocked
WAW issue, The Minnesota
Supreme Court reversed the trial
court`s decision, saying that "the pili-
vete discussions were conducted for
the purpose of breaking the deadlock
rather thus for achieving some secret`
ntended result," The Court added that
ir10clearmWOrttywarworking togeth-
er, nor were members using improper
fluence or Pressure. The general rule
the Court met forth in Moberg is that
Suasion and discussion within agen.
can becomes improper when members
kntend to avoid pubic discussion uta.
gether, try to gain a nyprity prick to
P hearings on an issue, or try to
hide bgxgvr influences such u the
penoW or financial interest of a public
oll W.
petty is the care but usually an attor in
ay, "kmteers written i hrmatim, its Court
arganrteet, or evidence to , ,It is the duty of public ofbciais
W mento+
sor
Protect lair/ to persuade each other in an attemptTheLeaag>te of Minrte to resolve ,rues, and it makes tittlesotsCitiesjoinedtheCityofMinnesp. sent to suggest that they nay listen
4
i
Jean Mh~itohell.
Research Aadsta -,- UJO
stile to a group a( nonmembers on important
filet matters but not to tkair colleagues,
the who maybe mote expert on the subject;
to than any other, person{i and "there is
of a pant beyond which open discussion
requirements may serve to imnwbi&e
a body and prevent the resolution of
important problems.1$
sic Within this common sense resson. ts, ing, the court recognized that "there
g is a way to illegally circumvent any rule
ed the court might fashion, WW therefore,
a it is sfnpartant that the rule not be so
who restI`ktive as to lose the public benefit
of personal discussion between public
bond off! ahs while g little assurance of
tiro 0. aess." After looking at the legis
t lative history of the Open Meeting Law
each the COQA' determined that °'the law
was not intended to apply to informal
discussions between: a few colleagues
ilea- or to groups too small to effect a
Nigh decision on agencybusiness..
The Court said that "meetings suw
Wt to the requirements of the op!n
Meeting Law are those gatherings of a
quonun or more members of the gcv
ening body, Or a QUO= of a contnlit
tee, subcommittee, board, department
or commission thereof, at which mem-
bers discuss, decide or receive infor
motion as A= on issues relating to
the ofcW business of that governingbody," Because each of the 14 gather-
mp had less than a quorum and there
was no indication of intent to avoid
public dismission, the court refused to
rind the gatherings to be a violation of
the Open Meeting haw,
The plaintiffs also alleged that three
other violations occurred from tele-
phone conversations between board
members. Thr court readily disposed,
Of this argument and the additional
argument of the Minnesota EducationalAssociationwhich, claimed that
exchange of written correspondence is
1180 a violation, The Supreme Court
said 'lithe statute does not apply tolettersOr, to telephone conversations
between fewer than a qtwrum.0
T1* last deption involved a gath.
miof athe board mernbers in the
l s office Am*
beforse a regulariBae htrial
artg.IU
ms's 111dilg that the gathering was: a
rioisdon of the Open Mee* Law
because it bund that the evidence
autppomd the fact that no die
atasiort took place. The superint, 6-,
tnet'ely distributed written copies of
questions and answers and imlid the
members to react individually after
they had read the material. The
ane Court found that the nature
of the group receipt of Wormadon or
croup discussion did not constitute a
meetly under the MiAesots Open
Meeting statute.
The Court interpreted the issue of
receh* information or discusam, in
St. OOW Neweplt m, Inc. Y. D"id
70 Carmnurlr'gr Sc clod = N.W. id
Rhin. 1963i. In that sae the Court
Edd that PtheriM of scltod board
members at a private sleeting to pro.
gide bac vund i 6cmation concern ng
lasues currently before the board whkh
could valence later board decisions
were meetings under the Open Meet,-
ioff Law.
AWW&SL to the Court the distinc
tion between the activities in Md'ierg
and in St, CAW Newspapers is that in
1llobeiT "the distribution of written
Questions and answers was f ffic6way
the equivalent to receivng the infor
mation through the nwi, which is per-
missible under our present holding,"
Apparently, the private pther* in St,
GJoi d Newspapers involved corremwu
taltion through lecture and d acus on
which was not equivalent to receiving
information thlrotigh the mail.. Although
endless varisti«a of such "equivr.
lents" eidat, it is dear from the tone
of the 1Nobm decision that, reptdless
of the et ti%*, the court will look to
the intent behind the conurnuliation
and not to the form of coaununintion,.
The last issue before the court was
whether invalid ting the board's _&W
decision was the appropriate remedy
for violation of the Open Meeting Law.
Akhough the Court did not have to
review this ianle because it found no
viobtions, it held that the prolwr ave.
Due for jrrdCW review of a school
dosing dedsion Is a writ of certiorari,
T dedsion means that:
of less than a *W= Of
public body meed not cmply withiti
requirements of the Open Meetings
Law if there is no intent to avoid public
om&el low,
discussion. Pin a 7 in advance
of public hearings on the Hullo. or bide
inproper bduences. Members of p 6k
bodies must keep n mind that the
Court will look to the intent of public
aiiciais who n*et privately reprdie
of the number or the form of thein
Mires.
a/oaeM r, bdrPMJf tt Sdaa1 Acarus Al
N.W. 2d tMim. jn3), iRitrsx atx'
Cotta amt owreatr can WOO udW4,1
15,1963, docket no, allot, lot, p, a.
Atloraar c .aN's OpWoe MS Op. 471-t, oct. 1M, 1974).
1{ttOAsrd fiber, Jac. Y. CitY of A&A,
33 N.rti, 3d 757 (]Nim. 1963)..6
ANFINSON l
HENDRICKSON At CO.
CERTIFIED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANTS
NEEDS ASSESSMENT
COMPUTER FEASIBILITY STUniE5,
AUWTSIADVISOAY SERVICES
RATE STUDIES
BUDGETS -SPECIAL LEVIES
P&* Nsibnal bank Building
wamts aivd. • .suite 410
Mlnnaafw 10, MN 86416
Q:H v will
your city
kepp waste
collection
costs down?
A* Many cities have corns to tate conc4ui6lon that the best way to keep waste
codaction costs under control is to contract with Srowning-Ferris industries,
the nation's kwdrtp wuta services company,
A contract with ON can resuft in an average savinps of 25% when compared to exist- ing city coats, ., %VWVurt sacrificing *mice,
However, OR offers many other bwwfks to cities,
Waste is coNsetad by now, modern vehicles, making city purchases of'equipffvnta
thing of the past. SFI's ffaxibky means that co#oction am" prow as your city
grows,
For mora Infomwtion on how BFI can 0systeMs, hob your city, call Qr write. Browning-
Ferris Industries, P.0, Sox 1375, Mine•
spoils, Mi wwoots 55440, Phone (012
041.5957, Attention: Taffy Stewart, 111411 W d(i.FERltls fNDtJSTt11Ef
Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
November 10, 1983
Page 2
Present: Chair Threinen, Commissioners Chesebrough, Mullan, Dvorak and Berg;
Planning Commissioner Magnus; Public Works Director Moore; staff
Blank, Busch, Patterson and Pederson; Dave Ferrens representing
the NHPAA; Len Thiede representing the Pilgrim Lane PTS; and Carol
Brownell representing the Westminster HOA
Absent. Commissioner Edwards
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Threinen called the November meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory
Commission to order at 7.32 p.m. in the Plymouth City Center Council. Chambers,
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was madeby Commissioner Berg and seconded by Commissioner Chesebrough
to approve the October meeting minutes as presented. The notion carried with
all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. ry Patterson and Rick Busch. Mary announced that the next issue of
41ymouth on Para e, contait.g winter program information, will be in the
homes the week. of November 21. Some of this winter's changes include an
expanded youth skiing program with the addition of a new Friday Night
High Schcol Ski Trips program, and the change from Breakfast with Santa
to Lunch with Santa co-sponsored by the Plymouth Jaycee Women.
Rick's new programs include Youth After School Sports at Oakwood and
Birchview for 5th and 6th graders offering the sports floor hockey and
volleyball, New programs for adults include 4 -man and 4 -woman broomball
and men's floor hockey. Warning houses will open December 17, weather
permitting. Rick will begin interviewing warming house attendants in
the next couple of weeks.:
b. Dave Ferrens - NHPAA. Mr. Ferrens, the 1984 president of NHPAA, discussed
the bakgroun& oFiat organization and the various sports they offer, He
indicated that 3,000 individuals participated in the NHPAA this past year,
and 25-30% of those participants were Plymouth youth He praised Rick Busch
for the excellent work he has done with the NHPAA and stated that he would
like to continue to maintain the good relationship between the City and
the NHPAA. Commissioner Dvorak asked Mr. Ferrens if he had any comments
or concerns regarding the Mayor's Task Force Report on Park and Recreation
Program Financing. Mr. Ferrens indicated that he was not real familiar
with the policies proposed in the report, but that he did understand fees
would possibly be implemented; sometime In the future. He would like to
be kept informed of any decisions the City makes regarding the policies
outlined in the task force report. Staff will send some additional copies
of the report to Mr. Ferrens for distribution to NHPAA board members who
are Plymouth residents.
4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION
There was nothing to report on this 'item.
5 UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a., LAWCON/LCMR Grants 1983-84. We now have title to two parcels of land
that will be part of est Medicine Lake City Park. The third parcel is
still being negotiated due to she owner's disagreement over the appraisor's
vd.O nation of the property. Our app;ication for 1984 grant money has been.
I PRAC Minutes of November 10, 1983
I: Page 24
ranked number six. Director Blank indicated that funding was available
E at this time for only prof acts ranked one through five.
b. P1Equipment- Plymouth Creek., CreeT k, LaCompte East Beach. All major pieces.
o pay equipment or these poresparks ,,'save been constructed. and installed.,
c.
Director Blank expects work on these parks to be completed by the end of
the year:
Pilgrim Lane PTA Request., The Pilgrim Lane PTA, represented by Len Thiede,
appea eforeFRAC at their October meeting and presented them with a
model of the proposed playground equipment along with a request for some,
financial assistance. Staff was directed, to review the safety of the
playground equipment prior to PRAC making any recommendation at the.
November meeting. Director Blank indicated that, after his review,
he was satisfied with the safety of the playground model. He also
outlined the costs to install and construct the playground equipment
at several of Plymouth's other neighborhood parks.. Based on these
figures, and the fact that Pilgrim Lane currently has three potces of
playground apparatus, he is recommending that FRAC approve the allocation
of $10,000 over a two year period to help fund'`the project, with the
understanding that the PTA can make an additional request for funding
in future years_. He also pointed out that the equipment, once installed,
becomes the property of the school district and is their responsibility
to maintain and they would also be liable for its safe use. A MOTION
WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER DVORAK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BERG TO
RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ALLOCATE $5,000 FOR THIS PROJECT IN THE
YEARS 1983 AND 1984, AND FURTHER THAT THEY BE AWARE THAT THE PTA IS
INVITED TO REQUEST ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN FUTURE YEARS
TOWARD THE COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT. THE MAINTENANCE AND LIABILITY
OF THIS EQUIPMENT WILL BE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT`S RESPONSIBILITY. The
motion carried with all ayes. In anticipation of PRAC's action on this
request setting a precedent, the Commission asked Director Blank to
establish some written guidelines for other organizations to follow before
they make similar requests for funding. These guidelines should stipulate
that the organization requesting financial assistance must present a
well-planned playground design and the location of the equipment must be a
school site that also serves as a neighborhood park.
d. Athletic Association Insurance. PRAC began studying this issue last summer
w en a youth was n urs at ons Park during an athletic association
sponsored baseball game:. Discussions between staff and the City's
attorney and insurance agent have revealed that the City can be held
liabls for injuries occuring at our facilities inspite of the activity
being sponsored by a group other, than the City. PRAC is now considering
whether or not outside organizations should be required to carry some
form of insurance prior to being given pe n0,sston to use our facilities.
Commissioner Dvorak suggested that the City should take out an additional
policy that would cover any injuries that might occur during non -City
sponsored events. He believes that this additional insurance would be
minimal in cost. This item will be discussed in further detail during
the joint meeting between 'the City Council and PRAC scheduled for
November 29.
f
PRAC Minutes of November 10, 1983
Page 25
6zNEW BUSINESS
a. Request from Westminster HOA for Neighborhood Park. Director Blank reviewed
s memo regar ,:ng this -request and showed a map Fo the Commission using the
overhead projector. When the Comprehensive Park System Plan was prepared,
one neighborhood park was proposed for this area which was to serve both
neighborhoods 23 and 27. Neighborhood 27 was also to be served by the
development of West Medicine Lake City Park., With the development of new
County Road Si, the location of this proposed neighborhood park is no
longer suitable Access to the park for both neighborhoods requires
crossing County Road 61 which is unacceptable to the residents in these
two areas. Therefore,; Director Blank is recommending the development of
two parks, one in each neighborhood. This will require a public
hearing and an amendment to the Comprehensive Park System Plan. A
MOTICN WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER'CHESECRCUGH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
MULLAN TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PURPOSE OF AMENDING THE
COMPREHENSIVE PARK SYSTEM PLAN BASED ON THE FECUEST BY THE WESTMINSTER
HOA AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW COUNTY ROAD 61. The motion carried with
all ayes.
b. Golf in Playfields. Director Blank received a letter from a resident.
requesting. 5a.t golfing practice be permitted in the City's playfields.
He is recommending against this request due 'to the increased maintenance
it might create and the possibility of injuries occuring to pople
using the playfield trails or other groups using the playfields, The
commissioners discussed the possibility of developing an area where this
type of activity could be held, possibly in Plymouth Creel; Park or one
of the larger City parks. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER BERG AND
SECONDED BY COMM1ISSIONER CHESEBROUGH RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
MAKE NO CHANGE IN THE CURRENT POLICY PROHIBITING GOLF IN COMMUNITY
PLAYFIELDS. The motion carried with all ayes.
c. Rental of Canoe Racks and Sailboat Moorings. Director Blank presented
the mea of the rents o-f—cano-racks and/or sailboat moorings at some
of the City's lakes beginning next summer. There are a number of
lakes he believes where this might be feasible, and he feels that it
could be revenue producing for the recreation fund. Director Blank will
research costs to install canoe racks and report the findings at the
January or February meeting.
d. Community Center Review. Commissioner Chesebrough attended a meeting
with Director Blank abd Richard Peterson of North Memorial Hospital
in order to'discuss and 'hear Mr. Peterson's _ reaction to a wellness
based community center. Mr. Peterson seemed to favor it. A citizen
committee to study a community center for Plymouth is in the process
of being formed now.. Invitati'cns to Plymouth residents and organizations
will be mailed out regarding a tour of area community centers to take
place on Saturday, December 3. Director Blank announced that Alan Brass
had returned to Plymouth and will be on the citizen committee. Steve
Chesebrough is the chairman of this committee.
6. Hidden Valley Development, Director Blank showed overhead visuals
depicting a propose development called Hidden Valley. This development
is a rectangular piece of property 40 acres in size lying between
Vicksburg Lane and Nathan Trails development just north of 45th Avenue.
The Comprehensive Park System Plan calls for a neighborhood park to
De developed on this Property. Staff indicated that they have worked
1,
PRAC Minutes of November 10, 1983
Page 26
with the developer and: he has concurred with the inclusion of five and
one-half arses of dedicated park on their .plat. The developer has asked
that a northerly trail connection out of their plat not be required as
part of the platting process. Staff recommended that this northerly
trail connection; be included because it is the only possible location
for a north -south tra.il corridor which would be the primary entrance
to the neighborhood park. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER MULLAN
AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CHESEBROUGH RECOMMENDING THE COUNCIL ACCEPT
THE PLAN AS PROPOSED WITH THE INCLUSION OF A TRAIL CORRIDOR TO THE NORTH
ALLOWING FUTURE RESIDENTS IN THAT AREA ACCESS TO THE PARK. The motion
carried with all ayes.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
Chair Threinen reminded PRAC of the joint meeting with the Council to be
held on Tuesday, November 29 at 5;30 p.m., and the early work session
to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 8.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
Director Blank shared with the commissioners a few slides taken during
his stay in Kansas. while the NRPA Congress was in session. Slides included.
a "children's farm," moto-cross bike track, trails, open air shelter and
the 10 -field Miller athletic complex.
The City has begun advertising the half-time recreation specialist position
which will be available beginning in January..
Staff has entered into a contract to host another USSSA softball tournament
over the Labor Day weekend in 1984. Revenues generated would be approximately
6,500 and will help fund the new recreation specialist..
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.