HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 11-10-1983Af Regular -Meeting cf the Plymouth Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
November 10, 1983
Page 23
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 PTA; 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 MINUTCS
A motion was made by Commissioner Berg and seconded by Commissioner Chesebrough
to approve the October meeting minutes as presented. The motion carried with
all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Mar Pltterson and Rick Busch. Mary announced that the next issue of
Plymouth on Parade, containing winter program information, will be in the
homes the week of November ?1. Sume of this winter's changes include an
expanded youth skiing program with the addition of a new Friday Night.
High School 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 5th graders offering the sports floor hockey and
volleyball. New programs for adults include 4 -man and 4 -:woman broomball
and men's floor hockey. Warming 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 background ef that 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 world 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. Commission€r 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, beat that he did understand fees
would possibly be implemented sometime in the future. He would like to
be kept infonred 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 reoort on this item.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. LAWCON/LCMR Grants 1983-84. We now have title to two parcels of land
that will e part of WestMedicine Lake City Park. The third parcel is
still being negotiated due to the owner's disagreement over the appraisor's
valuation of the property. Our application for 1984 grant money has been
PRAC Minutes of November 10, 1983
Page 24
ranked number six. Director Blank indicated that funding was available
at this time for only projects ranked one through five.
b. Play Equipment - Plymouth Creek, LaCom to East Beach. All major pieces
of pay equipment for these three parks have Been constructed and installed.,
Director Blank expects work on these parks to be completed by the end of
the year.
c. Pilgrim Lane PTA Request. The Pilgrim Lane PTA, represented by Len Thiede,
appearedbeforeFRAC 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 prices of
playground apparatus, he is recommending that PRAC approve the allocation
of $10,000 over a two year period to help Tund'the project, with the
understandiiig 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
when a youth was injured at Lions 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
liable for injuries occuring at our facilities inspite of the activity
being sponsored by a group other than the City.. PRBC is now considering
whether or not outside organizations should be required to carry some
form of insurance prior to being given permission 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 FRAC scheduled for
November 29.
PRAC Minutes of November 10 1983
Page 25
6 NEW BUSINESS
a. Request from Westminster HOA for Neighborhood Park. Director Blank reviewed
Tiis regarding t6is request and showed a map to 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 61, 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
MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER CHESEBROUGH AND SECONDIED BY COMMISSIONER
MULLAN TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PURPOSE OF AMENDING THE
COMPREHENSIVE PARK SYSTEM PLAN BASED ON THE REQUEST 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 that 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 people
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 Creek Park or one
of the larger City parks. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER BERG AND
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CHESEBROUGH RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL.
MAKE NO CHANGE IN THE CUR°ENT P')I.ICY PROHIBITINGGOLF IN COMMUNITY
PLAYFIELDS. The motion carried w"th all ayes.
c.. Rental of Canoe Racks and Sailboat Moorings. Director Blank presented
the idea of the rental of canoe racks ac- 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 and Richard. Peterson of North€ Hospital
in order to discuss and hear Mr. Peterson's reacti to t;) 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. Invitations 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.
e. Hidden Vallpy Dev_el o ment. Director Blank showed overhead visuals
eepicting a proposed development called Hidden Valley. This development
is a rectangular piece of property 40 acres in size lying between
Vicksburg Lane nnd. Nathan Trails development just north of 45th Avenue.
The Comprehensive Park System Plan calls for a neighborhood park to
be developed on this property. Staff indicated that they have worked
PRAC Minutes of November 10, 1983
Page 25
with the developer and he has concurred with the inclusion of five and
one-half acres 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 trail corridor which would be the primary entrance
to the neighborhood park. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER MULLAN
AND SECONDED BY ,OWISSIONER 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-fiel;; 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 i'n 1584. 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.
Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Regular Meeting
December 8, 1483
Page 27
Rres& t Chair Threinen, Commissioners Chesebrough, Edwards, Mullan, Dvorak
and Berg; Planning Commissioner Magnus; staff Blank, Busch and
Pederson
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Threinen called the December meeting of the Park and. Recreation
Advisory Comtnission to order at 7.43 pxm. in the Plymouth City Council
conference room.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Threinen made the following corrections in November's minutes: p. 24,
item c., 10th line, "prices" to "pieces," and p. 24, item d., 5th line,
occuring" to "occurring." A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER CHESEBROUGH
AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BERG TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER.
MEETING WITH THE ABOVE CORRECTIONS NOTED. The motion carried with all ayes.:
3. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION
Director Blank reported that the Council approved the recommendation made
by FRAC to fund the playground equipment project at the Pilgrim Lane
Elementary School.
4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS -
a. LAWCON/LCMR Grant 1983-84 Update, Director Blank will be attending
a mee ung the TeeT-6—fi-Uecetuber 12 to pick up the appropriate paperwork.
for completing the 1984 application process..
b. Letter to Athletic Associations. A letter regarding the decision
al7out insurance coverage made by PRAC and the City Council at their
joint meeting on November 29 will be sent to all athletic associations
next week.
c. Community Center Tour. Commissioner Chesebrough reported on the tour
o* community centers that took place on Saturday, December 3. Approxi-
mately 25 people attended the tour, with 12 of those participants
representing homeowner associations. Their second meeting will be
sometime in January. Commissioner Chesebrough commented that he had
suggested to the Mayor that PRAC and the Council should go on a joint
tour of community centers.
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Review Offer to Sell Property on 18th Avenue. Director Blank, using
t e overn ctor, showed the ommissioners maps of the property
currently owned by the City for inclusion in West Medicine Lake City
Park.. At thi's time, two new parcels have become available; however,
both have homes situated on them. The parcel being considered for
immediate purchase is located at 11814 18th Avenue North and is owned
by Robert Gersbach, who currently rents out the house. The total cost
to the City, if purchased now, would be approximately $55,000. The.
City would continue to rent the property to the current occupants
for a number of years until we are ready to begin construction of the
parka Director Clank is recommending acquisition at this time because
of the low initial investment of $7,000 with the remaining $48,100
on a contract for deed with a balloon date in 1987.. The second parcel,
located at 11808. 78th Avenue, occupied by Ida Lentz, has not been
considered for purchase at this time. Director Blank has explored the
possibility of having the Plymouth Housing Authority purchase the