HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 12-13-1984Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
December 13, 1984
Page 29
Present: Commissioners Chesebrough, Edwards, Mullan and Reed; staff Bambenek,
Blank, Busch, Patterson and Pederson
Absent: Chair Threinen, Commissioners Berg and LaTour
1. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Chesebrough called the December meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
In the City Center Council Chambers. He then introduced John Reed, the
newest commissioner, who fills the vacancy left by Frank Dvorak's resignation.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Chesebrough corrected the November minutes regarding the item
about Ryerson Steel painting a mural on their wall facing the Fast Beach.
He intended for the minutes to reflect that staff should work cooperatively
with Ryerson Steel by co -sponsoring an artists' competition in order to get
this wall painted. Following this correction, a motion was made by Commissioner
Mullan and seconded by Commissioner Edwards to approve the November minutes.
The motion carried.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. No athletic association members were present.
b. Recreation Staff. Rick handed out a chart showing team sport enrollments
from Commissioner Reed questioned the 'popularity of soccer
and whether or not it was increasing. Rick answered that it seemed to
be leveling off now, after the past few years of increasing enrollment.
Warming houses, scheduled to open December 15, will now open December
22, or sooner if at a,ll possible Warm weather prevented opening on
the 15th:
4.
Mary showed the commissioners a "Life. Be In It. mug that can be
purchased through the Recreation Department, and reminded the Commis-
sion that Christmas isn't far off. She then shared with them a chart.
showing class comparisons between 1983 and 1984. Some of her programs'
enrollments decreased this year, and she indicated that she did not know
why. Some new, innovative programs are planned in 1985 including snow-
shoe making, and a different type of exercise program geared especially
for the over -weight and those who have not exercised for a number of
years., This program will be taught by a former instructor with Richard
Simmons.
c. Others. There were no guests present at this meeting.
REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION
There was nothing to report on past action, however, the Council will be
considering the new name for the neighborhood park in planning area #29..
The name "Maplecreek Park," has been proposed. No name has been chosen
yet for the Middle East. Park, but the Council, is scheduled to have a
Town Meeting with this area sometime in January, at which time the name
could be discussed;
PRAC Minutes
December 13, 1984
Page SO
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS'
a:. CIP - Neighborhood Park Pro'ects/Trail Projects. Eric shared with the.
Commission a list of proposed neighborhood park and trail projects for
1985, along with the costs associated with each project. He indicated
that the list was not necessarily prioritized. he further stated that
the $80,000 allocated to buy land at either the St. Mary's site or the
Bans Lake neighborhood park site could be divided equally and used as
down payments of $40,000 for each of the two sites, with the rest going
on a contract -for -deed. Commissioner Mullan asked Eric if he antici-
pates citizen pressure to develop the County Road 61 park site in 1985.
Eric said that we may get some requests, but he prefers to wait until
1986. He feels that it would be easier to let the park be shaped by
develop'rient, rather than designing the park first. A MOTION WAS MADE
BY COMMISSIONER EDWARDS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER REED TO RECOMMEND
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE WORK PROGRAM RECOMMENDED BY STAFF FOR
1985 PARK DEVELOPMENT. The motion carried with all ayes
Eric then shared with the commissioners proposed trail improvements for
the years 1985, 1986 and 1987. He explained that the 'least expensive
trails to improve were the ones where a base already exists. Trails
that require asphalt only and will be done by City crews will cost
approximately $4 per foot. Trails that require a rack base and asphalt
will cost approximately $8 per foot. We have a $60,000 budget to work
with. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER MULLAN AND SECONDED BY COMMIS-
SIONER EDWARDS TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF STAFF'S PROPOSED TRAIL IMPROVE-
MENTS PROJECT WITH A BUDGET OF 560,000., A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMIS-
SIONER REED AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MULLAN TO AMEND THE TRAIL
IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT BY MOVfNG THE TRAIL WORK IN PLYY40UTH CREEK PARK
FROM THE YEAR 19336 AHEAD TO THE YEAR :1985 I'F MONEY AND CIRCUMSTANCES
PERMIT. The amendment and the motion both carried with all ayes.
Ruth Bambenek gave a short presentation at this point in the meeting on the
proposed Iceman Triathalon, which she and Steve Cheseorough are working on,
along with representatives from Hennepin County Park Reserve District., The
triathalon is scheduled for Sunday, February 10, weather permitting, and
will take place at French Regional Park. Events will include a 5K cross-
country ski race, a 5K run and a 3.5K snow -shoe race, It is estimated
that 150 people will participate. A $25 entry fee will be charged, with
every participant completing an event receiving a quality t -shirt or jersey.
She discussed some of her other programs,, including the PITS Club for junior
high level students which has been scheduled to begin in the spring in the
early evening. An attempt to run this program in the fall was not success-
ful, because it was offered immediately after school, and too many students
had other commitments at that time. She stated that the Plymouth Community
Band now has, approximately 40 members and is continuing to attract new
people; mostly high school students. If membership continues to increase,
the band may be able to perform at a concert in the park next summer.
M1
difications are necessary to the Comprehensive Par! System Plan, so
it is necessary to hold a public hearing in order to make amendments.
It was decided to hold the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on January 10,
followed by the regular January meeting of the Commission..
PRAC Minutes
December 13, 1984
Page 31
c. Community Center Update. The Council has informed staff that they wish
t poreprivate financing of a community center in order to keep this
issue active. Eric stated that a local firm may be interested in financ-
ing this project. An attitudinal survey of the community is proposed'
for next spring, and some of the questions that will be asked deal with
the public's interest in a community center.
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Park Dedication Fund. Two years ago, PRAC approved a split in park
dedication funds between City Parks, Playfields and Trails (60%) and
Neighborhood Parks (40%). Director Blank is now recommending that this
split be changed to 70%-30%. He is also recommending that a new
category "special facilities" be added to City Parks, Playfields and
Trails. This category could include such things as a community center,
tennis courts, water slides, etc. Commissioner Edwards was concerned
that these new percentages wouldn't leave enovgh money to cover neigh-
borhood parks, but Director Blank pointed out that we will be develop-
ing only one neighborhood park per year in the future,, and this. proposed
split allows sufficient funds to do this. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMIS-
SIONER MULLAN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER EDWARDS TO APPROVE CHANGING
THE PARK DEDICATION FUND PERCENTAGES FROM 60-40 to 70-30, AND O ADD
THE: CATEGORY ''SPECIAL FACILITIES" TO CITY PARKS, PLAYFIELDS AND TRAILS.
The motion carried with all ayes. Commissioner Reed wondered if special
facilities should be changed to "speci'al park facilities"? PRAC decided
it wasn't necessary.
b. Annual Report.- A draft copy of the 1984 annual report will be available.
or ' s review at the January meeting.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
Commissioner Chesebrough suggested that staff get in touch with Gloria Segal,
a legislator from St. Louis Pare,, who was instrumental in promoting the
painting of mural's in the Cedar,Riverside area. She may have some ideas for
us regarding the Ryerson Steel project,
9.
STAFF COMMUNICATION
Eric received a phone call from David Berg indicating that he would' not
be seeking re -appointment to PRAC when his term expires in January. It
is thought that Carol Beach will be appointed to fill the vacancy.
The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for January 10, with the
Comprehensive Park Systems Plan public hearing beginning the meeting at
7:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
January 10, 19$5
Page l
Present! Chair Threinen, Cortmissioners Chesebrough, Edwards, Mullan, Reed and
LaTour; staff Blank, Brown, Busch, Patterson and Pederson
Absent: Commissioner Beach
Due to lack of a quorum at 7;30 p.m., it was decided; to begin the meet-
Ong with a staff presentation from Rick Busch. Warming houses opened
December 20th, after a.few days' delay due to warm weather, and ice
conditions have been good. Minter 4 -man hockey and co-rec broomball
are underway, as well as 3 -man basketball, S -man -basketball and volley-
ball leagues,. Commissioner Reed asked about the progress of the ice-
man triathalon, and Rick stated that Ruth would be discussing that
program during her presentation later in the meeting.
5. PUBLIC HERRING AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PARK. AND TRAIL SYSTEM PLANS
Chair Threinen opened the public hearing at 7:36 p.m. and introduced
Director Eric. Blank, who gave a brief presentation on the proposed amend-
ments, by explaining each one and pointing them out on a map.
Ken Peterson, residing at 1325 Kingsview Lane, stated that his main
concerns involved the development of Parkers Lake City Park, and the
impact that development may have: on the residents currently living on
the lake. He requested that the City re -consider any proposed activities
that may generate too much traffic on the lake. He then gave Chair Threinen
several copies of letters submitted by other concerned residents.
Chair Threinen pointed out that, at this time, it is premature to make any
definite plans for Parkers. Lake City Park._ She indicatedthat there will
be planning meetings in the future, specifically to discuss Parkers Lake,
and that Mr. Peterson could expect to receive an ivivitation to those meetings.
Neil `Gustafson, residing at 5185 Holly Lane, made a presentation to the
Commission and staffs with; the use of maps and the overhead projector,
asking them to consider eliminating a proposed trail running west from the
Plymouth Gun Club to Peony Lane, just south of 55th Avenue. He indicated
that he owns a 2.1 -acre parcel in this area, and that the trail', as proposed,
would run across a portion of that parcel. He further indicated that this
area is mostly marsh, and is often under water, and that it would be far
too costly for any developer to fill it to a level that would support a
trail. He also pointed out that ane. of the objectives of the Comprehen-
sive Plan was to ``protect natural resources, such as flood plains.:
from development," and that any plans; to put a trail here would be in
direct conflict with that objective
Chair Threinen commented that this trail was originally proposed to provide
access to Egan Park, and that any development: of this nature probably would
not take place for many years perhaps as late as the year 2,000. She
suggested that staff visit the site, and perhaps make some suggestions
for an alternate route for this proposed trail.
Bill Ramsey, residing at 1215 Kingsview Lane, came before the Commission
to comment on the development of Parkers Lake City Park, and in particular,
the development of a swimming beach on the north end of the rake. It is,
his feeling that excessive amounts of sand would be required in order to