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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 07-11-1985Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Park and, Recreation Advisory Commission July Il, 1985 Page 23 Present: Commissioners Edwards,Mullanp Reed, Beach, Threinen Councilmember Vasil ou staff Blank, Brown, Sankey Absent: Commissioner LaTour 1, CALL TO ORDER, The meeting was called to order at 7:39 p.m,. by Chair Threinen. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made and carried to approve. the minutzs of the June 13 meeting as presented. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS Staff. Ruth Brown discussed this year's swimming program. Even though 'Marie Hasty is not running the program this year, things are running smoothly and parent evaluations have been excellent. We have made some changes to the program, such as increasing class size slightly, even though instructor -to -student ratio is still lower than in other communities. Since we were not able to offer a fourth full session, we have instituted "Swim--a-rama" a four-day mini -session and one -day session with water games, snorkeling classes, safety classes, adult lessons, and flotation .fun.. Ruth also discussed the Life Be In It Water Carnival to be held on July 27 at East Beach. Activities include Tedd, Bear Hand, Hammer Residence demonstration of weight lifting, Goldfish Grab, and face paintin3. Burger King is helping to sponsor the event. Adv`rtifting,will be in Plymouth on Parade, the Post, and on posters. Ruth discussed PITS changes: hours were changed to 10:00 - 5:00, and more parks have been included. Ruth mentioned that the Plymouth Shopping Center Association donated $1000 to the Puppet Playhouse and will have sign on the wagon advertising their sponsorship. Director Blank stated that this is the first time we have tried mixing rommercial.ism with a: park program. Commissioner Mullan suggested that we could list supporters of programs in Plymouth on Parade. Burger King's Jerry Sisk, for example, has been very generous. Ruth stated that others have offered to sponsor youth programs also. We must try to keep it low key and be careful not to lose control of the programs. Director Blank stated that a policy of recognition should be standardized for the. future. Chair Threinan asked if a list of the past year's contributors could be obtained. Commissioner Reed suggested a possible certificate of appreciation. Maria Vasiliou suggested a salute in Plymouth on Parade. Ruth also reported on the summer triathlon coming up on August 17. She hopes to attract about 150 participants for the event at. French Regional Park. 'There will be a 4 mile swim, a 5.75 mile bike ride, and a 2 mile run. Commissioner Edwards asked about the provisions for safety on the bike ride. Ruth stated that she has been working with Chief Carlquist on safety precautions. Ruth reported on the Day Camp. This is the first year that the program has run. Canoeing on the Crow will be held on July 14. This is a new program for adults. The Frisbee Golf Grand Opening was a success: The Minnesota Frisbee Association and national representatives did demonstrations at the event. Channel 5 did a story on our Waterpolo program. We received many responses ,from the exposure on the show. Fall Soccer registration is getting under way. There will, be a volleyball league starting up this fall. PRAC Minutes, ,July it, 1585 Page 24 4., REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION a. Oakwood Baseball Fence.. Council felt it was premature for a fence at Oakwood. b. Bike Path, Dunkirk Lane. Council asked PRAC to review in the future. c. Soccer Field Use Feeo. Council decided that the fees must be paid. d. Fitness Court Grant. We haven't heard anything oa it. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Parkers. Lake Thtee firms' have been chosen to be interviewed on Tuesday, July 16. The .hoice should be made and contract signed by end of July. Neighbot .,od i^ietings shaild be held in early August. Barr Engineering has been rontr8cted to do Mater samples and a report should be finished in September on water quality. Director Blank stated that the lake must be managed just as the park land is, and we hope that the water quality will be even better In five years than it is now. b. Community Center. McComb is doing a study on,possible changes to be made. and possible spinoff effects on local businesses. Council will try to come up with a direction for the Commission to go. Chair Threinen stated' that Commission should work on educating the new commissioners on this project during this next year. c Neighborhood Park Improvement. Director Blank stated that all equipment has been ordered. Final plans are in from Brauer; we are getting quotes on installation. The equipment should arrive in last week of July for Circle Park and Grecn Oaks. The neighborhood is not happy about the. proposed Luco Line lark, so that project has been put on hold. d. St. Mary's Land Acquisition. Conditions of the purchase agreement have been approved, and a draft copy will go to the Council on Monday. If agreed on, it will go the formal agenda in the future. If platting is successful, the deal will go through. The cost is approximately $111,000. The minimum platting requirements appear to have been met. e. 1986 - 90 C.I.P. Changes! the Bass Lake Fiahing dock has been heavily usr.t, and routine installation and weather have caused it to weu:r out. A permanent dock will save maintenance dollars and time. We need more information on the total dredging costs for Plymouth,Creek Pond'. The 25,000 budgeted will give us a start in dredging. Commissioner Mullan suggested that we contact the National Guard about dredging the pond. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER MULLAN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER EDWARDS TO ACCEPT THE FINAL DRAFT OF THE 1986-90 C.Z.P. AS PRESENTED. The motion carried. f. Oakwood Parking Lot. The parking lot is under construction at this time. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. quail Ridge. Dean Johnson is in preliminary stages of planning a develop- ment. Director Blank, nark Peterson, Mary Patterson, and Steve Cook have toured the area he would 'Like to give to the City and have found it to be quite swampy. Director Blank will meet witii Mr. Johnson on July 12. PRAC Minutes July 11, 1985 Page 25 We would lire the park to have 400 feet of, street frontage to make a good visual impact. If he doesn't agree to this, PRAC can review his plan, but he may have to wait until the September meeting. Chair Threinen felt that the. Commission could 'nave a brief meeting in August to hear his proposal if necessary. b. Queensland Pond. Commissioner Mullan asked if there was any informa- tion on the dredging of Queensland Pond. Director Blank stated that he was working with Fred Moore to determine the cost. c. Party for Steve Chesebrough. Chair Threinen suggested it family picnic for departing Commissioner Chesebrough, perhaps catered by Kentucky Fried Chicken, and held at Zachary Park. Perhaps the City Center lunchroom could be usedin case of rain: She suggested that a set of running silks with PRAC imprinted on them would make a nice gift. All agreed to contribute towards the gift. The Councilmembers, commissioners and past commission members that he has worked with could be invited to the picnic. The dates of August 21 or 22 were suggested. Chair Threinen will check with Steve. d. Walk Minnesota. Mary Patterson :s to -chair of this event. It is a family event sponsored by McDonald's and WCCO Radio and will be head at. Minnehaha Park on August 3. Director Blank felt that we should. help promote walking as a MRPA member community. e. Aquatennial Event at Medicine Lake. The Canadian Snowbirds were planning an air show over Medicine Lake, however, the FAA wanted all boats taken off the lake during the event. It was felt that this would be impossible, so the air show was cancelled. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION Maria Vasiliou suggested that the Commission might like to consider "team building" training with the Council and. City staff. She suggested study sessions to go over history and framework of the Commission, to work on building a united front, and to present a consensus. She felt it would be helpful for the commissioners to get to know each other better in order to form a more effective team. 8. STAFF COMMUNICATION It was suggested that; maybe some "fence mending" might be in order with, the Wayzata -Plymouth Soccer Club. Director Blank felt that the Club receives very good service from us. Director Blank stated that. in the future we may have to provide for park and trail funding, with a mill tax for capital improvement projects, since our funding may eventually dry up when new construction slows down and grants slow down. Maria Vasiliou discussed the appointment of the new Commission member to be made at. the July 15 Council meeting. Director Blank said that a new trail from Dunkirk Lane to Maple Creek Park was paved today. He also statedthat two new maintenance' employees have been requested. A showmobile, priced at $61,000, has been requested again this year. One alternative for funding would be to borrow money from park dedication funds PRAC Minutes. July ll, 1985 Page 26 and pay it back over the next two years. Another possibility would be to share the showmobile with New Hope. Director Blank stated that Ruth Brown is tightening control, of the beaches and adds additional lifeguards when the crowds become too large. He also stated that the county has agreed to mow the grass along the trail in French Park along County Road 61. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m.