HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 02-13-19861
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Minutes of the, Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
February 13, 1986
Page 3
Present:: Commissioners Anderson,, }leach (arrived at 5.:30 p.m.), Chair Edwards,
LaTour, Mullan.,, Reed and Rosen; staff Blank and Pederson
I.,. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Edwards called the February meeting to order at 7;36 p.m. in the
Council Chambers.
2, APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner LaTour to approve the minutes of the,
January meeting as presented. The motion carried.
3:; VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
h,; SYR were no visitors present at this meeting.
ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION
h Cit C it a roved the 1986 park dedicationvV --otos Blank reported that t e y ounc pp
fees, she consultant for the Zachary Park concession building, the 1986 park
facility rental policies and tee schedule, the neighborhood park improvements
for Queensland and imperial Hills neighborhood parks and the appointment of
Joan. Reed to the French Regional Park Advisory Task Force. Council also
appointed Richard Rosen, to the Park Commission to replace Betty Threinen.
5. UNFINISHE. BUSINESS
a. 1985 Annum Report. The annual report was reviewed for final changes,
correctih,,:, and additions. Since no changes were recommended;, a motion
was imde by Commissioner Msllan and seconded by Commissioner Anderson
apprc.`z'ing the 1.985 Annual Report and forwarding it to the City Council.
The motion carried with all, ayes. Commissioner Reed questioned whether
or not next year's report should place more emphasis on the proposed
capital improvements section. He also is concerned with the Council's
peelings regarding priorities relating to the L986-90 CIP. He is
recommending that this item be discussed in more, detail during the
joint PRAC/City Council meeting
b. Parkers LaketTpdate. Director Blank reviewed for tne: commissioners
the latest flow chart completed by Brauer and Associates, More topo-
graphical work had to be done due to some disturbances that have taken
place at the southwest corner of the lake since the last topographical
charts were completed. The Commission will hold a special meeting on
MarchlOth to review the plans once more and then residents will be
invited to review the plans also. Director Blank reported that 550
tons of sand will be; delivered to the swimming beach area within a
week or two where it will, be distributed on the ice by our maintenance
staff where it will later settle when the ice melts,
c. PRAC Training Session Update. Director Blank stated that he had
recently met with Paul Fjare from Brauer and Associates to review the
content of the: training session. The training is expected to last
approximatel.,' triree hours and will be spent dealing mostly with
the comprehensive park and trail system plans Supper will be served
starting around 5:30 p.m. The Council is being encouraged to attend
this training session also.
PRAC Minutes of February 13, 1956
Page: 4
d. Zachary Building Updata. Director Blank met with the Zachary concession
building consultants to review the size and layout of the structure. There
may be a minor snag with the Health Department's regulations that require
restrooms within the, same building where there are concessions. At the
present time, this building isnot proposed to have any sewer lines.
connected to it. If it is required to construct sewer lines to the
building, construction may have to be delayed due to the increased cost
related to the sewer ].fines, which were not planned for in the original
propos'sl.
e. it. Mary's Land Update. Final plaits for the St. Mary's development were
delivered to the Planning Department recently. If they are approved.,
they will then go to Council for their approval. Approximately 45-60
days later, the City would be in possession of 1.1 acres of new park
lat1n ,
f. Neighborhood Park Projects Update (Queensland and Imperial Hills).
No outside consultant will be hired for the design of these two
neighborhood park improvement projects_ according to Director Blank.
All work will be done by our own staff. Neighborhood meetings will
be held. at the end of March to seek input; From residents surrounding
the two parks ;-heduled for improvements. Chair Edwards asked Director
Blank if there had been any more incidents of vandalism at Imperial
Hills Park.. Director Black said that he had.not heard of anything
within the past several months.
b.. NEW BUSINESS
a. Joint Meeting with PRAC/City Council. Director Blank stated that the date
for the joint meeting will have to be changed again. He as well as others
have conflicts on March 24. He asked the commissioners for their agenda
suggestions and the following are some ofthe recommendations:
City budget and hog° it may affect park development, maintenance
and recreation programs
Conmunity Center
Revenue ideas (John Mullan and Carol Beach have volunteered to
meet with: the recreation.staf.f to research some ideas for
increasing revenues for the recreation fund)
Timing of park construction and trail construction as related
to the budget
Development of future neighborhood parks
Commissioner Rosen, based on his interview with the City Council
prior to his appointment to PRAC, perceived that the. Council would like
more emphasis placed on park maintenance and the development of recreation
programs rather than the acquisition of new park land. Chair Edwards
and Commissioner Reed also stated that they were given the same impres-
sion by Council members. In view of this discussion, it was agreed
that this item should be discussed in more detail at the joint meeting.
Director Blank reminded the Commission that new park land is. generally
acquired through park dedication rather than being purchased with tax
dollars.
b. Resole tion Su orting the President's Commission. on Americans Outdoors.
The Minnesota Recreation: and Park Association has drafted a resolution
PRA$ Minutes of February 13, 1986
Page
i asking for the support of two commissions: the President's Commission.
on Americafis Outdoors and the Commission on Minnesotans outdoors as well
as support for the Federal. Land. and Water Conservation. Fund (LAWCON)
and the State Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources Fund (LCMR)..
Both of these grant programs have been very beneficial to the City of
Plymouth in the way of park development as pointed, out by Director
Blank. In view of the, benefits received by the City from these two
grant programs, Director Blank encouraged FRAC to support the resolu-
tion. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER REED AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
ANDERSON TO ENDORSE THE RESOUTION SUPPORTING THE PRESIDENTS COMMISSION
ON AMERICAN$ OUTDOORS, THE COMMISSION ON MINNESOTANS OUTDOORS, AND THE
REVITALIZATION OF MINNESOTA'S LOCAL AND REGIONAL RECREATION GRANT
PROGRAMS.. The motion carried with all ayes. Director Blank then stated
that hearings would be held in St. Paula on April 16 regarding the Commis-
sion, on Minnesotans Outdoors and several, issues facing Minnesotans in
terms of outdoor recreational resources. Issues important to PRA$
included. the continued development of the Luce: Line trail,, Voyageur
National. Park, Minnesota. River Valley, St. Croix River and the continued
maintenance anddevelopmentof cross-country ski, trails in Minnesota.
Commissioner Mullan stated that he had been told cross-country skiing
permits probably would not" be required after next year.. Funds from these
permits has been one of the sources for financing the grooming of our
state's trails.
c. Legislative. Commission on Minnesota Resources. Director Blank shared
with the Commission a Letter from Doug Carlson., Chairman of the LCMR,
which is asking for opinions on which natural resource opportunities
should be considered for funding in 1987. FRAC felt consideration should
be given to cleaning up: our lakes, rivers, and streams; continued acquisi-
tion of high quality park and recreationlands; the possible introduction
of white Amur fish into our lakes and ponds to help eliminate weeds, etc.;
and the development of river and lake oriented recreation opportunities.
f 7: COMMISSION PRESENTATION
Commissioner Mullan asked Director Blank if the City requires the architects
it hires to have insurance., Director Blank indicated that the City does
require these firms to be insured. Director Blank commented further that
he attended an insuranceseminarin January where he was informed that
legislation has been proposed that would provide local governments the.
same limited ;immunity now available to state government and, certain private
landowners as related to the risk of injuries from participating in
recreation programs. Specifically, this legislation would:
provide limited immunity for claims based on the construction,
operation or maintenance of parks and recreation areas and for
the provisions of recreational services,
provide limited immunity for claims, based on the clearing of
land, removal of refuse, or the creation of trails without
artificial surfaces,,
hold municipalities liable for certain conduct - for example,
creating dangerous artificial conditions without warnings.
PRAC Minutes of February 13 1986
Page b
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Director Blank also informed the, commissioners that he believes the City's
insurance covers them individually should they ever be sued by a resident
injured while participating in a recreation activity.
H STAFF PRESENTATION
Director Blankstated that Hennepin Parks and. the City are jointly working
on acquiring some. property along East Medicine Lase Boulevard which is
within the regional trail right -of --way. The property has been appraised
at $33,000 but the owner is willing to sell it for $25,000. Since
Hennepin Parks is not in a position to buy it at this time, the City is
proposing to purchase it and later sell it to Hennepin Parks..
ipayCommissionerBeachaskedDirectorBlank: we have to a. for pool time li
when we sponsor a program at the school district's pools. He stated that
we. only pay if we require the services of a custodian for over -time.
9 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m,