HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 10-14-1987i
Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory CommissionMeeting
October 14, 1987
Page 32
Present.- Chair Edwards, Commissioners Reed, Anderson, Beach, Rosen, Bauman
and LaTour: staff Blank and Pederson; Councilman Sisk and Del
Erickson
1. CALL TO CKER:
Chair Edwards called the October meeting to order at 7:37 p.m. in the
Council Conference Room.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUIS;
A motion was made by Commissioner Beach and seconder by Commissioner
Rosen,to approve the minutes of the September meeting as presented. The
motion ,carried with all ayes.
3. VISI'J C t ENrATI( U
a. Athletic Assgr.,iations. None were present at this meeting.
b. Staf No recreation staff were present at this meeting.
C. Others. Trkere were no visitors.
4. REPMT ON PAST CCUWIL ACTICIN
Council authorized staff to go out for bids on the Parkers Lake Pavilion.
5. IR EUNISHED BUSINESS
a. Parkers Lake Eyi ign Review Bids. Director Blank reviewed for
the commissioners the bid results and indicated his disappointment
at how high they were. Architect Del Erickson stated that he spoke
to the contractors about why their bids were high, and he also
talked to contractors who did not bid. Their main reason for not
bidding was that they had work this time of year and simply did not
need the business. Director Blank and Mr. Erickson indicated that
one of the options available at this gime would be to have the
project re -bid in January, when the bidding climate is generally
better. There is a possibility that bids could crane in even lower
then. Areas where bids were higher than estimated include: site
work, general conditions, masonry, carpentry, mechanical and
electrical.
CoL.n.cAlman Sisk suggested doing the construction of the Pavilion in
phases, as was once discussed by PRAC earlier in the year. PRAC
indicated that was not practical now, because the building had been
redesigned, and the new design wasn't suitable for building in two
phases.
PRAC Minutes
October 14, 1987
Page 33
Based on Mr. Erickson's original estimate of $330,000 for the
building alone, it was Commissioner Feed's opinion that the Council
would never approve any of the bids received. He would bike to see
costs reduced in.an effort to get bacxc to the original estimate,
although he isn't. sure how or if that can be done. Mr. Erickson
stated that to reduce the costs by $80,000 would substantially
change the structure and design of the building.
Commissioner Rveen wanted to know who decides that the costs are too
much and who established the original budget of $380,000? Director
Blank stated that that was the early projection by the architect.
Director Blank had suggested that $180,000 be taken from park
dedication and the rest of the financing was to come from revenue
sharing. Councilman Sisk reminded PRAC though that the revenue
sharing money could'be.used for other City projects, too. It's not
necessarily promised to park and rc,:reation.
Director Blank indic+.ted that his recommendation at this time would
be:to reject all bids and redesign the project and then re -bid it in
January, when contractors are more likely to be looking For work.
Chair Edward asked Councilman Sisk if the Council realizes that
this building is more than a bathhouse, and if they understand just
how important it is to PRAC that the facility be ofgood quality?
She stated that Parkers Lake is our most visible park in Plymouth
seen by residents as well as people not living in Pllmauth who use
Co:mty Roed 6 on their way to and from work. She feels that the
pavilion should be just as unique as t`!e park. Other commissioners
agreed with. Chair Edward can this,. Councilmen Sisk responded that
the Council does realize that this facility is more than a
bathhouse. He also stated that he could tei' how strong PRAC feels
about this facility, buthe thinks PRAC deeds to be more verbal.
about their feelings with the rest of the Council. He urged PRAC
members to attend Council meetings more often to make their desires
known. He stated that they should nod always rely on Director Blank
to be their sole spokesman.
A M7tICN WAS MAM BY OC MISSICNR ROAN AND SECx'UM By OCMISSICNER
ANDERSON REO"INDING 7NAT ALL BIDS BE 'D AND THAT PRAC RE-
EVALUATE THE ALTERNATIVES. The motion carried with all ayes.
Director Blank pointed out to the ccnmissioners that in re-signing
this facility, they should keep in mind that the Council recently
approved a firestation to be built in Plymouth, and that the main
purpose of this facility is to keep firetrucks out of the snow and
Train. With the possibility that 30,000-50,000 Plymouth residents
will use the Parkers Luce Pavilion on a yearly basis, shouldn't it
also be built with a quality equal to the fire station?
1. 11&te Phase II Construction. The ornamental lights for
Parkers Lake Park have been shipped and are expected to be
installed by October 23, and the by-pass lane along County R01d
6 is almost completed.
PRAC Minutes
October. 14, 1987
Page 34
Commissioner Roam wondered about the placement of the picnic
tables in this park. Director Blank responded that they have
been situated in the large open grassy area west of the
playground equipment, but that they are not anchoreddown in
any way. He indicated that he wanted it that way, so that
people could move them around to suit the size of their group.
b. Neighk&rbggd ParhamJWae. Director Blank indicated that
construction is 95% c+amplete on the three newest parks. Seeding and
sodding is finished at Rolling Hills and County Road, 61, with just a
small amount of sodding remaining to be done at AaOurst.
C. 1987 _Trail Projects [Iodate. Trails along Zachary Lane north of the
e1cvmtary school, and along Fernbrook Lanae from County Road 9 to
Road 6 are finished, and the trail, along Highway 101 :is 85%
cm,plete. Co issioner Rosen. tasked: 3.f the 101 trail would c -o as far
north as County Road24;. Director Blank stated that it goes to only
24th Avenue. He did indicate, that when PRAC begins stuaying the 89-
93 CTP, the issue of running that trail up to County Road 24 could
be discussed at that time.
d.. Lions Park Play Dau nmMt. Director Blank reviewed with the
Commissioners the request from the residents regarding the
installation of new -playground equipment in Lions Park. He stated
that he had met with Mrs Schmidt and Mrs. Bruzek and had shared
fear catalogs with them on various playgrc and pieces. lie also
indicated that several letters hadbeer, received from residents
offering their suggestions for which pieces to buy. Mrs, Bruzek was
present at the meeting and stated her prefere-:6ce for the Durascape
piece, which is geared primarily to pre-schoolers, with some
features for older children. Director Blank stated that he was
comfortable with the Durascape equipment, but that BigToy tends to
e a little less expensive. He also stated that the budget
established for this equipment was $10,0000 but that it could be
increased if the Lions Club is willing to contribute to the project
in 1988, Canniss overs then discussed,if it would be better to buy
two pied, one for:.` pre-schoolers and one for older children, or to
buy one large piece that would be suitable for several ages.
Director Blank responded that either choice was okay, but he pointed
out that the equipment isri t built for age levels, but rather for
different skill levels. After some discussion on who should make
the final decision on which pieces to purchase, it was the consensus
of MW, to let staff choose the equipment based on the suggestions
of the residents incl the opinions of the commissioners. Director
Blank said that he would keep in mind that the emphasis should be
primarily on pre -schoolchildren with some features for older
children also included. He will have a recommendation by the
November PW meeting. The equipment -would then be ordered in
January or February, with installation sometime in the spring of
1988.
1,
PRAC Minutes,
October 1.4, 1987
Page 35
e;RP sidam k an Trait Standards. Director Blank stated that the
City s engineering department has a book on the standards
established for streets, trails, sign poets, etc.., including a
standard design for sidewalks He reminded PRAC that this item was
referred to them by the City Council, and that they would like PRAC
to review our standard. Director .Blank pointed out to the
Commission that the City has no sidewalk plan, only a trail plan,
and that developers pat sidewalks in at their own choice. If
sidewalks are going to be installers in developments, they should all
be the same, width in order to avoid confusion. He further irklicated
that it is his rec amendation, as well as the rec talation of Fred
More. and Blair Tremere, that sidewalks be 5' in width in
residential areas and 6, in width in ecamercial areas, with trails
reiasining 8` in width. It was the general consensus of PRAC that
they do not wish to get involved in the ,planning of sidewalks, and
although.Director Blank understands that opinion, he .feels that as a
an advisory board to the city Council, they shculd snake a
recimmmdation on a 'sidewalk width standard.
COMMISSIONER REE AWM A MOTION TO RBO"END THAT SIDEWALKS BE
INS. UXZD AT A WIDTH OF 5 .r=- The motion died on the floor for
lack of a second.
A NOTION WAS MADE BY CMMISSICNER LA=R AND SECMM BY
OCp"ISSjCt4M BFACH To RB004 END TMT THE CITY COLMIL APPROVE
STAFF'S RB= 4NUATICN THAT SIDE A SCS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS BE 5 IN
WIDTH, IN =44E RCIAL AREAS 6` IN WIDTH AMID 'THAT TRAILS SMD REMIN
8` IN WIDIN AT A MINIMI. The motion carried with all, ayes.
a, Ngiahborhood park gitina North Sglection. Director Blank
indicated: that a developer has come in with a plan for a residential
development north of County Road 9, east of Fernbrook Lane and Vest
of 2-494. This area has a lot of natural forest and marsh land, and
the developer agrees with DirectorBlankthat some of their site in
this even should be preserved as park. Director Blank reviewed an
aerial photograph of this area with PRAC and has chosen a
preliminary site for the neighborhood park, and will keep PRAC:
informed on its proposed location and size as further development
plans are forthcoming.
b, Petitics from Dis rict 284 Youth HoGkev, Tbe,City Manager has
received a petiticxi frcm residents involved with the District 284
Youth Hockey program, requesting that the City construct a ccmnunity
center with a facility for indoor hockey. Jt,is Director Blank`s
recc mendation that before PRAC proceed on this matter, they wait
until after the commmity attitude survey is completed which. is
scheduledfor this fall. He stated that theme attitude surveys are
done about every two years and have, in the past, included questions
on the ccmm,mity s desire for such a facility. Commissioner Bauman
asked if he would see a copy of the questionnaire being prepared.
FRAC Minutes
October 14, 1,987
Page 3
councilman Sisk didn`'t knr-, if the current questionnaire would be
available to him, but he might be able to look at al previous survey.
Director Blank indicated that he would send Gcnmiss,oner Bauman a
copy of an earlier questionnaire.
C,. Mgt MWir rn rake Drive Trail St&W from Strvar-Director
Blank stated that this was going to be a very large issue to
research, because cost estimates range anywhere from $275,000 to
1.6 million. He suggested that FRAC should incorporate the:
planning for this trail into their, 1989-93 CIP. Commissioner Reed
asked if the trail, along Vit Medicine rake Drive could be divided
into segmits rather than being done all at once, and if so, could
the portion on the north end of wmt Medicine;Lake Drive be done
first? Director Blank resperxied that it could be done that way.
Chair EAerds asked if this item will be on future agendas, and
Director Bunk indicated that it will appear on all agendas unt?l
the trail is decided on definitely,
d., latter frau Elsri,taae HCaA - County RQasl 61 Park. Director Blank
stated that the City Manager, Mayor Schneider and he would be
visiting with Merilee,Riley sometime during the week of October 19
to review with her the concerns raised by the Heritage Homeowners
Association regarding this park.
e. Tamino of 1988 Work Plan. Director Blank stated that the St. Mary s
neighborhood perk is proposed ,for construction in 1988 and that in
order to follow a timely schedule, 'the design consultant should be
hired in Dec er, with neighborhood m-etings scheduled fcr Januar!
7.. COMMISSION MENTATION
Chair Edwards mentioned that she did not find anything in the annual MPA
f conference: schedule specifically -,)r board and commission meters to
attend. Director Blank said t1W, he had 'been so busy, he hadnt had a
chance to look at the schedule himself, out that the Annual Conferences
was in progress and. was hoeing held at the North Hennepin Community
College. It is scheduled to conclude on Friday, October 16.
Commissioner Rosen indicated that h felt very strongly about PRAC
members attending City Council; meetings in the future whenever any item
on their agenda deals with park and recreation issues. Director Blank.
responded that he and Chair Edwards have discussed this and concur with
Commissioner Root.
A K)TICN WAS MADE: BY CO MIS5ICNER ROSEN AND SECMW BY C"ISSICNM
BNp." REM4#EMING THAT *EWARMW IS AN ITEM ON THE CTX Cao WT11
AGUCA DEALING WITH' PARRS APII? RWtE.ATIC>N, PRAC MAKE EVERY UTWr TO
ATTE'D, AND BY EVERY ETTORT SCMEONE SHl7IW BE APPOINTED TO BE 11"E.
Chair Edwards indicated that she did not care for the wording of the
motion, specifically the part about appointing someone to attenxd. She
stated that it has been her practice in the past to inform members
PRAC Minutes
October 14, 1997
Page 37
whenever an issue about parks is going to be on the Council agenda and to
ask if any members will be able to attend.
A MOTION WAS MALE BY COMMISSIONER ROSF'N AND SECONDED BY CCWISSIONER
LAIUM TO AM0 TETE MAIN MOTION BY DELETING TES PART ABOCTt APPOINTING A
FRAC M9§NFV TO ATTf-M COUNCIL MEETINGS. The amendment carried with all
ayes.
The rain nation as amended was then voted on.and carried with all ayes.
Commissioner Room indicated that he would attend the Council meeting on
Monday, October 19.
8. STAFF WOHN LCATICN
There were no comixmications by star.
9. ADJOURNMENTTr
The meeting adjourned at 10:55 p.m.