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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.