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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 06-09-1988Minutes of the Park and Recreation Adv4iory Commission Meeting June 14, 1988 Page 25 Present: Chair Edwards, Commissioners LaTour, Rosen, Anderson, Reed, and Beach; Councilman. Sisk, staff Blank, Patterson, and. Pederson. Absent: Commissioner Hanson 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Edwards called the June meeting to order at 7:55 p.m. in the, Council Conference Room; 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner B6^ch and seconded by Commissioner Reed to approve the minutes of the May meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. b. None were present at this meeting. Staff• Mary Patterson. announced that beaches were open_, and that because of the hot, dozy weather, Parkers Lake has receded six feet in six days. This is cawing problems isith patrons switmning, outside of the bouyed areas at both Parkers and East Medicine Lake. Mary stated tha,t all the pre-school PITS special events are full, and that we have waiting lists for each ooe. Additional programs will be offered if staff can be arranged. Mary indicated that we have applied for an arts presenter assistance grant for 1988-89 and that the performers will be Dudley Riggs and the Ethnic Dance: Theater. The Arts Advisory Commission will need to raise approximately $2,000 in addition to the grant money in order for these performances to take place. The Arts Advisory Commission is made up of representatives from the Park and Recreation Department, Wayzata Community Education, the Art Center of Minnesota, and Plymouth and Wayzata residents, interested in sponsoring performing arts. Summer concerts in the parks begin June 22,. Sponsors this year include the Bank Wayzata, Northwestern Bell, Musicians Performance Trust Fund, and the City of Plymouth. Two nationally known speakers will be the main presenters at a workshop sponsored by the MRPA in August:. They are Dr.. Crompton, who will speak on marketing and financing public leisure services, and Dr. Kozlowski, speaking on the topic of recreational injury liability. The workshop will be August 23" at the Brooklyn Park Community Center. Mary encouraged PRAC members to attend. She also stated that she wouldbe inviting, the Council to this workshop as well. PRAC Minutes - June 14, 1988 Page 26 C. ]Lthlret 4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION a. The Council accepted the $5,000 donation for the Parkers Lake Park Memorial Peace Garden. 5. tWINISHED PUSINESS a. Rego s for Matching Funes Greenwood/Qakwood PTO. Representatives from the Greenwood PTO were present to describe their proposed playground and to explain their budget in their effort to receive matching funds from the City of Plymouth for the playground: improvements at GreenwoodElementary School, Commissioner Reed asked them why they were seeking funds. from the City for thio playground, and Joyce Frees responded that Greenwood meets the criteria for being a neighborhood park in this arra. She further stated that over 300 children walk to this school, and that many activities are held there during non -school hours, s%,ch as soccer practises and baseball!softball games. Director Blank then verified that Greenwood is the neighborhood park for this planning area in the City's comprehensive park system plan, even though the area is not 50g developed. Eric stated further that: the 50% development criteria is used; when determining the timing for building new neighborhood parks. It is also one of the criteria for contributing financially to improvements at school playgrounds. This is causing some conflict for PRAG members in deciding if Greenwood is eligible for matching, funds from the City. Many DRAG members feel that: Greenwood deserves some financial support from the City, since it is considered a neighborhood park and because so many families use the. playground. They also feel that a $10,000 contribution toward' these improvements is a, good investment, considering that a new neighborhood playground costs $30,000 or more. Discussion, then focused on the types of equipment that the PTO is considering, and PRAC was concerned with one of the pieces called, a "whirl." They believe it to be unsafe, and asked the PTO if they would be willing to exchange that piece for something else. PRAC encouraged the PTO to get input from the Park and Recreation staff before actually purchasing anything, and the PTO agreed to this request. PRAC then informed the representatives from Greenwood that they would make their recommendation when they discussed the 1989-93 CIP later in the meeting. Chair Edwards explained that PRAC will present their proposed CIP to the City Council in July, and Councilman Sisk stated' that the Council would decide on the CIP in September or. October,. b. 1989-93 CIP. PRAC reviewed the proposed CIP for changes and additions; Director Blank pointed out that a ninth playfield will be needed in the area north of Highway 55 and west of Dunkirk in the future, and that it's best to buy land 'before sewer goes in and before residential development takes place. He indicated that 40-80 acres would be needed and would cost somewhere between $200,000 and, 640,000. It was suggested by PRAC to begun the purchase in the year 1990 on a contract for deed, the same way the Bass Lake Playfie d land was purchased. Other items for consideration I z PRAC Minutes June 14, 1988 Page ZT included a piece of property Nest of Zachary Playfield owned by Forster's Meats, which the City might be able to exchange with them for, a piece owned by us south of County Road 9. The trail along West. Medicine: Lake Drive it critical, also.. Many residents are calling for the development of this trail from a safety standpoint. It will be an expensive venture, and at the very least will cost approximately $215,000 for the trail itself and another $100,000 for a guardrail. It was decided that this issue would be discussed again following the June 13 Torn Meeting. PRAC then continued their deliberations on donations to Oakwood and Greenwood schools for their 'playground improvements for the year 1989.. Commissioner LaTour suggested giving Oakwood the furl 10,000, but she wasn't as eater to donate that amount to Greenwood. Commissioner Rosen feels that both; schools shouldreceive our financial support based on it being a good investment and good for community relations. All commissioners agreed that Oakwood should receive the $10,000 but were wrestling with giving Greenwood anything because of the 50% development criteria. Mary Patterson then pointed out to the Commission that the Council grants variances" sometimes to ordinances for a variety' of reasons. FRAC then agreed that Greenwood should receive some financial support from the City for the following reasons this area: is an established neighborhood using this playground as its neighborhood park, 300 plus; children use the equipment, it's a good investment for a minimal cost, and the City can guide the PTO in the selection. of the safest equipment. Further discussion on the CIP included a suggestion from Commissioner Rosen, to improve the playground at Shil.oh and Gleanloch neighborhood parks in 1991 or 1992.. C. Plymouth Creek Site Plannint. A 'meeting has been set for June 21 with the City Council to discuss the Plymouth Creek. site master plan. d. Park Utgge/Cost *tudy Report Discussion, Director Blank shared with the Commission copies of the task force report prepared by the Edina Park Commission on charging user fees. The report indicated that Edind charges each participant a $5 user fee. Director Blank stated that the fairest way to charge would be to figure out a, fee for each association based on use, rather than charging each child' a flat rate. This is because some athletic associations use fields that are not maintained by the City of Plymouth, such as Wayzata West Junior High which is used for youth: soccer. Commissioner Rosen felt that he didn't know enough about the City's budget to make a decision on user fess at this time. He feeds that if the City can manage without it, don't charge at this time. Commissioner Beach agrees that user fees are inevitable, but feels that the athletic associations will not; support a community center if they are faced with paying user fees. She would like to wait until after- the community center is constructed to institute fees. Commissioner Reed doesn't want fees charged unless it is absolutely necessary. C ii Ad _ id h d' omn shWonern_erson sa e a gotten the impression from the y" PRAC Minutes - Juba 14, 1988 Page 28 Council that it wasn't a crisis at this time, and Chair Edwards indicated that she feels it isn't necessary yet to institute user fees. It was then agreed by PRAC that user fees are probably going to be necessary in the future, and they suggested instituting them. in 1990, which will, give athletic associations a year and a half to prepare for it. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER REED AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LATOUR TO RECOMMEND- THAT A FEE STRUCTURE BE ESTABLISHED BASED ON USAGE TO BEGIN ON JANUARY 1, 1990. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH FOUR AYES (EDWARDS, ANDERSON, REED AND LATOUR). COMMISSIONERS BEACH AND ROSEN, VOTED NAY. e. Parkes Construction has been delayed somewhat while waiting for beams for the pavilion. The large picnic shelter is finished., DirectorBlank stated that Wayzata. School District teachers have already asked to resetve the pavilion in late August. f. St. Mary's Update. Director Blank stated that the park is 1,000 yards short on ,fill dirt. The timbers have arrived for the play equipment, and the pond is dredged. A resident who purchased a home south of the park is encouraging the City to relocate the trail on that end of the park, to it's not so close to his line of view when he looks out over the park. He wants it pushed farther back into the park. Director Blank said he restaked it and moved it as far back aa, he felt comfortable with. g. Community Center - General Discussion. The next meeting is planned for June 29, with different swimming groups being represented. The commissioners were asked if they were ready for a facilities tour, and if so, which facilities should they visit? Chair Edwards responded that she wanted to visit the new Bunker Hills wave pool which is scheduled to opon June 12. Other facilities mentioned' were: Minnetonka. Senior Center, Eden Prairie, Brooklyn Park, Apple Valley, and Flagship in Eden Prairie. Director Blank stated that he would send a video crew to Apple Valley, since- it's so much farther away than the other facilities. July 13 and 19 were decided on as tour dates. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. There was no new business. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION None. S. STAFF' COMMUNICATION None. 9. ADJOURNMENT' The meeting adjourned at 10.50 p.m.