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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 05-10-1990Minutes of the Park and Recreation, Advisory Commission Meeting May 10, 1990 Page 17 Present; Chair Freels, Commissioners Anderson, Edwards, Beach, Rosen, Hanson and Waage; staff Blank, Busch, Patterson and Pederson Absent 1 CALL TO ORDER Chair Freels called the May meeting to order at 8 p.m. in the Council Chambers. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Edwards to approve the minutes of the April meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Associations. None were present. b. Staff. Mary Patterson told the commissioners that summer program registration was in progress and some classes are filled at this tim6 Swimming registration is scheduled for May 19. Beaches open Memorial Weekend for just three 'days. They re -open the weekend of ;June 2 6 3 and then close again until June 7, when they open and stay open until August 12. A special summer concert has been arranged for June 16 funded by Schneider U.S.A. It will be held in the natural amphitheater area outside city hall. Music in Plymouth is June 27; the Yater Carnival is July 24. A summer intern from the University of Minnesota will be joining our staff on June 18. Walk Minnesota was held on May 5 at Parkers Lake and attracted about 250 participants.. Rick Busch presented Todd Enge with an Employee of the Month certificate for the month of June. Todd's name will be added to the plaque that hangs outside the Park and Recreation office. Todd started working part-time for Park and Recreation in 'December of 1985 as a warming house attendant. He has also worked as a field attendant during the spring, summer and fall seasons for the past four and a half years. He has performed a variety of duties and is always willing, to help whenever and wherever necessary. Rick enthusiastically stated that Todd has been his best employee and that he will soon be leaving the City to attend Marine Corps Officer Training. Todd graduated from the University of Minnesota and is currently attending law school at Hamline. c_ Other„1. A resident questioned the improvements at Shiloh Park and when they were scheduled. Director Blank gave her a copy of the 1991- 95 CIP and stated that Shiloh's improvements are proposed for 1991. 4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION a. Swan Lake Neighborhood Park,. Director Blank informed the Commission that. the City Council approved the master plan for Swan Lake Neighborhood Park with the addition of s. parking lot on the north end' that includes six stalls. This will cost an additional $18,000. The May 1990 FRAC Minutes Page 18 project will be under construction some time in July. Commissioner Rosen stated that it is important to stress to residents that the Park Commission is only an advisory group and does not have the authority to approve. or deny the requests of residents when it comes to issues relating to parks, such as parking lots, etc. He wanted this statement recorded, because of the Council's action to 'include a parking 'lot in the Swan Lake park, even though the residents were against it and PRAC had endorsed the plan without, parking.. Commissioner Rosen went on to say that if residents feel strongly about an issue, they should attend :the Council meeting as well as the Park Commission meeting, since the Council has the final decision. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Playfields/Bass Lake/Parkers Lake. Director Blank stated that staff had met with representatives of the various, athletic associations and had, shared with them the concept plans for both Parkers Lake and Bass Lake Playfields. He stated that he encouraged the Associations to also attend City of Wayzata council meetings to stress to them their need for more fields. Director Blank went on to say that we do not charge for the day to day use of our fields, only for special events and tournaments, and that. any group consisting of 50% or more Plymouth residentscan use our facilities free of charge. The fields we provide to the athletic associations are based on the percentage of Plymouth kids' enrolled in the program. At the present time, Plymouth is providing most of the fields for most sports. Commissioners, staff and consultant George Matson briefly discussed the plans for the Bass Lake Playfield based on the meeting held earlier that evening with the residents. It was the opinion of PRAC that tennis courts should be constructed in a low lying area for protection from wind. The consultant stated that he heard strong concern from residents for making the park more neighborhood oriented. Some commissioners asked if there was a shelter building in the plan. Mr. Watson pointed it out for them. Commissioner Rosen stated that the concept of a playfield is to serve the entire community, not just the neighborhood and that the architect is the one to rely on to keep. the plan somewhat balanced. Commissioner Waage said that as the plan looks now, it is not very balanced. It appears to be predominantly baseball/softball with little area for football/soccer. Director Blank indicated that the consultant will be reworking the plans. Commissioner Hanson commented that the current concept plan does show an area of trees being conserved which should help to ,,atisfy the KSE Kids for Saving Earth) group. She suggested that staff meet with KSE And show them what efforts are made to save trees when parks are planned. Staff and the architect agreed that they would try to arrange a meeting with the KSE group. b:, Traits West Medicine/46th Avenue. The West Medicine trail is still in the design process. Two homeowners who are concerned. about saving some trees that ace in the way of the trail will be meeting with the consultant to work on ways to go around these trees. May 1990 PRAC Minutes Page 19 c. park Tour' Director Blank reminded; Commissioners of the park tour set for May i7 at 5 p.m. 6. NEW BUSINESS: a. 1991-95 CIP. Director Blank briefly reviewed the items proposed for development, improvement, or acquisition during the next five years. He was unable to give the commissioners any information on funding availability at this time, but said he would know more next month. Commissioner Beach tiuggested, that the community center be put back in the CIP for 1991. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER EDWARDS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO PUT THE COMMUNITY CENTER IN THE 1991 CIy. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH FIVE AYES. COMMISSIONERS ROSEN AND WAAGE VOTED NAY. COMMISSIONER-R09EN FELT' THE PROJECT'S FUNDING SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN' FROM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND COMMISSIONER WAE^E DID NOT THINK THE TIMING WAS RIGHT. 1990-91 Skating Rink Locations. Director Blank informed the commissioners that 33 sheets of ice are maintained during the winter skating season with the majority of them located in southwest Plymouth. He is suggesting that a sub -committee be formed to work with. staff to come up with more balanced locations throughout all of Plymouth. Commissioners Beach and Waage volunteered to work with staff. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION Commissioner Hanson informed staff that when she ;jogs near Timber Shores Park she has noticed kids smoking pot This is happening between 4 and 5 p.m. and around 7 p.m. She asked staff to have the police patrol the ares periodically. Commissioner Edwards would like a new deck put on the playground equipment at Zachary. The one that is there now has too much space between the boards, which causes small children's feet to slip through. Director Blank said he would look into it. 5. STAFF COMMUNICATION Director Blank indicated he would be meeting with the residents around Parkers Lake to come up with some type of ordinance on surface use and personal watercraft such as jet skis. When an ordinance has been drafted, it will go to the City Council and the City Council will then hold a public hearing. 9.. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned ,at 9:35 p.m.