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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 08-13-1992Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting August 13, 1992 Page 33 Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Waage, Wahl, Burk, Watson, Gutzke, staff Bisek, Blank and Pederson Absent: Commissioner Johnson 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Anderson called the August meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Council Conference Room. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made Commissioner Gutzke meeting as presented VISITOR PRESENTATIONS by Commissioner Burk and seconded by to approve the minutes of the July The motion carried with all ayes. a. Athletic Associations. None were present at this meeting. b. Staff. Mary Bisek stated that summer programs had ended and that during the final week of the puppet wagon, puppeteers collected food for area food shelves. She stated that participant evaluations were being collected from those that had been involved in the HIPP (Helping in Plymouth Parks) program. Commissioner Waage said that her daughter had been a participant in HIPP and had a very positive experience. She feels that her daughter gained both self-confidence and self-esteem and that her participation in the program will be very beneficial to her daughter in the future. Mary indicated that fall soccer registration was continuing with kids from waiting lists now being added to teams where possible. Fall soccer begins September 8. Mary stated that she had recently attended a meeting regarding the use of gym space in the 1992-93 school year. It appears that our use will be decreasing in the coming year, due to additional demands on space made by youth athletics. This year, more gym space is going to youth basketball and indoor soccer. This will have an impact on our revenue projections for 193, because the vast majority of our gym use has been for adult basketball and volleyball leagues and open gym basketball, as well as a number of adult fitness classes. Mary stated that in planning program budgets for 1993, additional funds had to be added to program expenses to allow for additional staff training as prescribed by OSHA and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Also, the City is currently evaluating its handicapped accessibility to different programs and facilities. To expand our program offerings, we have been cooperating with School District August 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 34 284 in an "After School Program," which is now going to be expanded to include District 281 as well. This is a program whereby the school advertises the class, recruits and registers the students, and the City finds the instructors. The classes are offered right after school, so the students can stay after to participate in them. Some of the classes offered in the past include karate, floor hockey, and art. 4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION a. Land acquisition at 494 and County Road 9. The City has hired a firm to conduct an appraisal of the property, which is scheduled to be completed near the end of August. b. Approved trail on West Medicine Lake Drive. Based on PRAC's recommendation, this trail will be constructed using City crews. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Hennepin Parks Volunteer Coordinator Deb Vossler. Ms. Vossler attended the PRAC meeting to discuss Hennepin Parks' volunteer program. She distributed copies of the Volunteer," a newsletter which Hennepin Parks sends out to all its current, past and any interested volunteers. The newsletter explains how the volunteer program works and the different categories or types of volunteers needed. Hennepin Parks uses volunteers in their recreation programs, outdoor education, natural resources, group projects, office work, at workshops and other special events. Ms. Vossler explained that they recruit through the newsletter, media releases, statements on flyers and bulletins, and letters to groups, organizations and corporations. They also provide the training once the volunteers have been selected. Ms. Vossler explained the various awards Hennepin. Parks uses in showing its appreciation to volunteers, which included free annual parking permits, patches, lapel pins, plagues, t -shirts, hats, social events, field trips, special dinners, etc. She indicated that it is very important to make the volunteer feel respected and that his/her contribution is important and appreciated. She further explained that it is also important to stress the attitude that volunteers do not replace paid staff, rather, they are there to support the paid staff. Volunteers also help to advertise the programs, which is another benefit in addition to the dollars saved, which is estimated at about $85,000 for Hennepin Parks. Hennepin Parks has had a formal volunteer program in place since 1981. Ms. Vossler indicated that her background was in environmental studies, biology, park and recreation and her own August 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 35 personal volunteer experiences. She recommended a number of organizations to contact to receive more information on volunteerism, which included the Minnesota Office of Volunteer Services, the Minnesota Association of Volunteer Directors, and the National Volunteer Center. Ms. Vossler suggested that if the City decides to hire a volunteer coordinator, the structure of the volunteer program should already be in place. The Commission and staff thanked Ms. Vossler for attending and stated that this item will continue to be placed on future agendas. b. Review sidewalk and trail clan - Strcar-Roscoe-Fausch. A resident of Minnetonka, Rick Jenson, was present to discuss the petition which had been sent to the City requesting that the cities of Plymouth and Minnetonka cooperatively upgrade Ridgemount Avenue and add an off- road trail. They would like this trail to run along Ridgemount Avenue from Pineview to Zachary. Eighty percent of the homeowners living along Ridgemount signed the petition, with most of these residents living in Minnetonka. Mr. Jenson stated that Ridgemount is the only street in Plymouth running in front of schools that does not have an off road trail. Director Blank stated that the Engineering Department's proposed road reconstruction projects for 1993 do not include Ridgemount Avenue. The reason for this is there are higher priority streets that need work. Also, the sidewalk -trail report does not indicate a need for an off-road trail here. According to Mr. Gardener, the representative from S.R.F., Ridgemount does not meet the criteria for separate trail, because it does not have enough daily traffic to warrant it. Councilmember Edson stated that the City has a 20 year road reconstruction plan, which means that at the end of 20 years, every street in Plymouth will have been upgraded. He also stated that Ridgemount is a State Aid - road, and qualifies for State Aid funds. State Aid funds can be used for sidewalks, but not trails. Director Blank explained that sidewalks differ from trails in that they are three feet narrower and are made of concrete instead of asphalt. Director Blank explained that Minnetonka's plans call for upgrading Ridgemount in 1997, but they are willing to negotiate if Plymouth decides it should be done sooner. Minnetonka city officials told Eric that they. may not be able to help fund a trail if done in 1993. If the City of Plymouth funded the entire trail project, it would cost approximately $175,000. The Plymouth side of Ridgemount Avenue has steep grades and several trees, whereas the Minnetonka side is much flatter. Director Blank thinks the Minnetonka side may be better suited for trail than the Plymouth side. August 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 36 Mr. Jenson stated that the number of students walking to Wayzata East and Sunset Hill in 1993 will increase because of bus funding cuts, so from a safety standpoint the trail is needed. Mr. Gardener again stated that Ridgemount does not meet the criteria for off-road trail, but it does meet the criteria for sidewalk. He further explained how their report has prioritized Plymouth's trail system needs, with the first need being to close the gaps in existing trail corridors, followed by filling in the gaps between trail ends and existing development, and then filling in the gaps between trail facilities. Other needs are one sided trails, unmarked or unprotected crossings, bike lanes on major roads and bike lanes at intersections. Mr. Gardener also explained the criteria for deciding when you need sidewalk, asphalt trail on one side of the road, on two sides of the road, off road trails, bike lanes and bike routes. Some of the factors to consider when making this decision include where the sidewalk or trail will be located such as in _commercial/retail districts, near schools, along two or four -lane major Collectors, minor arterials and streets, railroad right of way, within parks, etc; and the annual daily traffic counts and the speed of that traffic. Director Blank indicated that some of the trail/sidewalk projects would have to be done in conjunction with county or state road improvement projects. Commissioner Burk stated his interest in having the trail projects put in some kind of priority order. Mr. Gardener indicated this has already been done by Strgar and is outlined in their report. Director Blank stated that approval of this trail/sidewalk plan or approval of - figures 7 & 8 in the plan would be necessary this month or next. Commissioners chose to wait until the September meeting to make their recommendation, but they unanimously agreed that they would like some sort of feasibility study done regarding the construction of an off-road trail on Ridgemount Avenue. C. Park development projects update. The two playfields are basically done, but the seeding of the soccer field at Bass Lake didn't take, so contractor is totally ripping it out and will be reseeding over the weekend. Only minor details remain. The three neighborhood parks are basically all finished, too. The residents of Willow Woods called Director Blank and are considering adopting" 10th Avenue Park. d. 1993-97 CIP - adoption program. Residents living near Ryerson Steel on South Shore Drive attended the August 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 37 Commission meeting to request some landscaping to visually block the industrial area from their view and to help cut down on noise pollution. These same residents submitted a petition to the Council in 1990, asking for this landscaping at that time. Their request was denied, and now they would like the City to reconsider it in planning the next CIP. Bridget Jodell has lived on South Shore Drive since 1951 and remembers that Ryerson Steel planted trees as part of their agreement with the City. Those trees died many years ago, and Ms. Jodell, along with her other neighbors, would like new trees planted as well as a berm constructed. She feels this will improve the area not only for the residents, but for those walking along South Shore Drive on their way to East Medicine Lake Beach and the park. There are a few trees there now that were planted by the City, but they are deciduous and lose their leaves in the fall, thus exposing Ryerson Steel and other industrial buildings in the area. In addition to this, a refuse hauler comes to one of the businesses in the middle of the night to empty dumpsters. Residents are awakened at two and three in the morning by this noise. Councilman Edson stated that refuse haulers must be licensed by the City, and if they are violating the City's noise ordinance, their license can be revoked. He suggested that one of the residents try to identify the offending hauler, so they can be contacted and informed of the ordinance. Another resident stated that Ryerson Steel operates all night long, sometimes with its doors open, and any announcements made on their loud speaker system are heard throughout the neighborhood. She is wondering if they can be asked to close their doors or stop using this loud speaker. Commissioners asked what it would cost to have City crews do some landscaping in this area. Director Blank indicated that our City forester had drawn a plan which was estimated at between $5,200 and $11,300 depending on who did_ the work. It was suggested that the City consider negotiating with Ryerson Steel to see if they would help fund the planting of some new trees. Director Blank responded that Ryerson had met the terms of the original agreement, which was to plant trees at that time, but that he would follow up on this suggestion. Commissioners stated that they would like a little more time to consider this request, and they will try to get over to South Shore Drive prior to the September meeting to view the situation firsthand. Discussion continued on the 93-97 CIP, with Director Blank explaining some of the recent changes he had made as requested by PRAC. The Ridgemount trail was added to 1993, and the West Medicine Lake Drive trail was removed. August 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 38 Playfield #10 was added to 1996. Commissioners then asked for some changes in the proposed 1993 capital improvements. Commissioner Gutzke wanted to know if Plymouth could construct the Ridgemount trail on the Minnetonka side of the street. Director Blank didn't think so, but he thought that perhaps the City could fund some of it if Minnetonka built it. Commissioner Gutzke then recommended that a feasibility study be done with Minnetonka paying half the cost. He also recommended that the $175,000 allocated for Ridgemount trail in the 193 CIP be left in, but that the item title be changed to read just "trails." Commissioner Waage stated that she feels Bass Lake Playfield needs more swings. Others agreed, as did Director Blank. Commissioner Burk asked about adding sand volleyball at Plymouth Creek Park. Director Blank said the recreation programmers need to study if that location would be good for sand volleyball. Usually people want to play sand volleyball near a lake. A few commissioners felt that frisbee golf was not a high priority item and asked that it be removed from the 193 CIP. They asked for clarification on the handicapped playground at Plymouth Creek. Director Blank indicated it would be totally new play equipment and it would be relocated to a different, more accessible site in the park. Commissioners also requested that the South Shore Drive landscaping request be placed in the 193 CIP. Commissioner Gutzke stated that if the City needs dirt for the berm that these residents want, NuAire on Fernbrook Lane is getting rid of loads of fill. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WATSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WAHL TO ACCEPT THE 1993-97 CIP WITH THE CHANGES AS RECOMMENDED. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WATSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GUTZKE RECOMMENDING THAT COUNCIL AUTHORIZE A FEASIBILITY STUDY REGARDING THE RIDGEMOUNT TRAIL ISSUE. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. Commissioner Burk asked if PRAC must now follow this to the letter. Director Blank said no. Items could be changed later, amounts could also be changed. He also stated that the Commission would get more specific about their 193 recommendations in the month of January. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WAAGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WAHL TO ADD MORE SWINGS TO BASS LAKE PLAYFIELD. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. Director Blank said that he would speak to the Council about this matter and try to get it added to the current contract, so that it could be done yet this fall. He indicated that it's not a simple matter of adding another August 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 39 swing, because the Consumer Product Safety Board has come up with new guidelines stating that three swings together are unsafe. Swings can now be sold only in groupings of two, so an entire new "area" must be added to the play equipment site at Bass Lake in order to get more swings. e. Focus groups and surveys. Copies of Plymouth's last citizen survey and the City of Hastings citizen survey were included in PRAC packets for commissioners to review. It was suggested that a sub -committee be formed to research this subject: Director Blank indicated he would ask Commissioner Johnson to chair the committee, because he has experience in this area. In addition, Commissioners Anderson and Burk, Councilman Edson and Director Blank will serve on the committee. Amendment to park plan - playfield site selection. No action. g. Name 10th Avenue Park. Commissioners reviewed the names that had been submitted by residents. Director Blank indicated that in the past the City Council has refrained from naming parks after people. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WAAGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WATSON TO RECOMMEND THE NAME SOUTH SHORE PARK. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH FIVE AYES. COMMISSIONER GUTZKE VOTED NAY. HE PREFERRED THE NAME TENTH AVENUE PARK. h. Ice rink locations. A committee comprised of Director Blank, Superintendent of Parks Mark Peterson, and Commissioners Anderson and Wahl reviewed the list of rinks maintained in 1991-92. Based on location and past attendance, it was recommended that rinks at 12th Avenue Pond and Maplecreek Park be deleted. New rinks that were added to the list included Bass Lake Playfield, 10th Avenue Park and Greenwood Elementary. All totaled, 33 rinks will be maintained in 1992-93. This includes hockey rinks, general rinks and ponds. Commissioners also reviewed the three modes of maintenance performed on the City's rinks to get a better understanding of what that entails. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WAHL AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WAAGE TO ACCEPT THE LIST OF RINKS PROPOSED TO BE MAINTAINED IN THE 1992-93 SKATING SEASON. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. 6. NEW BUSINESS Fall park tour. Commissioners agreed that it was not necessary to conduct a fall park tour. They will visit facilities with handicapped playgrounds on their own when their schedules permit. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION Chair Anderson questioned how Commissioners felt about the August 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 40 need for a volunteer coordinator and did they want any more information to make a recommendation? They agreed that the services of a volunteer coordinator could be useful, but they weren't sure if they could justify the expenditure, which is estimated at between $20,000 and $50,000. They wondered if a coordinator would be able to recruit more volunteers and where would these volunteers be used? It was suggested that the volunteer coordinator from Brooklyn Park be asked to attend the next meeting. STAFF COMMUNICATION None. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.