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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.