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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 12-10-1992Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting December 10, 1992 Page 50 Present: Commissioners Anderson, Burk, Gutzke, Johnson, Waage, Wahl; staff Bisek, Blank and Pederson Absent: Commissioner Watson CALL TO ORDER Chair Anderson called the December meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. in the Council Conference Room. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Wahl to approve the minutes of the November meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Associations. None were present at this meeting. b. Staff. Mary announced that the December employee of the month was Laurie Merz, who has filled many positions during her part time career with the City. She has been a warming house attendant, a playground leader, puppet wagon assistant and most recently, a clerical assistant in the park and recreation office. Laurie grew up in Plymouth and now resides in Minnetonka, where she also teaches private bassoon lessons. Mary said that the Old Fashioned Christmas event had been another success with approximately 700-800 people attending. A wood carver was a new attraction this year. Plans are in the making for the Fire and Ice Festival coming up on February 6. This year's theme is country western. A local country radio station may send one of their DJ's to do a live broadcast during the festival, and a country western dance instructor has been contacted about teaching line dancing on the ice. A few commissioners volunteered to be some of the students. Once again, Mary asked the Commission if they would be responsible for the bonfires. There are plans this year to have two fires for the late afternoon/early evening shift. Mary stated that she is looking for program ideas or suggestions from the commissioners for the spring brochure. December 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 51 4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION a. Eric announced that the Council approved the purchase of the wooded Ess property north of County Road 9 and east of Fernbrook Lane. He also stated that the local Kids for Saving Earth club wants to be very involved in the design, construction and maintenance of this project. In addition, the National Foresters Association has announced that they are seeking projects to fund in 1993, and Chevrolet GEO is one of the major sponsors. Eric said that KSE may be submitting a grant proposal that would benefit this park property. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Park development projects update. Final payment has been made to the contractor that worked on the 1992 neighborhood park projects. The playfield projects are also done for the most part. A few minor items will carry over to 1993, such as checking the irrigation system in the spring to make sure it's working. Early in 1993, a request to purchase additional swings for Bass Lake Playfield will be presented to the Council. b. Focus groups and surveys report. Commissioner Johnson explained that some of the purposes of the survey will be to assess the current level of services that Plymouth provides to its residents, to consider future expansion needs, to determine the cost to taxpayers and to set priorities for future growth. If the Council agrees with continuing the process, the next step will be to write a Request for Proposal and submit it to three or four survey firms. The survey committee is hopeful that the entire process could be completed by May, so that the results could be used to help plan the 1994-98 CIP. C. Playfield site selection update. Director Blank briefly discussed the amendment to the park plan and some possible sites for future playfield #9. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Review proposed 1993 capital projects. The capital projects proposed for next year include: land acquisition for a ninth playfield, a handicapped accessible playground at Plymouth Creek, expansion of the Zachary playfield parking lot, trails, landscaping along South Shore Drive, and possibly a new neighborhood park. More detailed discussion will begin on these projects at the January Commission meeting. Commissioner Burk asked if the trees at Zachary could be saved where the new parking lot is proposed. Director Blank responded that the parking lot may be constructed within the inner boundary of the tree line, so that the trees may not be disturbed. December 1992 PRAC Minutes Page 52 b. Playfields grand opening discussion. Staff has begun planning grand opening festivities and determined that a weekend in May might be too busy, because so many families plan other things, such as opening fishing weekend, Mother's Day, and Memorial Day activities. It was then suggested that two week nights be considered, one night for each playfield, maybe back to back. Most commissioners agreed that a week night would be okay, but preferred to have them spread at least a week apart, rather than two nights in a row. C. 1982 Mayor's Task Force Report on Program Financing discussion. Copies of this task force report had been included in the commissioner's packets. Director Blank suggested that it be reviewed at a future meeting to make sure it is still accurate. d. Weed study on Parkers Lake. Barr Engineering recently completed a weed study on Parkers Lake, which had to be done in preparation for the sonar treatment of milfoil proposed for 1993. The weed study identified all the vegetation growing in the lake, which will be useful information to have once the sonar treatments begin. Director Blank announced that the City has received a 9,000 grant from the Soil & Water Conservation District to treat milfoil in Parkers Lake. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION Commissioner Waage indicated a willingness to serve on the committee to help design the handicapped accessible playground for Plymouth Creek Park. 8. STAFF COMMUNICATION A draft of the PRAC annual report will be distributed at the January meeting. Commissioners were asked to have any items they wish to include in the report submitted to the Park and Recreation office by January 8. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.