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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 02-11-1993Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting February 11, 1993 Page 6 Present: Commissioners Anderson, Burk, Gutzke, Johnson, Mikula, Wahl and Watson; Councilmembers Edson and Tierney; staff Bisek, Blank and Pederson 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Anderson called the February meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Council Conference Room. Director Blank introduced the new commissioner, Lynn Mikula. Lynn works for Opportunity Workshop, enjoys playing broomball and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, with a degree in Recreation. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Gutzke and seconded by Commissioner Wahl to approve the minutes of the January meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Associations. Councilmember Tierney introduced a number of athletic association representatives who had been invited to attend the meeting to discuss a variety of concerns. Loni Gradick, representing the Plymouth Soccer Association, reported that over 1,000 children will participate in their program this summer, and 100- 200 parent volunteers will help out. She indicated that their concerns include adequate storage space for over 1,500 worth of soccer equipment—and-having-the-City-work-- more closely with them. She indicated that their organization is very greatful for the coaching clinics that have been conducted by Recreation Supervisor Cindy Anderson, and for the ongoing support provided by other staff members such as Recreation Supervisor Rick Busch and Soccer Coordinator Greg Finn. Jim Gleason, representing the Plymouth -Wayzata Traveling Soccer Program, stated that they will be sponsoring their 16th annual soccer tournament this summer. He indicated that although they have adequate storage facilities, they are not very convenient, because they are located at Klaprich Field in Wayzata. He further stated that he would like the City to build a better working relationship with their organization and invite them to participate when, and if, new soccer fields are planned. He also wanted the City to know it is the opinion of the traveling soccer group that the fees charged to rent soccer fields and lights is too high. They feel that since they are a community based group, with 90% of the participants being Plymouth kids whose parents pay taxes, PRAC Minutes/February 1993 Page 7 they shouldn't be charged rental fees. He went on to explain that he understands that lights and maintenance are costs the City incurs for them, and that their organization would be willing to pay reasonable and fair fees. When asked by commissioners how many teams enter the tournament and what they are charged, Mr. Gleason responded that last summer 158 teams participated and were charged $175 per team. Forty-nine of those teams were either from out of state, or from communities outside the metro area, and he is confident that this number will continue to increase with each new tournament. He feels that this tournament brings upwards of a $100,000 into the Plymouth community, what with hotel accommodations, gas, food, etc., and based on this, the City should take on more of an ownership role toward this tournament and entirely eliminate, or at least reduce, the field rental fees. By comparison, Mr. Gleason explained that the City of Burnsville hosts a very large soccer tournament every year and does not charge field rental fees. Councilman Edson agreed that the City has a responsibility to provide fields free of charge to the community's youth athletic groups for their normal day- to-day practices and games, but not necessarily for tournaments, since many of the participants are from outside the community. Director Blank asked Mr. Gleason if they receive any contribution from the hotels, such as $5 for every room rented during the tournament, which is a fairly common practice. Mr. Gleason indicated that they don't get any actual money, but the hotels take out ads in the tournament program, which is their way of supporting the tournament financially. Commissioners asked staff how much the rental fees amount to for the summer soccer tournament. Director Blank responded that it was approximately $3,000 which included the actual per field rental, lights, field attendants and special needs, such as lining the new fields on an as needed basis for the tournament. Mr. Gleason stated this amount is out of line, and he was confident that field lights do not cost the City $20 per hour. Director Blank responded that we are charged by NSP based on usage during peak hours. He further explained that the City does not advocate over charging groups that rent facilities, nor does it make a large profit from field rentals. PRAC Minutes/February 1993 Page 8 Commissioners requested that they be provided with some information on what other communities charge for field rental, and they would like to continue to discuss this item at their next meeting. In consideration of other athletic association representatives who wanted to address the Commission, Chair Anderson thanked Mr. Gleason and Ms. Gradick for their presentations and invited them to return to future meetings. Rich Dilley, representing Plymouth -Wayzata Girls Softball, stated that last summer 150 girls, ages 7-18, living in Plymouth, or District 284, participated in their program. Mr. Dilley's main concern is equipment storage. They need a space 12 x 16 ft. to store approximately $30,000-$40,000 worth of softball equipment. They currently use fields at Oakwood Playfield and would prefer something near by. They also would like to erect a batting cage at Oakwood, which they are willing to finance, but the City would have to provide them with a 110 volt outlet. Director Blank indicated that he would have his staff research whether or not there is a suitable location for a batting cage and report these findings back to Mr. Dilley. b. Staff. Mary Bisek thanked the commissioners who supervised the bonfire at the Fire and Ice Festival, and stated that despite the weather, it was another success. She stated that Rick would be expanding youth atletics this summer to include an evening t -ball league based on requests the department received last year from several parents who are not available during the day. She announced that May 12 is the grand opening for the Parkers Lake Playfield and May 19 is Bass Lake's grand opening. She also indicated that a student intern from St. Cloud will be with us this summer. Councilmember Edson asked if any type of survey had ever been done by staff of other communities' facilities. Director Blank responded that this survey has been done and is updated annually, and that a copy of the most recent one would be distributed to them in their next City Manager Information Packet. Also, a survey of what other communities charge for field rentals has been done, as well as a survey of what type of storage is provided by other cities to their youth athletic groups. Copies of these surveys will be redistributed to PRAC and Council. Commissioners continued to discuss the soccer tournament fee issue and agreed that it is the City's responsibility to provide fields to youth athletics, but they also questioned the City's responsibility to provide these PRAC Minutes/February 1993 Page 9 same fields to Plymouth residents who simply want to get together and play a game for fun. These requests must be considered as well when debating this issue. Commissioners agreed that this soccer tournament could be a major fund raiser for the traveling club if properly handled. C. Others. 4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION a. Council approved hiring the Minnesota Center for Survey Research to conduct the Parks and Recreation community survey. A questionnaire will be developed with input from both Council and PRAC, which must then be approved by Council, followed by a sample testing of the survey, and then the final survey will be sent out to approximately 800 residences. It is hoped that this process could be completed, with the survey results tallied, by June. b. Council approved the fees and rental policies for Parkers Lake Pavilion and playfield facilities as recommended by PRAC. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Community survey - review - timeline. See 4a. b. Amendment toap rk plan - playfield site #9 Director Blank explained the developments that have occurred in the past several months regarding future playfield site 9. The original proposed site, located at Dunkirk Lane and County Road 9, consisting of 50 acres, was part of a larger parcel that was purchased by U.S. Homes. At that time, it was designated in the City's comprehensive plan public/semi-public. U.S. Homes requested that the City change the guiding to residential. When the City decided against reguiding, U.S. Homes offered to sell the property to us. Appraisals were secured by both parties and because of the vast difference in value, efforts to negotiate a purchase were unsuccessful. U.S. Homes then brought in a residential development proposal on this property, which the City gave tentative approval to, contingent on amending the comprehensive park plan to remove the designation of playfield on this site and finding an alternative site. After several months of research and review, staff found an alternative site located at the northwest intersection of the Soo Line railroad and Peony Lane. The site consists of 150 acres, owned by two separate parties, of which the City needs only 50 acres. Some of the advantages to this site include its boundaries, which are a railroad track on the south, Elm Creek golf course on the west, Peony Lane on PRAC Minutes/February 1993 Page 10 the east and heavy woods on the north; good road access via County Road 101 and the future Schmidt Lake Road; a portion of this site is already identified as future neighborhood park in the City's comprehensive park plan; and the site is generally flat, with some areas of trees, making picnicing a viable option in the development of the park. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER GUTZKE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WATSON TO RECOMMEND THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TO AMEND THE COMPREHENSIVE PARK PLAN BY REMOVING THE DESIGNATION OF PARK ON 50 ACRES LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF DUNKIRK LANE AND ROCKFORD ROAD AND THEN DESIGNATING A NEW PARK SITE ON 150 ACRES LOCATED NORTH OF THE SOO LINE RAILROAD AND WEST OF PEONY LANE. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. Director Blank went on to explain that following the public hearing, a recommendation would be forwarded to the City Council for review and action, with final approval coming from the Metropolitan Council. at Bass Lake piayfieid, South Shore landscaping. Based on direction from PRAC, Director Blank compiled a list of 22 different trail segments that could be considered for construction in 1993. In identifying these segments, he chose some of the trails that had already been recommended by Strgar-Roscoe-Fausch for construction due to safety concerns. He stated that there is $175,000 in the 193 CIP designated for trail improvements. Commis- sioner Burk stated that his preference would be to close the gaps in a number of different trails, including the trail leading from Fernbrook to Vicksburg, the extension of the Luce Line trail at the southwest end of Medicine Lake, and extension of trail through Turtle Lake Park. Several commissioners questioned the possibility of constructing a trail leading from the Heritage development north to the shopping areas located along County Road 9, east of 494. Director Blank responded that there are no trail outlots in this area, but he explained that eventually there will be trail constructed along Xenium Lane that will lead north to County Road 9. These residents can also access the trail on the east side of Northwest Boulevard which leads north to 9 as well. This raised the question then of how to get from County 9 west to Vinewood, and could a trail be constructed here along the north side of 9 and at what cost? Director Blank estimated the distance to be one quarter mile at $10 a foot. Commissioners wondered why trail has been proposed on the west side of Northwest Boulevard, when trail already exists on the east side? PRAC Minutes/February 1993 Page 11 Director Blank responded that the residents living in the Heritage neighborhood have long been requesting this trail, as a way to get to French Park. They feel it is too dangerous to cross Northwest Boulevard any place other than the intersection with County Road 9, and a trail on the west side of the road would provide them with safe access to County Road 9, where they can then cross the road and get to the trail leading east into the park. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER BURK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JOHNSON TO RECOMMEND THAT COUNCIL AUTHORIZE STAFF TO PREPARE FEASIBILITY REPORTS AND COST ESTIMATES FOR CONSTRUCTION OF TRAIL SEGMENTS 12, 14, 16, 18, AND THE NEWLY IDENTIFIED SEGMENT ON THE NORTH SIDE OF COUNTY 9 FROM NORTHWEST BOULEVARD TO VINEWOOD LANE. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. Director Blank has been in touch with a number of individuals who have expressed an interest in being involved in the development of a handicapped accessible playground, including some handicapped Plymouth children and adults. He also indicated that he would like one or two PRAC members to be involved. Both Commissioner Mikula and Wahl volunteered. Director Blank then stated that if PRAC wants this project to proceed in 1993, a motion recommending it would be necessary. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER MIKULA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WAHL RECOMMENDING THAT COUNCIL AUTHORIZE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND IN PLYMOUTH CREEK PARK, AND FURTHER THAT A SUBCOMMITTEE BEGIN WORK ON PREPARING A FEASIBILITY REPORT ON THIS PLAYGROUND. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. In response to a request made by serveral residents and by former commissioner Marlene Waage, Director Blank researched the cost to install additional swings at Bass Lake Playfield. Park maintenance crews could install four swings at a cost of about $4,000 which also includes the retaining wall and a surface of pea gravel. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WAHL AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GUTZKE TO RECOMMEND THAT COUNCIL AUTHORIZE THE INSTALLATION OF FOUR ADDITIONAL SWINGS AT BASS LAKE PLAYFIELD. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. Commissioner Wahl asked if a clock could be installed in the building at Bass Lake. Mary Bisek said that she would look into this. Commissioner Burk questioned the South Shore landscaping project listed as an item proposed in the 1993 CIP. To help bring new commissioner Mikula up to speed on this PRAC Minutes/February 1993 Page 12 subject, he also briefly explained the history of this proposed project. His concern is that this landscaping will benefit only a few residents. Director Blank commented that the trees would be planted on park property, not private property. Other commissioners agreed that although the project will benefit only about 10 families, it is something they feel they are committed to doing, since it is part of the approved 193 CIP. Commissioner Gutzke suggested that maybe the plan could be scaled down somewhat from the proposed amount of 7,500. Director Blank will discuss the possibility of a new plan with the City forester and report back to the Commission. d. Approval of 1992 annual report. Commissioners had received draft copies of the 192 annual report in their January agendas and were invited to review them and make any changes they felt were appropriate, prior to the report being forwarded to the City Council. Suggestions made included adding the 1993 CIP as an appendix, and removing a sentence in the Goals and Objectives chapter about soliciting citizen involvement in the development of a community center. It was decided to remove this statement, because community center input is not being sought at this time. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER JOHNSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WAHL TO RECOMMEND THAT THE 1992 ANNUAL REPORT BE FORWARDED TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR ACCEPTANCE. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. Commissioner Mikula mentioned that on the page listing the names and addresses of the commissioners, it is stated that they serve two year terms. She was told that it was a three year term. Staff indicated they would look into this and make the necessary correction before presenting the report to the Council. Commissioner Anderson will be present at the Council meeting on the 22nd of February to present the '92 annual report. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Additional swings at Bass Lake Playfield. See item 5c. b. Rental Pol _c_v for Parkers Plavfield picnic shelter and Bass Lake shelter. Director Blank explained that when the Parkers Lake Playfield was designed, it was with the idea that the picnic shelter could be reserved. With that in mind, staff kept track of the number of requests received in 1992 from individuals wanting to reserve picnic facilities. At least 95 requests were tallied during the picnic season. Based on these requests, staff is proposing, on a one-year trial basis, that the new picnic shelter at Parkers Lake Playfield be available on PRAC Minutes/February 1993 Page 13 a rental basis on Saturdays and Sundays and available on a first come, first served basis Monday through Friday. The proposed rental fee is $30 for a half day and $60 for a full day, with a $25 key deposit for both. Revenue generated from these rentals would be used to help offset the cost of maintaining the Parkers Lake Playfield facilities. Staff would also recommended that the new Bass Lake shelter be available free of charge, with a $25 key deposit, to Plymouth groups on a first come, first served basis, as are the shelters at Oakwood, Plymouth Creek, Plymouth and Zachary playfields. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER GUTZKE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MIKULA THAT THESE RENTAL POLICIES AND FEES BE APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AS PROPOSED BY STAFF. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. C. Selection of PRAC chair and vice chair for 1993. Don Anderson was unanimously approved to be the PRAC chair in 1993, and Wyatt Gutzke was unanimously approved as the vice chair. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION None. 8. STAFF COMMUNICATION Director Blank stated information for PRAC on received by the City on addition to checking on buildings owned by the copies of the surveys tournament field rental equipment. that he would be putting together the expenses incurred and revenues the traveling soccer tournament in the availability of storage space in City. He will also redistribute done on other cities' charges for and storage of athletic association The next meeting is March 11. The April meeting is scheduled for the 8th, but Director Blank wondered if the Commission could meet on the 15th instead. The date is not definite at this point, but if it is necessary to change, PRAC will be notified in advance by staff. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10 p.m.