HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 06-11-1993Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
June 11, 1993
Page 30
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Mikula, Wahl, Johnson, Burk, staff
Bisek, Blank, and Sankey
Absent: Commissioners Watson and Gutzke
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. in the Council
Conference Room.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Mikula and seconded by Commissioner
Johnson to approve the minutes of the meeting as presented. The motion
carried with all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present.
b. Staff. Mary stated that the beaches are now open, as well as the new
concession stand at Parkers Lake Playfield. Staff training for summer
employees will take place on Saturday. Many of the summer programs
get under way on Monday. Staff will be starting to work on fall
programs, and any suggestions from the commissioners would be welcome.
Mary presented an idea for a special event for teens called "Wild
Video Dance Party" to be held at the amphitheater on 37th and Plymouth
Boulevard. This program incorporates a disc jockey with rock music,
big -screen video, and a laser show. It could also include a drug-free
theme. The cost would be $1,500. Tickets are normally $5, and
sponsors could be found. She suggested that a Saturday in early
September would be good, because the teens could be reached easier
when they are back in school. If weather forces a cancellation, it
could be moved to a gym or rescheduled for Sunday. These programs
have proven popular elsewhere, but are new in Minnesota. Commissioner
Burk questioned how the event would be controlled. Mary stated that
the site could be ringed with a snow fence, and the attendees would
enter through a controlled point. Commissioner Mikula was concerned
about security, because of the possibility of fights and problems.
Director Blank explained that he had discussed the possibility with
Chief Gerdes, and he was willing to provide uniformed police support
for the event. Everyone agreed that a heavy police presence would be
necessary. Commissioner Johnson suggested that having the event on a
baseball field, perhaps at Parkers Lake Playfield,may work out
better. There is already a fence present, the ground is more flat for
dancing, and lights are available if needed.
Director Blank agreed that a baseball field would be an interesting
location, although he had been hoping to find more good events to
utilize the amphitheater site. Other suggestions from the
PRAC MINUTES/June 1993
Page 31
commissioners included concerts by the Robbinsdale Band or Golden
Valley Orchestra or a skate board demonstration. Commissioner Mikula
felt that doing something for the teens would be a good idea.
Commissioner Johnson suggested starting a teen council to get ideas
from teens in the community.
C. Others. None.
4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION
a. Youth at Risk. Loretha Suggs had asked the Council for a $1,000 per
month stipend to work with young people at risk. The Council examined
the issue and decided against it. The recreation division created a
flyer with youth recreation opportunities and delivered it to the
apartment complexes in the City to help give these young people ideas
for summer activities.
b. West Medicine Lake Park. The Council appointed Barton-Aschman and
Associates to develop the preliminary plans for this park.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Community survey update. The Minnesota Center for Survey Research has
reported that they have received a 65% return on the survey. They
will provide us with a first look at the results on June 21.
Commissioner Burk asked if the results will be publicized. Director
Blank said that the information will probably go into the newspapers
and also into the city newsletter, with perhaps a set of three
questions and their answers each month.
b. Accessible nlayground. Director Blank reported that attendance has
not been good at the last several meetings on this subject. The next
step probably will be to request five major manufacturers of park
equipment to submit concept plans for the committee to consider. The
favorite from among these plans could then go Dict to bid.
Commissioner Burk said that a custom wheelchair manufacturer could
possibly make a donation or have ideas for the project Director
Blank added that a woman who works for Vinland Center mip,tit- have some
ideas for a special wheelchair trail. Such a trail may be usable by
skateboarders also. Commissioner Mikula expressed some concern for
the differences in speed.
C. West Medicine Lake Park. The first meeting with the consultant,
Barton-Aschman and Associates, is coming up soon. There will probably
be public meetings the end of August or early September, ivtth a first
plan ready around November. The first step for the consultants will
be research with the DNR.
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. 1994-98 CIP. Director Blank presented the first look at the new CIP.
He stressed that this was just a very preliminary look, and that more
discussion would come later, especially after the results of the
survey are in. He did point out some highlights on the current
PRAC MINUTES/June 1993
Page 32
version. There is $750,000 for purchase of a playfield site in 1993.
This would be done in conjunction with School District 284's potential
building of a new high school. There is also some money set aside in
1995 for grading of the site at the time of the building of the
school, if that project proceeds. There is also money devoted to
neighborhood parks, such as Seven Ponds and Cardinal Ridge.
Trails are a major priority. Director Blank reported that the City
Manager wants to look at finishing the planned trails. The county has
purchased land to extend the Luce Line eastward. The city portion of
the trail east of Vicksburg could be sold to the county also, which
would free up some money which could be used for more trails. As it
now stands, some of the planned trails will be built along with street
projects. There are only around ten or so independent trail projects
left, and these could be completed in the next three to four years.
Commissioner Wahl asked about additional funds for snow plowing.
Director Blank said that those costs will continue to increase,
because the public likes having the trails plowed. Commissioner Wahl
was also interested in other maintenance costs. Director Blank said
that repairs in cracks, pot holes, and overlays need to be done
periodically. The City is in the third summer of an overlay project
for all the trails that need it, and it should be done this year.
Sealcoating will need to be done in the future. Mary pointed out that
the specs on trails are tougher now than previously. The pavement is
1/2" thicker, and fiber matting is used in some places.
Commissioner Wahl asked about spraying in the parks. Director Blank
said that our department has a policy which is environmentally
sensitive. He said that homeowners do more damage to the environment
than professionals do.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
None
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
Director Blank reminded everyone that Music in Plymouth is on July 7.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.