HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 11-04-1993Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
November 4, 1993
Page 47
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Burk, Johnson, Wahl and
Watson; staff Bisek, Blank and Pederson; Councilman
Edson
Absent: Commissioners Gutzke and Mikula
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the November meeting to order at 7:05
p.m. in the Council Conference Room.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Wahl and seconded by
Commissioner Johnson to approve the minutes of the October
meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present.
b. Staff. Mary stated that the volunteer coordinator, Nancy
Anderson, has now been with the City for six months and
during that time, has placed numerous volunteers.
Mary indicated that the Autumn Arts Festival was a
success, with approximately 1,200 people visiting the
various booths, in spite of the very cold and windy
weather the day of the festival.
Some new programs being offered this winter will be in
cooperation with a private business, Triple Play Family
Entertainment Center. Evening adult sports leagues and
sports instruction, such as golf lessons and batting
lessons, as well as daytime fitness and children's
classes will be offered.
Special events coming up include the Old Fashioned
Christmas on December 5 and the Fire and Ice Festival on
February 5.
Mary stated that she and Karol Greupner, one of our
recreation supervisors, are working on a state grant
proposal for a cooperative planning project with several
community based agencies, including School District 284.
The purpose is to coordinate programs for teens in
Plymouth.
C. Others. Representatives of the Save French Woodlands and
Wetlands and residents of the Amberwoods neighborhood
were present. Their presentations appear later in the
minutes.
4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION
No report.
PRAC Minutes/November 1993
Page 48
S. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Accessible playground update. Director Blank stated that
Mark had attended a workshop on accessible playground
guidelines and safety measures, which will be
incorporated into our final design. Plans are to go out
for bid on this project sometime next March and to start
construction in April. The playground should be
operational by June 1, 1994.
b. 1994-98 CIP discussion - reguest to purchase 24 acres
adlacent to French Park. Commissioner Wahl asked about
the proposed tennis courts for Plymouth Creek Park in
1994 and the fishing dock for Medicine Lake. Director
Blank responded that the intent is for 10 courts
altogether, but that they would be constructed in phases,
starting with maybe four or six. Funding also includes
parking, road, sewer and water. The fishing dock would
be similar to the one at Parkers Lake, and could be
placed on the west side of the lake or somewhere on the
east side. Commissioner Wahl also wondered about the 9th
playfield special assessments that appear in the 195 CIP.
Director Blank explained that the special assessments are
for sewer and water area charges and the upgrade of Peony
Lane. Commissioner Burk questioned the status of the
trails that were proposed in the 193 CIP that are not
going to be completed this year. Will the funds be there
to finish them in 1994? Director Blank responded that
the funds have been carried over, so that these trails
can be completed next year. Discussion then turned to
the issue of preserving wetlands. Marlin Sjarda, 11720
38th Avenue, urged the Commission to consider the
acquisition of the 24 acres adjacent to French Park. He
reminded them that the park and recreation survey results
indicated that the second highest priority for recreation
facilities, among Plymouth residents, is the preservation
of natural areas. He also pointed out that the results
of the recent election show support for a more
conservative approach to development. Commissioners
questioned how they could make an informed decision on
acquiring this property when they don't have any idea
what its value is. Mr. Sjarda then stated that the Trust
for Public Lands would charge $2,000 to do an appraisal
of the property, and that the Trust would like the City
of Plymouth to pay half that amount. He indicated that
the Save French Woodlands Association would like the Park
Commission to set aside $1,000 in their CIP for such an
appraisal and requested that representatives of the City
meet with representatives of Hennepin Parks and the Trust
for Public Land. Councilman Edson voiced some concern
over involving the Trust for Public Land by pointing out
that they make their money by negotiating a good deal and _
then keeping the difference for themselves. He stated
that the City already has qualified real estate
PRAC Minutes/November 1993
Page 49
appraisers and doesn't necessarily need the services of
the Trust for Public Land for appraisal purposes. Chair
Anderson then asked the commissioners if they wanted to
set aside funds in the CIP for the purchase of natural
areas, and if so, what amount? Commissioner Burk
responded that the decision to set aside monies for
natural areas wasn't any different than setting money
aside to acquire a playfield. It's just called something
else. Councilman Edson was asked what would happen if
the Commission did not propose any funds in the CIP and
then later wanted to acquire some property. Councilman
Edson responded that the Council has a policy that if an
acquisition is proposed over a certain dollar amount and
there are no funds defined in the CIP for that
acquisition, at least two public hearings would have to
be held. Commissioner Wahl then questioned if PRAC
needed to act on this issue after all. Director Blank
stated that he thought it would be wise for PRAC to let
the Council know how they felt about acquiring natural
areas by assigning some funds in the CIP. Commissioner
Johnson stated that he was against using park dedication
money to acquire wetlands and was more comfortable
proposing community improvement funds for this purpose.
Other commissioners agreed that park dedication funds
would not be appropriate. Commissioner Burk asked how
much money had been spent to acquire the Kids for Saving
Earth property. Two parcels were acquired there for
198,000 and $60,000 according to Director Blank.
Commissioners then agreed that it was appropriate to set
aside some funds for purchasing natural areas, but they
wondered what amount. Commissioner Wahl suggested
250,000. Other commissioners concurred that this was
probably a reasonable amount.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WATSON AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER WAHL TO ASSIGN $250,000 IN THE 1994 CIP FOR
THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING NATURAL AREAS. THE MOTION
CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
Chair Anderson then asked for any other presentations
before PRAC moved forward with approving the Parks CIP.
Pat McDonald, 18625 33rd Place, announced that he
represented the Amberwoods neighborhood, which is north
of County Road 24 and west of 101. They are proposing
that the City accept the donation of their private park
as public park and take over the maintenance and
improvements. They have the oldest private park in the
City, and it is in need of upgrading. He explained that
they have some funds in their treasury, but not enough to
fix up the playground, or to bring it up to code. He
went on to explain that four new developments have been
built around Amberwoods, and that there are over 300
children living in the area now. He also stated that
although they realize Greenwood Elementary School has
PRAC Minutes/November 1993.
Page 50
been designated as their park in the Park System Plan,
the school officials will not allow use of their
playground when school is in session for reasons of
liability. Another drawback to the playground at
Greenwood is it's designed for older kids, not toddlers.
He stated that the homeowners association has been trying
to solicit the needed funds from the residents to upgrade
the park, and that they need about $28,000 based on
estimates they have gotten. Part of the problem in
getting more money is that this park is accessible to.
more than just Amberwoods residents. They aren't feeling
too generous about putting money into their private park,
when so many others from outside their neighborhood can
use it. This is why they want the City to take it over
and make it a public park.
Director Blank stated that this could be the first of
many requests like this, because there are numerous
developments throughout Plymouth that have private parks.
Commissioner Burk commented that this was an interesting
situation, and he personally felt it should be looked
into. He also stated that he would go tour the site. It
was agreed by the rest of PRAC that the park should be
visited and the proposal considered. Director Blank
stated that he would have a cost estimate prepared on
upgrading the park and what on-going maintenance would
cost if the City were to accept the park.
Commissioner Wahl asked Mr. McDonald if the homeowners
association would be willing to bear the cost of
resurfacing the tennis courts, if the City did go ahead
and take over the rest of the park. Mr. McDonald stated
that he would have to ask the rest of the membership, but
he felt fairly confident that they would accept those
terms.
Chair Anderson then asked for a motion regarding the CIP.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER BURK AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER WAHL TO APPROVE THE 1994-98 CIP AS PRESENTED
BY STAFF WITH THE AMENDMENT IN 1994 FOR THE ACQUISITION
OF NATURAL AREAS. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
C. West Medicine Lake Park master plan update. Director
Blank announced that a second meeting to study park
designs is set for November 9. There will probably be
six or more concepts to consider, with three different
road alignments. The most pressing issue at this point
is the alignment of the road. Based on the opinions
expressed at the first design meeting, it was decided to
eliminate from all concepts a proposed marina. There has
been some concern expressed regarding ways to slow down
traffic through the park. One suggestion commissioners
had was to design a somewhat winding road, similar to
PRAC Minutes/November 1993
Page 51
Theodore Wirth Parkway, and looking into posting a speed
limit of 25 mph. Director Blank indicated that the state
establishes speed limits on most roads, but it may be
possible for the City to establish a speed limit when a
road goes through a City park. He said he would look
into this. Commissioner Johnson commented that he had
been told that residents want several stop signs along
the road as a way to slow traffic. Director Blank
responded that this doesn't always work the way people
think it will. Often drivers get angry about having to
stop so often that in between stop signs, they exceed the
speed limit to make up for time they feel they've lost.
Commissioner Wahl said he thought the first design
meeting had gone fairly well, but that some of those
attending gave the impression the park should be designed
their way. Director Blank responded that he would make a
statement at the beginning of the public meeting
stressing that this park is for all the citizens of
Plymouth to enjoy and use.
d. Study of unique open spaces update. This item will be
reviewed in the months ahead. Any site survey work will
be done next April and May.
NEW BUSINESS
a. Request for City to take over Amberwoods Park. See item
5b.
b. Letter reaardina trail along East Medicine Lake Blvd.
Director Blank distributed copies of a letter/petition he
had received that had been signed by 14 families urging
the City to coordinate with Hennepin Parks to get the
trail completed along East Medicine Lake Boulevard from
36th Avenue south to Harty's Boat Rental. Director Blank
responded that Hennepin Parks needs to acquire four
private properties along the road there before the trail
can go through. He stated that Hennepin Parks is
communicating with the effected property owners and is
trying to work out the details for purchasing their
homes.
COMMISSION PRESENTATION
Commissioner Wahl commented that he wants to know where
Hennepin Parks stands on the issue of jointly acquiring the
property that is adjacent to French Park and could a meeting
with them be arranged. Director Blank responded that
Hennepin Parks has assigned two members from their Board of
Directors to attend such a meeting if one is scheduled.
Commissioner Burk agreed that a meeting with the interested
groups was a good idea, although he personally does. not
favor purchasing this particular 24 acre parcel. He also
stated that he doesn't think the City should get involved
with the Trust for Public Land in appraising the site.
PRAC Minutes/November 1993
Page 52
Commissioners asked Director Blank about arranging a meeting
with Hennepin Parks, and Director Blank stated that the
procedure to follow would be to request that the City
Council ask the City Manager to set up such a meeting.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WAHL AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER WATSON TO REQUEST THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ASK THE
CITY MANAGER TO ARRANGE A MEETING WITH HENNEPIN PARKS
REGARDING THE FRENCH WETLANDS ISSUE. THE MOTION CARRIED
WITH ALL AYES.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
The next meeting is scheduled for December 2, because the
9th is a holiday. Issues on the agenda could include the
French wetlands, the Amberwoods park request, and the design
for West Medicine Lake city park.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.