HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 09-13-2001Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
September 13, 2001
Page 48
Present: Chair Anderson; Commissioners Fiemann, Meyer, Musliner, Singer, staff Bisek,
Blank, Pederson; Planning Commissioner Neset
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the September meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Singer and seconded by Commissioner Meyer to
approve the minutes of the August meeting as presented. Musliner corrected the minutes
stating she did not second the motion to approve the July meeting minutes, as she was not
present at that meeting. She also stated that the minutes incorrectly stated that it was the
August meeting, when it was actually the July meeting. The motion carried with all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present.
b. Staff Bisek announced that our activities have been running as scheduled in light of the
terrorist attacks. Soccer coaches have been told that holding practices is up to them. We
have an Art Fair this Saturday which is still on. Coming up prior to the October meeting
is the parade. We are still looking for volunteers for Plymouth on Parade. Bisek
confirmed that the date is October 6. The Heather Ponds HOA is going to do a
snowblower precision demonstration, and they are going to be followed by their children
the snowflakes." We are currently working on the winter/spring recreation brochure.
Bisek invited suggestions and ideas from the Commissioners for that issue. The
Chocolate Sampler is coming up on November 1. Bisek is looking for suggestions for
donations from area businesses. There is limited seating in the Plymouth Room, and we
will cap registration at 240 for this event. Singer asked about the New Year's Eve event.
Bisek said we will do the Family Event. Regina Michaud is working on a Teen Event as
well for that evening. We are trying to get participation from local churches and
organizations, and we are looking for financial sponsorship. The family event will be
held at the Ice Center and LifeTime Fitness, and the Teen Event will be at the
PCC/Fieldhouse. Blank said last year was a trial run for the Family New Year's Eve
event, and it was received very well. The Teen event is new this year and will serve as a
prototype for next year.
c. Others. Barry Warner and Ken Grieshaber of SRF Consulting Group were present to
discuss the Northwest Greenway concept. See item 6a.
4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION
Council approved the new fees for Plymouth Creek Center and Fieldhouse. They reviewed
the CIP at a study session. Blank said there was a question from Councilmember Slavic about
art in the park fiunding. She thinks that it will take money away from other things like trails,
etc. Overall, the Council was comfortable with the plan. The Council reviewed the Ice Center
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Page 49
parking study. Staff recommended that the Council take no action at this time. Plymouth
Boulevard is being modified right now. This will add 105 spaces for parking along the
roadway. We will wait to see how this affects parking at the LifeTime Fitness/Ice Center
over the winter, before deciding if additional parking is needed.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Millennium Garden update. Blank stated that he and the Mayor had met with Carlson
Companies seeking a donation for the Millennium Garden. He also met with a Plymouth
resident and asked him for a $15,000 contribution. Some fiber optic and phone lines in
the area of the waterfall are being moved because they are in the way of the constriction.
The block wall contractor is going to be starting soon. Planting will take place in the
spring rather than this fall.
b. Hilde Performance Center. We are applying for permits. The foundation work may start
in about 30 days.
c. Greenwood athletic complex update. Blank said the contractor is terrible and is way
behind schedule. The contract runs out on October 9th. The project was to be completely
seeded by September 15. We will begin penalizing him $500 a day beginning on October
9.
d. West Medicine Lake Park bathrooms. The concept plan was for a major building
estimated at $1.5 million. Blank said we will build only bathrooms instead at a cost of
200,000. When the beach opens next year, we will have the bathrooms ready.
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. The Northwest Greenway presentation. Blank introduced this item and explained its
origin. Several staff have been working to put together the preliminary document. The
City Council will get a briefing on it at their September 25 meeting. There will be an
open house on October 2. Everyone in northwest Plymouth will be notified by mail about
that open house. Blank introduced Barry Warner and Ken Grieshaber of SRF Consulting
Group. Warner thinks the Greenway is one of the most exciting projects to emerge from
the comprehensive plan. Their work began on June 4. A helicopter overview was done.
Several work sessions have been held with staff Warner explained his view of what a
greenway is. It is a linear open space established along either a natural corridor, such as a
riverfront, stream valley, or ridgeline, or overland along a railroad right-of-way converted
to recreational use, a canal, scenic road, or other route. It is any natural or landscaped
course for pedestrian or bicycle passage. He then explained the development objectives:
preserve and interpret ecological resources of the area, preserve and enhance wildlife
corridors and connections, provide a framework plan for acquisition and preservation of
high quality open space, establish linkage between city owned parks, trails, open space,
schools, and other city amenities, and provide long distance, diverse and unique
recreational opportunities within the City of Plymouth. Warner said this is a definite,
distinct opportunity. Warner then showed the trail plan and pointed out on the plan where
the Northwest Greenway will be. There will be opportunities for the Hennepin Parks
trails to join in. He then showed the northwest park and open space elements of the plan,
showing the high school, living farm, and the possible future athletic complex. If filly
developed, the Greenway will establish a major loop through the community. This type
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of loop is unparalleled elsewhere. He shared slides of the area, capturing some of the
character of the land. This is a very scenic area, with incredible resources of wildlife and
fowl. Blank said he was negotiating to buy some of the property that was shown in one of
the slides. He explained that it's at the far north end of Holly Lane. Many of the
developable portions in this area have low density residential. There is some ongoing
agriculture in the area, but it is limited. Warner then showed an air photo of the corridor
study. Highway 47 nuns east and west on the north end. I-494 goes down the eastern
edge, and the high school is on the west edge. The concept for the Greenway is based on:
trail surrounding wetland area — biking, hiking, equestrian, sleigh rides; an east/west
corridor that would connect the wetland complex and encircling trails to development
going on in the eastern portion . It has the opportunity to connect with the athletic
complex, other open space, many neighborhood facilities, and a wide variety of
neighborhoods, etc. Meyer asked about the numbers on the map. Consultant said they
correspond with the photographs. The photographs were shown next. Photo 1 showed
how the wetland would be used. Meyer asked about the Elm Creek Interceptor. Blank
explained it. He indicated if the sewer pipe is on the west side of the pond, we may build
the trail right over the top of it. In some places, the pipe could be 50 feet below ground.
Photo 2 was the midsection of the corridor. Photo 3 was easterly on the corridor showing
transition from wetland into wooded areas and agricultural areas. Dunkirk Lane will
continue to be a low volume access street. The greenway will cross many of the
north/south roadways. Photo 4 was looking east across Dunkirk. Photo 5 was the
potential sports complex, which is 40 acres in size. Photo 6 showed the major crossing
with Vicksburg Lane, which may be widened to four lanes. Photo 7 was farther east
heading into a heavily populated wooded area. Blank said a developer has come in and
presented a concept plan for developing this area. The developer intends to show the
Greenway and athletic complex in their plan. Meyer said she didn't understand alternate
alignment A and B. Warner said there are four different alternatives. They are basically
trying to find an east/west corridor linking resources. Blank said Mud Lake neighborhood
park is scheduled to be developed next year. Fiemann asked if there will be bike paths on
both sides of Schmidt Lake Road. Blank said yes. Fiemann asked where Highway 101
will go north. Blank explained this and said the City will build it. The County may then
take it over and will give us back what is currently 101. The consultant then discussed the
trail system elements. It could be a general multipurpose trail for bikers, hikers, etc. Or
you could have two trails running parallel to each other, one for bikers, and one for
pedestrians. You could also have trails designed so that traffic nuns in opposite directions.
The trails down by the wetlands would be difficult to pave. There are different surfacing
alternatives, such as turf, crushed stone, or asphalt. There are trail amenities to consider —
trailheads, interpretive signage, separated crossings, overlooks, satellites facilities, etc.
The final slide showed brainstorming ideas for the living farm property, which included
three alternatives. Warner said this is a work in progress. It will be presented at the open
house on October 2. Warner then invited questions from the commissioners. Musliner
asked if Living Farm alternative C would incorporate A and B. Warner said the intent
was to examine the kinds of development that could occur within the living farm campus.
Blank said the living farm is in the comp plan but no detailed program has been decided
on at this time. Most of the facility consists of a farmhouse, which is an older home. The
barn is another main feature. The agriculture portion of it will be one of the more
prominent aspects. There will be a lot more research later on the opportunities available
there. Blank said alternative C could include all of alternative A and B. Meyer said it's
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really exciting to look at it. She asked if there was a possibility for a variety of different
surfaces on the trail. She lives near the Luce Line and crushed limestone really limits the
types of activities taking place on the trail. Blank said when staff looked at it and walked
the property, it started begging the question of whether or not the two mile loop needs to
be for in—line skaters. Neset said Independence has an area for walkers and a separate
area for skaters. Warner said the wetlands will also suggest what type of surface will be
appropriate. Filling is not allowed without a permit. A boardwalk would be a viable
option here. Soil characteristics will drive the type of surfacing that will be done Warner
said. Anderson asked about the regional trail along West Medicine Lake to 13th Avenue.
Warner said you can now go all the way around Medicine Lake without traveling on the
road. Blank said you can get from Vicksburg Lane to 169 now, too. Singer asked how
data will be gathered at the open house. Warner said there will be a series of stations with
hard data, comments will be recorded on sticky notes, and surveys will be distributed for
people to complete and mail in. Blank said by the November meeting we should be closer
to a final report for PRAC. Blank said this will be a 20—year plan. The owners with the
five acre parcels will undoubtedly be concerned about the plan. This is such a huge
puzzle over such a large area. Fiemann thinks the plan looks fantastic and will be a
wonderfi l addition to the City. Fiemann asked about the timeframe for the fi ture sports
complex. Blank said we want to have the property acquired within three years. The owner
of this parcel has nine children. Blank said he told the family he doesn't want to negotiate
with the children, only with the parents. His goal is to have a handshake deal with the
owners before they leave for Arizona for the winter. Blank said soccer will be primary
use for this complex.
b. Ice rink locations for winter 2001-02. Blank reminded PRAC that several months ago a
petition for a Sunrise Park skating rink was presented to PRAC by Jacob Stein. Blank
explained why it's not feasible to put a rink at this location. There are other rinks very
close by. We also have many other rinks that are farther away from neighborhoods than
this requested location. Singer wanted to know if this might be a security issue. She
understands why parents would want a rink where they can more easily keep an eye on
their kids. Blank said our plan was that skating was a drive—to activity. He stated that
eight of our playfields have lighted rinks with warming houses and attendants. Singer
agreed that Kilmer Park is weedy in the summer in the area where the rink is located.
FIEMANN RECOMMENDED ACCEPTING STAFF'S POSITION TO NOT PUT A
RINK AT SUNRISE PARK. MEYER SECONDED AND SAID SHE ADMIRED
CHILD FOR BRINGING FORTH PETITION. MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
Anderson asked what was being built across from the LifeTime entrance. Blank explained
that it's a bank. Anderson questioned that and after fi rther discussion, it was decided the new
stricture he was referring to is a dental office.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
Next month's meeting will be October 11.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.