HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 10-10-2002Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
October 10, 2002
Page 35
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Fiemann, Krahulec, Musliner, Rezabek,
Singer, Planning Commissioner Neset, staff Blank, Evans, and Pederson
Absent: Commissioner Meyer
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the October meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the
Medicine Lake Room.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Singer and seconded by
Commissioner Krahulec to approve the minutes of the September meeting as
presented. The motion carried with all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None.
b. Staff. Diane Evans stated that the parade on October 5 went very well,
with good attendance and great weather. The Ducky Derby was also
successful, raising $26,400. Blank stated that 10-20% of the money raised
will go to Matt Wyffels. Matt is a recent Wayzata High School graduate
who was seriously injured in a snowboarding accident. The remainder
goes to scholarships within the community. Evans stated that the next
event coming up is the Teens Safe and Sober Concert on Saturday,
October 12, featuring the Big Wu. The event begins at 3 p.m., with the Big
Wu performing at 7. The event has received quite a bit of publicity, but
the weather predicted for Saturday isn't the best, so this may keep
attendance a little more manageable. On October 18, we are sponsoring
another Skate Jam at the Skate Park, from 2-4 p.m. For this event, we are
partnering with the new private indoor skate facility, located at the
intersection of Highway 55 and County Road 24. They will be providing
judges and prizes for the Skate Jam. On Thursday, November 7, we host
the 3rd annual Chocolate Sampler at the Plymouth Creek Center. This
event is a fund-raiser for the Millennium Garden. The event consists of
sampling chocolate desserts provided by local area restaurants and a
silent auction. Participants may register in advance for $15 or pay $20 at
the door.
c. Others.
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4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION
a. Council approved name change for Mud Lake. At their last meeting, the
City Council approved the name Lake Camelot for Mud Lake, and they
also approved the name Lake Camelot Park for the neighborhood park.
b. Plymouth Creek Center basement finishing. The City Council has put this
project on hold, waiting to see if the legislature will take $800,000 from the
City's budget next year. Blank explained that there's a 50/50 chance we
may get to do the entire project, or we may just do 2/3 of the basement,
which will cost approximately $600,000.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Millennium Garden update. Blank announced that some plantings have
been done and that two to three more weeks of good weather is needed
to finish hardscape items. He stated that all of the bricks have been
placed, and he has heard many good comments from people visiting the
garden. Blank would like to see a "Friends of the Garden" organization
form to help with some of the maintenance and care of the garden.
b. 2003-2007 CIP review. Blank reviewed the list of new items for the CIP,
along with the estimated costs to complete these projects. He stated that
it would cost approximately $127,000-$200,000 to reinstall the old
Astroplay at Plymouth Creek Playfield that was removed from the
fieldhouse. He is negotiating with the manufacturer to get that cost
lowered. He stated that the resident who is pushing for the Bass Lake
Playfield outdoor rink to be paved came in with a check for $650 to help
pay for the paving. He also has secured a number of signed petitions from
neighbors who support this project. Blank said that youth hockey, figure
skating, and the Providence Academy are still interested in Plymouth
adding a third sheet of ice at the Ice Center. This item would cost
approximately $4.5 million. Providence Academy may help fund it.
Director Blank said that he will have a draft CIP available for the next
meeting. Commissioner Fiemann asked if the third sheet of ice would be
funded through a bond referendum. Blank said it could be, but it would
be more likely a revenue bond. Commissioner Krahulec asked if some of
the costs for these projects could be reduced by hiring additional staff to
do the work. Blank said that it would be better to have the work
completed by outside contractors, because they have all the proper
equipment to get the job done.
6. NEW BUSINESS
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a. Tobacco free policies presentation by Brittany Meyer, Tobacco Free Youth
Recreation. Evans introduced Brittany Meyer who is the assistant program
director of the Tobacco Free Youth Recreation Initiative. Meyer explained
that their state-wide organization is funded by the MN Department of
Health. Their goal is to reduce youth tobacco use by 30% within the next
three years. They work with communities to promote the tobacco free
message. She posed the question "why should we be tobacco free?"
Because it sends a message that we care about the health of our
community, it demonstrates positive adult role modeling, second hand
smoke is harmful in both the indoor and outdoor setting, and cigarette
butts cause litter, maintenance expenses, and can be ingested by
toddlers using recreation facilities. A number of Minnesota cities have
passed tobacco free policies for their outdoor facilities, including
Bloomington, Richfield, and Roseville. Meyer stated that most school
districts prohibit tobacco use in all their facilities. By cities also passing
these policies, it creates consistency for all youth recreational facilities in
the community.
Policies differ from city to city, according to Evans' research. Bloomington
prohibits the use of tobacco on city -owned playfields, including spectator
areas, while the fields are being used for organized youth athletics. They
also prohibit tobacco use at their city designated beaches, swimming
pools and aquatic facilities. Owatonna prohibits use at their athletic
facilities, beach and playgrounds, including the spectator areas of these
same facilities. Roseville has banned the use of tobacco products in their
youth activity areas.
Blank asked about policies prohibiting tobacco use entirely on city -
owned facilities and those that have policies prohibiting tobacco use
within so many feet of a youth recreation area. Meyer stated that only
Rochester has a policy stating no tobacco use within 150 feet of children's
activity areas. All of the other Minnesota communities' policies prohibit the
use of tobacco products on their entire activity areas while youth are
present.
Meyer stated that she would like to see a community like Plymouth be the
leader in adopting a policy that bans the use of tobacco products
entirely at all city -owned facilities at all times, not just when youth are
present. Some commissioners raised concerns about how to enforce a
policy like this. Meyer said the best way is to put up very clear and concise
signage. She stated that when people see signs like this, they generally
abide by them, plus, the signs empower other people to enforce the
PRAC Minutes/October 2002
Page 38
policy when they see someone who isn't following the guidelines. She also
stated that 81% of Minnesota adults are non-smokers.
Director Blank stated that he could support an all out ban. He then asked
for input from the commissioners. Most agreed that some type of tobacco
free policy was a good idea, but there were differing opinions on how
restrictive it should be. All commissioners were in agreement that it would
be difficult to enforce. Commissioners also agreed that before any
decisions can be made, it would be important to get feedback from the
community.
Evans stated that the latest community to consider such a policy is Eden
Prairie. Their park and recreation director is against implementing a policy,
because he feels it will be impossible to enforce. Evans added that
Golden Valley has also started looking into this subject.
Director Blank stated that we may have the Youth Advisory Council
discuss this at one of their meetings and get their comments on it.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
Commissioner Krahulec pointed out to staff that a letter from the Palmiter's
was not included in the packet, even though there was a reference to it
being attached to another piece of correspondence. Staff will locate the
letter and make sure it is included in the November packet.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
Blank said that the November meeting has been held at the Ice Center in
the past, but that next month's meeting date falls on the same day as a girls'
hockey game. He warned that the Ice Center could be rather noisy that
evening and asked if the Commission would still like to meet there. It was the
consensus of everyone to go ahead and hold the meeting at the Ice Center.
Blank stated that the Medicine Lake Sailing Club has worked out an
arrangement with the Three Rivers Park District to dock their sailboats at
French Park. So far no problems have been reported regarding this
arrangement. Blank said we are always in communication with the Park
District staff, so if any problems do arise, we will hear about them.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.