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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. PRAC Minutes/October 2002 Page 36 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 PRAC Minutes/October 2002 Page 37 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.