HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 03-06-2003MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
March 6, 2003
Page 9
Present: Commissioners Anderson, Aamoth, Meyer, Rezabek, Krahulec, Singer;
staff Blank, Evans, Pederson, Peterson, Councilmember Slavik, Mayor
Johnson
Absent: Commissioner Fiemann
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Medicine Lake
Room. Don introduced Erik Aamoth, who has replaced Melissa Musliner, and
then the rest of the commissioners introduced themselves.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Singer moved and Rezabek seconded a motion to approve the minutes of
the February meeting. The motion carried with all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present.
b. Staff. Evans reported that our department has been working on submitting an
application for a national award through NRPA. She explained that the
national association annually recognizes a park and recreation department
in each population category, which says you are the nation's best in your
particular category. Evans was very impressed with what she learned about
Plymouth Park and Recreation as she prepared the application. Evans stated
staff has been busy gearing up for summer. Nancy is working on putting
together the brochure. Several events are coming up - Primavera starts
Friday, April 11. We had 72 adult artists last year and 53 students. We
anticipate similar numbers at this year's event. We are adding a poetry slam
this year on Monday, the 14th. It will include teens and adults. Peterson and
Evans have been working on the History Fest and the Yard and Garden Expo.
Evans also stated that the net is up at the fieldhouse. This was installed to
protect walkers from soccer balls that may come flying at them while they
walk on the indoor track.
4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION
a. Park CIP. The Council did a study session on all projects. We are starting on
the Plymouth Creek garage, the trail on Nathan Lane, the skate park at
Pilgrim United Methodist Church, and the dog park in Egan Park.
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b. Study Session/Ice Center. The Council held a study session to meet with
representatives from Wayzata Hockey and Providence Academy.
Commissioners Singer and Fiemann attended. Director Blank presented a
staff report on the ice arena. A formal letter from Providence was
included. In it they offered one million dollars in funding toward the
project. Wayzata Hockey said they could contribute $250,000. The Council
has set another meeting with them for April 15. Providence Academy had
the vice president from Kraus Anderson look at the third ice sheet plans,
and he is optimistic that it will cost less than anticipated. Singer mentioned
that money, parking and wetlands were the issues brought up. Her other
concern is the fair and equitable use of the third ice sheet. Singer thinks
Wayzata's numbers were a little optimistic. Director Blank stated that if we
build a third ice sheet, we would have to meet code for parking. The
question is do we go beyond it and if so, how far? We won't know the
impact on the wetland until we do a study. Singer understands that
Providence is putting in a big chunk of money, and they are asking for
locker rooms for their use only. There are 10 locker rooms in the existing
building, Blank said, eight of which are for community use. Meyer said
PRAC hasn't seen any report on proposed use for a third sheet of ice.
Abel has done a projection of how many hours would be sold. Rezabek
asked for a copy of the report. Anderson asked where the money is
coming from. Blank explained it may come from Providence Academy,
Wayzata Youth Hockey, a revenue bond of $1.1 million, and maybe park
dedication. Councilmember Slavik thinks the Council needs more
information before making any decisions. Mayor Johnson has received
135 e-mails, and voice mails from Wayzata hockey people regarding this
topic. The large majority of these have been in favor of it. She sees that
the need is there. Johnson said the hockey enthusiasts have to convince
the neighborhood around the ice arena. They need to meet with them
and look into the issues regarding this project. Providence wants Council
approval by June. More private funding would help this issue go farther.
Wetlands are the big issue along with parking. Anderson asked how
realistic is it that the Council could approve something by June? That's
optimistic timing, at best, was the answer.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Dog Park - approve plan and rules. Blank explained that the Council
gave us the green light to continue the planning for the dog park. The
residents surrounding the site live on five and 10 acre parcels. They were
informed of tonight's meeting, but no one attended, and no one called
about it. Peterson has put together a plan and he presented it to PRAC.
We have owned this piece of property for a long time, he said. There is an
existing parking lot that would need some additional Class 5 gravel.
Peterson showed where the high and low ground is on the site. A dog
PRAC Minutes/March 2003
Page 11
park program was presented at the national parks conference.
Encroachment is an issue, along with fencing. Ramsey County has several
examples of dog parks, some fenced and some unfenced. Basically, the
property would be unmaintained, other than the path leading to it. This
deters the dogs from running off. Ramsey Co has had no complaints. We
would opt for not fencing, at least initially. Peterson visited some dog park
sites as part of his research. Many of the signs are already made, so we
wouldn't have to pay for that. Dog owners would bring their own bags for
picking up dog waste. The bulk of the work we would be doing is mowing
the path, picking up the trash, signing the perimeter initially, upgrading
the parking lot, bridging the marsh with a small boardwalk, 200' feet long.
There would be a staging area with picnic tables, water jugs, etc. As
people come across the boardwalk, there would be a sign about leash
law, etc. They cannot take their dog off leash until they reach the staging
area. Meyer asked how far it is around? Peterson did not know, but he
said the property is 40 acres. There is a property owner who is mowing the
property now, and he is fine with the idea of the dog park going in,
Peterson said. Singer asked if what PRAC is to approve is a pilot project.
Blank said yes. After a year, we would do some sort of follow up with the
neighborhood. Someday we may replicate this in another park if it's
successful. As northwest Plymouth develops this is still in the plans as a
neighborhood park, so maybe 15 years from now we would reevaluate it
for that purpose, Blank stated. Meyer likes the idea of not fencing it. She
thinks this is a good location for a dog park. Meyer asked how the resident
whose property is closest feels about it? Peterson thinks they are okay with
it, because they haven't called us. Anderson questioned if staff had
received favorable comments from people in other areas who have dog
parks. Peterson and Blank said yes. Aamoth asked for the closest non -
fenced dog park. Peterson thought there was one in Baker Park.
Bloomington and Burnsville have them, too. MEYER MOVED AND REZABEK
SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE DOG PARK. MOTION CARRIED,
AYES ALL. Mayor Johnson suggested we put a flyer in Petsmart, or at vet
clinics to advertise it Krahulec asked when it would open. Peterson
thought maybe in June. The boardwalk is the largest component
involved. This will go back to the Council at their first meeting in April.
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. View video from 2002 Gold Medal Award program. It was decided to
postpone viewing the Gold Medal Award video until a later date.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
There was no commission presentation. The Board and Commission
Recognition Dinner is Thursday, March 13.
PRAC Minutes/March 2003
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8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
The next meeting will be held on April 10.
9. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.