HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 09-11-2003MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
September 11, 2003
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Present: Commissioners Anderson, Fiemann, Krahulec, Meyer, Rezabek,
Rodriguez, Singer, staff Blank, Evans, Pederson, Councilmember Slavik
Absent: Commissioners Aamoth, Ritchie
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Council
Chambers.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Singer moved and Rezabek seconded a motion to approve the minutes of
the July meeting. Motion carried with all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present at this meeting.
b. Staff. Evans mentioned some of the special events coming up - the
Autumn Arts Fair is Saturday, September 13th. We have 40 vendors
displaying their arts, the senior Handicrafters will be there, as well as food
and beverage vendors and musical entertainers. Next is Plymouth on
Parade on Saturday, October 4th, preceded by a pancake breakfast at
the Plymouth Creek Center. The parade begins at 1, and between 2:30
and 5 are other events such as the Ducky Derby, hayrides, music, food
vendors, etc. Fiemann asked when the deadline is for accepting parade
units. Staff did not have an exact date but said it was coming up soon.
4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION
Council approved the selection of Ankeny Kell as the architect for the
expansion of the ice arena. See more in item 5.a.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Update on ice center. Director Blank explained that Request for Proposals
had been sent to 10 firms. Five responded with proposals by the deadline.
Of those five, four were selected to be interviewed. Following the
interviews, the committee, consisting of staff, council members, and
representatives from Providence Academy and Wayzata Hockey,
recommended that the Council choose the architectural firm of Ankeny
Kell to design the Ice Center's expansion project.
b. Update on park construction. See item 6.d.
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6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Review Reserve neighborhood park master plan - George Watson. Blank
displayed the master plan for the Reserve neighborhood park. He said this
is an approved capital improvement item. This site was visited during the
annual park tour. It was carved out of the Reserve development. The
contractor has graded the site, installed sidewalk, and trees have been
planted. A neighborhood open house meeting was held at the Reserve
bus shelter on August 20. Comments were solicited from residents
attending the open house in addition to letters and e-mails that were
received following the open house. The budget for this park comes from
park dedication neighborhood account in the amount of $325,000.
George Watson identified the location of the park and pointed out the
streets surrounding it. The features include the standard playground, 100' x
100' in size. It is age appropriate accommodating toddlers and
elementary age children. There will be half court basketball adjacent to
the playground, with an 8' and 10' goal. The balance of the lower portion
will be turf for open lawn games with a fence that could act as a
backstop or a goal mount for soccer. There will be a sliding hill also. There
will also be a gazebo, with some picnic tables inside the gazebo and
some outside. There's a fire ring, too. There are park benches located
throughout the park and a 10 -foot wide asphalt trail within the park. The
developer has also installed sidewalk. Natural grasses and flowers will be
planted as part of the landscaping. Meyer asked about the darker green
ring around the gazebo. Watson identified that ring as plants or shrubbery.
Singer asked about the square footage of the lawn area. Watson said
about '/2 or 3/4 acre. Krahulec asked about on -street parking. Blank
explained that this development is a narrow street system, and there will
be on -street parking on one side of the street only. The park will have
limited lighting. Is it wheelchair accessible Singer asked? Watson said yes.
Anderson asked if parking would be a problem here? Blank said we are
not anticipating any parking problems. We generally do not plan for
parking lots in neighborhood parks. Anderson asked if anyone wanted to
speak on the park issue. Kate Zaver had a concern about the open lawn
area. She wanted to know if there would be lights by the basketball court.
The answer is no. The fence will be 10 to 15 feet wide Blank explained, and
is a straight fence. The park will close at 10 p.m. The streets on either side
of the park are one way only and quite narrow Zaver said. She said they
live right across from the open lawn area. Singer asked if she foresees a
problem with cars traveling fast on Empire Lane. Zaver said they may
pursue getting a stop sign installed on 53rd & Empire. Fiemann said he lives
by a park that has a small parking lot for six cars. He's a little worried about
the parking in this neighborhood. Zaver said she thinks there is enough on
street parking and that most people will walk to the park. Rezabek said
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he's been at parks for birthday parties where cars end up parking on the
grass because so many people come to the park. Blank is confident that
there is enough street parking here. Councilmember Slavik said her
children get bored with their neighborhood park, so they drive to different
parks. She has a concern with the fact that there is only street parking
planned here. Blank said they could show a place for a future parking lot,
and if it becomes an issue, the option is there to then build it. It would
probably have to be on the north end because of the grade. Blank said
he has never received a complaint about not enough parking in any of
our neighborhood parks. Singer is concerned about traffic down Empire
Lane and some type of signage to slow the traffic down if it becomes
necessary. Stop signs require City Council action, Blank said. Anderson
agreed that cars do travel fast through neighborhoods. Blank said one
good thing in this neighborhood is that they have sidewalks. Rezabek
asked if there is sidewalk south of Empire. Blank said yes. Fiemann asked
why we never put full court basketball in neighborhood parks. Blank said it
has been our practice to put in just half court basketball. Full court
basketball tends to change the feeling of the park. We have full courts in
our playfields. Anderson asked for any other comments. Derek Olson had
a suggestion about the playground. He'd like to have it rounded off on
the edge to go along with the other "rounded" items in the park. Blank
said they would take a look at that. Blank explained there has to be a
clear" zone in all playground areas, and if it were possible without
jeopardizing safety, we would look at rounding the edge. The surface is
wood chips and poured in place rubber. Derek said there is no sidewalk
on the south side of Empire, but there is one on the north side. He also had
a question about the top access point. Blank said the plan would be
modified to match up cross walks. Fiemann asked about the
maintenance involved in neighborhood parks and planning for low
maintenance items. Blank said this is part of the process. SINGER MOVED
TO APPROVE THE MASTER PLAN AS PRESENTED WITH A COUPLE OF
CHANGES INCLUDING ROUNDING OFF THE PLAY EQUIPMENT AREA IF
POSSIBLE, LINING UP THE ACCESS ON THE NORTH SIDE AND BEING SENSITIVE
TO PARKING AVAILABILITY AND ALSO LOOKING AT SIGNAGE ON EMPIRE
LANE FOR THE CROSSWALKS. FIEMANN SECONDED. AYES ALL. Blank said
construction should begin this fall.
b. Tobacco Free policies. Evans gave a brief history of the tobacco free
policy issue and how it has progressed to this point, including getting input
from other communities who currently have such policies, meeting with
the Tobacco Free Youth Recreation Initiative, getting input from the youth
council, from athletic associations, and from residents, etc.
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Brittany Meyer from the Tobacco Free Youth Recreation Initiative
explained why tobacco free policies are affective - they reinforce the
message that tobacco use is unhealthy, they ensure that participants and
spectators are not exposed to secondhand smoke, they create an
environment where leaders can model and promote healthy lifestyle
choices. She then listed why it is important for outdoor facilities to be
tobacco free - it protects health, safety and welfare of community, it
creates consistency for youth recreation facilities in the community since
most school districts prohibit tobacco use on their property; it supports
local groups who use city facilities and promotes healthy lifestyles; it helps
prevent litter, saving on maintenance expenses. Groups that support
tobacco free policies include: National Alliance for Youth Sports, National
Youth Sports Safety Foundation, National Youth Sports Coaches Assoc.,
Little League, and the Minnesota Youth Soccer Assoc. Since Brittany's last
presentation, many more communities have adopted some type of
tobacco use policy at their outdoor facilities, Evans stated. Golden Valley,
Eden Prairie, and New Brighton are some nearby communities that have
implemented policies. Brittany displayed signs that would be provided to
us free of charge if we develop a policy prohibiting tobacco use. Chair
Anderson asked if there were any comments from visitors on this topic.
Diane Meyer, a pediatrician from Partners in Pediatrics addressed the
commission. She said their patients are in the northwest Twin Cities which
covers Plymouth and Maple Grove. She encourages the adoption of a
policy prohibiting tobacco use where children and adults are present.
Youth exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to pick up the habit
themselves. She said that decreasing secondhand smoke decreases the
impact on asthma. Secondhand smoke is a Class A human carcinogen.
Singer asked Dr. Meyer about spit tobacco use among our youth. Meyer
said she has seen some use among teens.
Michael Steigler is a physician with Camden Physicians. He has been
practicing for 20 years and is a resident of Plymouth. He feels very strongly
about this subject. He talks about smoking all day long in his practice. He
believes that a tobacco free policy will facilitate less smoking among
young people, among parents, etc. He agrees that smokers do have the
right to smoke, but they don't have the right to smoke around him.
Smoking is becoming less and less socially acceptable. Anderson said the
commissioners have a challenge before them. There are two policies to
consider. Rodriguez asked why there are two policies. Evans said it was
because the Council was more comfortable with the policy that is less
restrictive. Evans said signage would be installed. She said this is really a
philosophical issue. We are not going to have people policing the parks
looking for people who are doing things they've been asked not to do.
This encompasses the no alcohol use, picking up after your dog, etc.
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Singer said peer pressure happens on the sidelines, too. She said it's not
something we need to enforce. We're adding quality to life and to our
parks by adopting such a policy. We are encouraging people to live a
healthy lifestyle. Commissioner Meyer said she supports policy 1; it is a
public health statement by our city. She asked about the Plymouth Creek
Center. Blank said there is a designated smoking area on the deck on the
east side of the building. It was formerly on the west side overlooking the
Millennium Garden, but it has been moved now in an effort to keep the
garden free of cigarette butts. Blank said the garden itself would be
signed, "no tobacco use allowed." People walking on the trail will be
asked to abide by the signage, as well. Fiemann supports policy 1. He's
been involved in the hockey association and says there are a lot of
smokers right outside the doors of the ice arena. Cigarette butts litter the
sidewalk out front. Anderson says policy 1 is a stronger message. Krahulec
prefers policy 2. He doesn't think secondhand smoke is a danger
outdoors. He thinks policy 1 is too intrusive. SINGER MOVED THAT PRAC
RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL DRAFT POLICY 1 PROHIBITING
TOBACCO USE ON ALL CITY -OWNED PARKLAND, PARK FACILITIES, OPEN
SPACE AND JOINT CITY/SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTIES. RODRIGUEZ
SECONDED. Rezabek asked where smoking is prohibited now. Blank said it
is prohibited on all school property. Elm Creek Playfield, which is adjacent
to the Wayzata High School, is city park property west of the curb line,
Blank said. THE MOTION CARRIED SIX AYES, WITH KRAHULEC VOTING NAY.
c. Review concept plan for finishing lower level - Del Erickson. Blank outlined
a brief history of this issue, discussing the state budget situation, and how
we are now in a situation of having a fair amount of money for capital
projects. The dollars necessary to operate this building have been
incorporated into the budget for this project. All staff has been meeting
on this project with Del, going over the plan numerous times. Blank met
with the Senior Council, and they are very enthusiastic about the plan.
They are always concerned however with storage. The Youth Council will
be seeing the plan again before it goes to the Council. Del Erickson
distributed a line item budget for the improvements at the Plymouth
Creek Center. He reviewed the list item -by -item, or room -by -room. The
multi use tiered space is in the northwest corner of the lower level. It has a
total area of 1,877 sq. ft. There is also an audio-visual room adjacent to
the multi purpose tiered space. The next major space is the multi use
room. In conjunction with this room is a storage room for smaller items
needed for use with this room. A coffee bar would also accommodate
this room. Adjacent to that space, and a focal point, is the lounge/food
court area with self-service food (vending machines, microwave ovens,
etc.). This area is accessible from the field house lounge and from the
upper level. There is a storage service area with a pass-through to the
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counter area. In conjunction with that space is a computer caf6, and a
conference room that can be set up as a classroom. Adjacent to the
main lobby and open stairwell are music practice rooms. A seat wall and
planter/fountain are proposed underneath the stairwell. To the west off
the lobby is a foyer/hallway area providing access to the multi use rooms.
Total storage area is 1,000 sq. ft. plus a couple of closets. This totals about
7,700 sq. ft. for the lower level, which is more than originally planned.
When the plan was looked at last year, cost was estimated at $975,000.
We're pretty much on that same track, Del said. Total general
construction would be $532,000, mechanical $132,000, $116,000 for
electrical, for a total of $780,000. Add to that architect and engineering
fees of $70,000, contingency fund of 8%, or $62,500, plus furnishing and
equipment allowance of $85,000. The new grand total is $997,500. This is
25,000 more than last year's projection. A screened porch would add an
additional $23,000. The planter/fountain under the stairs would cost
19,000. There have been some ongoing problems with doors on the
upper level that would cost $5,000 to replace. With these added
alternates, it would cost slightly more than one million. Del then showed
some drawings of how the various spaces would look fully furnished. All
the walls separating spaces would be double glazed glass. Krahulec
asked how the moveable walls would work. Del said they would sit on a
track. Fiemann asked about plans north of food court and what is Alt V.
Del said that's a vending machine. Fiemann asked if fountain would be
more of a bubbler rather than spray. Del said yes. It's not as noisy.
Fiemann really likes the screen porch. The music rooms would be
soundproofed. Rodriguez asked if there's enough room for dancing in the
tiered space and the multi use room. Meyer asked if there is a room that
can be darkened for showing slides or movies. Del said the wall between
the multi use room and tiered room is not glass, but rather a moveable
soundproof acoustic wall. Fiemann asked if there is enough parking if all
rooms are booked at this facility. Blank said yes. Blank will be
recommending that we not put in a tennis court at this location until we
see if there is enough parking to handle all activities taking place at the
Plymouth Creek Center. Rodriguez asked about the facility
accommodating teens too. Was it planned for that? Del said yes. Blank
said that Regina on our staff has been involved in the planning process,
and she works with teens. She will be planning some programs every other
Friday night just for teens using this multi use space, such as open mike
night. Will seniors and teens occupy the same space at the same time,
Singer asked. Blank said teens will be using it on Friday nights. Evans said
we already have the facility reserved two Friday nights per month for
teens. Anderson asked about storage capacity. Blank said we are using
less than half the storage that is available right now. Better utilization of
storage space needs to take place. MEYER MOVED THAT PRAC APPROVE
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THE CONCEPT PLAN FOR THE LOWER LEVEL AS PRESENTED AND THAT THE
ARCHITECT BE DIRECTED TO PROCEED TO DEVELOP THE NECESSARY PLANS
AND SPECIFICATIONS. SINGER SECONDED. Rezabek asked about the
budget approved last year. He thought it was for $850,000. Blank said that
975,000 has always been the amount budgeted. Rezabek asked if the
tables and chairs could be moved out of the multi-purpose room? Blank
explained where the tables and chairs would be stored when not
needed. Rezabek asked if there would be any railings to keep people
from backing off the tiered levels? Del said some type of barrier would be
in place to prevent this from happening. MOTION CARRIED ALL AYES.
d. CIP - review current plan. Blank discussed the park tour held on August 20
and some of the sites that were visited. He listed projects that have been
completed, including the dog park, the paved hockey rink at Bass Lake,
and the new playground at Rolling Hills Park. New trails include Lancaster
Lane, which is now under construction. The skate park/BMX course and
the safety lighting at Imperial Hills Park, projects that were budgeted for in
2003, are both on hold. PRAC needs to identify trails to be completed next
year, Blank indicated. There will be trails on both sides of Schmidt Lake
Road. We will continue to do trail and parking lot repair. Blank said we
could go ahead with or hold off the parking lot expansion at Greenwood
for another year. PRAC feels that this is a must do project. Blank said that
Seven Greens neighborhood park could be pushed back until 2005, if the
developer delays putting in roads. We can leave the tennis courts at the
Plymouth Creek Center in for 2005, but this can be pushed to 2006. The
spray playground at Plymouth Creek is questionable. At this point, we
need to make a list of all the possible projects for staff to research, Blank
stated. Krahulec asked about the MSA fund. Blank explained that it's state
aid money used for state aid roads. Singer said she received a call that
the paved hockey rink at Plymouth Creek is underused because it slants
downhill and doesn't hold ice. Blank said we just repaved this rink when
we did the Bass Lake rink and they are both in tiptop shape now. He also
stated that park maintenance is going to remove the soil from one or two
hockey rinks this fall and replace it with aglime. Hopefully this will help
prevent some of the melting that occurs. Singer said she hopes we move
forward with a skate park/BMX course. Blank said we own a piece of
property along the Zachary water treatment plant. That was his first
choice for the skate park/BMX course. Another option is to place it in
Zachary Playfield somewhere. Another idea Blank has had is to put it in
the Four Seasons shopping center somewhere in their parking lot. Fiemann
asked about the rink at Oakwood. The north side of it always melts. That's
the one that may get the first experimental treatment of removing some
of the dirt and replacing it with aglime, Blank said. Fiemann also wants the
city to evaluate the Ridgemount tennis courts. Blank agrees that this is one
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of the courts most in need of replacing. Rodriguez asked if there were any
indoor tennis courts in Plymouth. Blank explained that we wanted to put a
bubble over the Oakwood courts, but the school district wasn't in favor of
it at this time. We need the school district to partner with us on this project
in order to afford it. We will continue to study this type of court. Rezabek
asked if a notice goes out when rinks are redone. Blank said no formal
notification is done, however, something could be announced on the
city's website and on Channel 12. Blank encouraged commissioners to
contact staff if they have ideas for things to build, etc. Fiemann requested
trail on Medina Road between the entrance to Greenwood and 101.
Blank said that it's on our list. Blank then discussed the land acquisition for
the 10th playfield. The Begins have asked us to make them an offer to buy
the farm on a contract for deed. Mrs. Begin wants the park to be named
after her late husband. We are in the process of putting together a
proposal. We hope to have a purchase agreement executed before Mrs.
Begin leaves for her winter vacation home. Along with that she owns five
acres on the northwest shore of Pomerleau Lake. We are also going to
offer to purchase those five acres. We have acquired the entire eastern
shore of this lake. With this acquisition we would have about 70%
ownership of this shoreline. The rest of it is owned by the Hampton Hills golf
course. Fiemann asked if the acquisition of the Begin property is financially
reasonable. Blank said we are optimistic that we will be at budget or
below on that project.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
None
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
Blank distributed flyers on the sale of ducks for the Ducky Derby, which is part
of the Plymouth on Parade event. Proceeds go to local youth charities he
said.
9. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.