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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 02-10-2005MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING February 10, 2005 Page 1 PRESENT: Chair Fiemann, Commissioners Rezabek, Pederson, Aamoth, Davis, Singer, Krahulec, Planning Commissioner Weir, staff Evans and Pederson ABSENT: Griwac, Rodriguez, staff Blank CALL TO ORDER Chair Fiemann called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The next order of business was to nominate a Chair and Vice Chair for 2005. Singer nominated Fiemann for Chair, Rezabek nominated Singer for Vice Chair. No other nominations were made. Nominations were approved, ayes all. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Singer made a motion to approve the minutes of the January meeting. Krahulec seconded. Motion carried, all ayes. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Associations. None were present. b. Staff. Evans stated that Fire & Ice was another big success. The warm weather brought out more people than last year. Attendance was estimated at approximately 4,000. About 1,200 people visited the DNR taxidermy trailer. The ping pong ball drop wasn't able to be done using the powered parachutes, but it still worked out okay. There were 98 volunteers who helped at this year's Fire & Ice. The Rotary was pleased with their fishing location. Planning Commissioner Weir said about 30 fish were caught altogether. Evans said that The Little Sweetheart Ball was held the evening before on February 4. Attendance at this was about 170. The warming houses and outdoor rinks have had a less than perfect season. The weather has not been very good for outdoor ice. We hope to keep the outdoor rinks open through February 21. We will have a full report at next month's meeting regarding attendance figures, etc. So far this season 4,373 people have visited the warming houses. Rezabek needs to know the number of rinks at each location and the attendance at each. This information will be provided at the March meeting. Evans said we're working on the summer brochure, which is a 72 -page publication. Staff is working closely with the Civic League on Music in Plymouth, as well as working on the Primavera event, the Yard and Garden Expo, History Fest, the parade, and the Autumn Arts Fair. 4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION a. Council approved purchase of five acres on Pomerleau Lake for the Northwest Greenway. This five acres will be purchased for $210,000. The golf course adjacent to the southern end of the lake has been purchased by a developer. A portion of this golf course which is undevelopable may be sold to Providence for fields. PRAC Minutes/February 2005 Page 2 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Approve 2004 Annual Report and 2005 Work Plan. Evans said staff understands there may have to be some changes, but we need approval this evening so we can forward the report to the Council in March. Fiemann commented that he loves the format. Other commissioners agreed. The work plan was discussed. The 50th anniversary celebration is being conducted throughout the year, but it will be showcased at Music in Plymouth and other major events like Plymouth on Parade. Commissioners agreed that the 2005 work plan was fine as presented. The rest of the annual report was then reviewed, with several suggestions for grammatical changes that should be made. These changes will be made prior to final copies being presented to the City Council. On page 25 there is a change in the budget numbers Evans said. The numbers were unaudited when we prepared the report. The actual number for the fieldhouse was $309,382 for both fees and expenses. The transfer to retained earnings is $121,376. Singer wanted to know when the City Council approved the Tobacco Free Policy. If it was in 2004, it needs to be mentioned in the Highlights section. Staff will look into this, and add it if it wasn't part of the 2003 Highlights. Singer said that each year the annual report improves, but this year is the best she has ever seen. The Commission said they would be willing to keep their copies as is. Singer wanted to know if Plymouth's comments were included in the Tobacco Free Youth Recreation newsletter that was in their packet. Evans believed they were. Singer also asked if there has been any noticeable change in the cleanliness of our parks since the policy was implemented. Evans isn't sure if the tobacco policy has improved conditions in the parks, or not. The signs haven't been up that long to measure the success. REZABEK MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2004 ANNUAL REPORT WITH NOTED CHANGES AND TO FORWARD IT TO THE CITY COUNCIL. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY DAVIS. MOTION CARRIED, ALL AYES. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Review proposal for Gateway to the Hilde Center from the Plymouth Foundation. This was initiated by the Plymouth Foundation, Evans said. They wanted to find a project to give to the community as a gift from the Foundation. They selected this project to fund. This is a pergola type design that incorporates the look of the Millennium Garden and the Hilde Center. It will be positioned adjacent to the sidewalk. It's about 20 feet wide by 15 feet deep. It will have kind of a plaza feel. A kiosk containing information will be part of the design as well. Fiemann asked if there was any concern for the safety of people stopping to read the kiosk and then backing up and getting hit by others who might be passing by on the sidewalk, either on bikes, in-line skates, or jogging. Evans said the kiosk would be far enough back to prevent this from happening. Rezabek asked about the curb cut for dropping off people. Will it be deep enough to handle this type of activity? Evans said yes. Pederson asked about the signage at the top. Will it be the same or similar to other park entrance signs? Evans said not in this particular case, because this is a unique facility similar to the Millennium Garden. Davis asked if any of the trees that are depicted in the drawing would have to come down. Evans said a couple of trees may have to come down, but not many. PRAC Minutes/February 2005 Page 3 Fiemann had some concerns about whether or not there would be sufficient lighting. Evans said lighting is included in the concept, but we don't yet know how that will look. There is lighting all the way down the trail. We want to get this done before Music in Plymouth. SINGER MOVED TO RECOMMEND THE ADDITION OF THE HILDE PERFORMANCE CENTER PERGOLA AT NO COST TO THE CITY, WITH THE LIGHTING STUDY TO BE ADDED. Feimann pointed out that in staff's attached memo, Director Blank stated that the City may have to upfront the cost and be paid back later by the Foundation. Evans said we will not ask the Foundation for more than $55,000, and if the project runs slightly more, our department is prepared to fund the difference. SINGER AMENDED HER MOTION TO SAY PRAC IS IN FAVOR OF THE HILDE GATEWAY PERGOLA CONCEPT, WITH THE CITY COUNCIL TO MAKE THE FINAL DECISION REGARDING THE COST OF THE PROJECT. REZABEK SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION None. 8. STAFF COMMUNICATION None. 9. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.