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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 11-08-2007MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING November 8, 2007 PRESENT: Commissioners: Knight, Anderson, Smith,Vice-Chair Singer Planning Commissioner Weir Staff: Blank, Miller, Evans GUESTS: S.R.F. Consultant John Hagen, City Engineer Bob Moberg ABSENT: Commissioners: Vanderwall, Krahulec PACKET INCLUSIONS: Agenda, 10/11/07 Minutes, Rental Memo, Transportation Plan and Memo, Millennium Garden Memo and Graphic. Hand outs: Golf e-mail, Parks and Recreation Planning and Zoning Memo. 1. CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers by Vice -Chair Singer. Chair Fiemann has submitted his resignation from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission effective immediately. Vice -Chair Singer will take over as Acting Chair until February 2008. (Chair Fiemann stopped by to wish his best to the Commissioners and acknowledge his enjoyment working with them.) 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice -Chair Singer asked "Co -Chair" is changed to "Vice -Chair". There were also sentences where Commission" should read "Commissioner". With corrections, MOTION was made by Commissioner Anderson to approve the minutes, seconded by Commissioner Smith. Vote: 4 Ayes. MOTION approved. MOTION by Vice -Chair Singer to recognize Chair Fiemann as a wonderful commissioner and thanked him for his 13 years of service. Commissioner Smith seconded. Vote: 4 Ayes. MOTION approved. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Association No information was presented. b. Staff- Diane Evans Staff Evans notified the Commissioners that the format and detail of the minutes will change in order to remain standard with other city departments. Staff Evans reported on Parks and Recreation events, programs and activities that have occurred over the past month. 4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION a. Staff Blank reported that no Parks and Recreation action was taken. MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING November 8, 2007 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Update on Comprehensive Plan -Draft Staff Blank reported the Planning Commission meeting was held yesterday, November 7, 2007 to review and discuss several different sections of the Comprehensive Plan draft. Staff Evans addressed the implementation strategies for the Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan. Staff Blank gave a range of the "timings" (low, medium, high) for each of the descriptive strategies. b. Transportation Plan City Engineer Moberg reviewed the topics that were presented at the Planning Commission meeting and the pared version that will be presented at tonight's meeting; which will focus on road facilities and touch lightly with how they addressed off-road trails. City Engineer Moberg introduced John Hagen from S.R.F Consulting Incorporated. Consultant Hagen provided the Commissioners with a power point presentation that outlined the policy and program guidance to make appropriate transportation decisions. Tonight's presentation walked through on -road bicycle routes, off road bicycle trails, roadway crossings and implementation considerations. During the presentation, City Engineer Moberg pointed out to the Commissioners the shoulder/outside lane" concept and the lack of no parking signs. He stated this could become a point of conflict with on -street parking. Consultant Hagen asked for questions. Commissioner Anderson referenced the Luce Line Crossing at Xenium Lane (CSAH 61) and stated that it is not on the plan. Hagen replied the Transportation Plan doesn't necessarily identify specific projects. The plan identifies areas that might need improvement. Specific projects are based on the C.I.P. or during a project implementation. Commissioner Anderson stated that this is a major crossing in the Plymouth community with City Engineer Moberg replying one of the challenges of this crossing is jurisdiction. The roadway is owned and maintained by the county and the Luce Line is the jurisdiction Three Rivers Park District. Therefore, the City of Plymouth doesn't have a stake in ownership. The question and challenge for that particular crossing will be how to come up with a solution to move forward when other agencies are the larger stakeholders. Staff Blank asked if an agency such as Three Rivers Park District is required to come up with a Comprehensive plan. City Engineer Moberg suspects Three Rivers Park District is not obligated to put together a plan. Staff Blank stated it might be advantageous to call to see what they do have. Staff Evans interjected that they do have a plan that is provided to the Met Council however, it is questionable if they follow the same guidelines as other municipalities. City Engineer Moberg stated an interesting parallel is Three Rivers Park District is moving forward with a private bicycle overpass at 36th Ave and Hwy 169. He doesn't recall if the Park District or the City of New Hope is the lead agency that secured the federal funding, but it is a cooperative effort between the two. It was suggested that staff investigate whether Three Rivers Park District has any plan to build a grade -separated facility at the Xenium Lane and the Luce Line crossing. Page 2 of 5 MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING November 8, 2007 Commissioner Anderson questioned the feasibility of creating an on -road bicycle facility on Vicksburg Lane, south of Highway 55 given its current status as a four lane undivided roadway with no shoulders and a 50 mph speed limit. City Engineer Moberg asked the Commissioners to keep in mind the Comprehensive Plan horizon goes out to the year 2030. He pointed out in the cities current 5 year C.I.P. (Capital Improvement Plan) they do have a proposed upgrade of Vicksburg between Old Rockford Road and Schmidt Lake Road and including Vicksburg Lane in the Transportation Plan for on -road bicycle facilities is a first step in making it a reality. The City has submitted an application for federal funding to assist with that project. A hurdle to consider is the anticipated growth in Northwest Plymouth and continued growth in Maple Grove where the traffic lines will be such that a grade separation at Vicksburg and the CP railroad crossing will be required, which will take sizable dollars. Consultant Hagen interjected a study was performed at the Vicksburg Corridor that identified Vicksburg from CSAH 55 to CSAH 6 in need of improvements. He feels the most effective way to achieve bicycle facilities at this location is to piggyback on other identified efforts which are being reviewed for implementation. Vice -Chair Singer emphasized that citizen education on the safety laws is an important and cost effective part of bicycle facilities and requested that the City explore ways to get the message out to bicyclists, other trails users and motorists. Consultant Hagen stated that education will be included in the implementation portion of the Transportation Plan. Staff Blank explained to the Commissioners that the goal is to have the City Council adopt the Comprehensive Plan on December 11, 2007. Once the draft has been adopted, the plan will move onto neighboring communities for their review to see how it works in concert with their plan. The City of Plymouth would also be receiving other community plans going through the same process. This review process covers a couple of months with the Comprehensive Plan circling back to the City Council. Final adoption will occur sometime in the spring of 2008. On an unrelated matter, Vice -Chair Singer questioned the transit system improvements that were noted in the Transportation Plan, specifically reducing Dial- A —Ride in favor of more commuter bus service. City Engineer Moberg stated that S.R.F. put that plan together after an intensive analysis looking at transit and trends. PACT has reviewed this portion of the Transportation Plan and agreed with the proposed changes. Shifting funds from Dial -A -Ride to other modes of transit seem a better fit of limited resources at this time. It is the City's intent to be as responsive as possible to the diverse and changing needs for transit services. Commissioner Anderson attended St. Louis Park's Bike and Pedestrian Plan Open House which is going through the same process as Plymouth. He wondered if we are leaving bicycle facility language to loose which could end up with Plymouth going in the opposite direction in terms of on - road facilities from other communities. He would like to see stronger language used when addressing this topic. City Engineer Moberg integrated Staff Blanks overview of the Comprehensive Plan review cycle, focusing on other communities having the opportunity to review Plymouth's Plan as well as Plymouth reviewing theirs for continuity and strategy direction. He also let the Commissioners know that they would forward all of the PRAC comments to the City Council when it considers adoption of the Transportation Plan. Commissioner Anderson articulated that on -road bicycle facilities would more than likely be safer and utilized more effectively adjacent to minor arterials, collectors or local streets rather than the higher Page 3 of 5 MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING November 8, 2007 traffic speed and volume areas. It was suggested that Plymouth Boulevard, Niagara Lane or Fernbrook be options as a substitute for Vicksburg. Staff Evans asked Commissioner Anderson about having bicycle trails on high volume highways, with appropriate signage; one side would be bike transit only and the other used for pedestrians. Commissioner Anderson stated it would be hard to get people to comply. With no further comments, Vice -Chair Singer thanked City Engineer Moberg and Consultant Hagen. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Phase II Millennium Garden Staff Blank made his presentation on the second phase of the Millennium Garden; reviewing the graphic with the Commissioners. He asked the Commissioners endorse the plan and recommend to the City Council. Commissioner Anderson asked if the back way lighting would be solar powered. Staff Blank stated they were looking at fixtures that will be close to the ground, but have not yet determined what they will be. Staff Blank will make a note of suggesting solar lighting. Vice Chair Singer asked if there were plans for sitting areas. Staff Blank replied yes, and pointed out the seating areas on the graphic. He also stated they are looking for at least one more sculptures that fit with the nature theme of this area. Commissioner Smith asked if Phase II would allow for more garden weddings to occur at one time. Staff Blank stated that they would not have more than one wedding at a time in the garden. Staff has however, spoken with the new caterers to promote other high quality types of events in the garden. Staff Blank pointed out on the graphic where potential flat lands are within the garden to allow caterers to post tents for an event to occur completely outside. MOTION was made by Commissioner Anderson to approve and recommend the Phase II Millennium Garden Master Plan to the City Council; seconded by Commissioner Knight. Vote: 4 Ayes. Motion carries. b. Other Staff Evans informed the Commissioners the handouts in front of them were informational only. The documents outline what will be presented to the City Council at their next meeting. Most of the information regards the golf course changes which was the outcome of the Planning Commission meeting. Vice -Chair Singer commented about signage on the trails and how they would be strategically placed. Staff Blank informed the Commissioners that Three Rivers Park District just adopted a signage package and are implementing this signage system program for all their regional trails. In order to maintain continuity, Staff Blank has inquired about using their design, as well as the vendor for the City of Plymouth trails. This would be advantageous as it brings the cost down. Staff Blank he is hoping to have some prototypes after the first of the year for PRAC to review and recommend to the City Council. Page 4 of 5 MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING November 8, 2007 Vice- Chair Singer asked about the rental fee document. Staff Blank stated it is informational only. Staff Blank suggested the Commissioners not meet during the month of December. He also informed the Commissioners that the City Council will be interviewing for new commissioners in January 2008. Vice -Chair Singer referenced the MRPA conference that is being held next week. Staff Blank remarked about the new inflatable slide in the dome and early returns say it is very popular. Commissioner Smith stated it is a nice element for older children and that Staff might want to consider more publicity to market that feature. 7. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATION None presented 9. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Commissioner Knight to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Commissioner Smith. Vote - 4 Ayes. Motion approved and the meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm There will be no meeting the month of December. Meetings will reconvene on January 10, 2007. Respectfully Submitted, Mary Miller PRAC recorder Page 5 of 5