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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 01-10-2008MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING January 10, 2008 PRESENT: Commissioners: Knight, Anderson, Smith, Vice -Chair Singer, Vanderwall Staff: Blank, Miller, Evans ABSENT: Commissioner Krahulec, Planning Commissioner Weir, City Council Member Bildsoe, PACKET INCLUSIONS: Agenda, 11/08/07 Minutes, Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan, 2008 Work Plan, Hilde Performance Center Concept Plans 1. CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers by Vice -Chair Singer. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice -Chair Singer asked the Commissioner if there were any changes or corrections to the November meeting minutes. Commissioner Anderson asked that verbiage on page 4 be revised to read adjacent to" rather than "on". MOTION by Vice -Chair Singer to approve the minutes with revision noted. Commissioner Smith seconded. Vote: 6 Ayes. MOTION approved. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Association No information was presented. b. Staff- Diane Evans Staff Evans reported on the Parks and Recreation events that took place in December. She addressed the upcoming events for the month of January. Evans provided a brief background on the Bluewater Theater group, which will be offering several performances of a "Grand Night in Singing". Events scheduled to take place in February include Fire and Ice. This event has been cancelled over the last two years due to weather issues. Evans shared the different activities offered at this event. She asked the Commissioners to contact her if they wish to volunteer their services to assist with this event. Vice -Chair Singer asked what date and time Fire and Ice will take place. Evans replied it will be on February 2, 2008 from 2:00 pm -7:00 pm. The main administrative project in the works is the 2007 Annual Report. The Commissioners will be reviewing the draft at the February meeting. New Park and Trail maps are now available. Evans passed one out to each of the Commissioners. Evans gave kudos to Emily Assmus, who worked diligently on this project. Evans presented the New Program Focus and redesign for program supervisors for 2008. A new position, Adaptive/Inclusion Specialist has been posted. Applications are being received with the expectation to have someone on board by February. Evans also shared the break down of each programmer and their responsibilities for 2008. She informed the Commissioners that each programmer will attend a PRAC meeting to review their events and programs. MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING January 10, 2008 Vice -Chair Singer thanked Evans for her report. She asked if reorganizing the programmer's responsibilities was a long process. Evans responded by saying it took approximately one year. No further questions or discussion. c. Bill Abel- Ice Arena Report Staff Blank introduced Bill Abel to the Commissioners. Abel has been the manager of Plymouth's Ice Arena over the last ten years. Blank reported that typically the PRAC members would hold their October meeting at the Ice Center for a tour, but due to the Comprehensive Plan and its deadline date of December 13, 2007, that was unable to happen. Abel is here tonight to give the Commissioner a brief update on the Ice Center operations for 2007. Staff Abel provided a summary on the length of operations and the changes that have taken place at the Ice Arena. The Commissioners were given details regarding the addition of a third ice sheet. It was noted that even with a third sheet, Plymouth's Ice Arena has very limited dead ice time. Abel reviewed the various groups who utilize/rent the three sheets of ice. He informed the Commissioners of other attributes that contribute to the success of the Ice Arena, such as their concession stand, strategically placed TV sets that inform users what sheet they are on, what time and which locker room as well as an aesthetically pleasing building. In terms of health, Abel pointed out that no gasoline or propane is used at Plymouth. Their three Zambonies are electronically run. This provides for cleaner air for those that attended events at the Arena. Abel also addressed the advertising that takes place within the Ice Center. He shared the energy saving installs that will decrease electrical costs by 15%. Abel asked for questions. Commissioner Knight stated that he played Adult Hockey in a league that travelled to different Ice Arena's and how impressed teams were with Plymouth's facility. He then questioned if there was enough parking, especially during large tournament events. Abel replied that for the most part, parking is not an issue. There are times, on Thursday's when there is a high profile boy's high school game, where games coincide with peak work-out times at Lifetime. This can cause parking challenges, but again it is generally not an issue. Commissioner Smith commented how he feels the Ice Arena is a great facility and asked if there were still video games available for children downstairs and if were age appropriate. Abel replied that they do have gun videos, however, you are not shooting at animals or people, but instead are target shooting. He went on to state that there was a wrestling video game in which blood was involved, but that has since been removed. Abel informed the Commissioners that the Home School rents out time during the weekdays and had pointed out the violence of the videos. They even requested that KS95 not be broadcast during their time at the Arena due to music content and programming. New installs of games have included Claw games, in which children try to pick up prizes by using an electronic claw, as well as the old PAC Man video game. He informed the Commission that video games used to be a big money marker for the Arena, but with the inventions of quality home devices such as Wii and X box, incoming revenue numbers for Arena video has decreased. Commissioner Smith asked if the games come with a rating. He stated that all games should be rated E for Everyone. Abel replied that he believes the videos currently installed at the Arena were built before there was a rating system. Page 2 of 5 MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING January 10, 2008 Staff Blank requested that Abel further address the hockey teams that have contracts with Plymouth's Ice Arena. Abel reported that the Ice Arena is home to Wayzata High School, both boys and girls, Armstrong High School team with the boys playing two -years and the girls playing two -years. With the boy's contract up this year, contract negotiations will begin shortly. Providence Academy who also contracts ice time has begun a more regimented hockey recruitment process which could make them a power house in three to five years. The Ice Arena also houses the Wayzata Hockey Youth Association, some of Armstrong's Youth Hockey and the Plymouth -Wayzata Speed Skating Club. This collection of groups is unique as Plymouth has no high school or hockey associations, as do other city arenas. However, these groups keep the three sheets going year round. Blank added that adding the third sheet of ice arena and its associated costs were not paid for with tax -payers dollars. Providence Academy donated $1,250, 000 dollars and the Wayzata Youth Association donated 725,000. Other monies came from a loan secured from city investments. The loan notes are made through the Ice Arena's profits. Blank continued that Plymouth's Ice Arena plays host to approximately 10-11 tournaments mostly through the Wayzata Youth Hockey Association. The Ice Arena has also hosts a tournament in which Minnesota's high school hockey regions most outstanding players compete to make it to Nationals. With all these functions, the Ice Arenas generally has approximately 300,000 people passing through its doors. Blank informed the Commissioners they will be touring the Ice Center for their October meeting. Vice -Chair Singer thanked Abel for his presentation. 4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION a. The City Council approved PRAC'S recommendation for the PHASE II Millennium Garden Project. They also adopted the Comprehensive Plan which has now moved into the neighboring community approval process. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Update on Comprehensive Plan Staff Blank reported the Comprehensive Plan had gone back to the Planning Commission for a formal public hearing. Throughout the whole process, the only subject matter that was debated was that of the Hollydale Golf Course verbiage and the City's involvement. The verbiage has been revised to somewhat reflect how it was stated in 2000. He reference page 11 of 48 in the Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan booklet that the Commissioners received. He noted that this issue is still a high priority item. He also informed that Commissioners if they are interested in reviewing the Comprehensive Plan in its entirety, they may do so on the City's website. If they are interested in obtaining manual copies of any other chapters, he asked they contact Mary Miller. Vice -Chair Singer asked the Commissioners if they had any questions. With no questions, the meeting moved to the next topic. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Review Draft 2008 Work Plan Page 3 of 5 MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING January 10, 2008 The 2008 Work Plan draft was provided to the Commissioners. There is no action required from the Commission at this time; however it will come back for review at the February meeting. Blank walked through the plans line items. Blank highlighted the Northwest Greenway by stating there are two parcels with offers on the table at this time. One has committed and a purchase agreement should be entered into shortly. The other parcel just recently received an offer. Further updates will be forthcoming. Blank informed the Commissioners that the City Council reviewed three Hilde concepts. The goal is make the Hilde Performance Center the focus point of downtown Plymouth. He stated that engineering and planning staff were not included in the development of these plans but as the Council approved of the concepts, these departments will be involved in further plan development. As this project moves forward, presentations will be provided to PRAC for their input. Commissioner Smith asked if the development of Woodland Trails Neighborhood Park would be starting this year. Blank replied that it is almost done. He stated that the playground equipment is in and it should be completed by spring. He shared that the parks lay out resembles Three Ponds Park. Vice -Chair Singer questioned where we were in terms of the art policy since we will be acquiring a piece of art or sculpture for the Millennium Garden. She felt that the Art Policy should be part of that process. Blank stated the City Manager asked that the continued work on the Art policy be placed on hold for the time being. He continued to state that the current Art Policy draft will be followed in obtaining the new art work. Vice -Chair Singer stated that we need to get this policy into place. She also asked if there was going to be a continuing art theme in the Garden. Blank replied that currently there are characters of children; however, they can go any direction with more abstract art being considered. If Commissioners have ideas for types of art to look into, they should inform Staff. Evans interjected that the Art Policy will become more of a procedure rather than a policy and that is why they need to revise the original draft. Vice -Chair Singer asked about an additional dog park. Blank stated that there are no plans to add one at this time. That was an option based on if Egan Dog Park would be moved based on the Comprehensive Plan. Vice -Chair Singer then asked if there were any plans to enhance Egan Dog Park. Blank stated that they could consider adding a water pump. Vice -Chair Singer added that parking could become an issue as the popularity of the park continues to grow. Blank replied that issue will remain on the radar. He is relatively sure the dog park will be there long term based on the Comprehensive Plan. Questionnaires may go out to dog owners as well as discussions with Three River Parks District to get their ideas on enhancements for the park. Vice -Chair Singer asked where we were in terms of rebuilding the archery range. Blank stated that they have been awarded a $5, 000 grant from the DNR and now have the mechanism to build. He believes it will take all summer to complete the project. He would like to see a completion commitment date of June 1, 2008. He also stated that he would like to see us do more programming with the range. A 2008 challenge for the new staff member could be to create archery and fishing programs. There was no further discussion. Page 4 of 5 MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING January 10, 2008 RIa—TA -Zil:nrerdZ!F. Blank reviewed each of the three concepts in detail with the Commissioners. Vice -Chair Singer stated how this could enhance other activities to take place there. Blank stated the City Council had some concerns about maintaining the wooded area. The plan is to inventory every tree and design work around both elderly and younger trees that must not be destroyed. The goal is to have the Hilde Performance Center the key stop for downtown. Vice -Chair Singer asked if the larger statues would stay. Blank replied that the birds are continually picking away at them. They may not be there long term. Blank asked for questions. There were none. 7. COMMISSIONER DISCUSSION- Misc. Vice -Chair Singer asked if the new caters had moved in and how it is going. Staff Evans replied that all is going well. Evans is finding all the caterers getting bits and pieces of events. She will keep the Commissioners abreast of the progress with each caterer. Blank reminded the Commission that they will be recommending a Chair and Vice -Chair at their February 14, 2008 meeting. This recommendation will go forward to the Mayor for a formal approval. Other February agenda items will include review of the 2007 Annual Report. Blank reported that he will not be at the February meeting. The City Council will also be approving new PRAC members in January 2008. Commissioner Smith asked how many new members would be voted in by the City Council. Blank replied since the Commission is comprised of seven members they will only be replacing Ron Fiemann. 9. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Commissioner Knight to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Commissioner Vanderwall Vote: 6 Ayes. MOTION approved and the meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm The next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 7:00 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Mary Miller -PRAC recorder Page 5 of 5