HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 05-14-2009MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
May 14, 2009
PRESENT: Commissioners: G. Anderson, D. Anderson, A. Vanderwall, N. Carroll, J.
Nelson
Staff: E. Blank, D. Evans, J Maas, E. Anderson, D. Sankey
City Council Liaison: B. Stein
Planning Commission Liaison D. Kobusson
ABSENT: M. Smith, P. Knight
1. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair G. Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. in the Council
Chambers.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion was made by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to
approve the March minutes with changes noted. Vote: 4 Ayes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Vanderwall arrived after approval of minutes.)
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations: None.
b. Volunteers: Jackie Maas spoke on the volunteer program. We had a fantastic year
in 2008, with a 14% increase in participation from 2007. Volunteers supported all of
the city's departments. The majority support Parks & Recreation, about 72%. We
had 897 volunteers working 14,943 hours for the Parks Department. This was
equivalent to $291,000 or 7.2 full time equivalent employees. The volunteers are an
integral part in the success of the Parks Department. They report needed
maintenance and graffiti in the parks and perform many tasks from clerical to
coaching youth sports. Volunteers performed over 800 special event shifts at events
such as Fire and Ice and Yard and Garden Expo. They also helped with
maintenance such as painting and rebuilding features in parks. Volunteers also help
in other departments such as the Police Chaplains, Fire Department administration,
and Finance Department data entry and filing. Commissioner G. Anderson
mentioned how amazed he was at the increase in the program. Jackie said we have
phenomenal people in the area who want to contribute their time.
c. Teen and Inclusion Programs: Erica Anderson spoke on her program areas.
Adaptive and inclusion provides a service to people in the community who have
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Page 2
children with special needs. We work with the REACH Consortium to provide
programming such as bowling and social outings and dances. We have also
partnered with Upstream Arts and McPhail for programming. For inclusion services,
children sign up for mainstream programs, and we provide assistance so they can
take part. We provided inclusion services for 197 individuals in 2007, 241 in 2008,
and probably more in 2009. We currently have 129 kids for this summer. The
special needs can include several things, such as allergies, asthma or autism. We
have four seasonal staff to help with inclusion in the summer.
Erica also talked about her teen programming, including fun programs like paint
ball, the Lower Level events, and the TAG teen advisory group. An event that is
coming up is Party Like It's 1919. TAG is run by teens - kids who want to get more
involved - some of whom have moved on from the teen volunteer program.
Erica partnered with Regina Michaud in producing the Yard & Garden Expo. It was
very successful, with 1125 participants and over 100 exhibitors. Bobby Jenson and
Heidi Hyland were key speakers. The Spring Eggstravaganza egg hunt was
introduced this year. Erica's education courses include German and Spanish
classes and financial classes sponsored by a local financial firm. The youth and
adult golf leagues have over 100 participants each. The extreme sports programs
include a Boundary Waters trip, a rock climbing trip, and a trip down the St Croix.
Commissioner G. Anderson asked about TAG's focus. Erica answered that it was
getting teens more involved and civic minded. They will be volunteering at the non-
profit Feed My Starving Children.
d. Staff: Superintendant of Recreation Diane Evans mentioned that in April and May,
Jackie placed 355 people into volunteer positions. She provides a unique service in
Plymouth. The City Sampler took place in April and over 400 people attended . The
Winged Iris sculpture was unveiled in the Millennium Garden in April. It looks very
nice from the ballroom windows. Our13th annual Primavera had over 950 people
attend and over 80 artists with 155 pieces of art. The quality of the art was very
impressive. Adult softball has started with 64 men's teams and 32 co-rec teams.
The Bridal Fair had over 100 visitors. The seniors hosted a senior volunteer
recognition breakfast. A new event is coming up — a bike ride to Minneapolis.
Commissioner G. Anderson is leading the trip. It will be about 13 miles each way.
Upcoming in May and June are 18 weddings, a Bar Mitzvah, and a 50th
wedding
anniversary. Staff is working on an athletic association fee policy. We are using a
trail counter, which is a device to count the number of walkers on a trail. A trail at
West Medicine Lake had just under 4000 walkers in seven days. The GIS system
can now show us the exact distances of trails. We have a total of 136 miles of trail
in Plymouth. On May 17, the Kids Garage Sale will take place. A competition called
Step to It Challenge will be starting next week. We are competing against other
cities to get our residents active. Entertainment in the Parks will be starting soon,
with 33 park events this summer. We had a very successful grand opening for the
Zachary Playfield Concession Stand. Dan Gladden and Joe Mauer were at the
event.
4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION
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Page 3
a. Approve Acquisition of Open Space Parcel: Director Blank reported that the
Council approved acquisition of six acres for the Northwest Greenway. We expect
to close on the purchase at the end of July. We are one parcel away from
completing the Greenway from Lake Camelot to Vicksburg Lane.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Update — Greenway: Blank said that he attended a study session with the Counci
to talk about the Greenway. We have acquired 11 parcels since 2000. Looking
ahead, we have about 11 parcels to go. Six of the 11 will probably be dedicated,
and the rest will be purchased. Because of the current economy, we are receiving
inquiries from people who are interested in selling their property. The last portion in
the eastern section may be acquired by the end of the year. We could start doing
design work on the eastern section as early as 2010.
b. Youth Sports Facility Fees Policy: Blank reported that we have had two meetings
with the athletic associations with good dialogue on the basic information regarding
potential fees. At the first meeting, we asked them to talk to their members. For the
second meeting, seven associations attended, and they had several ideas of how
they would like to handle it. Staff will draft a policy which we will email to the
associations and ask for comments. We will bring a draft policy to PRAC at the June
meeting and invite the associations to come and comment. If the Council wishes to
implement the policy, we will go through a formal process and let the associations
know for their 2010 seasons. Commissioner Nelson asked about using volunteer
work by the associations to offset some of the fees. Blank said he would not rule it
out. He explained that we are looking at three different types of fees: per -child, per -
game, and per -hour. We will try to keep it simple so everyone understands it.
Commissioner D. Anderson suggested that a per -participant surcharge would be
the simplest because the city would still have control of equipment and
maintenance. Blank said if we charge an hourly fee, associations could implement it
as a per -child fee. One of the things we are discovering is that groups take out
permits, and the fields sometimes sit empty. If they were charged for these hours,
they may be less inclined to book excess time. Commissioner Nelson asked if we
would loose children if the fees go up. Blank said that is an excellent point which we
need to discuss. We are developing information to present to the City Council.
c. Millennium Garden — continuing with phase 2 Director Blank reported that the
Plymouth Rotary is planning to donate $9,000 for a viewing platform.
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Recommend 2009 Trail Improvement Project: Blank explained that developers
build most of the city's trails as they are building homes. However, there are areas
where there are gaps in the trail system, and we build a project each year. There
are five trail segments being considered this year. The first trail is on the south side
of Bass Lake Road from Zachary Lane to Trenton Lane. The second trail segment
is on the north side of Rockford Road between Zachary Lane and Goldenrod Lane.
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Page 4
The third segment of trail would be on the south side of Medina Road from the
Greenwood School entrance to Yellowstone Lane. The fourth trail would be on the
south side of County Road 24 east of Highway 101 to 32nd Avenue. The fifth trail
would be from the Fire Station #3 on Dunkirk Lane to the Lowes retail development
along Vicksburg Lane. This trail would cross the wetland area.
Blank pointed out that due to the economy, we have no money coming in right now
for park dedication fees. It does not seem like a good time to do the big project
through the wetland area. Commissioner Carroll asked what components go into
cost. Blank said that it depends on the circumstances. If it is on a boulevard with
grass, the construction is simple. If we go through a wetland, there are a lot more
construction issues and challenges. Getting a paving machine into some sites can
be very challenging. The Bass Lake site would take about four days, while the
wetland site would take several months. Commissioner G. Anderson asked if since
the Bass Lake Road site is along a county road, could the county be asked to
contribute to it. Blank replied that we do talk to them about these projects, but we
generally pay 100% of trail development costs. Commissioner G. Anderson
commented that the wetland trail is a wonderful idea and it should not be dropped.
He liked the idea that Commissioner Smith had proposed of saving this year's
money and put it into next year's budget to have more money for the wetland
project. Blank said he is hoping we get some park dedication money in the near
future to help with this type of project. Commissioner Carroll asked about an
environmental impact study on the wetland project. Blank said that would have to be
done. A trail near Lowes would help provide access to the utility department for
water control. Commissioner G. Anderson asked if another department could
contribute towards the project if the project would be helpful to them. Blank said he
could check on it. He pointed out that Medina Road was in the plans since 1975. It
would have to cross this same wetland. It was hotly debated for many years, and
the Council finally removed it from the plan. The trail would have been built with the
road. Now we are facing building the trail, which is just about as hard as building the
road.
MOTION: Commissioner D. Anderson moved to approve the completion of the trail
segment on Bass Lake Road. Commissioner Vanderwall seconded.
Commissioner Carroll moved to table this vote because the Commission had barely
a quorum present. Commissioner Nelson seconded. Vote: 3 Ayes 2 Nays.
Motion to table carried.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION:
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION:
9. ADJOURNMENT
Vice Chair G. Anderson entertained the motion to adjourn. MOTION was made by
Commissioner D. Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Carroll. Vote: 5 Ayes.
Motion approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
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The next meeting will be held on June 11, 2009, in the Council Chambers.
Donna Sankey — PRAC recorder