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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 02-11-2010MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING February 11, 2010 PRESENT: Commissioners: G. Anderson, J. Nelson, A. Vanderwall, M. Riley Staff: D. Evans, K. Greupner, D. Sankey City Council Liaison: B. Stein Planning Commission Liaison: D. Kobusson ABSENT: Commissioners: D. Anderson, N. Carroll, J. Zwack 1. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair G. Anderson called the meeting to order at 6:55 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion was made by Commissioner Vanderwall and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to approve the January minutes. Vote: 4 Ayes. Motion carried. 3. OPEN FORUM none 4. STAFF UPDATE: a. Staff Presentation. Karol Greupner explained that her primary focus is the arts programs and special events. The Plymouth Fine Arts Council was established 13 years ago in response to community interest in having an organization to promote the arts within the city. The City contributes $10,000 annually to PFAC. PFAC has a grant program, and the main recipient is the Plymouth Concert Band, which receives $5,000. It is directed by David Elmhurst and contains many semi-professional musicians and other band directors, as well as people who have played in high school and college and want to continue performing. We are very proud of the band. They typically perform three outdoor concerts for us during the summer and have concerts at Wayzata High School and Wayzata Community Church. The Art Shanty Project, which is held at East Medicine Lake Beach, also received a PFAC grant. PFAC also sponsors art exhibits at City Hall and the Plymouth Creek Center. February is Elementary Art Month at the Plymouth Creek Center. We have two Jazz events sponsored by PFAC. Tomorrow night, Jazz Impressions will be held at the Black Box Theater in the Plymouth Creek Center. Desserts, coffee, and wine are available during intermission. Jazz in Plymouth will be held on Friday, August 6, with two bands playing this year. The 14th Annual Primavera will be held in April at the Plymouth Creek Center. We expect over 80 adult and 60 student artists. PRAC Minutes/February 11, 2010 Page 2 We are sponsoring a city-wide read program right now. A book was chosen, Population 485, a true story by Michael Perry about his small home town. Citizens are encouraged to read the book and get together to discuss it. On March 13, there is an event from 10 to noon at Firehouse 3 where the book will be presented, emphasizing Mr. Perry's volunteer firefighter connection. The author will appear at Literary Night at Primavera, April 19, to discuss the book. We have had a good response to the program. The banner competition is coming up, and a call to artists has gone out. Last year was the first time for high school students to be included. Superintendent Evans asked about the PFAC board. Karol said it is a non-profit 501 C, and it works very well. A lot of collaboration goes on between PFAC and the City. Jackie Maas works on recruiting board members when there is an opening. The board includes business people, a retired Wayzata High School theater instructor, banking industry members, a realtor, and a retired CPA who serves as treasurer. It is a varied group of people who work together well. In another related organization, the Friends of the Arts members pay an annual fee to belong, which gives them several perks, such as a special opening night Primavera event just for them. Vice -Chair G. Anderson asked where you could buy the book. Karol said it is available at several locations, such The Bookcase in Wayzata, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Borders. b. Upcoming Community/Special Events Superintendent Evans said this year's Fire & Ice was a great success, with between 3000-4000 people attending. The Rotarians' Ice Fishing contest went well. The fireworks were a great way to end the night. On Sunday, February 7, the Seniors sponsored their Belgian Waffle Breakfast fund raiser. About 400 people attend, and they raised about $1000 for the senior programs. The Healthy Living Fair is coming up on March 14 from 1-4:00 p.m. This is a free event featuring a variety of health care and fitness providers. West Health Medical is our major sponsor for the second year. The Bridal Fair occurs on Saturday, March 20, from 1-4:00 p.m. Admission is $2 in advance and $4 at the door. With 50 weddings scheduled at the Millennium Garden in 2010, we should have a good turnout. We have the 10th Annual Yard & Garden Expo on Friday and Saturday, April 9 and 10. Admission is $3, with ages 15 and under free. Nationally known chef, Brenda Langton from Cafe Brenda will be featured. Primavera is also coming up in April. Our summer brochure will go out in early March. Registration starts March 16 for residents and March 23 for non-residents. Commissioner J. D. Nelson asked about the Little Sweetheart Ball. Evans said this will be held on February 19. It is a parent- child event, and many people like to dress up for it. c. 2010-2014 CIP Superintendent Evans said the Council approved several of the 2010 projects in the CIP: trail and parking lot repair, a playground replacement at Shiloh Park, and new and additional fencing at various parks, including Egan Dog Park for small dogs. PRAC Minutes/February 11, 2010 Page 3 Planning for the Northwest Greenway was approved at $25,000. SRF will begin the preliminary planning, such as logistics of trail location and how the trails will move through the property. They will also look at an underpass for Cheshire Lane. Barry Warner from SRF will come to talk about the planning process at a future PRAC meeting. The pedestrian bridge over the water quality pond project at West Medicine Lake Park was approved. Also approved was the Skate Park replacement project for 135,000. The facility is 10 years old now and is becoming outdated. Youth will assist in design and selection of the equipment. Commissioner G. Anderson commented that he feels it is a good idea to add fencing for the little dogs at the Dog Park. d. Department Organizational Chart Superintendent Evans said one of the new commissioners had requested an organizational chart, so she provided it for all of the commissioners for their information. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Welcome New Members Vice -Chair G. Anderson welcomed new Commissioner Riley and asked other commissioners and liaisons to make introductions and say a few words about themselves. b. Commission Information & Roberts Rules Superintendent Evans explained that she provided in the packet some information on the commissions and Roberts Rules. She asked the commissioners to wait to be called upon by the Chair to assist the person taking minutes in knowing who is speaking. c. Desiqnate Chair & Vice Chair Vice -Chair G. Anderson suggested that since so many commissioners are missing tonight, we should vote on Chair and Vice -Chair at the next meeting. Other commissioners concurred. d. Up -Coming Commission Meetings Superintendent Evans presented an agenda of upcoming meetings, showing general discussion topics and which months would not have meetings. Vice -Chair G. Anderson entertained a motion to approve the meeting agenda. MOTION was made by Commissioner Riley and seconded by Commissioner Vanderwall. VOTE: 4 Ayes. Motion approved e. Going "Green" with Commission Packets Superintendent Evans presented the idea of saving staff time, cost and resources by delivering the packet materials to the commissioners electronically. Staff may still provide some printed materials as needed when commissioners come to meetings. Vice -Chair G. Anderson felt it was a good idea and asked how long the information would be on the website. Evans explained it will be on the website for years, as it is PRAC Minutes/February 11, 2010 Page 4 historical data that must be retained. Commissioner Nelson felt the idea was even more than being "green" - it is saving the city money. Commissioner Vanderwall agreed that it is an excellent idea. f. Annual Report & Work Plan - requesting approval Superintendent Evans presented the annual report and asked if there were any questions or comments. Commissioners Nelson and Riley did not have any changes. Vice -Chair G. Anderson asked if there was a place in the report to add the mission statement. He feels it is a great statement, and it should be included. Evans said it could be added to the first page. Commissioner Riley asked whether the chart about the breakdown on ethnicity on page 11 matched the profile of the general city population. Evans said she didn't think it strayed too far from the census information. She will look into this and provide the information in the next packet. Evans said page 24 has a change on volunteer statistics. She pointed out the information on trail counts. This captures how many community members are using the trail system. The Ice Center, Plymouth Creek Center and Fieldhouse users are being counted now, too. The Fieldhouse had a count of 60,000 in January, and the Ice Center had 62,000. Councilmember Stein asked whether you get counted twice if you go down the trail and then come back. Evans said yes, you would. Vice -Chair G. Anderson said it is nice to know the numbers and to see what the usage is. Evans said that Three Rivers Parks has a standard formula to use for interpreting this data. We will meet with them to discuss the formula and its use. Vice -Chair G. Anderson entertained a motion to approve the annual report and work plan with changes as noted. MOTION was made by Commissioner Vanderwall and seconded by Commissioner Nelson. VOTE: 4 Ayes. Motion approved. 6. COMMISSIONER UPDATE Commissioner Nelson reported that because of the concession stand that was built at Zachary Playfield, baseball participants have to sell $50 less in raffle tickets for their fundraiser this year. There is a possibility that they may not need them at all next year. 7. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair G. Anderson entertained the motion to adjourn. MOTION was made by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Commissioner Riley. Vote: 4 Ayes. Motion approved. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. The next meeting will be held on May 13, 2010 in the City Council Chambers. Donna Sankey - PRAC recorder