HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 05-12-2011MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
May 12, 2011
PRESENT: Commissioners: G. Anderson, N. Carroll, M. Riley, A. Vanderwall, J. Vecere,
K. Wyse
Staff: E. Blank, D. Evans, D. Sankey
Planning Commission Liaison: D. Kobusson
ABSENT: J. Zwack
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Carroll called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION was made by Commissioner Anderson and seconded by Commissioner
Vanderwall to approve the February minutes. Vote: 5 Ayes. Motion carried.
Note: Commissioner Riley arrived after the vote.
3. OPEN FORUM
4. STAFF UPDATE:
a. Staff Presentation: Jackie Maas, Volunteer Coordinator
Jackie Maas presented the Volunteer Program Annual Report. She said that 2010 was
a fantastic year. We had 1,400 volunteers donating 27,000 hours, the equivalent of
approximately 13 full time employees. The majority of time was in Parks & Recreation,
which was an integral part in the success of our department. It shows pride and
ownership of our neighborhoods. We had 714 volunteers give 15,000 hours, for an
equivalent of $320,000 in Parks & Recreation alone.
We updated our database last year to a program called Volgistics. The upgrade was
led by a volunteer, Jean Anderson, who lives in St. Paul. She is experienced in
Volgistics. She contributed 232 hours on the upgrade. Another 40 hours were put in
by two other volunteers. It is a huge leap forward technologically for us.
Chair Carroll asked if the teen volunteers are YES students. Maas said some of them
are, but not all. Also, not all volunteers live in Plymouth. In fact, residents of 28
different communities have served as volunteers.
b. Staff Presentation: Travis Karlen, Recreation Supervisor, "Arts"
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Travis Karlen explained that his primary focus is arts programming, including dance,
music lessons, playgrounds, Friday activities, art classes, and the Entertainment in the
Park series. He is the liaison for the Arts Council, which recently rebranded to PAC,
Plymouth Arts Council. PAC's signature event is Primavera. We had 70 adult and 50
students display their art this year. Participation was down a little bit this year, perhaps
because the Hopkins Art Fair coincided with ours. We recently held the 5th annual
public art banner competition. We had 21 individuals enter, and PAC decided to make
banners from the top three in each category plus honorable mentions. We will have 26
new banners for exhibiting on the streets.
We have a great response to our sponsorship program - $20,000 has been donated
for programs. We couldn't do these programs without it. Superintendent Evans
mentioned that in the past, we never received more sponsorships than about $5,000.
Prairie Fire Theater had 70 participants last year and we turned away 30. This year, we
are offering two plays, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. There are only a few
openings left. We are offering the Mad Hatters Tea Party, a preschool program for
parents and children with an Alice in Wonderland theme.
Chair Carroll commented on how impressed he is with Travis' programs.
c. Receive 2010 Annual Report and Work Plan
Superintendent Evans discussed the Annual Report, which was handed out to the
commissioners. She said this is the version approved by PRAC at their February
meeting.
d. Bassett Creek Regional Trail
Superintendent Evans said we would turn over the 36th Ave trail to Three Rivers to
manage and bring to their standards. They want to incorporate it into their overall trail
plan. The trail also goes through New Hope, Golden Valley, Crystal. Commissioner
Anderson noticed that there was a June 14 open house for the project. Evans said
Three Rivers will have public meetings for the people in the neighborhoods.
e. Gold Medal Award
Superintendent Evans reported that we applied for this award in 2003 and 2004 and
were named a finalist both times but not picked. We are again a finalist and have great
hopes for this year. It will be awarded at the National Conference. We must produce a
video to supply to the committee, and Northwest Television is working with us to get
this done. Chair Carroll noticed that none of the past winners has been a #1 city..
Evans said this is certainly a plus for us, and only one other finalist has accreditation.
Carroll noticed that the winners seem to all be Midwest cities. Evans said that Illinois
has park districts and taxing authority so they can do big projects. The National
Conference is November 1-3 in Atlanta.
f. CIP Project Updates
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1) Playfield Lighting
Superintendent Evans explained that playfield light projects were in the CIP as
individual projects starting next year, updating one park at a time over nine
years. If we had done it by that process, we probably would have depleted the
Park Reserve Fund. Staff was creative and packaged it into one big project in
2011, and the savings was great. The plan is to use the Community
Improvement Fund to make a loan to the Park Replacement Fund, with
payback over ten years. Council gave approval. The project has slowed down
a bit because of weather. Commissioner Anderson asked if the contractor is
picking the order of the projects. Evans said we picked the order and chose
Zachary and Elm Creek to be first. We recently met with the associations to
give them an update on the projects. Chair Carroll asked about the new lights.
Evans said the lights are designed to keep the light from seeping into the
neighborhoods as much as the current lights. This is a huge benefit for the
community. There will be energy savings from the new lights. Also, the lights
can be turned on by staff from home by computer. Commissioner Vecere
asked about the timing on the Zachary project. Evans explained that because
of new fields being lit, we must go to Planning for a conditional use permit. The
fields will be completed one at a time to be as non -intrusive as possible.
Commissioner Vanderwall mentioned he doesn't really like turf fields. Evans
said we need to provide some because of groups wanting to use the fields so
early in the season.
2) Hilde Performance Center
Superintendent Evans reported that we are having a problem with the ground
being wet at the Hilde. We are trying to get things done where we can. We have
a section of trail to do, plantings, electrical, and the fountain. It is going to be
tough to get it done by Music in Plymouth. The Civic League asked Council to
approve the installation of an endowment monument on the site. The intention
of the endowment is to provide money to keep Music in Plymouth going into
the future. Al Hilde provided $200,000 seed money for the endowment.
3) Zachary Skating Rink
Superintendent Evans said this was in the CIP, and the whole package came in
under the $240,000 budget. The project will look very similar to the Plymouth
Creek site. Planning Commissioner Kobussson asked how the Plymouth Creek
site worked out. Evans said they poured the concrete so late in the year that
the cement didn't cure adequately before ice season. The concrete would heat
up and melt the ice. The ice got better later in the season. We want to get the
concrete poured earlier this time around.
5. NEW BUSINESS
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a. Potential Trail Projects
Superintendent Evans explained that over the years, we have been putting in trail
projects based on neighborhood requests or safety issues. We want to start filling in
the gaps. It is always harder to put trails in people's back yards. We will probably do
an open house for whatever trail PRAC selects.
The Medina Road trail goes from the Greenwood Park entrance to Yellowstone Lane.
It provides access to a school.
The Carlson Parkway trail is off 494 and Xenium Lane. There is a lot of use by people
walking on a dirt trail there. Planning Commissioner Kobusson asked on which side of
the road the trail would be located. Superintendent Evans said the south side. Chair
Carroll asked if there have been any requests or opposition. Evans responded that
there have been no requests, and since we haven't publicized, there is no opposition
at this time.
The Old Rockford Road Trail is from Vicksburg Lane to Dunkirk Lane. This one is
difficult to pave, and the estimate is over $300,000. It would affect a lot of people's
front yards and back yards.
Chair Carroll asked if we have a sense of how much the Carlson Parkway trail would
cost. Evans said that we think it will be within our budget of $130,000. He asked if the
department has a preference. Evans replied that we don't, but Medina trail has been in
the queue longer. Commissioner Riley said she thought the Medina trail was more
interesting. Commissioner Anderson asked if Old Rockford Road is up for any
improvement. Evans said we could check on this. Anderson said it would be wise to
wait on that trail until after any road project.
Evans pointed out that there is a section of trail planned along County Road 24, but
the County has said that road will be improved in the future, so we are waiting on our
project
Evans asked if the commissioners had a preference among these projects. They
agreed that the Medina Road trail looked like the best choice. Evans said we could
invite the neighborhood to our next meeting to get feedback. Carroll said he was also
interested in the Carlson Parkway trail because it was close to a school. Evans said
we could invite that neighborhood also.
MOTION was made by Commissioner Riley to ask staff to do more development of
information on the Medina Road and Carlson Parkway trails and invite neighborhoods
to come to a meeting to give feed back. Commissioner Anderson seconded. Vote: 6
Ayes. Motion approved.
Commissioner Anderson asked about a trail along Vicksburg Lane and Rockford Rd.
Superintendent Evans said that area belongs to Comcast, and typically, the
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landowner is responsible for building a sidewalk. Chair Carroll also pointed out a
stretch of road along Co 6 west of 101 as a possibility.
b. Skate Park
Superintendent Evans reported that staff and City Council are interested in moving the
location of the Skate Park to Plymouth Creek Park. This is the center of Plymouth.
Director Blank has always felt that when we have only one of something, it should be
in the central park — Plymouth Creek. The A location on the map is the old hockey
rink. The B location is the old archery range. Council likes the A location. It is more
visible and easier to patrol. Commissioner Vanderwall said he agreed — the archery
range is too isolated. Evans said that the Hilde Center is being used by the
skateboarders extensively right now. Chair Carroll asked if skateboarding is an
activity that will continue into the future. Evans said she used to wonder about this,
too, but the demand is still really high. Commissioner Anderson asked if roller bladers
could use the skate park too. Evans said she anticipates roller bladers and perhaps
bikers could use it. Commissioner Wyse said in his former city, they built a skateboard
park. The police officers would park nearby to write their reports to be visible and
foster a good relationship with the kids. Commissioner Riley asked if we would shut
down the current site. Evans said yes, although we may move some of the pieces to
other parks. Most of the equipment is in pretty bad shape, however.
c. Plymouth Dog Park
Superintendent Evans stated that we have hired a designer for the Dog Park parking
lot. We are not sure yet if the entrance will be adjusted or not. It might be aligned with
the driveway across the street. The County may require us to add a third lane to the
road for the entrance if we move it, so we won't move the entrance if this is the case.
6. COMMISSIONER/STAFF UPDATES
a. Director Eric Blank spoke on the transition taking place in the department upon his
retirement. We have had several other staff members also leaving this past year. The
transition has been well planned out. We have top-notch employees, and they will
handle it well. The Commission is an integral part of the department's success.
Commissioners have been committed to making the City of Plymouth a good place to
live. A meeting was held this week with the Council to discuss the future of the Parks
system. We looked back to 1980 and gave a walkthrough of the history of the
department. Superintendent Evans put together a powerpoint presentation on what is
in our future. Neighborhood parks, trails, a playfield, and our largest project, the
Northwest Greenway are still coming up. Nobody else has done anything quite like
the Northwest Greenway. It is nature -oriented through the entire 71/ miles. A lot of
work is ahead — many key decisions need to be made. Blank is really pleased that we
have more money now than we have ever had because we have managed it well. We
have $300,000 in the Park Dedication Fund and $4.5 million in the Park Replacement
Fund. The Dome has been a moneymaker for us. The Ice Arena has needed some
repairs, but we have never needed taxpayer's dollars to pay for them. Not too many
ice arenas have accomplished this. We have money in the bank to be used to keep
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the Arena looking nice and in good repair. The Recreation Fund has close to $500,000
on hand. We can probably take less tax dollars in the upcoming budget and still grow.
My message is thank you for what you are doing," Blank said.
Chair Carroll said his hat is off to Eric. Eric has always been fair minded and helpful to
the neighborhoods, and he is greatly appreciated. We will really miss him.
Commissioner Riley said she struggles to find anyone else who can look back on their
body of work and feel as satisfied as Eric should.
b. Superintendent Evans reported that we are working with Plymouth Creek Christian
Church on Vicksburg and old Rockford Rd. The church is interested in partnering with
us for community gardens. We currently have 87 garden plots at our original site, with
46 on the waitlist. We are suggesting that the Church take up the lead on the project,
and the city will just consult.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Carroll entertained the motion to adjourn. MOTION was made by Commissioner
Vanderwall and seconded by Commissioner Riley. Vote: 6 Ayes. Motion approved.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
The next meeting will be held on June 9 at the Plymouth Creek Center.
Donna Sankey - PRAC recorder