HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 06-09-2011MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
June 9, 2011
PRESENT: Commissioners: G. Anderson, N. Carroll, M. Riley, A. Vanderwall, J. Vecere,
K. Wyse, J. Zwack
Staff: D. Evans, D. Sankey, A. Dehn
Planning Commission Liaison: D. Kobusson
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Carroll called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION was made by Commissioner Anderson and seconded by Commissioner
Vanderwall to approve the May minutes. Vote: 5 Ayes. Motion carried.
Note: Commissioner Wyse and Commissioner Vecere arrived after the vote.
3. OPEN FORUM
4. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS (NON -ACTION ITEMS):
a. Staff Presentation: Angie Dehn, Plymouth Creek Center Rental Coordinator
Superintendent Evans introduced Angie Dehn, the Rental Coordinator, and explained
that she is stepping in for Rick Busch, the Manager. Dehn presented the Fieldhouse
Annual Report for 2010. Commissioner Vanderwall asked if we have projections on
how the new Maple Grove facility will affect us. Dehn said we would definitely lose one
group, Maplebrook Blast. We have so much interest in the facility, that their hours will
be recouped by other users. We do want to stay competitive. Commissioner Zwack
asked how we compare to others. Dehn answered that everyone pretty much offers
the same service for about the same price.
Dehn provided an update on the Plymouth Creek Center. We are proposing that we
decrease the Friday rental rates and keep the other rates the same. Compared to
other centers, we are a little high and we don't want to price ourselves out of
competition. We are proposing $725 for residents and $1,030 for non-residents on
Fridays. Commissioner Vanderwall asked how much lower the new rates are. Dehn
said about $200 lower.
MOTION: Commissioner Riley moved to adopt fees as staff proposed. Commissioner
Zwack seconded. Vote: 7 Ayes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Riley said she had requested last year that the tone of the written
policy information presented to customers be changed and was wondering if she
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Page 2
could see it on line or elsewhere. She thought the materials were not as welcoming
as they could be. They are accurate and complete but could have a warmer tone.
b. Staff Presentation: Betty Hanson & Pat McGraw, Senior Council
Betty Hanson andPat McGraw spoke on behalf of the Plymouth Senior Council, which
represents all the activities offered to seniors in our city. The Senior Council's purpose
is to work with PRAC to provide programs for seniors. The senior participants are 55
and older. Offerings include a large variety such as Handycrafters, Woodcarvers,
Rockers, speakers, classes and trips. The seniors also participate in fund raisers, style
shows, computer classes, and an annual brunch to honor volunteers. Commissioner
Vanderwall asked where the Bike Club meets. Superintendent Evans said there is a
coordinator who picks out routes. Sometimes they meet at the Plymouth Creek Center
and sometimes elsewhere.
5. NEW BUSINESS (ACTION ITEMS):
a. Trail Projects - Carlson Parkway or Medina Road
Superintendent Evans said that every year we review potential trail additions to add to
our trail linkage. We do have gaps in the system and we like to fill the gaps to provide
safe ways for pedestrians and bikes to get around.
We are presently considering segments on Medina Road, estimated at $115,000 and
Carlson Parkway estimated at $125,000. The City typically puts trails in parks or right
of ways. In both of these cases, it would be in a right of way. Both locations have
plenty of room to put in an 8 ft trail, which can be constructed next to the curb or set
back.
Evans provided the Chair with comments she has received on the project.
Commissioner Vanderwall asked if the property is owned by the city. Evans said it is
road right of way. Commissioner Riley asked if we have usage statistics showing
which site is used most. Evans said we do not, although we do see that people are
using these areas. The Carlson Parkway site has a worn dirt path. Medina Road is a
two-lane road, which is rather busy, and it is near a school. Commissioner Vecere
noted that there is a trail system running through the area that looks kind of
cumbersome. The trail would allow people in the back quadrant to access the school
area more easily. He asked which proposal would have more of a positive impact on
its neighborhood and be useful for kids. Evans noted that there is a school in the
Medina Road neighborhood. There seems to be more kids using that road. Less
concern has been expressed so far from citizens in the Carlson Parkway area.
Commissioner Anderson said as a cyclist he wondered if any kids had to cross 494 to
get to school on Carlson Parkway. Evans thought probably not, but the convenience
store area nearby was probably the main place to go. Vanderwall noted that there is a
gymnastics gym in the area. Anderson said Carlson Parkway is also a busy road. It is
a four -lane road, and that is intimidating. Vanderwall asked if there were any accident
stats for the area. Evans said not that she knew of, but she had not done research in
that regard.
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Page 3
Yvette Burger, 3945 Yellowstone Lane N, said she built her home in 1994. She is very
concerned and totally against this trail. The money should go elsewhere since we are
lacking in services of police and other necessities. It is better to protect the children.
This is spending that we don't need at this time. They have neighborhood trails
already. She doesn't see that many people walking.
Evan Gaustad, 3925 Urbandale Lane N, said he was not entirely against the trail. He
has a sprinkler system that goes up to the road and sprinkles in towards the yard. The
path would increase traffic along the road. He would need his berm extended and
some privacy trees.
Sharon Taragos, 18375 37th Place N, is a member of the Homeowners Board of
Bridlewood. The association has spent a lot of time and money to make sure their
neighborhood trails are maintained. She thinks it is safer for the kids in the
neighborhood to use their trails. The association has not had any complaints about
the safety in the area. She doesn't think a new trail is necessary. It would be a
duplication of the trails within the neighborhood. She is also concerned about losing
part of the berm. She mentioned that Excel is going to move some power lines.
Commissioner Anderson asked if their trail belongs to the City. Parks Maintenance
Supervisor Lowell Luebeck explained that it belongs to the homeowners association.
Brian Malmquist, 13636 5th Avenue N, said he thinks the Carlson Parkway trail is
probably needed. He has about 24 feet between the curb and his trees and fence. He
would like to see the trail next to the street so it doesn't disturb his plantings.
Anil Singh, 18540 39th Avenue N, feels that we could probably use the money
somewhere else. He thinks the foot traffic is more inside the community, and there is
limited foot traffic on Medina Road. He is not opposed but would rather see the money
used elsewhere. He would like to see the speed limit on Medina Road slowed down
because it would lower the risk of accidents. Many parents are dropping off kids at
school. Many trucks are going in and out of the businesses across the street. It would
be better to have the commercial vehicles going into the businesses on a four -lane
street. Commissioner Vanderwall asked for clarification. Singh said he is not opposed
to trails, but it would be better to use the money somewhere else. He is afraid the trail
would not be used very much.
Su Gaustad, 3925 Urbandale Lane N, said she has seen a couple people every month
going through where the trail would be. The trail within the neighborhood is not
plowed during the winter, and she is not sure if the city trail would be plowed. She is
in favor of a trail but somewhat indifferent.
Yvette Burger said she is concerned about her property value. She has four 40 or 50
foot blue spruce trees, and it would be very costly to replace them if we build the trail.
She would be very disappointed if the trees are removed. She feels a speed bump
would be good to reduce speeds on Medina Road.
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Sharon Taragos said that in Bridlewood the trails are not maintained in winter time.
This involves liability issues for the association.
Anil Singh is concerned that the trail would attract people near his property who are
not neighbors and is wondering about needing to take safety precautions. He would
like to see an artist's rendering of what it would look like.
Evan Gaustad noticed that people fly down Medina Road, and he would like us to
consider lowering the traffic speed.
Superintendent Evans explained that the trail would be built with park dedication
money that cannot be used for police or any other use. It can only be used for new
park property development or enhancement. If a trail were put in, the sprinkler system
would be fixed for the homeowner. We would not provide a berm for screening. The
trail further down Medina Road is against the curb, and this probably would be too. It
would be maintained by the city. In Plymouth, 80% of trails are plowed so that there is
a way to get to schools and destinations in winter. We try to protect trees. The State
issues the speed limits. Citizens can present concerns about speed limits to the City
Council who can work with the State.
Commissioner Anderson said he witnessed a bicycle accident a few years ago. A
teenage driver was turning into a development with sun in his eyes and hit a bicyclist.
There is a state law that lets cities change a speed limit to 25 near schools.
Commissioner Riley had a question about the power company increasing the size of
the lines and whether we factored this in. Evans said the Engineering Department
provided the cost estimate, and they probably are aware of this.
Commissioner Zwack said he leans toward putting the trail in where there are less
developed trails already. The Medina Road area may be less in need. The Carlson
Parkway trail may be the greater need. Let the homeowners association continue with
what they are doing. Commissioner Riley agreed.
Superintendent Evans said she had a conversation with Drew Leonard who wished to
have a curb cut to access his back yard as part of the Carlson Parkway project. She
just found out that each property is allowed only one curb cut, which is the driveway.
Commissioner Wyse said he visited the sites and agrees with Commissioner Zwack
that the Carlson Parkway trail is more needed.
MOTION: Commissioner Zwack moved to approve the Carlson Trail project.
Commissioner Anderson seconded Vote: 7 Ayes. Motion carried.
Lowell Luebeck, Parks Maintenance Supervisor, said he does the maintenance on the
trails and feels the Carlson Parkway trail is a good choice. This may become part of a
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Page 5
regional trail sometime in the future. Chair Carroll wondered if the people in the
Medina Road area are aware of the trail system in the neighborhoods.
Bryan Malmquist asked how soon the project would be done. Superintendent Evans
said it now goes to the City Council. Notices to the abutting properties will need to be
sent out.
b. Plymouth Creek Center / Millennium Garden / Fieldhouse Fees
See section 4a.
c. Skate Park
Lowell Luebeck came to Plymouth ten years ago and Coon Rapids before that. He is
responsible for maintenance in the parks. We are considering creating a new skate
park. We first looked at putting the skate park back where it has been at the water
treatment plant area. However, it is not very inviting. The staff started looking at other
available sites. Eric had the idea of moving it to Plymouth Creek Park at the former
archery range. This spot is rather tucked away and not very visible, so we are now
considering the former hockey rink site. Since this is our central park, we want to
have a good variety of things to do there. We have pulled the boards from the old
hockey rink that is next to the new concrete poured hockey rink. We have gathered
input from skaters and have held meetings with vendors. The type of skate park we
are looking at is a "plaza type." Because of the size of the project, we will not need
Watershed District approval. The Engineering Department has worked on grading
plans. We hope to have Council approval to award the bid on July 26. Bids go out the
end of June.
Superintendent Evans said it would be great for the commissioners to be involved in
the neighborhood open house that is coming up. The budget is $210,000. Bids will be
for the best skate park for this budget amount.
Commissioner Zwack said he lives on Plymouth Creek Park. He will abstain on voting,
but he will attend the open house. Evans asked if he sees any problems. He said the
archery range site is pretty tucked in. The hockey rink location is a very good one.
We will probably incorporate canopies for shade like we do on some of the
playgrounds. We have planned ahead for possible future projects nearby so that the
land is well used.
Commissioner Anderson noticed references to skate park and open skate. Luebeck
said that open skate refers to the winter ice skating usage.
MOTION: Commissioner Vanderwall moved to approve continuing the skateboard
project. Commissioner Riley seconded. Vote: 6 Ayes. Motion carried.
Note: Commissioner Zwack abstained.
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d. Model Rocket Code Change
Diane said this request is coming from the Police Department. They have had
complaints about the sound coming from gas powered model rockets. Our current
code does not cover these. We are proposing to add a few words to the code to
define this issue
MOTION: Commissioner Riley moved to support the adoption of the wording for the
Model Rocket Code as supplied by staff. Commissioner Anderson seconded.
Vote: 7 Ayes. Motion carried
6. COMMISSIONER/STAFF UPDATES
o Plymouth Dog Park
Superintendent Evans explained that we wanted to realign the entrance into the dog
park with the driveway across the street. The County has approved the location, so we
can move along with the project of paving the driveway and parking lot. It still needs
to go through the Planning Commission and City Council. We anticipate starting work
on the project in August or September.
o 2012-2016 CIP Draft Review
Superintendent Evans explained that the 2012-2016 CIP Draft is not available to hand
out quite yet because she is still working on it. She will email it to the commissioners
to start reviewing. The City made a big commitment to update lighting in the parks,
and we have budget commitments for the next ten years. We have scheduled
250,000 each year to go toward the lighting project. It will affect how much money
we can spend from the CIP. Upcoming are renovations of playgrounds, a new trail for
the Northwest Greenway, a splash park at Plymouth Creek Park, and replacement of
field turf at Plymouth Creek Center. There is the potential acquisition of land for a tenth
playfield. Chair Carroll asked if we have a location for this. Evans said it is the Begin
property. Every year we have had dollars in the CIP for trails. The strategy for the next
few years is to put in $200,000 every other year. This allows us to do more difficult trail
segments.
o Upcoming Community/Special Events
Music in Plymouth is June 29. This is the grand opening of the updated Hilde
Performance Center. Movies in the Park starts next week. Megamind is the first movie
on June 15. Six movies are scheduled
o Eric's Retirement Flyer
Eric Blank's party on is June 23 from 4:30-6:30. Ellie Singer will speak on behalf of the
Commission. Commissioners can submit comments to Superintendent Evans who will
pass them on to Singer.
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7. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Carroll entertained the motion to adjourn. MOTION was made by Commissioner
Riley and seconded by Commissioner Vanderwall. Vote: 7 Ayes. Motion approved.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
The next meeting will be held on September 8 in the City Council Chambers.
Donna Sankey - PRAC recorder