HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 10-11-2012MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
October 11, 2012
PRESENT: Commissioners: G. Anderson, N. Carroll, M. Riley, A. Vanderwall, J. Vecere, K.
Wyse
Staff: D. Evans, B. Northway, B. Abel, D. Lauer, D. Sankey
Planning Commission Liaison: D. Kobusson
City Council Liaison: G. Black
ABSENT: J. Zwack
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 Vanderwall and seconded by Commissioner Wyse
to approve the September minutes.
Vote: 6 Ayes. Motion approved.
3. OPEN FORUM
Chair Carroll mentioned that it is the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting. The Girl Scouts
are having clean-up event at the Hilde Center and Parkers Lake Cemetery this weekend.
4. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS (NON -ACTION ITEMS):
a. Staff Presentation — Bill Abel, Plymouth Ice Center Manager
Bill Abel welcomed the commissioners to the Ice Center. We are the home of Wayzata
High School and Providence Academy hockey teams. In the past, Wayzata girls did
not practice here, but they have picked up a lot of the open time since Armstrong left.
We did lose some revenue for games and concessions, about $5,000 per year. We
have had calls from Armstrong Youth Hockey looking for some hours.
Rinks A and B are now 15 years old, and they are starting to age. We will have some
capital expenditures coming up. Rink C is eight years old. We are looking at changing
Rink A from Olympic to professional size. The youth programs just do not want to use
the Olympic size rink anymore. Some groups would rather go with later times on the
other sheets than use the Olympic size rink. We would bring in the far side of the rink,
which would create a 20% savings on energy. Chair Carroll asked if temporary
bumpers could be put up. Abel said that Wayzata Youth Hockey has these bumpers,
but they do not like to use them because it is not very stable. We have talked about
drop-down netting, a $9000 project. We decided against it because the checking
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function does not work well with the less than stable boards. Another issue is that Rink
A has a sand floor and needs 3" of ice. The other floors, which are concrete, need just
1 " of ice. The dirt expands and contracts more and pushes through the paint. It is also
quicker to make ice on the concrete floors. We saved $50,000 by going with the sand
floor at the time of building the facility. It would cost $500,000 to change it now. The
freon refrigerant is another issue. It would cost $20,000-$30,000 to replace it if the
freon is lost. It is scheduled to be taken off the market. We are looking at going with
ammonia. We use this with Rink C, and it works very well.
Our revenue still exceeds expenses. We have had $1.2 million in revenue so far this
year with expenses of $800,000. We have put away $1 million so far for capital
improvements. Once Rink C is paid off, $154,000 per year will be added to our profit.
We installed a new cooling tower, which was purchased two years ago at a good price
and then stored. When it was needed, we were able to install it without losing any ice
time. We will replace the speakers in front of the bleachers. We just installed the brand
new scoreboard last week. It will be running by next week. The old one operated on a
DOS system and was very out of date.
Director Evans asked about the air quality issue. Abel said everything is run on
electricity, so we have not needed to do air testing. The Health Department will now
start to require air testing. They will mandate that we purchase a license from the
Health Department and be certified. Staff must have training "just in case." Chair
Carroll asked about cost. It is $300 per rink. The League of Minnesota Cities is trying
to combat this. If we run a lift or something gas powered we will have to take the air
test, and we will need to buy the equipment to do it. Councilmember Black asked
whose rules these are. Abel said the rules are from the State Health Department, but
the county will run it.
Abel explained that for over 15 years, we have had Lifetime Fitness members coming
in and skating free during open skate times. If the people have a card, we cannot tell if
it is current or how many of the kids they bring along are actually theirs. We probably
lose about $5,000 with the free skating program. We are now requiring the members
to go to Lifetime first to get a pass before they can skate free. We are still working out
a few kinks in the system, but it should work well.
Abel thinks we are the second busiest rink in the state, with Blaine being the busiest
with eight ice sheets. Commissioner Wyse asked if it is beneficial to have Lifetime
here. Abel thinks it is beneficial for the city, but not necessarily for the Ice Center.
Parking is a big problem at times. The Ice Center contributes a lot to the community
economy because of the approximately 500,000 visitors we have each year.
5. COMMISSION / STAFF UPDATE (NON -ACTION ITEMS):
PRAC Minutes/October 11, 2012
Page 3
a. 2012 Work Plan Progress
Director Evans spoke on the work plan and the progress we have made.
Commissioner Anderson asked about trail usage and tracking of numbers. Evans said
we just got new equipment to track usage of the trails, and it will be reported in the
annual report.
b. County Road 73 / Zachary Lane Open Space
Director Evans reported on the acquisition of 5.12 acres, which connected to
previously acquired land. In the future, we hope to acquire land to connect this piece
to LaCompte Playfield. This area will not be developed with asphalt trails, but will
perhaps have mowed trails in the future. Councilmember Black asked about the
parcels. Evans said there are two or three parcels, which could be picked up when
future development is started.
c. Hampton Hills Neighborhood Park
Director Evans said SRF has been brought in to develop a design for this park. We are
sponsoring an open house at Taylor Creek Club for the neighborhood on October 25
for people to drop in, ask questions and give their input. We have had many calls
from residents requesting the park to be done. Space at the Taylor Creek Club is
fairly small, but we wanted to have the meeting on site. If a couple of the
commissioners could attend, that would work well. We will let you all know what
information is gathered. Typically, a neighborhood park does not have as many
amenities as a city park. Examples would be a playground, some open space for pick-
up games, a basketball court, perhaps a picnic shelter, and some trails. We want to
be inclusive in letting the neighborhood have some input.
d. Training Facility at the Plymouth Ice Center
Director Evans reported that on Sept 18, we went to Council for authorization to apply
for a grant to build the training facility. The purpose of the grant is to encourage
expanding or construction of youth sport facilities. The facility would not just be for
hockey — it is for all sports. Since it would be at the Ice Center, the hockey
associations would be prime users. Wayzata Hockey has pledged $100,000 for the
project, Providence $10,000, and Wayzata High School Boosters $1,000. This could
change if we get the grant. Acceleration Minnesota would be the partner. They are
now located in another part of town. Their lease of the space would provide valuable
revenue for the Ice Center. The cost for the project would be about $960,000. Many
ice facilities already have this type of training facility in place. Chair Carroll asked if
Evans had a sense of what the grant would be if we receive it. She thinks we have
enough support and need, and knowing the total cost of the project, we could qualify
for a higher amount. Commissioner Anderson asked about the space. Bill Abel said it
would be a block wall space, and Acceleration Minnesota would bring in the
equipment. Carroll asked whether anyone from the public could use the facility. Abel
said yes, anyone. It is a great source of non -ice revenue. We need to keep the money
coming in for years to come. Carroll asked if Evans had a sense of how we will score.
She said our application last year for the turf was scored well as a good viable project,
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but we did not get it. They did say the training facility grant application was well
written. They will start to go over the applications next week. Anderson asked if it is
built, could it ever be expanded. Abel said there is probably not enough room. We
would not be taking away any parking or green space with this project. He mentioned
that there are other back-up possibilities if Acceleration Minnesota were to leave.
Other groups are interested in leasing the space. It would be a good facility for many
years to come.
e. Upcoming Community / Special Events
Director Evans gave an update on trails. The sidewalk on County Road 9 and
Vicksburg is under construction. The Northwest Boulevard project is encountering
easement issues. Business owners along the route do not want to give easement
unless they receive compensation. The City has never done that. The project probably
will not go in this year. She suspects that many trail gaps we have in the city could
have similar problems in the future. We have started working on a Hennepin County
Gap Grant to fill gaps identified by the county. The 2014 project is a gap on County
Road 6, and it is one of the ones identified by Hennepin County. We have a short time
to pull together the grant application, as the deadline is November 1.
Plymouth on Parade was a great day — beautiful weather. We estimated about 4,100
participants. We did get some complaints from residents about too many politicians
in the parade. It would be hard to say no to their applications.
Halloween at the Creek is on October 31, the Bridal Expo is November 3, and the Pet
Expo is November 3 & 4. Dan Lauer explained that this is our first — hopefully annual —
Pet Expo event. We have 25 vendors now. We also have competitions — a sanctioned
Flyball tournament and a Disc Dog tournament. Some teams are coming from as far
away as Canada and Nebraska. Commissioner Anderson asked if it will be publicized
on the electronic signs. Lauer said it already is. He will be doing something with Dave
Kaiser from Channel 12.
6. NEW BUSINESS (ACTION ITEMS):
a. Neiqhborhood Park Name
Director Evans asked if the commissioners had any ideas or comments on the naming
of the new Hampton Hills Park. Commissioner Riley asked about Taylor Hills because
it does use parts of the names of both developments surrounding the park. She also
said Fairway Greens respects the fact that it was once a golf course. Deputy Director
Northway described the park site as being in a bit of a valley and lined by maple, oak
and tamarack. Evans mentioned that it does connect to the Northwest Greenway.
MOTION: Commissioner Riley moved to name the new neighborhood park Fairway
Greens Park. Chair Carroll seconded the motion.
VOTE: 6 Ayes. Motion approved.
PRAC Minutes/October 11, 2012
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7. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Carroll entertained the motion to adjourn. MOTION was made by Commissioner
Vanderwall and seconded by Commissioner Vecere.
Vote: 6 Ayes. Motion approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
The next meeting will be held on December 13 in the Council Chambers
Donna Sankey - PRAC recorder