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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 12-12-1991Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission December 12, 1991, 7:00 p.m. AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of Minutes 3. Visitor Presentations a. Athletic Associations b. Staff c. Others 4. Report on Past Council Action a. b. 5. Unfinished Business a. b. C. d. 6. New Business a. Review draft of sidewalk and trail plan b. C. d. 7. Commission Presentation 8. Staff Communication 9. Adjournment Next regular PRAC meeting - January ?, 1992 Minutes of the Park'and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting October 10, 1991 Page 37 Present: Commissioners Anderson, Johnson, Waage and Wahl; staff Bisek, Blank, Greupner and Pederson Absent: Freels, Gutzke, Watson 1. CALL TO ORDER Acting Chair Anderson called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Council Conference Room. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Wahl and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to approve the minutes of the September 12 and July 23 meetings as presented. The motion carried with all ayes. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Associations. None were present at this meeting. b. Staff. Karol Greupner, Recreation Specialist, introduced herself to the Commission and stated she has lived in Plymouth for 16 years. Prior to working for Plymouth Park and Recreation, she worked for the Chaska recreation department. She worked for Plymouth in the late 70's and early 80's as a fitness instructor, and in 1989 was hired as a part-time recreation specialist, supervising and coordinating pre- school programs, the summer concert series, the adult getaway trips, pedestrian club and one-time workshops on things such as arts and crafts. She also co -coordinates the Music for Everyone program, which offers private piano, voice, guitar, clarinet and saxaphone lessons, and is offered in Plymouth as well as several other surrounding communities. A new program she is responsible for introducing to Plymouth is a "Happy Birthday Party," offered for four to six year olds. This activity is held at Parkers Lake Pavilion on Friday afternoons, 4-6 p.m. Entertainment is provided by the "leader," and the parents provide the party decorations, refreshments and gifts. Karol wrote, and was awarded, an $1,800 state arts grant to help fund the International Folk Arts Festival, which will be held at Wayzata East Jr. High on Saturday, March 21, 1992. It will feature five different ethnic troupes performing throughout the day, as well as ethnic folk artists who will be displaying and selling their crafts and ethnic foods. Another new program Karol is establishing is the Corporate Fitness Challenge, which involves fitness competition among the employees of companies located in Plymouth. Employees compete against other employees within the company for fitness points, and then companies of the same size will compete against each other. The Employees of the Month are two individuals Karol supervises, Jan Burkhartzmeyer and Julie Ylinen, a pre-school teacher and a Hennepin October 1991 PRAC Minutes Page 38 County librarian. They teach the pre-school specials for ages 3-5, offered once per month throughout the year. Some of the class titles have included Creepy Crawlers, Dinosaur Search, Jungle Safari, and coming up this month and next, Halloween Hobgoblins and Plymouth Pilgrims. Two sessions are offered each month, usually on a Saturday morning, and almost always fill to their capacity of 20. Mary gave a brief rundown of some of the programs coming up this fall and winter, including the Goblin Walk scheduled for October 19, which is co-sponsored for the first time this year by T.J. Maxx. The Goblin Walk relies on the help of about 50 volunteers, several of whom are juniors and seniors at Armstrong High School. Our Gym, Swim & Movie event is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, October 17 & 18, at Wayzata East Jr. High. These are school release days for Osseo, Robbinsdale and Wayzata schools. This year, in order to accommodate families living in north Plymouth, we will provide free van service, with pick-up at Zachary Elementary. Our 4th Annual Old Fashioned Christmas event is scheduled for Sunday, December 8, and the fourth annual Fire & Ice Festival is scheduled for Saturday, February 1, 1992. The first organizational meeting for the Fire & Ice Festival is set for Wednesday, October 16, 4 p.m., and Mary invited commissioners to attend if their schedules permit. Mary announced that the annual MRPA conference is coming up in November. The board and commission workshop is scheduled for Nov. 20. Mary had several statistics to report on summer programs. Classes offered in June, July and August totaled 287, of which 223 were actually held, with a total participation of 3,469. Swimming classes totaled 105, with 648 children participating at Wayzata East. Over 5,400 children attended the summer puppet shows. Eighteen non - swimming programs were contractually offered for the City of Wayzata, with nine of them running. Sixty Wayzata residents participated in the tennis program, and 596 enrolled in the swimming lessons offered at Wayzata West. Visitors at Parkers Lake beach totaled 31,168 with 17,188 patrons visiting East Medicine Lake beach. The Wayzata beach had a total count of 33,231. C. Others. 4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION Three bids were received for the construction of the neighborhood park improvements, with the lowest being $288,000. The Council deferred awarding the bid, however, until after the Housing and Redevelopment Authority can hold a public hearing on the use of HUD money for 1992. That hearing is scheduled for November 7. Following that, Council may award the bid, but it is not expected that any major work on these three parks will get underway this year. Some dirt fill has been hauled into both Shiloh and Gleanloch parks, and some trees have been removed from the 10th Avenue park site. Barber Construction is making excellent progress on the six trail projects and is expected to be finished by October 18 with all but one segment. October 1991 PRAC Minutes Page 39 Shingobee Builders hopes to have the Bass Lake Playfield completed by November 8, except for seed and sod. Crews have also been very busy at Parkers Lake playfield and are making good progress. The tunnel running under County Road 6, which connects the playfield to the City park, is expected to be open by October 25. Bids will be opened on October 15 for the restoration of the silos at Parkers Lake playfield and also for the installation of lights at the Parkers Lake skating rinks. As part of the 1991 capital improvement program, new bridges are being installed in Four Seasons and Fazendin neighborhood parks. Director Blank has been negotiating with Tom Forester for the purchase of his property west of Zachary Playfield. Mr. Forester is anxious to have this settled by January 1, and Eric is confident this can be done. The Council previously authorized these negotiations. The City Council will be appointing a water quality task force to deal with issues such as milfoil. Eighty more acres of milfoil has been discovered in Medicine Lake. Milfoil now also surrounds the entire perimeter of Parkers Lake. Parkers will be treated with a new chemical next spring called Sonar, known to kill milfoil. It is not harmful to fish. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Review of field rental policy, Continuing the discussion started at last months meeting, Director Blank offered three possible options for charging youth athletic associations. Option 1 would be to continue with the current rental policy with some slight modifications, option 2 would be to drop all fees, and option 3 would involve charging for extra -ordinary maintenance items, such as field striping. Director Blank reminded the Commission that the rental policy has been in effect since 1982, and came about as a result of the report prepared by the Mayor's Task Force on Park and Recreation Program Financing, a copy of which was provided to each commissioner. Because of the high demand for use of our facilities, it was decided this past year, that only Plymouth groups could rent our fields. It was the consensus of the commissioners present that a fee of some kind is fair and reasonable for youth associations running tournaments on Plymouth fields. Mark Wahl recommended that the City continue with the current policy of a basic rental fee, plus charging for extra- ordinary maintenance. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WAAGE TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL THAT THE CITY CONTINUE TO CHARGE YOUTH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS AS THEY HAVE IN THE PAST. Tom Johnson feels that Plymouth's current fees are excessive and should be reduced somewhat. He pointed out that the survey presented last month showed that Plymouth charged more than any other city to run a similar tournament. He believes that the soccer association October 1991 PRAC Minutes Page 40 should be charged no more than $1,000 to run their tournament. Commissioner Anderson withdrew his motion at this point, because discussion was strongly favoring reducing the basic rental fee. Director Blank suggested that the Commission might want to choose a specific dollar figure for an hourly rental rate. Mary Bisek commented that the Plymouth -Wayzata Soccer Club made a choice last summer to run a tournament that called for three extra fields and the use of lights. They have the option to reduce their costs by scaling down the tournament and not using extra fields and playing only during daylight hours. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WAAGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JOHNSON TO RECOMMEND THAT THE COUNCIL APPROVE A RENTAL POLICY FOR 1992, WHICH LOWERS THE HOURLY RATE FOR YOUTH ASSOCIATIONS TO $5 PER HOUR, BUT CHARGES 100% OF THE DIRECT COSTS FOR EXTRA MAINTENANCE. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH FOUR AYES. Director Blank briefly reviewed the Joint Powers Agreement with School Dist. 284 that was established in 1973 to govern the use of school facilities. In 1984, a supplementary agreement was established for the tennis courts at Oakwood and Wayzata East,. which stated, among other things, that the City could charge for any costs incurred to operate said tennis courts, as long as the City did not charge the School District for district sponsored activities during school hours. A second supplementary agreement was signed in April, 1980, for the Oakwood playfield facilities. In reference to the committee that was to have formed, Director Blank indicated that said committee has never formally met as far as he knows. The recommendation made at the September meeting on eliminating the $5 non-resident fee, and the recommendation made at this meeting on lowering the tournament rental fees, will be in a report that will be presented to the Council on October 21. Director Blank will inform the youth athletic association representatives of this meeting. Commissioner Waage and Wahl said they would try to attend the Council meeting, and Director Blank will also talk to Commissioners Freels, Gutzke and Watson. Commissioners Johnson and Anderson both have previous engagements on October 21. 6. NEW BUSINESS None. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION None. 8. STAFF COMMUNICATION Director Blank asked if the commissioners had any topics they would like to address at future meetings, because he did not have any pressing items at this time for the November or December agendas. He stated that Strgar- Roscoe-Fausch is preparing a report on sidewalks and trails, which may be ready by the November meeting, in which case PRAC could meet to discuss that report. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Regular Council Meeting October 21, 1991 Page 416 j • , c•.vu u .uv i iv w i- v ou cil emb r VdS EIPOU, to ado RESO UTION AYME T O. 8 AND FCT680 RE UEST F R P NT N0. 8 FINAL, FINAL ROJEC OESTRKSANIARSEWER - P I, CITY 014 NO. 014. Item 7-P Motion carried on a roll call vote, five ayes. Park Director Blank stated bids have been received for rink lighting at Parkers Lake Park. He recommended award of the bid to Metro Electric in the amount of $24,473 for the installation of a three pole system. He stated the issue of lighting was addressed in response to a request from the Plymouth Speedskating Club; however, lighting was previously included in the plans. There is tremendous general public use of this facility. The Park and Recreation Advisory Commission recommended installation. Councilmember Vasiliou asked how the City would regulate and/or communicate that this facility is multi -use so that open skating and speedskating can coexist. Director Blank stated the facility would be listed in the park facility guide available to the public. A calendar is kept of events scheduled through the park department, i.e. skating lessons. These dates are posted in the pavilion. Councilmember Vasiliou felt it is important that the organized events of the Speedskating Club be recognized and placed on the event calendar. In response to questions from Councilmember Zitur, Director Blank stated that complaints have not been received from abutting residents concerning the music played for skating. The attendants try to play a variety of music. Councilmember Vasiliou asked if signage was proposed on the speedskating track? Director Blank responded, no. Regular Council Meeting October 21, 1991 Page 416 ION mad byunci! tuber icker, !cont Cou til emb r Vas'liou, to ado RESO UTION 680 RE UEST F R P NT NO. 8 FINAL, T ST R K SANI AR SEWER - P I, CITY CT NO. 014. Motion carried on a roll call vote, five ayes. Park Director Blank stated bids have been received for rink lighting at Parkers Lake Park. He recommended award of the bid to Metro Electric in the amount of $24,473 for the installation of a three pole system. He stated the issue of lighting was addressed in response to a request from the Plymouth Speedskating Club; however, lighting was previously included in the plans. There is tremendous general public use of this facility. The Park and Recreation Advisory Commission recommended installation. Councilmember Vasiliou asked how the City would regulate and/or communicate that this facility is multi -use so that open skating and speedskating can coexist. Director Blank stated the facility would be listed in the park facility guide available to the public. A calendar is kept of events scheduled through the park department, i.e. skating lessons. These dates are posted in the pavilion. Councilmember Vasiliou felt it is important that the organized events of the Speedskating Club be recognized and placed on the event calendar. In response to questions from Councilmember Zitur, Director Blank stated that complaints have not been received from abutting residents concerning the music played for skating. The attendants try to play a variety of music. Councilmember Vasiliou asked if signage was proposed on the speedskating track? Director Blank responded, no. 014 Item 7-P 8 Regular Council Meeting October 21, 1991 Page 417 Councilmember Ricker stated he is in favor of the lighting -installation, but questioned the recommended funding from the Park Dedication Fund. The Council previously supported funding this project from DARE funds. He suggested that the project cost be funded 75 percent from DARE funds, and 25 percent from park dedication funds. Manager Willis stated there may be a problem using the DARE funds, some of which is drug forfeiture money. The forfeiture money may only be available for specific purposes in the police department. Public Safety Director Carlquist stated that drug forfeiture funds can only be used for capital expenditures or further enforcement efforts. Councilmember Ricker stated he doesn't want to award the project bid until funding is identified. MOTION was made by Mayor Bergman, seconded by Councilmember Ricker, to award the bid for rink lighting at Parkers Lake Park to Metro Electric, with funding from General Fund and to direct staff to advise whether funds can come from another source. SUBSTITUTE MOTION was made by Councilmember RESOLUTION 91-681 Ricker, seconded by Councilmember Vasiliou, to APPROVING LIGHTING adopt RESOLUTION NO. 91-681 APPROVING LIGHTING FOR PARKERS LAKE FOR PARKERS LAKE SKATING RINKS, with funding from SKATING RINKS the DARE funds. Item 7-Q Councilmember Vasiliou asked Speedskating Club organizer Greg Oly what efforts have been made to solicit funds from other cities where club participants are from. Greg Oly stated that most club participants are Plymouth residents. The first year he personally funded the club. Last year the club raised 4,500. This year he anticipates raising enough funds to cover the program costs. He stated this program has not been funded or run by the City. The police department or the DARE program is not involved in administrating or running the program. Lighting at Parkers Lake will benefit Regular Council Meeting October 21, 1991 Page 418 the general public, not only the Speedskating Club. He said the Club provides free skating instructors to the public. If the Club is practicing, anyone is welcome to participate and the Club is open to members of any age. In response to a question by Councilmember Ricker, Mr. Oly stated the program is promoted through the Plymouth Park and Recreation Department. The City maintains the ice. Councilmember Ricker predicted the program will continue to grow, and stated that if it is a Park and Recreation program, it may eventually be part of the regular program budget. Councilmember Zitur stated he supports using DARE funding for the lighting. The skating program is proactive toward keeping children occupied and away from drugs. Councilmember Vasiliou agreed, stating that the Council was advised that the Speedskating Club originally was an extension of DARE. She felt the lighting installation would be a very appropriate use of DARE funds. Motion carried on a roll call vote, five ayes. Mayor Bergman asked whether in-house park department staff has been trained in irrigation work, such as the proposed installation of an irrigation system for Ridgemount Playfield. Park Superintendent Peterson stated that park staff has been trained in irrigation work and has installed irrigation systems at several City facilities. The City will rent the necessary equipment. Councilmember Vasiliou stated that several other cities have received community organization donations for this type of work. She asked if staff has considered looking to local groups for donations on similar projects? Manager Willis stated some donated services have been received in the past from local clubs including the Lions Club and Optimists Club. Regular Council Meeting October 21, 1991 Page 419 MOTION was made by Councilmember Ricker, seconded by Councilmember Vasiliou, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 91-682 APPROVING CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITION IRRIGATION AT RIDGEMOUNT PLAYFIELD. Motion carried on a roll call vote, five ayes. RESOLUTION 91-682 APPROVING CONSTRUCTION OF IRRIGATION AT RIDGEMOUNT PLAYFIELD Item 7-R MOTION was made by Councilmember Vasiliou, 1992 Field Rental seconded by Councilmember Zitur, to defer the Fees and $5 PRAC recommendation on 1992 Field Rental Fees and Nonresident Fee 5 Nonresident Fee to budget study sessions. Item 7-S Motion carried, five ayes. Libby Fairchild, 1725 Weston Lane, urged the Council to study the issue. She stated that many children participate in programs in other cities, including her own child. She thanked the Council for reducing the tournament fees earlier in the year for the Plymouth Soccer Club. The fees are now more in line with other communities. MOTION was made by Councilmember Vasiliou, RESOLUTION 91-683 seconded by Councilmember Zitur, to adop APPROVING// RESO TION NO. 91-683 APPROVING DISBU MENTS FOR ISBURSE)Q6 TS FOR THE PE'OD ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1991 P IOD LADING Motion Manager Willis appealed the F on a roll call ated that Code Com of the Fire Inspeb or, Fire/Chief Safety Director wit resp t to a sprinkling of the ba me of the located at 4130 Highwa O1 d/b/a Liquor. five ayes. F. Hughes has determination and Public variance from business Party Mart James E. Tiller, 145 amel Road, Hamel, represented Robert ghes. r. Tiller stated that a sprinkler s' stem was quired for a basement of 2,500 q. ft. or 1 rger in 1973, when the building was onstructed. a current Code requires a sprin ler system forN- basement of 1,500 sq. ft. o larger. The buil ing is about 1,584 sq. ft. He provided a copy o a letter to Kevin Leiser f om the State Fire Marsh 1. The letter indic ted that the Fire Marshal es discretion i situations of.pre-1983 bui ding T em 7-U Hughes f Fire Distinction in Design, Inc. 14264 23rd Avenue North, Plymouth, Minnesota 55447 • 612/550-1138 • FAX 612/550-1349 December 3, 1991 Mayor Kim Bergman City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth MN 55447 Dear Mayor Bergman, It has been a great experience for me serving on the PRAC advisory commission. I have learned a great deal about city government and also the contributions made by many voluntary citizens groups in making Plymouth a Star City. In my three years as a commissioner, I have seen Parker's Lake expansion, the development of Bass Lake Park, Swan Park, Shiloh, Greenlock, 10th Avenue Park, improvements in our trail system and other park improvements completed or being completed in 1992. It is with regret that I resign from PRAC as chairperson effective December 31, 1991. The Freels' have built a new home in Florida and we plan to spend several months each year there. I would be unable to perform the duties as required for such an important position. I want to thank Mr. Erlc Elank and his staff for the wonderful help and support they have given me and the other PRAC commissioners. My thanks to all PRAC Commissioners, and my best regards to you and the City Council members. Sincerely, Frank H. Freels Chairperson PRAC FHF/jj cc: Mr. Eric Blank CIN OF November 6, 1991 PLYMOUTR Mary Davidson 1870 Glacier Lane Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Mr. Davidson: Thank you for your letter requesting the addition of horseshoe courts and bocce ball facilities at the Parkers Lake Playfield. Your letter is being forwarded to the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission and the City Council. At the present time, I cannot say if these facilities will be added to the park, but I can assure you that your request will be considered. Thank you again for your interest in recreation facilities for the citzens of Plymouth. If I can be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact me at 550-5131. Sincerely, Eric J. Blank Director of Parks and Recreation EJB/np cc: City Manager Park Commission 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000 r .r 8 O er Zane CITY OF November 26, 1991 PLYMOUTR Edwin A. Sufka 1850 Ithaca Lane Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Mr. Sufka:: Thank you for your follow up letter to our phone conversation with regard to the silos at the Parkers Lake Playfield. As we discussed, the current master plan for the playfield site does call for the silos to remain as part of the overall plan. However, the City Council has not awarded any contracts for work to be done on improvements to the silos as of this writing. I anticipate that we will begin soliciting bids on this work for Council review sometime next April. In the meaintime, I have forwarded your letter to both the City Council and the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission, so they are aware of your concerns with this issue. As we discussed on the phone, it is my belief that the silos are an historically significant structure in the community and worthy of our efforts to retain them. The City Council is the body that eventually will have the final say as to whether or not the silos are demolished or refurbished. This decision will be made by the Council at the time that they have an actual cost estimate for doing this work. I'm sure they will consider your input at that time. This is one of those issues on which people have diverse opinions. We realize that, and hope that whatever decision is ultimately made, it will be based on what the Council believes to be in the best interests of the total City. Thank you for taking the time to write, and if you would like to discuss this issue with me further, I can be reached at 550-5131. Thank you and have a happy holiday! Sinnccierely, An^ Eric J. Blank Director of Parks and Recreation EJB /np cc: City Manager 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000 Eric Blank Director Of Parks And Recreation City Of Plymouth City Center 3480 Plymouth Blvd. Plvmnuth^ Minnesota 55447 November, 4. 1991 Re: Parker's Lake Mayfield Dear Mr. Blank: Edwin 8 Sufka 1850 Ithaca Lane Plvmouth, Minnesota 55447 REFERRAL TO; CITY MANAGM QTYC4UNCIL PUBLIC WORK railELIO JR!M-lr mP[0TCR ANNI|&JDNgVIOR 51kEPT8M PARK%}IAIW|S'-i'O@ X!vY/K|0IOlY ODif: H__`~~~-^~ 7,7 I was quite surmrised to see that the site Plan for the above mroject shows that the old workhouse farm silos will be retained as a permanent part of the p3ayfieJd" You indicated that this was doe for the most oart to their historic siom1ficamcc,. I could understand this arqument if the wonderful old barn was still attached~ As they now stand, the silos present a very unpleasant eyesore. and J cannot imanine a coat of paint chamgina this. Will their existence serve anv useful purpose? Every red --blooded Plymouth boy between the ages of seven and fifteen will probably assume that they have been retained as a personal challenge to be cl mbed and coo uere" 0ne can only imagine the number and size of persona3 injury claims just waittno out there to be filed a0ainst the City. The most likely use for this unsiuhtiv structure will probably be the official location for Plymouth's first araffiti board" I can see it mow: "Wayzata - Class of 93»^ Better keep lots of paint on hand" I sincerely hope that the Department of Parks and Recreation will review their decislon and determine that it is in the best interests of the City and its residents that these silos be demolished - Very trulv yours. Edwin A. Sufka "