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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 03-11-1993Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission March 11, 1993, 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. Picnic shelter fees approved b. Handicapped playground C. Annual report 5. Unfinished Business a. 1993 CIP 1) South Shore Drive landscaping 2) Trails 3) Handicapped playground update b. Community survey - review C. d. 6. New Business a. Review fees charged by other communities to athletic associations for field use and tournaments b. Review athletic association storage space issue C. 7. Commission Presentation 8. Staff Communication 9. Adjournment Next regular PRAC meeting - April 15 Ord Thursday) Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting February 11, 1993 Page 6 Present: Commissioners Anderson, Burk, Gutzke, Johnson, Mikula, Wahl and Watson; Councilmembers Edson and Tierney; staff Bisek, Blank and Pederson 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Anderson called the February meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Council Conference Room. Director Blank introduced the new commissioner, Lynn Mikula. Lynn works for Opportunity Workshop, enjoys playing broomball and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, with a degree in Recreation. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Gutzke and seconded by Commissioner Wahl to approve the minutes of the January meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Associations. Councilmember Tierney introduced a number of athletic association representatives who had been invited to attend the meeting to discuss a variety of concerns. Loni Gradick, representing the Plymouth Soccer Association, reported that over 1,000 children will participate in their program this summer, and 100- 200 parent volunteers will help out. She indicated that their concerns include adequate storage space for over 1,500 worth of soccer equipment—and-having-the-City-work-- more closely with them. She indicated that their organization is very greatful for the coaching clinics that have been conducted by Recreation Supervisor Cindy Anderson, and for the ongoing support provided by other staff members such as Recreation Supervisor Rick Busch and Soccer Coordinator Greg Finn. Jim Gleason, representing the Plymouth -Wayzata Traveling Soccer Program, stated that they will be sponsoring their 16th annual soccer tournament this summer. He indicated that although they have adequate storage facilities, they are not very convenient, because they are located at Klaprich Field in Wayzata. He further stated that he would like the City to build a better working relationship with their organization and invite them to participate when, and if, new soccer fields are planned. He also wanted the City to know it is the opinion of the traveling soccer group that the fees charged to rent soccer fields and lights is too high. They feel that since they are a community based group, with 90% of the participants being Plymouth kids whose parents pay taxes, PRAC Minutes/February 1993 Page 7 they shouldn't be charged rental fees. He went on to explain that he understands that lights and maintenance are costs the City incurs for them, and that their organization would be willing to pay reasonable and fair fees. When asked by commissioners how many teams enter the tournament and what they are charged, Mr. Gleason responded that last summer 158 teams participated and were charged $175 per team. Forty-nine of those teams were either from out of state, or from communities outside the metro area, and he is confident that this number will continue to increase with each new tournament. He feels that this tournament brings upwards of a $100,000 into the Plymouth community, what with hotel accommodations, gas, food, etc., and based on this, the City should take on more of an ownership role toward this tournament and entirely eliminate, or at least reduce, the field rental fees. By comparison, Mr. Gleason explained that the City of Burnsville hosts a very large soccer tournament every year and does not charge field rental fees. Councilman Edson agreed that the City has a responsibility to provide fields free of charge to the community's youth athletic groups for their normal day- to-day practices and games, but not necessarily for tournaments, since many of the participants are from outside the community. Director Blank asked Mr. Gleason if they receive any contribution from the hotels, such as $5 for every room rented during the tournament, which is a fairly common practice. Mr. Gleason indicated that they don't get any actual money, but the hotels take out ads in the tournament program, which is their way of supporting the tournament financially. Commissioners asked staff how much the rental fees amount to for the summer soccer tournament. Director Blank responded that it was approximately $3,000 which included the actual per field rental, lights, field attendants and special needs, such as lining the new fields on an as needed basis for the tournament. Mr. Gleason stated this amount is out of line, and he was confident that field lights do not cost the City $20 per hour. Director Blank responded that we are charged by NSP based on usage during peak hours. He further explained that the City does not advocate over charging groups that rent facilities, nor does it make a large profit from field rentals. PRAC Minutes/February 1993 Page 8 Commissioners requested that they be provided with some information on what other communities charge for field rental, and they would like to continue to discuss this item at their next meeting. In consideration of other athletic association representatives who wanted to address the Commission, Chair Anderson thanked Mr. Gleason and Ms. Gradick for their presentations and invited them to return to future meetings. Rich Dilley, representing Plymouth -Wayzata Girls Softball, stated that last summer 150 girls, ages 7-18, living in Plymouth, or District 284, participated in their program. Mr. Dilley's main concern is equipment storage. They need a space 12 x 16 ft. to store approximately $30,000-$40,000 worth of softball equipment. They currently use fields at Oakwood Playfield and would prefer something near by. They also would like to erect a batting cage at Oakwood, which they are willing to finance, but the City would have to provide them with a 110 volt outlet. Director Blank indicated that he would have his staff research whether or not there is a suitable location for a batting cage and report these findings back to Mr. Dilley. b. Staff. Mary Bisek thanked the commissioners who supervised the bonfire at the Fire and Ice Festival, and stated that despite the weather, it was another success. She stated that Rick would be expanding youth atletics this summer to include an evening t -ball league based on requests the department received last year from several parents who are not available during the day. She announced that May 12 is the grand opening for the Parkers Lake Playfield and May 19 is Bass Lake's grand opening. She also indicated that a student intern from St. Cloud will be with us this summer. Councilmember Edson asked if any type of survey had ever been done by staff of other communities' facilities. Director Blank responded that this survey has been done and is updated annually, and that a copy of the most recent one would be distributed to them in their next City Manager Information Packet. Also, a survey of what other communities charge for field rentals has been done, as well as a survey of what type of storage is provided by other cities to their youth athletic groups. Copies of these surveys will be redistributed to PRAC and Council. Commissioners continued to discuss the soccer tournament fee issue and agreed that it is the City's responsibility to provide fields to youth athletics, but they also questioned the City's responsibility to provide these PRAC Minutes/February 1993 Page 9 same fields to Plymouth residents who simply want to get together and play a game for fun. These requests must be considered as well when debating this issue. Commissioners agreed that this soccer tournament could be a major fund raiser for the traveling club if properly handled. C. Others. 4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION a. Council approved hiring the Minnesota Center for Survey Research to conduct the Parks and Recreation community survey. A questionnaire will be developed with input from both Council and PRAC, which must then be approved by Council, followed by a sample testing of the survey, and then the final survey will be sent out to approximately 800 residences. It is hoped that this process could be completed, with the survey results tallied, by June. b. Council approved the fees and rental policies for Parkers Lake Pavilion and playfield facilities as recommended by PRAC. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Community survey - review - timeline. See 4a. b. Amendment toap rk plan - playfield site #9 Director Blank explained the developments that have occurred in the past several months regarding future playfield site 9. The original proposed site, located at Dunkirk Lane and County Road 9, consisting of 50 acres, was part of a larger parcel that was purchased by U.S. Homes. At that time, it was designated in the City's comprehensive plan public/semi-public. U.S. Homes requested that the City change the guiding to residential. When the City decided against reguiding, U.S. Homes offered to sell the property to us. Appraisals were secured by both parties and because of the vast difference in value, efforts to negotiate a purchase were unsuccessful. U.S. Homes then brought in a residential development proposal on this property, which the City gave tentative approval to, contingent on amending the comprehensive park plan to remove the designation of playfield on this site and finding an alternative site. After several months of research and review, staff found an alternative site located at the northwest intersection of the Soo Line railroad and Peony Lane. The site consists of 150 acres, owned by two separate parties, of which the City needs only 50 acres. Some of the advantages to this site include its boundaries, which are a railroad track on the south, Elm Creek golf course on the west, Peony Lane on PRAC Minutes/February 1993 Page 10 the east and heavy woods on the north; good road access via County Road 101 and the future Schmidt Lake Road; a portion of this site is already identified as future neighborhood park in the City's comprehensive park plan; and the site is generally flat, with some areas of trees, making picnicing a viable option in the development of the park. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER GUTZKE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WATSON TO RECOMMEND THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TO AMEND THE COMPREHENSIVE PARK PLAN BY REMOVING THE DESIGNATION OF PARK ON 50 ACRES LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF DUNKIRK LANE AND ROCKFORD ROAD AND THEN DESIGNATING A NEW PARK SITE ON 150 ACRES LOCATED NORTH OF THE SOO LINE RAILROAD AND WEST OF PEONY LANE. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. Director Blank went on to explain that following the public hearing, a recommendation would be forwarded to the City Council for review and action, with final approval coming from the Metropolitan Council. at Bass Lake piayfieid, South Shore landscaping. Based on direction from PRAC, Director Blank compiled a list of 22 different trail segments that could be considered for construction in 1993. In identifying these segments, he chose some of the trails that had already been recommended by Strgar-Roscoe-Fausch for construction due to safety concerns. He stated that there is $175,000 in the 193 CIP designated for trail improvements. Commis- sioner Burk stated that his preference would be to close the gaps in a number of different trails, including the trail leading from Fernbrook to Vicksburg, the extension of the Luce Line trail at the southwest end of Medicine Lake, and extension of trail through Turtle Lake Park. Several commissioners questioned the possibility of constructing a trail leading from the Heritage development north to the shopping areas located along County Road 9, east of 494. Director Blank responded that there are no trail outlots in this area, but he explained that eventually there will be trail constructed along Xenium Lane that will lead north to County Road 9. These residents can also access the trail on the east side of Northwest Boulevard which leads north to 9 as well. This raised the question then of how to get from County 9 west to Vinewood, and could a trail be constructed here along the north side of 9 and at what cost? Director Blank estimated the distance to be one quarter mile at $10 a foot. Commissioners wondered why trail has been proposed on the west side of Northwest Boulevard, when trail already exists on the east side? PRAC Minutes/February 1993 Page 11 Director Blank responded that the residents living in the Heritage neighborhood have long been requesting this trail, as a way to get to French Park. They feel it is too dangerous to cross Northwest Boulevard any place other than the intersection with County Road 9, and a trail on the west side of the road would provide them with safe access to County Road 9, where they can then cross the road and get to the trail leading east into the park. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER BURK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JOHNSON TO RECOMMEND THAT COUNCIL AUTHORIZE STAFF TO PREPARE FEASIBILITY REPORTS AND COST ESTIMATES FOR CONSTRUCTION OF TRAIL SEGMENTS 12, 14, 16, 18, AND THE NEWLY IDENTIFIED SEGMENT ON THE NORTH SIDE OF COUNTY 9 FROM NORTHWEST BOULEVARD TO VINEWOOD LANE. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. Director Blank has been in touch with a number of individuals who have expressed an interest in being involved in the development of a handicapped accessible playground, including some handicapped Plymouth children and adults. He also indicated that he would like one or two PRAC members to be involved. Both Commissioner Mikula and Wahl volunteered. Director Blank then stated that if PRAC wants this project to proceed in 1993, a motion recommending it would be necessary. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER MIKULA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WAHL RECOMMENDING THAT COUNCIL AUTHORIZE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND IN PLYMOUTH CREEK PARK, AND FURTHER THAT A SUBCOMMITTEE BEGIN WORK ON PREPARING A FEASIBILITY REPORT ON THIS PLAYGROUND. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. In response to a request made by serveral residents and by former commissioner Marlene Waage, Director Blank researched the cost to install additional swings at Bass Lake Playfield. Park maintenance crews could install four swings at a cost of about $4,000 which also includes the retaining wall and a surface of pea gravel. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WAHL AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GUTZKE TO RECOMMEND THAT COUNCIL AUTHORIZE THE INSTALLATION OF FOUR ADDITIONAL SWINGS AT BASS LAKE PLAYFIELD. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. Commissioner Wahl asked if a clock could be installed in the building at Bass Lake. Mary Bisek said that she would look into this. Commissioner Burk questioned the South Shore landscaping project listed as an item proposed in the 1993 CIP. To help bring new commissioner Mikula up to speed on this PRAC Minutes/February 1993 Page 12 subject, he also briefly explained the history of this proposed project. His concern is that this landscaping will benefit only a few residents. Director Blank commented that the trees would be planted on park property, not private property. Other commissioners agreed that although the project will benefit only about 10 families, it is something they feel they are committed to doing, since it is part of the approved 193 CIP. Commissioner Gutzke suggested that maybe the plan could be scaled down somewhat from the proposed amount of 7,500. Director Blank will discuss the possibility of a new plan with the City forester and report back to the Commission. d. Approval of 1992 annual report. Commissioners had received draft copies of the 192 annual report in their January agendas and were invited to review them and make any changes they felt were appropriate, prior to the report being forwarded to the City Council. Suggestions made included adding the 1993 CIP as an appendix, and removing a sentence in the Goals and Objectives chapter about soliciting citizen involvement in the development of a community center. It was decided to remove this statement, because community center input is not being sought at this time. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER JOHNSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WAHL TO RECOMMEND THAT THE 1992 ANNUAL REPORT BE FORWARDED TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR ACCEPTANCE. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. Commissioner Mikula mentioned that on the page listing the names and addresses of the commissioners, it is stated that they serve two year terms. She was told that it was a three year term. Staff indicated they would look into this and make the necessary correction before presenting the report to the Council. Commissioner Anderson will be present at the Council meeting on the 22nd of February to present the '92 annual report. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Additional swings at Bass Lake Playfield. See item 5c. b. Rental Pol _c_v for Parkers Plavfield picnic shelter and Bass Lake shelter. Director Blank explained that when the Parkers Lake Playfield was designed, it was with the idea that the picnic shelter could be reserved. With that in mind, staff kept track of the number of requests received in 1992 from individuals wanting to reserve picnic facilities. At least 95 requests were tallied during the picnic season. Based on these requests, staff is proposing, on a one-year trial basis, that the new picnic shelter at Parkers Lake Playfield be available on PRAC Minutes/February 1993 Page 13 a rental basis on Saturdays and Sundays and available on a first come, first served basis Monday through Friday. The proposed rental fee is $30 for a half day and $60 for a full day, with a $25 key deposit for both. Revenue generated from these rentals would be used to help offset the cost of maintaining the Parkers Lake Playfield facilities. Staff would also recommended that the new Bass Lake shelter be available free of charge, with a $25 key deposit, to Plymouth groups on a first come, first served basis, as are the shelters at Oakwood, Plymouth Creek, Plymouth and Zachary playfields. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER GUTZKE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MIKULA THAT THESE RENTAL POLICIES AND FEES BE APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AS PROPOSED BY STAFF. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. C. Selection of PRAC chair and vice chair for 1993. Don Anderson was unanimously approved to be the PRAC chair in 1993, and Wyatt Gutzke was unanimously approved as the vice chair. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION None. 8. STAFF COMMUNICATION Director Blank stated information for PRAC on received by the City on addition to checking on buildings owned by the copies of the surveys tournament field rental equipment. that he would be putting together the expenses incurred and revenues the traveling soccer tournament in the availability of storage space in City. He will also redistribute done on other cities' charges for and storage of athletic association The next meeting is March 11. The April meeting is scheduled for the 8th, but Director Blank wondered if the Commission could meet on the 15th instead. The date is not definite at this point, but if it is necessary to change, PRAC will be notified in advance by staff. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10 p.m. Plymouth Parks and Recreation 550-5130 GUIDELINES FOR USING THE PARKERS PLAYFIELD PICNIC SHELTER The Parkers Lake Playfield Picnic Shelter, located on the north side of County Road 6 at the intersection with Shenandoah Lane, is operated by the City of Plymouth and may be rented by Plymouth residents, groups, churches and businesses. Certain policies are needed to ensure the proper use and control of the facility, so that all people may equally enjoy it. The shelter is available to rent seven days a week, with the exception of national holidays, i.e., Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. The picnic shelter will rent for $30 for partial day or evening use, e.g., 10- 4 p.m. or 4-10 p.m., and $60 for full-day use (10 a.m.-10 p.m.), with a $25 key deposit (for the restrooms). The shelter closes at 10 p.m. All individuals and/or businesses must complete a rental application and have it approved before using the picnic shelter. Applications must be submitted at least three days in advance of the date for which the rental is requested. A rental will not be confirmed until the fees are paid. The shelter contains 11-12 picnic tables, four electrical outlets, two barbeque grills, restrooms, and a r4--p1_____1,iy4ted--par-king is available adjacent to the shelter, with overflow parking down near the playfields. There is also a small children's playground located near the facility. See map on the back of this sheet. It will be the responsibility of every group using the picnic shelter to dispose of all trash and do some light clean-up of the facility. Recycling barrels will be available for aluminum cans and plastic. No glass beverage containers or alcohol, including beer, are permitted in Plymouth parks. Renter's Address PICNIC SHELTER APPLICATION Phone hm) wk) Name of business, church or group (if applicable) Approximate number of people in group Day of rental L Zip Time of rental to I wish to reserve softball field at an additional $11/hr from to Available only during daylight hours on Saturdays and Sundays) If using the Parkers Lake beach, how many children will be swimming Please complete and return, with fee, to: Plymouth Park and Recreation 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447 On the day of your rental, a sign will be posted on-site stating you have it reserved. ek k:'t:e:Y:YnYir kx:'r:YxinY:Y:'ex:':':::k>ri:k:F'eFOR OFFICE USE TOTAL FEE PAID CHECK # RECEIVED BY DATE MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 DATE: TO: FROM: SUBJECT: March 8, 1993 PRAC Eric J. Blank, Director of Parks and Recreation 1993 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 1. South Shore Drive Landscaping Attached is a memo dated June 14, 1990, from then City Forester, Don Kissinger, to me. In this memo, Don lays out the cost associated with landscaping the area along South Shore Drive between the residential area and the industrial plant. In 1990 Don estimated the work to• range between 5,200 if done in-house and $11,340 if done by contract. The 1993 capital improvement program allocates $7,500 of park dedication funds toward this program. Thus, due to inflation and the set budget, the project has been scaled back from the higher estimates from 1990. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends this project be approved for funding in the year 1993. I also suggest that the City Forester be directed to work with the homeowners to develop the most efficient and effective planting plan within the given budget of $7,500 and proceed with the work as a spring project. 2. Trails The Engineering Department has prepared the attached trail cost estimate. The Park Commission suggested last month that we look at six segments. The one segment rounding the west side of Turtle Lake has been ruled out due to the fact that one of the property owners is not available to participate in discussions at this time. The design of this trail is going to be greatly affected also by trees, a severe slope and the wetlands in this area, which will require input from the MN DNR and the Corps of Engineers. And finally, the long distance involved would make this a very expensive project that would chew up much of our money for the year 1993. The approved capital improvement budget had $175,000 earmarked for trails. Of this, $100,000 was to come from Minnesota State Aid (MSA) and $75,000 from the community parks and trails account. The five segments outlined in the engineer's report total $106,000. The Commission has two options. One is to select your highest priority trail segments that most closely match the $75,000 budgeted, or recommend to the City Council that the budget for the trail projects be increased to $106,000 to allow for these five trail segments to be completed. These projects will be designed in house by the City Engineering Department. This will be the most cost effective way for the projects to be undertaken. The City Engineering Department is currently preparing plans and specifications for the upgrade of Vicksburg Lane between Highway 55 and Old County Road 9. As part of this road upgrade project, they have estimated it would cost approximately $50,000 to place an off-road trail along Vicksburg between 55 and Old 9. I recommend that the Park Commission suggest to the City Council that $50,000 of MSA funds be used for the completion of this segment of trail. EB attachment TABLE CITY OF PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM, 1993 - 1907 YEAR -1093 blbtom D 1) The $45,000 mdw Other N to be Woneed ham Tm k 2) The 92,200,000 Mdw OnwW be W"ncad $500,000 Imm Pno)md Adnlfetmtlon. !1,000,000 *am Public Facilities, 9200.070 kom Sawer, and 8500.000 harm! Watw. PwpanM B/: SPRINGSTED Irlcaupdated (20 -Dee -92 ) PARK DEDICATON FUND STORM INFRASTRUCTURE COMMUNITY STATE/ TAX TOTAL MAP 0 PR06JECTDESCFNPTION ESTIMATED COST SPECIAL ASSESS. WATER REPLACEMENT FUND FUND UTILITY FUND M.S.A. FUND PLAYRELDS TRAILS NEIGH13WO PARKS COUNTY/ INCREMENT FEDERAL FINANCING P.I.R. FUND OTHER REVENUES PROMDED E. PARKS TmX InpmvamwK PhVWd Land Ac"Ition 1. P" filth Crook Park Duabl9d PiRYWOund 2. South Shm Land"PlnB 175,000 750,000 110,000 7,500 100,000 75,000 750,00000,000 7,500 50.000 175,003 750,000 110,000 7.500 Sublcbl 1,042,500 0 0 0 0 100,000 802,500 50,000 0 0 0 0 0 1,042,5(0 F. BUILDINGS 1, C"W Etpmnbn I Rmodawl0 3,200.000 1,000.000 2.200.000 (2) 3.200.000 Subtoul 3,200,000 0 0 0 0 O 0 0 0 0 1,000,000 2,200,000 3.200.000 903 TOTALS 24,320.00 L 3.485,000 50,000 1,100,000 4.575,000 2,928,500 002,500 50.000 O 5,000,000 1,000,000 2,20.5,000 24.320,000 blbtom D 1) The $45,000 mdw Other N to be Woneed ham Tm k 2) The 92,200,000 Mdw OnwW be W"ncad $500,000 Imm Pno)md Adnlfetmtlon. !1,000,000 *am Public Facilities, 9200.070 kom Sawer, and 8500.000 harm! Watw. PwpanM B/: SPRINGSTED Irlcaupdated (20 -Dee -92 ) r1YDULl.1 JlYRl ALL pvLUG uvauaaa. aa... a..awrr anoun y- v - S00TH END OF. EAST MEDICINE LAKE PARK ,;, f :a7 . After visiting the above mentioned park and obtaining data bf the area, proposed to be used as a screen, I have come up with these recommendations. The best situation for a sight and noise screen is a layered approach which:_ has the tallest plants in the middle or at one end. Since we cannot plant any trees behind --the pea shrubs, which are next to.the railroad,tracks,.we:should plantthe .tallest trees -in the middle (the recommended trees.are Colorado Green.Spruce) They can grow to a mature height of 60 -75 -feet which will definitely screen the factory and is more dense than any'pine type species,''_ since thespacingof these trees should be at least 20 feet.':- I recommend Amur Maple: shrub/trees tobe'planted.in front cf-the:lineiof..spruce,.to:fill the.gap a skatG111 .^7kv 1"k.'•a9:ttW''.??'r+R's52 ariaiS,P_;:;-. _. The areas -1 railroad.ti planted wil There`Isl4j mature heil ias.portions devoid of tr pecies.-of `shrub'that`ii' is approximately 12 feet Ao -receive their permiss maintained -grass to the oris hruba'.:should be int r(Siberian'Pei. Shrub) inhisarea rThe ghrubs. If thi's li the factories to;pIant trees -,ri xR'Ra. 2,300 to $5,000 With the recommended planting scheme we will have correct` spacing for the health of the trees and shrubs plus a dense pyramidal affect to direct noise upward and fill all site gaps. We must remember that to achieve a total screening affect it will take several years. In figuring the cost, I computed a reduced price where we would buy the material wholesale with no warranty on their health and plant them ourselves or a price where everything is contracted out and has a one year warranty. With the less expensive method we would need labor which is at a premium at most times of the year; plus we have no warranty should any trees die. The more expensive routes limitation is that of price. CIM APR 24'92 Page Two The plant: ourself..method.would route would "be-Sll'.300.:;::The,n ly $5,200.;_The contracted WHULESALE- GUNTHAGTEU i -UP ornviro a.on /.• vvn wuu.uv a.> PRICE ' PRICE PLANTS LABOR" LABOR 12.00 $32.00 24 Siberian Pea Shrub 2-3' $288.. $768. 5 --"`a,,.. s •mak Sr ." i.0 .r_:.r:. .; ._:.; S s:ar s - 'tri _ - " i 1.:..r J. .Y'. _.i_C k: ._4i.. .. r.-.:. 5 .? :':.li- vv v4_•.. - ... ciM APR 24'92 Dear friends and Neighbors, 3/s qa Our reeen{ warm weo,Nl, and meliinq snow remind us Fhai green Fields dna sky blue p ao'"s are comin% soon. 1n the wetds OR Henry Wltaswer}h t~en'ellew If Sorill came but once ;n a teni'ury mSiead o once a year, or burst $or}h wi}k the Sound of an eo.14uake, and net ;n -5*116TM, whale Wender and expee}a};on }hcre would et in all hearts i'o beheld the m;rweulous ehan e!" On }11a} note we ate Pleased it announce we are D.T11 heldin our annaal Medicine Lake ice - tui cen}esi. The yuidelines are *c same as 1a,s yeat: ''To ender 1•6c eoni'es} , wr;l•t year namt[s on an enveioee wok, the da§elsi you predict' 1 -he lee W;11 be Ceyr% lIB ely gene From the ma;n body o the lake. EncAose 41.0o pot tack anirl dna delWet it 1.11e King er 3oacA res;aenee bi S}, mitit,h day, March i-1, 1993, 4) The winntt[s 1s encoara'ed it use }he Proceeas o better eke environmmi) (;e. 1%4 a free, V a semt,bitds, start a compost Monty will be divilea evu0.111 amtT%yi w;nners. Bria ei 3odtll has shared the, above paeM wi}l us and the ellew;n retotas Kepi by her 1a}e abhor Ray , Who e.i']Lktd A -Is een%es: Nledie;ne 1-aKe Ice Year Le;i Froze Year Lei Froze Year Left Froze 195S 419 11119 1968 3130 Iz15 1981 2,113 12'6 156 4120 u1z9 `69 q/14 meed Ytar) 11119 '%1 4118 111t5 S1 4118 11148 `10 1]1% ulzy 1S3 4111 'x14 58 415 11141 '71 4116 1212 '84 418 IRh S9 416 11113 71 4141 12II 1,35 4111 VIZI 60 4113 IzI6 `l3 3131 iz18 '86 4/110 11123 61 4111 1218 74 4119 1412 `87 3141 11121 6Z 4Jz4 12110 _ '15 41;1 11'16 '88 4111 iilz0 63 416 1114 ' 76 412 11113 \%01 41zo I11z4 64 4113 11129 floe ' 71 419 11126 '90 -S) 3] 12/3 / IRe.nember Abe 6g 4130 (Flood Year) 11130 13 4115 Yeer Ii1 11 , 91 4115 1117 f \Hutleween sle*„t? 66 3131 1111 79 4141 1411 `94 415 11117 415 I1130 10 4116 11126 1993 4 We, Wcltemt 51A%rsiiens for imyrovin iht coniesi, Good luck! Q dake : M4t menlils o leNers Phone cenversa};ens and mee}iT%y ai c;, hall, he landseaq;n Gree Plartiin5 grejeok mvms-s 4e zireet ;s siM on "ho k PtndinJ yMki approval by At Plymt%A PoLA and Reermi;m 4mmii}te and 1•ht Cita Count.;`, I w;s)) Vhe tiii towld Plan} }tees m vickly and easily as 4:41 Can raise properij }axes. \49'd be `living in a Forest! Werds cavi e,:1'ress my {rusiraiien in JEalinoJ \*Ah btu beuroetaty. the }rtes are and Kwrmkion Gemf'61hc meeting T1lutsday rurc 11 1993 , -7:00 PM. d1Je art all encouraged it al}enti. J T an1Cs , vP 3 We request that the city council approve the "LandscapingImprovementFlan" along the South Shore Drive. 30 O// rf S o a/iy S 0030 u ec S-otE 1.JrNf cire APR 24, 149 Of y 30 O// rf S o a/iy S 0030 u ec S-otE 1.JrNf cire APR 24, LcDs--s la h 4 /993 1 oTZ h I / 993 4" cL 6- Sodd :5 r Yeo o l ES cmVO)Z Sa Soo 3— zs /97 Z. r s74iicO r /14w y SS z 29 Z) 3, 4'f z3 33 7r -c, v 7 lz /oso Shee-t z - V/c(<56uE., Ln7- g`- wide 2,,4-, `T'c CT `lP'J S. Wes-(- FecnbroDk Ln. 95o C.F. CG' //, ora L• F = a t go no e %rtes l 2- lFn . (cJ x.7514cz l SUB -PROJECTS HOURS Mowing 3,513.50 Trail maint-repair-const 2,724.00 Infield maintenance 2,130.50 New construction 1,863.75 Equipment maint. 1,529.50 Garbage pick up 1,430.75 Irrig'n maint & repair 1,357.00 Miscellanous rink maint. 938.25 Weed inspection 841.00 Cleaning buildings 839.25 Deliveries & pick ups 826.75 Flooding rinks 768.50 General clean up 724.00 Misc bldg material & rep. 636.50 Signs 597.50 Flower maintenance 572.50 Play structure inspect'n. 564.00 Line painting 467.50 Fencing 453.00 Tree & shrub maint. 453.00 Snow shoveling 425.25 Special events 415.25 Trimming 405.00 Goals and goalposts 377.25 Bleachers & benches 373.50 Play structure repair 322.50 Staff meetings 322.00 Brooming rinks 301.75 Paint & stain buildings 222.00 Sodding 220.50 Planting beds 209.00 Beach maintenance 207.50 Tree & shrub planting 207.50 Watering & water truck 192.50 Aeration 155.50 Park and rec equipment 141.00 Electricity 138.50 Top dressing 129.50 Electrical repairs 125.50 Tennis courts 118.50 Street department 117.00 Snow plow rinks & lot 91.00 Docks and boardwalk 88.50 Windscreens 84.00 Broadleaf weed control 79.50 Plumbing repairs 75.50 Fertilizing 70.50 Tree removal 64.00 Seeding 55.50 Board repair & replace 53.50 Snow blowing rinks 49.00 Safety meetings 48.50 Training 48.00 Tree hauling 43.00 Miscellaneous 40.75 SUB -PROJECTS HOURS Down time 35.00 Archery range 34.00 Animal control 8.00 Entry ways 7.50 Hockey rink lines 6.50 Trail inspection 4.00 Sewer department 4.00 Water department 4.00 Sign inspection 2.00 Natural gas 0.00 TOTAL 29,365.00 PROJECT HOURS Pub Wks & Treat. Plant 4,894.75 Zachary 2,987.50 Plymouth Crk Playfield 2,931.00 Parkers Lake 2,497.00 Trails 1,987.50 Nbrhd parks in general 1,866.75 Plymouth Playfield 1,509.25 Ridgemount Playfield 1,421.00 Oakwood Playfield 1,382.50 Playfields in general 1,249.50 Areas Out/Inside City 788.25 Parkers Lake Pavilion 731.25 West Medicine Lake 679.25 City Hall & Ply Blvd 613.00 LaCompte Playfield 603.25 East Medicine Lake 583.00 Four Seasons/Meadowlawn 416.00 Shiloh 336.50 Timber Shores 289.75 Gleanloch 260.00 Bass Lake Playfield 186.50 Zachary Elem. 176.00 Cemetary 170.50 Green Oaks 154.50 Fazendin 152.50 Lions 149.75 Parkers Lake Playfield 145.50 Swan Lake Park 141.25 Sunrise 141.00 Fire Station #2 131.75 Queensland 125.75 Turtle Lake 122.50 St. Mary's 118.00 Mission Hills & Ridge 113.50 Schmidt Lake Park 107.75 Pilgrim Lane Elem. 106.00 Maplecreek 93.50 Imperial Hills 92.00 Circle 88.75 County Road 61 84.25 Rolling Hills 81.00 Kilmer 77.25 Fire Station #3 67.00 Work done for others 46.00 Industrial strip 45.50 Ponderosa 40.50 Oakview Pond 40.00 Greentree West 32.50 Olive Lane Pond 31.50 Schools in general 28.50 Meadowood 27.50 Greenwood Elem. 24.50 Hemlock 24.00 Armstrong High School 20.00 Sunset Hill Elem. 19.25 PROJECT HOURS 12th Ave Pond 16.75 Lift Sta, Pump H, Water T 15.00 Birchview Elem. 14.50 Birch Park 13.50 Zach Water Treat. Plant 13.00 Ferndale North 11.00 Fire Station #1 10.00 Miscellaneous 10.00 Egan 9.50 Medicine Lake Comm. Club 6.00 Inspections 5.50 Deerwood-Balsam 5.00 South Shore Park 4.50 Amberwoods 2.00 Beacon Heights Natural Area 0.00 Birchbriar 0.00 Fountain Lane 0.00 Private ponds 0.00 Sidewalks 0.00 23rd & East Medicine Lake 0.00 TOTAL 31,369.00 March 26, 1993 Dear City of Plymouth Resident: The Park and Recreation Department of Plymouth is concerned about providing the best possible services, programs, and facilities to the people of Plymouth. To do this, we need to find out how well our current programs and services meet your needs. You can also help us in determining what our priorities should be for future facility and program expansion. Your response to this survey is very important and will give us valuable information for improving the Park and Recreation programs provided for Plymouth residents. Your household is one of a small number in Plymouth being asked to give their opinions about our services and programs. For the results to truly represent the opinions of Plymouth residents, it is important that each questionnaire is completed and returned. Please take a few minutes to complete and return the enclosed questionnaire. A postage -paid return envelope is included for your convenience. The Minnesota Center for Survey Research at the University of Minnesota is assisting us with this survey. Therefore, the surveys are being returned to their office. You may be assured of complete confidentiality. The questionnaire has an identification number for mailing purposes only. This is so we may check your name off the mailing list when your questionnaire is returned. Your name will never be placed on the questionnaire. Thank you for your help with our survey. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Name) at (phone number). Sincerely, Name) Title) PLYMOUTH PARK AND RECREATION SURVEY Minnesota Center for Survey Research University of Minnesota 2122 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454 612) 627-4282 PLYMOUTH PARK AND RECREATION SURVEY Please circle the number which corresponds to the answer closest to your opinion or write in the information requested. All individual responses will be kept confidential. Ql. In the last 12 months, has anyone in your household visited any of the following park or recreation facilities in Plymouth? (Please circle one response for each item.) Don't Yes No Know a. A park in the City of Plymouth 1 2 3 b..A City:6 Plymouthu4e Yes 2 3 C. A beach in the city of Plymouth 1 2 3 d;:. A:sport field Plymouth 3:: e. Parker's Lake Pavilion 1 2 3 f. Rollet bladrng,'oz skating,' Q2. In the last 12 months, has anyone in your household done any of the following activities at a City of Plymouth park or trail? (Please circle one response for each item.) Don't Yes No Know a. Bicycle riding 1 2 3 b Walking......... . C. Running 1 2 3 it Rollet bladrng,'oz skating,' e. Cross-country skiing 1 2 3 f.lmm* sarea takeT0-:a-;- : N g. Team sports (soccer, baseball, softball) 1 2 3 h. Bask tball i. Tennis 1 2 3 children'sj. TTsed playground equipmentz::::: k. Picnicking 1 2 3 g Q3. In the past 12 months, did you or anyone in your household participate in the following 2 3 Plymouth Park and Recreation programs? Please circle one response for each item.) Don't 1 2 3 Yes No Know a. Arts and crafts 1 2 3 b. Drama 1 2 3 C. Dance 1 2 3 d. Music 1 2 3 e. Fitness/Wellness 1 2 3 f. Swimming lessons 1 2 3 g. Sports instruction (tennis, T -Ball, K -Ball, 2 gymnastics) 1 2 3 h. Team sports (softball, volleyball, soccer, ice hockey, football) 1 2 3 i. Day Camp 1 2 3 j. Performing arts/Concerts in the Park 1 2 3 k. Social interaction programs 1 2 3 1. One time special events (Fire and Ice, Music in Plymouth) 1 2 3 m. Trips (ski trips, Get -Away -for -the -Day, Twins game) 1 2 3 R. Other (Specify: ) 1 2 3 2 Q4. For the programs listed below, please indicate if you think Plymouth Park and Recreation should offer more, the same, or fewer of these programs. (Please circle one response for each item.) 3 More Same Fewer a. Arts and crafts 1 2 3 b. Drama 1 2 3 c. Dance 1 2 3 d. Music 1 2 3 e. Fitness/Wellness 1 2 3 f. Swimming lessons 1 2 3 g. Sports instruction (tennis, T -Ball, K -Ball, gymnastics) 1 2 3 h. Team sports (softball, volleyball, soccer, ice hockey, football) 1 2 3 i. Day Camp 1 2 3 j. Performing arts/Concerts in the Park 1 2 3 k. Social interaction programs 1 2 3 1. One time special events (Fire and Ice, Music in Plymouth) 1 2 3 m. Trips (ski trips, Get -Away -for -the -Day, Twins game) 1 2 3 n. Other (Specify: ) 1 2 3 3 Q5. In the past 12 months, have you registered for a Plymouth recreation program? 1. Yes 2. No (PLEASE SKIP TO Q9) Q6. When you registered for a Plymouth recreation program, how would you rate the staff who took care of your registration? (Please circle one.) 1. Excellent 2. Good 3. Fair 4. Poor 5. Registered for program by mail Q7. How do you feel about the fee you were charged for the Plymouth recreation program you registered for? (Please circle one.) 1. Too high ------> Please explain why you feel the fee was too high 2. About right and specify the program: 3. A bargain Q8. In general, how well maintained are the Plymouth Park and Recreation facilities you have used in the past 12 months? (Please circle one.) 1. Very well maintained 2. Well maintained 3. Some maintenance evident 4. Poorly maintained 5. Other (Please explain:_ n Q9. In terms of the maintenance of Plymouth Park and Recreation facilities, which of the following do you feel need improvement? (Please circle all that apply and indicate the location of the facility.) Facility a. Restrooms b. Beaches and picnic areas c. Trails and hiking paths d. Playing fields e. Buildings f. Other Specify:_ Location Q10. The Plymouth Park and Recreation Department uses carefully controlled amounts of chemicals and herbicides to control weeds in Plymouth parks. In your opinion, should the Department continue using chemicals/herbicides to control weeds in Plymouth parks? Please circle one.) 1. Yes, continue to use chemicals on a carefully controlled basis to control weeds in parks 2. No, do not use chemicals and allow the weeds to grow in City parks 3. Other (Please explain: ) Q 1 I. In your opinion, how important is it for the City of Plymouth to ensure that the following services/facilities are available for residents? (Please circle one response for each item.) Very Slightly Not Very Important Important Important Important a. Baseball/softball fields 1 2 3 4 b. Outdoor tennis courts 1 2 3 4 C. Indoor tennis courts 1 2 3 4 d. Public outdoor swimming pool 1 2 3 4 e. Public indoor swimming pool 1 2 3 4 f. Indoor racket sport courts 1 2 3 4 g. Outdoor soccer fields 1 2 3 4 h. Indoor soccer area 1 2 3 4 i. Public golf course 1 2 3 4 j. Walking/biking trails 1 2 3 4 L Nature Center 1 2 3 4 I. Public gym space 1 2 3 4 m. Public indoor ice arena 1 2 3 4 n. Public health/fitness facility 1 2 3 4 o. Teen Center 1 2 3 4 p. Senior Center 1 2 3 4 q. Meeting rooms 1 2 3 4 r. Public swimming beaches 1 2 3 4 S. Other (Specify: 1 2 3 4 Q12. How much would you be willing to pay each year in additional taxes to pay for items from the above list that are very important to you? (Please circle one.) 1. $0 - $10 per year 2. $11 - $20 per year 3. $21 - $50 per year 4. Over $50 per year T Q13. Please rate the quality of the following park and recreation services in the City of Plymouth: (Please circle one response for each item.) a. Neighborhood parks b. Sport fields C. City parks (Parker's Lake, Timber Shores) d. Trails e. Maintenance of parks (e.g., weed control, trash removal) f. Cleanliness of park restrooms g. Park safety h. Recreation programs L Information provided to the public about Plymouth recreation programs j. Availability of sanitary facilities permanent or portable) Q14. If a member of your household needs special services or accommodations because of a disability, please tell us how well we are doing in providing accessible services and programs. (Please circle one.) 1. Programs and facilities are very accessible. 2. Programs and facilities need some improvement. Please specify which ones: 3. Programs and facilities need major improvements. Please specify which ones: 4. No one in my household needs special services. 7 Don't Excellent Good Fair Poor Know 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Q14. If a member of your household needs special services or accommodations because of a disability, please tell us how well we are doing in providing accessible services and programs. (Please circle one.) 1. Programs and facilities are very accessible. 2. Programs and facilities need some improvement. Please specify which ones: 3. Programs and facilities need major improvements. Please specify which ones: 4. No one in my household needs special services. 7 Q15. How often do you feel safe when visiting a Plymouth park or trail area? Please circle one.) 1. All of the time 2. Most of the time 3. Some of the time (Please explain:_ 4. Never feel safe (Please explain:_ 5. Do not visit Plymouth parks or trails Q16. Would you be willing to pay more in taxes to hire additional park staff to patrol Plymouth park and trail areas? 1. Yes 2. No Q17. In the past 12 months, have you participated in any recreation activities at facilities, parks, or trails outside the City of Plymouth? 1. Yes 2. No (PLEASE SKIP TO Q19) Q18. If yes, please indicate the location of the recreation facility, park, or trail and indicate the type of activities done. Location 3 Activit Q19. In the past 12 months, from which of the following sources have you received information about Plymouth Park and Recreation programs? (Please circle all that apply.) a. Direct mail b. Local cable TV channel c. Sun Sailor newspaper d. Wayzata Weekly News e. Plymouth News (City newsletter) f. School flyers g. Word of mouth (from other people) h. Other (Please specify: i. Have not received information from any sources Q20. Of the information sources listed below which two should you most prefer for receiving information about Plymouth Park and Recreation programs? (Please circle two.) a. Direct mail b. Local cable TV channel c. Sun Sailor newspaper d. Wayzata Weekly News e. Plymouth News (City newsletter) f. School flyers g. Other (Please specify: Q21. How important are parks and recreation services to the overall quality of your life as a Plymouth resident? (Please circle one.) 1. Very important 2. Important 3. Slightly important 4. Not very important N T Q22. In general, how much do you feel parks, open space, and trails enhance the value of property in Plymouth? (Please circle one.) 1. Very much 2. Somewhat 3. Not at all Please answer the following questions about yourself. This information will be used only to compare people's answers. It will not be used to identify you in any way. Q23. Are you male or female? 1. Male 2. Female Q24. Do you own or rent your home? 1. Own 2. Rent Q25. How many persons in the following age groups reside in your home? Number of People a. Persons over 65 years b. Adults, 20 - 64 years c. Teenagers, 13 - 19 years d. Children, 12 years and younger Q26. How many years have you lived in the City of Plymouth? years 10 Q27. Please circle the one number that corresponds mostly closely to your race/ethnicity? 1. Black/African American 2. White 3. Hispanic/Latino/Chicano 4. Native American/American Indian 5. Other (Please specify: Q28. What is your age? (Please circle one.) 1. 18 - 24 years 2. 25 - 34 years 3. 35 - 54 years 4. 55 - 64 years S. Over 65 years Q29. Please use the space below to add any other comments you may have about Plymouth Park and Recreation programs and facilities. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION! Please return your completed questionnaire in the postage -paid envelope provided to: Minnesota Center for survey Research University of Minnesota 2122 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454 II T 1993 PLYMOUTH PARK & RECREATION SURVEY TOURNAMENT FEES FOR YOUTH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS Question: Is your city charging a fee to youth athletic associations for using city playfields to run tournaments of any kind? If yes, how much are you charging? Responses: 1. Eagan Yes, they charge a fee of $35/field per day. An additional $25/field per hour is charged if lights are requested and a $50 cleaning fee is charged for use of the adjacent building. 2. Apple Valley Yes, $35/field per day (Saturdays & Sundays). 3. Anoka No. 4. Burnsville No. 5. Blaine No. 6. Brooklyn Center No. 7. Coon Rapids The Coon Rapids athletic association pays $500/year for all field use including tournaments. 8. Fridley Yes, they charge a fee of $800 per weekend for non-profit groups to have tournaments on city playfields (softball only). No soccer tournament requests. 9. Golden Valley No. 10. Richfield Yes, they charge $47.50 per day plus lights for baseball and softball. No soccer tournaments. 11. New Brighton No, in relation to city athletic association league tournaments. However, they do charge a fee of $50/day to private groups within the city and $100/day to groups outside of the city. 12. New Hope No. 13. Maplewood No. 14. Shoreview Yes, they charge a rate of $10 per hour per field. 15. Roseville No. 16. St. Louis Park No. 17. Hopkins/Minnetonka No. 18. Maple Grove Yes, $30/field per day. Survey Response Total Yes - 7 No - 11 NOTE: The communities that responded no indicated that they would charge a fee if extra maintenance was required. Survey conducted by: Rick Busch Recreation Supervisor Plymouth Park & Recreation Dept. MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447 DATE: March 8, 1993 TO: PRAC FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director of Parks and Recreation SUBJECT: ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION EQUIPMENT STORAGE Attached is an athletic association storage survey that was completed in 1992 and given to PRAC at that time. Since our last meeting, I sent a memo to the Chief of Police, the Fire Marshall, the Director of Public Works, the Superintendent of Public Works, the Superintendent of Parks, the streets supervisor, sewer supervisor, and parks supervisor. I asked each of them to review their own areas and identify any space that might be available to be used for equipment storage. All of the responses were negative. There is no space available currently for such usage on city property. EB/np Attachment ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION EQUIPMENT STORAGE The cities listed below offer the following assistance in the storage of athletic equipment for the youth athletic associations serving their community: Brooklyn Park Space is provided in their Central Park Community Building for the various sports. Youth hockey is given space at their ice arena. All equipment at both facilities is insured as well by the City of Brooklyn Park. Burnsville 3,500 square feet of space is provided on the lower level of their city hall building. Crystal The city built a combination concessions -storage facility at their Little League Complex for the baseball association to use. Eagan A storage building was jointly constructed between the city and the athletic association. The city provided all materials, labor and a site. The athletic association is paying $5,000 a year until the cost of the materials is paid off. Eden Prairie Space is provided at the Round Lake Pavilion for softball, baseball and football. Some minimal space for swimming, hockey and figure skating is provided at the ice arena. Edina Each association is given some space in their public works building. Golden Valley Each athletic association is allowed some space in one of the city's maintenance buildings. Hopkins -Minnetonka If a storage building is adjacent to the fields the association uses, then they are given a key to that building. Otherwise, no storage is provided. Maple Grove The baseball and basketball associations are currently provided space in the Eagle Lake Community Building. Roseville Space is provided in their Activities Center. Hockey and Little League baseball have 400 sq. ft., football has 400 sq. ft., basketball and a second baseball association share 250 sq. ft. February 16, 1993 Loni Gradick Plymouth Soccer Association 11730 27th Ave N Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Loni: yk f CITY OF PLYMOUTR Thank you for attending the February 11 Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting. At that meeting, you expressed concern for the safety of your sports' equipment currently stored in the wooden sheds at Oakwood Playfield. Although, I am not aware of any space currently available for such storage, the park and Recreation Advisory Commission has asked me to explore this matter further and report back to them. I will keep you informed of any progress we make in this area. You also indicated that you wish to have strong ties with our department on the development of the program. Rest assured that both Rick Busch and Cindy Anderson are available to lend assistance and coordination at whatever level your board feels appropriate. Thank you for your interest in this matter. I will keep you informed of any progress I make in locating storage facilities. Sincerely, 111 Eric J. Ak Director of Parks and Recreation EJB/np cc: FRAC City Manager Rick Busch Cindy Anderson We Listen . We Solve • We Care 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000 February 16, 1993 CITY OF PUMOUTR Rich Dilley Plymouth -Wayzata Girls Softball 11601 3rd Ave N Plymouth, MN 55441 Dear Rich: Thank you for taking the time to attend the February 11 Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting. At that meeting, you indicated that you could use storage space of approximately 12 x 16 feet. You also stated you would like to put up a batting cage as close as possible to the shelter at Oakwood Playfield. This site would need a 110 volt outlet, and the cage would take a space roughly 12 x 60 feet 3n lenght. Although, I am not aware of any space available at this time, the Commission asked that I look into the matter of additional storage space and report back to them. I will also ask someone from my staff to get in touch with you about the possibility of your organization putting up a batting cage at Oakwood. Thank you for your time and interest in this subject. I will keep you informed of any progress we make on these matters. Sincerely, Eric J. Blank Director of Parks EJB/np cc: PRAC City Manager Rick Busch Mark Peterson and Recreation We Listen • We Solve • We Care 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000 CITY OF February 16, 1993 PLYMOUTR Jim Gleason Plymouth -Wayzata Soccer Club 16505 4th Ave N Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Jim: Thank you for taking the time to attend the February 11 Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting. My notes indicate that there are two areas of concern you have. First, when the City is planning future athletic facilities, you would like to have some input with regard to soccer fields at these sites. Second, you expressed concern about the amount of the fee for the Wayzata Summer Soccer Tournament. ,You indicated that the Club would be willing to pay what you described as "reasonable costs" associated with the extra maintenance required for this tournament. The Commission has asked that I provide them with additional information regarding this matter, so they can review the current status of this situation. I will keep you informed of any changes that may result from their future discussions. Thank you for your interest in this matter. Have a great summer soccer season. F Sincerely, Eric J. Blank Director of Parks and Recreation EJB/np cc: PRAC City Manager Rick Busch We Listen • We Solve • We Care 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY PAVILION CALENDAR MARCH 1993 WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 9:30-11:30 SC 9:30-10:30 NWO 9:30-10:30 NWO 9:15-12:15 PD 10:45-11:30 FFT 6:30-8:45 BCW/ 6:30-8:45 BCW/ YOGA YOGA 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 9:30-11:30 SC 9:30-10:30 MWO 9:30-10:30 MWO 9:15-12:15 PD 10:45-11:30 FFT 6:30-8:45 BCW/ 6:30-8:45 BCW/ 5:00-7:00 PM YOGA YOGA SALLY OLSON-BDP 559-1606 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 9:30-11:30 SC 9:30-10:30 MWO 10-2:30 ART 9:30-10:30 MWO 9:15-12:15 PD 9:00-12:30 PSS 10:45-11:30 FFT CLASS CLOWNING AROUND 6:30-8:45 BCW/ 6:30-8:45 BCW/ YOGA YOGA 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 9:30-11:30 SC 9:30-10:30 MWO 9:30-10:30 MWO 9:15-12:15 PD 10:45-11:30 FFT 6:30-8:45 BCW/ 6:30-8:45 BCW/ YOGA YOGA 28 29 30 31 9:30-11:30 SC 9:30-10:30 MWO 10:45-11:30 FFT 6:30-8:45 BCW/ 6:30-8:45 BCW/ YOGA YOGA CAPPING SERVICE SHOREVIEW /ARUEN HILLS FOCUS Ramsey Co. DEC 2 1992 Mounds Vewl ow Blightun/Shoreview/Arden Hills Focus—Tues.,December 22, 1992 --3 City moves forward \ wlth" LL, olf course plan A proposal for a golf course in and to become competitive In a Mounds View took a step further competitive market," Clerk - hist week. Administrator Samantha Orduno The ,City Council agreed to said. obtain two additional course The cost of the designs and designs from architects and to study will be paid by money from conduCl a market analysis of the the golf course fund, a pool of area, ns recommended by the money left over from a closed Golf Course Task Force. bond fund. The market study information, City leaders also expect expccled to be shared by Western Western Bank will share the costa Bank, will help city leaders shape of the market study but the the prtljcct to compete in the golf- specifics on that project have not ing m;gkel. yet been worked out, Orduno 11 gill help u% fine our niche said. 1CL1MO IpNVICEPELE VALLEY,RLEREKrVILLF.9hN-I:URKENT D•kol• Co. DEC 221992 Arena drive begins Available funds stirs Interest in arena for AV By Mikkei Kelly proponents of a new athletic complex in Apple Valley may won be knocking on doors and asking supporters to sign petitions. Roger Tadsen, a member of the Valley Athletic Association VAA) and past president, said youth sports are "busting at the seams" and each year morecity parks are being used to handle games that can't be scheduled at appropriate fields. He mid the Valley Athletic Association had planned to send letters asking supporters to write to the city council but in- stead deckled it's time to go door to door. lime will be h meeting of supporters at the VAA field house at Hayes Field Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. and petitions will be presented to the city "council sometime later in January, he said. The city has construction Of a southern athletic complex on the city's long-term goal list. The idea has been on the back burner until recently when Comcilmember Bob Erickson asked residents in a letter to the editor if and how an available $3 million should be spent. Erickson's request came last month after George Ballenger, Apple Valley finance director, reported that $3 million from two of the city's assessment funds could be spent immediate- ly and the city would still have sufficient cash Bow through 2007. The two well-managedIfundsflourishedbecauseofbond refinancing, fewer defaults, and assessments paid back quicker that expected, said Tom Melena, Apple Valley city administrator. Melena said the 25 or so responses to Erickson have generally been conservative. Some suggestions included reducing debt, keeping the money fa something to fall back on, putting off making a decisim fa awhile, or making a special fund — as cities such as Eagan have doe — and spen- ding only the interest each year, he said. The council briefly discussed the 63 million at the Dec. 10 meeting when resident Wilton Anderson suggested the money be given back to the taxpayer. Mayor Bill Holton replied that it would be difficult to fairly distribute the money to tax- payers because not all have Hv- ed here the same amount of time. Instead he said the money should be used for debt reduction. While the council waits for other suggestions, more support for a new athletic c mpiexcame this week in a report from then Youth Athletic Needs Study Committee. The report co - Nudes that each year athletic: seed, Intrude a little deeper Into i 6eighborbood parks. Six new 1 playfelds and two gymnasiums S constructed since 1986 have not kept pace with the needs, thei report prep t shows Increasing m,mbers of youth participating in sports since 1984. This year 11,774 children participated len I the Apple Valley Hockey Association, the Rosemount Athletic Association, the Rom, mount Area Hockey Associa- tion, and tine Valley Athletic Association. Of those, 7,143 ace Apple Valley youth. f the city's 14 neighborhood 1 parks, which according to the city's Comprehensive Plan are meant as a place for people In the neighborhood to congregate, seven are disrupted by athletic association actvities. Those are' Duchess, Faith, Greening, Longridge, Redwood South, Wildwood, and Greenleaf. Those "where the dismplion factor is not as genal" are Hoo- tington, Delaney, Gaalieie, Lager, Hagemeister. and tah parks. report Mix a variety Of cancans about having atidelk association games In neighborhood Perim ':,.. A • No phone or Geld attendantavailable. .t Fields not designed for brBanized Play - Inadequate parking, children darting between park-.' Can blocking driveways and may even restrict theability of an emergency vehicle. Drivers turn around in driveways, park on lawns. PeoPkcutfiagacrosslawwe. Litter lett in neighborhood yards. Cars taking up resident par- Rsidents complaining about presence of portable toilets brought in for games. Water is not available at most sites. Many children would like to use park far informal games while leagues are piaying. Siblings and friends alteW' ding games overload.. playground and other facilitiesa: Noise associated with games disturbs residents. Not as cost efficient for City crews to maintain and ad- miolalersatellite facilities. ' " Not mnvervent fa league peke scheduling and program Members of the Youth Addetic Needs Study Commit• Lee who prepared the report are: Robkt Curry, UrbanAffaius ' Committee; Bernie ITsich, Ap- ple prpleValleyHockeyAssociation; Karan Edgelon, Planning Com- 1 minim; JoAnne Ellison, Dime, tar of Community Education and District 196 Demographer;., David Gross. Park and Recrea- lion Advisory Committee; Jet!, Krause, Valley Athletic Associa- , Go; Steve Reiseauer, Rine - mount Area Athletic Associa- tion; and Tom Swope, Valley Athletic Association. Normally the city council fan a geal setting session in JanunrY but the session has been postponed to allow a transition with mayor -elect Will Brammg, said Metas. Whether to spend 3 million of the city's two assessment funds and if a%what; to spend it on, will he one of antissuesbeforethecamelce Y year. MNA CLIPPING SERVICE 4LWFST ST. PAUL. SUN -CURRENT Dakota Co. Propo'sed ice arena would cost residents By (leather Gay Residents may need to pay half the cost for a $3 million ice arena proposed for Inver Grove Heights. The Inver Grove Heights Ice Arena Task Force hopes voters will approve a $1.5 million referendum in April 1993. The ci- in Inver Grove 1.5 million ly will appoint a 14 -member commission to look at whether there should be a referendum and what park and recreation projects should be included in the vote. If the residents pay half the community center -arena cost, the other $1.5 million for con- struction would come from a general revenue bond, said Jack Skoog, chair of the Ice Arena Task Force. The $3 million price tag doesn't include parking, hockey boards, or site amenities (grass and shrubs), Skoog said. The ice arena planned to share a parking facility with the proposed Armory, but the Ar- mory project has been put on hold until 1994, he said. So tem- porary parking would have to be put in until the Armory is built, he said. If a referendum for the ice arena passes, construction would begin in May 1993, Skoog said. The revenue bonds would be paid back out of revenues generated from the arena, Skoog said. An ice arena averages a revenue of $1,000 a game, he said. Marquette Partners, a finan- cial operation company, did a financial feasibility study on how much revenue the center - arena could generate in a year. Its preliminary report said the competition of surrounding arenas would not have an im- pact on this project, Skoog said. The report said Inver Grove Heights could expect the same cash flow as surrounding facilities based on population, use and community events, Skoog said. That's good news, Skoog said. Gross revenue projections for the ice arena are about $200,000 a year, he said. Ice would be in the building about seven months of the year, Skoog said. The other five mon- ths the arena could be used for other events, including wrestl- ing and volleyball tournaments, field hockey, broomball, con- certs and tennis, he said. Also available is a community meeting room. The ice arena would seat 1,200. The ice sheet is 85 feet by 210 feet. That's a unique sheet of ice," Skoog said. Most rinks are 85 feet by 200 feet. The reason for the extra five feet behind each goal is for safety — to give skaters more room, he said. d eAL 0? SOUT" et.r .... gry GROVE HFl(iHI9 sur,cu RENT Dakota Co. DEG 2S 199-7 Proposed ice arena in Inver Grove would cost residents $1.5 million By Heather Gay Residents Xy) need to PaY half the cost for $3 million ice arena proposed for Inver Grove Heights. The Inver Grove Heights Ice Arena Task Force hopes voters will approve a $1.5 million referendum in April 1993. The ci- ty will appoint a 14 -member commission to look at whether there should be a referendum and what park and recreation projects should be included in the vote. H the residents pay half the community center -arena cos4 the other $1.5 million for con- stnution_would . come froma, general revenue bond said Jack Skoog, chair of the Ice Arena Task Force. The $3 million price tag doesn't include parking, hockey boards, or site amenities (grass and shrubs), Skoog said. The ice arena planned to share a parking facility with the proposed Armory, but the Ar- mory project has been put on hold until 1994, he said So tem- porary parking would have to be put in until the Armory is built, he said. H a referendum for the ice arena passes, construction would begin in May 1993, Skoog saidThe revenue bonds would be paid back out of revenues generated from the arena, Skoog said. said. An ice arena averages a revenue of $1,000 a Ibis Is a sketch of the $3 million ice arena proposed for Inver Grove game, he said Heights. City idents may be asked to pay half the cost through a Marquette partners a furan- referendum. tial operation company, did a Financial feasibility study on available is a community how much revenue the center- meeting mom. arena could generate in a year. The ice arena would seat Its preliminary report said the 1,200. The ice sheet is 85 feet by competition of surrounding 210 feet arenas would not have an im- hat's a unique sheet of ice," pact on this Grove said. Most rinks are 85. The report said Inver fSkoog by 200 feet The reason for Heights could expect the same the extra five feet behind each cash flow as surrounding goal 'is for safety — to give facilities based on population, skaters more room, he said use and community events, The two players' boxes would Skoog said be on either side of the arena, in - That's good news, Skoog said. stead of the usual side by side Gross revenue projections for boxes, Skoog said This way the ice arena are about $200,000 players would be seated next to a year, he said their own fans, and opposing Ice would be in the building fans won't be able to bother the about seven months of the year, players, he said -- Skoog said The other five moo- The rink is set below pound the the arena could be used for level with seating starting at other events, including wresfl- ground level and going up. This ing and volleyball tournaments, provides good visibility for all field hooey, broomball, con- seats, Skoog said cats and tennis, he said Also There will be both men's and women's restmoms on each side of the arena, and a large game room for children. flus is a lot more than a building with a sheet of k` Skoog said Kc MNA CLIPPING SERVICE t WESTONKA SUN "I" Latest hockey arena news is no news Hockey group awaits financing feasibility study By Angie Cairns The latest news regarding the proposal to build an ice arena in Orono on land owned by the Orono School District is that there really isn't any news. Superintendent Thomas Mich and Assistant Superintendent Neal Lawson met Dec. 15 with some Orono city leaders regar- ding the ice arena proposal. This is the fust time members from either side have sat down to discuss the issue since a full board and council workshop in September. Meanwhile, the group propos- ing to build the multi -use facility the Orono Area Sports Facilities Association — is waiting to see the results from a financial feasibility study, said Bob Halvorson, association president. The summary of that report was to have been presented to the association on Dec. 21, Halvorson said. Overall, the three groups are holding fast to the -u• earlier posi- tions regarding the arena and its proposed location. The school site still remains the No. 1 choice," Halvorson said. As for the city, "[Orono] is still opposed to that arena facili- ty being placed in the northeast corner of the school property," said Ron Moorse, city administrator. The city is opposed to the location . for a number of reasons," he said. The area under consideration is the northeast corner of vacant district property east of old Crystal Bay Road and across the street from the current school campus. County Road 6 is north of the site; to the east is Willow Drive. In the September workshop, city officials expressed a con- cern over the possible entrance and exit for the arena on County Road 6. This issue was discussed in the recent meeting between the district and the city. Really nothing was decid- ed," Lawson said. "They do not like the entrance or exit from 6th for sure." The school district has already agreed to sell the land for cost and any other legal ex- penses and has given the association a purchase agree- ment, Lawson said. It's really up to the ice arena folks to make the next move," he said. Although the city does not like the proposed location of the arena, Moorse was unsure how the City Council felt about the arena in general. The council, as a whale, hasn't taken a position on that," he said. "[They] haven't reall\ taken a position an whether they are in favor of it or not." In the September workshop, some council members express ed concern about how the association will be able to raise the money to build the arena and whether or not the arena itself will be successful if it is built. But Halvorson said the association has not given up hope. I think that there is a real need for a project like this," he said. The school district does not have its own arena. Orono High School hockey teams use Pond Arena in Mound for practices and home games.- Hennepin Co. DEC 2211992 MNA CLIPPING SERVICE t WESTONKA SUN "I" Latest hockey arena news is no news Hockey group awaits financing feasibility study By Angie Cairns The latest news regarding the proposal to build an ice arena in Orono on land owned by the Orono School District is that there really isn't any news. Superintendent Thomas Mich and Assistant Superintendent Neal Lawson met Dec. 15 with some Orono city leaders regar- ding the ice arena proposal. This is the fust time members from either side have sat down to discuss the issue since a full board and council workshop in September. Meanwhile, the group propos- ing to build the multi -use facility the Orono Area Sports Facilities Association — is waiting to see the results from a financial feasibility study, said Bob Halvorson, association president. The summary of that report was to have been presented to the association on Dec. 21, Halvorson said. Overall, the three groups are holding fast to the -u• earlier posi- tions regarding the arena and its proposed location. The school site still remains the No. 1 choice," Halvorson said. As for the city, "[Orono] is still opposed to that arena facili- ty being placed in the northeast corner of the school property," said Ron Moorse, city administrator. The city is opposed to the location . for a number of reasons," he said. The area under consideration is the northeast corner of vacant district property east of old Crystal Bay Road and across the street from the current school campus. County Road 6 is north of the site; to the east is Willow Drive. In the September workshop, city officials expressed a con- cern over the possible entrance and exit for the arena on County Road 6. This issue was discussed in the recent meeting between the district and the city. Really nothing was decid- ed," Lawson said. "They do not like the entrance or exit from 6th for sure." The school district has already agreed to sell the land for cost and any other legal ex- penses and has given the association a purchase agree- ment, Lawson said. It's really up to the ice arena folks to make the next move," he said. Although the city does not like the proposed location of the arena, Moorse was unsure how the City Council felt about the arena in general. The council, as a whale, hasn't taken a position on that," he said. "[They] haven't reall\ taken a position an whether they are in favor of it or not." In the September workshop, some council members express ed concern about how the association will be able to raise the money to build the arena and whether or not the arena itself will be successful if it is built. But Halvorson said the association has not given up hope. I think that there is a real need for a project like this," he said. The school district does not have its own arena. Orono High School hockey teams use Pond Arena in Mound for practices and home games.- tg DEC Z12 1992 scussions Uity Council continues Police - L••y whole owever, are the The education to the aro- trent exparLsion, [ire stations By Terraace }1leneel community "becomes P nd City Ball :;p osion, whichIcearena61kscontinuedownmounttothisLssue:' said Mayor aaroundaboutPathonWhathasTomEgan, during a council iof Crci als believe are muchperennialdebateforworkshopDec. 15. j become a Pe Council But that doesn't mean anether the Eagan City referendum is on the way. Can_ The council remains cautious neat member's said they remain .i on its approach to budding committed to avoiding taxes for ' ice arena. To that end, the coon- About $1.35 million is cit now refers to the ice arena as an arena. a "recreational facility/arena.' available through the city's Council members said the community investment fund andarenawillserve. more than leftover bond money- arena oney The C0W" hockey groups and the name cil has designated that amount should reflect that multi- for19Maspariutthecdy'sCrve- Besiect thatword "ice year cap ital Improvements a pbo enema" carries a stigma from P= duns y ComPehng for other non - 1 past failed referee layer money in the CQ'. want to avoid. on ice Couneihnember Ted Wachter said he favors meeting dd' with needs before going pians to build an ice arena. ap- Wachter said the best option verPearstohavepolicelakeover the Municipal Center and L'OII- shvct anew CIty IIaLL. Those are the two concerns I want to see satisfied first; he said. Wachter As for the ice arenao a said it should be Part . plan for a community center• arena complex Even i[ the arent! is built Fust at least residents willundde ata°d the broader Pictn'e, Councihnember Pam 1 ag ' but added Eagan s . must meet the needs council youth. I don't think we should railroad anything always supporrted budding anMICM, who icearena in Eagan. city ex- McCreasuggestedthe tyx- plore creating a non-profit group, complete with a Board ofDirectors, to oversee the arena* That way, she said, no one group willhave HockeydA 0C18 a public - tion has ProP°S dwith Eagan private partrlershl The Ea to build an arena. would c yipaym'oover 20 y;;, D yyearsfor the Protect. Another50,000 would come as in-kindservice; through sweat qty More funding options such asraisingcityfeesand _ pall -tabrevenuearebeingconsideredto help offset costs. neo hasEganaddedthemakethat tough lo:U ig". But as •'. may be Poli _ should not .. mayor• he said, ritryingsks to not drad- feared comcomunit futuredressthe . needs. FEB 10 1993 Shorewood site eyed for senior center Costs, design, still in earliest stages By ,fohn Mugford They're not calling it Shangri La, but members of a task force assembled to find a permanent home for the Southshore Senior Center have found a spot they like. At Monday's Shorewood City council meeting, members of the Southshore Senior Center Task Force presented a ten- tative plan to consider building a new Southshore Senior Center, 7,000 to 8,000 square feet, on land just north and east of Shorewood City Hall. The land is owned by Shorewood and is part of the Ci- ty Hall campus and is just off County Road 19. I think we're saying we would definitely support the idea Iii , firing built here," said Shorewood Mayor Barb Brancel. "But there are a lot of things to figure out beforehand." Indeed there are, said Bob Gagne, a former Shorewood council member and a member of the 12 -resident task force. The task force was put together last year to find a permanent home for the senior center, which has been located in small, tem- porary quarters at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Excelsior since 1990. All we're asking for is the OK to go ahead and study this fur- ther, to get a more -detailed plan going," Gagne said. "We can't go any further if we don't get the approvals of the city councils to go ahead. And you're the first one we're asking because we think you have a lot at stake." Monday, Shorewood gave the task force the approval to con- tinue studying the proposal, and now the group will ask the other four city councils for similar direction. Those councils are Excelsior, Tonka Bay, Green- wood and Deephaven. But before thr proposal can move out of the earliest concept stage, Shorewood Planner Brad Nielsen will figure out exactly how much land is available and how large a building could be built at the site just off CountyRoadf9. The City Hall campus is about 10 acres, but Nielsen said a city zoning code does not allow more than 20 percent of the land to contain buildings. Should task force members get the approval of the other city councils, they will begin work- ing with Nick Reuhl of Excelsior -based Eos Architec- ture to come up with a final plan and cost estimate. According to a report issued last week by the task force, senior center officials in 1989 estimated that a free-standing building meeting the needs of the senior center could cost anywhere from $400,000 to 500,000. But neither Gagne nor Ben Withhart, CEO of Hopkins - based Senior Community Ser- vices and a member of the task force, would say if that figure is close to what a new senior center would cost. Senior Com- munity Services manages several area senior centers. It's just too early to tell," Withhart said. "We can't even give a ballpark figure at this point. That's why we want to be able to continue on and meet with the architect." Should the five city councils ultimately approve the con- struction of a permanent home for the Southshore Senior Center, several methods could be used to pay for it, including adding construction costs to local tax levies. In the meantime, the task force needs to raise $5,000 to pay for a detailed architectural and financial proposal. Senior citizens who take part in ac- tivites at the senior center plan to raise about $2,500 by selling cookbooks, said Jan Gray, a task force member. The Southshore Senior Center has been looking for a home since 1990, when it had to leave the old Excelsior High School because the Minnetonka School District needed to reclaim the space. And while Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church came to the rescue that year, offering tem- porary space, the senior center hasn't been able to expand its services, as officials had planned. Before the senior center had to move from the old Excelsior High School, plans were in the works for the senior center to Join in a cooperative building project with the Shorewood American Legion Post 259, ac- cording to a report issued by the senior center task force. But the timing of the move out of the old high school killed those plans. Today, an average 35 to 40 seniors eat lunch each day at the senior center, said Ed Fuller, a task force member. Others take part in a variety of other p grams, he said. EXCEISIOR— SNOR6w'110D SUN -SAILOR Ilennepin f'n. FEB 10 1993 Shorewood site eyed for senior center Costs, design, still in earliest stages By ,fohn Mugford They're not calling it Shangri La, but members of a task force assembled to find a permanent home for the Southshore Senior Center have found a spot they like. At Monday's Shorewood City council meeting, members of the Southshore Senior Center Task Force presented a ten- tative plan to consider building a new Southshore Senior Center, 7,000 to 8,000 square feet, on land just north and east of Shorewood City Hall. The land is owned by Shorewood and is part of the Ci- ty Hall campus and is just off County Road 19. I think we're saying we would definitely support the idea Iii , firing built here," said Shorewood Mayor Barb Brancel. "But there are a lot of things to figure out beforehand." Indeed there are, said Bob Gagne, a former Shorewood council member and a member of the 12 -resident task force. The task force was put together last year to find a permanent home for the senior center, which has been located in small, tem- porary quarters at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Excelsior since 1990. All we're asking for is the OK to go ahead and study this fur- ther, to get a more -detailed plan going," Gagne said. "We can't go any further if we don't get the approvals of the city councils to go ahead. And you're the first one we're asking because we think you have a lot at stake." Monday, Shorewood gave the task force the approval to con- tinue studying the proposal, and now the group will ask the other four city councils for similar direction. Those councils are Excelsior, Tonka Bay, Green- wood and Deephaven. But before thr proposal can move out of the earliest concept stage, Shorewood Planner Brad Nielsen will figure out exactly how much land is available and how large a building could be built at the site just off CountyRoadf9. The City Hall campus is about 10 acres, but Nielsen said a city zoning code does not allow more than 20 percent of the land to contain buildings. Should task force members get the approval of the other city councils, they will begin work- ing with Nick Reuhl of Excelsior -based Eos Architec- ture to come up with a final plan and cost estimate. According to a report issued last week by the task force, senior center officials in 1989 estimated that a free-standing building meeting the needs of the senior center could cost anywhere from $400,000 to 500,000. But neither Gagne nor Ben Withhart, CEO of Hopkins - based Senior Community Ser- vices and a member of the task force, would say if that figure is close to what a new senior center would cost. Senior Com- munity Services manages several area senior centers. It's just too early to tell," Withhart said. "We can't even give a ballpark figure at this point. That's why we want to be able to continue on and meet with the architect." Should the five city councils ultimately approve the con- struction of a permanent home for the Southshore Senior Center, several methods could be used to pay for it, including adding construction costs to local tax levies. In the meantime, the task force needs to raise $5,000 to pay for a detailed architectural and financial proposal. Senior citizens who take part in ac- tivites at the senior center plan to raise about $2,500 by selling cookbooks, said Jan Gray, a task force member. The Southshore Senior Center has been looking for a home since 1990, when it had to leave the old Excelsior High School because the Minnetonka School District needed to reclaim the space. And while Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church came to the rescue that year, offering tem- porary space, the senior center hasn't been able to expand its services, as officials had planned. Before the senior center had to move from the old Excelsior High School, plans were in the works for the senior center to Join in a cooperative building project with the Shorewood American Legion Post 259, ac- cording to a report issued by the senior center task force. But the timing of the move out of the old high school killed those plans. Today, an average 35 to 40 seniors eat lunch each day at the senior center, said Ed Fuller, a task force member. Others take part in a variety of other p grams, he said. MRw CU I SESERVICE t EDEN PRAIRIE SUN -SAILOR 11 ... ephi fo. JAN 1 3 1993 City may negotiate Ily Richard Crawford In the quest to expand and up- grade Riley Lake Park, three homes may be lost in the process. Riley Park, in ille southwest corner of Eden Prairie, is slated for a L'Soo,000 upgrade as a result of a park -improvement referen- dum that was approved by voters last March. Planned improvements at the park include adding two softball fields, expanding a public beach area, and adding new courts, trails, playground equipment, and a horse ring. for three homes next to Riley Lake Plans are also in the works to reroute Riley fake Road around the perimeter of the park, which would accommodate the propos- ed Bearpath Golf and Country Club adjacent to the park. Without the road running through the park, it no longer makes sense to allow all of the boat -launch traffic to run through the middle of the park, according to Bob Lambert, director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources. Ilse Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission has recommended that the City Council consider acquiring four lots — three of which have homes — so that the boat launch could be relocated to the southern end of the park. 711e Eden Prairie City Council is scheduled to consider the mat- ter Jan. 1.9. None of the owners of the four lots has expressed an interest to sell, said Lambert. Basically, the big boys are moving in and taking us out"' according to Ernie Shuldhiess, who owns one of the homes the city may acquire. "They aren't going to try to condemn Bearpath." Shuldhiess' parents five in one of the other homes in question. The family has lived there near- ly 4o years, said Shuldhiess, who currently rents out his home while he is working in Wiscon- sin. He said he was hoping to retire next to Riley take. (See letter on Page 4A) Ever since the early 1900s, said Lambert, the city has con- tacted the owners of the four lots to lel them know that the land was slated for future park expansion. Although there were no plans lg use their property until around She year 2000, that changed when the Bearpath development was proposedsaidLambert. , Moving the boat launch to the southern end of the park also would make the park a lot safer, said Lambert. Pedestrians wouldn't have to cross a buffy street to get to the beach, and atheboattrafficwouldbe wayfromtheswimmers, he explained. Shuldhiess maintains that the boat launch could be moved to the northern part of the park without having to acquire homes. But that scenario would require building another en- trance to the park and would Jeopardize a historic farm site in that location, said Lambert. IThere is also a legal provision that was in place when the city purchased land in the northern F9;qe of the perk that prohibited' a boat launch there. We never like to to somebody and say we're going10taketheirpropertywhetherUIPYlikeitornotsaid Lambert "But we're tryfog todowhat's best for the Nogg -termWhimofthecity." Mae edtoconsideronJan. 19 w7Is to give city staff members the ability to begin negotiations forthefourlots. H the City Council authorizes negotiations but they aren't suc- cessful, the city could consider condemning The city would pe ld em from a Park Dedication nod to dry the homes, said lambert. Money from that fund is corn: Posed of lash tees paid bydevelopersinlienofdedicatingPortionsofdevelopedland forparkuse. MMA CLIP•INn SERVICE 1 SHAKOPEEVALLEV NEWSScottCo. 15 tf City to hold on to sales tax funds An unexpected surge in state sales lax revenue means that about 800 Minnesota cities will receive extra money in their year's end aid payments from the state. For some cities, like Minneapolis, the result will be a downright windfall. The state's largest city will receive about $5 million it didn't expect. Many cities, like Minneapolis, will use some of the extra funds to reduce the 1993 tax levy. St. Paul, the second-largest city, will gel $3 million. On the other end of the scale are cities like Shakopee, which will receive a paltry 512,167. The payments arc based on the amount of stale aids each city receives. The $12,167 equates to two-tenths of 1 percent of the city's general fund budget in 1993. Al the Dec. 15 City Council meeting, Councilor Bob Sweeney sug- gested "pmdent use" of the extra money: leave it in the city's cash now fund to offset possible future cuts in slate aids. The state is facing a $750 million budget deficit in the next biennium. The council agreed with Sweeney's suggestion on a 5-0 vole. Since 1991, the state has designated 2 cents of its 6% -cent sales tax for a local government trust fund, designed to help cities, townships and counties pay for municipal services and social programs. However, last year the slate raided the trust fund to help-fhnance its own budget, Cities will get the bulk of this year's unexpected windfall. Second Eden Prairie rink set to open EDEN PRAIRIE—A second indoor ice rink at Eden Prairie Commu- nity Center is expected to be open for skating Jan. 1 as scheduled. The new Olympic -size rink will be used primarily for groups that pay rent for ice time, such as figure -skating clubs and youth hockey teams. Estimated cost of the new rink, expanded office area and parking lot is 2.3 million, which the city plans to pay for through rental fee revenue over 20 years. The Eden Prairie High School hockey team will continue to use the existing rink, which will be open for seasonal use. The new rink will be open year-round. PSC Chaska utility keeps taxes down CHASKA— Chaska's electric utility continues to be an important source of rovenue for the city, with its profits holding down property, taxes. Each year, an estimated 10 percent of the city's electrical utility revenue is put into the city's general fund in lieu of property taxes, which is enough to make the utility the second-largest source of revenue for the city, second only to property taxes. This year, the city will collect $1,021,709 in property taxes. Electrical utility transfer will be $757,338. In 1993, the city will collect $1,040,025 in property taxes and receive $829,300 from the utility. City officials said that without the utility transfer, city property taxes would be considerably higher. The city recently approved a 1993 levy of $1.3 million, up 3.2 percent from the 1992 levy. However, the general operating budget for Chaska Is much hi*her than the 1993 levy. The 1993 budget approved recently was 3.17 million. Community center budget is $1 million CHASKA—The city of Chaska established a $1 million budget for the Chaska Community Center in 1993. Revenues aro expected to be $1,073,590, with expenditures of 5951,967, resulting in an anticipated profit of $121,623. The figure, however, are for operations only and do not include capita investmeats or building pay- ments. The budget is designed so that the mater remains profitable and does not need tax levy suppor for operations. Memberships and daily admissions account for the lion's share of revenue. Daily admissions have hovered around $250,000 annually since the center opened. Memberships brought in $346591 in 1991. Projected for $330,000 in 1992, the membership Iola[ for the fust 10 months was 279,000. Racquetball and the ice arena are the two areas where revenues have been short of projections in 1991 and 1992. PCA MMR cLIgINa aERVICE f NEB RRlfalNRIILLE. R..., C.. Ca. DEV Z' 16. i Golf market study planned; Linke apologizes . MOUNDS VIEW r by fico Fuebrer The Mounds View City Council Dec. 14 approved spending up to S15,000 for additional concept designs and a market analysis for the city's proposed golf course. The additional design work "will help us find our niche," said City Administrator Samantha Orduno, "in what is becoming a very competitive market." Money for the additional work will come from the city's golf course development fund, a closed bond account that contains about $60,000, she sa d. According to Orduno. the city's Golf Task Force mel with several representatives of nearby municipal golf courses who urged city officials to take the time to thoroughly plan the project. They were excited," she said. They say that there is a market for a course and that we're silting in a very good location." As a result of the meetings, the Golf Task Force recommended getting new concept drawings from two other golf course architects and updating the current concept drawing, Orduno saki. The task force also decider' to conduct an extensive market analysis to determine costs and revenues, growth and developmrnl trends in golf courses and any other information that could be important to the success of the proposed course, she said. MAYOR JERRY LINKE also publicly apologized to Council Member Pat Rickaby for calling for her to resign from the city council at a Dec. 9 budget hearing. Linke stressed that he wasn't apologizing for asking Rickaby to resign but, other, for the way he did it. Unbeknownst to me, when 1 asked for her resignation, she had already resigned," he said. "For thm 1 apologize. 1 should have given her the cotmesy of a phone call." In accepting Linke's apology, Rickaby said that she wanted "all politicking at city council meetings to come to an end. I sce nothing in the job description of a city council member or mayor that allows them to evaluate the work" of another city council member. Rickaby also said that she plans 'No continue to get the word out and will exercise my free -speech rights" on issues facing the city. She also requested that Linke, his supporters and newspaper reporters "slop calling me at my office:' MMAFCLIP INO IERVICE t APPLE VALLEY /LARF.- VILLESUN-CURRENT Vskob Co. prC 3 U 1992 City to study proposal for southern athletic complex pointed out that some children By Mikkel Kelly II are in more than one league, so of is not Options i0c1onslrucling a southern athletic complex in Ap- the number participants the actual number of children. Council directed Johnson and pie Valley will be studied andtotheCityCouncilin staff to determine specificallypresented coming months by the Apple fields or what additional atbletiiccommendarefraneeded,re Valley Parks and Recreation arenasDepartment. a time might be The City Council accepted a built when, and recommendtomeet report from the Youth Athletic 22 that aternative solutions athleticsNeedsCommitteeDec. Apple Valley athletic Mayo 1 Ho and council concluded fields are being used to total commit - mee m hankednheherthestudyandreagreed capacity for league play• Leagues are consequently using leagues e. We have had a feeling this iscityparks, parks not intendedforleagueactivities, the report happening and now we havesomeconcretenumbers," said said One graph presented to the areHolton. He said in Apple Valle andleyancouncilindicatedAppleValleyis below the national average for a changing for fields has - will finish his city its population in he numberThe ed. Holton, who term this week and will nooffieldsforeachsport. disparity appeared to be longer be on the council, said thelargestinthenumberofsoccerfields, city might be wise o ured.ro- ration secure in preparationwheretheaveragecityhad twice as many Gelds. Penc Gary Hum - hre said 'We are going toYTheneedscommitteethat the study found that P bless ithavesomeseriouspro there are 11,724 participants inApple we don't do something." Councilmember Virginia the four local leagues: Valley Hockey Association, Sterling asked the staff to in - v' mgst b wRv le Rosemount Area AthleticAssociation, Rosemount Area gyphe N tional Guard Armory ani[ Hockey Association, and ValleyAthleticAssociation. Par- whlrflys Centeidln Rhosbem romp inticipantsintheAppleValleycity ptel 994, will help offer additional/Ilimitsare7,143. Randy Johnson, Apple Valley athletic space. Parks and Recreation director, 1'11A5nA VIERALD l:urvrr r:w. JAN 14 1993 Paied down arts facility proposal ed ES 2 mil- used u Committee members think cost may be impediment Ply I Vmme aloene I -AstorWhen the Chaska City Comm" reviewed Proposals for a now almmunity anter, four Years ago. Them were more wants than m- heads for Council In sommo to fulfill them. Now, Wit emaidere pool. Na until the figure reach 1 oaz pn corWrueton o[ an arts facility, the same lion could it a[[ord bmh. UPera problem is haunting organizers. Toa many already had tdeo erredlncllld ngralhe qmr cfl pt fommng now consdcn wishes and loo few dollars. rnt uin 1 Unforlunatcly, the arts facility may not do girls component. While the number Of rec- pen B CounclilsltookWam 1h BrosTherehaseras were heing rulucea to meet the city f ARer weekseksCorklmembersconcludedsame- hoc eommiuer anter. emend funding as it did anter. the adiecting, however, dng on an rots [adlity been a hint that the Council's E2.3 million for budget, u 1theensisafirm, or nerdy firm figure. With thing had to go. It was the performing ens in this ase, an addition 10 the continuallyondidinclude the community Gomyearly casual talk of E2 mi, rose llion, EiSO000n(3 percent) 2mmbt 1Plaad toward a r°mailes neanter — rly doubly rile pr'1aallowed t e Council. to over E4 million, to E62 million and, future perforate harts component - community anter Ihh is TL9 new story itfinally, to Eg.2 million. the Council would has been a success, boot se the money set A taw woks ago, the ed floc orb commitWithoutthatfinaljump, have had to choose between an ice sheet or a aside for the performing arts WUH111y gel lee was looking at a variety Of Nnmilaro eud progmrre for an ares res whldt conorls, PIam could be staged toppe were also areas for b with braek-0r11 MOrBS meet in small groups• video production end f Z1, a to go fc special film showmgs. en and visual girl di eluded. Rehearsal h+ areas, id dao , pogmI time Ikt, 6 1 the inm Veseltatic vhere mud ,aces wM1cm and suluonfemO 1dlOce stnferenas Ince sludias, relavSOMIew! AHTS FACILRV to PmQTWt. PeAC- Cityedrops aquatic center plans after seeing survey th I " By Michael B. SmithO A muni ipal aquatic center — much talked about and highly debated in recent years — will not be a part of Minnetonka's near future. The Minnetonka City Council reviewed aquatic center survey results Monday, Feb. l and decided to abandon plans for the pro- posed center. The survey, done by Decision llesources Inc. 1 DRD, found that while many residents thought the idea appeal- ing, most were opposed if a tax increase was part of the funding. Seventy-six percent of those polled favored the center whentherewasnomentionofcost. Only 29 percent were in favor if a tax increase was necessary. These figures indicate that a bond referendum would be re- jected by voters, according to Bill Morris of DRI. The center could be built without a tax burden on residents by using the Community Investment Fund, money set aside formunicipalprojects. However, that would lie up that fund for 10 years, according to City Manager Jim Miller. The key issue is whether there is enough support for the project to warrant tying up the fund for that period of time, he said. The City Council decided it was not in favor of using the fund for 10 years. We have no idea what our needs may be 10 years from now," said Mayor Tim Bergsledt. "We may need that money desperately and we are not comfortable committing to that now.,, Citizens want to know what the bottom line is, what is it going to cost and I flunk we now know how y ce , said Coun- e cilmember Fred Hanes. For the time being, the pool is on the back burner," Bergstedt said. In 1989, a less detailed survey indicated 66 percent of resident in favor of a an aquatic center. Morris said surveys are "snap- shots of points in time" and said that worse economic and social conditions today, as opposed to 1989, may have attributed to the decreased support. The survey, taken by telephone of 801 Minnetonka residents, had a margin of error of 3.5 percent. Other survey results found: The family -orientated aspects of the center were highlyfavored; 69 percent favored aspects such as a zero -depth edge and a shallow depth area. The City Council asked the Park and Recreation Department to further explore family -orientated options. Forty-six percent said they would not be willing to pay any amount of a tax increase to support the protet. an t for aFifty-one percent would not be willing to pay Y amoun season pass. The survey was part of a mayor -appointed task force's effort to propose plans and funding for the center. The task force included council members, park board members, representatives from area swimming teams and residents. The lack of support was not because of the proposal, but related to economic conditions, Bergstedl added. The $4.4 million project would have been the first to be built with money from the city's Community Investment Fund. MB11CLIPPING SERVICE IS11OPKINS SUNSAIIAR Ilenntpin Co. Cityedrops aquatic center plans after seeing survey th I " By Michael B. SmithO A muni ipal aquatic center — much talked about and highly debated in recent years — will not be a part of Minnetonka's near future. The Minnetonka City Council reviewed aquatic center survey results Monday, Feb. l and decided to abandon plans for the pro- posed center. The survey, done by Decision llesources Inc. 1 DRD, found that while many residents thought the idea appeal- ing, most were opposed if a tax increase was part of the funding. Seventy-six percent of those polled favored the center whentherewasnomentionofcost. Only 29 percent were in favor if a tax increase was necessary. These figures indicate that a bond referendum would be re- jected by voters, according to Bill Morris of DRI. The center could be built without a tax burden on residents by using the Community Investment Fund, money set aside formunicipalprojects. However, that would lie up that fund for 10 years, according to City Manager Jim Miller. The key issue is whether there is enough support for the project to warrant tying up the fund for that period of time, he said. The City Council decided it was not in favor of using the fund for 10 years. We have no idea what our needs may be 10 years from now," said Mayor Tim Bergsledt. "We may need that money desperately and we are not comfortable committing to that now.,, Citizens want to know what the bottom line is, what is it going to cost and I flunk we now know how y ce , said Coun- e cilmember Fred Hanes. For the time being, the pool is on the back burner," Bergstedt said. In 1989, a less detailed survey indicated 66 percent of resident in favor of a an aquatic center. Morris said surveys are "snap- shots of points in time" and said that worse economic and social conditions today, as opposed to 1989, may have attributed to the decreased support. The survey, taken by telephone of 801 Minnetonka residents, had a margin of error of 3.5 percent. Other survey results found: The family -orientated aspects of the center were highlyfavored; 69 percent favored aspects such as a zero -depth edge and a shallow depth area. The City Council asked the Park and Recreation Department to further explore family -orientated options. Forty-six percent said they would not be willing to pay any amount of a tax increase to support the protet. an t for aFifty-one percent would not be willing to pay Y amoun season pass. The survey was part of a mayor -appointed task force's effort to propose plans and funding for the center. The task force included council members, park board members, representatives from area swimming teams and residents. The lack of support was not because of the proposal, but related to economic conditions, Bergstedl added. The $4.4 million project would have been the first to be built with money from the city's Community Investment Fund. 00king for northeast park rp L akevill&s future park needs may include bond by Joni Hubred i .': 4 Use your mind's eye to erase the snow and replace it with greet grass. Stand in cm= field at Aronson Park, shade your eyes against the setting sum; sit at a picnic table at the new Caspetsoa Park shelter, pass the hot dogs and watermelon. It's spring in Lakeville. Ball teams scramble for time on fields marked with three base lines so that the both children and adults can use them At the parks' perimeters, bicycles weave around joggers and walkers on miles of bituminous trails. With 70,000 people expected by the year 2020, the city's parks and trails will be even more heavily used than they are now. Parks and Recreation Director SteveMichaud says thecityhas a tool to help with planning for the [reeds of those future residents in its Park and Open Spaceplan, recently revised for the fourth time in the past 22 years. Lakeville City Council gave it their blessing Jan. 21; as part of the city's Comprehensive Plan, it now moves to the Metropolitan Council for final approval. The document represents a sys- tem that would be very representative of today's citizens," Michaud com- ments, adding that a high priority is given to environmental issues. While the city can't buy err acquire all wet- lands and tree stands, he says, where apossibility of acquiring land with new developments occurs, "we'll do our best." Currently, land for active use is need ed—forballfuelds m accaamto- date the hundreds of children who will play inyouth athletic leagues this year, along with a rapidly expanding co-ree sports program and other adult teams. Today's Lakeville citizen are looking for more active uses in city parks, but that will change, Michaud believes. As today's "baby boomers" head toward retirement, theirchildren will grow up and they will use active facilities less and less. "We justneed to be flexible and adjust to that," he says. The city has a better vision of the fame: reflected in its new plan than everbefomthanks tonewpopulation projections released last.year by the Metropolitan Council. The world ahead will be fraughtwithchallenges posed by the rapid growth antici- pated, andthe Parlssystemis already losing a little ground under the weight of two record -seting years for new single family home permits. While the number of community balTmIds is meeting national stan- dards, Lakeville falls a little shot in providing smaller, neighborhood I pads. The importance of that "na- tional standard" is emphasized by the number of residers who have re- quested the city build a park in thew neighborhood Part of the problem, Michaud says, is that times have changed. Society itself is changing. The biggest issue for parents is the safety and sectirity of their child=... Parents don'tfeel safe and they're basically demanding a park closer to thea own neighborhoods," he explains. That's virtually impossible to ac- complish for every neighborhood While land may be acquired through the park dedication require- ment in the city's pig Ips, it costs thousands of dollars to develop that land — as well as continuing funds and manpower to care for it Lakeville cities don't hesitate to call the city when they feel the grass in a park needs cutting; they have always drivenma imenance andclean- ing standards to a high level. Even though the city can't put a park in every single neighborhood, Michaud tries to explain to citizens who call, "We have a plan:' That plan calls not only for addi- tional development of smaller parks, bnforthe acquistionof anothercom- munitypark.Officials have been con- ducting a search for suitable land over the past few years, in the northeast sector of the city. Over the next few years, Michaud hopes to see the city's largest parks, Caspersen and Ricer Fara, fully de- veloped By 1995,plans forttenorth- east sector park should be complete; by the year 2000, he expects all three community parks to be developed and fully functional. How will all this be paid for? The cityco minutes a long historyof apply- ingforgrammonies; rumblings at the national level lead Michaud to be- _ lieve Land and Water Conservation LAWCOI) monies may offer a small glimmer of hope" under the Clinton adminism im, Lakeville's Parks Deparoneru has a well-earned reputation for being able to turn $l into $5 with matching grants Lakeville has also received thousands of horns of labor through the Sentenced to Service (STS) and Tree Trust program Person con- victed of certain mimes are eligible to work in community service through STS as part of their scrum The Tree Trust program provides sum- mer jobs for area young people last year, itwas expatdedinnfall month s. The city may also place a parks bond referendum before voters this fall — dollars that may be used to obtain matching finds for park de- velopment and land acquisition A survey taken prior to the 1986 bond helped officials decide where those dollars would be concentrated; the result was an expansion of Lakeville's trails system. This year's community survey is currently being structured to include questions about what residems want from their parks system While Lakeville voters have been supportive of funding parks and rec- reation needs in the past, Michaud observes, theyh ave also bhxn conser- vative. W itncarefulmanagementand continued utilization of outside fund- ing, the parks department has been able to keep pace with Lakeville's population, providing facilities as demand increases. That may not be the case this year. Lakeville youth sports program sign- ups have drawn more children than there are ballfields to accommodate them Some program directors are already talking aboutholding try -outs before the season beg m In plain language, there will be some kids that sign up who w ill not be able to play," Michaud points euL And that's really nobody's fault Lakeville has done the best we can, but there's just no way to keep up with the growth" The bond referendum is one of the few mechanism available, he adds, that will bring the city back to meet- ing those needs quickly. MN11 CUPPINn SEIIVICE F:Af:AN til IN-CIIRRF:N7' DAMN Co. FEB 101991:: Diffley-Lexington ballfield plans take shape ' itrsoccerplafter 1996.Iyignchts they a use By Terrance Mencel Plans to build a third athletic field complex complete with softball and soccer fields are taking shape. Grading and seeding could begin this summer on the 20 -acre site known as the Diflley-Lexington site, said Ken Vraa, director of Eagan Parks and Recreation. The relatively Gat field, home to soybeans these past few years, takes up the southwest corner of DifGey Road and Lexington Avenue. The crunch in ball Gelds ...is at every level in organized sports," he said. With the go ahead, Vraa ex- pects the softball fields would open for play in 1996. Ball fields generally require two years to Golf driving range proposed grow grass, Vraa said. Concept plans show six diamonds for softball, three soc- cer fields, a football/bandy field, and a practice field, said Vraa, during a City Council workshop Feb. 2. Parking would be available for about 375 vehicles. A picnic area also would be in- cluded. "Our major picnic parks are great but they don't have the play element," Vraa said. About $400,000 would be need- ed to grade, seed and run storm and sanitary sewers through the site, he said. Currently, the city's park site fund has about 1.1 million available for park improvements. Eagan purchased the site from the Department of Housing and Urban Development four' years ago intending to have it ready for play two years ago. But it has sat idle for three years because of financial constraints and plans to widen Diffley Road. Meanwhile, the city's popula- tion encroaches on 52,000 people who are demanding more and more ball Gelds, especially soft- ball fields. Eventually, the Diffley- Lexington athletic Geld complex would become home for adult sport leagues. Rahn Park would convert back to a more youth - oriented athletic Geld complex. Driving range Two entrepreneurs have pro- posed operating a 260 -yard golf hall driving range on the site through 1996. Eagan resident Rick Kuchera and Ryan Helgeson of New Brighton pro- pose placing the driving range where the soccer Gelds would eventually be built. Vraa said conceptual plans show work on the softball fields would not be affected by the driving range. Additional soccer Gelds will not be necessary until at least 1997. Helgeson and Kuchera would guarantee the city $30,000 over three years for the use of the site. And the site would be ready ed for the operation until 10 p.m. They plan to put in a permanent driving range in the area after 1996. I think it's an excellent in- terim use of the land," said Mayor Tom Egan. The city would extend electric and water lines for lighting and irrigation to the site for about 4,500. Up to 10 summer jobs will be created with revenues of 120,000 expected over three years. But just as the city will gain extra income from the proposed driving range, it will receive less money than expected from Dakota County. The county reduced plans to mine 90,000 yards of common harrow for the widening of DifGey Road. Now it appears the county will likely pay Eagan about $35,000 to mine 30,000 yards, Vraa said. The county will replace the san- dy soil it removes with richer top soil when completed. Vraa added, the Diffley- Lexington athletic field complex would become home to adult sport leagues. Rahn Park fields would convert back to youth oriented sports. MNA, LLIPPINn SERVICE n_J l'IION a ANAND'I'l.N,LI 11 Anoka t o. UFC %1 VTV oseball asso pitionresidentcriesfoul ear limit on use of Woodcrest Little .League fieldsCityCouncilSetstwo -y area near the fields. bel ollelsmann ward and then go five steps back. lensmann. .said the baseball association would by Paler Batley Managingeditor A two-year limit has been placed on Coon Rapids Baseball Association use of Little league fields in Wnod- crest Park. The Coon Elapids City Council Nov. 24 set this time limit in response to concerns raised at file Nov. 10 coun- cil meeting by two residents of the Wooderestarea. But the council action does not set well with baseball association presi- deal Bonnie Grocbner. "This is a problem," she said. "Two years is not a sof,im, but a hand -aid." The association is planning to con- struct a baseball complex, including two Little League fields and two full-size fields, at Winlorcresl Park, which lies adjacent to Woodcrest crest. The council keeps shuffling as BY using the Wood Park area, . ahem t to m' ba ze the number ofPinlotandlbeareaPark. At a September workshop with the around." Otlemmam said, grading old ins- cars the parking But because ilia newly formed third council when the request wasGrcebncrsaid, [he impres- Grcebner said she has been our fun- rovemena cold be kept to a mio- imam aid facilities would be ready fMlds wellfcuAheailihisee ofLittle he beslreulhe. Little League in the city, the Central granted, by the council was that Braising on behalf of rhe asoctiinaa lmhe in 1997 bell court in lbe park, however, 1 title League needs a place to play sion left of r- and has been told by people forme said. , in 1997, the council agreed to the there would be a degree Pebaseballassociation's requesllode- marancYlolhe Woodcrest fields. unfainl to the tmseball11association clop two fields at wooderest Park Ire That's because a Little league field already exists at Woodcrest and it would he less expensive for the association to upgrade that field and construct a second field at Wood - crest at this time than to build two new fields al W inlercreSt. In fact, this fall volunteers from the baseball association constructed the two Little Leagues al Woodcrest. with the help of donated materials. Work also sarled on developing the first of the lull -size fields at Winter The council has required the baseball association to construct fencing round the Woodcrest fields at cost of $7,Wo, but Ihls would not b done if there was only a two-year limit on the use of Ilse fields, Grcehhersaid. However, no matter how long the fields are used by the Little League, 1,7W backstops and SSW sorely fences have to be installed, she said. We are really confused," said Groebner. -,We take three steps for' compared to its trealmml of of r sports organiations in town. How much more can the baseball people take? We have through all ane hoops she aped everything they have wanted m' to do." The city is providing the land for fields at Wintercrest, but extensive grading and other construction is necessary to complete the fields suitable for play, said Coon Rapids Public Works Director Bill Of - In agreeing to this request by the association In September, OI- lemmann sad, the council indicated that this would be a temporary solo- line, but no time limit was placed then. sue Owens and Jodi Nelson, residents of the Woodcrest arca, raised a number of corlcerm about the use of WIIOdCIYaI for LiWe League baseball, inclldag tlw fact that no lermian date had lain set Parking was also a concern In the 011emmann conceded that the Little: League fields will increase the we or Woodcrest Park, and that wily change the character of the park: somewhat. But he did not think i4 would be detrimental to usage of the: park as a neighborhood Park. There were only three coumili members present at the Nov. 24: meeting. Groebner said she plans to: go back to the council to find out: whaVsgoingon. , MCLIPI aV SOUTH ST. PAUL/ INVER GROVE HEH;HB SuN.CURRENT Ihxmr C'n. DEC 7. 1934 Trails will n®t be in Ohman Lake area By Heather Gay There will be no trails in the Ohman take area. The Inver Grove Heights City Council voted 4-1, (Bob Pollack abstained) to remove the special use area (SU -6) and trails from the Comprehensive Park Plan and Development Guide after tearing from many residents who opposed having the trails in my backyard." The comprehensive plan was approved by the council May 26. After the approval many residents in the Ohman take area spoke out against the plan and requested the council recon- sider the SU -16 area and propos- ed trails. On June 22 the council directed the Planning Commis-:' sion to have a public hearing on the special use area and trails. After a Nov. 10 hearing, the Planning Commission recom- mended the special use area and trails be removed from the plan. This matter has been of great interest to residents in this par- ticular area, said Jim Willis, ci- ty administrator. If the area and trails are removed from the Comprehen- sive Park Plan it creates a hole in the park area, he said. "I think an amendcndmenl of this nature might be premature," Wilds said. "it might be ap- propriate for the community to determine what impact this might have on the overall plan and for the future." Some council members said they thought this issue had been decided back in June. The council should consider what the city needs in terms of dollars, and what the communi- ty already has, said Vance Grooms Jr., a resident. Tax- payers have parks within minutes of their homes that they are paying for, he said. We have limited tax dollars, and shouidn't we use those to develop existing parks," Gran- nis said. Some say we should put the trails on the map now, so in the future when the city is built up like Minneapolis, the area will be protected, Grannis said. "But we don't want to be like Min- neapolis," he said. .. . IL seems tome, when we look at our evolving park system, it has clearly shown accommoda- tion to the northern part of the city," said Jim laska, a rest. dent. Even though residents say they'll take care of the land, what happens to the area for future residents, he said. We should at least look to the future for what people have T reed for. And the council should not lose sight of that, because their voices cannot be heard now," Laska said. Darlene Grannis said she was there representing 196 residents who want to keep their properly private. "If you put this trail system in our back yard, un- protected and unsupervised, we will be in for a big problem," she said. Why is another trail needed when there are many area parks with hiking, biking, snowmobiling and skiing trails, she asked. The Comprehensive Park Plan is wrong when it puts trails in people's backyards, said Councilmember Warren Krech. He said he will vote against the trails, but in the future another council could put the trails back in the park plan with a 41 vote. Al some point it would be Wee for limited public access to that ared (Ohman Lake)," Krech said. "I'm willing to take these off the plan, but the con- cept of parks and trails is a good concept.., There is no ore in the area who thinks the trails are a good Idea, said Councilmember George Tourville. "I think it's a plan before our time and resources." 1 don't see where we have to take every last beautiful area and make it a park. Especially since the area is privately own- ed and no one seems to want it there," said Councilmember Bill Klein. "I guess it really irk- ed me that we're back to this point." Mayor Rosemary Piekarski- Krech said she was concerned about the time when these residents won't be there to take care of the land. "What is going to happen to that area 100 yearfromnow.,' I col.\AKA RAI 11 1'mv, ( l .,. n. DEC .j 199% Task force must reconcile wish list, budget sitting up and tearing dawn gYmnas• IiR eq„Ilalrm. And there Iif Bex- tptkhmlwalngtillof o strscrestedin participating in gymnastics programs. As for the perftming ans compo- nent, architect Jon 7Torstenson said, 1 don't know Ilial we can make the thing extensive enough to etommo- dnre tae term mods. Our first budget 1,IA By 1AVInne Harm Editor Performing arts fats the same dilemma that sports maatim did a wish list that cannot be fulfilled within the allotted budget. An ans onmp ennt will be added m the Chador Community Center, but community planners will have to make same Next meetings are Dec. 3, Dec. 17, Jan. 7 choices on is faturR. They're work- ing mthose choices now. The ad ha community task fort. meeting to define what it will rarnn- mend to the Chaska City Council as an arts facility, meets again tonight, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. a1 the city hall. Additional meehngs tentatively have been scheduled rte Dec. 17 and Jan. 7, with the repos going before the Council at its Jan. IS meeting. Throe issues have been before the task fora that was given the jab of proposing aperforming arts/wltural component for the city within the 2.3 million budget allowed. The task fort had to determine where the facility should he located, what elements should be included In it, and contain itself to essentially e 2.3 millim package. It hasn't been easy. TIIE PRICE TAG. I think the cast would be abort 85 million if you totaled the pro- posals of all the (would-be) us" grmps," said Wendy Schist , park and relation staff member who providesstaff %.Mxxt Io the ad hoc group. Those results are not so different from what the original Community Center ad hoc committee experienced. It started with a budget of $4-5 mil- lion, which was quicklyy upped to about $6 million, and rmlly approved at war $S million; but the wish list of the Icer groups would have required a Community Center project of about 15 million. Unlike what happened with the mcneational Community Center, planners of the cultural component should Out expect to lace the budget cop rise appreciably. At a City Council rusting and later in an interview, Mayon Robert Roepke made it clear that S23 million is the figure to work with. Furthermore, phased in conslructton of various components is not likely to be well towed. The thing that's important." said R s man w; we' But a budget—f think $23 million is a pretty signiB- cant investment. (The ad ha com- mitts members) are going to have w ane up with some prtottoatfon and than come up within a budget" Some committee members and members of the architectural tam who have spoken of phased oxstruc- tim, with a tonal exceeding $23 million, may have to revise their thinking if the Cmmcil lakes that Position. Long term seeds are also on issue, just as they were with the ranee timal portion of the Community Center. in the mcmatimhal art, the city ampronsed by having one gymrsasturn function as the gymrms- tis sit also, As a result several horn a week, a"anling to staff, are spent Through is initial matings, the ad ht group has concluded by coarsen - SM that the site of the "cultural" component should be as an addition to lM Community Center. Ruled oul al is Nov. 12 meeting wet a free be oldold junior high auditorium. The aka junior high site wasvmtually dired- naled by School Dsaid 112 when it concluded the auditorium spat was needed and utilized by the Dsuid for olMr purpos. Susan Craes ss, an ad hoc committee mcucber who represents the Chaska Planning Commission. also noted the city did nes own suitable land else- where far such a project. She added, The city plane" feels we should keep it at W rear the Community enter." 7ismrxh this pry there pas been a mindsel that the Community Center was the mast likelyy place t would be: said Marsh Hal beIll. lesk fort chairperson. We really haven't heard alae gond realm why it should be anyPlace else: said I Allard, emllmrtlee member. Allard later added to s question of"blending" momatim and cultural uses, that "it should be a separate entity, connected but Ups - rate." He said he didn't went the cultural portion's identity lobe last. THE COMPONENTS There are some elem ilm that ad bra committee members arc attain they want in a "cultural" wing of the Community Center, others it would be nit to have,. and a few about which they tray be indifferent. At an earlier meeting in Novem- her, David Eijadi, an architect with the Weld[ Group pan of the design tam, spoke about redoing some adjacent areas of the existing Center, and including another open art where both cultural and recralioml Center users might gather. ' Any modifications would be pan of the budgeted expenditure. The ad hon commr0u has exam - activities of primary I=, nterest m the committeed are m l ed chamber mmintica a drama, cbOnd pms- tiara, and dant. The ranee, whattionsatewhattheaterarra, whet desiggnn, etc The size of the Orchestrapit, for Imtaltt, controls the type of producim that can a mounted, committee members have been ad. vised. ce or Seating amid be as little as 2" nm be seln much gl1,500. M init m a1 600. fined seven general types of facilities and programming. They am: 1. Traditional performing ans, 2. Popular entertainmem. 3. Business presentations, 4. Audiolvidw presentations, 5. Community ars and Muslim, 6. Facility administration, and 7. Patron activities. The traditional performing ens district needs la ale r School. Ad hoc con rsand city oQiclots tell use, something which e some revenue to the i middle school giants waw mw, „"".. In assembly or for Other purposes; Of the size, architect Eijadi said, 9l will have to be smaller because of ash, but that's a reasonable gal." Van Phillips, the theater comult- ant, told the commiuu, "7bcre am sone breaks that mlurally Occur...A pis yy fees W er at 40010 600, a fulimumfeelsWawat800in1,200." When committee members began talking about the stage designs they liked and how a new performing stage and orchestra pd might be cons ommet, Phillips cautioned them Io focus of the reeds they wanted to meet, allowing the atchreCta Io de- sign the space appropriate to mut Ing Nese eds. Popular neentertainment prima activities would include community and done band concerts end dance programs (popular, folk end Iradi- lional). Business prewmalims arc an tm- ponant component of this "cultural" area because they m at possible revenue to help offset the cast of operating this swim of the mmma- mty center. These uses include Ice - lures and speakers, conferences, and bmek not' mons where participants can gather in smaller groups. Audidvidw pnSCntatiom mean that additional planning must be consid- ered when designing me a more urate, areas. TcIccorhfcmaCei would be a pan of these activities, as -mid actual video production. The can - ver a trm indicated the small video production area, now located behind the dais of council chambers at the city hall will be =moved to the Community Center. Visual an displays—salla form of gallery experience — is another pri- May component to be considered. Currently, the Only gallery option in the Community Center s a hallway where artwork has been hung. Them s, however, no security a monitm- ing specifically fm the art. Tied into the package are 811 the support spacm ad activmes—eve. rything from offices and copy no - china to rehearsal spaces, dressing moms and workshops. Although the final report of the committee was delayed by a month, until mid-Jmuory, there r"mirs much primary fm It m do. The meetings are open for members of the community. 1\ I U m;'(N`^—C-LIYPIM6 SERVIC HE t LL/ BLOOMINGTON xUN.CURRENT I I .... Ph. C. - Message is clear: But ski jump backers say they are moving forward By Mark Johnston With all due respect to New York Yankees great Yogi Berra and his linguistic linguini, the Bloomington City Councilast week sent a clear messageto the Minnesota Holmenkollen Foundation. That message was, "It's over when it's over." And as for a proposal for a Holmenkollen ski jump in Hyland lake Park, it's over. A dream is a dream, but you get to a point where a dream becomes a nightmare," said Maya Ned Peterson. "I think 91" this project is beginning to fall into that category." The council's decision was based mainly on City Attorney Dave Ornstein's opinion that the financing package submitted Nov. 1 by the foundation did not meet the requirements of a con. tract that would allow construc- tion to begin on the $7.5 million project. Under the contract, the cosi of the proposed ski jumping facili- ty world have bent split Bure ways, with Bloomington, the state of Minnesota and the Min- nesota Holmenkollen Founda- tion each providing $2.5 million toward construction costs. Hennepin Parks agreed to lease 9.3 acres of Hyland Park for the project, which would in- clude four ski jumps modeled after the Norwegian Holmenkollen. Originally Bre foundation had until June 1, 1991, to raise its share of the money. The founda- tion was given a one-year exten- sion and then a five-month ex - plan is tension this year, to Nov. 1, 1992. Elements of the financial package submitted by the Nov. l deadline — including unrinalized letters of credit for it million from First Banks — were worth nothing more than the paper they were written on;" Ornstein said. A $75o,ow letter of credit from Kraus -Anderson Construction) wasn't even legi- ble;" he added. "It's clear the foundation) missed their obligation to raise $2.5 million by a significant amount." Byron Laher, fundraising chairperson for the min -profit foundation, said he believed the group had mel the Nov. 1 deadline with an adequate finan- cial plan. At the same time, we did not in any way think we had achiev- ed enough fundraising to begin the construction process; he said. faker tried to convince the council that donation pledges from "major supporters" were expected to be made in December and January. He noted in the past two weeks sizable pledges have been made y local cmnpames ra 1 Laher also responded to remarks made recently that the foundation has not been UP -front about the scope of the project. In addition to the ski jumps, the project includes a four-story, 14,000 -square -fool training center, a 5,000 -person am- phitheater with skating rink, a promenade and a 4,500 -square - fool chalet, among other items. rhe changes people are talk- ing aboutare not changes," he said. "we really haven't chang- ed anything." AB of which not only faded to impress the council but was rendered moot by Hennepin Parks Board chair Judith Anderson. Anderson told the council that Parks Board attorney Jeff Bramble had reached the same conclusion Ornstein did and old foundation representatives the issue was dead two weeks ago. With no project, there was M lease agreement. We have no agreement in place between the city and Hen- nepin Parks, so the issue Is moot;" she said. "H an agree- ment between two Public agen- cies is ndl and void, it would seem future negotiations bet- ween the city land the' Holmenkollen Foundation) would be out of place." The council agreed, saying the only way the project could be resurrected is to start ovei again, including negotiating a new agreement between all (ht parties. That's exactly what the four dation will do then, according b Laher. If we have to come back hen and put all these pledges am loans on the table before th, council, we will certainly d that;' he said. "We'll find ou exactly what they need." How long that will take, lahe does not know. But the deadlin for receiving the stale portion t the funding is July 1, 1993. If plan is not in place by then, IN money may no longer b available - 11u7 µl"IDBURY BV k.. W asAlnAlun Va. 11'. r.. ; 199L gppr tisals to be performed for athletic complex sites By Ken Surbaugh Staff Writer City residents will have 10 wait a bit longer to find out where a newrecreationalfacilitymightbebuilt in the city. The Woodbury City Council approved appraisals to be per- formed for two sites being consid- ered for the proposed cons itch n of an athletic complex. Al its Nov. 25 meeting, the Coun- cil agreed to him the mat estate appxnisal firm or B Umdorf. Rob - mi. Knoche, Inc. to papprar- sats and the prepare ortofd develop- ment Cost estimates for the two sites by the city's Consulting engineeringfirmofBorcsiwn, Roscoe' Ander- lik and Associates. The idea of creating a new athle- tic complex in Woodbury hasnexistedforanumb" or y 1991, the city's Park Commission marrowed down the site Selection of potential athletic complex sites from seven to two. The fust Sim is located at UtesoutheastintersectionofBailey Rood and Tower Drive- andI. The sec• simos r.f in 90-acm para and site is situated a half mile east Of County Road 19 and south of Valley Creek Road. It consists of 105 acres of land and is being con- sidered in Conjunction with the proposed concept of a municipal golf course. Both areas am current- ly being farmed. Park Commission members dis- cussed the issue of which site to select In, the acquisition or land for the athletic Complex and instead of choosing one Particular site, the group recommended that a CostappraisaIofbothsilosbedone. In addition, they also agreed thal cost estimates should he d elloPed for the athletic Complex Concept plan that was presented by city staff at the mcetng. Both sites are planned to include softball, soccer and baseball fields, wme of which would be lighted. They would ala be picnic and play areas. At an Oct. 20 meeting, the Palk Commission held a public input hearing to allow residents 10 Com - trial on which site should be acquired. About 50 people attended the meeting and the input uceivforfrom residents was Supportive he acquisition of land and develop- ment of an athleuc complex. Both sites received equal support and Speakers at the meeting emphasized the need to make the acquisition now before development occurs a land values incmase. Two of the primary issues raised by pwplc regarding the two sitesdealtwithaccessandvisibility. At Site 1, them are twu access sites Bailey and Tower). which would Provide better visibility and securi- ty of the site. Site 2, with just a single access proposed (Valley Creek Road). is more secluded and there were fears expressed by wine residents that the low visibility of the site might create a seemly problem. However, it was indicated that an additional access could occur due to development between County Road 19 and the Sim. People attending the meeting also expressed thew desire to make the proposed athletic complex more that just Softball and Soccer fields Them were several requests to include facilities such as play equipment, tennis courts, an out- door swimming Pool, picnic facili- tics and arms for other athletic uses. And several individuals requested that two to three acres at the athletic complex site Could be used for the future development of an ice arena and outdoor skating rinks. The Woodbury Arm Hockey Club has Submitted a peuton indi- cating their support of ice faciliucs, and stated no preference for the one proposed site or the other.Thcy feel that the athletic complex would benefit by sharing sluing space and restooms in the aroma. According to the club, the 230 players involved in searnscuminly spend their ice time in Hudson, W is. and at the University of Minnesota Simply Put, we can't gel all or the needed ice time for our child- ren," Mn Phillipi of the WAHA wrote in a letter W the city Council- With Hudson having high demands fru their ice times and the UAmos, rnnde fwe winew ll be ablemiucci Aa, w W afford die anticipated higher cost of rating" Asa result, the Park Commission ow recommended that city staff Mold also be authorized to incor- Ponae into the Concept plan two to three acres for the development of ice facilities. Although cost estimates am being developed fa both sites base- d on a concept plan. what the site will actually ronlain won't be final- ized until a master plan is deve- loped. The cost e,timalcs arc being used as a guide to assist in the selec- tion of either Site I or 2 for a IROP- used athletic complex. The nppraisals and cost estimates are expected in be available and ready for review at the January meeting or the Park Commission. Once a site is selected, a detailed process in developing a Master Plan would begin. MMA CL PP aE11VICEVVV f NUNT1tST.PAU1.— NAMSr:\' CUUN'ry REVIEW—Ramety Co. DEC 2 1997. Planners J-4 . by Chris Stater say centers will coexist successfully The North Sl. Paul Community Ccntcr has only been open for about eight months and already it's being called a success. "Everything has gone better than expected," said City Manager Dub Gatti. "We're pleasantly surprised." The community center opened its doors March 16, and since then has offered a variety of exercise and recreation programs and services. North St Paul residents indicated in a 1988 survey that they were interested in facilities for exercise and would support a community center. In 1990, the city formed a Community Center Commission to plan the building. Results of their planning are located at 2290 N. First Street. The center offers a collegiate -sized. mule -purpose gymnasium, used for sports and as an auditorium, with a stage at one end and a kitchen for groups to cater their events. The kitchen isn't currently equipped. but Parks and Recreation Director Steve Roe hopes it will be fully function;d in the near future. A running/walking track surrounds the gym on the building's upper level. An exercise room, with 18 different weight and exercise machines, is also located on the upper level. Locker rooms adjoin the gym. On the main floor, a 200 -person meeting room is available for rental. An arts and crafts room, a game room with video games and air hockey. and a children's activity roan are available. The wide range of activities and programs reflect the city's attempt to cater to the entire community. "We've had a good cross section of the different age groups in the community using the center using the center." said Gatti. Roe said the center has lived up to the city's expectations and the future is bright. "Response has been excellent." he said. "We've had a really good start, and we expect it will get better." That growth would help the city meet its goal of the center paying for itself through fees and memberships. Galli said that community center revenue is a little higher than expected, and it's well on the way to meeting this goal. Meeting room rental is a little behind projections, but Gatt expects it to pick up. There is a $2 charge per visit, and a one-year membership is available for 100, with seniors gelling a discount. We're really pushing memberships," said Roe, adding Those who use the center frequently will save money by buying a membership, and will receive benefits like long-range schedules and quicker check-in procedures. And now North St. Paul won't be the only city in the area with a community center. The Maplewood City Council recently approved preliminary plans to build a center. While the facilities will be similar in focus, they will be much different in design. The Maplewood center will include two full-sized gymnasiums, including exercise and weight rooms; two pools, one for exercise, one for leisure; a 300 -person banquet room; and a theater. The center will also have several all-purpose courts, to be used for racquetball and walleyball. Officials from lath Noah St. Paul and Maplewood agree that the centers will complement, notconflict, will) each otter. "Our surveys indicate [list two community centers in the area ale still not enough; Maplewood Cil Manager Mike McGuire said. Roe slid he also believes there are enough people in the area for both centers id prosper. While North St. Paul charges to same fee for residents and noggq residents, Maplewood is considcrir charging non-residents a higher fc . I've bad some calls from city reside -ms who are wear about overcrowding:' said McGuire, indicating that a higher charge to non-residents might curb possible problems. McGuire added thin an "agreement" would probably be worked out with North St. Paul because they haven't charged people from Maplewood an extra fee in the past. Construction is scheduled to begin this spring or summer, and McGuire'. said the city hopes to open the center: sometime in the summer of '94. For information on the North S0. Paul Community Center call 779-4471. For information on the planned Maplewood center, tall 770-4525. YNa CLIIPINO rERVICE wT3-r a, VIINITT'URENILNYINT Ira4nna fn. JAN 2 71993 Feasibility i,lw By Heather Gay study says ice arena can pay for self If you build it, they will come. It Inver Grove Heights builds an ice arena/community center complex it is projected to generate enough participation to cover its costs. A financial feasibility study shows if an ice arena is Milt it can generate enough capital to pay for full cast of operation, and a minimum of $f50,000 of debt service in the first year, ac- cording to a study done by The Marquette Partners. The study, financed by the In- ver Grove Heights Hockey Association, was initialed by a seven -member Ice Arena Task Force appointed by the Inver Grove Heights City Council in February 1992. The study indicates there is ample revenue available in utilization and subsidies to sup- port and operate this facility in the community of Inver Grove Heights," according to a memo to the City Council by Jack Skoog, chair of the task force. Because the revmues are so strong, and the utilization of the facility so diverse, it deserves the financial support of the community." The facility is designed to, have ice for seven months, with the remaining months having a dry Hoo for other activities. It could have ice year-round, but it would cast more to have it dur- ing the summer, Skoog said. Is there a demand for ice time by surrounding communities, asked Councilmember Bill Klein. If this is built South St. Paul wants 150 hours of ice time, and other areas, including Fagan, West Sl. Paul, Inver Grove Heights and Mendota Heights, need time too, Skoog said. And it wouldn't be used just for hockey, but for ringette, girls hockey, bruonball, and other activities, he said. Includedin the arena is a community meeting roam, 32 Fact by 20 feel. One of the concerns I have for the community is that we provide an area for our youth and far senior citizens," said Co ncgmember George Tour- ville. "We need to provide an area away from schoof because not every kid is involved in forganizedspots, and this is an, Opportunity for this." i 1 A it kURNsvILLY.sVN l'IIRRRNI' Ibkon Co. JAN 2 71993 .„ r1` IIa,e \ center M'a`w== New colY]n]illllty it By llolg Elickshal City would buy, renovate mall The possibility that an aging Burnsville mall may or, day Louse a community ceptor appoom to be gaining momentum. AL a Monday work session, members of the City Council and Parks and Recrea- tion Committee responded en- thusastically to conclusions reached by a study team after its preliminary evalua- tion of the concept. Under the plan, the city ,odd boy the financially troubled Diamond Headc MallandconvertittoamixedusePo private facility with community meeting Zooms, a seder center, real stores and, ideally, a number ofantysand ' profit agencio. A gym ing pool,oWd be buIR onto the mall. vented to a com- The study team of city, county and school district relaeSenaliv. — rated the Diamond Head Mall Review Teambelievesthe — se and boa many beneGaafor nthe ciakes ty, sad reg K city m on the assumption that the mal, which is in receivershipduetotenantvacancies, doesn't hove. a bright future l left coley as commercal property, Kaal said. so we started Nuking more in terms It a reviaiizalion of that area and maybe killd. The lower leveltwobirds )of thethInc s195Aao-6(flu - foot mall could be con level famlmitycenter, with the uppermixeduses, mending some of the ex- isting real sates, whjeh would hopefullybenefitfromincreasedfoottraffic, Konal said. The city's Economic DevelopmentAuthoritycouldownandmanagetheup- per portion, with renal income offsettingoperatingcostsforthatportionofthe butdmg, Komi said. Also, School District 191 has expressed rrcent of the u levelt in iits EarlyChabout 40 JdhoodFami- ly Education Program, raw housed In rifler rented commercial space, Konat said. The mail proposal also omnipossibilitiesforadjacentdevelop welch It this point, are strictly in the hreimtorming sage but help Illustrate the site's rt oflft mal Kom(mid, For in - could be con- 6anle, Po Cea.terwill a newvertedaaconference hotel attached to it. And septa lousagI a new, county library cold be built near- by ,hemid. 1 the city wouldUnderthemalpropose , old uP with mom space fa shad fileitestimated e same amount of money it would need to build a 70,000stla0refool community center at Civic Center Park, said Randy OP- pelt, Ppelt, parks and recreation the cast a anywhere I and $9.0 Where's a those fngm estimates pace e mal plan at of ready fpr a vote by the May school board elections. A referaxkun on budding a j new center was postponed last revealedyearafterasurvey few residents were aware of the plan, pulling the referendum's passage in doubt. Kaon said he's encouraged by the early awareness and WUaI positive feedback on the mad proposal. there seems to be a better acceptance, he said. "I don't know that it will pass, but people seem to lice at least the concept of this cemmhudly center better than a community center at Civic Center Park.” I think it's exciting," said Caaelmember Glenn McKee. 711is will make news around the country for creative reuse of heplan's proposed partner ship among the public, private and ran -profit sectors is 'a h holistic approach to making fa the gym and swimming Pool something work. which a reallyaddition, and between f1.0 very ofce, said Cumhclmember million and R million fordrying Elizabeth Kautz. We mal. To fund it, residents will axil to approve a bad referendurnl, although an, dale for the vote has been set. Komi mid it's W d bethemallpropose THINK ROSES !!!!!! The Minnetonka/Plymouth Rotary Annual Rose Day Once again we are asking you to take part in our annual fundraiser by buying some long stemmed, boxed, red roses. The profit from this sale goes (100%) to benefit chanties and people in need on a local, regional, and international basis. Rose buyers from last years have helped Hurricane Andrew victims, Teens Alone of Mtka., The Hammer Residences (indepen- dent living for the mentally impaired) in Plymouth, The Cookie Cart in No. Mpls, (a business started by a nun to teach entrepreneurial skills to young Northside kids), The Jimmy Heuga Ski Express for MS, The Minnesota Health Volunteers in Kenya, The Twin West Scholarship Fund for local students, the Viking Scout Counsel, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Mpls., and many other worthwhile endeavors. Be assured that your money goes for worthy causes and we would welcome solitations from your favorite cause. HOW DO YOU ORDER? Sendto at the the order form below with your check to the Minnetonka/Plymouth Rotary and when to have them delivered. WHEN IS "ROSE DAY193"? March 25-26,1993 (see delivery schedules below). HOW MUCH DO THEY OST? Would you believe only $18 ner dz. (same as last yr.) WHO SHOULD I GIVE THEM TO? Although that is certainly up to you, I will give you a list of possibles. 1. Spouse 2. Significant Other, 3. Secretary or Asst. 4. Mother, 5. Employee who has done special favors, 6. Favorite manager, 7. Favorite client, 8. Someone you are trying to impress, 10. Mother-in-law. 11. Anyone else? YES!! I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CHARITABLE GIVING AND ALSO GIVE SOME PEOPLE CLOSE TO ME SOME BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS......... Name Phone No. No. of Dozen X $18.00=$ check to Minnetonka/Plymouth Rotary. Deliver them Fri. 3/26/93 Indicate best time Pick them up at Westdale Floral in Mtka. on Sat. Morn. Return to with your check before March 19, 1993 (checks not cashed before April 2nd) Call me at with other payment or delivery requests)