HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 04-13-1995Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
April 13, 1995, 7 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. Approved park enhancements (sand volleyball courts, paved hockey rink, batting cages)
b. Awarded bids for playground structures (Mission, Schmidt Lake, Timber Shores)
5. Unfinished Business
a. Private swimming pool update
b. West Medicine Lake Park update
c. Unique open spaces --update on May 23 bond referendum
d. Playfield/highschool update
e. Study of youth sports facilities update
f.
6. New Business
a. Set date for annual park tour
b.
7. Commission Presentation
8. Staff Communication
9. Adjourn
Next regular meeting - May 11, 1995
Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
March 16, 1995
Page 11
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Bildsoe, Fiemann, Johnson, Priebe, Wahl and
Willegalle; staff Blank, Mittelstaedt, and Pederson; and visitors Kent Severson, Mr.
and Mrs. Zettel
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Council Conference Room.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Wahl and seconded by Commissioner Willegalle to
approve the minutes of the February meeting as presented. The motion carried with all
ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. Kent Severson, from Plymouth -Wayzata Youth Baseball. See
item 5f.
b. Staff. Sara Mittlestaedt, Plymouth Seniors Coordinator, made a presentation on the
Plymouth Senior Citizen program sponsored by the City of Plymouth and Senior
Community Services (SCS). She explained that she is an employee of Senior
Community Services and that the City of Plymouth contracts with SCS for her services,
20 hours per week. Sara explained that her background is in teaching and that for
many years she taught art. She had never worked with seniors prior to being hired by
SCS. She stated that SCS is funded by the United Way and in order for that funding to
continue, she has to fulfill certain goals and objectives. Senior Community Services
offers a variety of programs to the seniors living in the western suburbs including
nutritional education, health education, fitness classes, recreational opportunities, trips
once a month, 55 Alive Defensive Driving classes, which upon completion by persons
over 55, gives them a 10 % reduction in their auto insurance premiums. Sara explained
that these classes are extremely popular in Plymouth, are offered once a month
throughout the year, and always fill to capacity. Sara stated that there are two active
senior clubs in Plymouth; one with 150 members and one with about 40 members.
They meet at the West Medicine Lake Community Club and St. Mary of the Lake
Catholic Church. These clubs are very socially oriented and have many different sub-
groups, such as the Plymouth Rockers, a senior choir, which has performed at
numerous events like Music in Plymouth, the Fire and Ice Festival, the Minnesota State
Fair, etc. There is also a very active craft group, which makes a variety of crafts and
sells them at the Autumn Art Festival, sponsored by the City. Sara stated that the
Plymouth seniors are also very active in the community, volunteering their time at
special events and helping other seniors. Last year, the Plymouth seniors volunteered a
total of 14,000 hours. Sara concluded her presentation by inviting the Park
Commission to attend a special concert on Sunday, April 9. The concert will feature
PRAC Minutes/March 1995
Page 12
the Minneapolis Community College Gospel Choir, and is being presented by the
Plymouth Seniors and Senior Community Services. Sponsors of the concert are the
Minnesota Humanities Commission, the City of Plymouth and Wayzata Community
Education.
c. Others. Mr. and Mrs. Zettel, residents of the Seven Ponds development, attended the
Park Commission meeting, because they had a concern about the wood chip trail that
crosses over a marsh. During the initial design process of the park, a floating wooden
bridge was proposed to be constructed over the marsh. The purpose of the bridge was
to get people over the marsh to the park. The DNR approved a wood chip path rather
than the proposed bridge. The Zettel's property runs along this part of the trail and
they have had some problems with people trespassing on their lawn. Director Blank
commented that this park isn't finished yet, and if it's necessary put up a split rail fence
along the trail to keep people out of the marsh, we will do it.
4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION
Council accepted the PRAC annual report for 1994.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Private swimming pool update. Classic Lake Aquatics indicated in a letter to PRAC
that they expect to have a feasibility report from St. Thomas, with regard to a pool, by
May 1st and would like to present the findings to PRAC at their June meeting.
b. West Medicine Lake Park update. Director Blank stated that bids are being opened on
March 20 for the removal of trees and brush in the area of the new road. He also
commented that the numerous permits that are required from the different agencies may
delay the construction of the road by a few months.
c. Unique open spaces - review funding options. Director Blank stated that the Council
approved the recommendations of PRAC and the Open Space Committee to proceed
with the acquisition of four properties and directed staff to research possible funding
methods. Director Blank explained that the Council held a special work study session
on March 13 to review various funding methods, including a bond referendum. After
studying the capital improvements program budget, staff presented a few options for
the Council to consider as a way to fund the acquisition of the open space as well as
funding additional trail improvements. It was determined that the open space
properties could be acquired for about $2 million and the trails could be done for $1
million. Director Blank then explained the options and how each would affect the
average Plymouth taxpayer with a $150,000 home. He further commented that all
options will require an election, which the majority of the Council prefers to hold in
May. Option 1 is to issue general obligation bonds for $3 million. This will increase
the taxes of the average Plymouth homeowner by about $8 per year. This method also
saves all existing community improvement funds for future purposes, such as
purchasing a golf course, building a swimming pool, an ice arena, a senior center, etc.
Option 2 spends $3 million from the Community Improvement Fund, which would
have no tax increase, but leaves a much lower balance in the CIF for long-term future
PRAC Minutes/March 1995
Page 13
projects. Option 3 combines the issuance of $2 million in bonds with spending $1
million from the CIF. This would have a minimal tax increase on the average
homeowner and only a slight impact on the Community Improvement Fund. Director
Blank stated that the Council favors option 3. He stated that the Open Space
Committee met on March 14 and recommended option 1, with all $3 mil ion coming
from the general obligation bonds and no CIF funds being spent. Commissioner Priebe
asked how much money was in the Community Improvement Fund at this time and
how it is replenished. Director Blank said that the balance at this time is approximately
10 million, and it is replenished as bond sinking funds expire. Commissioner Bildsoe
expressed his concern over holding a bond referendum for all $3 million, explaining
that school referendums in other cities have been failing lately. He doesn't think the
taxpayers will be very favorable about any tax increase, so he prefers option 3. He
also stated that if a bond referendum is held, it should be done in the spring rather than
in the fall, because the rates are good now, but they have the potential to go up
substantially in the coming months. Commissioner Fiemann asked Director Blank
which trails were to be included in the referendum. Director Blank displayed a map of
the City and pointed out the trails that could be constructed, which equal approximately
11 miles. To complete the entire trail system as proposed would cost approximately
3.5 million, according to Director Blank. Commissioner Priebe asked Director Blank
if a motion from PRAC, recommending that Council proceed with the acquisition of
open space, would be helpful. Director Blank indicated that it was not necessary, but
said the Commission was welcome to make such a motion.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER PRIEBE AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER WAHL RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
PROCEED WITH THE ACQUISITION OF FOUR OPEN SPACE SITES AND THE
TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS AND TO FUND THESE PROJECTS BY THE METHOD
THEY DEEM APPROPRIATE.
Commissioner Johnson stated that he disagreed with the Open Space Committee's
recommendation to fund the entire $3 million with general obligation bonds. He
prefers Option 3, where a portion of the money would come from Community
Improvement Funds. He doesn't think it's right to increase the taxes of the current
residents of Plymouth to pay for something that will be beneficial to future residents as
well. After further discussion, the majority of the Commission came to the conclusion
that option 3 was their preferred method of funding. They then questioned if they
should make a motion endorsing option 3 and amend their first motion. After a short
discussion, it was decided that it wasn't necessary to do that. A vote was then taken on
the orginal motion which passed with all ayes.
Commissioner Priebe asked if PRAC should attend the meeting on March 21. Director
Blank invited any commissioners who were available to attend the meeting to show
their support.
PRAC Minutes/March 1995
Page 14
d. P)ayfield/highschool update. Director Blank stated that the bids for grading the site
would be accepted in May and that he is attending numerous meetings on this project
now as it progresses.
e. Study of youth sports facilities update. The first meeting of the youth sports task force
is scheduled for Wednesday, March 22. The task force consists of representatives from
Wayzata Community Education, Robbinsdale Community Education, the City Council,
City staff and PRAC.
f. Adopt proposals for paving hockey rink, two volleyball courts at Parkers Lake and
batting cage proposal from Plymouth -Wayzata Youth Baseball. Director Blank briefly
reviewed this item and went over the costs associated with paving the hockey rink and
installing the volleyball courts. The paving of the rink at Plymouth Creek Park is
estimated to cost $17,500 and the sand volleyball courts at Parkers Lake should run
about $3,500. He then introduced Kent Severson, a representative of the Plymouth -
Wayzata Youth Baseball Association. Mr. Severson explained that batting cages would
be an important and very beneficial addition to their youth baseball program. They
allow three to four batters to practice at once, which is an efficient use of time, teams
can take batting and/or pitching practice without tying up a field, and if built on
pavement overlaid with carpet, they can be used shortly after a rain. This allows teams
to practice without tearing up the fields. He predicts that they would be used five to
six times a week by the baseball association, and when not being used by that
organization could be scheduled for use by Park and Recreation programs or by the
general public. The first phase of the project includes two batting cage nets, a paved
area, outdoor carpeting, security fence, and electrical wiring and is estimated to cost
16,500. Mr. Severson has requested that the City contribute half of this amount, with
the youth baseball association contributing the other half. The second phase of the
project, to come at a later date, would include an equipment building and lighting.
Director Blank stated that he supports this project and agrees that it would be an
efficient use of the space at Parkers Lake Playfield. He recommended that the City's
contribution be limited to $6,500, because of the unknown costs at this time associated
with the ninth playfield project. He also recommended that the City and youth baseball
association draw up an agreement whereby the cages become the property of the City,
so that the miaintenance and liability would be our responsibility. The City would then
also be responsible for scheduling its use, giving the youth baseball association first
priority. Mr. Severson was asked if the youth baseball association had ever done any
fund raising. He stated that they hadn't in the past, but that he has been working on
two fundraisers; selling caps and cookies.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FIEMANN AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER PRIEBE TO ACCEPT STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION FOR
PAVING A HOCKEY RINK AT PLYMOUTH CREEK PARK, INSTALLING SAND
VOLLEYBALL COURTS AT PARKERS LAKE PARK, AND THE ADDITION OF
TWO BATTING CAGES AT PARKERS LAKE PLAYFIELD. THE MOTION
CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
PRAC Minutes/March 1995
Page 15
6. NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
There was no Commission presentation.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
There was no staff communication.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Maple and Basswood Forest (Site 1):
This site is part of the original 'Big
Woods" in Plymouth and is located
west of Peony, south of 54th Ave. and
north of the Soo Line Railroad tracks.
The 29 -acre site consists of undis-
turbed high quality maple/bass-
woods forest. Elm Creek runs
through the site.
French Regional Park (Site 2):
This diverse 26 -acre site is located just
west of Goldenrod Ln. on the north
side of Medicine Lake. It includes for-
est tracks, cattail marsh and open
field. The area also features a great
variety of wildlife. If voters approve
the bond issue, this site would be
incorporated into French Regional
Park.
Tamarack/Complex Wetland
Communities (Site 3):
The largest of the four sites, this 47 -
acre site is in the southeast corner of
Plymouth. It is east of Co. Rd. 73,
north of Ridgemount Ave., and south
of Co. Rd. 15 and Sunset Trail. This
site contains tamarack, cattail and
emergent marshes as well as a major
wetland.
Old White Oak Forest (Site 4):
Located in the southwest corner of
Plymouth near Hadley Lake, this 23
acre site has a very old white oak for-
est along with green ash and sugar
maple.
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PLYMOUTFF
Plymouth's 68 -mile trail system
links residential areas with parks,
neighborhood commercial centers and
schools. Respondents in a 1993 park
survey conducted by the University of
Minnesota for the City identified trails
as their most desired new park facility.
If approved, the $1 million for
trails would pay for 19 trail segments
in all parts of Plymouth (see map). The
additional 11 miles of trails would con-
nect many existing trails. Some trail
segments may require feasibility stud-
ies to determine their final location and
alignment. The proposed projects
would accelerate trail construction by
about five years. Trails are generally
funded at about $200,000 a year.
The following are the proposed
trails, subject to feasibility studies to
determine their final cost, location and
alignment.
Trail Lenght
Xenium Ln. from Minnetonka to Luce Line 1
Vicksburg Ln. from Old Rockford Rd
to Schmidt Lake Rd. 1.6
19th Ave. from Holly Ln, to Co. Rd. 101 3
Co. Rd. 61 from Plymouth Creek
15
to Co. Rd. 9 (west side) 1
Fernbrook Ln. from Co. Rd. 9
25
to 34th Ave. (east side) 5
Vinewood Ln. from Co. Rd. 9 to
7
Northwest Blvd. 5
Schmidt Lake Rd. from Fernbrook
to Vicksburg 1.1
Xenium Ln. from 32nd Ave. to Co. Rd. 9 75
Turtle Lake Trail to Old Co. Rd. 9 .4
Dunkirk Ln. from 24th Ave. to 33rd Ave. .75
West Medicine railroad track to Hwy 55 .3
34th Ave. to Lanewood Ln. (south side) .3
Co. Rd. 47 from Annapolis
to Northwest Blvd. .6
East/West off-road trail from Vicksburg
to Fernbrook 5
Northwest Blvd. from 42nd to 43rd Ave. 15
Northwest Blvd. from 54th to 56th Ave. 37
St. Mary's Park to Wayzata East Jr. High 25
Hemlock Ln. from Co. Rd. 10 to 62nd Ave. 37
Medina Rd. from Co. Rd. 24 to Co. Rd. 101 7
WARD BOUNDARIES
PRECINCT BOUNDARIES
By voting yes, on the ballot question, you will be authorizing the
City to issue the bonds. By voting no, you will be voting against the
bond issue. The following are polling places in Plymouth.
Precinct Location
1 Kimberly Lane Elementary
17405 Old Rockford Road
2 Greenwood Elementary
3695 County Road 101
3 Messiah Methodist Church
17805 County Road 6
4 St. Phillips Lutheran Church
17205 County Road 6
5 Oakwood Elementary
17340 County Road 6
6 Fire Station 3
3300 Dunkirk Lane
7 Birchview Elementary
425 Ranchview Lane
8 Parkers Lake Baptist Church
14720 County Road 6
9 Plymouth City Center
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
10 Plymouth Creek Elementary
16005 41st Avenue North
Precinct Location
11 Christ Memorial Church
13501 Sunset Trail
12 Vision of Glory Lutheran Church
13200 Highway 55
13 Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church
12235 Old Rockford Road
14 Fire Station 2
12000 Old Rockford Road
15 Pilgrim United Methodist Church
4325 Zachary Lane No.
16 Bass Lake Playfield Building
5450 Northwest Blvd.
17 Apostolic Lutheran Church
11015 County Road 15
18 Armstrong High School
10635 36th Avenue No.
19 Pilgrim Lane Elementary
3725 Pilgrim Lane
20 Zachary Lane Elementary
4350 Zachary Lane
Site Selection
The City Council unan-
imously approved the special
bond election after receiving a
report from a 10 -member
Open Space Task Force and a
recommendation from the
Parks and Recreation
Commission. The Open Space
Committee was made up of
four Park and Recreation
Commissioners, one citizen
from each of Plymouth's four
wards, one Planning
Commissioner and one City
Councilmember.
The task force spent
over a year evaluating the
sites and developing a
detailed ranking system. It
inventoried all wetlands and
wooded areas remaining in
Plymouth. After identifying
107 parcels of land, totaling
1,538 acres, it narrowed the
list to 30 priority sites. Next,
an environmental biologist
team analyzed the sites and
identified the top 15. Each site
received a grade based on
environmental factors.
Based on the above criteria,
the Task Force selected the
final four sites.
Planting Opportunities
Spend some time improving your community!
Arbor Day '95
Date: Wednesday, May 17 Time: 9:30 - 1:30
Place: Plymouth Creek Elementary school
Student inspired stewardship project of planting trees, shrubs, & flowers for nature
classroom. Emphasis on native plant communities, wildlife habitat, & windbreaks.
Lunch will be provided. One hundred plus volunteers needed.
Greening Plymouth's Entryways II
Date: Saturday, May 6 Time: 8:00 - 12:00
Place: Carlson Parkway & Highway 494
Beautification project of planting trees, shrubs, & flowers on highway ROW. Emphasis
on native plant communities, wildlife habitat, roadside beautification, and decreased
maintenance. Light breakfast will be provided. Sixty plus volunteers needed.
In cooperation with:
Mn Dept. of Transportation . Log House Foods
City of Plymouth • Kate Lo, Inc.
Zero Max • Cub Foods
Perennial Pursuit of Fabulous Flowers
Date: Saturday, May 13 Time: 9:00 - 1:00
Place: Parkers Lake Park
Planting of demonstration perennial shade garden in conjunction with other
environmentally -conscious efforts. Lunch will be provided. Twenty volunteers needed.
Please contact Paul Buck (550-7462) or Lara Gens (550-7465) for more information and
to sign up for any and all events.
April 1995
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
PARKERS PAVILION1-3 PM
1
B -DAY PARTY
K. KELLY
541-7752
2 3 4 5 6 9151,4. PD 7 8
9:30-12:30 SC 9:30-10:15 SS:K
K.,
10:30-11:15 FFT 1:30-3:30 PM a
6:30-8:45 6:30-8:45 B DAY PARTY'{° a 's'S 12-3 PM
BCW/YOGA 6:30-9:30 PM BCW/YOGA N. MONTECTAVO EASTER EGG HUNT
ART CLASS 478-2364 544-4719
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
1-6 PM J. RASKA
9:30-12:30 SC 9:30-10:15 SS 9:15-12:15 PD
473-2194 10:30-11:15 FFT
6:30-8:30 R. Doyle 6:30-8:45 6:30-8:45
4733695 BCWNOGA 7-8:30 PM BCWNCIGA
EPLIA
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
9:30-12:30 SC 9:30-10:15 SS 9:15-12:15 PD
10:30-11:15 FFT
6:30-8:45 6:30-8:45
BCW/YOGA 7-8:30 PM BCWNCIGA
EPLIA
23 24 25 9 AM WED 26 27 28 29
9:3012:30 SC 9:3010:15 SS
WALKERS MTG. 9:15-12:15 PD
10:30-11:15 FFT 9:30-3 PM
6:30-8:45 6:30-8:45
PAINTING CLASS
BCWNCIGA
BCWNOGA
30,;
APRIL SHO AY FLOWERS