HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 05-09-1996Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
May 9, 1996, 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 contract for East Medicine Lake Regional trail study
b.
5. Unfinished Business
a. Review ice arena/pool complex
b. West Medicine Lake Park update
c. Open spaces update
d. Playfield/highschool update
e. Senior citizen needs analysis update
f. Continue golf course discussion - Ken Hampton, owner of Hampton Hills, will
attend meeting
g. Review northeast neighborhood park master plan - George Watson
6. New Business
a. Birchview Elementary School playground - request for funding
b. Sunset Hill Elementary School playground - request for funding
c. Letter from Carol Creelman
d. Pick date for annual park tour
7. Commission Presentation
8. Staff Communication
9. Adjourn
Next regular meeting - June 13
Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
April 11, 1996
Page 16
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Fiemann, Johnson, Priebe, Thompson,
Willegalle; Councilmember Wald; staff Bisek, Blank and Pederson
Absent: Commissioner Wahl
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the April meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Mooney Lake
Room.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Fiemann and seconded by Commissioner
Johnson to approve the minutes of the March meeting as presented. The motion
carried with all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present.
b. Staff. Mary announced that registration for summer programs had begun on
April 9 and that in three days, over 1,500 registrations had been processed.
Some summer classes are already full. She stated that recreation programmers
were busy hiring their part-time seasonal staff.
Mary stated that we continue to have problems with the school districts'
allocation of gym space for our adult programs. More and more space is being
given to youth programs, such as indoor soccer, and now some outdoor
activities like t -ball are starting their seasons early by practicing indoors. To
make matters more difficult, in many cases, these youth programs are not using
the elementary gyms, but rather the larger gyms that are needed for adult
programs. Mary cited some statistics revealing that 75% of the families in
School District 281 do not have school age children. Commissioner Anderson
commented that District 281's attempts at passing a bond referendum have
failed twice now, and perhaps it can be contributed, in part, to this. Mary also
indicated that in the Wayzata School District, adults are given only 15% of the
available gym space.
c. Others. See item 5f.
4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION
a. Awarded grading contract on ice arena.
PRAC Minutes/April 1996
Page 17
b. Adopted 1996 CIP.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Ice arena/pool complex update. The first contract has been awarded on the
grading of the ice arena. The project is on a fast track, with everyone working at
lightning speed. Director Blank stated that an independent person was hired to
do a cost estimate, which first revealed that we were within budget, then later
showed we were $2,000,000 over budget. Everyone went back to the drawing
board to reduce costs, which resulted in a number of things being eliminated
from the facility. When these were presented to the City Council, they decided
to put five of them back into the plans. As of now, one of the things lost was
permanent seating on the practice rink. Director Blank stated that all legal
documents should be signed by all necessary parties by April 15.
Groundbreaking may be scheduled within the next two weeks. Director Blank
would like to invite Governor Carlson to the ceremony.
b. West Medicine Lake Park update. Director Blank said that more sand had to be
placed on the road and settling is still occuring. Also, the bridge had to be re-
bid, and the results this time were higher than before. The bridge situation is
going to require further study.
c. Open space update. Staff is working with the Johnson Brothers on the
purchase of their parcel, which the City acquired for $150,000. They have
decided to discontinue conversations with Mr. Stewart, who wants $1.4 million
for his land. His parcel sits between the Johnson Bros. and Seitzer parcels, and
he's been told he's free to sell it, because the City is no longer interested.
d. Playfield/high school update. This project is moving along on schedule.
Director Blank said that you can now see the high school building from Highway
55.
e. Senior citizen needs analysis update. Director Blank explained that a draft
report is finished and will be forwarded to the members of the youth sports task
force for their review and comment. Following that, it will be sent on to PRAC.
f. Continue golf course discussion. Director Blank introduced Craig Scherber and
Mike Klatte, co-owners of the Elm Creek Golf Course, and then members of the
commission introduced themselves to Scherber and Klatte. Director Blank
explained that he would like the City to always have a golf course available for
the residents to use, regardless of whether it's publicly or privately owned. Mr.
Scherber then asked if the City was planning to buy a golf course. Director
Blank responded that the City probably would not buy a golf course as long as
one of the three that currently exists remains undeveloped. However, if all three
decided to sell to developers, then the City might step in and attempt to
purchase at least one of them.
PRAC Minutes/April 1996
Page 18
Mr. Klatte stated that he would prefer to stay in the golfing business, because it's
been in his family for years, and he loves the game. But he explained that his
taxes keep going up with every improvement he makes to the course. He stated
that it becomes a catch-22. In order to compete with the larger courses, he must
make improvements, but with the improvements come the increased taxes. He
explained that he doesn't charge as much as the other courses and for that
reason, his course appeals to the "working man." He explained that the costs for
maintenance and upkeep of a golf course are very high and that it's a struggle
for him to stay afloat. He can't afford to buy the fancy turf equipment. He would
like to charge more, but feels that Elm Creek is a tough course and not plush
enough to justify a higher fee.
Mr. Scherber was asked what his plans were for Elm Creek. He responded that
if City sewer is extended beyond Elm Creek he probably would opt to develop
the golf course into home sites. He said he would consider keeping it a golf
course if the number of golfers were to increase enough to make it more
profitable than turning it into home sites. Director Blank commented that when
the Elm Creek sewer finally does go through, all property owners will be
assessed. Councilmember Wold asked Director Blank to look into whether or
not Hollydale's owners had to pay an assessment when City sewer was installed
up to their property line. There was some question that the fee might have been
waived.
Commissioner Fiemann commented that he likes to golf as often as possible,
and he supports Elm Creek because of its affordability.
Councilmember Wold stated that the City Council is looking at the price of land
in the northwest part of the City, to which Director Blank added that the City may
consider buying land and building a public golf course on its own if no other
arrangements can be made with the owners of the courses in Plymouth.
Mr. Scherber said that the private golf course owners in Plymouth might be more
willing to keep their courses if the City were to give them all some kind of tax
break. Director Blank responded that the City would probably consider any
reasonable course of action to assure that its residents had at least one course
available in Plymouth.
Commissioners informed Mr. Klatte and Mr. Scherber that their goal is to have
some sort of plan in place by the end of this year regarding the future of golf in
Plymouth.
g. Planning for northeast neighborhood park update. Director Blank displayed
copies of different concept plans for this park and stated that concept A is the
preferred choice at this point. Another planning meeting is scheduled for April
PRAC Minutes/April 1996
Page 19
16, at which time a different plan may or may not be selected. If things go well at
the second meeting, a final plan could be ready for the May PRAC meeting.
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Letter from Pilgrim Lane Elementary. The Pilgrim Lane PTO has requested
assistance from the City to help replace their playground, which is approximately
13 years old. Director Blank explained that their request must be included in a
future CIP, which they understand. He also mentioned that both Sunset Hill
Elementary and Birchview Elementary have recently made similar requests of
the City.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
None.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
Director Blank stated that the Henn. Co. regional trail meeting held at Armstrong
High School last month was well attended with approximately 165 people present.
He felt that 75% of those in attendance support the trail. He explained that an
engineering/feasibility report will take about two to three months to complete and
that the steps are in place to plan the trail in 1996 and construct it in 1997. The City
has allocated $100,000 for the trail and Hennepin County has $1.5 million available
to spend. Another public meeting will be scheduled when more information is
available to share.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Association of Medicine Lake Area Citizens
April 15, 1996
r lac.
Mr. Eric J. Blank
Director of Parks & Recreation
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447
Re: Medicine Lake Trail System - East Side
Dear Eric:
On behalf of myself, and the Board of Directors of AMLAC I
would like to thank you for the work you have put into developing
a walking / biking trail along the East Medicine Lake Boulevard and
Southshore Drive. Some type of walking / biking path is long
overdue. With all of the increased walking and biking traffic
along Medicine Lake it is only a matter of time before there will
be some type of accidental encounter between motorists and
pedestrians.
It is inevitable that no trail system designed will be without
some objections or criticisms. However, I do believe that there
are individuals who live around Medicine Lake believe that such a
trail system is both needed and desirable. I would also like to
compliment you on the fine trail system you constructed along West
Medicine Lake Drive.
I have compiled the following list of concerns which hopefully
will be taken into account in developing your proposed trail system
along East Medicine.Lake Boulevard and Southshore Drive:
a. Residents who live along the lake are concerned that they
will be able to continue using their beach areas and
docks. They, would need some reassurance that this would
still be possible.
b. Some people are concerned that the trail system will be
so wide that it will actually cause an increase in
walking / biking traffic. These concerns may be fueled
Letter to Mr. Blank
Page 2
by the fact that there was indication the trail system
should be twelve feet wide. In that regard, you may wish
to consider scaling back the trail system to some extent
so as to accommodate the existing traffic - separating
that traffic from the motorist traffic - but at the same
time not making a walking / biking freeway.
C. There have been some discussions of making East Medicine
Lake Boulevard one way trafficin certain areas. We
believe that this is a good suggestion - depending on the
affected areas and the direction of travel.
d. Property owners are concerned that if there is to be a
loss of any of their personal driveways, etc. that there
would be compensation for that. I believe that that is
the case but again but would like to receive some
reassurances.
e. It is my understanding that for the trail system there
will be no individual assessments to homeowners. People
need to receive that reassurance. I do, however,
understand that there may be reassessments if the streets
are improved in front of their houses - including curbs
and gutters.
I would like to compliment you on the fine job you have done
thus far and encourage you to move forward with the project.
Ver yy truly yours,,,,i
Bruce W. Larson
Treasurer of AMLAC
3905 IDS Center
80 South Eighth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
BWL/wjr
cc: General Membership of AMLAC
0
April 30, 1996 rpoTVF
PLYNOUTR
Bruce Larson
3905 IDS Center
80 S 8th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Dear Bruce:
Thank you for your letter dated April 15 with regard to the Medicine Lake Regional trail.
I forwarded copies of the letter to the City Council; Fred Moore, Director of Public
Works; Hennepin Parks; Barry Warner at SRF; and the Park and Recreation Advisory
Commission. All of the items you listed in your letter are of importance to us and will be
thoroughly studied and reviewed as the plan is being developed.
I look forward to working with AMLAC and all of the area residents in developing a plan
that will be enjoyed for many years to come.
Thank you for your time and interest in this matter.
Sincerely,
Eric J. Blank, Director
Parks and Recreation
EB/np
cc: City Council
PRAC
Bob Wicklund
Barry Warner
Fred Moore
PLYMOUTH A Beautiful Place'To Live
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000
Birchview Elementary Playground Improvement
PROPOSED BUDGET
Wayzata School District #284 is providing all site work and
installation of IA wood chip surfacing for Phase I and will also
likely be providing the same for Phases II and III.
Phase I Structure: Using Iron Mt. Forge play equipment, purchased
through Flanagan Sales, Inc., Roseville, MN
Total Installed Cost $17,700; volunteer installation 5/23 & 5/24/96
Funds allocated from / for:
14,800 Birchview PTA fundraising profits & cash donations
for play equipment and installation supervisory fee.
1,500 Wayzata School Dist. #284 for ADA suitable equipment.
1,000 Wayzata Schools.Home Base for playground improve.
400 Wayzata School Dist. for site amendment fee and
installation supplies.
Phase II Structure: First preliminary layout/bid proposal again
using IMF equipment through FSI.
Total Installed Cost Approx. $21,500; volunteer install. Mid 1997.
Funds adticipated to be generated between 6/96 and 9/97 from
many possible sources;
Birchview PTA fundraising profits
Cash donations from families, businesses, and civic groups.
City of Plymouth, Park and Recreation Dept.
Wayzata School Dist. for ADA equip., access pathways, etc.
Phase III "Commons Area": Partial preliminary layout, IMF equip.
Equipment cost Approx. $7,700. With intention to add additional
pieces to the plan (as funding becomes evident). Possible pieces
include; free standing climber (Avg. cost $1,300), parallel bars
350), chinning and turning bars (Avg. $500), handicapped &/or
toddler swing ($350 for ADA molded seat, chaining and brackets),
Additional track ride with necessary decking ($1,800-$4,500).
Desired full installation mid 1997, but partial '97, partial '98 may
be necessary based on funding availability.
Phase IV Long Term Needs/Wishes:
New chains ($200) and brackets ($400) for remaining to -fro swings.
Permanent soccer goals for the open play area ($2,000).
A double sided basketball goal for the large asphalt area ($1,000).
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Mr. Eric Blank
City of Plymouth
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447
Re: Sunset Hill Elementary School/City Park
Dear Mr. Blank:
December 8, 1995
Thank you for considering our request for assistance with funding the playground project at Sunset Hill
Elementary School/City Park. Our playground committee is excited about planning for a new and safe play
experience for the children of our school and the surrounding neighborhood.
This past summer we received funds through Independent School District 285 for the following: (i)
playground drainage correction, (ii) replacement of surface, (iii) blacktop resurfacing, and (iv)
purchase installation of accessible playground equipment which meets the guidelines of the 1991 Federal
Americans with Disabilities Act. As part of these renovations, our tire swings needed to be relocated.
After the swings were removed, they were deemed unsafe and could not be reinstalled. Therefore, our PTA
decided to purchase some additional playground equipment, including replacement of the swings. The
following items were purchased and installed this fall: 1) tire swing, 2) additional two belt swings, 3) Drop
Shot, 4) Toss 'N Score, and 5) two tetherball units. All of the equipment was purchased through Earl F.
Andersen, Inc. (Landscape Structures) except the Toss 'N Score which was purchased through
Minnesota/Wisconsin Playground, Inc. Total cost for equipment, freight and installation of these items was
4,426.46.
Now we are faced with the challenge of funding the replacement of the remaining wooden play structures
see attached photographs), which were originally purchased and installed in 1986. Because of the
insufficient water drainage on the playground in the past, the wooden structures need to be replaced in the
near future (see attached letter).
Therefore, we are asking for consideration for funding assistance in 1997. We are working with Earl F.
Andersen, Inc. to establish a playground plan. An initial plan and cost estimate will be presented to our
committee on January 8, 1996. The committee is also looking at various school fund-raisers and funding
sources outside of the school. A final playground proposal, including estimated costs and a fund-raising
plan should be available for review in March 1996.
We appreciate your consideration of our request and look forward to reviewing our proposal with you at
a future time. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Dr. Karla Thompson LuAnn Culhane
Principal, Sunset Hill Elementary PTA Playground Committee Chair Person
sqy- 033y
SUNSET HILL SCHOOL 13005 SUNSET TRAIL PLYMOUTH, MN 554415689 (612) 476.3080 FAX (612) 476.5035
Tuesday, November 28, 1995
Sunset Hill Elementary PTA
Go Ms. LuAnn Culhane
Playground Committee Chairperson
2412 Indian Road West
Minnetonka, MN 55305
Dear Sunset Hill Elementary PTA:
RODGER SCHAEFBAUER
Health/Safety Specialist
17305 19th Avenue North
Plymouth, Mn 55447 • 612147&5059
Fax: 612/476-3278
To clarify various topics previously discussed at PTA meetings, I would like to provide a written
response regarding existing conditions of the play areas located at Sunset Hill Elementary.
First, improvements began in 1993. A large area of pea rock was incorporated into the blacktop
area currently serving as a basketball court. The area to the east of the blacktop had black dirt
and sod added to improve the quality of playing games outdoors on a flat, grassy area.
In 1994, the school board approved the first Playground Safety Management Plan. This initiated
several policies which includes equipment inspections and maintaining impact attenuating
surfaces in close proximity of climbing and swinging structures. As part of the inspections, it has
been determined that the main wood structure does not pass the 1991 Consumer Product Safety
Commission guidelines.
In 1995, funds were approved for the surface at the Sunset Hill Elementary playground to be
upgraded to a wood -fiber system which will greatly reduce the potential for injuries resulting from
falls. This project also improved drainage of the play area, provided handicapped accessible
play structures for the first time, researched the traffic patterns of students and local users, and
designed some new activities to further reduce the potential for collisions or impact injuries.
The future of the wood structure is impossible to forecast. No known repairs are available except
replacement. I am trying to inform your organization of this predicament so plans can be
initiated. If the structure does become unsafe or a rise in injuries occur, I will not hesitate to
remove the hazard. Remember, funding for new equipment is not available through the school
district unless the items will assist handicapped students.
I hope you find this information helpful in summarizing the district's past and future activities. I
have attached my business card for quick reference. Please don't hesitate to contact me
Sincerely,
Rodger Schaefbauer
Health & Safety Specialist
copy: Joe Matson, Supervisor of Buildings & Grounds
Karla Thompson, Principal, Sunset Hill Elem.
Natalie Malphms, Executive Director of Finance & Business
Central Services Facility 17305 19th Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55447-2703 FAX 476-3278
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8400 Golden Valley Road #312
Golden Valley, MN 55427
545-9698)
April 25, 1996
Mr. Eric Blank, Superintendent
Parks and Recreation
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mr. Blank:
This is to inform the City of Plymouth of my desire to donate at no
cost to the City or Plymouth residents, a replica of the 'old log cabin'
on County Road 6 near Vicksburg Lane. As a member of the Plymouth
Historical Society and a former resident of Plymouth I have a special
interest in preserving this piece of history.
Some details have been briefly discussed with your department including
the City providing a site at Parkers Lake, grading and a slab/foundation,
and electrical wiring. We would hope that the City could assist with
appropriate publicity as the project progresses.
Enclosed is a letter from Ron Brodigan, Director of the Great Lakes School
of Log Building at Isabella, MN, with specifications and costs. He has
contacts with subcontractors regarding moving costs and necessary permits.
Gary Schiebe, President of the Plymouth Historical Socety has known Ron
Brodigan, and will work with him.
I have information on the Gilfillan family and home as well as the cabin,
including the fact that my grandfather built the stone chimney. Our
farm bordered the "Creelman Crossroad" (now Vicksburg Lane) and my
grandparents homesteaded the farm in the late 1800s. That address is now
16025 County Road 6.
Incidentally, the cabin was built by Miles Dickey of Wayzata for $300
prior to 1920. And I amin touch with my very first playmate who lived
in the Gilfillan home where the City Workhouse located the Superintendent
of their farm operations.
As the project is completed I will provide framed pictures and historical
documentation which will be of interest to the public.
We would be glad to meet with you to work out the details of the project.
Historically,
Carol Creelman
Enc.
cc: Mayor Tierney and Council
Mary Bisek
Ron Brodigan
Plymouth Historical Society
Snowshoe Trail, Sand Lake
Isabella, MN 55607
Carol Creelman
8400 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55427
February 27, 1996
Dear Carol:
Following are some figures for the possible construction of a log cabin similar to the one
which now stands near Parker's lake. I am enclosing my construction brochure unto which
I have penciled some changes since it was printed last. I am going by the lower price for
labor, which is $25.00 per square foot. That is the one exact figure in the material below.
Other figures, especi y mvo ve with moving, would be other peoples' prices, and are
variabie, but, hopefully, close. - -
I am assuming that the building would be the same size except with higher walls - maybe
about 8 1/2 feet to allow some for shrinkage.
29.5'x 14' (center to center of walls) = 413 square feet @ $25.00 = $10,325. This
wouler all costs of my constructing t e uilding at my yard except log price. Included
would be the completely scribed and fit walls, the entire structural roof system -plates, cap
plates, purlins, ridgelog, three log trusses, and tie logs every five feet (as in the original) It
would also include later cleanup and coating of logs with CWF on the exterior at the park
si te.
Log price would be for about 1,500 lineal feet of logs delivered to my site. At $2.50 per
foot, this would amount to about 3,750. plus delivery charges of somewhere between
300. to $500.
Moving costs are usually figured by the "one-way" or "loaded mile" distance -
approximately 230 miles from Isabella. I am assuming the current rate is about $2.50 per
mile, thus about575. - more if it amounts to more than one truckload. Loading and
and erection is usually at the rate of $50. per hour for the loader truck. This
would probably take about 10-12 hours - $500.+. Up to three helpers would be needed,
possibly at around $12. per hour - 360.+. There would be no charge for my supervision
at both ends.
With the foregoing adding up to $15-16;000., there would still be the expense of doors and
windows, roof boards/insulation/shingles, wiring etc., possibly adding another $5-10,000.
to the total. I could help you find someone qualified, in the Twin Cities area, to dotTus
finishing work.
If you decide to proceed with this, we would need to figure out a time frame and work out
a simple contract. Usually, the actual low cost and one-third of the labor price are due when
the work begins, with payments made periodically as the logwork goes up.
I can be reached at (218) 365-2126 most evenings or a message can be left at the
Minneapolis voice mail - 822-5955.
Sineerely,
Ron rodig