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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 10-13-1997Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission October 13, 1997, 7 p.m., at the Plymouth Ice Arena, 3650 Plymouth Blvd. 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 5. Unfinished Business a. 1998-2002 CIP - continue discussion of projects - motion to approve five year plan b. West Medicine Lake park update c. Ice arena update d. Elm Creek playfield update e. East Medicine Lake regional trail update L Armstrong High School gym update g. Activity center update h. Report from Aggressive Skateboard Park Committee members 6. New Business a. Name for northeast neighborhood park b. C. 7. Commission Presentation 8. Staff Communication 9. Adjourn Next regular meeting - Nov. 13 parks\stafi\eric\prac\agendas\oct97.doe Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting September 15, 1997 Page 26 Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Johnson, Priebe, Thompson, Wahl, Willegalle; staff Bisek, Blank and Pederson Absent: Commissioner Fiemann 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Anderson called the September meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Willegalle and seconded by Commissioner Anderson to approve the minutes of the August meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Associations. None were present. b. Staff. Mary Bisek talked about the annual art fair held Saturday. Many of the bands that performed were rescheduled from summer Tuesday night concerts that had been rained out. Fall registrations for the most part are completed. Many programs filled immediately and some that filled last year by this time have not yet filled this fall. Some of this might be caused by the opening of Life Time. This is the first time the city is doing the school year swimming program. We had very high registrations for that, but are short of staff. Next Tuesday, Sept. 23, the Arts Council is sponsoring another new event. Joe Dowling from the Guthrie is coming to the Radisson to do a presentation. We are having loaded into our computer system a new software package, which in- cludes touch tone telephone registration. We are a beta site for this, so we are testing the software. Recreation staff is starting to plan winter programs. Dates have been se- lected for the grand opening of the ice arena and Life Time Fitness, October 17-19. Commissioner Wahl asked if we have Internet registration. Mary said no. The concern with people who have done Internet registration is security of credit card numbers. c. Others. There were no others present. 4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION Council selected the architect for the activity center - Delano Erickson. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. 1998-2002 CIP. Ruth Solom and Barb Deede, from the Pilgrim Lane PTO, expressed appreciation for the $15,000 the City has already allocated for their playground upgrade PRAC Minutes/September 1997 Page 27 and then explained that they were in attendance at the meeting to request an additional 20,000423,000 for the purpose of adding a pre-school structure, which wasn't part of the original plan. The Pilgrim Lane school encompasses a large geographic area and serves as the neighborhood park. The current proposed structure is designed for kids in K -5th grade. The PTO feels strongly that the addition of the pre-school structure will make this a more complete park and will meet the needs of many more families; how- ever, the PTO does not have the ability to raise all the funds needed to complete this project in its entirety. They expect to raise a total of $65,000 which includes school fund-raisers conducted during the 97-98 school year, donations from corporations and neighborhood businesses, grants, donations from civic organizations and residents, plus monies already raised, as well as the contribution from the city. Another speaker, Colleen Kennedy, has pre-school children and is participating on the fund raising com- mittee. She will target those families with pre-school children. She explained that it is a daily ritual for her and her children to visit the park. She's very interested in a pre- school structure and is doing everything she can to help raise funds, along with other moms of preschoolers. Commissioner Willegalle asked about the total amount they are requesting. Ms. Solom said that the $15,000 already allocated would be for the regular playground structure, and that the additional $20,000-$23,000 is for the preschool structure. Mark Peterson worked with them and came up with the amount necessary to build the entire structure. Commissioner Johnson asked some questions about the site itself. Ms. Solom explained that it's a relatively large park and can easily accommodate the additional structure. Chair Anderson then brought up policy concerns that the Commission needed to discuss. He reminded them that a year ago the Commission voted to increase the contribution they give to park/school playground improvements from $10,000 to $15,000, if they had received funding previously, and $25,000 if they were first time requests. Director Blank then explained the five year capital improve- ment plan. He said no action was necessary tonight, but would be required in October. The budget will go to the Planning commission in late October and then on to the City Council in December for final adoption. He explained the different funding sources; park replacement fund, park dedication fund, and the community improvement fund. He then went through the items allocated for 1998; a lease payment on a portable stage for the amphitheater, the activity center and field house, trails, the neighborhood park at Vicksburg and Schmidt Lake Road, the upgrade at Zachary Playfield, which involves new lighting and would be phased in over two years, bleachers and painting of graphics at the ice arena, art in the parks, amphitheater garden, aggressive skate park, Pilgrim Lane playground upgrade and playground replacement at East Beach, because they have nothing at the present time. All of the playgrounds are inspected weekly and park maintenance gives them a ranking in terms of which ones need to be upgraded and when. In 1999, projects include a trail over the 494 bridge along County Road 9, an- other lease payment on the portable stage, an upgrade of youth sports facilities at East Middle School and/or Greenwood Elementary, the second phase of Zachary field lighting, a neighborhood park, art in the park, and Oakwood School playground up- grade. In 2000, projects proposed are trail development, a neighborhood park, lease payment on the portable stage, and land acquisition for the 10th playfield. The 410 ac- count, which is neighborhood parks, shows shortages beginning in 1999. We have to PRAC Minutes/September 1997 Page 28 make up for that somehow. Director Blank then discussed requests from the Curtis Lake Homeowners Association for extension of trail along Northwest Boulevard north of 44th to Schmidt Lake Road. There is money built into CIP for trails. If this trail is considered, we need to amend the comprehensive trail plan. Director Blank reminded PRAC about guidelines adopted for funding school playgrounds. Commissioner Wahl asked about pre-school equipment at other school playgrounds. Director Blank said it is fairly typical to include preschool structures. The guidelines say the city could go as high as $25,000. The estimate for the Pilgrim Lane project is $65,000 for the K -5th grade structure without the pre-school structure. Director Blank explained the bounda- ries of the walking neighborhood for Pilgrim Lane. Commissioner Wahl asked what procedure PRAC would follow if they were to approve more than $25,000 as stated in the guidelines. Director Blank said PRAC would just make a recommendation and it would be up to the Council to approve or disprove. Chair Anderson stated his concern with the long range budget and how the money just isn't there. He is also concerned with setting a precedent. Commissioner Priebe asked about the policy on placing pre- school equipment in neighborhood parks. Director Blank said it is typical to put pre- school structures in neighborhood parks. Commissioner Thompson said there are two issues; money and setting a precedent. Chair Anderson said the Council may not look favorably on changing the school/park playground policy less than a year later. In De- cember of 1996, it was raised from $10,000 to $25,000 on parks that have not been funded before. Director Blank stated that Pilgrim Lane was the first school to request help with upgrading their playground back in 1984. Commissioner Johnson asked what an additional $20,000 would buy them. Director Blank said that would be difficult without seeing a plan. He said we now budget $75,000 to $80,000 when we put in a new playground at other neighborhood parks. Director Blank asked Ms. Solom if the school district is putting in any money. Ms. Solom explained that the school district is covering the cost of removing and disposing of the old structure, but will not put in any actual cash. Director Blank explained that 50% of today's increased playground cost is for surfaces that meet ADA guidelines. The Wayzata School District is now helping out their PTO's by contributing funds for those new surfaces. The Robbinsdale District isn't doing that for its PTO's. COMMISSIONER JOHNSON MOVED AND CHAIR ANDERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO RAISE TO $25,000 THE TOTAL FOR THE PILGRIM LANE REQUEST FOR FUNDING, DUE TO THE INCREASED SIZE AND SCOPE OF THEIR PLAYGROUND. MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. Commissioner Priebe suggested that in the future, school playground replacements should include a preschool structure in their plan. Director Blank agreed. Director Blank then discussed the 410 account and how to make that balance. He said that the neighborhood parks in 2000, 2001, and 2002 may have to be deleted. Almost all of the property in Plymouth is now developed up to the MUSA line, unless they extend the MUSA. There was a major meeting with all the land owners in northwest Plymouth; 52 % don't want it developed, while 48 % do. Director Blank will work on the CIP and will bring it back balanced at the October meeting. The Zachary upgrade will run about 210,000 for new lighting and new fencing, backstops, etc. He explained that we may PRAC Minutes/September 1997 Page 29 be able to buy the bleachers for the ice arena out of the arena construction budget. Art in the parks would be for some type of sculpture in front of the ice center and at West Medicine Lake Park. The Council feels very strongly that the bridge at 494 & 9 is very dangerous and that we need a trail here. The youth sports upgrade at Greenwood Ele- mentary and Central Middle Schools is for new fields, both in 1999 and 2000. Director Blank has been working with the City Manager and is assured that the city will find the resources to complete the West Medicine Lake Park. Everything is in place to complete the project. There is a verbal commitment from the DNR for a fishing pier. The only item that is an unknown at this time is lighting in the park. We can go two ways here - rent the lights from NSP, or buy the lights. The playground structure has been ordered, sand is there for the sand volleyball courts, bids are being opened for four picnic shel- ters tomorrow, and the budget has allowed for lifeguards in 1998, so park should be fully operational next summer. Director Blank said there is nothing in the CIP for buy- ing a golf course. Commissioner Johnson said the 70/30 park dedication formula maybe needs to be looked at. The park dedication policy goes back to 1974 explained Director Blank. The 30% has, in the past, been enough to build neighborhood parks. We have a legal commitment to put money back into neighborhoods, when we collect park dedica- tion money. Commissioner Johnson questioned the trail on the County Road 9 bridge over 494. Has anyone thought of asking Target or Rainbow to assist with this? By building this trail, we are helping people gain access to this major retail area. Perhaps someone from the city should contact these major retail stores and ask for a contribu- tion toward this trail. Director Blank said he would discuss this issue with the City Manager. Commissioner Thompson pointed out that traffic on Vicksburg has doubled over the last year, and she thinks residents will ask for a safe way to cross Vicksburg to get to the new park on Schmidt Lake Road and Vicksburg. Director Blank mentioned the memo from Councilmember Spigner. She is asking PRAC to keep in mind Sunrise Park when considering locations for skateboard parks. The skateboard park focus group will get together at least once before the next PRAC meeting. b. Ice arena update. Director Blank said that we have reached an agreement with Life Time for a grand opening ceremony on October 17-19. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday. Life Time will have a party for their members and guests. The remainder of the weekend the center would be open to the public for tour- ing, etc. c. Elm Creek Playfield. Director Blank stated that we need to sod that complex in order for it to open next spring. It's been seeded twice now, and it's not taking. d. East Medicine Lake Regional trail update. It's under construction, and the road is closed. Director Blank anticipates substantial completion by early November. e. Armstrong High School gym update. Director Blank is hoping that this will be done in time for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Recreation programmers have been meet- ing to come up with ways to use that new space. PRAC Minutes/September 1997 Page 30 I. Activity center update. A car count was conducted in early September, and now there are meters at the entrances counting the cars coming in. The complex is being used ex- tensively. The girls play high school hockey games on Tuesday nights and draw crowds of 100 or so. The boys play on Thursday and Saturday nights, and they draw 400 to 500 typically. The Life Time Club reaches its peak on Monday, and from there it goes down. Parking could be a problem on Thursday nights if there was a hockey tourna- ment going on. We may have to look at locating the activity center north of 34th Ave- nue, where the tennis center was proposed, rather than attaching it to the south end of Life Time, because of the parking issue. a. There was no new business. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION None. 8. STAFF COMMUNICATION The next PRAC meeting will be Monday, October 13, at the Iee Arena. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. 3Dpkrvpd City of Plymouth Page 1 10/8/97 City of Plymouth 1998 - 2002 Capital Improvements rogamm--- Park Dedication Fund—Community Playfields and Trails (Fund 409) Pmje&dEndBeginningEstimatedProjectedTransferto Interest Earnings Projected Year i lv—enues 422,5881997970,033 525,000 (1,085,000) MM004 39,08 1998 422,588 400,000 478,725) 315,863 18,4 1 33,324 20011 241,148 350,000 318,725) 31,000) 241,423 12,064 253,487 2002 253,487 350,000 318,725) 32,000) 252,762 12,656 265,418 City of Plymouth Page 1 10/8/97 98pkrvnp City of Plymouth 1998-2002 Capital Improvements Program Park Dedication Fund -Neighborhood Parks (Fund 410) Beginning Estimated Projected to Protected End Interest Earnings Projected Year Balance Revenues Expenditures Transfer Park Repl. Fund Balance 5% on avg balance Final Balance 1997 335,901 200,000 410,000) 11,371) 114,530 115261 1255791 1998 125,791- 200,000 285,000) (14,000) _ _ -- 26,T9 '3,815 95,000), (14,000) 71,605 2,555 90,000)- (15,000)'. 119,161 4,833 175,000) (16,000)_ 82,994 5,175 80,000) - (16,000) -- 142,168 - 5,758 30,605 74,161 123,994 88,168 147,927 1999 30,605 74,16] 88,168 150,000 150,000200 2001i____123,994 150,000 150,0002002— City of Plymouth Page 1 10/6/97 96CIPPRK City of Plymouth Page 1 - 10/8/97 City ofPlymouth 1998 - 2002 Capital Improvements Program Park Projects Park Park ParkProjectPark Number Plro'ectJ Year Planning Park Dedication Dedication ReplacementP Community Other and Design Construction Playfl ,,d, Neighborhood MSA Improvemen Funding Total Other Funding Sources NatesTrailsParksFundingFund (CM * Sources 1 Portable Stage 98 2 Activity Center 98 18,725 Lease purchase 3 Field House 98 Bonds and CIF 4 Trail 98 5 Park --Vicksburg & Schmidt Lake Rd 98 75,000 6 Zachary Park Upgrade, Phase I 98 90,000 7 Ice Rink--Bleachers/Graphics 98 160,000 50,000 8 Art in the Parks(?) 98 25,000 9 Amphitheater Garden 9898 20,000 10 Aggressive Skate Park 15,000 I1 Nbrhd Parks --East Beach, one other 98 90,000 12 \dress Medicine Lake Park--miscL 98 70,000 13 Playfield bleachers, hash containers 98 50,000 14 Pilgrim Larne Playground 98 25,000 Subtotal 25,000 478,725 285,000 50,000 0 0 0 0 15 Trails -494 & CR 9 Bridge 99 1 Portable Stage 99 185,000 16 youth sports fields upgrades 99 18,725 Leasepurchase 6 Zachary Puk--Phase 11 upgrade 99 100,000 Greenwood Elementaryand Central Middle school 11 Neighborhood Park replacement 99 5,000 8 AR int Ohe ark 99 so,000 80,000 17 Oakwood Scheel--parkplaylp mid 99 10,000 Subtotal 15,000 428,725 95,000 80,000 0 p p 0 19 TrailDevelopment 00 11 Neighborhood Park 00 100,000 1 Portable stage 00 16 Upgradeyouth sportsfields 00 18,725 Lease purchase 18 Playground replacement pp 00,000 8 Art in the Park 0o 90,000 90,000 20 Land Acquisition (1 Ott Playfield) 00 15,000 Subtotal 200,000 433,725 90,000 90,000 0 00 0 19 Trail Development of 1 Portable stage 01 100,000 20 Land Acquisition 01 18,725 Lease purchase 11 Neighborhood Park 01 200,000 Subtotal 175,000 318,725 175,000 p p 0 p p City of Plymouth Page 1 - 10/8/97 96CIPPRK City of Plymouth 1998 - 2002 Capital Improvements Program Park Projects Park Park Park Project Park Year Planning Park Dedication Dedication Replacement Community I Other Number Project and Construction Playfields Neighborhood MSA Improvement Funding Total Other Funding Sources Notes Design Trails Parks Funding Fund (CM, a Sources 19 Tmil Development 02 100,000 I Portable stage 02 18,725 Lease purchase 20 Land Acquisitimr(10th Playfreld) 02 II_ Neighbodmod Park 02 200,000 80,000 Subtotal 318,725 80,0000 0 01 0 TOTAL 1,978,625 725,000 220,000 01 0 01 0 City of Plymouth Page 2 10/8/97