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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Packet 03-15-1999Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission March 15,1999, 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 soliciting names for activity center/fieldhouse complex b. Approved bids for new playgrounds at Lacompte, Turtle Lake and Green Oaks parks c. Accepted annual report and '99 work plan S. Unfinished Business a. Comprehensive plan update (Barry Warner, SRF consultant group) b. Activity center/fieldhouse update C. 6. New Business a. b. C. 7. Commission Presentation S. Staff Communication 9. Adjourn Next regular meeting — April 8 n\parks\staff\erfc\prac\agendas\mar99.doc Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting February 11, 1999 Page 7 Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Fiemann, Musliner, Thompson, Wahl, Willegalle, staff Bisek, Blank and Pederson; Community Development Director Hurlburt; Councilmember Spigner Absent: Commissioner Priebe 1. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Wahl called the February meeting to order at 7 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES , A motion was made by Commissioner Willegalle and seconded by Commissioner Musliner to approve the minutes of the January meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Associations. None were present. b. Staff. Mary stated that Fire and Ice was a success, with near perfect weather. She thanked those who volunteered. She talked about the power outage at the end of the day. Mary announced that Rick was officially named the new activity center manager, which means that we now will need to advertise for a new athletic coordinator to take over his responsibilities. Commissioner Willegalle asked if Rick would no longer be doing scheduling of fields. Mary said he will continue in that capacity until the new person is fully trained. She said that staff is starting to look for summer seasonal people. We are currently working on summer programs for the next brochure. Baseball/softball programs were in the February issue. Mary mentioned the E -Connect project, which is an interactive internet program that puts our recreation brochure out on the internet and will eventually allow people to register for classes using their computers. It will be a while before it is available, because there are a number of issues that need to be worked out. Primavera is coming up on May 14 and 15 and will again be held in this building. Lots of local artists, high school artists, and local performing groups will be featured. Mary announced that Karol Greupner is working on her masters program. Her paper is on the value of special events to the community. Commissioner Musliner asked about the deadline for submissions to Primavera. Mary said she didn't know. Director Blank said that the community band has really taken off and is in need of a band director. The band director from Wayzata High School has applied for the position. They will play at Music in Plymouth this year. In addition to Music in Plymouth, they will also perform PRAC Minutes/February 1999 Page 8 another concert in the amphitheater this summer. Mary stated that other smaller groups are spinning off from the community band, such as a jazz ensemble. 4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION Council approved the name Gateway Park for the neighborhood park at Schmidt Lake Road and Vicksburg Lane. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Comprehensive plan update by Anne Hurlburt, Director of Community Development. Director Hurlburt attended the meeting to discuss the process for updating the city's comprehensive plan. She explained that comprehensive plans must be updated every 10 years according to state law. A big issue for Plymouth is whether or not to continue to expand beyond the MUSA (Municipal Urban Service Area). Approximately 3,200 acres exist outside the MUSA. The city has spent the last year and a half wrestling with that question. The process involved lots of public participation. In October, the Council adopted the partial urban expansion alternative. The expanion area is generally limited to the area east of Vicksburg Lane, with some limited expansion west of Vicksburg along the Soo Line Railroad and Schmidt Lake Road. This area includes about 1,300 acres and could develop within the next 20 years. The remaining acres would not be available for development until after 2020. The Comprehensive Plan will also address other issues, such as the preservation of wetlands, lakes and woods, and the establishment of greenways and open space park areas within the urban expansion area. The parks portion of the comprehensive plan is now 20 years old. Hurlburt explained that a draft overall comprehensive plan needs to be ready by the end of the year. Since October, the city has been working with consultants. Hurlburt said that next week the Council is getting the recommendation that SRF be hired to help finish all the plans and pull everything together. She stated that currently there is a moratorium on new development in this area until everything has been ironed out. She handed out drafts of the overall schedule for updating the comp plan, as well as meetings on the calendar, lists of tasks, key dates for public meetings, a summary of major events, etc. The first major meeting is March 31, when the Planning Commission and City Council will hold a joint meeting to discuss overall goals and policies for major elements of the comprehensive plan. PRAC will be invited. Hurlburt hopes that PRAC can discuss some of these things prior to that meeting. Element 6 (Parks, Open Space and Trails Element) is crucial for PRAC. This schedule will take us to the point of having the plan all in one piece by October, explained Hurlburt. Adoption of the comprehensive plan is scheduled for March, 2000. There will be some nights during the next several months when the Planning Commission and PRAC will all have to meet together. At the March meeting, the consultant Barry Warner, from SRF, will make a presentation. Neither the 11th or the 18th will work for Director Blank or Mr. Warner, so the 15th and 17th are being considered. Commisioner Fiemann asked about the city's policy of putting bike paths along major roads. Director Blank said the update of the comprehensive plan will address the issue of putting sidewalk on both sides of the road on some major roads. The comprehensive plan is for PRAC Minutes/February 1999 Page 9 the entire city of Plymouth, Hurlburt explained, not just northwest Plymouth. Commissioner Willegalle said by the year 2025, 25% of the population will be over age 65. We are now seeing a trend toward different styles of housing. There aren't as many large homes on large lots being built. Commissioner Fiemann asked if Vicksburg would eventually be a four lane road. Director Hulburt said most likely it will, all the way to Maple Grove. The Interstate will continue to become more congested, so Vicksburg will be an alternate route. Commissioner Willegalle asked about the surface water plan. Hurlburt said the City Council did approve the surface water plan and that it was to be implemented in the year 2000. She said that approval of the capital improvements budget will dictate when the surface water plan takes effect, but that it is a small part of the overall plan. She informed Commissioner Willegalle that if he needed more specific information on the surface water plan, he should get in touch with Dan Faulkner in the Engineering Department. Chair Anderson introduced the new Council liaison Saundra Spigner. She stated that she really is looking forward to working with PRAC. Chair Anderson thanked Director Hurlburt for her presentation. Director Blank explained the exercise the consultant asked PRAC to do, a brainstorming session of items they think are important to put in the comprehensive plan. Commissioner Thompson said sports fields, Commissioner Willegalle said open space and preservation of golf courses, Commissioner Wahl said trails in northwest Plymouth and the Elm Creek Watershed, Chair Anderson said open space and golf courses, Commissioner Fiemann said trails connecting key points, Commissioner Musliner said neighborhood parks in northwest Plymouth and updating play equipment. Councilmember Spigner said she is concerned about neighborhoods that don't have parks and they somehow need to be connected by trials to existing neighborhood parks. Commissioner Wahl suggested calling it retro -planning. Commissioner Willegalle stated that it's important to have trails that connect east to west and north to south, so that people can get across town safely. Director Blank said he had received a call from the Plum Tree Development saying their private park, put in by Lundgren Bros., is useless and they want a city park. He also said the current comprehensive plan prohibits putting tennis courts in neighborhood parks and that perhaps this issue needs to be reconsidered. He gets calls from people wanting tennis courts in their neighborhood park. Because they take up so much space, Commissioner Willegalle said the City has been putting tennis courts in where there's room, which tends to be in playfields. The activity center was added to the list, along with other facilities like skateboard parks, disc golf, dog park, etc. Mary suggested calling these special use parks. Commissioners then were asked to look over the entire list and pick their top three. These individual lists will be compiled by staff, put in order by most popular to least, and redistributed to PRAC. b. Activity center, fieldhouse update. Director Blank stated that the Planning Commission held a public hearing two weeks ago on the activity center/fieldhouse. Two people spoke at the public hearing. One was Commissioner Willegalle and the other was Fred Lips, PRAC Minutes/February 1999 Page 10 one of our volunteer gardeners, who asked about the intersection of 34th Avenue and Fernbrook Lane and whether or not a stoplight would be installed there. Director Blank explained that the two new office highrise buildings going in there have dictated that there will be a stoplight at this intersection. He indicated that the site plan approval is on the Council agenda for next week, and then we will go back to the city council for authorization to bid in late March or early April. We hope to break ground in May. Rick Busch will be the manager of the facility. Part of his duties will be the overall coordination of athletic associations' use of the fieldhouse. Del Erickson may be at the next meeting to discuss a number of things. There was some discussion then about whether or not a PRAC member should attend the Council meeting next week. Councilmember Spigner said a letter of support would probably be sufficient. Director Blank said two surfaces for the dome are being bid. The less expensive surface is the aggregate system. It plays like regular grass and doesn't cause turf burns. c. Approve annual report and work plan. COMMISSIONER WAHL MOVED TO APPROVE THE 1999 WORK PLAN AND ANNUAL REPORT AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY CHAIR ANDERSON. MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. Councilmember Spigner asked what PRAC wants in terms of golf courses. Director Blank said the goal is to protect for the long term the existing golf courses. Councilmember Spigner asked if the City lost one, would PRAC support building one? Commissioner Willegalle said PRAC's current strategy is to protect the three we now have. Director Blank said the three existing courses are 18 holes, while the two new proposals are for nine holes and will be geared to seniors and families with children, etc. They appeal to different clientele, he explained. Commissioner Fiemann asked if citizens are supposed to make comments to the Council regarding the golf course Hennepin Parks is proposing. Councilmember Spigner said that comments to the Council are welcome. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Approve 1999 park facility rental policies and fees. There are nine policies this year. Director Blank explained the changes that have been proposed. Large groups of over 125 may require the presence of a police officer when renting the performance stages. Under the Parkers Lake stage, portable stage and amphitheater policies, the clause about lewd or obscene lyrics and behavior should be removed from the policy according to the city attorney, because you cannot prohibit free speech. Director Blank thinks we should strike the clause, because if push came to shove, we would lose on that issue. The showmobile policy has a statement that says the City can refuse to rent it if we feel it will be used in an unsafe or hazardous way or if the event isn't considered to be in the best interest of the city. Commissioner Musliner suggested changing the wording to better reflect the intent. She felt we should end the sentence after the words "hazardous to the showmobile or its operators." COMMISSIONER WILLEGALLE MOVED TO APPROVE RENTAL FEES WITH CHANGES AS PROPOSED; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MUSLINER. Councilmember Spigner asked about fees for the PRAC Minutes/February 1999 Page 11 showmobile, what they were last year, how we compare to other cities, and who rented the showmobile. Director Blank stated the fees are the same as last year and that we are higher than other communities. He said the Wayzata High School, a church, and the city of Richfield rented it. The motion was then voted on and carried with all ayes. Commissioner Willegalle asked if there was a policy regarding the picnic shelters down by the lake. He knows they are first come, first serve, but there was a problem last summer during the History Fest, when a group showed up and wouldn't leave, even though the History Fest was a city run event and had plans to use that shelter. Director Blank said he and Mary would look into that and try to come up with some kind of policy that would address the city having priority use of the shelter during city sponsored events. b. Discuss names for activity center and fieldhouse. The Youth Advisory Council has suggested the name Plymouth Pavilions. Director Blank pointed out that the name Pavilion is already attached to the Parkers Lake building and will also be used for the future Medicine Lake bath house. Commissioner Wahl said he didn't like that name for the activity center/fieldhouse, because it reminded him more of an outdoor band shell. Commissioner Musliner suggested Plymouth Community Center and Sports Dome. Councihnember Spigner suggested that PRAC consider holding a contest asking the public to help name the complex. Chair Anderson said that was a possibility. Commissioner Willegalle asked who would judge the names. Councilmember Spigner said PRAC would decide. She felt by giving the community an opportunity to buy in, it might make them feel better about the facility. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION None 8. STAFF COMMUNICATION Staff will try to schedule the next meeting for March 15, which is a Monday, because Director Blank is out of town on the 11th. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. DATE: March 9, 1999 TO: PRAC FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director, Parks and Recreation SUBJECT: Brainstorming List You will recall from our last meeting that we spent some time creating a list of facilities during our discussion on updating the comprehensive plan. That list is attached. From that list, each of you was asked to choose your top three. Those choices are also shown. EB/np Below is the list that was developed during the brainstorming session at the February PRAC meeting: Sports fields Tennis courts Open space Activity center/ice arena Golf courses Trails Special use parks Elm Creek open space Recreation programs Connecting key points w/trails Neighborhood parks (retro planning) Play equipment updating Private amenities From the above list that was developed during the brainstorming session, these were the top vote getters (commissioners were asked to list their top three): Trails — 5 votes Sports fields — 4 votes Open space — 3 votes Neighborhood parks — 3 votes Golf — 2 votes Activity center/fieldhouse — 2 votes 02/11/99 WORK TASKS AND PERSON -HOUR ESTIMATE PAGE 9 CLIENT: CITY OF PLYMOUTH CONSULTANT: SRF CONSULTING GROUP, INC. PROJECT: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE ESTIMATED PERSON -HOURS"*" TASK NO. WORK TASK DESCRIPTION PRINCIPAL ASSOCIATE SR. PROF. PROF. TECHNICAL CLERICAL TOTALS 5.9 Implementation Plan 6 20 30 10 10 4 80 Working with City staff, identify anticipated timing of future development (10 and 20 years). Use this information, together with the future roadway needs, to prepare a staging plan for making improvements (10 and 20 years). Estimate the cost of roadway improvements, transit service improvements, construction of park-and-ride facilities and TDM strategies. 5.10 Prepare draft report. 10 30 10 10 20 10 90 5.11 Meetings 10 15 0 0 10 5 40 Present draft transportation goals and policies to City Council and Planning Commission atjoint meeting (March 31), review and discuss. Present draft transportation element to City Council and Planning Commission at joint meeting (September 28), review and discuss. Meet with Hennepin County, adjacent cities, and Metropolitan Council and Mn/ DOT, and present draft report. 5.12 Finalize report based on comments received. 4 10 0 0 10 6 30 SUBTOTAL -TASK 5 82 175 169 168 142 39 775 6.0 PARK, OPEN SPACE AND TRAIL PLAN ELEMENT 6.1 Review Community Characteristics and Demographic Information 4 8 0 24 8 4 48 Review and analyze background population and demographic information; meet with staff to review development trends and projected growth area; and analyze existing conditions, trends, and plans to show type, timing and intensity of future development. Review current adequacies and inadequacies of the Park System Plan. 6.2 Inventory of Existing Park and Recreation Facilities 16 0 16 64 0 24 120 Locate and inventory state, county, or private -sector park and open space facilities. Inventory and analyze school district open space and athletic facilities available to community residents. Inventory and assess presently undeveloped park or open space parcels. Identify potential candidate parcels for acquisition adjacent existing parks. Identify other natural corridors or cultural easements that may have recreational value. Discuss private/commercial recreation facilities and their role in meeting local needs. SRF CONSULTING GROUP, INC. ENGINEERS AND PLANNERS MINNEAPOLIS, MN. 02/11%99 WORK TASKS AND PERSON -HOUR ESTIMATE PAGE 10 CLIENT: CITY OF PLYMOUTH CONSULTANT: SRF CONSULTING GROUP, INC. PROJECT: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE ESTIMATED PERSON -HOURS***** TASK NO. WORK TASK DESCRIPTION PRINCIPAL ASSOCIATE SR. PROF. PROF. TECHNICAL CLERICAL TOTALS 6.3 Recreation Programs Review and Analysis 4 4 0 12 0 4 24 Review with City staff existing municipal, other public, and private recreational programs. Review participation rates and staff perceived needs for program changes. Identify national trends that may influence recreation programs, today and in the future. Provide an overview analysis of existing program adequacy and make recommendations for additional program types or program expansions to meet 6.4 Needs Analysis 16 8 0 80 0 4 108 Summarize regional SCORP analysis. Compare existing and future population needs with NRPA and other national standards. Conduct a park service area analysis for areas outside of the MUSA line. Tabulate athletic event activity rates and make projections for the next 10 and 20 years. 6.5 Natural Resources Assessment 8 8 32 24 8 4 84 Identify specific and unique natural resources for preservation, recreation, or facility development as a byproduct of the 1994 SEH study. Prioritize development and acquisition of natural resource base facility/ program for enhancement for areas beyond the MUSA and greenway development. Review current management policies and practices for maintaining and enhancing the community's natural resource base. Identify potential for natural resource based interpretive and recreational opportunities. 6.6 Recommendations for Land Acquisition and Facility Development 8 8 0 40 8 4 68 A formal policy statement will detail how existing City facilities in parkland can be adopted to meet both current and future community needs. Identify parcels for acquisition. Acquisition priorities for additional parcels within the park and open space system will be delineated. Examine development priorities for the park system facilities. Special -use facilities will be examined according to their present need, and planning horizons 5- and 10 -years beyond the current period. SRP CONSULTING GROUP, INC. ENGINEERS AND PLANNERS MINNEAPOLIS, MN. 02/71/99 WORK TASKS AND PERSON -HOUR ESTIMATE PAGE 11 CLIENT: CITY OF PLYMOUTH PROJECT: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE TASK NO. WORK TASK DESCRIPTION 6.7 Trail System Plan Update Map existing trails or those committed to. Establish policies regarding trails on each side of roads and trails within rural county road right-of-way. Establish evaluation criteria and methodology for prioritization of future trailway development. Intercommunity trail opportunities with adjacent cities and regional agencies will be identified including greenway corridors. The existing trail system plan concept will be revised to establish preliminary corridors for future implementation. The feasibility for trail extensions and connections will be examined as well as the potential constraints. Review Hennepin County Bicycle Plan. 6.8 Community Golf Course Identify existing or planned courses, and their facilities, with the market area. Based upon community demographics, determine existing or future demand for a public course. Determine available alternatives for a public golf course; existing facility or new. 6.9 System Funding and Financing Establish preliminary cost estimates for near-term priority projects. Review and revise park dedication policy. 6.10 Vision Statement .2010 and Beyond Exhibits, concept plans, and charts will be further defined to provide a general vision of parks through full development. 6.11 Public Participation and Involvement Attend and present at up to five (5) meetings to solicit meaningful public and commission comment. Present draft park, open space and trail goals and policies to Parks Commission (March 18), review and discuss Present draft park, open space and trail goals and policies to City Council and Planning Commission at joint meeting (March 31), review and discuss. Present draft park, open space and trail element to Park Commission September 9), review and discuss. Present draft park, open space and trail element to City Council and Planning Commission at joint meeting (September 28) - Parks Commission invited, review and discuss. CONSULTANT: SRF CONSULTING GROUP, INC. ESTIMATED PERSON -HOURS""` PRINCIPAL ASSOCIATE SR. PROF. PROF. TECHNICAL CLERICAL 16 8 0 60 12 4 12 8 0 40 8 4 4 0 16 0 4 4 0 16 0 24 24 0 24 0 TOTALS 100 4 72 4 28 4 28 0 72 SRF CONSULTING GROUP, INC. ENGINEERS AND PLANNERS MINNEAPOLIS, MN. 02/11%99 WORK TASKS AND PERSON -HOUR ESTIMATE PAGE 12 CLIENT: CITY OF PLYMOUTH PROJECT: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE TASK NO. WORK TASK DESCRIPTION 6.12 Project Documentation Provide one (1) set of reproducibles in a document format based upon technical memorandum produced during the planning process. Each fore mentioned tasks will produce technical memorandum, graphics, and mapping that will be refined to collectively form one (1) summary document, copy ready. Provide a digital copy of the plan. Provide a copy ready Executive Summary of the plan. SUBTOTAL-TASK6 7.0 HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN ELEMENT 7.1 Background Information. Review historic preservation background information, if any. Review inventory of historic structures and places, if any. Review information on historic aspects of community. Meet with City staff to discuss historic preservation background information and appropriate aspects to include in plan. 7.2 Historic preservation goals and policies. Prepare draft historic preservation goals and policies for the community, based on the City's overall policy direction. Meet with City staff to review draft historic preservation goals and policies. CONSULTANT: SRF CONSULTING GROUP, INC. ESTIMATED PERSON -HOURS***** PRINCIPAL ASSOCIATE SR. PROF. PROF. TECHNICAL CLERICAL TOTALS 16 40 0 120 80 24 280 132 124 48 520 124 84 1032 0 0 4 4 0 0 8 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 SRF CONSULTING GROUP, INC. ENGINEERS AND PLANNERS MINNEAPOLIS. MN. Agenda Number: 0V TO: Dwight Johnson, City Manager FROM: Eric Blank, Director of Parks and Recreation SUBJECT: Naming of New Recreational Facilities DATE: February 17, 1999, for Council Meeting of March 2 1. ACTION REQUESTED: The City Council should pass a motion giving direction to staff on whether or not to proceed with soliciting public participation in the naming of the new recreational facilities. 2. BACKGROUND: The Park and Recreation Advisory Commission discussed the possible permanent naming of the new recreational facilities at their February 11 Commission meeting. More specifically, they started to discuss the recommendation that had come forth from the Youth Advisory Council which was "Plymouth Pavilions." During this discussion, Councilmember Spigner said she thought it would be helpful to have citizen involvement in suggesting names for the new recreational facilities. The Commission agreed with this recommendation and has asked staff to explore various methods of soliciting input for naming the new facility. If the City Council agrees with this idea, staff will work with cable television and local newspapers to advertise for suggestions. I think it would be appropriate to allow people three to four weeks to submit names that could then be reviewed by PRAC. I anticipate at this time that there will be a groundbreaking ceremony early in May for the new recreation facilities. It would be nice to have the official name to unveil at that ceremony, which we could also use on various promotional materials. EB/np