HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 03-10-20161 Approved Minutes
February 11, 2016
Approved Minutes
Park & Recreation Advisory Commission
Thursday, March 10, 2016
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Merrilee Riley, Commissioners: Greg Anderson, Dick Burkhardt, Tricia
DeBleeckere, Michael Swanson, Kipp Wyse
MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice Chair Aaron Vanderwall
STAFF PRESENT: Parks & Recreation Director Diane Evans, Deputy Director Barb Northway, Recreation
Manager Regina Michaud, Office Support Specialist Sarah Josephs
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES: Councilmember Ned Carroll, Planning Commissioner Jim
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Riley called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Wyse, recommending approval
of the February 11, 2016 Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting minutes as
written. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
3. OPEN FORUM:
4. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS (NON-ACTION ITEMS):
5. NEW BUSINESS (ACTION ITEMS):
5a. Recognition of Regina Michaud
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission drafted a resolution of appreciation for
Recreation Manager Regina Michaud. Recreation Manager Michaud will be leaving her position
with the City of Plymouth on May 2, 2016 as she relocates.
Director Evans shared that Recreation Manager will be sincerely missed, but that staff
support her decision to relocate. Council Member Carroll expressed agreement with Director
Evans and added that it has been a pleasure to work with Ms. Michaud over the years. She
shared that Ms. Michaud has always been very professional and that Plymouth was very lucky
to have her for as long as they have.
Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Burkhardt, recommending
approval of recognition of Recreation Manager Regina Michaud for her service to the
Plymouth Parks and Recreation Department. With no objection, the motion passed.
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February 11, 2016
5b. Master Plan (ACTION)
Staff are recommending that Commissioners approve the Park Master Plan for Aspen
Ridge Park. If recommended, the Master Plan would be forwarded to the City Council for
final approval on March 22. Aspen Ridge Park is located on Garland Lane, adjacent to the
Northwest Greenway and Plymouth Dog Park. The site is 2.39 acres. This park was
recently named at the last PRAC meeting.
Prior to the PRAC meeting an Open House was held for the community to review plans
and playground equipment options. Invitations were mailed to 216 residents and 14
people were in attendance. Several people noted on their comments about having “water
spout access”. Deputy Director Northway shared that while there isn’t direct water
access in the park, there is water access just adjacent to the park in the Northwest
Greenway. Another common comment was to have a larger basketball area; at least
enough space for a ½ court game or 4 square. Several people mentioned being very
excited for the park and open space. Deputy Director Northway will speak with
consultants to make those adjustments to the Master Plan.
Residents in attendance were able to vote for playground features and a shelter. After
votes were tabulated, the “roller slide” feature was chosen and the “sail” shelter was
chosen. This would make Aspen Ridge Park the first park in Plymouth with a roller slide.
Commissioner Anderson inquired about the adjoining Plymouth Dog Park and if the site
will be fenced off or gated in the future. He is wondering if there are there plans to
keep the dogs within the dog park. Deputy Director Northway answered that during the
Northwest Greenway development this summer a fenced barrier and signage will be
added along the southern dog park border. This signage will alert dog owners to leash
dogs before leaving the dog park.
Chair Riley inquired if as population grows and usage increases would a more permanent
fence would need to be constructed around the dog park. Director Evans shared that
staff have always contemplated adding a fence around the dog park. Currenlty the east
side of the park has new development coming in . With that construction has come high
retaining walls along the east side, creating a natural barrier. The property to the west
is city owned and connects to the Northwest Greenway. Staff feel the temporary fencing
will work, but will continue to monitor and address as issues arise.
Commissioner Swanson asked about the price difference between the traditional shelter
and the sail shelter. Deputy Director Northway shared that the current shelter budget is
for $30,000. Project developers were asked to create the two options while remaining
within budget. The traditional shelter is expected to cost $29,000 and the sail shelter is
25,000. At this point we have had a number of fabric shelters within the parks and they
typically last 12+ years.
The park is currently planning on having 10 parking spaces at the entrance. There will be
9 regular spots and one handicap accessible spot. Chair Riley shared that 10 spots seems
like a reasonable amount based on other neighborhood parks she has visited.
Commissioner Burkhardt shared that when he visits a neighborhood park he prefers to
have parking spots available onsite. While it’s legal to park along the street to enter the
parks, it feels like an irritation to residents living near by. He also feels that by having
parking onsite it creates a more welcoming feeling for those visiting the park.
Motion by Commissioner Burkhardt, seconded by Commissioner Swanson, recommending
approval of the Aspen Ridge Park Master Plan. With no objection, the motion passed.
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February 11, 2016
6. COMMISSIONER/STAFF UPDATE
The Healthy Living Fair will be held this coming Sunday at the Plymouth Creek Center
from 1-4pm. We encourage you all to visit the event.
There will not be a PRAC meeting in April. Our next meeting will be held on May 12.
The Plymouth Home Expo will be held on April 8 and April 9 at the Fieldhouse. Admission
is free. There will be a variety of home improvement vendors as well as Minnesota
market vendors.
Spring and Summer registration opened up on Tuesday, March 8. On the first day, staff
took in over 3,000 registrations. Staying on trend, 80% of registrations were completed
online and 20% were taken via walk in/phone registrations. This coming Tuesday, March
15, registration will open for non-residents.
This Spring and Summer session has a few new programs added. Staff added 2 & 3 year
old t-ball and soccer classes. Those have proven to be extremely popular and already
have over 50 kids on each waitlist.
Primavera will be held in at the Plymouth Creek Center April 15-19. The arts festival is
run in collaboration with the Plymouth Arts Council. There will be 50 artists on-site,
showing over 100 pieces of art throughout week.
Commissioner Swanson inquired if a convenience fee was added when registrations were
completed online. Director Evans answered that currently the department has chosen to
remain customer friendly and not add on any additional fees. Commissioner Swanson
added that it’s common for online transactions to have the convenience fee. Recreation
Manager Michaud shared that while we do not charge a fee on the front end, a small fee
is collected for any cancellation of a program. Charges are run through our registration
software and the transaction fees are covered by the Parks and Recreation Department.
Council Member Carroll asked if the fees were built into the class rate. Director Evans
answered that the credit card companies do charge a fee for each transaction, typically
around 3% of the transaction fee. When planning for the cost of the program the 3%
processing fee is figured into the class cost. Chair Riley asked if there was a different in
processing fee for those registering in person or over the phone versus those registering
online. Recreation Manager Michaud replied that the fee remains the same. In terms of
processing time, it requires staff time to process the in person or phone in registrations.
Staff continue to drive traffic to the online registration.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Commissioner DeBleeckere, seconded by Commissioner Wyse, recommending
adjournment of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting. With no
objection, Chair Riley adjourned the meeting at 7:31 p.m.