Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 01-14-20161 Approved Minutes January 14, 2016 Approved Minutes Park & Recreation Advisory Commission Thursday, January 14, 2016 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Merrilee Riley, Vice Chair Kipp Wyse, Commissioners : Greg Anderson, Dick Burkhardt, Tricia DeBleeckere, Michael Swanson, Aaron Vanderwall MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Parks & Recreation Director Diane Evans, Deputy Director Barb Northway, Office Support Specialist Sarah Josephs COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES: Councilmember Ned Carroll, Planning Commissioner Bryan Oakley GUESTS: Stuart Crosby (SRF) 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Riley called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner DeBleeckere, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, recommending approval of the December 10, 2015 Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting minutes as written. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 3. OPEN FORUM: There were not any members of the public present for Open Forum. 4. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS (NON-ACTION ITEMS): 4a. 2016 PRAC Work Plan (Diane Evans) Director Evans shared a draft the annual PRAC Work Plan with Commissioners. Upon approval of the work plan at the February PRAC meeting, the plan will be forwarded to City Council for their final approval. During the February 2016 meeting, Commissioners will be voting for members to fill the Chair and Vice Chair roles for the year. Commissioners will also be reviewing the 2015 Annual Report, and strategic goals for the department. Other upcoming projects in the first quarter include a community meeting for the trail gap project along Old Rockford Road and building a neighborhood park in the Aspen Hallows development. Vice Chair Wyse confirmed the process for adding other projects to the Plan. Commissioners can review the plan and bring any notes or suggestions to the February meeting. At that point the document will be voted on and forwarded to the City Council for approval. 2 Approved Minutes January 14, 2016 Commissioner Anderson asked about a project that has been in the department’s Strategic Plan for several years; adding a trail crossing over the railroad tracks. He is enquiring if the project will be getting done, or if it just remains in the Strategic Plan without any future plans of construction. Director Evans shared that the project has remained in the plan with the hope that connections will be made with the Rail Road management. Ten years ago contact was made and plans were created, however the project was put on hold in order to complete other more critical projects. The department believes it is important to keep the rail road crossing in the plan should a good opportunity to construct it comes along. 5. NEW BUSINESS (ACTION ITEMS): 5a. Northwest Greenway Trail Corridor (ACTION) A Community Open House was held just prior to this meeting regarding the Northwest Greenway Phase 2 project. Overall, residents had very positive, valuable feedback. Stuart Crosby from SRF was on-hand to discuss the project with Commissioners and answer any questions. The goal for the Commission is to approve a project plan and forward that to the City Council. Once Council approves, the project would be authorized to go to bid. Mr. Crosby shared that the residents he spoke with were very excited about the 12’ wide trails and 8’ wide loop segments. The slide show in the meeting packet was shown to Commissioners. Mr. Crosby also explained the benefits of completing this phase of the project. Northwest Greenway users will now have direct access to the Plymouth Dog Park and the new neighborhood park in the Aspen Hallows development. This trail section will include four access points, three rest stops, and connections to major roadways in the area. Commissioner Anderson inquired as to the permitting process for this project. How difficult/easy was the process to gain the necessary permits to construct in this area? Mr. Crosby responded that the greatest challenge has been with arranging the trails in the wetland area. Last fall staff identified the areas of wetland in Phase 2. This pre- planning allowed for routing the trails around the wetlands and keeping the project in compliance with wetland construction. Chair Riley asked if we have any sense of what the bidding environment will be for this time of year. Director Evans answered that this is a very healthy time of year to go to bid. Since gas and oil prices are down, that will help lower costs on the asphalt work needed. Mr. Crosby added that this project is one that contractors have been asking him about and seeking more information on. Many companies are interested in working on this particular project. February is also a good time for bidding as many contractors are setting their schedules for the year. Vice Chair Wyse asked what the typical timeline for taking the plan from preliminary status to having a final plan ready to go. Mr. Crosby answered that, once approved, the next set is to cut plan sheets to come up with 60% of the final plan. The plan will then go through internal review. The comments from the review will them be added to the plan and will result in a final plan with cross sections, quantities of supplies, and costs so that it is ready to give to contractors. Director Evans added that as staff walked through the corridor last year, they were very mindful of where the trails could be placed. The trails are placed at least 50’ from 3 Approved Minutes January 14, 2016 property lines. This area is more of a prairie-land instead of wooded, like in Phase 1. Having such contrasts will provide a nice variety for users, as well as interesting views. Commissioner Swanson asked who the permitting is completed through. Mr . Crosby replied that the wetland permits are issued through the City and its Water Resource Manager. The major component that the project planners need to be mindful of is addressing the wetland delineation. The project will keep the trails high and dry of the wetlands. Commissioner DeBleeckere inquired which Watershed District this project takes place in. Mr. Crosby answered that the project is near the boarder of the Elm Creek Watershed and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed. The project itself will take place in the Elm Creek Watershed. Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Burkhardt, recommending approval of the Northwest Greenway Trail Corridor project . With no objection, the motion passed. 5b. 2016 Department Strategic Goals (ACTION) Commissioners reviewed the Strategic Goals that were included in the meeting packet. Commissioner Anderson asked for an update on the trail gaps, connections and crossings that have been on the list of goals for several years. Director Evans shared that one of the reasons those goals remain on the list is that they are a part of the Comprehensive Plan for the department. Staff are in the beginning stages of updating the Comprehensive Plan. Over the next two years staff will be reviewing and making adjustments. The goal of completing trail gaps and connections will remain on the future Comprehensive Plan until all gaps and connections are complete. Chair Riley asked how often the comprehensive goals are reviewed. Director Evans answered that the goals are updated every 10 years by each department in the city. The Planning Department plays a large role in getting all of the information together and hosting public meetings. While we don’t have as much land to develop this time around, we still have lots of projects to work on. In 2016 staff plan to complete construction on the Northwest Greenway Phase 2, as well as, the pedestrian bridge over Vicksburg Lane. Staff recently opened bids for the PIC/Life Time Fitness parking lot project. There were seven companies that put in a bid, with the lowest coming in at $993,000. The project had an approved budget of $1,000,000. Staff are working with Life Time to see if they could cover any contingency costs so that the project can be completed. If Life Time does not wish to pick up any more of the cost a mill and overlay will be completed this year instead. An additional PRAC meeting may be called for in March. Plans for a new neighborhood park in the Aspen Hallows are moving along well. A Community Open House will tentatively be held in early March for residents to review plans and share feedback on the park. The Parks and Recreation Department received a $200,000 grant from Hennepin County to assist with plans for the Zakkary Johnson Miracle Field at Zachary Playfield. The grant stipulates that the project must be complete by the summer of 2017. The Zakkary 4 Approved Minutes January 14, 2016 Johnson Foundation is working on raising the remaining funds needed to complete the project. A consultant has been brought on to help with the designs and plans for the project. Once the Foundation determines an attorney, they will meet again with the City to develop an agreement for the project. Chair Riley asked if there was a possibility of still expanding the parking lot at Zachary Playfield even if the Miracle Field project does not go through. Director Evans answered that she would advise on moving forward with a parking lot expansion, but the timing would be critical. If the Miracle Field were not ready to go in by the summer of 2017, the city would be better off waiting for the Miracle Field to be completed at a later date and then completing the parking lot. There will be a Community Open House on February 11 for residents to see project plans for a trail along Old Rockford Road. This trial would connect the existing trail on Old Rockford Road, between Vicksburg Lane and Dunkirk Lane. The department received a 100,000 grant from Hennepin County to complete the trail gap this year. Commissioners will be making a recommendation at the February meeting, based on project plans and community feedback, as to whether or not to proceed with the project. Last year, Gateway Park received a playground renovation. The playground that had been there was dismantled and donated to “Kids Around The World”, a non-profit organization that reassembles the playground in communities around the world. This summer there are three parks that will be receiving playground renovations. The renovation at Three Ponds Park may require the removal of some trees in order to improve the trails within the park. Currently the roots are causing bumps and ridges under the trails. There will be a neighborhood meeting to discuss the park plans with neighbors. The tennis courts at Parkers Lake Playfield are scheduled to be renovated in 2016. Bids have been opened and came in within budget. The parking lot at the Plymouth Creek Center will receive a mill and overlay this summer as well. Vice Chair Wyse inquired as to the status of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Director Evans answered that the City has not heard of any other trees being found with EAB. We’ve been treating the trees and hopefully planned far enough ahead of the curve to prevent too much infestation. A Pump Park will be installed at Plymouth Playfield this summer. This park will be the first in the State of Minnesota to have one. The total project cost will be just under 100,000. The City will again work with Sue McLean & Associates (SMA) to put on two paid musical events at the Hilde Performance Center this summer. There is a study session scheduled with the City Council to discuss any questions or feedback that the Council may have. The process of replacing our Class registration software is moving along. Training will begin this spring with the software ready to go live in Fall of 2016. Staff determined that launching the new software during a quieter season would make the transition smoother for staff and consumers. Staff will be requesting bonding money from the State of Minnesota for improvements at the Plymouth Ice Center. Regardless of any bond money received, staff feel it is time to hire a consultant and begin designing a plan for improvements, with work beginning in 2017. 5 Approved Minutes January 14, 2016 Vice Chair Wyse asked what the status of the Fieldhouse dome project is. Director Evans shared that the dome itself is in need of replacement. The project is not schedule for 2016, but instead for 2017. Staff will be working with a consultant to research design options while keeping with a similar model. Motion by Vice Chair Wyse, seconded by Commissioner Swanson, recommending approval of the 2016 Department Strategic Goals. With no objection, the motion passed. 6. COMMISSIONER/STAFF UPDATE The unseasonably warm winter has impacted our ability to make quality ice and open outdoor skating rinks. As a result, Skate with the Mayor has been cancelled due to poor ice conditions on Parkers Lake. Staff are watching the ice conditions at Parkers Lake to see how it may impact Fire & Ice on February 6. The event time has changed from last year’s time. It will now be held from 3-7pm. Chair Riley asked if a “Plan B” was being created for the event. Director Evans shared that the event will still be held, but may just have modified activities. If the ice is not thick enough, staff may just hold the fireworks on the event day in order to keep visitors off of the lake. Fusion Soccer Club is no longer leasing space from the Plymouth Creek Center. The office space previously used by them will be transitioning into a new rental space, The Alcove”. Most of the construction is complete. Staff are in the process of purchasing furniture for the room. Commissioners will be able to tour the new room during our June meeting at the Plymouth Creek Center. Commissioner Anderson asked if the Art Shanty event would take place on Medicine Lake again in the future. Director Evans shared that the event was run by an outside organization and issued permits to use the lake. Commissioner Swanson shared that this year the Art Shanty event will be held in February on White Bear Lake. A neighborhood Open House will be held just prior to the February 11 meeting. Commissioners are invited to attend and hear public feedback on the project. 7. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Vanderwall, seconded by Commissioner DeBleeckere, recommending adjournment of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting. With no objection, Chair Riley adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m.