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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.