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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 05-11-20171 Proposed Minutes May 11, 2017 Approved Minutes Park & Recreation Advisory Commission Thursday, May 11, 2017 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Merrilee Riley, Vice Chair Aaron Vanderwall, Commissioners: Dick Burkhardt, Tricia DeBleeckere, Marilyn Sunseri, Michael Swanson, Kipp Wyse MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Parks & Recreation Director Diane Evans, Deputy Director Barb Northway, Office Support Specialist Sarah Josephs, Volunteer Coordinator Jackie Maas, Parks & Forestry Manager Jerrod Brunelle, Project Coordinator Sonya Rippe COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES: Councilmember Jim Davis, Planning Commissioner Jim Kovach GUESTS: William Stuber, resident 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Riley called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Wyse, seconded by Commissioner Sunseri, recommending approval of the February 9, 2017 Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting minutes as written. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 3. OPEN FORUM: 4. PRESENTATIONS (NON-ACTION ITEMS): 4a. Volunteer Services Program Jackie Maas was on-hand to share updates on the City’s Volunteer Services program. Last year was a big year for the program with over 2,900 volunteers assisting across all departments for a total in-kind value of $921,313. The majority of volunteers provide assistance to the Parks & Recreation department (63%). Every summer, teens are able to sign up as summer recreation volunteers. Typically there are between 20-40 local teens that take part in the program and help with events, sports, day camps and more. Chair Riley added that many of the Park Commissioners also volunteer for the City and have had very positive experiences. Commissioner Wyse asked if there are enough volunteers to cover all areas of need or if there is ever an overflow of available volunteers. Coordinator Maas shared that for the most part we are able to fill all department needs for volunteers. 5. NEW BUSINESS (ACTION ITEMS): 5a. Turfgrass Management (Action) 2 Proposed Minutes May 11, 2017 Parks & Forestry Manager Jerrod Brunelle shared an updated regarding the City ’s turfgrass management program. The Parks & Forestry division manages 117 acres of neighborhood parkland and 25.5 acres of prairie. These areas are challenging to maintain turfgrass and keep weeds at a minimum because they are heavily used areas and are not irrigated. Currently their Turfgrass Management program is a combination of methods and techniques. They use a variety of chemicals, fertilizers, and non-chemical products to control the weeds. The largest priority is for the playfields to be safe playing surfaces that are well seeded and minimal weeds. In terms of applying grass seed to the playfields, staff use machines to aerate the soil and over -seed the heaviest used parts of the site. The best way for them to prevent injuries is to keep the turfgrass healthy for those using the fields. Staff use three fertilizer applications annually on the playfields and once annually on the neighborhood parks. In the past the City has contracted with Green Stuff to apply a n herbicide to the playfields several times a year. New this year, staff have decreased the treatment to 1 application of herbicide. Wear spots are inevitable when maintaining as many heavily used fields as the City does. Staff try to replant as frequently as possible to keep the grass present. Beyond following federal and state mandates, staff also use industry best practices to ensure they are being good stewards of the land. Commissioner Swanson asked if the aerators that staff use are one with spikes. Manager Brunelle shared that they do use those aerators with spikes. Those tend to be a slower machine, but do a really good job of shattering the topical soil. That machine is used every fall on the playfields. Staff have a new shredder that is much faster and allows them to aerate playfields monthly. Commissioner Swanson followed up and asked what the toughest sport on the playfields. Manager Brunelle answered that Lacrosse is by far the hardest sport on the fields. Plymouth resident William Stuber provided a detailed write up regarding his feelings towards the City’s turfgrass management program. A copy of the write up can be provided. 5b. Future Trail Gap Projects (Action) Project Coordinator Sonya Rippe was present to share details on several of the City’s trail gaps. The City currently manages 167 miles of trails. There are 99 trail gaps that have been identified. Coordinator Rippe shared an informative presentation listing the details on each of the trail gaps being recommended for completion. A copy of the presentation can be provided. After discussion of all the trail gaps, Commissioners were asked to share feedback on trail gap completion priorities. Commissioner Swanson shared that he lives near Old Rockford Rd and hardly sees traffic along the west side of Zachary Lane near the dead end. He does not feel there is an urgent need for a trail there. Commissioner DeBleeckere also expressed that the stretch along Old Rockford Rd is rarely driven on. There is not much room near trail gap #56 as there is limited room on the side of the road to walk along. Commissioner DeBleeckere followed up and asked if there was a large price difference between completing trail gap #112 on the east side vs the west side. Coordinator Rippe shared that the trail along the east side is estimated to cost $66,000 and the west side estimated to cost 92,000. 3 Proposed Minutes May 11, 2017 Commissioner Wyse shared that trail gap #112 by Arby’s on Revere Ln is a problem area and he is glad that it is being looked at. Often times he sees bikers on the streets and believes a trail there would be a good idea. He is in favor of trail gaps #56 & 112. 5c. Draft Capital Improvement Program Review (Action) Staff are in the early stages of preparing the 2018-2019 budget and CIP. A copy of those plans has been included in Commissioner’s packets. The CIP projects are either large renovations or new projects that we take on over a 5-year span. Staff will work to acquire a final piece of land for the Northwest Greenway. New trails will be completed along Medina Road and Revere Ln. Deputy Director Northway shared that their annual goal is to complete repairs or repaving on 2-4 miles of trail. Due to slopes, grading, and ADA compliance it has been costing more and more to repair and repave the trails. Crooked Creek Park will be built this year. Next year a new neighborhood park will be built off of Peony Ln near the new Meadow Ridge Elementary School. Two mini-parks will be completed in 2019. The City will be requesting State of MN bonding funds to help with improvements at the Plymouth Ice Center. 5d. Strategic Plan Update (Action) As a part of CAPRA, every year the Park Commission is presented with a work plan for the year. There are several large projects schedule for completion in 2017. Crooked Creek Park will begin development this year. The City acquired more land for the Northwest Greenway that will be used to complet e some trail connections. There is only one more plot of land needed to acquire. The Fieldhouse dome came down and was taken away. A brand new dome is being made and delivered in time for this fall. The Fieldhouse will also be replacing their HVAC system, inflation system, adding a new revolving door and updating the lobby area. Phase 3 of the Northwest Greenway has begun. Crews have started cutting trails along the east side of the Elm Creek wetland. Park renovations are taking place at Imperial Hills Park and Sunrise Park. The playground equipment is being replaced at Imperial Hills and renovated at Sunrise. The parks should be complete by mid-summer. SMA is hosting two paid-ticket concerts this summer. The Goo Goo Dolls will be playing on July 29 and Soul Asylum is playing on August 19. The PIC will be hosting a national sled hockey tournament in November. There will be exhibition games played in July to bring attention to the tournament. Motion by Commissioner Burkhardt, seconded by Vice Chair Vanderwall, recommending the approval of 2017 Strategic Plan Update. With no objection, the motion passed. 5e. Park Tour (Action) 4 Proposed Minutes May 11, 2017 The Park Commission plans a park tour every other year so that Commissioners can get out and see new developments and projects throughout the city. The tour will leave City Hall at 5:30 p.m. and return back approximately 8:00 p.m. Available dates are; August 3, August 10, and August 17. After a vote, August 17 was found to be the day that the majority of Commissioners were able to attend. More information will be emailed out to Commissioners in the coming weeks. 6. COMMISSIONER/STAFF UPDATE The Tree & Shrub Sale did very well this year. Over 1,500 bare root trees were sold. Pick up is scheduled for this Friday and Saturday. Any additional trees and shrubs will be sold Saturday from 11-noon. City Planting Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 20 (rain or shine). Bark in the Park is also scheduled for Saturday, May 20. New this year is a 1K Dog Walk and an Adoption Parade. A ribbon-cutting event has been schedule to celebrate the Northwest Greenway’s progress. Information was distributed to Commissioners. The event will be held on Sunday, June 4 at 12:30 pm along the west side of the Vicksburg Ln pedestrian bridge. Volunteers are scheduled to plant over 1,500 trees along the Greenway that morning. Chair Riley mentioned that she saw a nice article in the Sun Sailor regarding the feasibility study at the Plymouth Creek Center. Director Evans shared that staff are still waiting for a final feasibility report from the consultant, HGA. Once finalized, staff will present the plans to Council so that they can further discuss if they would like staff to proceed. One suggestion has been to complete a community survey to gather feedback from residents regarding possible expansion of the Plymouth Creek Center. Commissioner Swanson inquired if there was going to be an Open House scheduled for the Pump Track at Plymouth Playfield. Director Evans will be checking with staff on the plans and will update the Commission. 7. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner DeBleeckere, seconded by Commissioner Burkhardt, recommending adjournment of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting. With no objection, Chair Riley adjourned the meeting at 8:47 p.m.