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)
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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.
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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)
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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.