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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 01-11-20181 Approved Minutes January 11, 2018 Approved Minutes Park & Recreation Advisory Commission Thursday, January 11, 2018 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Merrilee Riley, Commissioners: Marilyn Sunseri, Tricia DeBleeckere, Vita Wilson MEMBERS ABSENT: Dick Burkhardt, Michael Swanson, Aaron Vanderwall STAFF PRESENT: Parks & Recreation Director Diane Evans, Deputy Director Barb Northway, Project Coordinator Sonya Rippe, Office Support Specialist Sarah Josephs COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES: Planning Commissioner Donovan Saba GUESTS: 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Riley called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Wilson, seconded by Commissioner Sunseri, recommending approval of the December 14, 2017 Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting minutes as written with changes as mentioned. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 3. OPEN FORUM: 4. PRESENTATIONS (NON-ACTION ITEMS): 5. NEW BUSINESS (ACTION ITEMS): 5a. 2018 PRAC Work Plan (Action) The City Code directs each commission to complete an annual Work Plan and present to City Council. The Work Plan breaks down work tasks by quarters. Some upcoming tasks to complete are approving the Strategic Goals and Annual Report. Motion by Commissioner DeBleeckere, seconded by Commissioner Sunseri, recommending the approval of the 2018 PRAC Work Plan. 5b. 2018 Department Strategic Plan (Action) PRAC is updated on the Strategic Plan twice a year as per the CAPRA accreditation guidelines. At both the mid-year and end-of-year meetings an update is provided on large projects and initiatives scheduled for the year. Large upcoming projects include developing the Meadows Park, replacing the playgrounds at East Medicine Lake and Green Oak Parks, as well as land acquisition for future parks and Northwest Greenway development. 2 Approved Minutes January 11, 2018 City Council did approve the bid award for the East Medicine Lake Park project at their most recent meeting. Construction will start in Spring of 2018. The site will be closed for the entire summer season and ready for a fall opening. Parking lot lights will also be added to the park. Sue McLean & Associates (SMA) will be hosting another outdoor ticketed concert at the Hilde Performance Center this summer. They will be announcing the musical act in early February. This is the 25th anniversary of the City’s Volunteer Services program. Events will be planned throughout the year marking this achievement. The City also just received notice that the Volunteer Services program received an award of recognition from Representative Erik Paulsen. The Plymouth Ice Center (PIC) will be hosting a National High School hockey tournament in March of this year. Forty two teams from around the nation will be competing. This is the second large national tournament to be hosted at the PIC in less than a year. Motion by Commissioner Wilson, seconded by Commissioner Sunseri, recommending the approval of the 2018 Strategic Plan. With no objection, the motion passed. 5c. 2018 Trail Gap Projects (Action) Project Coordinator Sonya Rippe was present to share an update on the trail gap projects for 2018. In August of 2017 City Council selected trail gap #43 (Medina Road) and trail gap #112 (Revere Ln). The Medina Road gap will be completed on the south side of the road, from Greenwood Elementary to the City of Medina border. This gap is just under ¾ of a mile and will be completed with a 10’ wide trail. An Open House was held for this trail in November of 2017 and staff received very positive feedback on the plans. The gap will cost just over $366,000. The Revere Lane trail gap is a small, but very important trail gap that needs to be completed for those wishing to cross over Hwy 55. The trail will be put on the east side of the road and will run 336’. The gap will cost $66,000. Commissioners asked if the cost includes acquisition and development of the land, or just the cost of the trail. Coordinator Rippe shared that the City already owns the property, so we will just be paying for the development of the trail. Motion by Commissioner DeBleeckere, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, recommending the approval of the 2018 Trail Gap Projects. With no objection, the motion passed. 5d. Meadows Park Master Plan (Action) An Open House was held just prior to the PRAC meeting on January 11. Invitations were sent to 137 households living near the park. Visitors had the option to vote for either a sail or steel gable roofed structure, as well as for the 2-5 year old play components of either artificial turn or poured in place surface. Twenty three people attended the Open House. Residents voted in favor for the steel gable roof shelter and the artificial grass structure at the playground. Comments from residents include adding built-in grills, additional picnic seating areas, and planting as many trees as possible around the park. Generally staff do plant as many trees as able to once the development is complete. The City receives money from the land developers to plant trees. Other comments from residents included; adding an infant swing, benches, toddler play area, fitness equipment and skateboarding options. 3 Approved Minutes January 11, 2018 Due to the proximity to the elementary school playground , the community playground will include amenities for younger children. Commissioners are asked to recommend which playground component and shelter structure to recommend with the Meadows Park plan. Motion by Commissioner DeBleeckere, seconded by Commissioner Sunseri, recommending the approval of the Meadows Park Master Plan. With no objection, the motion passed. 5e. Northwest Greenway Phase 4 (Action) Director Evans shared an overview of the Northwest Greenway (NWG) and where it is currently developed. The new Meadows park will be in the northwest portion of the greenway. The NWG currently has a portion of land that runs from Lake Camelot to Lake Pomerleau. Tuesday evening a purchase agreement for the last piece of land to acquire was passed. There will now be a full connection of land between Peony Lane and Cheshire Parkway. Phase 4 will create a boardwalk along the south side of the wetland. There is quite a bit of vegetation in the wetland to work around, so the boardwalk will have a curve to it. There will be a 20’ x 40’ educational platform along the boardwalk. This is provide a space for interpretive signage, birdwatching classes or other environmental classes without interrupting the flow of walkers on the trail. There are still several phases to go, with at least 2-3 more boardwalks to build. Eventually Fairway Greens Park will connect to Lake Pomerleau, in turn connecting it to the Lake Camelot area . 6. COMMISSIONER/STAFF UPDATE The City just acquired the last piece of land needed to complete the connections on the Northwest Greenway. City Council approved the East Medicine Lake Park plan. It will take most of the summer to complete the project. The project includes renovating the building, replacing the playground and adding parking lot lights. Residents were initially informed on the project at an Open House. Updates and project timing will be posted on the City’s Parks in Progress webpage. The neighborhood was notified that the original bids were rejected and that the project was going to be rebid. The Northwest Greenway sign is now up on the pedestrian bridge over Vicksburg Lane. Mixed feedback has come in regarding the sign; some neighbors love it while others are displeased. The sign identifies and points out where the Northwest Greenway is. Council wanted it to be easily identified. On February 13 staff will meet with City Council at a study session to discuss an expansion to the Plymouth Creek Center. Staff met with the City Manager to discuss funding ideas. There are a wide range of options that could be included with the expansion. Some plans include gymnasiums while others don’t. Should the City Council wish to move forward, staff would begin planning open houses and communication platforms to share the options for a possible expansion. After Hours at the Creek will be held on Friday, January 19. This is the first time hosting an adult-only event. Staff are excited and hoping for a nice turnout. Tickets are available in advance or at the door. Fire & Ice is on Saturday, February 3 from 3-7pm at Parkers Lake Park. The ice is over 16” deep now so it is safe for vehicles to get on the ice to begin preparations. A challenge this year has been to secure enough volunteers to assist at the event. Many volunteers are assisting with 4 Approved Minutes January 11, 2018 Super Bowl related events and activities. Staff have added a sledding hill, cardboard racecar contest and a story teller in the cabin. Remodeling has begun on the first floor of City Hall. Parks & Recreation staff will be split between the Plymouth Creek Center and the Parks & Forestry office. Director Evans is managing the project. Commissioners will be given a tour once the project is complete. An Open House for Green Oaks Park will be held prior to the February PRAC meeting. 7. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Wilson, seconded by Commissioner DeBleeckere, recommending adjournment of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting. With no objection, Chair Riley adjourned the meeting at 7:49 p.m.