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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 01-10-20191 Approved Minutes January 10, 2019 Approved Minutes Park & Recreation Advisory Commission Thursday, January 10, 2019 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tricia DeBleeckere, Commissioners: Dick Burkhardt, Merrilee Riley, Marilyn Sunseri, Michael Swanson, Vita Wilson MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice Chair Aaron Vanderwall STAFF PRESENT: Parks & Recreation Director Diane Evans, Deputy Director Barb Northway, Recreation Manager Kari Hemp, Office Support Specialist Sarah Josephs COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES: Council Member Jim Davis, Planning Commissioner David Witte 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair DeBleeckere called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Riley, seconded by Commissioner Burkhardt, recommending approval of the November 8 Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting minutes as written. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 3. OPEN FORUM: New PRAC Commissioner Margie DuPuis introduced herself to the Commission. She has been a resident of Plymouth for nearly 20 years. Over the years her children have visited many of the Parks Recreation facilities and is a fan of all the work done over the years. Ms. DuPuis felt it was her time to give back to the city. She is excited to join the team. Council Member Ned Carroll shared his appreciation for Commissioner Riley and her service to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission. Council Member Carroll was the PRAC Chair when Commissioner Riley joined. He thanked her for bringing a new perspective, positive energy, and fresh ideas. The Dog Park initiative was in large part due to Commissioner Riley’s passion for providing a safe place for dogs to play. 4. PRESENTATIONS (NON-ACTION ITEMS): 4a. Update on Brockton Lane Trail and 32nd Avenue/Fresh Thyme Trail Two trail projects are coming up in 2019 in partnership with Engineering’s road projects. The first trail gap to be completed is near Fresh Thyme grocery off of Vicksburg Lane. A trail will be added to connect housing on the west side of Vicksburg Lane to the commercial area on the east side. The Fresh Thyme/Goodwill development is in a unique location that causes challenges to access. Using a crosswalk at Hwy 55 would not provide enough time for pedestrians to cross. Putting in a trail crossing at 32nd Avenue will allow pedestrians to cross at a less busy intersection. The second trail connection is along Brockton Lane on the border of Plymouth and Medina. Brockton Lane is being upgraded to a full standard road. When the road is complete, a trail will be added along the east side. A joint open house was held last month to discuss the project with Plymouth and Medina residents. 2 Approved Minutes January 10, 2019 An additional trail project is along CR 101 near the new elementary school. Staff are working with the County and the land developer to add a trail on the Plymouth side of Hwy 101 that runs from 54th Avenue to CR 47. Staff have also begun talks regarding adding trails to both sides of CR 47 in the future. As updates are available we will share with PRAC. 4b. Preliminary NWG Trailhead Design A master plan of the new Northwest Greenway Trailhead will be presented at the next PRAC meeting. This will be the trailhead along Peony Lane, north of Schmidt Lake Road. The trailhead will be phase 5 of the whole Northwest Greenway plan. Following this project, there will be a northern trailhead to complete, as well as trail connections near Trillium Woods and Lake Pomerleau. This $2.5 million project will be completed in two phases. The first phase will install a large playground feature, and complete earthwork, grading, and concrete surfacing. The second phase will include a playground and structure. The trailhead connects to the boardwalk that was completed in 2018, creating a full loop around the Elm Creek Wetland. At the southern end of the trailhead there will be a large parking lot, large open-air picnic shelter with restrooms. This site is expected to host future large community events, races, and walks. The first step is to bid out the earthwork, asphalt, and concrete work. Then contractors will come back and complete the picnic shelter and playground in 2020. Staff are also looking into applying for a DNR grant to install a nature/bouldering theme playground with rock climbing components. 5. NEW BUSINESS (ACTION ITEMS): 5a. Zachary Playground An Open House was held just prior to the PRAC meeting on January 10 for residents to review playground designs for Zachary Park. Staff worked with SRF Consultants to create a Master Plan and go for bids with a general contractor. Two bidders met all criteria set by the City and consultants. The two companies were Blackstone, (with a Minnesota -Wisconsin Playground and GameTime play structure) and Albrecht Company (with a St. Croix Recreation and Burke play structure). Based on resident votes, staff are recommending approval of the Albrecht Company submittal. Department practices suggest replacing playgrounds every 20 years to keep up on safety changes, as well as, to refresh the playground and park. There were 16 attendees at the Open House tonight and two emails received prior to the meeting. There were 14 votes for the Albrecht Company design, and 4 votes for the Blackstone design. Motion by Commissioner Wilson, seconded by Commissioner Sunseri, recommending the approval of the Albrecht Company design for Zachary Playground. 5b. 2018 Department Strategic Plan Summary Included in the meeting packets is the final 2018 Department Strategic Plan showing mid-year and year-end goals that have been completed. 3 Approved Minutes January 10, 2019 Motion by Commissioner Riley, seconded by Commissioner Burkhardt, recommending the approval of the 2018 Department Strategic Plan. 5c. PRAC Work Plan Per City Code, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission needs to complete a Work Plan and submit to City Council. The Work Plan included in the meeting packet is similar to past year’s plans. Highlights for this year include developing Harvest Neighborhood Park on the north side of CR 47. An Open House will be held prior to the February 14 meeting for residents to attend and provide feedback on the park plans. Motion by Commissioner Burkhardt, seconded by Commissioner Swanson, recommending the approval of the PRAC Work Plan. 5d. 2019 Department Strategic Plan Included in the meeting packet is the 2019 Department Strategic Plan highlighting the projects scheduled this year. Larger projects this year include Phase 5 of the Northwest Greenway, developing Harvest Park, completing a trail gap near Fresh Thyme, replacing the playground at Zachary Park, and continuing to fight Emerald Ash Borer. Other notable projects include continuing with removing of buckthorn and other invasive species, replacing the north boardwalk at the Plymouth Dog Park, and repairing the parking lot at the Parkers Lake Playfield. Staff recently implemented Cartegraph; a GIS and asset tracking software to help record project costs, resident concerns, and assist with project planning. East Medicine Lake Park is close to completion. Landscaping and final punch list items still remain. Lights were added to the parking lot as part of the project as well. Staff are beginning to work on the NRPA CAPRA accreditation process. Plymouth P arks & Recreation is up for reaccreditation in 2020 so will use 2019 to prepare and organize all documents that are needed. Representatives from around the nation will come to Plymouth to review our facilities, meet with Commissioners, and review departmen t practices. The Ice Center is transitioning to LED lights this year. A few years ago the Fieldhouse dome switched to LED lights and found it helped save nearly 40% on electric bills. Staff will meet with council in February to discuss potential next steps for the Plymouth Creek Center. Commissioner Swanson inquired if a second dome could be added near the current location that would include a track for walking/jogging. Director Evans shared that there currently isn’t enough land available to install an additional dome due to the large wetland that abuts the Plymouth Creek Center and Fieldhouse. She shared that based on resident feedback from the Community Engagement process many responders requested an indoor walking/jogging track. A track could be added to any new potential gym space if the Council approves moving forward with a renovation. A discussion began regarding where a potential second dome could be added within the current park system. Director Evans shared that she could review the current p layfield locations and provide further information at the next PRAC meeting regarding where a potential dome could be installed. If Commissioners would like to move forward with discussions, then she could gather cost estimates to provide at a future meeting. 4 Approved Minutes January 10, 2019 Commissioners expressed interest in adding a second dome if there was a strong community interest to provide an additional indoor playfield during winter months and additional walking/jogging track time. Motion by Chair DeBleeckere, seconded by Commissioner Riley, recommending the approval of the 2019 Strategic Plan with the inclusion of analysis of an additional dome in the park system. 6. COMMISSIONER/STAFF UPDATE Skate the Garden is being held tonight at the Millennium Garden pond behind the Plymo uth Creek Center. When staff checked in at 6:30 p.m., there were already 75 people in attendance. This month’s Harbor Review is also being held this evening at the Plymouth Creek Center. This is a monthly variety show featuring comedies, stories, poetry, music and more. The next indoor Farmer’s Market will be held Saturday from 9-1:30 p.m. at Bachman’s in Plymouth. After Hours at the Creek will be held on Friday, January 18 from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. at the Plymouth Creek Center. This is an adults-only night of fun with inflatables, dinner, hypnotist, and arcade games. Fire & Ice will be held on Saturday, February 2 at Parkers Lake from 3-7 p.m. Staff are in the process of creating the Summer Activity Guide. The guide will be mailed out to families in early March. New this year: staff added summer park programs into the Winter/Spring Activity Guide so that families can begin planning sooner. Chair DeBleeckere shared her congratulations on the Halloween at the Creek event reaching near capacity this year. She also appreciated the Fieldhouse adding open play dates on Saturdays. Next Tuesday evening, City staff and Council members will meet with State and County legislative groups to discuss upcoming goals. One goal is to try to create a lodging tax with proceeds supporting the City and Parks & Recreation facilities. Staff also shared with legislators their goal to apply for State bonding money for a potential Plymouth Creek Center renovation/expansion. There will be a study session on next steps for the Plymouth Cree k Center on February 12. Commissioner Riley asked if the Black Box Theater was being used very much. Manager Hemp shared that the room is used all the time for rentals and programs. Staff are looking into adding more theater programs. 7. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Burkhardt, seconded by Commissioner Riley, recommending adjournment of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting. With no objection, Chair DeBleeckere adjourned the meeting.