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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 01/06/2020APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2020 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER Heritage Rooms PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS: Larry Link, Chair; Patrice Erickson, Vice Chair; Cecilia Cervantes, Kim Harris, Andy McGlasson, Leonard Pesheck, John Rahman, Ken Ross, Kirk Spresser PRNR STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Shay Ginuga, Riley Marble, Tanay Salunke, Zachary Spears, Simon Vergara CITY STAFF: Jay Lotthammer, Parks and Recreation Director Lori Brink, Recreation Manager Matt Bourne, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Valerie Verley, Community Center Manager Bob Lanzi, Ice Skating/Concession Recreation Supervisor RECORDING SECRETARY: Jodie Fenske I. INTRODUCTIONS Chair Link called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Roll call was taken. Commission Member Harris and Student Representatives Marble, Spears, and Vergara were absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Ross moved, seconded by Erickson, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 8-0. III. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES Motion: Spresser moved, seconded by Cervantes, to approve the November 4, 2019 minutes as presented. Motion carried 8-0. IV. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Lotthammer reported on actions recently taken by the City Council. A. PLEASANT HILL CEMETERY COLUMBARIUM CONTRACT Council approved the contract to purchase the columbarium which will be built this winter, delivered in spring, and dropped into place via a crane. Spresser inquired and PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 6, 2020 Page 2 Lotthamer responded promotional and pricing information is currently being prepared and will be presented to the public prior to the columbarium being installed. B. DONATION TO SENIOR PROGRAMS FROM EPPIA Council adopted a Resolution accepting a donation of $1,500 to be used towards the Senior Birthday Party event and Senior Awareness Month programs from Eden Prairie Professionals in Aging (EPPIA). EPPIA is an organized group of Eden Prairie businesses that serve seniors. Cervantes inquired and Brink responded EPPIA is a collaborative of the faith, housing, and social services communities. The group meets and shares resources via a joint website. C. DONATIONS TO LIVING WELL SEMINAR FROM HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE AND PRAIRIE BLUFFS SENIOR LIVING Council adopted a Resolution accepting the donation of $500 to be used towards the Living Well Seminar from Home Instead Senior Care ($250) and Prairie Bluffs Senior Living ($250). The Senior Center’s Living Well Seminar was held on November 20 at the Community Center. Attendees were provided information on living a healthier and optimistic life. It included breakout sessions, a fitness session, and a tour of the Community Center, along with a free lunch. V. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION VI. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION A. HANDOUTS OF UPCOMING EVENTS 1. Winter Blast. The annual winter event will be held at Staring Lake Park on Saturday, January 18 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Participants can enjoy ice skating, sledding, face painting, snowshoeing, art activities, and food trucks. 2. Father-Daughter Sweetheart Dance. Girls ages 3–13 are invited to attend a special dinner and dance with dad (or other significant male figure) on Saturday, February 8, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in The Garden Room at Eden Prairie City Center. VII. NEW BUSINESS VIII. OLD BUSINESS A. FELDMANN SIGNAGE AT RICHARD T. ANDERSON CONSERVATION AREA Lotthammer explained a Feldmann family member spoke to the PRNR Commission years ago for input on erecting an interpretive panel in the Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area to illustrate the property which once included a working farm. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 6, 2020 Page 3 Since the Feldmann family’s original presentation, the Eden Prairie Historical Society and Heritage Preservation Commission have offered to help Jeff Miller, a Feldmann family descendent, erect the interpretive sign. Lotthammer’s presentation included a map showing the farm’s approximate location within the conservation area, as well as family photographs and an example of the interpretive signage. The design will be presented to the PRNR Commission prior to finalization. It will be located northeast of the parking lot, along the trail. Rahman inquired and Lotthammer responded the land was developed or purchased through grants; none of the land was donated. He also noted the family would pay for the panel (approximately $1,000) and the City would install it. If the Commission recommends moving forward, the next steps will include design of the interpretive panel, Staff approval, fundraising and grant funding, and finally installation. Motion: Spresser moved, seconded by Ross, to recommend moving forward with the design and installation of an interpretive sign recognizing the Feldmann Family Farm Site at the Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area. Motion carried 8-0. IX. REPORTS OF COMMISSION & STAFF A. PARKS AND RECREATION EXPERIENCES Staff and Commission members shared recent parks and recreation related experiences. McGlasson proudly showed out of town family the new Staring Lake Park building and sledding hill in action. Cervantes inquired and Bourne responded the vandalism has stopped at the new building and the security cameras are now fully operational. Through discussion with his parents, McGlasson learned their senior living facility shows TED Talks to the residents and then initiates conversations. Others responded positively and thought the Senior Center could consider something similar. Cervantes patronized the new Fat Pants Brewery twice in the past few weeks and was very impressed. Erickson recently completed the 12 Days of Fitness program at the Community Center. She heard patrons were pleased the program was extended since Thanksgiving was later this year. Link took his granddaughter swimming in the Community Center recreational pool and was amazed how busy it was. Verley added the pool was almost at capacity this past Sunday. Rahman recently went ice fishing on Mitchell Lake and observed lots of people having fun on the lake. Ross had a very pleasant time with his grandson at the Santa Experience at Cummins-Phipps-Grill House operated by the Eden Prairie Historical Society. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 6, 2020 Page 4 B. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER 1. Senior Center Lower Level. Brink provided an update on construction at the Senior Center due to groundwater leaking and an unrelated floor drain back-up. The lower level needed to be closed off and programming temporarily moved to the upper level. The floor was removed and sheetrock redone. It was determined the problem was caused by a pipe issue and will be fixed this spring. Contractors recommended not replacing the flooring until the pipe repairs can be completed. Permanent waterproof flooring will be installed later. With some creative scheduling, most programming went on as scheduled in the upper level. Some room rentals were moved to the City Center Garden Room or other locations. Some rentals had to reschedule since the Senior Center is able to offer food/alcohol being brought in, but that is not possible at all other facilities. 2. Brochure Redesign. Brink provided rationale and results for the new design recently revealed with the Winter 2020 brochure. The City contracted with a marketing consultant last summer and based on recommendations, took a step closer to providing all registration information online. Focus group input and survey results indicated over 50 percent of residents receiving the printed brochure don’t read it or simply just glance through it. Most respondents indicated they prefer to access program information online and to hear about offerings via email, text, or social media with links for details and signup information. At least 75 percent of the respondents were ages 45 and older. Staff reviewed the current brochure page by page to determine how and where else the public can access the information. The result was the creation of a new parks and recreation “landing page” on the City’s website, ensuring all prior printed information is well organized and easily accessed. Brink referred to several goals achieved, including reducing the overall size of the printed document from 96 to 48 pages, maximizing visual interest and minimizing text (reduced descriptions in print and full descriptions online), creating a more contemporary look and image, improving website navigation, and reducing cost. Examples of the new and old brochure layouts were provided to Commission members, who responded very positively to the improvements and commended Brink on her efforts. Spresser inquired if possibly just a postcard referring patrons online could be mailed next winter. Brink stated the marketing consultant suggested a test PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 6, 2020 Page 5 with one zip code first. Spresser also recommended making brochure copies available for pickup at various locations rather than mailing. Rahman inquired if there is a timeline to stop printing and Brink responded Staff is taking incremental steps to see how the community responds. She added registration numbers remain strong. C. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER 1. Community Center Rinks Overview. Lotthammer introduced Ice Skating/Concession Recreation Supervisor Bob Lanzi who provided a presentation on the City’s ice rinks, their user groups and changes in user groups, how his area has responded to changes in the industry, and an overview of other amenities that go along with the rinks. The three ice arenas at the Community Center are used for both City recreation programs and facility rentals. The facility is the home ice arena for Eden Prairie High School, Eden Prairie Hockey Association, and Eden Prairie Figure Skating Club. Approximately 9,800 hours of ice are reserved annually, with about 5,860 hours utilized by rental groups and about 4,000 hours used by City-sponsored programs. Over 325,000 patrons attend ice- related events at the Community Center annually. Skating programs include family open skate, tot skate, adult open skate, ice skating birthday parties, and developmental time for figure skating and hockey. The 38th annual Ice Show in 2020 presented by the Eden Prairie Figure Skating Club will be Mary Poppins. Lanzi presented a slide indicating ice hours by user groups and he explained how use has changed over the past ten years. He also presented information on the dry floor area and The Cage in Rink 2. He also provided information on the Café at the Community Center which is open throughout the year. The Mobile Café just completed its fourth full summer of operation. Lanzi stressed providing healthy options at both the Café and Mobile Café is a priority. Lotthammer stated Lanzi will be back in a few months to present options to the Commission on how to handle the changing demographic of users, other revenue possibilities, and taking advantage of energy savings opportunities. D. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER E. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. Master Plan Update. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 6, 2020 Page 6 Lotthammer informed the Commission Staff continues to make progress on updating the Master Plan. All drafts have been developed and presented by supervisors. He presented members with a handout illustrating an “Into the Future” section for each area which will include trends and change drivers, sustainability, equity and inclusion, technology, and organizational structure/ preparedness. 2. 2020 PRNR Work Plan. Lotthammer presented an updated 2020 work plan indicating future topics to include: Recreation Master Plan, ice rink scheduling concepts, and overviews by Park Maintenance, Outdoor Center, Youth and Therapeutic Recreation, Aquatic Center, and Fitness. X. NEXT MEETING The next PRNR Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 3, at 7 p.m. in the Heritage Rooms at City Center. XI. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Rahman moved, seconded by Spresser, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 8-0. Chair Link adjourned the meeting at 9 p.m.