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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 01/04/2021APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2021 7:00 P.M. via TEAMS PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS: Larry Link, Chair; Patrice Erickson, Vice Chair; Cecilia Cervantes, Kim Harris, Tom Poul, Ken Ross, Shanti Shah, Kirk Spresser STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Jake Freeland, John Hartle, Jessica Hovde, Garen McDowell, Ishan Nadkarni, Tommy Pan, Tanay Salunke CITY STAFF: Jay Lotthammer, Parks and Recreation Director Lori Brink, Recreation Manager Matt Bourne, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Valerie Verley, Community Center Manager RECORDING SECRETARY: Jodie Fenske Chair Link called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. All Commission members and Staff members were present. Student Representatives Nadkarni and Hartle were absent. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Cervantes moved, seconded by Erickson, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 8-0. II. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES Motion: Cervantes moved, seconded by Poul, to approve the December 7, 2020 minutes as presented. Motion carried 8-0. III. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Lotthammer reported no City Council meetings have been held recently. IV. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION Bourne reported no PRNR-related topics were discussed at the December Planning Commission meeting. V. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, AND COMMUNICATION VI. NEW BUSINESS PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 4, 2021 Page 2 VII. OLD BUSINESS A. COVID-19 PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES UPDATE Lotthammer stated the current Governor’s order runs through January 10, except for youth sports practices, which were allowed to start today. He expects the Governor will issue a new order this coming week which will likely relax restrictions starting January 11. Bourne stated COVID-19 restrictions have not had much effect on the Parks and Natural Resources area since last month. With the recent snowfall, staff has been busy plowing streets and trails, grooming sledding hills, and flooding outdoor ice rinks to encourage large numbers of people to recreate outside. Brink reported although the skating rinks have been open, the Governor’s Executive Order required warming houses to remain closed. Therefore, staff who would have been working the warming houses have been floating to various outdoor locations to monitor for safety and ensure users are social distancing. In lieu of classes taking place at the Art Center, staff prepared take-home kits with instructions online or within the kit. More than 80 children participated in the take- home “classes.” When the latest restrictions were put into place, registration had already started for an astronomy class at the Outdoor Center to view the “Christmas Star.” The decision was made to allow registered participants to view the astronomical event by household, rather than in a large group. A program called Snowtime Saturdays will begin Saturday, January 9, and run each Saturday through February, weather permitting. Equipment will be made available, at no cost, to registrants at the Outdoor Center for households to try ice fishing, snowshoeing, kick-sledding, and cross-country skiing. Staff will be onsite to facilitate equipment check-out, fitting, and sanitizing, as well as to assist as needed. Volunteers from Let’s Go Fishing will assist with ice fishing. Brink mentioned registrations filled quickly. Shah inquired if there is a way to reach more households. Brink explained if the next Executive Order allows for more than three households at a time, the program will be offered for extended times and possibly expanded to include Sundays. Free equipment will be available for check-out at Staring Lake Park once warming houses are allowed to open. The equipment (ice skates and snowshoes) will be checked out for use only within the park. Spresser commended Brink for the creative solutions and offering these opportunities to residents to enjoy outdoor activities in the winter. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 4, 2021 Page 3 Verley reported the Community Center reopened on December 19 per the Governor’s Order. The 25 percent capacity allowed basically only the fitness floor to open. However, as of January 4, more amenities were allowed to be offered at limited capacity. The additional amenities include lap swimming, fitness classes, open skate, hockey rental, open gym, and indoor pickleball. Since these options are mainly available by online registration, it allows staff to track users in the building for measuring capacity and contract tracing. A new restriction with the latest Order mandates twelve feet (versus the standard six feet) of social distancing on the fitness floor and in classes. Every fourth piece of fitness equipment is available (versus every other piece previously) and classes are held in the gymnasium rather than studios to allow for further distancing. Another new restriction with the latest Order mandates masks be worn at all times within the Community Center. Instructors and participants must wear masks during classes. A reservation system was mandated for treadmills, not just for classes as in the past, and restrictions were mandated for the shower area. Verley stated even with these additional restrictions, accommodations were made to remain in full compliance. Verley requested Commission feedback regarding billing for January membership fees. Due to the timing of the most recent Executive Order, and capacities being limited, no charges were billed for January 1 through January 10. A decision needs to be made and communicated to members regarding charges for the remainder of January. Considerations include health insurance reimbursements, many members still fairly engaged and planning to use the facility, open hours are near pre-pandemic availability. Options discussed include charging 50 percent of membership dues, charging starting Monday, January 11 at 67 percent, and charging nothing for January since the billing date has passed. Commission members and student representatives provided feedback. Spresser suggested pricing be different depending on if the twelve-foot versus six-foot distancing remains. He also suggested charging per visit. Student Representative Salunke suggested a 50 percent membership would be more fair than 67 percent since wait times are longer with the twelve-foot distancing. Ross inquired if the billing system had the capability to charge by use. Verley responded it would be a new process to figure out, but it could be accomplished since it would be a similar model to charging non-members a daily fee. She added an advantage to the per-use charge would be that all users would need to check-in at the front desk which would allow for contact tracing and capacity measuring. Erickson inquired what percentage of the twelve hundred remaining members are currently using the facility. Verley was unsure but would advise at the next meeting. Spresser suggested not charging members a set percentage until they made their first visit to the facility for the month. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 4, 2021 Page 4 Lotthammer reminded the group members have not been charged in six weeks. Staff is weighing many considerations including what is the right thing to do and what works administratively. He added new members are inquiring as comfort levels increase, although not at the usual volume of previous years. Verley added the mask mandate at all times seems to be the major deterrent for users at this time. Lotthammer invited Commission members and student representatives to email or call with ideas in the next few days. Verley thanked the group for their feedback VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. PARKS AND RECREATION EXPERIENCES Commission members and staff shared recent parks and recreation personal experiences. Link commented on all the park users he witnessed ice skating, sledding, cross country skiing, biking, hiking, and ice fishing while he biked through Staring Lake and Purgatory Creek Parks last Sunday. He commended Bourne and staff on keeping the trails open, particularly when the plows cover them with snow. Student Representative Salunke commented Community Center staff has been particularly helpful and friendly, especially when the weight room gets backed up and staff moves them along so everyone gets to use the equipment. B. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER C. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER D. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER 1. Deer Management Plan. Bourne provided a history of the City’s Deer Management Plan and how it has evolved since its inception. A citizen task force was created in 1993 as a committee consisting of residents and City staff, with input from DNR staff and animal rights group members. The committee looked at major factors influencing deer population, including traffic safety, landscape and property damage, public health (Lyme Disease), artificial feeding, and lethal vs non-lethal abatement. After seven months of meetings and discussions, the committee presented a formal deer study report to the City Council with recommendations to create a formal Deer Management Plan and hiring a contractor to perform deer removal in certain areas of the City. A relatively recent update to the Plan includes Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) which is a fatal neurological disease affecting deer. CWD is found in roughly half the states in the U.S. but still relatively rare in Minnesota. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 4, 2021 Page 5 Artificial feeding of deer is a major concern since CWD is spread through deer saliva. Hennepin County is now under a DNR Feeding Ban after cases of CWD were found in the southeast metro area. In accordance with Department of Natural Resources (DNR) guidelines, a goal of the City’s Deer Management Plan is to maintain 20-25 deer per square mile of natural habitat. The total natural habitat in Eden Prairie is approximately eight square miles, a majority of which is publicly owned land of conservation areas and parks. In conjunction with nearby cities, Eden Prairie has entered into agreements with the Wildlife Services division of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) since 2016 for annual removal of deer. Staff works closely with the (DNR) and the Eden Prairie Police Department to ensure adherence to the annual safety plan prior to, during, and just after the removals are taking place. All deer removed are donated to local food shelves and families in need. The Department tracks the number and locations of resident deer complaints and vehicle-deer collisions within the City. In addition, annual aerial surveys are performed in partnership with Three Rivers Park District. Bourne reviewed the 2018 and 2019 deer survey and removal statistics. An aerial survey taken on January 30, 2018 found 227 deer. Twenty-nine deer were subsequently removed in the winter of 2018-19. An aerial survey taken on March 7, 2019 found 242 deer. Thirty-four deer were subsequently removed in the winter of 2019-20. The most recent survey taken on January 21, 2020 found 260 deer. The plan is to remove a few more deer than last year to return to comfortable maintenance levels. Ross inquired and Bourne responded larger does and older females are taken before bucks. He reiterated artificial feeding is an issue and Ross inquired if the City has an anti-feeding ordinance. Bourne responded the harmful side effects of feeding are publicized rather than instituting a ban. Erickson inquired and Bourne responded he receives approximately forty calls per year from residents regarding deer nuisance complaints. Each November social media posts and newspaper articles publicize the deer removal process will be taking place. Poul inquired if wildlife management is performed for other animals, specifically turkeys. Bourne responded the USDA performs removals for the City based on a complaint basis. Link inquired if the maintenance number of 225 deer could be lowered for easier management. Bourne explained the number is used as more of a gauge for trends rather than an exact science. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 4, 2021 Page 6 Bourne reiterated partnerships with the USDA, Three Rivers Park District, DNR, and neighboring cities have positively affected the success of the Deer Management Plan. 2. Riley Lake Play Area. Bourne displayed preliminary plans prepared by ISG Inc., a landscape architecture firm hired by the City, for the next phase of the Riley Lake Park. The boat launch and beach areas were upgraded in the past few years and the proposed new plans will continue to tie together all areas of the Park, specifically the playground and pavilion areas. The playground at Riley Lake Park was already scheduled for replacement due to its age, condition, and accessibility compliance. ISG was hired to assist staff in designing the new playground and extended area to improve circulation, add more of the popular amenities from the first phase, and to continue with the Northwoods feel of the Park. After the first brainstorming session, ISG presented three concepts: a nature and lake theme, a resort theme, and a Northwoods cabin theme. Features of the different concepts included a buffer from the parking lot, an outdoor kitchen, added lawn games, separated play areas, another open-air pavilion, seating areas, etc. After staff reviewed and discussed the pros and cons of the different concepts and amenities with ISG, they returned with a preferred concept sketch, which Bourne displayed for Commission feedback. The preferred concept reduces the size of the play container slightly. The playground is not a main draw for visitors to this park as there are many other amenities. Reducing the size slightly allows for additional seating with shade structures. Features of the preferred concept include another paved plaza with lighting and seating and an outdoor kitchen area to showcase the pavilion which is popular for rentals. Additional features include keeping the open lawn area, more seating with umbrellas and Adirondack chairs, an elevated deck platform with lounge chairs, a limestone seat wall, shade structure with picnic tables, bike racks, and hammock posts. Bourne continued his presentation by displaying inspirational photos of catenary lights, an elevated deck, paved patio pockets, nature-themed play structures, limestone retaining/seating wall, outdoor grills, furnishings, and a plantings palette. Bourne reiterated the presentation is just a concept at this point and requested feedback from the group as park users and commission members. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 4, 2021 Page 7 Link inquired and Bourne responded the distance from the play area to the pavilion is now approximately 25 feet and will be increased to approximately 100 feet. He added the current playground is fenced and the proposed playground will not be fenced but will have seating and other barriers instead. Link inquired if the playground could be closer to the pavilion and Bourne responded the sightline will still be available and it’s also important for the playground to be close for the beach users. Spresser commented he likes the up-north feel of Riley Lake Park and that each City park has its own personality. He suggested as many Adirondack chairs or other seating as possible, as well as ensuring there are enough changing stations for increased usage in the future. Ross inquired and Bourne responded the playground will be slightly closer to the volleyball courts but still far enough away for the noise not to be an issue. Poul commended the design work and the preferred concept options. He believes the changes will be well received and heavily utilized. Brink suggested easy access for the City’s food truck be included in the plans. Link suggested an intentional path from the parking lot to the beach rather than users cutting through the landscaping. Bourne commented planned landscaping will provide a good buffer between the playground area and the parking lot. In addition, landscaping and seating areas will be used to keep children from darting out in front of bikes coming off the LRT Trail. Link and Bourne discussed the possibility of different colored pavers or sharp turns to reduce the speed of bikers coming through the Park. Ross concurred with accessibility for the food truck, and suggested more direct access from the parking lot to the beach/boat access area to prevent users from parking cars in the boat parking lot. Bourne thanked the group for its feedback and will relay the input to the consultants. Final plans will be brought back to the Commission prior to construction. Bourne estimates the plans will be finalized soon so bids can be accepted in spring and construction completed by late fall. Spresser suggested timing construction so the park can be used all summer. E. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. Parks and Recreation Department Work Plan. Lotthammer shared the 2020-21 Parks and Recreation Work Plan that will be presented to the Council on January 19 at 5:00 p.m. A Microsoft Teams notice will be sent to all PRNR Commission members. The presentation will also be shared with other Departments, City managers, and all City employees. A final document will eventually be published online. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 4, 2021 Page 8 The Department’s goals are set in conjunction with the City Council’s goals: to promote community well-being and safety; to provide high- quality, efficient services; to preserve and beautify the environment; to create a sense of community; and to execute innovative and sustainable practices. Community well-being and safety will be preserved through expanding adaptive swim programs, continuing virtual fitness memberships created during COVID-19, continuing the free Fitness in the Parks program, upgrading and creating new trails and sidewalks, creating additional small sledding hills and snowshoe trails, and expanding outdoor fitness and recreation opportunities. High-quality and efficient services will be provided by again hiring a summer marketing intern, continuing use of outdoor display signs, publicizing social media marketing and contests, producing alternative language materials and platforms, originating text notifications for programs, expanding room and building rentals, creating an improved online registration user experience, creating additional virtual programs, online classes, and discussion groups (especially for seniors), installing keyless park building door access, and offering free Wi-Fi in parks. Preserving and beautifying the environment will be accomplished by further designing the Community Center plaza as a gathering space, continuing to infuse public art throughout the community, planning for art at Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) station platforms, maintaining a webpage featuring public art, including art projects at community events, expanding native plant areas, restoring areas with invasive species, and continuing tree treatment, removal, and replacement. Continuing to instill a sense of community will be accomplished by developing a Welcome Back campaign, hosting sensory-friendly pool events, expanding cultures represented at PeopleFest, continuing to offer free Citywide events, expanding pop-up events in neighborhood parks, installing a splash pad at Nesbitt Preserve Park, installing additional park features, hosting a grand reopening of the Staring Lake Park building, creating additional event space, ensuring inclusive practices in program design, communication, and delivery, reaching new customers, removing barriers, evaluating and improving Senior Center spaces, researching emerging sports trends, expanding staff recruitment strategies to diversify the City’s workforce, and supporting youth development through mentorships and internships. Innovative and sustainable practices will be ensured by monthly reviews of Community Center operations, maintenance, and expenses and periodic PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 4, 2021 Page 9 reviews of Community Center and Senior Center processes and traffic flows. Cervantes commended Lotthammer and staff on the excellent work plan and incorporating Council expectations. She commended past efforts of including opportunities for the City’s diverse community members and inquired if there were plans to expand or at least research activities and sports for additional cultures. Lotthammer responded current efforts include engaging existing contacts to assist in expanding involvement within their culture. Future efforts will include surveys to diverse community members to determine their interests. 2. PRNR Work Plan. Lotthammer shared the 2021 work plan, noting topics will be added as the year progresses. The February meeting will be a joint meeting with the Heritage Preservation Commission. Topics will include historic properties, the Feldmann sign, the Flying Red Horse sign, Staring Lake Building signs, and the Yorkville-Bloomington Road Preservation Plan. IX. NEXT MEETING The next PRNR Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 1, at 7 p.m. via TEAMS. It will be a joint meeting with the Heritage Preservation Commission. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Erickson moved, seconded by Poul, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 8-0. Chair Link adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m.