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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 02/01/2021APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION and HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2021 7:00 P.M. via Microsoft Teams PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS: Larry Link, Chair; Patrice Erickson, Vice Chair; Cecilia Cervantes, Kim Harris, Tom Poul, Ken Ross, Shanti Shah, Kirk Spresser HP COMMISSION MEMBERS: Steve Olson, Chair; Tara Kalar, Vice Chair; Rod Fisher, Valerie Ross, Pamela Spera, Paul Thorp PRNR STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Jake Freeland, John Hartle, Jessica Hovde, Garen McDowell, Ishan Nadkarni, Tommy Pan, Tanay Salunke HP STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Sarthak Agrawal, Finn Bloch, Maria Chavez, Anna Patten, Devyn Stanton, Aarav Subbaiah CITY STAFF: Jay Lotthammer, Parks and Recreation Director Lori Brink, Recreation Manager Matt Bourne, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Valerie Verley, Community Center Manager Beth Novak-Krebs, Senior Planner RECORDING SECRETARY: Jodie Fenske Chair Link called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. PRNR Commission Member Spresser and Student Representatives John Hartle and Ishan Nadkarni were absent. HP Commission Vice Chair Kalar and Student Representative Finn Block were absent. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Erickson moved, seconded by Cervantes, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 12-0. II. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES Motion: Erickson moved, seconded by Poul, to approve the January 4, 2021 minutes as presented. Motion carried 7-0. III. APPROVAL OF HPC MINUTES Motion: Thorp moved, seconded by Ross, to approve the January 11, 2021 minutes as presented. Motion carried 5-0. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 1, 2021 Page 2 IV. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Lotthammer reported on actions recently taken by the City Council. A. METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION (MAC) GARDEN LEASE Council approved a one-year Community Garden Plots lease agreement with the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC). This lease agreement is for the use of the 3.17-acre land parcel of MAC property adjacent to the Speedway gas station on Pioneer Trail for community gardens. These garden plots have been rented annually by residents through the Parks and Recreation Department to grow vegetables and flowers. The previous garden plot lease agreement between the City and MAC expired on December 31, 2020. The MAC has prepared a new one- year lease agreement which allows the City the right to utilize this property again for the 2021 gardening season. B. AGREEMENT WITH ISG FOR RILEY LAKE PARK PLAYGROUND Council approved the agreement for professional services with ISG, Inc. for design and construction document development for the replacement/upgrade of the Riley Lake Park playground. In 2017, the City completed a renovation project for the boat launch and beach area at Riley Lake Park. At the time of this project, the play equipment in the playground was in relatively good condition and it was decided to leave this area of the park out of the renovation project. The play equipment has now reached its useful life and staff recently hired ISG, Inc. to develop a master plan for this area for better use of this space and improve circulation into the recently renovated portion of the park. Next steps include the bidding process in late winter/early spring, followed by a request to Council to approve construction. V. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION Bourne reported no PRNR-related topics were discussed at the February Planning Commission meeting. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. HISTORICAL PROPERTIES UPDATE Bourne stated he meets annually with Lotthammer, Senior Planner Novak-Krebs, and other staff members to review the City’s historical properties. He displayed the inventory worksheet used to record each property, the year it was built and its historic status, and improvements or maintenance planned or performed. Having this information documented provides a historical record and allows Facilities, Community Development and Parks staff to be aligned for planning purposes. Historical properties included in the inventory and for which Bourne provided updates: the Riley-Jacques Barn area (including Riley House, Dorenkemper PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 1, 2021 Page 3 House, garage, granary, and farmstead grounds); the Smith-Douglas-More House area (including the work shed, gazebo, storage shed, and grounds); the Cummins- Phipps-Grill House area (including the outhouse, garden shed, well house, asphalt- sided shed, and grounds); the Eden Wood Center/Camp Eden Wood; and Staring Lake Outdoor Center. Bourne highlighted a few projects planned for 2021 and completed in 2020 other than general maintenance which is continuously performed. A new sign was installed at the Dorenkemper House in 2020 and a recent bat problem has been mitigated. Many improvements have been made to the Smith-Douglas-More House in recent years since there is a business operating out of the house. Painting will be performed, and a new roof will likely be installed at the Cummins-Phipps- Grill House. Thorp stated the HPC applied for a grant to restore the upstairs but did not receive the grant. In conjunction with the City and the Eden Prairie Historical Society, plaster repair and painting work was recently completed. True Friends did not use the Camp Eden Wood property for programming in 2020. Instead, their staff performed overall maintenance and improvements to the exterior of the Lion's Den cabin. Olson interjected the HP Commission would appreciate the historic dining hall being considered for improvement in the near future. Lotthammer stated he, Bourne, and the City’s facilities manager perform an annual spring onsite inspection of the property and grounds with True Friends maintenance staff. The Animal Junction building at the Outdoor Center was recently renovated to increase space utilized for classes and activities. New LED bulbs will be installed, and the storage shed will be replaced in 2021. The Yorkville and Bloomington Road project will now be added to the historical properties list. B. FELDMANN FAMILY INTERPRETIVE SIGN Bourne stated the area now known as the Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area was formerly the Feldmann family farmstead. Jeff Miller, a descendant of the Feldmann family, approached the City to determine interest in recognizing and memorializing the area. The HP and PRNR Commissions, along with the Eden Prairie Historical Society, jointly brought forth a proposal to recognize the Feldmann family and provide a history of the area. A consultant was hired to design an interpretive sign which has been placed on the walking trail connecting the two parking lots at the conservation area. Bourne displayed a slide of the sign which includes historical photos of the Feldmann family and property, a map from 1874, as well as much information about the family, the land, and history of the property. A dedication was held in PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 1, 2021 Page 4 October and attended by City staff and members of the HPC and Eden Prairie Historical Society. C. FLYING RED HORSE SIGN STATUS Lotthammer displayed a picture of the flying red horse sign and provided a PowerPoint presentation explaining the history of the sign which was donated to the City in 2008. The sign was in place from 1936-2008 at a gas station and café where the Davanni’s restaurant is currently located on the corner of Flying Cloud Drive and West 78th Street. It was one of the original Eden Prairie landmarks and named a historical landmark. Frank and Anna Schwartz settled in Eden Prairie in the early 1900s and owned the original café and gas station at which the sign was located. The Schwartz family was one of the first nine families in Eden Prairie and four generations still reside in the City. Lotthammer’s presentation included pictures of the flying red horse sign through various phases including in 1936 with the original owners, in 1978 when lighting was added to the sign, and in the 2000s when the sign was completely lit. In late 2008 Katie Schwartz, on behalf of the family, approached the City to see if it was interested in accepting the sign as a donation. Council approved the donation and moving it from a sign shop storage area to the City’s maintenance facility. City staff then built a storage area for the sign to properly preserve it until a decision can be made on if, or how, to display it. Pictures were displayed showing the current condition of the sign. The bracings would need to be re-enforced since the sign is double sided. Electrical components would need to be upgraded if the sign would be lit. Lotthammer explained the role of the HP and PRNR Commissions is to provide input whether to make a recommendation to the City Council, review recommendations by consultant(s), and discuss levels of restoration and locations. Staff will engage with the consultant(s), involve the Commissions for input, identify funding, and present the recommendation to Council. Cost of the project will be dependent upon the level of restoration and the ultimate location chosen. Lotthammer mentioned for several years the HPC has been selling street signs and the proceeds have gone into a historic preservation fund. Perhaps these funds, as well as grant monies, could go toward the restoration, preservation, and siting of the sign. The level of restoration will be dependent upon the site chosen (indoor versus outdoor), the level of historical accuracy to which the sign is restored, and if lighting is upgraded. Lotthammer mentioned City staff approached management of the Eden Prairie Center mall to determine their interest in placing the sign at the mall. Staff considered the location would provide good visibility and provide a home for the sign close to its original location. Mall management indicated they are not PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 1, 2021 Page 5 interested at this time. Another location currently being considered is at the SWLRT (Southwest Light Rail Train) station being built near the sign’s original location across from the Davanni’s restaurant. This location would provide good visibility and possibly qualify as public art and thus funding as part of the LRT. Lotthammer explained staff previously reached out to thirty potential vendors provided by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), resulting in only one response. Therefore, staff will contact additional experts with the intention of finding and engaging with a sign restoration vendor and/or consultant. After cultivating additional options, the HP and PRNR Commissions will be re-engaged for input to ultimately assist staff with an updated recommendation to Council. Lotthammer welcomed questions and feedback from the group. Fisher inquired and Lotthammer responded separating the sign into two halves and displaying one side on a wall would be considered. Ross mentioned an episode of the American Restoration show covered a company in Las Vegas that restored a similar sign to its original condition. Cervantes inquired what type of repairs would be needed. Lotthammer responded the sign is fragile and needs repair due to rotted wood and rusted metal bracings. The sign is basically a metal panel needing to be re-braced to withstand the wind. Cervantes suggested engaging Hennepin Technical College students, under faculty supervision, to provide woodworking, electrical, and welding work. Olson suggested returning the sign to a location of wayfinding importance, perhaps by the fire station near Highway 212 and Dell Road. Ross warned of a location that could be misinterpreted as a working gas station. Thorp stated he is in favor of displaying the sign outside, leaving it mostly the way it is but updating with LED lighting. The original sign put on the building in 1936 is totally different than the sign as updated in 1978. He speculates the original sign was refaced and riveted, so updating it back to how it looked in 1936 may not be possible. A consultant who spoke to the HPC about the sign felt it would still meet the standards for the National Register in its current condition. Lotthammer concluded the discussion by stating the sign is currently protected and preserved and staff is open to considering all ideas for analysis. The sign offers a significance to the community and keeping it in the City is valued by the Council. It is imperative to receive a valid analysis from an expert who can explain the trade-offs in the many different options available. D. STARING LAKE PARK BUILDING SIGNS Lotthammer displayed PowerPoint slides of three signs recently created as a collaboration with the Eden Prairie Historical Society. The signs will be placed PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 1, 2021 Page 6 within the Staring Lake Park building for users of the building to read and learn about the history of the area. The1860s sign illustrates a map of the area and focuses on how Staring Lake was named and current statistics regarding the lake, park, and sledding hill. A second sign depicts the 1880s and describes the area as a bustling summer resort area at that time. A third sign illustrates how people lived and what they enjoyed during the 1930s. Fisher suggested and Lotthammer agreed information predating the first settlers is important information to include. The signs will be produced soon and installed in the building in the next few months for park and building users to view and enjoy. E. YORKVILLE AND BLOOMINGTON ROAD PRESERVATION PLAN In 2019 the City Council designated the Yorkville and Bloomington Road, located in the James Brown Conservation Area, as a heritage preservation site. According to the Heritage Preservation Ordinance, a preservation plan must be prepared once a site is designated. Staff hired and worked with a consultant to prepare a plan which Novak-Krebs presented to the group. The Parks Department will be affected since many recommendations within the plan mention long-term maintenance and preservation of the site. Protocol dictates the HPC take formal action to approve the preservation plan. Discussion and possible approval will take place at the HPC March meeting. The plan includes important information regarding the history of the road and why preservation is important. Novak-Krebs provided a summary of the recommendations dealing with preservation and maintenance. Future discussion will take place to determine if a use of the road will be developed or if it will simply be preserved. Development of a maintenance plan will also be discussed in the future with PRNR and other City staff. The plan recommends routine inspections be performed so staff would need to identify and determine strategies for preserving and rehabilitating the road. Other recommendations include performing a landscape inventory, conducting timely site repairs, identifying erosion damage, removing noxious weeds and plants, removing native trees in the actual roadbed, and understanding regulations of the underlying zoning. Staff will need to act on these recommendations to create a plan for the future. The plan also recommended actions that should not happen, including operating heavy equipment on the roadway, deferring maintenance, altering the landform, digging and excavating, and applying pesticides. Staff will follow up on these actions and determine how to address and move forward. Novak-Krebs invited comments from HP and PRNR Commission members. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 1, 2021 Page 7 Lotthammer shared some of the differences between the Richard T. Anderson (RTA) conservation area and the Yorkville and Bloomington Road area. The RTA is easily accessible and designed for heavy use by hikers and other park visitors. The Yorkville and Bloomington Road area differs in that it is tucked away and not designed for heavy use, although it is good to have for natural resource reasons. Maintenance has been deferred for one hundred years and it is important to balance how to protect, but not harm, the area. Fisher inquired if the long-term plan would be to increase traffic to the area. Bourne stated removal of invasive species and other restoration will take place but creation of nature trails is not possible due to difficult access. The flood plain at the bottom of the bluff offers unique challenges as well. The area may qualify for grant dollars through Hennepin County’s Best of the Last grant program. Thorp mentioned the importance of making people aware of the area and to make sure it is not disturbed. Olson inquired and Bourne agreed this area would be added to the City’s maintenance plan. Olson also stated he is reluctant to move ahead with this plan due to its feasibility. Novak-Krebs suggested further discussion could take place at the HPC March meeting and the HPC members concurred. F. REPLACING ROOF AT CUMMINS-PHIPPS-GRILL HOUSE Novak-Krebs stated the roof on the Cummins-Phipps-Grill house is in need of repair. Facilities Manager Rick Clark requested and received two proposals which were similar in cost, materials, approach to providing construction documents, and assistance in writing a grant fund application. She asked HPC members for comments or preferences of one vendor over the other. Olson shared his opinion that both vendors were reputable and had experience with prior City projects. Thorp inquired if the plans and specifications previously received for the Smith-Douglas-More House were similar enough to be used for the Cummins-Phipps-Grill House. Novak-Krebs asked the HP Commission for any additional input and there was none. Input received will be provided to Facilities Manager Rick Clark. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. COVID-19 PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES UPDATE Bourne stated parks and maintenance staff have not been affected much due to COVID. They remain busy with normal winter duties such as plowing roads, clearing trails, and preparing outdoor areas for recreation programs and events. Brink reported the priority of recreation staff has been to make equipment available to encourage residents to get outside and enjoy winter. The Community Center has continued to meet the needs of those wanting to recreate indoors. She commended parks staff for keeping the nine outdoor rinks flooded and prepared for skating and for keeping the sledding hill in good condition. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 1, 2021 Page 8 Snowtime Saturdays have continued at the Outdoor Center by offering preregistered households access to a variety of recreational equipment. In-person programming has started again with swim and skate lessons, and limited art center classes. Typically, summer recreation programming would be in the registration phase, although this year it is only in the planning stage. However, a FAQ page will be published on the City’s website on February 10 answering basic questions and informing users staff is planning fun and safe summer programming. In early March, information will be posted informing users of the slate of summer offerings available. Registration is scheduled to begin on March 24. No printed brochure will be mailed this year as information will be primarily provided electronically. Staff is preparing to provide programming that is fun and yet meets youth development and childcare needs. Last year, due to COVID restrictions, staff was not positioned to provide full day camps for working families. Brink states staff is better prepared this year, even with masking and social distancing requirements, to provide full day camps considering everything learned last year. Brink reported on adult indoor sports leagues. Although not as many teams as usual registered, most volleyball league players chose to wear masks and participate. A survey was conducted for indoor basketball leagues and those users chose not to participate considering the mask mandate. Planning is currently taking place for all outdoor summer leagues and for summer events. Verley reported the Community Center operations have settled down considering the latest Executive Order was expanded and does not have an expiration date. The Center continues operating at the capacity limitation of 25 percent. Mask wearing has not deterred users as the number of visitors and visits are increasing. Health screenings are performed by staff at the entrance. Required pre-registration for participation ensures safety for contact tracing purposes and to safeguard capacities. Staff has been able to bring back almost all amenities but at limited capacity. Signage and staffing are in place to regulate spacing. Open hours have almost returned to normal on an incremental approach. VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. PARKS AND RECREATION EXPERIENCES Commission members and staff shared recent parks and recreation personal experiences. Link mentioned he enjoys seeing Staring Lake Park bustling with people on the lake, sledding hill, and skating rink. B. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER C. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 1, 2021 Page 9 D. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER E. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. PRNR Work Plan. Lotthammer shared an updated 2021 work plan, noting topics will be added as the year progresses. The virtual March meeting will include discussion of special events and youth and adult athletics. Link requested an update on the City’s trails and paths be presented at a future meeting. Lotthammer responded September or October would be a good time to provide an update to the Commission since many updates and maintenance are performed in the summer months. IX. NEXT MEETINGS The next PRNR Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 1, at 7 p.m. via Teams. The next HPC meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 15, at 7p.m. It will be held virtually. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Fisher moved, seconded by Thorp, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 12-0. Chair Link adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.