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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 06/07/2021APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, JUNE 7, 2021 7:00 P.M. via Microsoft Teams PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS: Patrice Erickson, Chair; Cecilia Cervantes, Vice Chair; Kim Harris, Swati Kumar, Tom Poul, Ken Ross, Shanti Shah, Kirk Spresser, Ashley Young 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 Erickson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. All Staff members were present. Commission members Harris, Kumar, and Ross were absent. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Cervantes moved, seconded by Spresser, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 6-0. II. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES Motion: Shah moved, seconded by Poul, to approve the May 3, 2021, minutes as presented. Motion carried 6-0. III. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Lotthammer reported on several actions recently taken by the City Council. A. MAY IS SENIOR AWARENESS MONTH Council adopted a resolution proclaiming May as Senior Awareness month, as has been proclaimed for several years. Senior Advisory Council members who typically attend the May Council meetings for the proclamation were not present due to COVID considerations and a large crowd in attendance for a development proposal. Lotthammer stated the Council appreciates the offerings provided to the City’s senior residents and also appreciates the volunteer hours the senior residents give back to the community. B. STERLING AWARD FOR TREE CITY USA Council received the Sterling Award from the Arbor Day Foundation in recognition of ten years of Growth Awards. The City has been taking part in the PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 7, 2021 Page 2 Tree City USA program since the early 1980s. The program provides the framework for communities to manage and expand their public trees. The City of Eden Prairie is only the sixth community in Minnesota to receive this award, and the first since 2016. Parks and Natural Resources Manager Bourne and Forestry Technician Lauren Stufft recently presented information to the Council describing the forestry and natural resources efforts within the City. A similar presentation will be made to the PRNR Commission at an upcoming meeting, and it will include additional details regarding the prestigious Sterling Award. C. DNR SHADE TREE GRANT Council was informed funds from this grant will be received and used to assist with replanting and reforestation efforts. D. ARBOR DAY PROCLAMATION Council adopted a Resolution proclaiming April 30, 2021, as Arbor Day in the City of Eden Prairie. An Arbor Day walk, story stroll, and eco-friendly bag/seedling giveaway event was held on Saturday, May 1, at Round Lake and Staring Lake Parks. Residents who had purchased trees during the Tree Trust sale in March were able to pick up their trees. E. DONATION TO SENIOR CENTER IMPROVEMENTS Council accepted a donation of $25,000 from a local resident to go towards Senior Center building improvements further described in Section VIII. B. 1. below. F. FLYING CLOUD BALLFIELD LEASE WITH MAC Council authorized entering into a lease extension with the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) for the Flying Cloud ballfields through December 31, 2021. Staff is currently working with MAC staff to draft a longer-term lease for City Council and MAC Board consideration. This lease extension is intended to allow for continued athletic association use during negotiations. The Flying Cloud ballfields are owned by MAC and the property has been used by community athletic associations and leased by the City since 1964. G. MARTIN DRIVE TRAIL CONSTRUCTION Council accepted bids and awarded a contract for the construction of a concrete sidewalk along Martin Drive from Mitchell Road west to Venture Lane to BKJ Land Company. This section was identified as a need in the recent Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan and was requested by many businesses in the area. H. NOBLE HILL DEVELOPMENT Council held a public hearing on May 18, 2021. Bourne had provided background PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 7, 2021 Page 3 information on this development at the May 3 PRNR Commission meeting. Over seventy people spoke at the public hearing, about twenty of which were Eden Prairie residents. Council approved the first reading and the second reading is expected to be heard in July or August. IV. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION Bourne had no PRNR-related items on which to report. Chair Erickson inquired about the two vacant Burger King properties in the City. Bourne responded there is currently an active proposal to demolish and rebuild the location at MN-5 and County Road 4. There is no active proposal for the location at the intersection of Prairie Center Drive and Flying Cloud Drive. V. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, AND COMMUNICATION VI. NEW BUSINESS A. BIKE PARK CONCEPT Bourne displayed a PowerPoint presentation and described concepts being considered for a bike park located in the City. Current residents, who have experience building bike parks in the metro area, approached staff about interest in adding a bike park to the City’s park system. An outdoor hockey rink at Round Lake Park is being considered as a test run location to gauge the level of interest. Bourne stated the rink’s current aglime (agricultural limestone) surface lends well for this purpose in warmer months while still allowing for hockey and broomball in the winter. Staff currently met with the vendor to discuss costs and level of commitment, and to develop a preliminary plan. Test trials and/or pop-up events will likely be held to introduce residents and children to the concept. Bourne displayed pictures and described a number of options. A bike playground pump track comes in different sections on which users do not operate their pedals but use momentum to maneuver the track. He also displayed larger playground-type bike park concepts with different features and ramps. Based on sizes and features, the costs range from $35,000 to upwards of $120,000. Staff is currently exploring grant and sponsorship opportunities, in addition to funds from the CIP (Capital Improvement Program) budget and cash park fees. Bourne requested feedback from Commission members. Cervantes inquired about the youngest age of users and Bourne responded pedal-less bike riders as young as three or four years of age would be appropriate to use the ramps. Spresser stated he felt the concept would be a great use of hockey rinks when not in use. He inquired if bikers feel the ramp on the rink would be large enough. Bourne stated the vendor has installed popular bike parks in the metro area on old tennis courts, and the hockey rinks are larger. Spresser also inquired about liability PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 7, 2021 Page 4 issues. Bourne responded this use is the same type of activity and no more dangerous than the City’s current skate park at Round Lake Park. He explained the intermingling of ages and skills is also similar to what takes place at the skate park. The users police themselves with some parental supervision as needed. Lotthammer added the Round Lake Park location provides parking, bathrooms, and a drinking fountain. Since the skate park is already there, a bike park would add a different dimension for bikers and interaction would incorporate the same rules. Young inquired and Bourne responded razor-type scooters could be used appropriately on the aglime compacted surface. Young also suggested a test trial be performed during safety camp this summer since campers in second and third grades will be bringing their bikes to camp. Shah commented she visited a similar park in Memphis and users as young as three years old enjoyed it. Chair Erickson and other Commission members indicated excitement for the bike park concept. Lotthammer stated next steps include exploring funding opportunities and a trial run later this summer or early fall. He stated some unrelated projects may come in under budget and provide funds toward this project. In addition, Scheels has indicated some interest and possibly naming rights in a trial and/or permanent site. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. COVID-19 PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES UPDATE Brink reported the Senior Center opened this morning for the first time since closing in March 2020 due to COVID. Scheduling will be kept light during the month of June. With most restrictions recently lifted, sign-up for programs is not being required, with the exception of the woodshop. Youth camps are underway starting this week as well. Following State guidance, most camps are being held outdoors when possible and with masks when needed to be held indoors. Since there are long wait lists, as additional restrictions are lifted and group sizes can be expanded, additional openings will be offered. Seniors are still required to wear masks at the Community Center. Signs are displayed strongly encouraging COVID vaccination, but vaccine status is not being asked or documented. Bourne reported staff is in the process of turning on drinking fountains in all City parks. Guidance was followed throughout COVID by turning fountains off due to touchpoints. Staff is also opening and cleaning irrigation systems and testing water quality. The Parks department is now fully staffed with seasonal employees and operations are back to normal for crews to work together without masks. Bourne PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 7, 2021 Page 5 mentioned the spike in the number of park users due to COVID has continued and all outdoor fields and parks remain busy. Verley reported all capacity limitations have been lifted at the Community Center. Memberships have been steadily increasing, noting they typically decrease in the summer. Spresser inquired and Verley responded membership was at 2,600 in early 2020 (pre-pandemic), which was already lower than in early 2019. Throughout the pandemic, memberships decreased to approximately 1,100. She is working with the Communications Department to create a strategic push for additional memberships. Young inquired and Verley responded the childcare area and play structure remain closed. Staff recently surveyed previous users of childcare to gauge their interest in returning. Of the over 100 people surveyed, only sixteen responded. The plan is to slowly relaunch the childcare area by the end of summer and bring other play care activities, including birthday parties, into full gear by fall. Chair Erickson suggested promoting play care activities at the 4th of July Hometown Celebration. Young suggested a promotion offering members to “bring a friend to class free.” Verley reported swim lessons continue to reach capacity and the beaches are busy, having opened earlier than normal with the warm temperatures. B. QUALITY OF LIFE SURVEY RESULTS Lotthammer shared detailed findings on Parks and Recreation-related results from the 2020 Quality of Life Survey prepared by Polco/NRC (National Research Center). Every two years residents are surveyed on a wide variety of city services. Although a few new questions are added each year, most questions remain the same for comparison purposes. The polling company also provides benchmark comparisons with cities of similar sizes across the country. Survey results were recently presented to the Council and indicated Eden Prairie continues to be a highly desirable place to live and raise a family. Ninety-three percent of surveyed residents think the City has an excellent or good quality of life. This percentage is higher than the National and Central Region benchmarks. Nine in ten respondents consider the City an excellent or good place to live and work and their neighborhood to be an excellent or good place to live. This result is also higher than the National and Central Region benchmarks. Ninety-three percent rated the City as a great place to raise a family and eighty- nine percent rated overall education opportunities as excellent or good. Residents continue to rate safety-related aspects highly, with a few crime-related concerns. Ninety-two percent of residents think Eden Prairie has an excellent or good overall feeling of safety, which is higher than the benchmarks. Nine in 10 residents feel very or somewhat safe in neighborhoods, Eden Prairie mall, parks and open spaces, retail parking lots, and on paths and walking trails. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 7, 2021 Page 6 Residents continue to praise their city services. Ninety-two percent of residents rate overall quality of services as excellent or good, which is higher than the benchmarks. Sixty-two percent of the respondents had contacted the City regarding an issue. Of those who contacted the City, ninety-three percent rated the overall customer service as excellent or good. Criteria included courtesy, knowledge, responsiveness, and follow up. Seven in ten residents rated the value of services for taxes paid as excellent or good. The polling company surveyors noted community parks, recreation, and natural environment continue to be a valued community asset. Ninety-four percent of residents enjoyed recreational opportunities, and nine in ten had visited smaller parks within the City. Due to COVID, more residents were likely to visit smaller parks than in 2018, and less likely to visit the Community Center. Lotthammer stated the consultants commented to the City Council by analysis of data: “Residents’ esteem for their parks and recreation opportunities remained undiminished and consistent with prior years, except for the ratings of neighborhood parks, which increased.” Data indicates residents appreciate the parks system and Council wishes to continue and build on the quality of these amenities. Lotthammer added parks and recreation staff enjoy providing excellent services. Ninety-four percent of residents think the City has an excellent or good overall natural environment, which is higher than the benchmarks. The most highly rated characteristics of overall appearance include cleanliness, air quality, paths and walking trails, fitness opportunities, and recreational opportunities. The survey offered an open-ended question, asking residents what they like most about living in Eden Prairie. Thirty-four percent of the respondents mentioned they were delighted with the parks and trails and recreation centers. An additional seven percent commented open spaces and nature/wildlife were their favorite aspect of Eden Prairie. Residents are using the parks and amenities. Data indicates ninety-four percent have used the large community parks, ninety percent have used the smaller parks, forty-seven percent have visited the Staring Lake amphitheater, sixty-two percent have visited the Community Center, forty-two percent have been to the Outdoor Center, forty-one percent have visited the Richard T. Anderson Conservation area, twenty percent have visited the Art Center, and twenty percent have used the Staring Lake observatory. Nine in ten residents rate parks and recreation services as excellent or good as far as park and trail maintenance, recreation centers and services, and preservation of natural areas. Lotthammer reiterated conclusions presented to the Council include Eden Prairie continues to be a highly desirable place to live and raise a family; residents continue to rate safety-related aspects highly (with a few crime-related concerns); community parks, recreation, and natural environments continue to be valued PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 7, 2021 Page 7 community assets; residents continue to praise their city services; public transportation and light rail are a focus of the community; and residents’ use of some City information sources increased in 2020. Several Commission members commended Lotthammer and the parks and recreation staff. Shah inquired and Lotthammer responded results do not offer a specific breakdown in regard to the City’s diverse community, but the demographic of respondents is considered. Complete survey results, including data back to 2008, are published on the City’s website. VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. PARKS AND RECREATION EXPERIENCES Commission members and staff shared recent parks and recreation personal experiences. Erickson was pleased to drive by the Senior Center today and see welcome back signs and many cars in the parking lot. Spresser stated his son will be hosting a family event with a food truck at Riley Lake Park. B. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER 1. Senior Center Building Improvements. Brink displayed a PowerPoint presentation and provided information on the planned building improvements to the Senior Center. Due to the building being closed over the last several months because of COVID, it has allowed staff to consider the building’s limitations. Updates are needed to improve the split-up rooms, small entry way, and narrow corridors. Goals for improving the visitor experience include creating a more welcoming entry on both levels, improving circulation, creating casual gathering experiences, and increasing room capacity and flexibility. Staff has brainstormed ideas, an architect has been engaged, and a contractor is currently drafting prices. Two options are currently being considered for the upper level. One option would use mostly existing walls, build out the customer service desk, create an office support workroom, and increase lobby and casual gathering spacing. Current classrooms would be opened for accommodating a larger group, but a divider would be available to make two rooms when necessary. The second option is similar but would also provide a build-out for the office, a new customer service desk, and a gathering area with windows to the street where users could see the parking lot and wait for a ride. The PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 7, 2021 Page 8 gathering area could also include a computer area and beverage/coffee station. The lower level houses the largest gathering space and the goal is to create a more open feel. The main L-shaped area is used for meals, exercise, and large groups of table activities. Plans include changing the entry door configuration by removing a wall and creating a new vestibule where the sidewalk is currently. The existing enclosed stairwell would be opened up and an office/check-in station for special events would be created to allow staff to be on the same level for customer service and safety/security purposes. The kitchen doors would be relocated and a service counter and rolldown window for buffets would be installed. Lotthammer reported on funding for the project. He noted a $25,000 donation was already received from a resident. Another resident had the City named as the beneficiary of a $46,000 life insurance policy to make an impact on the Senior Center improvements. Staff is currently awaiting quotes but Lotthammer anticipates the upper-level improvements could be completed with the current donations. Lotthammer requested input from Commission members. Cervantes stated the improvements are definitely needed and gathering spaces for seniors is critical. She stated she likes the concept for users to be able to gather and wait for rides by the front windows, as well as the addition of computer stations. Spresser stated concern for the low ceilings on the lower level of the building. He inquired if staff should be considering a larger facility in the future rather than making changes to the current building. Lotthammer responded a new building would need to wait for several years into the future due to cost. He stated many senior assisted living facilities being built in the area offer the same amenities being considered, so staff will need to gauge what amenities are needed for those staying in their own homes. He added the Community Center is currently the most used facility by seniors. Young inquired about budget figures and Lotthammer responded the lower- level improvements will result in a higher cost due to the structural changes needed. No bids have been received yet but he estimates $300,000 for the entire project, including both levels. He estimates $70,000-100,000 for the upper level which will likely be covered by donations. Poul inquired and Lotthammer responded funding for the lower level could be received through fundraising or the capital budget. Facilities staff is currently working with contractors and may possibly begin work on the upper level in the fall. The remainder of the changes to the lower level will likely be funded and performed in two to three years. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 7, 2021 Page 9 Cervantes inquired and Brink responded the elevator at the Senior Center is in good working condition. Shah inquired and Brink responded other than the buffet area, no changes are being considered to the kitchen area. She noted an ice maker and commercial dishwasher are already available. Shah also inquired and Brink responded the Senior Center is currently accepting rental requests. C. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER No report. D. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER No report. E. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. PRNR Work Plan. Lotthammer shared the updated 2021 work plan, noting topics will be added as the year progresses. An update on the light rail project will be provided at the July PRNR Commission meeting. Lotthammer invited Commission members to contact him with additional topics for July and future meetings. The annual PRNR bus tour will take place on Monday, August 2. The tour is held in lieu of a formal Commission meeting in August. September PRNR topics will likely include a park maintenance update, sustainability best practices, Urban Forestry management plan, and additional information regarding the Sterling Tree USA Award. IX. NEXT MEETING The next PRNR Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 12 at 7 p.m. in the Heritage Rooms at City Center. The Board & Commission Banquet is scheduled for Thursday, July 15, at 6:00 p.m. in the Garden Room at City Center. The annual PRNR Commission Bus Tour will leave from the Senior Center on Monday, August 2 at 6:30 p.m. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Chair Erickson moved, seconded by Shah, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. Chair Erickson adjourned the meeting at 8:49 p.m.