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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 03/02/2020APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 2, 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 RECORDING SECRETARY: Jodie Fenske GUESTS: Kathie Case and Paul Thorp, Eden Prairie Historical Society I. INTRODUCTIONS Chair Link called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Roll call was taken. All Commission Members were present. Community Center Manager Verley was absent. Student Representatives Tanay Salunke and Simon Vergara were absent. Lotthammer welcomed Kathie Case and Paul Thorp from the Eden Prairie Historical Society. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Erickson moved, seconded by Pesheck, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 9-0. III. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES Motion: Rahman moved, seconded by Spresser, to approve the February 3, 2020 minutes as presented. Motion carried 9-0. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES March 2, 2020 Page 2 IV. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Lotthammer reported on actions recently taken by the City Council. A. DONATION FROM ELIM SHORES Council adopted a resolution accepting $350 from Elim Shores to the Senior Center special events of shredding event, Summer BBQ, and Golf Classic. B. DONATION FROM HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE Council adopted a resolution accepting $400 from Home Instead Senior Care to the Senior Center special events of shredding event, Golf Classic, and Veterans Breakfast. C. PLEASANT HILL CEMETERY BURIAL AND COLUMBARIUM FEES Council approved the proposed fees for Pleasant Hill Cemetery burials and columbarium niches. Market research indicated the City’s fee for burial plots was much less than surrounding areas so an adjustment was made. Since the approval, the City has sold two columbarium niches and spoken to a party who wishes to trade in their previously purchased plot for a columbarium niche. Active promotion and marketing of the columbarium has not begun yet since it will not be put in place until mid to late summer. The City intends to respond to any inquiries in the meantime. Once set in place, Lotthammer feels the columbarium will generate much interest and many more inquiries. D. CONTRACT FOR RICE MARSH LAKE TENNIS COURT REPLACEMENT Council accepted bids and awarded the contract for the 2020 Rice Marsh Park Hard Court Rehabilitation Project at Rice Marsh Park to DMJ Asphalt Inc. E. DONATION FROM OSR PHYSICAL THERAPY Council adopted a resolution accepting $200 from OSR Physical Therapy to the Senior Center’s annual Almost Spring Lunch. V. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION Bourne reported the Planning Commission held a public hearing during its February 24 meeting regarding a development, referred to as The Overlook. The development will be located adjacent to Miller Spring; however, no construction will affect the Spring. Approximately five acres of the developed land closest to the Miller Spring will be deeded to the City to join with the Prairie Bluff Conservation area. Sidewalks will be constructed throughout the development and a trail will be constructed from the development connecting to the existing paved trail in the Prairie Bluff Conservation area. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES March 2, 2020 Page 3 Link inquired if the trail will connect to Flying Cloud Drive once the construction in that area is completed. Bourne responded the developer will grade for a trail along Spring Road. However, the County has a few projects and the City has some utility work to complete prior to actually constructing the trail along Spring Road to Flying Cloud Drive. VI. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION A. HANDOUTS OF UPCOMING EVENTS Brink presented handouts of the following events: 1. Eden Prairie Players Performance of “The Curious Savage.” The winter play will be presented over two weekends, March 13-14 and March 20-21 at the PiM Arts High School. 2. Indoor Triathlon. The Community Center will host this recurring event on Sunday, March 15. 3. Almost Spring Lunch. The Senior Center will host the annual event on Wednesday, March 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants will enjoy a buffet meal catered by Annie’s and musical entertainment will be provided. A portion of this event is sponsored by OSR Physical Therapy. 4. Ice Show. The Eden Prairie Figure Skating Club will present their annual ice show, Mary Poppins Comes to Town, on Friday-Sunday, March 20-22 at the Community Center. 5. First Day of Spring/Summer Registration Brink presented a cover of the Spring/Summer Parks and Recreation program brochure which is currently being printed and will arrive in mailboxes early the week of March 9. Registration begins at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. EDEN PRAIRIE HISTORICAL SOCIETY Lotthammer explained how fortunate the City is to have both the Eden Prairie Historical Society and the Heritage Preservation Commission, as well as the number of historic facilities compared to other cities. Eden Prairie has a long history and benefits from multiple ways the historic facilities get used, preserved, and shared PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES March 2, 2020 Page 4 with the public. He noted the City is also fortunate to have citizens who seek grants and provide donations to improve and preserve the facilities. Lotthammer introduced Kathie Case and Paul Thorp representing the Eden Prairie Historical Society. Kathie thanked the Commission for all it has done for the Historical Society, whose mission is to gather, preserve, and protect the history of Eden Prairie for generations to come. After purchasing a historical home in Eden Prairie in1988, Kathie joined the Historical Society and quickly became Vice President of the Board due to her passion for Eden Prairie history. She has remained an active member of the Society ever since. Throughout her presentation, Kathie provided many interesting facts about the indigenous Dakota Indians, early settlers being mostly farmers, the apple orchards started by J.R. Cummins, and how the “downtown” was structured. She explained the four original one-room schools were consolidated in 1924 into one building which is now the Eden Prairie Schools Administrative Services Center at 8100 School Road. The City owes its name to Elizabeth Fries Ellet, an East Coast writer who visited the area in 1853 and proclaimed it to be the garden spot of the territory in her travelogue book, “Summer Rambles in the West.” Several interesting photographs of churches and homes from the City’s early days were displayed and explained throughout Kathie’s presentation. The Historical Society is charged with preserving and saving artifacts and helping to protect properties. If they need to be torn down, the Historical Society photographs and documents the property first so files and documentation remain. The Heritage Preservation Commission compliments the Historical Society to assist with obtaining funds, donations, and grants. The two groups are involved in many joint efforts, including the design and installation of an interpretive sign recognizing the Feldmann Family Farm Site at the Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area. B. EDEN PRAIRIE HISTORY MUSEUM Kathie and Paul lead the Commission on a tour of the Eden Prairie History Museum located in the lower level of City Center. The museum is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays but will open anytime by request. Commission members and student representatives roamed the museum and asked many questions of Kathie and Paul. VIII. OLD BUSINESS IX. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. PARKS AND RECREATION EXPERIENCES Staff and Commission members shared recent parks and recreation related experiences. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES March 2, 2020 Page 5 Pesheck saw a coyote get hit by car near Anderson Lakes Parkway and Franlo Road. Harris enjoyed the Staring Lake Park sledding hill with her children this winter. Student Representative Riley Marble reminisced about sledding there with family when he was younger and now enjoying it again as a high school student with friends. Student Representative Zach Spears stated he likes the lights around the ice rink at night and plans to host his graduation party at the new Staring Lake Park building this summer. Chair Link inquired of Riley and Zach how the ski trail conditions were this winter since they are both on the Eden Prairie High School ski team. Riley responded there was lots of good, skiable snow this year and the trails were groomed well by their coach. He was not aware of skiers being affected by dog park users. Chair Link also shared an interesting story about purchasing an old wooden boat at a City auction for five dollars. After discovering it had leaks, he decided to try to sell it at a garage sale. Kathie Case saw it and determined it was originally from the former Riley Lake Resort and Link donated it back to the City for historical purposes. B. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER Brink stated PeopleFest 2020 will be kicked off in August with a land acknowledgement and presentation by Native Pride Arts to include drumming, music, and dance as a way to celebrate the first people of Eden Prairie. C. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER D. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER 1. Play Structure Selection. Bourne requested Commission input on play structures at two neighborhood parks in the process of being replaced: Crestwood Park and Franlo Park. Six vendors responded to the City’s request for proposals. Staff narrowed down the options to three vendors and Bourne displayed renderings from Playworld Systems, St. Croix Recreation, and Northland Recreation. The City has successfully worked with all three vendors in the past. Since preschool playground camps are held at Crestwood, Bourne also sought input from camp supervisors. He explained playgrounds are usually set up with equipment for two age groups: 2-5 years and 6-12 years. Life expectancy of the equipment is 15-20 years. Options offering challenge courses, imaginative play, and climbing equipment are priorities. As an incentive for better pricing, the City informed bidders the selected vendor would be awarded both locations. The cost for both playgrounds is estimated at $140,000 to include demolition, equipment purchase, and installation. The existing equipment will be returned to the vendor to be donated to rural communities or even overseas as done in the past. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES March 2, 2020 Page 6 All Commission members and Student representatives were very engaged and provided lots of input based on personal experience. Suggestions included slides for the younger children, smaller versions of the spiderweb- type equipment, climbing net element at the Crestwood Park structure, permanent corn hole games in the future, shade and seating for adults, and improved sight lines so children can be easily observed from seating areas. E. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. 2020 PRNR Work Plan. Lotthammer provided an updated work plan indicating the April 7 PRNR Commission meeting will be held at the Parks Maintenance building. Members can expect an overview of Parks Maintenance and a presentation on ice rink scheduling concepts. The May PRNR Commission meeting will be held at the Outdoor Center. Staff will discuss improvements planned to the Animal Junction building to make it more useable on a year-round basis. Executed items on the Outdoor Center’s Master Plan will also be revealed. All Commission members and student representatives are invited to the Commission Banquet at 6 p.m. on May 14 in the Garden Room. X. NEXT MEETING The next PRNR Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 6, at 7 p.m. at the Park Maintenance Building. XI. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Spresser moved, seconded by Cervantes, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 9-0. Chair Link adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.