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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 11/01/2021APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2021 7:00 P.M. COMMUNITY CENTER Aquatics Room 110, 16700 Valley View Road PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS: Patrice Erickson, Chair; Cecilia Cervantes, Vice Chair; Kim Harris, Tom Poul, Ken Ross, Shanti Shah, Kirk Spresser, Ashley Young PRNR STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Arie Cohen, Evan Lembke, Aditi Nadkarni, Joey Schommer, Kamal Yusuf, Maria Zeien CITY STAFF: Jay Lotthammer, Parks and Recreation Director Lori Brink, Recreation Manager Matt Bourne, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Valerie Verley, Community Center Manager Andrea Kalligher, Customer Experience Supervisor RECORDING SECRETARY: Jodie Fenske An optional Community Center building tour was offered at 6:30 p.m. Chair Erickson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. All Commission and Staff members were present. Student Commission Members Aditi Nadkarni and Kamal Yusuf were absent. I. INTRODUCTION OF STUDENTS All Staff, Commission Members, and Student Representatives introduced themselves. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Cervantes moved, seconded by Poul, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 8-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Young moved, seconded by Poul, to approve the September 13, 2021 PRNR Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried 8-0. IV. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Lotthammer reported on several actions recently taken by the City Council. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES November 1, 2021 Page 2 A. ANONYMOUS DONATION TOWARD SENIOR CENTER REMODEL Council adopted a Resolution accepting a donation in the amount of $4,000 from an anonymous donor to help fund the Senior Center remodel project. The current funding source is through donations and this is the third donation received. It is anticipated the first phase of the project, which is the upper level, will begin mid- December and be completed by February 2022. B. DONATIONS TOWARD ANNUAL TREE SALE Council adopted Resolutions accepting donations in the amount of $1,000 from the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District and $5,000 from the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District to go toward purchasing trees for the annual tree sale. For the past two years, the City has held a tree sale in the spring during which residents have the opportunity to purchase trees at a discounted price to plant on private property. City staff selects tree species native to the area but are not typically planted by private homeowners. This helps increase the diversity of tree species within the City and can help limit the devastation of invasive species. C. PRESENTATION OF URBAN FORESTRY MANAGEMENT PLAN Parks and Natural Resources Manager Matt Bourne and Forestry and Natural Resources Specialist Lauren Stufft presented the Urban Forestry Management Plan to the City Council. This Plan was presented to the PRNR Commission at its September 13, 2021 meeting. The goals and practices outlined in this document increase the safety and general welfare of the urban forest while also improving the user experience of the park system. Lotthammer noted Council was impressed by how much work has been done and the thoughtful process that has gone into developing the Plan. Next steps include publication of this document to spread awareness to the citizens of Eden Prairie on urban forestry issues our community faces and to highlight what the City of Eden Prairie is doing to address these issues. D. ART THERAPY PROGRAM FOR FRONTLINE WORKERS At the September 21, 2021 City Council Meeting, council members discussed the benefits of offering art therapy opportunities to assist and recognize frontline workers. Recreation Manager Lori Brink and Arts and Events Supervisor Jes Schrom have conducted research and met with local experts to determine an approach to meet this need. Their findings were presented to the Council at its October 26, 2021 meeting. Council feels financial support will be available for community members to receive exposure to and potential healing from this program. Staff from the Eden Prairie Fire Department have indicated willingness to test the program and provide input. Lotthammer will overview the continued research and suggest next steps for implementation. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES November 1, 2021 Page 3 V. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION Bourne reported plans for a new grocery store were recently recommended for approval by the Planning Commission. The store, which will be located at the southwest corner of Flying Cloud Drive and Prairie Center Drive, is being called the Flying Cloud Commons Grocery Store while the store’s owner and name are being kept secret for the timebeing. Bourne stated the Lakewinds grocery store originally planned failed to materialize. VI. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, AND COMMUNICATION VII. NEW BUSINESS VIII. OLD BUSINESS IX. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. PARKS AND RECREATION EXPERIENCES Staff and Commission members shared recent experiences with City parks and recreation programs. Student Representatives Cohen and Lembke enjoy hiking at the Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area and Riley Lake Park. Commission Member Ross’ wife volunteered at the City’s Harvest to Halloween at the Barn event held on October 16 at Riley Lake Park. He noted parking appeared to be an issue with many vehicles illegally parked in the area. Lotthammer and Brink reported the annual event has not been heavily attended in the past. However, this year the free event was rebranded and attended by approximately thirty-five hundred participants on a beautiful fall day. Parks and Recreation staff met with Eden Prairie Police Department public safety personnel to discuss the parking situation for next year. Discussions included spreading out arrival times and/or arranging for shuttle parking at Grace Church. Ross attended the Citywide Open House and noted it was an enjoyable, well-run event. Commission Member Cervantes recently organized an outdoor potluck gathering for forty people at Staring Lake Park. Although a facility was not rented for the event, the group was able to convene at five tables adjacent to the building. B. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES November 1, 2021 Page 4 C. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER 1. Community Center Operations. Community Center Manager Verley introduced Andrea Kalligher who is the Supervisor of Customer Experiences and Youth Services. With the assistance of their PowerPoint presentation, they provided the Commission a recap of Community Center membership before and during COVID, as well as post-pandemic forecasts. In 2019, there were approximately 2,400 monthly and annual memberships (4,300 members). Memberships dropped to 1,200 (2,100 members) by the end of 2020 with the December COVID surge causing even more cancelations. In January 2021, there were 1,165 memberships (1,967 members) and membership currently stands at 1,535 memberships (2,818 members). These figures represent an increase of 24 percent from this time last year and the most members since June 2020 when the Community Center re- opened and membership was free due to the pandemic. Kalligher commented the increase in memberships indicates people are feeling safer and families are coming back to the Community Center. A graph was displayed illustrating the number of members in 2020 and 2021. Verley stated visits were impacted positively by programming changes made and negatively by COVID surges and the second facility closure in 2020. She noted visits are still impacted by users’ comfort levels and hard realities of the pandemic. Staffing shortages remain the top challenge for management. Recruitment and retention strategies are continually discussed. Management strives to continue providing a safe and welcoming atmosphere for visitors, as well as for employees. Plexi-glass has been installed at the front desk, masks are optional for staff, and cleaning protocols are still in place. De-escalation training has been provided to employees to assist in handling emotional outbursts by visitors. Some programs and amenities (Fit Kids Club, birthday parties, Tot Time) are currently not being offered and play care hours are limited. Spresser suggested shortening facility hours so fewer shifts need to be covered per day. Verley commented that tactic has been discussed; however, user input indicates patrons want longer hours. Student Representative Arie Cohen suggested advertising safety protocols that are in place in order to make parents more comfortable with bringing their children for child care. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES November 1, 2021 Page 5 Strategies for increasing staffing include attendance at the Eden Prairie High School Career Fair, sponsored Facebook posts, development of a Parks and Recreation career fair, and advertisements in monthly member news, the outdoor marquee, and in the Community Center lobby. Spresser suggested advertising at the Senior Center. Young suggested employee incentives could include discounts on play care and children’s programming. Competitive adjustments to new and existing employee wages were made after a pay rate market analysis was performed. Verley and Kalligher presented strategies and actions being taken for membership recruitment. A free enrollment period was offered from October 9-17. Coupons for free enrollment were offered to participants during Fitness in the Parks classes during the month of August. Member versus non-member pricing was adjusted as further enticement to become a member. Outreach program offerings were increased and include bunny yoga, Bend and Brew (beer yoga) with Fat Pants Brewing, and an Indoor triathlon modified during COVID. Spresser suggested that after COVID, Staff contact members who have not returned with direct mail and phone calls with a “best offer/never offered before” enticement. It would be important to make it clear this offer is only for them as a thank-you for being a long-term member. Membership recruitment and improvements include the addition of Renew Active (United Healthcare) and One Pass (Medica) programs, mind/body classes now included with membership, and continuation of the virtual membership developed in November 2020. The membership enrollment fee has been decreased to $20 and the membership suspension option has been eliminated resulting in cost savings due to staff processing time. The annual membership rate increase letter will be distributed soon announcing 2022 membership rates will increase ten percent. It is important to note rates had been reduced by twenty percent due to some amenities not being available during the pandemic. Verley and Kalligher finished their presentation describing highlights of the newly developed 2021 free enrollment period. Historically, free enrollment was only offered on one day per year. The eight days of membership recruitment resulted in 141 new memberships (299 new members). D. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER Bourne provided updates on the following improvement projects. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES November 1, 2021 Page 6 1. Riley Lake Play Area. Bourne displayed a site map and photographs of the improvements currently being made at Riley Lake Park. Main goals of this project are to replace the playground equipment and to improve overall circulation in the park. An outdoor kitchen area has been added near the pavilion and additional Adirondack seating and shade structures have been installed. The first few pieces of playground equipment are in place. Shipping issues have caused a delay in the remaining equipment pieces, as well as some benches and shade umbrellas. Bourne expects all equipment and amenities to be completed by next spring, at which time a grand re-opening event will be held. Sod has been installed and trails and sidewalks are completed. 2. Round Lake Park Building. Bourne stated Parks and Recreation and Facilities staff members are currently working with an architect for complete reconstruction of the building at Round Lake Park. Main goals of this project include having a separate group rental area from the warming house and to take advantage of views of the lake. Concept plans include a large warming room and separate community rental space, bathrooms accessible from inside and outside, changing rooms for splash pad use, and family restrooms. The building size will be similar to the new Staring Lake Park building but will have a different appearance and include modern garage doors for indoor/outdoor space. A kitchenette area will be available for community rentals. Bourne estimates the project will likely start right after the 4th of July Hometown Celebration and be completed by winter to coincide with the opening of the outdoor ice rink. 3. Nesbitt Preserve Splash Pad. The City’s third splash pad will be installed next spring and will be located in Nesbitt Preserve Park. The location is ideal as it has lots of open space, new playground equipment was recently installed, and the parking lot can handle increased use. Trails and sidewalks will be added to increase circulation within the park. Seating areas and shade structures will be installed. The size and scope of the splash pad will be similar to the splash pad at Miller Park. Brink added many immigrants without swim or water safety experience reside in that quadrant of the City, so the pop-up splash pad experiences in the past have drawn large crowds. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES November 1, 2021 Page 7 E. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. PRNR Work Plan. Lotthammer shared the updated 2021 work plan and invited Commission members to contact him with additional topics for December and future meetings. December PRNR topics will include the Pedestrian and Bike Master Plan, staffing updates, and budget highlights. X. NEXT MEETING The next PRNR Commission meeting will be held on Monday, December 6 at 7 p.m., in the Heritage Rooms at City Center. XI. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Spresser moved, seconded by Poul, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 8-0. Chair Erickson adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.