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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 03/07/2022 AGENDA PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION and HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER Heritage Rooms, 8080 Mitchell Road PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS: Patrice Erickson, Chair; Cecilia Cervantes, Vice Chair; Kim Harris, Tom Poul, Ken Ross, Shanti Shah, Kirk Spresser, Ashley Young HP COMMISSION MEMBERS: Pamela Spera, Chair; Valerie Ross, Vice Chair; Robert Bowes, Rod Fisher, George Maxwell, Steven Schumacher, Paul Thorp PRNR STUDENTS: Arie Cohen, Evan Lembke, Aditi Nadkarni, Joey Schommer, Kamal Yusuf, Maria Zeien HP STUDENTS: Joseph Canham, Andrea Porter, Devyn Stanton, Luc Willett CITY STAFF: Jay Lotthammer, Parks & 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 I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA II. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES – February 7, 2022 APPROVAL OF HPC MINUTES – February 28, 2022 (available at meeting) III. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION A. Eden Prairie Cemetery Transfer and Fees B. Donations 1. Elim Shores for Senior Center 2. Eden Prairie Foundation for MLK Words in Action Contest Prizes 3. Humana for Senior Center C. Round Lake Field Award D. Play Structure Replacement Agreement for Prairie East and Wyndham Knoll Parks IV. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION V. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Reader’s Choice Award B. Dorenkemper House VII. OLD BUSINESS A. Flying Red Horse I. REPORTS OF COMMISSION & STAFF A. Parks & Recreation Experiences Share your experiences of past events, park/building visits, news articles, etc. B. Recreation Services Manager No report C. Community Center Manager No Report D. Parks and Natural Resources Manager 1. Historical Properties Updated 2. Birch Island Wood Interpretive Signs E. Parks and Recreation Director 1. Eden Prairie Cemetery Acquisition II. NEXT MEETINGS PRNR: Monday, April 4 at 7 p.m., Heritage Rooms, City Center. Joint meeting with Human Rights and Diversity Commission HPC: Monday, March 21 at 7 p.m., Heritage Rooms, City Center III. ADJOURNMENT UNAPPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2022 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER Heritage Rooms, 8080 Mitchell 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 RECORDING SECRETARY: Jodie Fenske Chair Erickson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Community Center Manager Verley and Commission Members Cervantes, Shah, and Spresser were absent. Student Representatives Nadkarni, Schommer, and Yusuf were absent. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Ross moved, seconded by Harris, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Harris moved, seconded by Young, to approve the December 6, 2021 PRNR Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried 5-0. III. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Lotthammer reported on several actions recently taken by the City Council. A. AGREEMENT WITH USDA FOR DEER MANAGEMENT Council approved the Cooperative Service Agreement for the 2021-22 Deer Management Program with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to manage the City’s deer population. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 7, 2022 Page 2 B. DONATIONS 1. Friends of Birch Island Woods Donation for BIW Improvements. Council adopted a Resolution accepting a donation from the Friends of Birch Island Woods to be used for improvements within the Birch Island Woods Conservation Area. The grassroots organization created in 1998 is dissolving and wishes to transfer its funds to the City in order to continue its work of protecting, restoring, and improving the property. Future plans include an interpretive sign at the trail head recognizing and describing the efforts of the Friends of BIW, as well as a history of the conservation area. 2. Home Instead, Flagstone, SouthWest Transit, and Prairie Bluffs Senior Living Donations to Senior Center. Council adopted Resolutions accepting donations to go toward various special events at the Senior Center: $300 from Home Instead, $250 from Flagstone Senior Living Community, $500 from SouthWest Transit, and $300 from Prairie Bluffs Senior Living. 3. J.A. Price Agency Donation to July 3rd and 4th Hometown Celebration. Council adopted a Resolution accepting a donation in the amount of $1,000 from J.A. Price Agency for the July 3rd and 4th Hometown Celebration. 4. Lions Tap Donation to Various Events. Council adopted a Resolution accepting a donation in the amount of $1,500 from Lions Tap for various City special events. C. NESBITT PRESERVE SPLASH PAD Council authorized entering into a Standard Agreement for Professional Services with WSB & Associates, Inc. for design and plan development for the Nesbitt Preserve splash pad project. The City had contracted with WSB for the conceptual design services for this project in August. Those concept plans have been presented to the PRNR Commission. This most recent approval was needed to take the project to the next step which is to develop construction documents. Lotthammer estimates the project will go out to bid in the next several weeks. D. DECLARATION FOR PROPERTY RESTRICTION FOR ROUND LAKE PARK Council authorized an Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as a condition of a grant agreement for Round Lake Park. Lotthammer explained the City recently received a grant from the DNR for EAB PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 7, 2022 Page 3 (Emerald Ash Borer) removal. The grant agreement states the City must declare the property will be used and kept as public property. Round Lake Park had previously been declared as such when other Federal and States grants were received in the past. E. BALLFIELD LEASE AND GARDEN LEASE WITH MAC Council authorized one-year leases with the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) for both the Flying Cloud ballfields and the Community garden plots near the airport. F. AGREEMENT WITH MICHAEL MCGLAUGHLIN FOR PUBLIC ART AT ELEVATE Council authorized an agreement with Michael McGlaughlin for the construction and installation of a public art sculpture at the Elevate apartment complex at Southwest Station. Part of the Elevate development agreement included a requirement that $40,000 goes toward public art at the complex. Staff on a committee worked to select an artist and type of art. The agreement with the artist is with the City but funded by Elevate. G. APPOINTMENT OF ASSISTANT WEED INSPECTOR By State statute, the mayor of each city in the State is designated as the primary Weed Inspector. The Council appointed Lauren Stufft, Forestry Technician, as Assistant Weed Inspector. H. ROUND LAKE PARK BUILDING UPDATE Lotthammer presented an update on the Round Lake Park building to the City Council at its January 18, 2022 meeting. His presentation included information on the status of design and concept plans, likely pricing, and an updated timeline. IV. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION A. BLUE STEM NORTH APARTMENT COMPLEX Bourne reported the Planning Commission recently recommended moving forward with the Blue Stem North apartment building complex in the golden triangle area, near the LRT station. The complex will be built in phases, with the first phase being approximately 230 units and the second phase approximately 190 units. Part of the recommendation is for trail connections to be made into the LRT station. The developer will remove a currently dilapidated boardwalk and donate land for wetland protection. V. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, AND COMMUNICATION PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 7, 2022 Page 4 VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. OLD BUSINESS A. EDEN PRAIRIE CEMETERY UPDATE Lotthammer introduced Mike Rogers and thanked him, his family, and partners on the Eden Prairie Cemetery Board for caring for and managing the Eden Prairie Cemetery for many years. Mr. Rogers stated he and his family members have managed the operation of the cemetery over several generations. City staff members have been reviewing a proposal from the Eden Prairie Cemetery Board to transfer ownership of the cemetery to the City. Lotthammer displayed a PowerPoint presentation and provided an overview of the proposal, comparison to the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, due diligence and financial implications, and potential next steps for transfer. He reminded the Commission the City has experience operating the Pleasant Hill Cemetery for many years. The information in his presentation and input received from the PRNR Commission will be presented to the City Council on Tuesday, February 8. The Eden Prairie Cemetery was established in 1865 and Articles of Incorporation were filed in 1967. Lotthammer noted different rules for historic cemeteries such as this cemetery need to be taken into consideration. On November 13, 2021, thirty-three members of the Eden Prairie Cemetery Board met and unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the transfer to the City of Eden Prairie. After a due diligence review, the City Attorney is comfortable with the processes the Eden Prairie Cemetery Board has taken. Documents reviewed include a site map, policies, financial documents, Transfer Resolution, and land history/potential encumbrances. Lotthammer noted excellent recordkeeping on the part of the Eden Prairie Cemetery Board. Lotthammer provided a comparison of land and plot availability between the Eden Prairie Cemetery and the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. The Eden Prairie Cemetery is larger in land mass and has more openings for grave sales. Pleasant Hill Cemetery has only seventeen plots available for sale. However, it has the recently built columbarium availability. Past and future financial performance of the Eden Prairie Cemetery were reviewed from 2018 to 2021 and presented to the Commission. Lotthammer noted the importance of presenting accurate financial information to the Council for their decision-making process. Key financial performance items include water charges, capital improvement projects, economies of scale, and in-house expertise. Previous annual water charges of $5,000-$6,000 would not be charged once the City would take PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 7, 2022 Page 5 ownership. Prior years included capital improvement projects which have increased the lifespan of the cemetery, and no additional improvements are anticipated in the near future. Economies of scale and efficiencies to positively impact future costs include mowing, administrative time, and snow plowing. In-house expertise for irrigation and turf management will also positively impact future cost savings. Positive performance is projected to be $5,000-$15,000 per year which will allow for an increased fund balance for repairs and improvements in the future. Lotthammer stated polices and pricing will be reviewed and slightly modified where practical. The increased workload has been addressed in the City’s operating budget. Transfer of ownership to the City will eliminate confusion for the public to include one contact point and website information for both cemeteries. An additional implication is the long-term care, protection, and preservation of the cemetery which the City will ensure, whereas another entity may not do so and/or may have more profit in mind. Lotthammer stated reasonableness of fees is important to the City. Potential next steps include the City Council passing a Resolution accepting the transfer at its February 8, 2022 meeting. Transfer of ownership and funds could take place in February and the City could begin operation of the cemetery in March. Lotthammer invited the Commission to ask questions and share comments to be presented to the Council. Poul inquired about screening in the cemetery, in terms of trees or fencing. Lotthammer responded trees have been added to the neighborhood side of the cemetery, but he is not aware of any additional screening plans. Mike Rogers stated several years ago there was a line of trees removed along the front of the cemetery due to the widening of Highway 4 to four lanes. The highway was raised eight feet in front of the cemetery causing water drainage issues. The southeast section of the cemetery began to pond water making that section unusable. Most of the cemetery’s maintenance fund has been used in recent years to repair that section and other drainage issues in the cemetery. The decision was made by the Eden Prairie Cemetery Board to plant trees and perform the needed improvements in order to bring the cemetery to its best possible condition before transferring it to the City. Chair Erickson thanked Mr. Rogers for his care of the cemetery in the past and assured him it will be in good hands with City staff in the future. Commission Member Ross stated the importance of providing an affordable option for residents and he is in favor of the City acquiring the cemetery. He fears a private firm purchasing it and charging extremely high prices for profit. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 7, 2022 Page 6 Lotthammer finished his presentation by stating feedback from the Council up to this point has been positive about accepting the proposal to transfer ownership and he anticipates Council approval on February 8. VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. PARKS AND RECREATION EXPERIENCES Staff and Commission members shared recent experiences with City parks and recreation programs. Young stated her children enjoy the Staring Lake sledding hill and new warming house while she and her husband use the counters inside to work. Mike Rogers shared a story from the Eden Prairie Cemetery last fall. As a lady was choosing a grave site closest to the flag because her loved one was a Veteran, an eagle landed on the flagpole. Chair Erickson provided a presentation of 2021 accomplishments to the Council at its Workshop on January 18. She commended Staff, Commission members, and student representatives for their hard work over the past year. B. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER 1. Winter Blast. Brink stated the Winter Blast event was successfully held on January 8 at Staring Lake Park. Although slightly windy, it was a nice day resulting in an attendance turnout more than expected. The Eden Prairie Police Department was onsite to assist with traffic and parking. Free equipment rental included ice skates, kicksleds, and snowshoes. Outdoor Center staff were onsite to teach about winter in Minnesota including displays of nature and wildlife. Art Center staff led art projects to take home. Brink added a highlight was a photo opportunity with Elsa and Anna from the Disney movie, Frozen. A disc jockey provided music for skaters on the oval. Waffles were available for purchase from the YouniverseFoodie food truck. 2. Job Fair. . A Parks and Recreation part-time job fair was held on Monday, January 17, which was Martin Luther King Day so there was no school. The job fair was held in person at the Community Center but also had an online presence. Brink proudly shared the job fair netted twenty-nine applicants over the following days, and at least one application was received for each position advertised. Management attended the event, as well as college students, lifeguards and swim instructors who shared their experiences working for the City. C. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 7, 2022 Page 7 D. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER 1. Deer Management Plan. Bourne provided an annual update on the City’s Deer Management Plan, including the program’s history 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, artificial feeding, and lethal versus non-lethal abatement. After months of meetings and discussions, the committee presented a formal deer study report to the City Council in 1994 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. 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. Annual aerial surveys are performed in partnership with Three Rivers Park District. An aerial survey taken on March 7, 2019 found 242 deer. Thirty- four deer were subsequently removed in the winter of 2019-20. An aerial survey taken on January 21, 2020 found 260 deer. Sixty-three deer were subsequently removed in the winter of 2020-21. The most recent survey taken on January 27, 2022 found 278 deer. A permit was received to remove fifty deer in the winter of 2021-22. No aerial survey was performed in 2021 due to Covid-19. Poul inquired if wildlife management is performed for other animals, specifically turkeys. Bourne responded the USDA performs turkey removals for the City on a complaint basis. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 7, 2022 Page 8 2. Playground Replacement. Bourne displayed several presentation boards illustrating playground equipment proposals for Wyndham Knoll Park and Prairie East Park as they are both scheduled for replacement. Staff members have reviewed several proposals and narrowed down the choices to three proposals which were reviewed by the Commission. Input received will be taken back to the vendors for their final proposals and costs. Lotthammer interjected climbing equipment remains popular, shade options are important, and second stories are appealing. Bourne invited input from Commission members. Ross inquired and Bourne responded one vendor will be chosen for both parks since the City receives a discount for purchasing in volume. He added all vendors were given a budget and the proposals presented are within that budget. Bourne will confirm dates of equipment delivery once orders are placed and staff will not remove any existing equipment until delivery timing is determined. Student Representative Cohen inquired about playground flooring surface options. Bourne responded product used is dictated by safety standards, and usually wood chips or rubber surfacing are approved. Although wood chips are more cost effective, larger parks have rubber surfacing due to their increased use. Bourne stated ten or more City parks per year have wood chips added. In addition, full-time staff are designated to do safety checks in the summer to ensure sufficient wood chips are in place in all areas. Lotthammer stated the next step is to present final proposals to Council for approval at its March 1 meeting. Equipment orders will then be placed to ensure installation by fall 2022. E. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. Parks and Recreation Department Work Plan 2021. Lotthammer commended Chair Erickson’s presentation of PRNR Commission 2021 accomplishments to the City Council at its Workshop on January 18. He displayed a similar presentation to the Commission and reviewed the items by quarter. First quarter Commission accomplishments included receiving a staff overview of the Deer Management Plan, a progress update on the Riley Lake Park play area, an overview of programming areas in special events and youth and adult athletics, and a review and opportunity to provide input on sports trends. The Commission also held a joint meeting with the Heritage Preservation Commission, during which both Commissions received a presentation on the status of historical properties, a status update on the Flying Red Horse sign, a presentation on the Yorkville and PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES February 7, 2022 Page 9 Bloomington Road Preservation Plan, and an overview of the Staring Lake Park interpretive signs. During the second quarter of 2021, the Commission reviewed the 2020 annual report, discussed Quality of Life survey results, learned of a bike park concept, and reviewed plans for Senior Center building improvements. Quarter three accomplishments included receiving an LRT update, an overview of the progress of park projects, and a presentation on a potential ice rink partnership. The Commission participated in a Parks and Recreation Master Plan exercise and reviewed public art installations. Tours for the Commission included the Senior Center, Pioneer Park, Staring Lake Amphitheater, Purgatory Creek Park, Town Center LRT Station, Smetana Lake Park, Golden Triangle LRT Station, Miller Park, and the Parks Maintenance building. The PRNR Commission also met with the Sustainability Commission and reviewed sustainability best practices, the Urban Forestry Master Plan, and learned about the Sterling Tree USA Award the City received. Fourth quarter 2021 accomplishments included a review of plans for the Nesbitt Preserve Park splash pad, a presentation of Community Center operations, and reviews of the progress of the Riley Lake Park play area, plans for the Round Lake Park building, and progress made on the Pedestrian and Bike Master Plan. The Commission also learned about staff recruiting strategies and new full-time staff members. 2. PRNR Work Plan. Lotthammer shared an updated 2022 work plan and invited Commission members and Student representatives to contact him with additional topics for future meetings. The March meeting will be a joint meeting with the Heritage Preservation Commission and topics will likely include updates on historic properties, the Flying Red Horse sign, and Birch Island Woods interpretive signs. IX. NEXT MEETING The next PRNR Commission meeting will be held on Monday, March 7, at 7 p.m., in the Heritage Rooms at City Center. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Ross moved, seconded by Poul, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Chair Erickson adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Updated February 8, 2022 Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission 2022 Important Dates / Work Plan Day, Date Time Location Group Focus Monday, Jan 3 7 pm Heritage Rooms PRNR Meeting Canceled Tuesday, Jan 18 5 pm Heritage Rooms Council Workshop Update by Chair Monday, Feb 7 7 pm Heritage Rooms PRNR Meeting Eden Prairie Cemetery, Deer Management, Playground Replacement, P&R Dept Work Plan Monday, Mar 7 7 pm Heritage Rooms PRNR & Heritage Preservation Meeting Reader’s Choice Awards, Historic Properties Update, Flying Red Horse, Birch Island Woods Interpretive Signs Monday, Apr 4 7 pm Heritage Rooms PRNR & Human Rights and Diversity Community based programming, Therapeutic Recreation, Seasonal Hiring/Training, Kindness Campaign Monday, May 2 7 pm Senior Center PRNR Meeting 2021 Annual Report, Senior Center Overview EAB Update, Forestry Staff Updates Thursday, May 12 6 pm Garden Room Banquet Board & Commission Banquet. All commission members and students invited. Monday, June 6 7 pm Outdoor Center PRNR Meeting Outdoor Center Overview Monday, July 11 6:30 pm Heritage Rooms Bus Tour Bus Tour Monday, Aug 1 7 pm Heritage Rooms PRNR Meeting Monday, Sept 12 7 pm Heritage Rooms PRNR Meeting EP Players, Community Band Monday, Oct 3 7 pm Staring Lake Bldg PRNR Meeting Facility Rentals Monday, Nov 7 7 pm Heritage Rooms PRNR Meeting Membership Update Monday, Dec 5 7 pm Heritage Rooms PRNR Meeting