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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 10/02/2023APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2023 7:00 P.M. ROOM 110, AQUATICS CENTER Community Center, 16700 Valley View Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Patrice Erickson, Chair; Tom Poul, Vice Chair; Sarat Atluru, Deepa Bhujle, Cecilia Cervantes, Pedro Curry, Duane Hookom, Annie Klodd, Shanti Shah, Ashley Young PRNR STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Vaikunth Ananthanarayanan, Jasmine Berry, Jessica Fang, Rohil Garg, Andrew Ginder, Jake Heimkes, Sydney Ishaug, Siona Kaura, Aiden Rice, Sophia Strehl CITY STAFF: Jay Lotthammer, Parks and Recreation Director Lori Brink, Recreation Manager Matt Bourne, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Valerie Verley, Community Center Manager Nick Remmes, Aquatics Supervisor RECORDING SECRETARY: Jodie Fenske Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer and Parks and Natural Resources Manager Matt Bourne provided a tour of the new Round Lake Park building at 7:00 p.m. The official PRNR Commission meeting followed at the Aquatics Center at 7:30 p.m. Chair Erickson called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Commission Members Atluru, Cervantes, Curry, and Shah were absent. Student Representative Jessica Fang was absent. Eden Prairie resident Steven Clifton was in attendance. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Commission Member Bhujle moved, seconded by Commission Member Young, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 6-0. II. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES Motion: Vice Chair Poul moved, seconded by Commission Member Hookom, to approve the August 7, 2023 and September 18, 2023 PRNR Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried 6-0. III. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Lotthammer reported on several actions recently taken by the City Council. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES October 2, 2023 Page 2 A. DONATIONS 1. Council adopted a Resolution accepting a donation in the amount of $1,500 from American Legion Post 580 to be used for a lathe for the Senior Center woodshop. 2. Council adopted a Resolution accepting a donation in the amount of $5,000 from the Eden Prairie Crime Prevention Fund (which they received from Comcast) to be used toward the annual Safety Camp. 3. Council adopted a Resolution accepting a donation in the amount of $250 from Gassen Company for the Senior Center Golf Classic. 4. Council adopted a Resolution accepting donations in the amount of $250 from the Prairie School of Dance and $250 from New Horizon Academy to be put toward August 2024 Movies in the Park. 5. Council adopted a Resolution accepting a donation in the amount of $250 from Elite Spine Chiropractic for the Fall into Fitness event. 6. Council adopted a Resolution accepting a donation in the amount of $465 from the family of Charlotte Bruening to be used toward the maintenance of the Senior Center garden area. Charlotte, a long-time resident and Senior Center participant, was instrumental in creating the garden area in the back of the Senior Center. B. VIKING DRIVE EASEMENTS AND VALLEY VIEW ROAD EASEMENT AGREEMENT Lotthammer stated Parks and Natural Resources Manager Bourne was able to negotiate easements from property owners to allow trails to continue along Viking Drive. Council approved temporary construction easements and permanent trail easements at 10100 and 10340 Viking Drive and 10400 Viking Drive. The City will construct an eight-foot trail on Viking Drive from the Shutterfly property to Golden Triangle Drive. C. OUTDOOR CENTER FISHING PIER Council adopted a resolution approving an agreement with the Department of Natural Resources for the replacement of the fishing pier at Staring Lake Outdoor Center. Funding for the new fishing pier is being provided by the State of Minnesota, covering 100 percent of the cost to construct and deliver the fishing pier. Installation and ongoing maintenance of the new pier will be the PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES October 2, 2023 Page 3 responsibility of the City of Eden Prairie. Removal and disposal of the old fishing pier will also be the responsibility of the City. The criteria considered in selecting this pier for replacement included the pier’s age, history of rehabilitation, current condition, and ADA accessibility. The existing fishing pier was installed in 1988 and had some rehabilitation work done in 2009 but has now reached the end of its useful life. The pier replacement will take place in spring 2024. D. PIONEER PARK HARDCOURTS REHABILITATION Council authorized entering into a Standard Agreement for construction services with DMJ Asphalt Inc. for rehabilitation and replacement of tennis and pickleball courts at Pioneer Park, which is expected to be installed yet this fall. E. TOWN CENTER PLAZA LANDSCAPING Council accepted proposals and approved an agreement with Cedar Ridge Landscaping, Inc. for the installation of landscaping in the Town Center Plaza landscape beds and planters. This improvement is funded through Community Development as an enhancement to the Southwest Light Rail Transit project. Public Works will maintain the plantings. F. PLAYGROUND SAFETY SURFACING Council awarded a Contract for purchase and installation of playground safety surfacing at Round Lake Park and Willow Park playgrounds. IV. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION Bourne reported a recent Planning Commission meeting focused on a five single-family-home subdivision proposed near Crestwood Park. A portion of the development leads down to the Riley Creek Conservation Area. A large portion of property was deeded to the City which will allow extension of nature trails. V. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, AND COMMUNICATION A. AQUATICS UPDATE Lotthammer introduced Aquatics Supervisor Nick Remmes who previously worked in the Aquatics Department at the age of fifteen throughout high school. After obtaining his educational degrees, he is back working at the City in his current position as Aquatics Supervisor. Community Center Manager Verley added Nick has been in his position for just over a year and has already implemented many positive changes. Remmes provided the Commission with a walking tour throughout the Aquatics facility. He explained the different areas and pools and the different equipment in, PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES October 2, 2023 Page 4 and users of, those areas. Following are some of the highlights of the tour. The Minnesota Rippers Diving Academy has recently begun renting space in the dive pool for their youth diving program. With funds awarded through a Hennepin County grant, new back (spine) boards were purchased which will be used for training and in the event of an emergency rescue. Events and swim lessons in the recreation pool fill almost immediately upon opening of registration. Over one thousand group swim lessons and seven hundred private lessons have been given so far in 2023. The City has been recognized as a top producer in the country by the American Red Cross for certifying participants in their babysitter’s training, basic water safety, CPR, lifeguarding, and wilderness and remote first aid programs. The City is one of the few employers in the area who provide paid lifeguard certification to employees. Birthday parties in the pool remain popular. Remmes introduced a recent improvement of providing exclusive use of the recreation pool during birthday parties. With funds awarded through a Hennepin County grant, support staff wage increases are able to be provided over the next three years which will assist with recruitment and retention of part-time staff. New CPR training equipment and lifeguard chairs were almost purchased with the grant funds. Over thirty thousand visits have been made during open swim times so far in 2023. A women-only swim time is offered twice a month and sensory-friendly open swim times are offered with no jets running or music playing in the pool area. Remmes concluded his presentation by mentioning a few goals for 2024. The Aquatics facility will host the 10 and Under State meet and a Special Olympics regional competition. A Battleship-type team competition will likely be introduced. Digital scheduling will be implemented to include a Google calendar with real-time updates. B. SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS Community Center Manager Verley, Recreation Manager Brink, and Parks and Natural Resources Manager Bourne provided a presentation on summer events, programming, and project highlights. Verley explained a Party for PRIDE was a new event held this summer at Staring Lake Park that included fitness classes and culminated in a dance party. Partners including Nothing Bundt Cake, Athleta, and Scheels assisted with financial support and giveaways. Over two hundred people attended and she received great feedback and support from the community. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES October 2, 2023 Page 5 The ninth year of Fitness in the parks recently ended after beginning in mid-June. Most of the classes were offered at Staring Lake Park; and Pound and Zumba were the most popular classes. Attendance was slightly impacted by high temperatures and air quality, but the program was still highly successful. Brink stated the annual Hometown Celebration was held with Sparklefest on July 3rd and traditional music, food, and fireworks on July 4th. Due to the Round Lake Building construction, the concert was held on a nearby field. Positive feedback was received, so the concert will likely be held in the field in the future. Record attendance was reached again this year. The Starring at Staring concert series was held three times per week throughout the summer, culminating with the Friday night movies in August. Arts in the Park was held on Saturday, August 19. The City received double the number of applicants from recent years and accepted double the number of artists. Brink received positive feedback from artists and the community after the annual event. PeopleFest, a weeklong celebration of the many cultures making up Eden Prairie, included lectures, classes, field trips, and performances. The celebration culminated in a party on July 30 at Staring Lake Park. The Eden Prairie Players’ annual outdoor summer musical was Addams Family. The KidStock children’s series included science experiments this year, in addition to the typical music concerts. Events at the Senior Center included the Golf Classic in August with over sixty golfers participating at Dahlgren Golf Club in Chaska. The annual Senior Center Garden Party included a bracket-style competition of minnow races this year. Youth programming included a Twins game for the adaptive camp participants. A community cricket night was held to educate and build awareness and support for the sport of cricket. Summer camps provided two hundred seventy-four camp opportunities at a variety of locations including playgrounds, the Art Center, the Outdoor Center, the Community Center, and Riley Lake Park. Sixty-three counselors were hired and trained for the summer. Adult athletic teams and programs continued even though league officials are hard to find. Brink stated officials are the lifeline of the leagues so adaptations have been made. Free equipment kits continue to be offered to increase accessibility and outreach. Pickleball, disc golf, and tennis equipment (adult and children’s sizes) can be checked out for three days at the Community Center. Bourne stated forestry staff were busy cleaning up storm-damaged trees and performing ongoing EAB (Emerald Ash Borer) and Oak Wilt treatments and removals. Winter work will be completed with the assistance of horticulture and forestry interns, as well as Green Corps and Climate Corps members. Park PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES October 2, 2023 Page 6 maintenance staff continue to maintain athletic fields for the use of youth and adults. Bourne continues to receive praise on field quality and conditions from the user associations. Staff also completed a drainage project on two fields to enhance the conditions. Park construction projects included the Round Lake Park building and the Nesbitt Preserve Park splash pad. An athletic association storage building was built at Miller Park. The City paid for the construction and the associations will lease the space back to cover funding. The second phase of the Miller Park ballfield light conversion was completed which consisted of an upgrade and online control system installation on four softball fields. Park amenity upgrades included painting of the Round Lake Park pavilion and drinking fountain upgrades throughout all City parks. Park landscape projects included improving the cemetery entrance sign at the Eden Prairie Cemetery and enhanced landscaping at the Community Center and Senior Center, and planters at Towne Center. Commission Member Hookom inquired and Bourne responded that the responsibility of lake quality is a partnership with the City and the watershed districts. Commission Member Klodd inquired about irrigation and drought water conservation practices. Bourne stated he will provide a presentation in the future about the City’s practices. Student Representative Sophia Strehl inquired about reasons why Round Lake failed water tests this summer. Bourne responded long periods of no rain results in stagnant water which in turn causes increased bacteria. This same issue has occurred for the past three years, and the City continues to work with Hennepin County. Commission Member Bhujle inquired about the geese management program. Bourne responded that geese droppings can cause E. Coli issues, so the City hires a contractor to retrieve and remove geese. VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. OLD BUSINESS VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER B. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER C. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES October 2, 2023 Page 7 1. Miller Park Indoor Court Facility. Lotthammer reported he has spoken briefly at two Council workshops regarding the proposed Miller Park indoor versus outdoor court facility. He was recently requested to speak to the history and culture of pickleball in Eden Prairie. He explained how a few courts were placed within the City, followed by permanent courts at Franlo Park and Staring Lake Park as demand for pickleball courts has increased over the years. He explained the cultures of pickleball vary based on different opinions of how to play, varying competition levels, and some players not behaving well with others. Lotthammer explained to the Council that no matter which decision is made regarding an indoor or outdoor court, there will be players within the pickleball community who will disagree with the decision. If an outdoor concept were to be built at Miller Park, it would likely be similar to the Staring Lake Park courts and cost approximately $2 million to $3 million to build. If an indoor facility were to be built, it would likely cost approximately $13 million to build. In reality, the indoor facility would be cheaper because revenue would be charged for its use to offset the cost and sustain itself. No revenue is generated from the outdoor courts. The Council would like additional details regarding how the indoor courts would pay for themselves. The City Manager will decide on an appropriate time for the concept to be brought back to the Council in the future as it needs to fit into the workshop schedule. D. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. Commission Schedule. Lotthammer stated Amy Markle will be introduced as the new Parks and Recreation Director at the November PRNR meeting and an update on Fitness will likely be provided. Updates on the Community Center ice arenas and concessions area are expected at the December meeting. E. PARKS AND RECREATION EXPERIENCES IX. FAREWELL JAY LOTTHAMMER Lotthammer thanked the Commission and stated attending Commission meetings and training the new student representatives have consistently provided him faith in humanity and vows of making the community better. He believes quality people get involved with commissions like the PRNR Commission. He appreciates the support of current and past Commission members for their time, input, and efforts of building a better community. He stated he has been surrounded by talented professionals and good people over his 16 and one-half years with the City. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES October 2, 2023 Page 8 Chair Erickson commended Lotthammer’s accomplishments. She thanked him for his leadership and stated the City has been lucky to have him in his role. Other Commission members also shared commendations and sentiments of appreciation and thanks. X. NEXT MEETING The next PRNR Commission meeting will be held on Monday, November 6, at 7:00 p.m., in the Cambria Room of the Community Center. XI. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Commission Member Bhujle moved, seconded by Commission Member Hookom, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. Chair Erickson adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m.