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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRNR Commission - 06/03/2024AGENDA PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, JUNE 3, 2024 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER 8080 Mitchell Road PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS: Patrice Erickson, Chair; Tom Poul, Vice Chair; Sarat Atluru, Deepa Bhujle, Cecilia Cervantes, Pedro Curry, Duane Hookom, Annie Klodd, Shanti Shah, Jennifer Meyer, Kirk Spresser PRNR STUDENT REPRES.: Vaikunth Ananthanarayanan, Jasmine Berry, Jessica Fang, Rohil Garg, Andrew Ginder, Jake Heimkes, Sydney Ishaug, Siona Kaura, Aiden Rice, Sophia Strehl CITY STAFF: Amy Markle, Parks & Recreation Director Lori Brink, Recreation Manager Matt Bourne, Parks & Natural Resources Manager Valerie Verley, Community Center Manager Karli Wittner, Forestry and Nat. Resources Supervisor RECORDING SECRETARY: Jodie Fenske I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA II. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES – April 1, 2024 III. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION IV. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION V. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. OLD BUSINESS VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION & STAFF A. Recreation Services Manager 1. Summer Programming and Events Update B. Community Center Manager 1. C. Parks and Natural Resources Manager 1. Friends of Eden Prairie Parks (Karli Wittner) 2. Summer Construction Update D. Parks and Recreation Director 1. Government Academy Follow-up 2. July Bus Tour E. Parks & Recreation Experiences Share your experiences of past events, park/building visits, news articles, etc. IX. NEXT MEETING PRNR: Monday, July 1 at 6:30 p.m. meet at City Center for Parks Bus Tour X. ADJOURNMENT PRNR COMMISSION PURPOSE STATEMENT Act in an advisory capacity to the City on matters of leisure services, recreation programming, and development and use of parks and recreation facilities supported by the general public. • Enlist the support of organizations and individuals in providing City parks and recreation facilities and activities. • Provide input to staff in the promotion of awareness and use of recreation facilities and activities by community organizations and individuals. • Provide input to staff on park plans including the site development and facility modifications and/or improvement program. • Provide input to staff on park and recreation facility use. • Provide input to staff on leisure programs and activities. UNAPPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, APRIL 1, 2024 7:00 P.M. ART CENTER 7650 Equitable Drive COMMISSION MEMBERS: Patrice Erickson, Chair; Tom Poul, Vice Chair; Sarat Atluru, Deepa Bhujle, Cecilia Cervantes, Pedro Curry, Duane Hookom, Annie Klodd, Jennifer Meyer, Shanti Shah, Kirk Spresser STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Vaikunth Ananthanarayanan, Jasmine Berry, Jessica Fang, Rohil Garg, Andrew Ginder, Jake Heimkes, Sydney Ishaug, Siona Kaura, Aiden Rice, Sophia Strehl CITY STAFF: Amy Markle, Parks and Recreation Director Lori Brink, Recreation Manager Matt Bourne, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Valerie Verley, Community Center Manager Sonja Roby, Recreation Supervisor – Athletics Kristen Twitchell, Recreation Supervisor – Arts and Special Events Medori Marble, Arts and Special Events Specialist RECORDING SECRETARY: Jodie Fenske Chair Erickson called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Commission Members Atluru and Hookom were absent. Student Representatives Berry, Fang, Garg, Ginder, Ishaug, and Kaura were absent. Eden Prairie resident Ted Melby was present as an observer. The group made their own introductions, including new Commission Members Kirk Spresser and Jennifer Meyer. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Commission Member Cervantes moved, seconded by Commission Member Curry, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 9-0. II. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES Motion: Commission Member Shah moved, seconded by Commission Member Klodd, to approve the February 5, 2024 Commission Minutes as presented. Motion carried 9-0. Motion: Commission Member Bhujle moved, seconded by Commission Member Shah, to approve the March 4, 2024 Commission Minutes as presented. Motion carried 9-0. III. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Parks and Recreation Director Markle reported on several actions recently taken by the City Council. A. VIKING DRIVE TRAIL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT Council accepted bids and awarded a contract for the construction of an eight-foot wide bituminous trail along Viking Drive to BKJ Land Company. This trail project will fill the gap between the trail constructed during the recent Shutterfly project and Golden Triangle Drive. This section was identified as a need in the recent Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan and would also connect the properties along Viking Drive to the recreational loop trail around Smetana Lake. B. METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION (MAC) LEASE AGREEMENT FOR FLYING CLOUD FIELDS Council approved a six-year Lease Agreement with the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) for Flying Cloud Fields beginning January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2029. The parties may extend the term beyond December 31, 2029, upon future agreement. Markle stated there is an eight-acre parcel of land adjacent to the daycare at the corner of Pioneer Trail and Mitchell Road that is extracted from the lease because MAC may wish to develop that land in the future. Since two lacrosse fields are located on this parcel, the City is actively looking for alternative locations for the lacrosse fields should the need arise. Commission Member Spresser inquired and Markle responded MAC has agreed to provide a 150-day notification to vacate. She added MAC requires the land to be brought back to its original condition, including removal of the irrigation system for the fields. Markle feels the notification timeframe is sufficient to find an alternative location for the lacrosse fields and fulfill the requirement to bring the land back to its original condition. C. ROUND LAKE PARK HARDCOURT FACILITY REHABILITATION PROJECT Council awarded a contract for the rehabilitation of the hardcourt facility at Round Lake Park to BKJ Excavating. Round Lake Park’s hardcourt facility is the City’s largest hardcourt complex housing eight full-size tennis courts. Due to deterioration, some courts have become hazardous rendering them unplayable because of risk of injury. Others are suffering structural and radial cracking, limiting their longevity. The facility has now reached its useful lifespan and needs rehabilitation. The scope of this project is to replace the entire facility within the same footprint. The cost of the project will be split between the City and the Eden Prairie School District. City staff and Eden Prairie School staff jointly applied for and received grant funding through the Hennepin County Youth Sports Grants program, which will pay for the majority of the cost. Spresser inquired and Markle responded the rehabilitation project will be scheduled in phases to allow for minimal disruption of the Eden Prairie High School boys and girls tennis teams. D. STARING LAKE PARK JULY 3 DRONE SHOW Council authorized entering into an agreement with Starlight Aerial Productions for a drone show on the evening of July 3. A traditional fireworks display is planned for the evening of July 4. Commission Member Klodd inquired and Markle responded a drone show was pursued to provide a sensory-friendly and pet-friendly option to traditional fireworks. The twelve- to fifteen-minute show will include one hundred drones and be performed in sync with a musical soundtrack. E. ROUND LAKE PARK JULY 4 FIREWORKS Council authorized entering into an agreement with RES Specialty Pyrotechnics for the July 4th fireworks display at Round Lake Park, as part of the City’s annual Hometown Celebration. IV. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION V. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, AND COMMUNICATION VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. OLD BUSINESS VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER 1. Art Center Overview. Recreation Services Manager Brink provided a brief history of the Art Center. The building that houses the Art Center was donated to the City in 2008 by the family of Roger Sampson, a former resident who built the building as a place to create art before he passed away. It is the largest single gift ever given to the City. Since its inception in 2008, the Art Center has now grown into a pottery and art studio for children and adults with waitlists for classes, open studio times, and summer art camps. Brink introduced Kristen Twitchell, the new Recreation Supervisor – Arts and Special Events, and Medori Marble, Recreation Specialist - Arts and Special Events. They manage the operation of the Art Center, as well as coordinating special events (visual and performing arts) throughout the community. Brink then led the group on a tour of the Art Center which has three main teaching rooms. The City employs approximately fifteen part-time instructors in addition to a studio technician who runs the kilns. The Art Center partners with several organizations, including the PROP Shop’s annual Empty Bowls project; Ultimate Sustainability which is a day program for young adults with autism and related conditions; Boy and Girl Scout troops; and Community Education. Student Representative Sophia Strehl suggested offering studio time to upper level art students during their open periods at the high school. The clay studio is the most in-demand area of the Art Center. Open Studio time is available to participants who have taken an introductory class. The glass work area in the clay studio is used mostly for glass fusing or stained glass projects. Possible future focuses include creating digital art with tablets, sewing, floral design, and loom knitting. Commission Member Bhujle suggested offering photography classes, and Commission Member Meyer suggested offering team building opportunities. Brink stated users log approximately six thousand visits to the Art Center annually. 2. Pickleball Programming. Brink introduced Sonja Roby, Recreation Supervisor – Athletics, who oversees adult athletic leagues and programs and is also the City’s liaison with the youth athletic associations. In her role, Roby is challenged with ensuring equity of access for players of different abilities at City athletic facilities. Roby explained that with the increasing popularity of pickleball and the addition of pickleball courts at Miller Park, now is a good time to review and update outdoor pickleball court policies and signage. She stated pickleball in Eden Prairie has a reputation in the metro area for unwelcoming behavior. The results are fewer opportunities for the community to be social and active on a regular basis and a large amount of staff time spent on fielding complaints. Current court policies state open play is in effect when courts are full. This policy results in mixed skill levels playing with and against each other; unknown timing of open play start and stop; and players are expected to separate from their partners or group. This is especially difficult for families playing with children and players with physical and/or mental disabilities. All of these results invite unwelcoming behavior. Roby invited input from Commission members to better organize play that is conducive to individuals, groups, and families, as well as to all age groups. Updated policies will be designed to attempt to pair together similar skill sets. The desired outcome is signage that is clear and as simple as possible and to ensure visitors know what to expect before they arrive. A newly created position, Recreation Attendant – Pickleball, will be responsible for welcoming players to the courts during prime times, explaining policies, and building positive relationships within the pickleball community. A more robust pickleball website is being designed and staff will ensure it is constantly updated. Roby provided examples of current and proposed changes to policies and signage. Proposed signage would include a QR code providing ease of access to the pickleball section of the City’s website, court locations, court schedules, designated hours, and pickleball etiquette. Proposed changes include “open play” being renamed “social play,” designating a set time daily for social play, and allocating all other times to accommodate group play. To simplify rotations, groups will be asked to rotate at the top of the hour. Signage will also incorporate game format which includes standard play of one game to eleven points, all players rotate off court, and paddles are to be placed in an organizer to be in queue. Expectations for social play listed on the signage will include playing with and against players of varying abilities and mixing in separate of your partners and groups. Designated social play hours will be posted at the City’s larger pickleball facilities located at Staring Lake and Miller Parks. Smaller pickleball facilities at Franlo, Riley Lake, and Pioneer Parks, will be designated as group and family play at all times. At these locations, players can expect to play with their partners and groups without mixing in with others. Commission Member Cervantes asked for clarification and Roby responded there will be no social play at the smaller locations. This policy should allow families and new players to learn the game and not have to mix in with advanced players. Roby stated similar polices have been in place in Woodbury and are working well. Commission Member Spresser inquired about the court quality at Pioneer Park. Bourne responded renovations started last fall and early summer/late spring. Spresser also inquired if Staff has reached out to leaders within the Eden Prairie pickleball community for input. Roby responded that she has presented these concepts to pickleball league players and City employees who are also active within the pickleball community. The feedback to the changes being proposed was positive. Spresser encouraged implementing division of court times by player skill levels. He also suggested hosting a one-hour mixer periodically, during which players are not allowed to play with their own group, to encourage more inclusive play. Chair Erickson inquired and Roby responded that the QR codes will direct users to specific links and with icons matching those provided on signage to ensure users can easily find the information they desire. Commission Member Bhujle stated she is a frequent pickleball player in Eden Prairie and other cities. She has noticed similar signage in other cities that is working well and suggested more enforcement of the new policies would encourage greater discipline of the Eden Prairie users. Bhujle agrees with providing court time designated for new players and families. She stated clarification for the paddle placement in the queue is important. Bhujle also suggested a short video on the City’s website for first-time users. Commission Member Meyer commended the efforts being put forth for improved signage. She suggested making basic rules and etiquette more easily available to make the process less intimidating for new users and families. She also suggested updating tennis court policy to state pickleball use is allowed only when no one is waiting to play tennis. Student Representative Sophia Strehl suggested ensuring staff onsite are familiar with pickleball rules so they can clearly explain them to users. She also suggested updating court wait times in real-time on the City’s website. Roby responded that with cameras already on some of the courts, posting wait times could possibly be incorporated. Roby thanked the group for its input and encouraged members to continue sharing ideas with her. Once finalized, the new policy updates will be spread through multiple avenues. She also hopes to pilot a Pickleball Club by late summer which will organize players by skill level. B. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER C. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER D. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. City Council Work Session Review. Markle provided information to the group that she will present to the City Council at its April 2nd meeting. Verizon has submitted a proposal for two 5G cell towers, one each in Franlo and Crestwood Parks. The towers would be constructed into the ground and the base would be fenced in and placed amongst vegetation for visual screening. Cell towers are allowed in all zoning districts under Federal regulations and cell towers are commonly placed in parks. The City currently has nine cell towers on City property and nine cell poles on right-of-way properties. There are no other locations within one mile of Franlo Park to collocate a cell tower. There is currently poor Verizon cell coverage in the area around Crestwood Park which affects residents working from home, completing schoolwork at home, and making 911 calls. Connectivity improvement would be substantial with the addition of the cell tower. Chair Erickson inquired about objections from residents. Markle stated objections include the towers not being good for insects, decreased aesthetics, and concern for radio waves. Markle added that the vegetation used for screening will be good for insects as well as aesthetics and that the City currently receives complaints about dropped calls. The proposed project complies with City guidelines regarding maximum height and set back. The new towers would be three hundred fifteen feet away from the closest home. Markle stated the City would receive twenty-eight thousand dollars in lease revenue annually for each tower, with a three percent escalation per year, through 2028. Construction would last four to six weeks and would begin when the City determines it is least impactful to park users. E. PARKS AND RECREATION EXPERIENCES Staff and Commission members shared recent experiences with City parks and recreation programs, past events, park/building visits, news articles, etc. Chair Erickson reminded the group that the City’s tree sale is going on now for residents to purchase a variety of trees at a discounted price. Trees will be made available for pick up at the annual Arbor Day event on Saturday, April 27 at Round Lake Park. Commission Member Cervantes welcomed the new Commission members and commended current members for their time and input. She also commended Staff for always being well prepared for meetings and patient with Commission members asking questions. Ted Melby introduced himself as an Eden Prairie resident of eight years. He shared his concerns about deforestation issues and the effects on climate change. Chair Erickson thanked Melby for his comments. Markle also thanked Melby for his comments and stated she shares many of his concerns of climate change and loss of the urban canopy. She stated Eden Prairie is fortunate to have large conservation areas, remnant big woods, and untilled prairies, all of which are rare in an urban area. She added there is room to improve and the focus has been and will continue to be to mitigate effects and move in a positive direction. IX. NEXT MEETING In lieu of the May PRNR Commission meeting, members and student representatives are invited to attend the Commission Banquet on Thursday, May 16 at City Center. Formal invitations will be mailed. The next PRNR Commission meeting will be held on Monday, June 3, at 7:00 p.m., in the Heritage Rooms of City Center. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Spresser moved, seconded by Commission Member Cervantes, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 9-0. Chair Erickson adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.