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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustainability Commission - 08/05/2024APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION and SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 2024 6:30 p.m. Round Lake Building (PRNR Commission) 7:00 p.m. Round Lake Building (Joint Commission) 16691 Valley View Road PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS: Patrice Erickson, Chair; Tom Poul, Vice Chair; Deepa Bhujle, Cecilia Cervantes, Pedro Curry, Duane Hookom, Annie Klodd, Jennifer Meyer, Shanti Shah, Kirk Spresser CITY STAFF: Amy Markle, Parks and Recreation Director Lori Brink, Recreation Manager Matt Bourne, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Valerie Verley, Community Center Manager Karli Wittner, Forestry & Natural Resources Supervisor SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION Aaron Poock, Chair; Cindy Hoffman, Vice Chair; MEMBERS: Laura Bishop, Tim Conners, Gretchen Enninga, Carolyn Wieland, Moussa Ousmane, Michelle Frost, Tim Nehl CITY STAFF: Jen Fierce, Sustainability Coordinator RECORDING SECRETARIES: Jodie Fenske, PRNR Commission Kristin Harley, Sustainability Commission 6:30 p.m. PRNR COMMISSION Meeting Chair Erickson called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. Vice Chair Poul and Commission Members Bhujle, Meyer, Shah, and Spresser were absent. No Student Representatives will be in attendance until September. Parks and Natural Resources Manager Matt Bourne was absent. Eden Prairie resident Jim Millin was in attendance as an observer. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Commission Member Cervantes moved, seconded by Commission Member Klodd, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. II. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES Due to a lack of quorum present, the approval of the June 3, 2024 PRNR Minutes has been moved to the September 9, 2024 meeting. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MINUTES August 5, 2024 Page 2 III. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Parks and Recreation Director Markle reported on several actions recently taken by the City Council. A. MILLER PARK COURT RENOVATION Council accepted bids and approved a Construction Contract Agreement with Goodmanson Construction, Inc. for the Miller Park Court Renovation Project. As previously reported, this renovation project includes replacing the existing tennis and basketball courts with an outdoor court complex that will provide residents a facility for lit tennis, pickleball, basketball courts along with adjacent shaded seating areas. The project will also improve stormwater management for this area and add new trail connections to access the site. Council also authorized a Standard Agreement for Professional Services with ISG, Inc. for Construction Administration and Staking Services for the Miller Park Outdoor Court Facility. B. QUARTERLY DONATIONS Council approved a Resolution accepting multiple second quarter 2024 donations to Parks and Recreation. The donors include the Summit Place Senior Campus ($250 toward Senior Center programs and special events), T-Mobile ($7,500 toward the 3rd and 4th of July Hometown Celebration), Prairie Bluffs Senior Living ($100 toward the July 2nd Salute to Service Concert), Health Source of Eden Prairie ($50 toward Senior Center May Bingo), Mary Sue Ingman ($100 toward the Eden Prairie Community Band), J.A. Price Agency ($1,000 toward the 3rd and 4th of July Hometown Celebration), and Sholom ($250 toward Senior Center programs and special events). Markle explained the donations are much appreciated and allow the City to offer special events, programs, and educational activities at little or no cost to residents. 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 PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MINUTES August 5, 2024 Page 3 B. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER C. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER D. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. Athletics Policy Update. Parks and Recreation Director Markle reported Staff is currently updating the City’s Athletic Policy which was created in 1997. Due to its age, the current policy only allows field access to associations or clubs, has no calendar reservation structure, allows for no fees for field usage, and has no tournament limitations. In addition to time, the changing landscape of athletics has increased the need for an update. Markle described some of the changes to include an increase in private athletic groups with Eden Prairie youth, a majority of communities have a fee-based system, there is an increase in stakeholders, and there are a number of emerging new sports. Challenges facing staff include allowing private athletic groups to access fields, recouping staff and equipment costs, no formal reservation system, finding places for new sports, teams, and schedules, increased use of athletic fields without permits, lack of repercussions if teams do not follow rules, and balancing reservations and tournaments with field integrity. By addressing these concerns, there will be increased access in athletics. Markle described many opportunities that will be afforded by updating the Athletics policy, including ensuring proper field protection and maintenance, adhering to concrete seasonal dates, recouping some costs for maintenance and staff time, finding better balance between field use and maintenance, and allowing equitable access for emerging sports. In order to develop a new Athletics policy that fits the current and future needs of the community, a number of tasks need to be completed and then incorporated into the policy. These tasks include researching peer city policies, completing stakeholder and staff engagement. Next steps include updating the Council at its October work session, vetting the policy with the PRNR Commission in November, and receiving the anticipated approval by Council in December. Markle explained that over the past few months, Staff have performed research and started to draft the updated policy. This fall, project engagement will take place, along with a Council work session, in order to edit the policy. Over winter, PRNR Commission discussion will take place, Council approval is anticipated, and the new policy will be offered to stakeholders. The plan is to start 2025 under the new policy. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MINUTES August 5, 2024 Page 4 E. PARKS AND RECREATION EXPERIENCES 7:00 p.m. JOINT COMMISSION Meeting I. INTRODUCTIONS OF COMMISSIONERS AND COMMISSIONS Commission Members and Staff made brief introductions. Parks and Recreation Director Markle and Sustainability Coordinator Fierce provided brief overviews of their areas and roles with the City. II. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONS AND STAFF A. SUSTAINAB ILITY COORDINATOR 1. Climate Action Plan Update Fierce summarized the Climate Action Plan Metrics Update for Eden Prairie, the metrics of which focused on energy (BTUS), travel (vehicle miles) and waste (short tons). Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions were measured by CO2 tonnes. GHG Emissions were broken down by these categories. Over 60 percent of the GHG footprint was from the energy used in buildings. This shows the importance of prioritizing building strategies. GHG emissions rates were displayed over time since 2007. Eden Prairie’s emissions decreased faster than the state as a whole—by 30 percent. The goal here was to build on this momentum. Fierce showed GHG emissions broken down by electricity, heating fuels, travel, and waste. The goal here was to keep pushing electricity while finding long-term solutions for gas and travel. Fierce explained the sharp dip in the emissions rate was due to the Covid-19 pandemic and also due in part to carbon-free energy. Heating fuel use varied according to the weather and was more difficult to decrease. Energy emissions rates showed that gas was now higher than electricity in emissions. The action item here was to reduce gas use, and Fierce foresaw this decrease continuing into the future. Electricity emissions in Eden Prairie had decreased due to using less electricity and using cleaner generation sources. Here, both policy and local actions made a difference. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MINUTES August 5, 2024 Page 5 Heating fuel emissions followed use, again following the weather, and the decrease was 17 percent. There was no real decrease overall, but Fierce predicted a dip in use for 2023 due to the mild winter. Vehicle travel had remained essentially flat over time due to the big dip during the pandemic. The action item here was to accelerate VMT (vehicle miles traveled) reduction and EV adoption. Waste was not specific to Eden Prairie but an average of Hennepin County. Recycling had increased throughout the Metro Area. Hookom asked if a major incinerator had been recently taken offline, and Fierce replied one had, but the Hennepin County incinerator continues to operate. Top strategies focused on reducing electricity emissions, vehicle miles traveled, and residential electricity use. Further focus will be on electrifying buildings, weatherizing homes and commercial buildings, and reducing reliance on vehicle travel. Support for electric vehicles was important. Fierce highlighted upcoming events: EV Showcase, September 10, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Staring Lake Park. Electrification Webinar, Monday, September 30, 6:00 p.m., online. She explained there were financial rebate opportunities through the state of Minnesota for electrical appliances to replace of gas appliances. There was an energy advisor service for residents. There was a trend toward fewer emissions since 2020 due to workers working from home, and Fierce expected to see an increase in emissions from 2022 when people started to return to the office. Enninga requested the proposed events be placed on the City calendar. Fierce replied they would be, and also would appear in City emails. She offered to email this information to the commission members. 2. Solar Garden Overview Fierce displayed a PowerPoint presentation and explained there were 125 residential subscribers, and 1,989 panels, with 1.084 MW capability. The garden became operational at the end of July, and the project had been started in 2018. This would be the first garden operating under the new state rules and would reduce costs by10-15 percent of the resident’s electric bill. B. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MINUTES August 5, 2024 Page 6 1. Conservation Areas Introduction. Markle introduced Karli Wittner, Forestry and Natural Resources Supervisor, who displayed a PowerPoint presentation detailing the City’s fourteen conservation areas. a. Birch Island Woods Conservation Area is adjacent to Birch Island Lake and has many woodland trails. It was acquired from Hennepin County in 2001 and 2005. Friends of Birch Island Woods (FBIW) have helped advocate for the area by raising significant money and donating it to the City for restoration work. FBIW have also dedicated many hours to the area including shrub and tree planting and park clean-up in cooperation with Eden Prairie Park’s staff. b. Cardinal Creek Conservation Area contains a branch of the Nine Mile Creek and the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District’s (NMCWSD) Discovery Point is adjacent to the conservation area. The City obtained a NMCWSD grant in 2021 to manage invasive species and to restore understory habitat. c. Edenbrook Conservation Area consists of oak woodland, wetlands and marsh, and lowland mixed hardwood forest. The largest conversion of mowed turf to native plants for pollinators is located near the west parking lot. Goals include enhancing woodland pockets using DNR grant funding from Conservation Partner Legacy, managing woody and herbaceous species (both terrestrial and wetland), restoring wetland habitat, and fostering oak regeneration in upland areas. d. Edenvale Conservation Area protects Purgatory Creek and surrounding wetland, areas of tamarack swamp and sedge meadow with high native plant diversity, and lowland forest dominated by cottonwood, boxelder, and willow. The woodlands have a significant invasive species presence. Goals include wetland restoration and creek hydrology management, management of woody and herbaceous species (both terrestrial and wetland), and expansion of wetland areas of high native plant diversity. A conversion of mowed turf to native plants for pollinators is located around the well house. e. James A. Brown Conservation Area is difficult to access, has no parking, and requires access from a neighborhood. It contains Minnesota River flats, intact floodplain forest dominated by silver maple, cottonwood, boxelder, and black willow, and woodland trails. Very little management is needed for this area. The historic Yorkville and Bloomington Wagon Road passed through this area. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MINUTES August 5, 2024 Page 7 f. Lower Purgatory Creek Conservation Area is a long strip of land with a lengthy nature trail. Purgatory Creek and its deep valley is contained in this area. There are significant patches of mesic oak forest and maple-basswood forest along the upland slopes of the creek valley. g. Mitchell Marsh Conservation Area contains the Mitchell Marsh wetlands and a paved trail circumventing the marsh. The area is expensive to maintain. h. Nine-Mile Creek Conservation Area is near the Golden Triangle and contains the south fork of Nine Mile Creek and is adjacent to Lake Smetana. Management goals include managing the intact wetland and water quality of the creek and Lake Smetana and the current wetland and restoring the savanna off Valley View Road. i. Prairie Bluff Conservation Area is one of the last remaining remnant prairies in the Twin Cities. There is only one percent remaining in the entire state of Minnesota. The area includes bluffs, ravines, native dry prairie, and upland oak openings. Oak savanna is located on the bottom and side slopes of its steep ravines and oak-basswood forest is located on the west facing slopes of the Riley Creek valley. Management goals include restoring and expanding remnant prairie areas and restoring oak savanna areas and fostering natural oak regeneration. j. Red Rock Conservation Area is one of the City’s smaller conservation areas. A conversion of mowed turf to native plants for pollinators is located around the well house. Management goals include restoring the shoreline to protect water quality and reducing invasive species such as buckthorn, narrowleaf cattail, and purple loosestrife. k. Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area is one of the first protected, remnant upland prairies. It contains a creek valley with significant topography and areas of maple-basswood forest, mesic oak forest, and oak brushland. Management goals include restoring and expanding remnant prairie pockets, minimizing disturbance to ecosystem by maintaining rustic trail system, working to eliminate social trails, and managing invasive wood and herbaceous species adjacent to high-value ecosystems. Recreation Manager Lori Brink stated Wittner was key in the City recently obtaining a $500,000 grant from the State’s Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LGGMR). The funds will be used to build a retaining wall or green wall to support and prevent erosion, as well as to perform some of the management goals PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MINUTES August 5, 2024 Page 8 mentioned above. l. Riley Creek Conservation Area is one of the largest contiguous tracts of maple-basswood forest in the area. Its canopy species include old big woods sugar maple, American basswood, red oak, and white oak. The conservation area protects sections of Riley Creek. A nature trail expansion is planned, while also working to eliminate social trails. Sustainability Commission Member Gretchen Enninga inquired about the City’s use of biodegradable twine versus plastic twine and other biodegradable options. Wittner responded that the City uses biodegradable fiber erosion control blanketing. Specifications call for biodegradable options when it is allowed and the goal is to use more biodegradable products. However, those options are not always allowed per specifications, there are not a lot of biodegradable products available, and those that are available are in high demand, hard to purchase, and expensive. m. Timber Creek Conservation Area is predominantly made up of a cattail marsh that surrounds Purgatory Creek. The wetland contains quality areas of sedge hummocks and there are smaller areas of oak forest and oak brushland and pockets of aspen of varying age class. Management goals include maintaining the marsh and wetlands by managing hydrology of Timber Creek and managing invasive species including purple loosestrife in marsh areas, and buckthorn, Tartarian honeysuckle, and garlic mustard in the woodlands. The area does not allow for great access to perform maintenance or to expand the trails but there may be more trails added in the future. n. Westgate Conservation Area was a previously disturbed site which led to significant degradation by invasive species and now contains some smaller areas of upland prairie and small sedge meadow surrounded by wet prairie and savanna. The City was able to ensure the conservation area is protected from future development. PRNR Chair Patrice Erickson inquired where the public could find information on the conservation areas. Markle responded that the conservation areas are currently listed on the City’s website and Wittner added that she is currently updating the map on the website. Enninga inquired about increasing the City’s conservation areas. Markle responded there are currently fourteen hundred acres of conservation area with a few opportunities left for easements. Wittner commended Parks and Natural Resources Manager Matt PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MINUTES August 5, 2024 Page 9 Bourne’s efforts in advocating for the conservation areas. 2. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Update. Wittner provided a brief update on the City’s Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) situation. Currently, the entire City is considered generally infested with EAB. As part of the City’s Diseased Tree Ordinance, highly infested ash trees that could impact public and/or private infrastructure are condemned. This past year was the first year being considered in “peak” on the disease curve. In the 2022-2023 season, the City condemned two hundred fifty-four private ash trees on fifty-two properties, while in the 2023-2024 season, seven hundred sixty-four ash trees on two hundred thirty-four properties were condemned. The significant jump has the Forestry Division working on updating the management strategy and policy to reduce the burden on residents and on the time required of City staff. An update is being prepared and is expected to be presented to City leadership in Fall 2024. 3. Native Landscaping Update. Wittner provided an update on native landscaping projects the City has been working on for several years. The projects involve restoring natural areas in parks and conservation areas, converting turf to native prairie for pollinators, and restoring storm water basins within the City’s parks. There are currently over forty-five acres undergoing turf conversion. The plan is to add more in the coming years, after the current acreage is established with a high diversity. The City has over one hundred fifty acres in an active restoration phase within the natural areas in parks. Wittner displayed a map Staff uses to keep track of the hundreds of native landscaping projects performed and currently being performed, as well as projects planned for the future. 4. Round Lake Building Tour. Markle invited the group to tour the inside and outside of the newly built Round Lake Building. She highlighted several sustainable features including geothermal technology with wells extending over four hundred feet below ground; a rooftop rain garden; solar panels; a low-maintenance green roof with six-inch plants; and rain collection features including a cantilevered gutter system that drains into a stormwater pond. These features reduce energy costs and enhance the building’s lifecycle. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MINUTES August 5, 2024 Page 10 Sustainability features inside include energy-efficient appliances, fixtures, and lighting, as well as local native wood elements and metal paneling, III. NEXT MEETINGS PRNR Commission: Monday, September 9, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the Heritage Rooms at City Center. Sustainability Commission: Tuesday, September 10, 2024 – Time and Location TBD IV. ADJOURNMENT Sustainability Chair Aaron Poock thanked the PRNR Commission for their time and commended them for their work on the Round Lake Building and efforts to educate the public. Markle thanked the Sustainability Commission for joining the meeting and stated she looks forward to additional collaboration in the future. Motion: PRNR Commission Member Hookom moved, seconded by PRNR Commission Member Klodd, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. PRNR Chair Erickson adjourned the meeting at 8:32 p.m.