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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRNR Commission - 02/05/2024AGENDA PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2024 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER- Heritage Rooms 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, Ashley Young 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 RECORDING SECRETARY: Jodie Fenske I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA II. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES – January 8, 2024 III. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION A. Accept quotes and approve agreement with Diversified Construction for Animal Junction Bathroom Project at the Staring Lake Outdoor Center. B. Annual Appointment of City Weed Inspector 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. Website and Registration B. Community Center Manager 1. Memberships C. Parks and Natural Resources Manager 1. Playground Proposals Review D. Parks and Recreation Director 1.. City Council Work Session Review 2. 2024 Workplan Priorities and Goals 3. Upcoming Meetings and Commission Interviews E. Parks & Recreation Experiences Share your experiences of past events, park/building visits, news articles, etc. IX. NEXT MEETING PRNR: Monday, March 4 at 7 p.m. at City Center, Heritage Rooms 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, JANUARY 8, 2024 7:00 P.M. ROUND LAKE PARK BUILDING 16691 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 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 Medori Marble, Recreation Specialist - Arts & Events RECORDING SECRETARY: Jodie Fenske Chair Erickson called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Commission Members Atluru, Cervantes, and Shah were absent. Vice Chair Poul arrived late. Student Representatives Berry, Fang, Ishaug, and Kaura were absent. Medori Marble, Recreation Specialist – Arts & Events was absent. The Parks and Recreation Department’s new Recreation Specialist, David Keys, and Eden Prairie resident Brady Stevenson were present as observers. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Commission Member Hookom moved, seconded by Commission Member Bhujle, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 6-0. II. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES Motion: Commission Member Young moved, seconded by Commission Member Curry, to approve the December 4, 2023 PRNR Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried 6-0. III. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Parks and Recreation Director Markle reported on actions recently taken by the City Council. A. DONATIONS Council adopted a Resolution accepting donations of $250 from Spark of Eden Prairie and $500 from Elim Shores toward 2024 Senior Center special events. B. CONTRACT FOR DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Markle reported Council approved a Cooperative Service Agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the 2023-2024 Deer Management Services. The annual program is underway and continues through March at multiple sites throughout the City, typically beginning at dusk and into the evening when deer are most active. C. RICHARD T. ANDERSON (RTA) TRAIL IMPROVEMENT Markle reported Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Stantec Consulting Services for Design and Construction documentation for construction of a new retaining wall at the Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area as part of the Maintenance Trail Stabilization Improvement Project. D. RICHARD T. ANDERSON (RTA) WEST BLUFF OVERLOOK Markle reported Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Stantec Consulting Services for Design and Construction documentation for rehabilitation of the West Bluff Overlook Trail at the Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area. Markle reported donations will be reported to the City Council on a quarterly basis in the future. 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. Special Events Presentation. Due to Medori Marble’s absence, Recreation Manager Brink presented information on the many special events offered by the City. The intent of providing these special events is to build community and civic pride, one event at a time. On average, over thirty-one thousand participants attend special events each year. The events serve a variety of ages and include a range of cultural representation. They are family friendly with hands-on activities, giveaways, and entertainment. Often free or low-cost, the events allow residents and visitors to experience the parks and facilities year- round. The special events are enhanced and supported by partners, sponsors, and vendors. Winter events include the annual Eden Prairie Ice Show at the Community Center, Winter Blast at Staring Lake Park, Valentine’s Breakfast at the Senior Center, Winter Theater at the PiM Arts High School, and Youth Open House at the Art Center. Spring events include the Floating Egg Hunt at the Community Center, Animal Open House at the Outdoor Center, Women’s One Acts at the Riley Jacques Barn, Arbor Day Walk and Green Fair at Staring Lake Park, Park Clean-Up Day at various parks, and Senior Awareness Month at the Senior Center. Summer is full of events including the annual Arts in the Park at Purgatory Creek Park, Pop-Up Splash Pads at various parks, Children’s Summer Theater Workshop at Riley Jacques Barn, and PeopleFest: A Community Celebration of Culture at Staring Lake Park. Events held at the Staring Lake Amphitheater include Festival of Jazz on the Prairie and Rib Fest, Party for Pride, and the annual Summer Musical. KidStock and Starring at Staring are concert series held throughout the summer, as well as Movies in the Park on Friday nights at the Amphitheater. The annual July 3rd SparkleFest and July 4th Hometown Celebration at Round Lake Park serve approximately three thousand and ten thousand attendees respectively on average. Fall Events include the Collection of One Acts at Riley Jacques Barn, The Adult/Teen Open House at the Art Center, City-Wide Open House at City Center, Share the Warmth: Holiday Band Concert at the Eden Prairie High School, Harvest to Halloween at the Riley Jacques Barn, Not-so-Scary Nature Trail at the Outdoor Center, and Fall into Fitness and Pumpkin Splash at the Community Center. New events are added every few years. Brink explained a timeline of new events the past several years: PeopleFest in July 2018, Pop-Up Splash pads started in August 2018, SparkleFest in July 2021, Harvests to Halloween in October 2021, and Party for Pride in June 2023. A list of the 2024 special events was provided to the group and the calendar can be found on the City’s website. Brink invited the group to attend special events and provide input for new ideas. Commission Member Klodd inquired about the Park Clean-Up Day’s popularity. Bourne responded many groups return each year, and sign-up is available on the City’s website via an interactive park map. Large and small groups participate including neighborhoods, Scouts, church, and other groups. The event is typically held the third Saturday in April, with the following Saturday saved as a rain date. The City supplies bags and gloves and later picks up the filled bags. Commission Member Young inquired if there are any plans for a parade in the City and Brink responded none are currently being planned. Commission Member Hookom stated a small parade is planned in April as part of the Eden Prairie Schools 100-year celebration. A series of community activities and events will be held in collaboration with the schools, City, and Eden Prairie Historical Society. B. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER C. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER 1. Tour of New Round Lake Park Building. Parks and Natural Resources Manager Bourne provided the group with a tour of the new building highlighting the Gathering Room, warming house area, and restrooms with changing area. The building is not open yet; however, a push is on to complete the final items because rentals are available on the City’s website. The Gathering Room is suitable for up to sixty people. Features include a sink with counter space and cabinets, gas fireplace, electrical outlets, two screens with audio/video and internet access, use of sixty chairs, and up to ten 6-foot tables. The adjacent outdoor plaza/patio may be rented in conjunction with the Round Lake building for an additional fee. It has picnic tables, outdoor grills, and swivel chairs. The plaza provides space for up to forty additional guests. Bourne stated the facility features unique economical and sustainable technology. The building includes solar panels, a low-maintenance green roof, a rain garden, geothermal field, and stormwater-management features nearby. Programmable doors will allow staff to allow access when offsite. The building has expanded bathrooms with a dedicated changing room which will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. three hundred sixty-five days a year. The warming house area has table tops with outlets along the windows to allow parents and chaperones to view the skating area. Several benches are available to accommodate a large number of skaters. Klodd inquired and Bourne responded access to the restrooms will be available as soon as the Certificate of Occupancy is received, which is expected in the next few weeks. She also inquired if additional trees will be planted. Bourne responded the goal is to maintain the view of the lake from the building; however, a few trees could be planted in the future. Hookom inquired and Bourne responded this warming house, as well as the City’s other warming houses are staffed. Young inquired if artwork would be added to the walls. Commission Member Bhujle suggested some pictures from the Eden Prairie Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Guide could be used as wall art. Markle added a large hanging tapestry is being considered to help with acoustics in the Gathering Room. Hookom inquired if a larger building was considered for future growth. Bourne responded the goal was to stay within the existing footprint of the old building to avoid removing any trees. D. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. City Council/Commission Work Session Review. Markle commended Chair Erickson’s presentation of the 2023 accomplishments to the Council and stated Council members were impressed by the achievements. Chair Erickson stated two commissions presented and the PRNR Commission was given more time than originally allotted. In addition to City Council members, others in attendance included the City Manager, Fire and Police Chiefs, City Attorney, and several City department heads from Human Resources, Community Development, Communications, etc. Erickson stated the Council extended appreciation to the Commission members and student representatives, as well as to Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources staff members. Hookom added Markle and Erickson did a great job with their presentation and the Council was very engaged in what the Commission and Staff are doing. Markle stated the Council would like to explore quantitative data to make future planning decisions. She will work with the City Manager to research software to accurately track park and other facility counts to determine how many people visit a park or facility in a day or month, how long they stayed, where they came from, etc. The data is obtained from cell phones, but it does not identify the person, only the data from the cell phone owner. The concrete data can be used to determine future needs based on current uses. Other departments can also use the software to track traffic counts and customer visits to liquor stores, for example. Many cities are already using software to track this data. Markle stated another area Council requested is for City departments to itemize donations and grants by facility or department to determine how much money different areas of the City attract. Council provided constructive feedback on the annual tree sale. Additional funds will be allotted to provide a fall tree sale in addition to the annual spring tree sale. Focus will also be placed on providing different species of trees to ensure they are a good fit within the City. The overall goal is to grow the program so more trees are planted in residents’ yards. Markle stated Council also provided encouragement to look at programming, especially at the Senior Center, to attract more users from Somalian and Indian communities. 2. Pickleball Facility and Court Expansion at Miller Park Discussion. Markle invited input from the Commission prior to her presentation to the Council at its meeting on Tuesday, January 16, regarding the court improvement project at Miller Park. The Council is expected to make a decision at the first Council meeting in February. The indoor court concept was originally brought to the Commission on August 3, 2020. Due to the Covid pandemic and focusing on other issues, updated project specifications were eventually brought back to the Commission on August 7, 2023. Council work session presentations and discussions were held on October 4, 2022 and July 11, 2023. Reasons why the project is needed are the current basketball and tennis courts at Miller Park are in rough shape and need to be replaced for proper facility management and reinvestment for future generations. The two renovation options currently being considered are renovating the outdoor courts and building an indoor facility. The outdoor courts would include six pickleball courts, one full basketball court, and one tennis court. All courts would be lit and have a shaded plaza seating area. The courts would be fully operational during park hours when conditions allow for play, typically April through November. Cost would be free for participants. Renovations would take place in the summer of 2024 and the construction cost is estimated at $2 million. There would be no long-term staffing costs and normal planned CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) costs. The outdoor courts would provide more amenities for a broader audience. The approximately 23,500 square foot indoor facility would include four pickleball courts and one tennis court. The courts would be staffed and fully operational during park hours year-round. There would be a cost to rent the courts or an add-on membership fee to the Community Center. The indoor facility would be built in 2024-2025 with an estimated construction cost of $13 million to $14 million. Long-term operating costs would be incurred, as well as increased CIP costs. Markle displayed slides showing current and proposed pickleball court locations throughout the City. Another slide illustrated that there are several indoor courts within an easy drive from Eden Prairie. Additional considerations were presented, including climate change, construction costs, and long-term operational costs. Lighting would extend the outdoor season and hours of play, and the addition of lighting would not be an issue with the proposed location. An equitable approach needs to be considered, i.e., a large sum to spend for only two sports. The Miller Park location provides equitable access as it is centrally located and along the regional bike trail. Many of the pickleball inquiries the City receives are for a low- to no-cost recreational setting. The City gears its programming toward beginning to intermediate players. Sound pollution for both proposals is not an issue. Studies show that private businesses have success with indoor facilities. Long-term planning should take into consideration meeting needs by creating new models to expand use of current facilities. For example, Markle mentioned the City of Woodbury is considering turning hockey rinks into pickleball courts in the warmer months. Markle displayed a cost analysis illustrating a probable Net Loss with the indoor courts considering a $9 million debt issuance (calculated by a $13 million cost less $4 million of Cash Park Fees). Outdoor courts could be paid with park dedication fees and incur no ongoing debt or operational costs and regular CIP cost for maintenance. Long-term needs include expansion of current recreational offerings to meet the needs of changing community and interests, limited space, and new models to consider for outdoor year-round facilities. Another long- term need to consider is a facility such as a fieldhouse that could accommodate more than a few recreational interests. Young inquired about parking, water fountains, and restrooms. Bourne responded parking would remain the same for both indoor and outdoor options. There is already a drinking fountain available for the outdoor courts, but no restrooms are being considered. Restrooms and water fountains would be included in the indoor facility. She inquired if a bubble or dome could be considered over the outdoor courts in the winter. Brink responded that option has been determined in the past to be cost prohibitive. There is one main company in the area providing the service which is costly due to the time required to set up and take down, as well as the storage cost. This option is also not in line with the City’s sustainability goals. Klodd stated the subject has been brought up at neighborhood gatherings and a common confusion is it is a large amount of money to spend for specialized sports. A much more appealing option would be for a facility providing flexible uses. Bhujle stated she is a strong supporter and frequent player of pickleball but would like to see availability for other sports such as ping-pong. Poul raised the question if it makes sense to compete with corporate providers of pickleball facilities and if there is a different sport to consider. Community Center Manager Verley stated there is a huge demand for court sports which are reaching capacity, like badminton, floor hockey, and basketball. The current outdoor basketball and tennis courts at Miller Park were heavily used before their conditions deteriorated. Brink added clarity on lighting will need to be researched to provide lighting on demand or via a motion detector. Markle thanked the Commission for its input and reiterated no formal recommendation will be made to Council; she will only provide the Commission’s input. 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. Hookom shared his knowledge of a report released by Strava which is an application through which athletes and non-athletes record activities. The report provided data accessed via its 120 million users worldwide. This data may be another source for future planning, especially considering it was categorized by age. He shared a few interesting take-aways from the report. Water sports and trail sports are growing, especially gravel biking. Data indicated people are motivated to recreate if they are able to do so with their pets. E-bikes are also on the rise and perhaps the City could consider providing charging stations. Markle stated plans are in place to discuss biking at future Commission meetings. Chair Erickson mentioned marketing our parks and amenities to visitors and business travelers, by promoting the Eden Prairie Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Guide to hotels in the City. Young and her family played disc golf at Staring Lake over Christmas break. Klodd enjoys using the Prairie Play Zone with her children and suggested a playhouse in the area if funds permit in the future. Verley stated due to the warm weather and limited outdoor options over winter break, the Community Center reached capacity, ran out of skates for open skate, and incurred waitlists for most programs. Bhujle participated in and enjoyed the free introductory sound bath meditative classes offered at the Community Center. IX. NEXT MEETING The next PRNR Commission meeting will be held on Monday, February 5, at 7:00 p.m., in the Heritage Rooms of City Center. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Vice Chair Poul moved, seconded by Commission Member Hookom, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0. Chair Erickson adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m.