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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRNR Commission - 01/08/2024 AGENDA PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024 7:00 P.M. ROUND LAKE BUILDING 16691 Valley View 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 Medori Marble, Recreation Specialist - Arts & Events RECORDING SECRETARY: Jodie Fenske I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA II. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES – December 4, 2023 III. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION A. Donations: Spark of Eden Prairie towards Senior Center Special Events B. Cooperative Service Agreement with the USDA for Deer Management Program C. Cooperative Service Agreement with Stantec Consulting Services for Design & Construction Documentation for Richard T. Anderson (RTA) Maintenance Trail Stabilization Improvement Project D. Professional Services Agreement with Stantec Consulting Services for Design & Construction Documentation for Richard T. Anderson (RTA) West Bluff Overlook Trail Stabilization Improvement Project 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. Special Events Presentation B. Community Center Manager No Report C. Parks and Natural Resources Manager 1. Tour of new Round Lake Park Building D. Parks and Recreation Director 1.. City Council/Commission Work Session Review 2. Pickleball Facility and Court Expansion at Miller Park Discussion E. Parks & Recreation Experiences Share your experiences of past events, park/building visits, news articles, etc. IX. NEXT MEETING PRNR: Monday, February 5 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, DECEMBER 4, 2023 7:00 P.M. CAMBRIA ROOM 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 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 Doug Tucker, Ice and Concessions Supervisor RECORDING SECRETARY: Jodie Fenske Chair Erickson called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Commission Members Atluru, Bhujle, Curry, Klodd, Shah, and Young were absent. Student Representatives Berry, Garg, and Ishaug were absent. Recreation Manager Brink was absent. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Commission Member Hookom moved, seconded by Vice Chair Poul, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 4-0. II. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES Motion: Vice Chair Poul moved, seconded by Commission Member Hookom, to approve the November 6, 2023 PRNR Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried 4-0. III. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Parks and Recreation Director Markle reported on actions recently taken and/or expected to be taken by the City Council. A. DONATIONS Council adopted a Resolution accepting a donation of $400 from Prairie Bluffs Senior Living toward the 2024 Senior Center events including Valentines Bingo and Breakfast and the Summer BBQ; and a donation of $250 from ReMax Results Change Agent Group Edina towards 2024 Senior Awareness Month activities. At its December 5 meeting, Council is expected to adopt a Resolution accepting a donation 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 the Council is expected to approve 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. EROSION PROJECTS Markle reported the Council is expected to approve a Professional Services Agreement with Stantec for Construction Administration for the 2023 Pond Improvements Project. Council is also expected to authorize Professional Services Agreements with Stantec Consulting Services for Design and Construction documentation for the construction of a new retaining wall and trail stabilization improvements at the Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area. Markle added Stantec did not submit the lowest bid; however, Staff is justifying the contract based on Stantec’s services including assistance with procuring documents and grant writing for funds Staff will be seeking to complete the projects. 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 B. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER 1. Ice Rinks and Concessions Presentation. Community Center Manager Verley introduced Ice Arena and Concessions Supervisor Doug Tucker who has a long history with the Parks and Recreation Department, dating back to 2011. Tucker started as an intern filling many part-time roles, followed by full-time positions at the Senior Center, in Adult Athletics, and now at the Community Center. Tucker provided a brief history of his educational and employment background. He stated the largest part of his current role is scheduling and selling ice time for the three sheets of ice at the Community Center. Other duties managing ice operations include working with user groups, overseeing skate school and open skate, managing concessions, overseeing facility enhancements, managing park facilities and staff, and assisting with general management of the Community Center. User groups include Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) Boys and Girls Hockey, EPHS Physical Education, the EP Hockey Association, EP Figure Skating Club, Adult user groups, Developmental Ice users, and Ice Edge and AAA groups. He will manage fourteen tournaments in 2023. The Eden Prairie Youth Hockey Association is the largest buyer of ice time. One thousand skaters, from beginner through adults, participated in skate lessons in 2022 and over fifteen thousand people attended open and tot skate sessions in 2022. Tucker’s responsibilities for Concessions include managing the EPCC café which provides classic concession fare during peak traffic times and the mobile café which provides concessions for City concerts, theatre productions, and special and outreach events. Recent facility enhancements which Tucker has overseen include the refurbished EPHS hockey locker rooms, updated color schemes throughout the ice arenas, installation of a new scoreboard in Rink 1 and new bleachers in Rink 2, installation of an updated scheduling system (FinnlySport), and the purchase of two electric Zambonis. The change from propane-fueled to electric will provide an improved cost recovery and improvement to air quality. Tucker is responsible for scheduling and supervising Park Facility Rental staff and Customer Relation Leads (CRLs). The CRLs assist with concerts and theater productions, provide event support, and enforce park rules. He also assists with general management of the EPCC by supervising building support staff, monitoring the after school rush, responding to patron concerns, and shared supervision of the building. Commission Member Hookom inquired if all three rinks are operational at all times. Tucker responded one rink is typically taken down for routine maintenance by facility staff from Memorial Day to July 5 each year, on a rotating basis. Chair Erickson inquired and Tucker responded that the electric Zambonis are approximately the same size as the traditional propane-fueled Zambonis. Commission Member Cervantes inquired about healthy snack options for the concession areas. Tucker responded hummus, fruit cups, and yogurt are currently offered and he is meeting soon with a new vendor with the hope of offering additional healthy options. He added the short shelf life of many healthy options remains a challenge. Tucker concluded his presentation with a tour of all three ice rinks, the locker rooms, and concessions area. C. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER D. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. Commission Schedule. Markle stated on January 2, Chair Erickson will make a presentation to the Council highlighting 2023 accomplishments. The January 8 Commission meeting will be held at the new Round Lake building and will cover the 2024 Special Events calendar and Park construction projects. The February 5 Commission meeting will likely be held at City Center and cover EPCC memberships, the registration system, and website improvements. The March 4 Commission meeting will cover updates on the sledding hill and skating rinks and insight into forestry and diseased trees. The April 1 Commission meeting will cover the Art Center and the 2023 Annual Report. At this time, it is anticipated the May 6 Commission meeting may be skipped and Commission Members will be invited to the annual Board and Commission Banquet on Thursday, May 16. Chair Erickson invited all Commission Members and Student Representatives to contact Markle with any ideas for future topics. 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. Park and Natural Resources Manager Bourne reported the annual Senior Center Holiday Lunch on December 8 is sold out. After the meal, the EPHS choir will provide a performance. On Sunday, December 10, the Community Band will perform at the EPHS Auditorium at 4:00 p.m. On Saturday, January 6, the annual Winter Blast will be held at Staring Lake Park, with expanded hours this year, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Depending on weather, hopefully all nine outdoor skating rinks, warming houses, and the sledding hill will be open during the winter break. Verley stated the annual Twelve Days of Fitness event started the day after Thanksgiving and runs through December 24. Members who complete twelve workouts during the timeframe receive a free long-sleeve t-shirt. The Swim with Santa event will be held in the recreational pool on Friday, December 16. Participants will receive an ornament and small gift. Chair Erikson stated she noticed the Duck Lake Improvement Project recently received an award. The project was named Project of the Year in the Structures category by the American Public Works Association (APWA) Minnesota chapter. Commission Member Hookom stated he lives in the Duck Lake neighborhood and loves the bridge and lighting. His family has purchased a bench which will be installed on the bump-out on the bridge. Erickson added she enjoys seeing so many people around the fishing pier and walking on the new bridge. IX. NEXT MEETING The next PRNR Commission meeting will be held on Monday, January 8, at 7:00 p.m., at the new Round Lake Park Building. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Commission Member Cervantes moved, seconded by Commission Member Hookom, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0. Chair Erickson adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Parks and Recreation Special Events 2024 (list as of 1/5/24 – subject to change – visit edenprairie.org/calendar for up-to-date info!) WINTER Winter Blast February 3, 12-4:30 p.m. Staring Lake Park Youth Open House March 2, 1-4 p.m. Art Center Winter Theater: Inherit the Wind+ March 15-24 (weekends) PiM Arts High School (weekends) Eden Prairie Annual Ice Show+ Community Center Floating Egg Hunt* March 30, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Community Center SPRING Park Clean Up Day April 13 Community-Wide Arbor Day Walk & Green Fair April 27, 10 a.m.-1p.m. Round Lake Park Women’s One Acts+ May 10-19 (weekends) Riley Jacques Barn Animal Open House TBD Outdoor Center SUMMER Festival of Jazz on the Prairie June 9, 12-7 p.m. Staring Lake Park Starring At Staring Concerts June 14-Aug 15, 7:30 p.m. Staring Lake Park (Sun, Thurs, Fri) Party for Pride June 15, 8:30 a.m.-12 pm Staring Lake Park Summer Musical June 21-30 (weekends) Staring Lake Park Kidstock Entertainment Series June 18-Aug. 13, 10:30 a.m. Staring Lake Park (Tuesdays) Sparkle Fest July 3. 6-10 p.m. Round Lake Park Hometown Celebration July 4, 3-10 p.m. Round Lake Park Children’s Theater Workshop+ July 25-27 Riley Jacques Barn Pop-up Splash Pad July 23, Aug. 13, 5-7pm Edenvale and Nesbitt Preserve Parks PeopleFest! Party July 28, 3-7 p.m. Staring Lake Park Movies in the Park August 2, 9, 16, 7:30 p.m. Staring Lake Park Arts in the Park August 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Purgatory Creek Park FALL Collection of One Acts+ Sept. 13-22 (weekends) Riley Jacques Barn Adult/Teen Open House Sept. 21, 2-4:30 p.m. Art Center Fall into Fitness October 5, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Community Center City Wide Open House October 5, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. City Center Harvest to Halloween October 12, 1-5 p.m. Riley Jacques Barn Pumpkin Splash* October 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Community Center Not-So-Scary Nature Trail* October TBD Outdoor Center Holiday Band Concert December TBD Eden Prairie High School *Pre-registration/fee required +Tickets required