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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 01/06/2025APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2025 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER 14800 Pioneer Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Patrice Erickson, Chair; Deepa Bhujle, Cecilia Cervantes, Pedro Curry, Duane Hookom, Annie Klodd, Jennifer Meyer, Kirk Spresser, Shanti Shah PRNR STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Noelle Fitzgerald, Sophia Hoffelt, Tavin Koenig, Arya Mehta, Haricharan Neelamegam, Jack Petrin, Tessa Plourde, Richa Raja CITY STAFF: Amy Markle, Parks and Recreation Director Lori Brink, Recreation Manager Matt Bourne, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Valerie Verley, Community Center Manager Andrea Kalligher, Recreation Supervisor of Community Center Operations RECORDING SECRETARY: Julie Krull Chair Erickson called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Commission Members Bhujle, Curry and Shah were absent. Student Representatives Koenig, Petrin, Fitzgerald, and Neelamegam were absent. Jodie Fenske, previous recording secretary, was in attendance for the beginning of the meeting. Chair Erickson took the opportunity to thank Ms. Fenske for her 10 years of service on the Commission. Ms. Fenske responded that she enjoyed being on the Commission and will miss all the members. Amy Markle also thanked Ms. Fenske for her work on the Commission. I.APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Erickson had a change to the agenda to remove Vice Chair Tom Poul from the PRNR Commission Members list. Motion: Commissioner Hookom moved, seconded by Commissioner Cervantes, toapprove the amended agenda. Motion carried 6-0. II.APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES Commissioner Spresser said his name should be removed from the Adjournment sectionlocated on the last page. Commissioner Meyer said she was present for the meeting and her name should be removed from the first paragraph on the first page. Commissioner Cervantes said Commissioner Shanti Shah should be added to the PRNR CommissionMembers section on the first page. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 6, 2025 Page 2 Motion: Commissioner Cervantes moved, seconded by Commissioner Spresser, to approve the amended December 2, 2024 Commission Minutes. Motion carried 6-0. III. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Parks and Recreation Director Markle stated there was only one City Council meeting in December and that meeting basically focused on budgets. For the work session in December they met with legislators and discussed legislation platforms in 2025 from the City standpoint. For the Park and Recreation Department the end of year donation report was discussed. Markle point out they have a Contract on Consent with a company called ASH that does reimbursements for seniors at the Community Center. It is similar to the Silver Sneakers program. There will be a work session tomorrow evening with the City Council and she and Chair Erickson will be presenting. It starts at 5:30 and all Commissioners are welcomed to attend. They will be discussing last year’s accomplishments, what is planned for 2025 and also the athletic policies. IV. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION Matt Bourne, Parks & Natural Resources Manager, said there was not a meeting in December. V. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, AND COMMUNICATION VI. NEW BUSINESS A. COMMISSON MEMBER APPLICATION Markle stated they will be looking for 2 new seats to fill for the Commission and pointed out Commissioners Bhujle and Curry will continue on with the PRNR. The deadline for applications will be February 3rd. VII. OLD BUSINESS VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER B. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER C. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER 1. Cemeteries in Eden Prairie Parks and Natural Resources Manager Bourne gave a presentation on the management of cemeteries in Eden Prairie. Bourne pointed out there are only two cemeteries in Eden Prairie; Pleasant Hills Cemetery and Eden Prairie Cemetery. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 6, 2025 Page 3 Pleasant Hills Cemetery This cemetery was established in 1885 and is the smaller of the two cemeteries in Eden Prairie. Ownership was transferred to the City in 1987. Shortly after this was transferred to the City, a board was established to manage the property. What came out of that was that no City funds have been used to maintain the property. The cemetery establishes its funding through their sales. Eden Prairie Cemetery This cemetery was established in 1865. Additional land for this cemetery was purchased between 1906 and 1957. Ownership was transferred to the City in 2022. A. Land Availability 1. Pleasant Hills Cemetery – 2 acres • Plots for sale – 0 • Columbarium Niche – 22 • Columbarium Ossuary – 108 2. Eden Prairie Cemetery – 5.4 acres • Plots for sale - o North Section – approximately 75 o South Section – approximately 400 Student Representative Mehta asked what happens if the cemeteries run out of space. Bourne said with the addition of the Columbarium that would add additional space for Pleasant Hills Cemetery and commented there is plenty of space at Eden Prairie Cemetery. B. Cemetery Plot Costs 1. Pleasant Hills Cemetery • Resident Costs o Grave - $1,200 o Niche Row C, D, E - $2,500 o Niche Row A, B - $2,200 o Ossuary - $700 • Non-Resident Costs o Grave - $1,600 o Niche Row C, D, E - $3,000 o Niche Row A, B - $2,650 o Ossuary - $900 2. Eden Prairie Cemetery • Resident Costs o South Section - $1,200 PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 6, 2025 Page 4 o North Section - $2,000 • Non-Resident Costs o South Section - $1,600 o North Section - $3,000 C. Interment • In-ground casket - $650, $800 (weekend) • In-ground cremation urn - $450 • Ground thawing - $100, $300 (weekend) • Columbarium Niche - $250 • Columbarium inscription - $300 D. 2024 Costs 1. Eden Prairie Cemetery • 56 plots sold for a total of $83,600 • 32 interments – 11 traditional, 21 cremation 2. Pleasant Hills Cemetery • 10 plots and 17 columbarium niches sold for a total of $54,100 • 12 interments – 3 traditional, 5 cremation (ground), 4 cremation (columbarium) Commissioner Hookom inquired if there was budget funding for grounds keeping. Bourne responded by saying they do have a healthy budget for each cemetery. Commissioner Spresser inquired if building the columbarium increases cash flow. Bourne responded it does increase cash flow. Spresser commented the columbarium is an impressive structure. Commissioner Cervantes inquired if an individual served in the military would they receive military burials. Bourne responded they do receive military burials. Chair Erickson inquired what the turnaround time would be for a new columbarium. Bourne said they are looking at next year for expanding. 2. 2025 Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Bourne gave an overview of the Capital Improvement Projects for 2025. They are: 1. Homeward Hills Playground Renovation - revitalizing the playground area as it is 22 years old. There may be an addition of a splash pad. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 6, 2025 Page 5 2. Parking Lot Reconstruction • Round Lake Tennis Lot • Round Lake Rink Lot 3. Franlo Road Trail Rehab 4. Carmel Park Tennis Court Rehab – replacing the asphalt 5. Outdoor Center Sign and Boardwalk 6. Staring Lake Amphitheater Expansion – upgrading ventilation 7. Staring Lake Trail Bridges 8. RTA Trail Erosion 9. Franlo Park Water Service – addition of drinking fountain 10. Senior Center Electronic Sign 11. Holasek Hill Retaining Wall Replacement 12. Valley View Drive Trail and Sidewalk Commissioner Meyer inquired about Cedar Hills Park and asked when that would be updated. Bourne replied Cedar Hills Park will be in the planning stage this year and construction will start next year. When the plans are complete they will be brought forward to the Commission for review and discussion. Commissioner Spresser said when the winter is over he would like to see an analysis of the skating rinks be completed. Commissioner Hookom asked if attendance is kept track of every day at the ice skating rinks. Bourne responded they are keeping track of attendance at the rinks. Commissioner Hookom inquired about the north side area of Duck Lake Trail where they have a fishing area and asked if that area will be upgraded. Bourne said they met with Mario from the DNR just this morning for upgrade discussion and he had some good suggestions for the fishing structure. They will also have to meet with the Public Works and Engineering Departments as there is a new road being constructed in the area. Hookom also inquired about the Flying Red Horse. Bourne said it is currently in the contractor shop but it should be done by the end of the month. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 6, 2025 Page 6 Chair Erickson asked when the electric sign will be ready. Bourne said it will be ready in spring or early summer as they are still working out some of the details, such as brick color and definition of sign. D. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. Athletics Policy Project Update. Director Markle updated the Commission on the Athletics Policy. She stated the policy was sent out to all of the athletic partners. She pointed out they met with the City Council last month and the last item that needed to be addressed were the fees associated with this policy. That topic will be discussed tomorrow evening with the City Council. She will also supply to the City Council partner feedback and discuss the policy in more detail; specifically the fee structure. The City would like to recommend everyone pay something every year and will promote Option B, which would have every athlete pay $5 per year. Commissioner Hookom commented that previously Markle had said that some of this money could go into software to help facilitate payment schedules and inquired if she has looked into packages or services. Markle said Sonja Robe, who does athletic coordination, has looked at what neighboring communities have been using and looking to see if we could partner with another department from the City to share some of the costs. Markle said they are also looking at adding additional staff as programs continue to grow. In regards to the Athletic Policy, after they receive direction from the City Council tomorrow evening they will bring the policy back to them for approval at the second meeting in January. Commissioner Spresser commented at one time the fee was $10 per athlete per season and feels that $10 annually would be reasonable. Markle said some of the feedback was to start low and build the fees up from there as some of the sports have tight budgets. Commissioner Spresser said it may be perceived better to the City Council to say this year we are giving everyone a fifty percent discount and next year the fee will be $10. Commissioner Hookom asked if there is a formal program for scholarship funds. Markle said for the non-profit programs there is always a financial assistance program. Hookom inquired if there are specific funds for each program. Lori Brinks, Recreation Manager, responded there were specific funds for each program. Hookom brought up the incident of the Somali autistic child that drown this past year and said it would be good to know that the City would offer assistance for families in need to get swimming lessons for their children. Andrea Kalligher, Recreational Supervisor of the Community Center Operations, said the Community Center offers a program called Passport for Fun that offers swim lessons to low income families. She also added that each individual association has their own financial assistance program. Markle responded there are scholarships out PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 6, 2025 Page 7 there and the City can also partner with organizations such as PROP for additional assistance. She also said after this incident, the City did reach out to the Somali community to let them know of what the City is doing to help their community and the financial assistance that is available to them. There are also videos in their own language so there is not a communication barrier. The first video that went out was from the Police Department and some of the water safety issues were addressed. Markle also stated it was important to let the Somali community know that swimming lessons are offered through the City. Kalligher said the Community Center offers adaptive swimming lessons that are private lessons not released to the public. The Community Center also offers swim lessons in the women’s only swim that occurs two Sunday evenings during the month. It is more of a drop in single registration for the participants. There are different clothing options that can be worn at this time and the Community Center also sells hijabs. She pointed out they can also work with Somali families if they are unable to get to the Community Center and assist them in that way also. E. PARKS AND RECREATION EXPERIENCES Chair Erickson asked Lori Brink, Recreation Manager, to discuss the Winter Blast event that would be taking place in Eden Prairie this weekend. Brink shared this is an ice event taking place at Staring Lake from noon to 4:30 on Saturday, January 11th. They will be offering free skates for individuals that would like to ice skate and they will have things like a portable sauna and food trucks available that will offer s’mores. A DJ will also be playing music on the ice during this time. It will be a fun event and she encouraged everyone to come. Commissioner Klodd inquired if the Commission will have someone from the Outdoor Center speak to the group. Chair Erickson responded the Commission will have their April meeting at the Outdoor Center. Commissioner Klodd commented last week she went for a hike at Riley Creek Conservation Area and noticed a lot of the people had their dogs off leash and at times she said it was very intimidating and inquired if additional standalone signs could be put up to have dog owners leash their dogs. Bourne acknowledged her concern and also responded the dog park is open for the dogs to be able to run unleashed. Chair Erickson said the Quality of Life survey is available on-line and encouraged everyone to fill it out. The deadline for submission is January 27th. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES January 6, 2025 Page 8 IX. NEXT MEETING The next PRNR Commission meeting will be held on Monday, February 3, at 7:00 p.m. at the Eden Prairie Community Center Cambria Room. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Commissioner Hookom moved, seconded by Commissioner Meyer, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. Chair Erickson adjourned the meeting at 8:09 p.m.