Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 02/02/2026 Approved Minutes Eden Prairie Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Meeting 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 City Center 8080 Mitchell Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 ATTENDEES Commission Members: Patrice Erickson, Chair; Pedro Curry, Vice Chair; Cecilia Cervantes, Sana Elassar, Duane Hookom, Giridhar Kuppili, Jennifer Meyer, Lisa Nichols, Kirk Spresser Student Representatives: Ella Brazil, Jack Dennison, Ani Dirks, Everett Gilligan, Seth Gilligan, Gwendolyn Glasrud, Simone Kauna, Allison Schuessler, Daniel Siegert, Affan Syed, Rose Wicks City Staff: Amy Markle, Parks and Recreation Director; Jana Graczyk, Recreation Services Manager; Gamiel Hall, Community Center Manager; Matt Bourne, Parks and Natural Resources Manager; David Teigland, City Clerk; Community Service Officer Andrew Rockefellow; Sergeant Cory Sinon Recording Secretary: Joni Komperda MEETING AGENDA I. Call the Meeting to Order Erickson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Commissioners Curry, Cervantes, Elassar, Kuppili, and Nichols were absent. Student Representatives Brazil, Dennison, Dirks, Glasrud, Kauna, and Syed were absent. Erickson noted the lack of a quorum and introduced several guests and new staff members. New recording secretary, Joni Komperda, was introduced, along with City Clerk David Teigland, who is assisting in her training. Public Safety staff Sergeant Cory Sinon and Officer Andrew Rockefeller were also welcomed to provide perspective on enforcement for the upcoming dog ordinance discussion. Jim Millen, a 30-year resident, introduced himself and noted he was attending specifically to hear about the bike path but was also curious about changes in dog regulations. II. Approval of Agenda The agenda could not be approved because there was no quorum. Erickson directed the meeting to proceed with the agenda as distributed. III. Minutes PRNR COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES February 2, 2026 Page 2 As there was no quorum, no formal vote was taken to approve the January 2026 minutes. Meyer said the style of the minutes felt more like an executive summary than a reflection of staff and commissioner discussions. She suggested more detail be included so those absent from meetings could understand the full context of conversations. Teigland explained he had transitioned the style away from verbatim transcriptions, which they were becoming toward the end of the previous year. Spresser suggested a "middle ground" approach would be more beneficial. He emphasized that while a verbatim transcript is not necessary, it is helpful for absent members to see that "Spresser asked a question" followed by the general "flavor" of the response. Erickson agreed, noting that identifying which commissioner asked a question or made a comment helps provide necessary context for future discussions. IV. Report of City Council Action Markle reported on several items from the January 6 and January 20 City Council meetings: • Fall Donation Report: Council accepted donations totaling $7,325 for the last quarter of 2025. • Scholarship Ceremony: Two students, Dylan Curry and Lily Longinger, were awarded $500 Camp Counselor Impact scholarships for their work with youth. • Tree Sale Contract: Council approved a $57,000 contract with Tree Trust for the 2026 spring tree sale. The event will feature 400 trees across 12 species at Flying Cloud Fields. • Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area: Council approved a $51,000 management contract with Stantec for phase two of the erosion control project. • Appointments: Karli Wittner was appointed as the Assistant Weed Inspector. Hookom commented on the tree sale, noting his family participates annually, and the trees offered last year were particularly large, reaching up to 12 feet. He expressed concern regarding vehicle size, observing residents attempting to fit these significant trees into small vehicles, and recommended the city provide specific guidance on the website regarding the dimensions of the trees and necessary vehicle capacity. Hookom also mentioned his intention to bring a trailer to future sales to assist others in exchange for a donation to the Historical Society. Bourne agreed with the suggestion and stated he would look into adding those recommendations to the city website to better assist residents with transport planning. V. Report of Planning Commission Action None VI. Petitions, Requests, and Communications None VII. Reports of Commission and Staff A. Parks and Recreation Director PRNR COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES February 2, 2026 Page 3 Markle opened the discussion by reporting that dog-related issues, specifically off-leash pets and uncollected waste (including bags left along trails), are among the primary complaints received by the department. She noted many residents treat all city parks as off-leash areas, which creates significant discomfort for other park users. Markle detailed current educational efforts, such as the new city webpage and the distribution of dog bandanas to promote leashing. Sinon and Rockefellow then shared the Public Safety perspective, explaining that while their role often involves responding to complaints, they prioritize a "voluntary compliance" and educational approach over punitive measures. Rockefellow shared his experience of educating residents at Staring Lake. Sinon explained the technical difference between staff: while Community Service Officers (CSOs) like Rockefellow can advocate for code and explain the ordinance, only sworn officers have the authority to technically identify individuals for a citation. Rockefellow explained he often directs residents to outdoor hockey rinks as a contained space to run dogs, provided they are closed, as this protects the specialized pavement on new basketball courts from damage. Sinon introduced the concept of "Direct Control," where the department saturates a specific park with officers and CSOs for two weeks to proactively address repeat violations. Sinon clarified the specific fine structure: $50 for a dog at large or barking dog, while failing to clean up waste is a "mandatory court" offense. Meyer inquired where residents could find more specific details on these ordinances, leading Spresser to ask if the locations of the city’s official off-leash parks are easily accessible. Markle confirmed they are listed online and suggested future partnerships with officers for community engagement, such as "dog socials." When Spresser asked about the enforcement of dog licensing, Rockefellow explained that while they promote licensing, it usually only becomes a focus during specific incidents, such as dog bites. Meyer followed up on a topic from the January meeting, asking for the status of the new off-leash dog park project, which Bourne confirmed has been approved. Meyer concluded the discussion by encouraging the city to use positive reinforcement for better community adherence to dog rules. Markle introduced the second topic, the design update for the new bike park at Cedar Hills Park, highlighting the project is intended as a high-quality entry point for beginners and intermediate riders. Meyer raised a concern regarding parking capacity, noting that while the current plan might feel sufficient eventually, the initial excitement and "grand opening" period could overwhelm the available spots. Meyer asked if there was a contingency for overflow; Markle confirmed the city has a strong historical partnership with Grace Church for shared parking and expressed confidence in that arrangement. The discussion turned to the feasibility of expanding the onsite lot, with Spresser asking for specifics on how many additional spots could be created. Bourne indicated they could likely squeeze in about eight more spots within the current footprint, while Markle noted that with further adjustments, they might be able to reach a total of 30 spaces. Erickson inquired about the PRNR COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES February 2, 2026 Page 4 "information kiosk" listed in the design; Markle explained it would serve as the central hub for trail maps, difficulty ratings, safety rules, and emergency information. Meyer suggested incorporating "Eden Prairie flair" or a specific theme, such as local landmarks or sponsorships, to give the park a unique identity. Spresser followed up by asking about partnerships with local schools and mountain bike coaches, which Markle confirmed was a key part of the programming strategy. During a discussion on the construction timeline, Markle explained the city must adhere to strict environmental regulations, specifically avoiding tree removal during certain windows to protect nesting bats. Erickson asked if the ribbon-cutting was still on track for the fall; Markle confirmed the department is aiming for a September grand opening. B. Recreation Services Manager C. Community Center Manager Hall announced the new mobile application is now available for download. He noted the app's functionality and informed the commission that it serves as a central hub for residents to access city services and real-time updates. Hall noted he had flyers available for anyone interested, which included a QR code directing users to both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for easy installation. He encouraged the commissioners to download the app to stay informed about upcoming Parks and Recreation events and citywide announcements. D. Parks and Natural Resources Manager E. Parks and Recreation Experiences Erickson highlighted a specific article from the January 19 edition of the Star Tribune that ranked the top ten indoor play areas in the region. She noted Eden Prairie’s "Prairie Play Zone" was featured on the list alongside other notable facilities in Minnetonka (Williston Fitness Center), Maple Grove, and Edina (Edinborough). Erickson pointed out the article also gave a "nice plug" to the Community Center’s ice rink and pool, providing positive local and regional exposure for the city's general amenities. Meyer shared her recent experiences walking the city's new dog parks and paths and attended the "Winter Blast" event. In response to a question from Erickson regarding attendance, Graczyk and Markle confirmed approximately 600 people participated in Winter Blast. Hookom also attended the event and observed city staff were very easy to identify in their new branded vests. He asked if this was the first year employees were wearing this specific apparel; Graczyk and Markle confirmed this was the inaugural year for the new uniform. Hookom also mentioned a separate newspaper article he encountered regarding upcoming summer activities. Markle discussed upcoming summer job opportunities and the launch of seasonal programming. PRNR COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES February 2, 2026 Page 5 She also highlighted the current donation campaign supporting PROP, the PROP Shop, and Senior Community Services. When Spresser asked for clarification on where residents should drop off their contributions, Markle confirmed the various designated locations and expressed her appreciation for the strong community engagement and donation volume seen to date. VIII. Other Business Markle informed the commission that the Parks and Recreation annual report is scheduled to be presented to the City Council on Tuesday, March 3. She explained this is an annual requirement where each city commission provides a summary of the previous year's highlights, key topics, and major accomplishments to the Council. Markle extended an invitation to all commissioners and student representatives to attend the meeting in support of Erickson, who will be delivering the presentation. She noted that while the presentation is part of the formal Council meeting, there is always plenty of seating available in the back for commission members. Markle concluded by stating she would have David Keys send out a follow-up email to the group to confirm the exact time and details for those who wish to attend. IX. Next Meeting March 2, 2026, Eden Prairie Community Center, 16700 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55346 X. Adjournment Erickson adjourned the meeting at 8:18 p.m. There was no quorum, so no motion per Erickson.