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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 08/05/2019APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 2019 7:00 P.M. ART CENTER 7650 Equitable Drive PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS: Larry Link, Chair; Patrice Erickson, Vice Chair; Cecilia Cervantes, Kim Harris, Andy McGlasson, Leonard Pesheck, John Rahman, Ken Ross, Kirk Spresser CITY STAFF: Jay Lotthammer, Parks and Recreation Director Lori Brink, Recreation Manager Matt Bourne, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Valerie Verley, Community Center Manager RECORDING SECRETARY: Jodie Fenske A reception recognizing the 10th anniversary of the Art Center was held at 7 p.m. Members of the Roger Sampson family, Mayor Case, City Council members, Art Center staff and instructors, and several community members attended the reception which included sparkling water, snacks, and desserts. The Mayor thanked the Sampson family for not only the gift of the Art Center, but also the continuing support to provide an incredible asset to the residents of the City. I. INTRODUCTIONS Chair Link called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. Roll call was taken. Commission Members Harris, McGlasson, and Pesheck were absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Rahman moved, seconded by Erickson, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 6-0. III. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES A. Erickson made a motion to amend the June 3, 2019 minutes. On page 10, Section VIII. Old Business, Subsection A. Park and Open Space Plan – Serving Older Adults, at the end of the second paragraph, add “Erickson suggested the Commission meet with the Senior Advisory Council to brainstorm additional ideas for future programming and improvements to the Senior Center.” Motion: Cervantes moved, seconded by Spresser, to approve the June 3, 2019 minutes as amended. Motion carried 6-0. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES August 5, 2019 Page 2 IV. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Lotthammer reported on actions recently taken by the City Council. A. NANCY TYRA-LUKENS AQUATICS CENTER DEDICATION The aquatics facility at the Community Center was dedicated as the Nancy Tyra- Lukens Aquatics Center on June 18, 2019. The dedication ceremony was followed by an official City Council proclamation which cited former Mayor Tyra-Lukens’ passion for health and wellness, and her leadership and vision that helped bring the aquatics center project to fruition. B. HISTORICAL FARM EQUIPMENT DONATION Council adopted a Resolution accepting a donation from Doug Schmidt of historical farm equipment to be displayed at historic sites within the City. The Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the equipment and recommended accepting a corn planter, John Deere mower, dump rake, and ax grinder. The farm equipment (from approximately the early 1900s) belonged to Mr. Schmidt’s grandfather, Joseph Morrissette, whose original farm was in Hamel, Minnesota. When he retired in the late 1940s, he purchased one acre and a farm house in Eden Prairie from Wesly Pidock. He brought the farm equipment with him and continued to farm the land in Eden Prairie, planting vegetable crops, fruit, and hay. He harvested and sold these crops to National T Grocery in Glen Lake, Minnesota, and operated a roadside stand on Scenic Heights Road. C. MOVIES IN THE PARK DONATION A Resolution was adopted accepting a donation of $500 from DreamWorks to go towards the Movies in the Parks. D. JULY 4TH DONATIONS / RECAP Council adopted a Resolution accepting a donation of $3,400 from various donors to go towards the July 3rd and 4th Hometown Celebration. Donors include: J.A. Price Agency, Inc. ($1,000), OSR Physical Therapy ($1,000), Southwest Metro Pickleball Club ($500), Brookdale Senior Living ($400), Wall Trends ($200), Kowalski’s Market ($200), and Elim Shores ($100). V. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION Bourne reported the Planning Commission recently held a public hearing regarding rezoning City-owned parks and open space parcels not currently zoned as such to Parks/Open Space. Approximately forty residents were in attendance, with only a few PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES August 5, 2019 Page 3 asking questions and requesting clarification. The Planning Commission voted in favor of the rezoning and will request approval of the City Council at their August 13, 2019 meeting. VI. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION A. HANDOUTS OF UPCOMING EVENTS Brink presented handouts of the following events. 1. Movies in the Park. Movies will be shown at Staring Lake Amphitheatre on the following Fridays at 9 p.m.: August 2, August 9, and August 16. Concessions and preshow entertainment will be provided each night. 2. PeopleFest! A series of community events to celebrate the unique cultures represented in Eden Prairie will be held August 4-13, 2019 throughout the City. The Peoplefest! Party will be held on Sunday, August 11, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Staring Lake Park. 3. Fall Parks and Recreation Brochure. The Fall 2019 Parks and Recreation Programs brochure has been mailed to residents. Registration begins August 14. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. FUTURE PARKS PROJECTS Spresser requested Staff report back to the Commission on the Parks Department’s current financial situation and five-year projections. Lotthammer explained the different sources from which new projects and rehabilitation/replacement projects are funded. Bourne stated he would provide the Commission with the most recent ten-year CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) in the near future. VIII. OLD BUSINESS A. FLYING RED HORSE SIGN Rahman requested an update on the status of the Flying Red Horse sign. Lotthammer stated the topic will be discussed during the historic update portion of next week’s City Council Workshop and Council members will provide input. He explained in order to fully evaluate options, the City will hire a consultant to determine what improvements would need to be made in order to display it inside or outside. Spresser suggested the Mobil portion of the sign be removed. IX. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. PARKS AND RECREATION EXPERIENCES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES August 5, 2019 Page 4 Rahman shared he recently hosted his son’s graduation party at the Homeward Hills barn and was impressed with the affordability and amenities. Erickson suggested online marketing of the new Staring Lake Park building and including photos of the inside. Lotthammer stated a large sign is located in front of the building illustrating artist renderings of the exterior. Link and several friends from the Community Center participated in the Tour de Tonka bike ride with instructor Denise Kennedy. Verley participates in the Wednesday night sand volleyball league at Riley Lake Park. She stated the increased diversity in league participants is great to see. Ross is involved with the Let’s Go Fishing program and has heard positive feedback about the improvements made at Riley Lake Park. He suggested a PRNR Commission meeting held in conjunction with a Let’s Go Fishing excursion. Spresser stated he would expect a cash inflow due to several multi-tenant buildings currently being built in the City. He inquired if these funds would allow for the proposed pavilion to be built at Riley Lake Park. He visits the park frequently and notices a lack of changing room space for visitors. Lotthammer stated staff has discussed the pavilion recently and recommends not building it at this time. Cash in the Parks and Recreation fund is low considering many recent projects and the Staring Lake Park building and parking lot needing to be completed. Spresser has heard from friends the pickleball court finish at Pioneer Park is not acceptable for some players. Lotthammer explained the serious players prefer the courts at Staring Lake Park and other players don’t mind the surface at Pioneer Park because it allows for more availability of court time. Spresser inquired about recent car break-ins by pickleball players while playing at the Staring Lake Park courts. Bourne and Lotthammer will investigate. Link inquired about completion of the new building at Staring Lake Park. Lotthammer responded building completion is expected in mid-September, followed by parking lot completion in October. Cameras and other building security features will be in place prior to the building opening to the public. Rahman inquired about a recent news article regarding a new bug being found in the area. Bourne stated it affects shrubs, not trees, and is not a concern. B. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER C. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER 1. Community Center Upgrades. Verley stated the outdoor front plaza construction project has been completed at the Community Center. The new area provides more open space and access and visibility from the parking lot. The area will include PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES August 5, 2019 Page 5 tables, benches, custom bike racks, and trash receptacles, as well as plantings and flower beds. The paver material was chosen because it can withstand sand and salt during the winter months. D. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER E. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. Columbarium Plan Presentation. Lotthammer displayed a PowerPoint presentation he gave to City Council on July 16, 2019 regarding a columbarium concept at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, which is owned by the City. Many members of the Commission were able to tour the site during July’s bus tour. He explained and displayed photos of a columbarium which is a brick structure with niches for urns to be stored. The proposed location is on the southeast corner of the cemetery where there are currently no burials. He provided current grave site and availability statistics. The brick structure would be surrounded by pavers, integrally-colored concrete, trees, mulch, and other landscaping, as well as a retaining wall, benches, and a concrete staircase with handrails. Future expansion could include two additional columbariums. Rahman inquired about demand and Lotthammer stated 2017 was the first year Minnesota recorded more cremations than burials. Cost comparisons provided in the presentation indicated the columbarium option offers significant savings to residents over traditional burial costs. Other benefits include parking circulation, an above-ground option, and added capacity to the cemetery. Lotthammer explained grading and plantings will provide a barrier to allow for peaceful visitation considering the site is near Pioneer Trail. Pursuant to Commission request, additional concept designs will be provided, as well as cost estimates, at the September meeting. Site work could be completed this fall in preparation for the columbarium placement in spring 2020. 2. 2019 PRNR Work Plan. Lotthammer presented an updated 2019 work plan indicating future topics will include public art, facility recaps, columbarium designs, and the Staring Lake Park building grand opening. Additional topics will be added as the year proceeds. He indicated a future PRNR Commission meeting will be held at the new Staring Lake Park building once it is completed and the parking lot is finished in October. X. NEXT MEETING PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES August 5, 2019 Page 6 The next PRNR Commission meeting will be held on Monday, September 9, at 7 p.m. at the City Center. XI. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Spresser moved, seconded by Cervantes, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. Chair Link adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m.