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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 07/16/2007 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY,JULY 16, 2007 6:00 P.M., CITY CENTER Council Chambers 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: John Brill, Chair; Geri Napuck(arrived at 6:15 p.m.), Vice Chair; Rob Barrett(arrived at 6:09 p.m.), Tom Bierman, Lee Elliott-S toering, Jeffrey Gerst, Joan Oko COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Randy Jacobus, Ian Mackay CITY STAFF PRESENT: Jay Lotthammer, Parks and Recreation Director Stu Fox, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Laurie Obiazor, Recreation Services Manager Wendy Sevenich, Community Center Manager Sandy Werts, Arts & Special Events Coordinator Julie Krull, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Chair Brill at 6:05 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Elliott-Stoering moved, seconded by Oko, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried, 5-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —June 4, 2007 Motion: Gerst moved, Oko seconded, to approve the June 4, 2007, Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission minutes as published. The motion carried, 4-0. Bierman abstained. IV. APPROVED MINUTES —May 7, 2007 V. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION of June 5, and June 19 Lotthammer explained that the walking track at the Community Center was not approved due to funding issues,but could possibly be brought back to the table in the future, for approval, if additional funding could be located for this project. Lotthammer stated the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area was re-named Purgatory Creek Park. Bierman asked if the lake was also named. Lotthammer stated it was not named. Brill asked what PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION July 16, 2007 Page 2 the time period would be before this change would take place. Lotthammer said the signs should be changed within a month to a month and a half, and the rest should be changed before fall. VI. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION—June 12,June 26 and July 9 Fox reported there was not action at the June 12 meeting. At the June 26 meeting the Guide Plan Update was discussed with a substantial amount of discussion on the Park chapter. The July 9 meeting was cancelled. VII. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION A. Petition supporting trail system in Edenbrook Construction Area Fox pointed out this was a petition brought up by Eden Prairie resident, Frank Kendall, who was inquiring what he and his neighbors could do to get additional phases of the Edenbrook Conservation area nature trails constructed in the near future. Staff recommended he talk to his neighbors and put a petition together urging the City to complete Phase II and Phase III as soon as possible. Mr. Kendall completed the petition process and collected 245 signatures urging the trail system by completed as soon as possible. Fox stated the Staff recommends going forward with Phase II and Phase III of this project. He pointed out Phase II involves building a combination trail and boardwalk to the north to connect with the Crosstown bike trail and Phase III construction would be a trail from the central loop eastward to connect with Duck Lake Road. Elliott-Stoering commented the concern of the trail would be to maintain it as a natural trail and not that of a bike trail. Fox said the trail would not be paved and there would also be signage in place stating it is a natural trail. He stated the trail would be designed for walkers and runners and not bikers. Elliott-Stoering asked if any other projects would be delayed if this project were to be moved up. Lotthammer said that according to the 5 year CIP, this project is fully fundable, as well as the other projects listed on the CIP. He pointed out that projects were put into a priority level and nothing had to fall off the list or be pushed back in order to move forward with this project. Elliott-Stoering said she would like a copy of the current CIP. Lotthammer said he would supply that to her at the August meeting. Motion: Barrett moved, seconded by Gerst, to recommend the City Council that Phase II and Phase III of the Edenbrook Conservation Area nature trail be constructed in 2008 and 2009, if the CIP budget is approved. The motion carried, 7-0. VIII. OLD BUSINESS A. Geocachins!Policy Fox said at the May 7, 2007 Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission meeting Deb Sweeney made a PowerPoint presentation to explain to the Commission members what geocaching involved. Fox commented it was a very informative presentation that provided a lot of discussion regarding this issue. At that time, Staff made a recommendation that a small PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION July 16, 2007 Page 3 group of individuals meet to help Staff develop a policy for permitting geocaching within the Eden Prairie park system. A group was established and they met twice to review the various aspects of this policy. They generated a list of various parks and park areas where geocaching would and would not be permitted. Based on this list, Staff would be putting together geocaching guidelines and a permit application form for review by the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission. Oko, who was a member of the committee, commented that she felt this was a good experience. She stated that Section 10 of this policy should include off-leash dog parks and that geocaching should not be included in these areas. Motion: Oko moved, seconded by Barrett, to accept the recommendations of the Geocaching Study Group to permit Geocaching in the City Parks as guided by a permit process. The motion carried, 7-0. B. Off Leash Area Update Lotthammer stated that Annie Johnson, a summer intern from the University of Minnesota- Mankato, surveyed surrounding cities to compare management policies and practices of off- leash dog parks. A specific issue addressed was that of fees and the collective procedures to obtain them. He stated Commissioner Oko would like to make a presentation at the August meeting to address this issue more specifically. Lotthammer asked Fox to address the issue of making water available at the Staring Lake Park site. Fox said that as Hennepin County upgrades Pioneer Trail they will be bringing in a water line to allow city water to run adjacent to the Staring Lake Park. Fox said he will recommend that adequate water be applied to the park and off-leash dog park. ** At 6:50 p.m. the Park Tour commenced. IX. NEW BUSINESS A. Park Tour • Round Lake • Community Center • Edenbrook • Camp Edenwood • Birch Island Park • Forest Hills • Edenvale X. REPORTS OF STAFF A. Director of Parks and Recreation. B. Manager of Recreation Services PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION July 16, 2007 Page 4 C. Manager of Parks and Natural Resources XI. NEXT MEETING Next PRNR Meeting: Monday, August 6, Council Chambers, 7:00 p.m. X. ADJOURNMENT