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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 02/06/2006 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2006 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER Council Chamber 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Rob Barrett, Tom Bierman, John Brill, Jeffrey Gerst and Geri Napuck COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Randy Jacobus, Ian Mackay and Michael Moriarity COMMISSION STAFF PRESENT: Bob Lambert, Director of Parks and Recreation Services; Stu Fox, Manager of Natural Resources; Laurie Obiazor, Recreation Manager; and Carol Pelzel, Recording Secretary STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Danny Crichton, Graham Kist, Ali Neugebauer I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Chair Barrett at 7:00 p.m. Jacobus, Mackay and Moriarity had excused absences. V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Gerst moved, seconded by Brill, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried, 5-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —January 9, 2006 Motion: Brill moved, Barrett seconded, to approve the January 9, 2006, Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission minutes as presented. The motion carried, 3-0-2 with Bierman and Gerst abstaining because of absence from that meeting. IV. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION—January 17, 2006 Lambert reported that at the January 17 Council meeting the Council approved the contract for services for a feasibility study for expansion of the Community Center wading pool; approved the first reading of the "Doyle" Addition, which included a preliminary plat of 12.1 acres; approved Bryant Lake Ski Team request for a submersible slalom course subject to conditions imposed by the Hennepin County Water Patrol and that the Parks Commission hold a public hearing at the end of 2006 to hear any complaints prior to renewing the permit for 2007; authorized negotiations for the acquisition of the Picha property and authorized City staff to determine the lowest possible cost for acquisition of either the Shuldheiss property or the Jackson property on Riley Lake and to review the Capital Improvement Plan to determine what PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION February 6, 2006 Page 2 funding sources are available; and, authorized planning for the relocation of the baseball field at Round Lake Park and to include lighting the ball field in that relocation plan. Barrett asked if the Three Rivers Park District has yet approved the submersible slalom course on Bryant Lake. Lambert said they have not yet taken action on this request and were waiting for a report from the City. Lambert said he would let the Commission know what the Park District's action on this item was once he finds out. Barrett recommended that the Commission tour the various park facilities throughout the City. He feels this is very helpful and would like the student representatives to be able to also attend this tour before their term on the Commission is up. He suggested that they do a tour some time in April. Lambert said this would depend on what is on the Commission's agenda and what projects they have taking place. May 1 may be a more appropriate time for a tour. The best time to go out would be towards the end of the summer. There will be a lot of projects under way or even completed at that time. V. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION A. CONTRACT FOR ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES Lambert reported that a contract for the Community Center Expansion with Delano Erickson Architects was included in the Commission's agenda material. This item will be considered by the City Council on February 7. Also, at the last City Council meeting Councilmember Case requested City staff to evaluate the feasibility of a third ice rink. Lambert explained that the Hockey Association is making an effort to raise some funds for this third rink. They had previously talked about a covered outdoor rink for a cost of approximately $2 million. If the Hockey Association were to rent 900 plus hours and pay for 80 or 85 percent of the prime time ice, approximately $1 million of revenue would be generated and could be used for the payment of revenue bonds. However, the Hockey Association would still be required to raise $1 million. The covered rink is now estimated to cost$2.5 million while an enclosed rink would cost approximately $3 million. Lambert said that if the Hockey Association can raise $1 million, the City could possibly match that amount with lease revenue bonds. Staff will be presenting a report to the City Council and the Hockey Association has asked to give a presentation to the City Council. Barrett asked what the 20-year prediction is for the number of children in Eden Prairie. Lambert responded that the number of children in the City peaked approximately three or four years ago. There are 3,600 kids in the High School and that drops down slowly to 3,200 and stays at that number. There are approximately 700 kids coming into kindergarten and approximately 800 kids that will be leaving the High School. Bierman asked if the City ever does an RFP for architectural services. Lambert responded that generally they do an RFP and that dictates what they want and becomes part of the contract. They did not send this RFP to anyone else but Erickson Architects. In most cases they do send the RFP out to other firms and generally get two or three proposals returned. Bierman questioned the hourly rate stated in the contract. Lambert explained that Erickson PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION February 6, 2006 Page 3 estimates the total number of hours it will take to do a specific task and then adds a not to exceed total amount. Bierman recommended that the contract show the total hours and that they eliminate the hourly estimate. Lambert said he would prefer to leave the contract as it now reads. Lambert stated that staff is asking for approval of the first phase of the project. There are a number of unknowns at this time and that is why they are recommending that the contract be done in phases. Motion: Gerst moved, seconded by Bierman, to recommend the approval of the Phase I portion of the proposal from Delano Erickson Architects for a cost not to exceed $90,000. The motion carried, 5-0. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. LAND ACQUISITION UPDATE Lambert explained that there is no formal action required for this item but he wanted to let the Commission know where staff is at with the acquisition of the Picha property and the Jackson property on Riley Lake. Even though Picha indicated that they would sell their property for$830,00, staff felt it was necessary to do due diligence. They did meet with the City Assessor to review the latest appraisal and to provide a cursory update on land sales in that area. They also met with the City Engineering staff to determine the estimated costs for extending public utilities to the site and road improvements on Birch Island Road. Lambert further explained that the City Planning staff reviewed the site to determine the likely development approvals that could be anticipated for that property if it were sold today. Lambert indicated that it is reasonable to assume that a developer would pay $830,000 for this property and it is a reasonable price. Staff has asked the City Attorney to draft a purchase agreement for the $830,000 asking price. Lambert reported that originally Councilmember Case indicated that he would not support the acquisition of the property on Riley Lake. After having been on the lake,he saw the conflicts with this property and now understands why it should be public property. Staff will be talking to the owners of the property and feel that as long as they acquire one of the lots it will remain as it is. Shuldheiss is willing to sell his property if he can have a life estate and is willing to discuss a price. Staff will also be meeting with Jackson to discuss the acquisition of his property and he is also willing to negotiate a purchase price. B. PLANNING PROCESS FOR THE COMMUNITY CENTER IMPROVEMENTS Lambert stated that included in the Commission's agenda material was a copy of a memo sent to various special interest groups and the public inviting them to provide input for the development of the Community Center addition. These meetings will inform the major users as to what the issues are and it will also help determine what programs are critical and should remain open. Once a final program is developed the design will then be completed. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION February 6, 2006 Page 4 C. THIRD RINK PROJECT This item was discussed earlier in the evening under Item V.A. VII. NEW BUSINESS VII. REPORTS OF STAFF A. DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION SERVICES 1. 2006 City Commission Process/Information Lambert reported that there are five openings on the Parks Commission. Brill indicated that he would like to continue serving on the Commission. Barrett said he also is willing to continue serving on the Commission and has submitted his application for appointment. Barrett asked that Lambert send an e-mail to the other Commission members whose term is up to ask them to submit their applications for reappointment to the Commission. 2.Summary of 2006 Projects by Funding Source Lambert presented an updated listing of the projects projected between 2006 and 2010 sorted by funding sources. The projects listed in 2006 have been approved. Any projects beyond that are estimates and those that are scheduled further out will more than likely change. Lambert explained that these are rough estimates. Bierman questioned what the parking lot maintenance project includes. Lambert responded that this is an on-going project funded from the General Fund and is to seal coat and maintain existing parking lots. 3. Updated Draft CIP Lambert presented the updated draft Capital Improvement Plan explaining that this document has been revised since the passage of the 2005 referendum. The only projects approved are the 2006 projects with the projects scheduled for 2007 and beyond being projected at this time. Bierman questioned the Flying Cloud field expansion and where they are at with that. Lambert explained that they have asked the FAA to release the restrictions on this site. At this time, they cannot do any improvements with the field until the Northwest Airlines lawsuit is settled. Bierman suggested that a letter be sent to Senator Coleman asking that he look into this matter so that the City can move forward with expanding these fields. Lambert suggested that the Commission talk to the Mayor and suggest that she write a letter to Senator Coleman and Representative Ramstad regarding this matter. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION February 6, 2006 Page 5 Motion: Motion was made by Brill, seconded by Gerst, to request the City Council to contact the City's U.S. Representative and Senators to seek approval to make the improvements on Flying Cloud Fields that were agreed to with the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) in 2002. The motion carried, 5-0. Frank Powell from the audience pointed out that even though these improvements were agreed to by MAC,by increasing its visibility to the fact that this is a good deal, they may be increasing the possibility of this agreement being restructured in the future and becoming detrimental to the City. Lambert said he did not think this would happen. MAC and the City of Eden Prairie have a signed document subject to the FAA's approval. Powell said the publicity could potentially harm the opportunity to use this land. Lambert explained that the use of this land is an on-going deal and can be terminated with a 90-day notice. B. MANAGER OF RECREATION SERVICES C. MANAGER OF PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES 1. Update on Staring Lake Doi Park Fox reported that the dog park is scheduled to open up this spring. They do need to make people aware of the fact that this is a dual-purpose area. It will be used as a cross- country ski area during the winter and an off-leash dog park during the summer months. If the weather permits, the park may even open in March. Bierman asked if the City has any authority to use Anderson Lake Parks as a dog park. Lambert responded that the Three-Rivers Park District owns this park and he did not think they would take any land from the park reserve for this use. 2. Park Sisn Project Lambert reported that the City Manager has decided that one color will be used for all of the proposed signs and that color would be the darker green color. Barrett asked for a report on the usage of the Riley Lake Barn. Lambert explained that it is closed during the winter months and they have had good usage in the fall. Barrett asked if there have been any issues raised with the cross-country ski team. Fox responded that races have been cancelled due to the lack of snow. Most of the activities are taking place at other locations that are making snow. VIII. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for Monday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION February 6, 2006 Page 6 IX. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Napuck moved, Bierman seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0 The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.