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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 11/06/2006 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2006 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER Council Chambers 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: John Brill, Chair; Geri Napuck, Vice Chair; Rob Barrett, Tom Bierman, Lee Elliott- Stoering, Jeffrey Gerst, Randy Jacobus, Ian Mackay and Michael Moriarity COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: None STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Jennifer Dworak, Elise Garon and William Wahlers COMMISSION STAFF PRESENT: Bob Lambert, Director of Parks and Recreation; Stu Fox, Parks and Natural Resources Manager; Laurie Obiazor, Recreation Manager; Beth DeGree, Aquatic &: Fitness Coordinator; Lyndell Frey, Recreation Coordinator; Carol Pelzel, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Chair Brill at 7:05 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Brill asked that under X.A. Reports of Staff, Director of Parks and Recreation, Comprehensive Guide Plan— Golf Courses be added. Motion: Gerst moved, seconded by Barrett, to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried, 9-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —OCTOBER 2, 2006 Bierman questioned how the language changes referring to the funding for the third sheet of ice would be included in the minutes. Lambert said he would forward a copy of the memo that went to the City Council to the Commission regarding this issue. Motion: Barrett moved, Elliott-Stoering seconded, to approve the October 2, 2006, Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission minutes as published. The motion carried, 8-0-1 with Gerst abstaining because of absence from that meeting. IV. APPROVED MINUTES — SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION November 6, 2006 Page 2 V. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION— OCTOBER 3 AND OCTOBER 17, 2006 Lambert reported that no action was taken at the October 3 meeting relating to Parks. At the October 17 workshop a trails update was presented. Staff provided the Council with the status of construction of trails at Edenbrook, Lower Purgatory Creek and Riley Creek. The Council also received a report from Vicky Pellar-Price on the Elizabeth Fries Ellet Interpretive Trail Signage Program. The Council did not take action on the Signage program but they did make some additional comments for making changes to the signs. The final plans of the signs will be brought back to this Commission and City Council prior to installation. Lambert further reported that at the Council's regular meeting, the Third Rink fund raising group made a presentation on donations received. Super Valu donated $100,000 and C.H. Robinson donated $50,000. The Council also approved the employee discount proposal for those companies donating $50,000 to the Community Center. Moriarity noted that a $50,000 donation had been made for the Veterans Memorial. Lambert explained that the Wal-Mart Foundation did present a check for$50,000 to the Veterans Memorial Committee. The check was made out to the City of Eden Prairie. Napuck asked if the Council considered contributing money for an Interpretive Trail Sign. Lambert responded that it was suggested that the City provide funding for one sign. A resident suggested that the Council wait since Pellar-Price had received 501C3 designation for this project and she may become more successful with contributions. The Council did agree to wait and see if sufficient funds are raised for the remaining signs and if additional funding is needed, Pellar-Price is to come back to the City Council. VI. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION—OCTOBER 9 AND OCTOBER 23, 2006 No action taken related to park and recreation issues. VII. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION A. SERVICE AREA REPORT—AQUATIC & FITNESS —BETH DEGREE Beth DeGree, Aquatic and Fitness Coordinator, presented an overview of the City's Fitness Programs and Aquatics Program. With regard to Round Lake, Lambert explained that the City hired an individual to do a study on Round Lake this year. He was to monitor the water quality and clarity. As far as water clarity is concerned, in August it dropped back to six feet of water clarity, comparable to Riley Lake, where earlier in the year it was 13 feet of water clarity. He also monitored the fecal coli form count on a weekly basis and found they would not have had to close the beach this year. Lambert said an executive summary will be presented to the Commission at their December 4 meeting to determine whether or not they want to open the beach next year. They will also have to consider whether or not they want to commit to spending money for goose management. VIII. OLD BUSINESS PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION November 6, 2006 Page 3 A. RENAMING OF PURGATORY CREEK RECREATION AREA Lambert reported that included with the Commission's agenda material was additional information regarding renaming of the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area. At this point, staff does not have any recommendation for a name for this area. Barrett asked if their recommendation would go to the City Council or the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC). Lambert responded that both Commissions would make a recommendation to the City Council. The HPC did recommend that Purgatory Creek be kept in the name. Staff is suggesting that the name be changed to conservation area rather than recreation area. They can name other areas within the conservation area such as Veteran's Memorial Plaza. Brill said he likes the name Memorial Park because it is clean. Mackay said he likes the idea of separating the park from the conservation area and would recommend naming those sites separately. It seems natural to call it the Purgatory Creek Conservation Area. Napuck said she likes the idea of naming areas within the conservation area. Lambert pointed out that Edenvale Conservation Area is adjacent to Edenvale Park. They could call the park something different than a conservation area. They do have the Lower Purgatory Creek Conservation Area and he said they might not want to call this area the Purgatory Creek Conservation Area. Jacobus said he is more in favor of simplifying it to one name and he asked what the reason would be for separating this area. Lambert responded that some people like the idea of having a separate name for the park. Mackay said he feels they are separate things. They have the park and a marsh and conservation area. Lambert explained that the entry access point is at the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area and to try to create a separate name for the marsh could be confusing. Barrett said it seems cleaner to name the whole area one name. The beauty of the park is the path and it should have the same name as the entry point. Elliott-S toering explained that they want to identify where they are going. Whatever they name this area, the name should be simple and identify what is there. She said she would like to have the word memorial in the name. She would prefer not to have Purgatory Creek in the name because it has been used in Lower Purgatory Creek and in the City of Minnetonka. Napuck said the advantage to separating these areas is because the conservation area speaks for itself rather than just calling it a park. Also, another name allows for some recognition for the veteran's memorial that is being constructed. Napuck did ask what would happen if the money were not raised for the veteran's memorial and they have that area named Memorial Park. Brill responded that the space has been designated for a veteran's memorial no matter when it is built. Also, the Jean Harris memorial bridge is part of that park now. Gerst suggested that they look at making this a public relations kind of thing and open up the naming of this area to the community. Lambert explained that they did this once before and they found this was not the best way to go. Elliott-Stoering said that Bierman had previously suggested naming this area Prairie Lake Park. She said it does appear to be more like a lake than a marsh. Bierman said PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION November 6, 2006 Page 4 this is a magnificent piece of water and it is not a marsh but a nice lake. Mackay said he would be in favor of naming the area Prairie Lake. Lambert said they could submit a name for the lake. Motion: Bierman moved, seconded by Barrett, to recommend renaming the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area to Prairie Lake Park. Napuck said since memorial will not be part of the main park name, she would like the ability to recognize the Veteran's Memorial. Mackay said he thinks they should name the lake first before they name the park. Bierman withdrew his motion and Barrett withdrew his second. Motion withdrawn. Motion: Motion was made by Bierman, seconded by Mackay, to recommend that the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area's body of water be renamed to Prairie Lake. The motion carried, 8-1 with Gerst voting nay. Gerst said he was not in favor of the name since there are so many things in the City already named Prairie. Motion: Motion was made by Bierman, seconded by Barrett, to recommend renaming Purgatory Creek Recreation Area to Prairie Lake Park. Napuck said she would like the Memorial Plaza area designated within the park for memorial types of things. Lambert explained that when the veteran's memorial goes in it could be called Eden Prairie Veteran's Memorial and Veteran's Memorial Plaza. Vote was called on the motion. The motion carried, 9-0. IX. NEW BUSINESS A. ROUND LAKE PARK—ATHLETIC FIELD LIGHTING Lambert reported that staff notified approximately 800 residents that the City is considering lighting the softball field that is adjacent to Eagle Drive and CR 4. Lambert explained that staff is asking this Commission to approve the lighting of the softball field and to take public input. By relocating the baseball field to the existing softball field, they will be eliminating that softball field and by removing that field, they will also be eliminating 50+ teams. If they light that remaining softball field, they will be able to add some of those teams back. Funds for this project will come from the adult softball players program. Frey explained that without lighting this field, they would lose a total of 56 teams. Elliott-Stoering asked if any written responses were received from the citizens. Lambert said they had not received any. Napuck asked who would be most impacted by these lights. Lambert responded that the residents across CR 4. He further explained that the types of lights they use now are much improved. They have a diffuser so the light is directly on the field. Lambert said one of the reasons no one has come forward PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION November 6, 2006 Page 5 objecting to the lighting of this field is because there have been lighted fields at this site for almost 25 years and people are used to them. Motion: Gerst moved, seconded by Elliott-Stoering, to recommend approval of lighting Softball Field#6 as a part of the Round Lake Park renovation project in 2007. The motion carried, 9-0. B. PARK DEDICATION FEES FOR 2007 Lambert explained that every year staff makes a recommendation to increase the park dedication fees and these fees affect the cost of development. Staff does monitor what other cities charge and Eden Prairie has always been in the top five. Lambert said they also have to be careful about not increasing these fees as land values increase. The ordinance states that the fee is based on ten percent of the raw land value. The City has the right to choose to take the ten percent of land for park or to charge a straight fee. Lambert explained that they are behind land value and fees and the City could be sued if they chose to take land. The City has to keep increasing these fees so they are up with the City's land value. Using the City's formula that bases park dedication on two and one-half units per acre that is allowed on low-density residential, $6,000 per unit would equate to a raw land value of$150,000 per acre. Residential land in Eden Prairie is now selling for over$200,000, which would calculate to residential park dedication fee of $8,000 per unit. Brill asked if they could go with a straight percentage of whatever the land value is. Lambert responded that if they used a percentage of values there would be different fees for everyone and it would be difficult for City staff to get the value right. Also, the fee would go up significantly if you used a percentage. They would get some objection from developers because it would be a dramatic increase. Elliott-Stoering said it would be prudent for this Commission to see what other cities are doing so they don't adversely affect development in the City. Lambert responded that with the proposed fees, Eden Prairie would probably be fourth or fifth in the metro area. Lambert said he could conduct a survey of surrounding communities and present that information to the Commission in December. This information does have to be included in the City's fee resolution and that resolution goes to the City Council the first meeting in December. Lambert said it would also be difficult to compare other cities because land is cheaper in other municipalities. Jacobus questioned why they wouldn't set a set fee or a percentage. Lambert answered that if they go to a percentage, the fee will be so high for developers that they will be opposed to the cost for doing business in the community. Fox pointed out that the fee is paid when the building permit is pulled. If they know that there is a cash park fee, they will build it into the land value when they sell it to the developer or builder. Lambert said in comparing other cities, it is not comparing apples to apples. Land value is different and most cities require the developer to pay at the time of the final plat. Eden Prairie does not do that because the developer does not have the cash to do that. The fee is paid at the time the building permit is applied for. The person pulling the building PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION November 6, 2006 Page 6 permit pays that fee. Elliott-Stoering said she understands it would be difficult to compare other cities with Eden Prairie but it would be helpful to this Commission to know that when they last raised these fees, why they went up more in residential or commercial and how they came up with those figures. Lambert explained that these fees are raised every year and the fees are based on trying to catch up on land values. They raise them as much as they can and they do follow what other cities are doing. Barrett said it seems cleaner to do a set percentage. This would avoid having to come back each year to set a new fee. Lambert explained that they would still have to come back every year to set a percentage. This fee is based on the raw land value; land not served by water, sewer or streets. The City Assessor would have to be involved in setting the value. The fee would fluctuate with each piece of property. It would not be a clean process. Napuck said it would be helpful to understand how Eden Prairie compares with other municipalities. Moriarity said his only concern is that the fees should be higher if they are behind. He suggested that they look at increasing the fee to $6,500 per unit for single-family and $5,500 per unit for multi-family. Lambert said this would be a significant increase percentage wise and developers are concerned about increased costs. Jacobus said he would prefer the gradual approach. The proposed increases seem reasonable as long as they are not the lowest community. Moriarity suggested that in the future this item be brought to this Commission in October so they have more time to look at it. Lambert said he would bring a survey of surrounding communities at the December meeting for the Commission's review. Motion: Moriarity moved, Gerst seconded, to increase park dedication fees for 2007 to $6,000 per unit for single-family residential development, $5,000 per unit for multi- family residential and increase the fees for commercial and industrial to $11,000 per acre. The motion carried, 9-0. C. REVISION TO PARK USE ORDINANCE Lambert reported that the ordinance the Commission is asked to consider provides the City with the ability to control use of City parks by large, organized groups and will restrict any non-resident large groups from use of the parks and will eliminate any for profit group from using City parkland for the purpose of operating a for profit business. Once this ordinance is adopted, staff will put up signs stating that the facilities are available for use by groups by reservation. Lambert explained that for the first few years they will not make them leave if they do not have a reservation but will talk to them and tell them that an ordinance was passed and in the future they will need to obtain a reservation. Mackay said that in Section 7. Subd. 7. it reads that any non-residents are not able to use the park. Lambert explained that sponsored groups running activities for a fee is restricted from using the facilities. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION November 6, 2006 Page 7 Brill said it was difficult to know what they are amending because they don't have the full text of the ordinance. Lambert suggested that the Commission continue this item to the December meeting and he would provide them with a full copy of the Ordinance as amended. Motion: Barrett moved, seconded by Gerst, to continue this item to the December meeting to allow staff to provide the Commission with the current ordinance showing the proposed amendments. The motion carried, 9-0. X. REPORTS OF STAFF A. DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION SERVICES 1. Update on Referendum Projects Lambert presented the Commission with an update on the projects approved by referendum. He presented the revised profile of the Community Center and indicated that the bid for the site plan would be ready by the first of January. They will be relocating the baseball field and the bid will be awarded in late February or early March. Lambert showed the parking lot plan. This contract would also include development of Birch Island Park because of the excess fill necessary for the Community Center site. Lambert presented the exterior view of the Community Center entrance and presented a rendering of the outside of the Community Center building. He indicated that they would be able to keep the swimming pool open during the entire construction period and one rink through that period. Their biggest challenge will be that the High School will not be able to have home hockey games until after January 1, 2008. Lambert said staff intends to be ready to go to bid by December 15. The bids will be opened around February 15 and awarded at the second City Council meeting in February. Lambert explained that park shelters will be built at Forest Hills, Edenvale and Prairie View parks and there will be one bid for these three shelters. Another contract will be let for Forest Hills and Edenvale park improvements as a single project. Lambert pointed out that the third rink project would be an alternate. The proposal for the third rink is that the day the Community Center bids are opened, the Hockey Association has to have $1 million for the third sheet of ice. If they do not have the funding, bids for the third rink will not be considered. It is anticipated that they will not have $1 million cash but organizations such as Super Valu may have signed a naming rights agreement stating that they would pay $25,000 in 2006, 2007 and 2008. This will be considered as money in the bank. Any large organization that says they will make payments over three years with a PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION November 6, 2006 Page 8 naming rights agreement will be considered. Commitments from individuals will not be considered of any value. Bierman asked if there is any way to have the alternates for the Community Center considered without having public input. This has already been discussed and it was decided what would be included if funding is available. Mackay said he did not think they should shut down the public process. Residents want to know what kind of facility they are going to have and the alternates should be shown and people should be allowed to talk through it. Bierman said they have already been down that path and they need to make a decision and move forward. Elliot-Stoering said she feels they need to let the residents express their feelings and to allow them to feel ownership. Bierman said the money has already been identified and designated for this project. Mackay asked for feedback about the environmental consideration of this plan as it relates to global warming. Lambert responded that staff is recommending a white roof design and as an alternate they are looking at a green roof on a portion of the building. There are a number of things they are doing for environmental efficiencies. Lambert indicated that they are also working on the design of the bike trail. They are applying for a grant for this and expect to hear something in January or February. 2. Looking Back Article Lambert explained that included in the Commission's agenda material was an article on Looking Back. He said it was interesting that other cities have some of the same concerns as Eden Prairie has about development of the Community Center. 3. Comprehensive Guide Plan—Golf Courses Brill said he had received a letter about the Planning Commission conducting a public hearing on amending the Comprehensive Guide Plan category called golf courses. Lambert explained that the City Attorney felt the City would be in a better position to defend any lawsuits the City may receive if all of the City's golf courses were rezoned to a golf Course District. The intent is so that all zoning and the Guide Plan will match for all golf courses in the City. B. MANAGER OF RECREATION SERVICES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION November 6, 2006 Page 9 C. MANAGER OF PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES 1. Summer Trail Construction Summary Fox reviewed with the Commission all of the trail construction that occurred this summer in the City. There were between 35 and 40 construction projects taking place in the park system with the biggest project being trail construction. They constructed a total of 10.10 miles of trails and installed 8 bridges for a cost of $780,000. Bierman commended staff for the work they did and for doing it under budget. XI. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for Monday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m. in Heritage Rooms 3 and 4. XII. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Gerst moved, Bierman seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 9-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.