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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 12/04/2006 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2006 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER Heritage Rooms 3 & 4 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: John Brill, Chair; Geri Napuck, Vice Chair; Tom Bierman, Lee Elliott-Stoering, Randy Jacobus, Jeffrey Gerst, Ian Mackay and Michael Moriarity COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Rob Barrett STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Jennifer Dworak, Elise Garton and William Wahlers COMMISSION STAFF PRESENT: Bob Lambert, Director of Parks and Recreation; Stu Fox, Manager of Natural Resources; Laurie Obiazor, Recreation Manager, Stan Tekiela, Naturalist& Outdoor Center Coordinator; Wendy Sevenich, Community Center Manager; and Carol Pelzel, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Chair Brill at 7:00 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Gerst moved, seconded by Jacobus, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried, 8-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —November 6, 2006 Motion: Elliott-S toering moved, Mackay seconded, to approve the November 6, 2006, Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission minutes as published. The motion carried, 8-0. IV. APPROVED MINUTES —October 2, 2006 V. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION—November 14, 2006 Lambert reported that the City Council did agree to not change the City's ordinance regarding trespassing on park land. They also agreed that the ordinance should be enforced and that the City be pro-active and hire a person to check the park boundaries. The entire City's boundaries should be checked every four years by checking 25% each year. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION December 4, 2006 Page 2 Lambert also reported that this evening the Council will be considering the acceptance of a $100,000 donation from Emerson Process Management Rosemount Inc. to the Community Center. They are requesting naming rights for the fitness center. They are proposing that the donation be made in four years; $25,000 per year. The Council will also be considering the lighting of Round Lake Athletic field this evening. VI. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION—November 13 and November 27, 2006 Fox reported that no projects affecting the Parks were considered. The Commission will be considering a golf course ordinance to change the zoning of the golf courses within the City to a golf course zone. Currently, the golf courses are zoned quasi public or public. This zoning change will provide a clearer definition of a golf course and what applicable development can take place on a golf course. Fox further reported that on November 27 the Planning Commission held an informational meeting regarding the proposed Windsor Plaza development. This is the first step of the redevelopment of the City's downtown area. The proposal includes a multi-story office building with the first level being retail and some parking decks. This proposal will be back before the Planning Commission in December and then on to the City Council for their approval. VII. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION A. SERVICE AREA REPORT— STARING LAKE OUTDOOR CENTER Lambert introduced Stan Tekiela, the City's Outdoor Center Coordinator. Tekiela has worked for the City for seven years and is a full-time City employee receiving a low base salary and contracts for program services. Lambert explained that Tekiela's employment with the City is different from regular employees. Tekiela conducts various programs for the City and any funds that exceed expenses become his. Tekiela presented an overview of the programs he presents at the Outdoor Center. Bierman asked if he has ever thought of doing anything to improve the fishing at Staring Lake. Tekiela responded that the lake is out of his scope and is something that is handled by the DNR. Napuck asked how these programs are advertised. Tekiela explained that the programs are included in the City's brochure, the local newspaper and they have their own newsletter. Bierman said that the sign at the Purgatory Creek Recreation advertises what is happening in the City and he asked if they could have a similar sign located by the Outdoor Center. Tekiela said there is an existing sign at the Outdoor Center. They do advertise their main events on the sign at Purgatory Creek. They are also working on a sign to be located by the street going past the Outdoor Center. B. REQUEST FROM BASEBALL ASSOCIATION PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION December 4, 2006 Page 3 Lambert explained that Staff has received a request from the Baseball Association to include construction of a stadium at Round Lake Park. The proposal being presented for Round Lake Park is a much smaller scale from what was originally proposed for Miller Park. Lambert said that when the City decided to relocate the baseball field at Round Lake Park by the Community Center to accommodate parking, they discussed doing the project the right way. They are proposing a sand-based field that is lighted,has dugouts,bullpens and a batting cage. The Baseball Association believes that the relocated baseball field at Round Lake Park will become the premier baseball field in Eden Prairie. They have indicated that they are willing to donate $200,000 for a 380-seat stadium. If the City agrees to this, it would cost the City approximately $230,000. Lambert pointed out that there are sufficient funds in the CIP to cover this cost. He also pointed out that one of the Commission's mission statements should be that any time a special interest group comes in with 50 percent of cost for a facility, the City should find funding for the remaining costs of the project or at least move that project to the head of the priority list. Lambert said staff strongly supports moving forward with this project. Moriarity asked if the proposed $430,000 includes the cost of lights. Lambert responded that the cost to relocate the baseball field is approximately $850,000 which includes regrading and lights. That project has already been approved. The $430,000 is the estimated cost for the stadium. The Baseball Association is also paying half or approximately $90,000 for the lights, dugouts and bull pen. Elliott-Stoering said she does not recall ever seeing a stadium without restrooms and asked if staff is comfortable with not having restrooms located at this facility. Lambert explained that they could always add restrooms but the cost would increase $200,000 to $300,000 to run water and sewer. He said restrooms could be added at a later date;however, the Community Center is very close and those restrooms could be used. Napuck asked if there would be concerns with having an announcer at this location. Lambert said it would be no more an issue than the football stadium. He explained that there is an existing ordinance that regulates the decibel level at the property line and that level is lower than some of the traffic noise on CR 4. Bierman said he agrees that they should move forward with this project considering the amount of money that the Baseball Association is willing to contribute to it. He indicated that he is very appreciative for all that the Association has done for the City. In response to a question from Bierman, Lambert explained that a concession stand is planned and will include the sale of prepackaged food. Bierman questioned the number of portable toilets and felt that it may not be a sufficient number. Also,he asked how many rows of seating there would be on the bleachers. Lambert responded that they are looking at seven rows total. Fox pointed out that the top two rows would be covered and the sun angle would cause the remaining seats to be in the shade in the later afternoon games. The cost for a full roof would be prohibitive. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION December 4, 2006 Page 4 Mackay said it would make sense to rough in water for future use for both restrooms and concession stand use. Lambert explained that they will run water to that location. Fox stated that their biggest dilemma is that sanitary sewer is not in the street. Mackay also questioned the School District's use of this facility. Lambert responded that they use it right now for junior varsity. He assumes that varsity will be using this field once it is completed. The School District does the extra maintenance for school games such as dragging or lining. Napuck asked if there is a deadline for the Baseball Association to raise the $200,000. Lambert answered that the funds will have to be available by the time the project is completed. Gary Kramer from the Baseball Association explained that half of the money is currently in the bank and a member of the Association is willing to borrow the remaining funds if they are not available when the project is complete. Brill said he agrees that this is a great project to build around the Community Center. Gerst said he wasn't a huge proponent for a stadium at Miller Park but he feels this proposal looks like a good fit for what needs to be at this location. Bierman asked if they need to clarify the terminology "baseball field bid". Lambert explained that the entire project may be included under one bid. They are currently discussing this because there is concern that if the projects are bid separately there may be some conflict with the various contractors. This would be an add alternate to the project. Motion: Jacobus moved, seconded by Moriarity, to recommend approval of providing an add alternate to the Round Lake Baseball Field bid to include construction of a stadium, provided the Baseball Association contributes $200,000 toward the project. The motion carried, 8-0. VIII. OLD BUSINESS A. ROUND LAKE WATER QUALITY REPORT/ROUND LAKE BEACH 2O07 Lambert reported that the City had contracted with Steve McComas of Blue Water Science to do a water quality study of Round Lake. The report indicates that Round Lake water quality for the last two years has been well within the State lake water quality goals for recreational swimming. Staff wanted to make sure that the water quality meets all of the State's standards prior to opening Round Lake Beach. McComas presented an overview of their report indicating that for the past year they have worked with the City to monitor Round Lake. The question was what could be expected in the future. They found that fish impact and influence the water quality. High levels of blue gill sunfish impacts the high phosphorus levels of water quality. McComas said that it appears that the blue gill population is going down and the game fish population has been increasing. The lake has had a balance by the game fish controlling the blue gills, which has a significant influence on the water quality, and indications are that that is the trend. McComas stated that proactively, they would have to protect the existing conditions. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION December 4, 2006 Page 5 Indications are that the lake meets the criteria for an unimpaired lake. The challenge is to maintain that status and there are existing programs in place and proposed new projects that seem to be the key to maintaining the unimpaired status. Mackay asked if it is easier to maintain the water quality because of the new law regulating use of fertilizer. McComas responded that it should be helping, along with other programs. To get the full effect of the fertilizer restriction will take four to five years to determine whether or not it is successful. McComas explained that water quality is one component of the lake while another component is swimming conditions. One of the impacts on the swimming conditions in the past has been geese which is a source for fecal chloroform or E. coli. The goose control program has been somewhat successful in reducing excessive numbers of E. coli. Some E. coli is showing up but in relatively low levels. With the resident goose population being low, they are able to meet the safe swimming requirements and the goose management needs to be an on-going thing. Lambert pointed out that their main problem with the geese occurs during the month of August. McComas said that the geese are an on-going challenge and they are looking at some remedial actions that can be done during the month of August as needed. Mackay pointed out that$3,000 was budgeted this year for goose management and it then drops to $1,500. He questioned if they should keep the level of funding up for this project. McComas explained that the past year they looked at doing some additional projects if necessary and the $3,000 was contingency money. The $1,500 will be used on an as needed basis. Elliott-S toering asked who was responsible for the storm water pond upgrades. McComas explained that another company is responsible for those upgrades. Until those upgrades occur, they will use barley straw and look at fish removal. Bierman asked if they have considered introducing game fish in the ponds and harvesting them into Round Lake. McComas said that is a good idea but the reason for not recommending this in the past is because it takes money and effort to do that. They don't want to add game fish to the ponds because of winter kill. They could look at adding bass fish to control the minnows and then at the end of the year harvest them and move them to Round Lake. In response to a question from Moriarity, McComas stated that all indications are that Round Lake is safe to swim in. Garton said the goal appears to be getting the lake safe enough for people to swim in it. She said she feels they also need to get the people back to the beach and to swim in the lake. Even if it is safe, they have to get the people back. Lambert said he agrees and they have discussed this in the past. A big concern is educating the people on the water quality and that they can swim in the lake. There has always been a problem in August with geese. Lambert said he feels the two issues they are faced with is educating the public and convincing them that Round Lake is a good place to swim and second is the managing of geese in August. The PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION December 4, 2006 Page 6 City will have to commit to doing some kind of program to keep geese away and to work with their communication staff to educate the public. Jacobus explained that he would like to see the beach opened for swimming but the real question is when do they do this marketing program. It is going to take some effort to get people convinced that this is a swimable lake. They can spend money on marketing but if they have to close the beach in August that will be the end of Round Lake beach. They cannot risk being wrong. He suggested that they not open the beach until 2008 allowing them to obtain additional information. McComas said they couldn't guarantee anything for 2007 or for 2008. The trend is a low goose population and they are proposing some remedial actions to eliminate goose problems. With the tools they have in place and the goose programs in place, they should be able to maintain the swimming criteria. Elliott-S toering said it appears that only $3,000 is budgeted for goose control. She questioned if additional funding should be provided for this program. McComas explained that the $3,000 is above and beyond what the City allocates for the goose program. Fox explained that the City has a goose control program that is funded through the Public Works Department. Gerst said there is the risk that the public won't swim in this lake but they cannot continue to have the lake closed for a number of years and expect people to come back. The beach will have been closed for two years and it is now safe for swimming. The question is not whether to open the beach but how they address the public's concern and goose management. Lambert said they could prepare some comparison charts between Round Lake, Bryant Lake and Riley Lake showing that all of the lakes water quality is about the same. Gerst suggested that they also include some of the Minneapolis lakes as a baseline. Motion: Moriarity moved, seconded by Napuck, to recommend the City Council budget $25,000 for Round Lake water quality management in 2007 and $35,000 for Round Lake Beach operations during the summer of 2007. Funding source for the water quality management should come from the storm water management fund; and funding for the beach operations from the general fund. The motion carried, 8-0. Mayor Tyra-Lukens appeared before the Commission to express her appreciation for the work this Commission has done during her term in office. The discussions this Commission has had and the depth that they go into could never be done at the Council level. Mayor Tyra-Lukens said this Commission has a very important job in creating one of the most visible park systems in the City and she and the City Council appreciates everything this Commission has done. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION December 4, 2006 Page 7 B. PARK USE ORDINANCE Lambert explained that this item had been before the Commission at their previous meeting and they tabled consideration of the ordinance to this meeting to allow staff to provide the Commission with a red-lined version of the ordinance. Elliott-S toering questioned the definition of a non-resident sponsored group. It appears that if there are more than two people this would be a sponsored group. She said this could include a non-resident who is involved in a group such as Big Brothers or Sisters program. She questioned if this is the intent of the ordinance. Napuck suggested that they define the term "sponsored group". Fox explained that one of the reasons they are talking about two people is if you have someone giving tennis lessons and tying up the tennis court for the entire day. He said that the ordinance would be enforced on a complaint basis. Staff needs to have something in writing to allow them to deal with specific issues. Jacobus said he feels this ordinance says exactly what they want. It gives them something to enforce the legitimate concerns. Lambert pointed out that this ordinance gives them a way to protect the City's parks. Bierman questioned the meaning of"natural"person as listed in Paragraph K and suggested that they strike the word "natural". Also in that paragraph, Bierman questioned the sentence stating that"A Sponsor as used in this definition does not include a ...." He suggested that they delete "does not include" and replace that with the word "excludes". Jacobus suggested they leave the wording as is since the language was drafted by the City Attorney. Motion: Napuck moved, seconded by Gerst, to recommend approval of the revision to the City Code Chapter 9, Section 9.04 relating to rules and relations governing parks that will prohibit the use of Eden Prairie parks by large, non-resident sponsored groups and will require reservations by resident sponsored groups larger than 20 persons. The motion carried, 8-0. C. SURVEY OF SUBURBAN COMMUNITY PARK DEDICATION FEES Lambert explained that at last month's meeting the Commission did discuss park dedication fees and moved to approve the park dedication fees as presented. The Commission did ask for additional information as to what other communities are charging and that information was included in the Commission's agenda material. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION December 4, 2006 Page 8 IX. NEW BUSINESS X. REPORTS OF STAFF A. DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION SERVICES 1. Update on Park Fund and Referendum fund Expenditures, Commitments and Fund Balances Lambert explained that no formal action is required. This information was provided to the Commission to assist in making a decision on the Baseball Association's request considered earlier in the meeting. This information also gives the Commission an update as to where the City is at and includes the referendum money. Brill asked what funds have been raised for the third rink. Lambert reported that with the $100,000 donation from Emerson, they are at$750,000. The organization is fairly confident that they will have the $1 million when needed. Lambert indicated that staff is recommending that they not take more than $1 million from Park fees for this project. Staff suggests that they look at issuing revenue bonds for an additional five years to cover the costs for the third rink. 2. Notice of Resi2nation/Retirement Date Lambert had provided the Commission with a memo announcing his retirement. He intends to retire as of March 30, 2007. Lambert said this has been a great City to work in and the residents have been very supportive of the park system. On behalf of the Commission, Brill thanked Lambert for his years of service. 3. Thank Students Lambert said that this would be the three student representatives last meeting. There will be three new students starting in January. Brill thanked the students for their attendance and for their input. 4. 2007 Meeting Dates Included in the Commission's agenda material was a listing of tentative meeting dates for 2007. At this time there is no January meeting planned unless there is something the Commission has to address. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION December 4, 2006 Page 9 B. MANAGER OF RECREATION SERVICES 1. Introduce Wendy Sevenich, Community Center Manager Lambert introduced Wendy Sevenich, the new Community Center Manager. Sevenich presented the Commission with a brief background of her experience and work history. C. MANAGER OF PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES IX. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for Monday, February 5, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Gerst moved, Jacobus seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 8-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.