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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 03/07/2005 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2005 8:00 P.M., CITY CENTER Heritage Room 1 & 2 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Rob Barrett, Chair; Jeffrey Gerst, Vice Chair; Tom Bierman, John Brill, Tom Crain, Randy Jacobus, Ian Mackay, Michael Moriarity CITY STAFF: Bob Lambert, Director, Parks & Recreation Laurie Obiazor, Manager of Recreation Stu Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Cole Johnson, Apoorva Shah, Roby Shrestha RECORDING SECRETARY: Lorene McWaters I. ROLL CALL Chair Barrett called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m. None of the student representatives were present. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA An update on the most recent Sports Commission Meeting was added to Reports of Staff. Motion: Gerst moved, seconded by Jacobus, to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried 8-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —February 7, 2005 Bierman had a question about page two of the minutes. He referenced a recent newspaper article that said restrictions would prohibit enlarging the Shuldhiess home or altering the exterior. Bierman said the minutes were unclear on whether or not this is actually the case. Barrett requested that this topic be covered under Reports of Council Actions. Motion: Barrett moved, seconded by Jacobus, to approve the minutes as published. The motion carried, 5-0, with Crain, Gerst, and Brill abstaining because they did not attend the meeting. IV. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION of February 15 and March 1, 2005 At the February 15 Council Meeting, Council considered staff and the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resource Commission's recommendation for purchase the Shuldhiess Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Commission March 7, 2005—page 2 property in Riley Park. The item was discussed,but no action was taken. Lambert reported that Councilmember Young said he did not see any compelling reason to spend $300,000 to buy the property. Lambert said Council can talk tough now,but what will happen when someone moves into it and starts to complain about its location next to a high-use park? He said it has been proven that even if someone is forewarned, it doesn't necessarily stop them from complaining. Lambert said he strongly believes there should not be a private home within park boundaries. He predicted future Councils will face petitions to close down activities within the park, and at that point the $300,000 asking price will seem like a pittance. Jacobus said he was under the impression that to build a bigger house, the developer would have to own both lots. Lambert said if the owner connects to sewer and water, they could expand on the existing lot as many of the variances would be eliminate. V. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Picha Property Grant Consideration Lambert reported that staff received approval to apply for a grant to acquire half of the 4-acre Picha parcel that is currently for sale. Lambert said Terry Picha is willing to split the property and hold on to his portion, and Dwight Picha is willing to sell to the City if it receives the grant. In order to apply for the grant, the City must obtain an updated appraisal of the parcel. The City is also in the process of obtaining an appraisal for the Cummins-Grill House, and may consider using the Birch Island parcel as a swap to remove LAWCON restrictions from the Cummins-Grill House. Lambert gave an overview of the LAWCON restrictions on the Cummins-Grill House, and explained that the City would like to have them removed in order to lease the building for commercial use. Jeff Strate, Eden Prairie resident and member of Friends of Birch Island Woods, thanked the City for agreeing to apply for the grant. He also thanked Dwight Picha for his willingness to wait for the outcome of the grant application before selling the property. Strate noted that his group is lobbying the legislature to keep the Scenic and Natural Areas Grant program at its current funding level. He encouraged the Parks Commissioners to contact the legislators to support this funding. He said communities really need this matching grant program. Strate also said Friends of Birch Island Woods is committed to raising $100,000 toward purchase of the Picha parcel. B. Winter Recreation Area Concept Plan Lambert said Council approved awarding the contract for the Winter Recreation Area feasibility study to Ingraham and Associates. He expects to have study results in a couple of months. Barrett asked Lambert to push them to complete the Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Commission March 7, 2005—page 3 study as soon as possible. Bierman asked if it would be possible to put a Zamboni in Purgatory Creek to make an outdoor skating area. Lambert said it is not feasible because there is moving water underneath the ice. There are smaller, lighter ice resurfacers that might work in that area. C. Trail Planning Project Update Development of nature trails along three creek areas (Edenbrook Conservation Area, Lower Purgatory Creek, and Riley Creek) is beginning with study groups. The City solicited volunteers who live within 1,000 feet of these areas to participate in the groups. Lambert said he received 15-20 applications for each area. Many of the applicants are highly qualified to serve on the study teams, so instead of choosing just five residents for each team, Lambert has decided to invite all of the applicants to participate. He said he will be counting on these individuals to educate other residents about the projects and help gain their buy- in. Lambert asked for one Parks Commissioner to volunteer to serve on each study group. The first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23. Walking site tours will also be scheduled for an upcoming Saturday. Mackay said he will serve on the Riley Creek study group; Brill will work with the Edenbrook group; and Moriarty will attend the kickoff meeting for the Lower Purgatory Creek group. Lambert said he expects some public resistance to these projects, though he noted the plans for these trails have been on the books for over 20 years. There are five private properties over which the trails will cross, and Council will eventually have to decide whether to obtain easements or purchase portions of the properties, now or some time in the future. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Recommendation to Award Bids for Playground Renovation at Overlook Park and Eden Valley Park Lambert said these projects are part of the approved CIP. Every year staff reviews the playground audit and determines which playgrounds are most in need of upgrading. This year, $30,000 has been allocated to upgrade Eden Valley Playground and $15,000 is earmarked for Overlook Park. Staff sent out the budget to bidders, who were directed to submit a plan that fits within that budget. Company reps then met with neighborhood residents to present their proposals. The residents reached a consensus on which playground they want for their park. Twenty neighbors attended the playground meeting for Eden Valley Park and they unanimously recommended the playground structure from Flanagan Sales, Inc. Four neighbors attended the meeting for Overlook Park and they recommended a playground structure from Flanagan Sales, Inc., for their park. Motions: Gerst moved, seconded by Crain, to award the contract for$30,000 of playground equipment at Eden Valley Park to Flanagan Sales, Inc. The motion carried, 8-0. Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Commission March 7, 2005—page 4 Gerst moved, seconded by Jacobus, to award the contract for$15,000 of playground equipment at Overlook Park to Flanagan Sales, Inc. The motion carried, 8-0. VIII. REPORTS OF STAFF A. Director of Parks and Recreation Services 1. Sports Facilities Committee Update Lambert said the Committee has met twice and another meeting is scheduled for March 16. He said nine or 10 associations were represented at the last meeting. Membership on the committee is limited to organizations with a Priority 3 status, although there is some question about whether or not the LaCrosse Association qualifies. Lambert said the Committee finished reviewing the charter and recommended some revisions. They have started reviewing the policy, which is taking longer because each association is providing input. Lambert said he is stressing the need for each organization to not only convey their own needs,but to consider the needs of other organizations as well. Lambert said he has concerns about determining the percent of residents represented on an organization. Lambert said the bottom line is that these organizations are going to be forced to work together, whether they want to or not. Some organizations, such as the Soccer Association, are going to have to stop taking late registrations in order to be able to determine their needs in time for other associations to get their fair share of facility use. IX. OTHER Mackay said the Joint School/City Facility Use Group met last week and it was an uncontentious and cooperative meeting. The give and take in terms of fees felt equitable all around. Bierman asked for clarification on outcomes of the Joint Council/Parks meeting. Lambert said he will bring information to the next Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission meeting, including a list of projects and costs. He will ask for Commission input on the list at that time. He will also bring a copy of the current CIP so everyone can see where money is currently allocated. Barrett suggested reviewing the last referendum for commissioners who were not on board for the last one. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Mackay moved, seconded by Barrett, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried, 8- 0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.