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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 01/22/2002 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE COMMUNITY PROGRAM BOARD & PARKS AND RECREATION CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMISSION JOINT MEETING TUESDAY,JANUARY 22, 2002 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER 8080 Mitchell Road BOARD MEMBERS: Chair Munna Yasiri, Dick Brown, Therese Benkowski, Harry Davis, Jr., Jeffrey Gerst, Harry Moran, Susan Oswald and Kim Teaver BOARD STAFF: Laurie Obiazor, Staff Liaison and Carol Pelzel, Recording Secretary SUPPORT STAFF: Bob Lambert, Director of Parks and Recreation Services; Tria Mann, Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Commission Staff Liaison and Carla Kress, Adaptive Services Coordinator PARKS AND RECREATION CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMISSION COMMISSION MEMBERS: Kim Teaver(Chair), David Larson, Rob Barrett, Ann Birt, Susan Dickman, Trisha Swanson and Philip Wright I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Community Program Board Roll Call: Chair Yasiri called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Board members present included Munna Yasiri, Dick Brown, Therese Benkowski, Jeff Gerst, Harry Moran and Kim Teaver. Board members absent were Harry Davis, Jr., and Susan Oswald. Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Commission Roll Call: Commission members present included Kim Teaver(Chair), Rob Barrett, Ann Birt, Susan Dickman, David Larson, Trisha Swanson and Philip Wright. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Benkowski moved, seconded by Brown, to approve the agenda as published. Motion carried, 12-0. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Community Program Board & Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Joint Meeting January 22, 2002 Page 2 A. October 23,2001, Community Program Board Meeting MOTION: Gerst moved, seconded by Benkowski, to approve the minutes of October 23, 2001, as published. Motion carried, 5-0. B. October 30,2001,Joint Meeting of Community Program Board and Parks & Recreation Citizen Advisory Commission Community Program Board Action Motion: Brown moved, seconded by Moran, to approve the minutes of the October 30, 2001,joint meeting of the Community Program Board and Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Commission as published. Motion carried, 5-0. Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Commission Action Motion: Barrett moved, seconded by Dickman, to approve the minutes of the October 30, 2001,joint meetinz of the Community Program Board and Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Commission as published. Motion carried, 7-0. V. OLD BUSINESS VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Proposed Leisure Education Program for Individuals with Disabilities Carla Kress, Adaptive Services Coordinator, presented a brief background on her role as the City's Adaptive Services Coordinator explaining that she is responsible for planning, developing and implementing a variety of adaptive programs. She also handles programs offered through the City for people within the community who want to register or participate that needs support or accommodations. Kress explained that she is looking for approval from this Board and Commission for a Leisure Education Program for individuals with disabilities. The existing adaptive programs are not developed for people who function at certain levels but include participants at all ability levels. Kress indicated that staff is trying to find a way to make the programs more successful for everyone involved. The proposed Leisure Education Program would provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop life-long leisure interests, appreciations, and attitudes and to maintain/improve cognitive, physical, behavioral, social and/or emotional skills. The Program is designed to offer both individual or group program plans. A Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist would be hired to implement these individual and/or group program plans. Individuals within each program plan would pay an hourly rate plus any additional costs they may incur based on the program plan. Kress stated that the funding source would be from users, most of whom receive subsidies from State and Federal monies. The State received Federal approval to add Community Program Board & Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Joint Meeting January 22, 2002 Page 3 Consumer Directed Community Support(CDCS) as a service option under the Mental Retardation/Related Condition Waiver Program. Individuals and/or families are allotted a specific dollar amount, based on their needs, to purchase programs and services that are intended to teach, train, educate, mentor and challenge the person. Individuals who apply for this service are currently receiving $24,000 to $54,000 a year. Kress further explained that the parents have the right to choose what community services they want to sign their child up for with their case manager. The families will pay an hourly rate and other approved costs. There will be no direct cost to the City. This proposed program will allow the families to be a part of the community and to learn what their City has to offer. Brown asked how many people are currently participating in adaptive recreation and how many they anticipate participating in this program. Kress responded that between the adaptive and inclusion services they have between 250 and 260 participants with disabilities. She explained that they want to start on a smaller scale with this program. City staff has met with the County and they have indicated that this would be an excellent program and would qualify for CDCS funds. Kress stated that 15 to 20 families have indicated an interest in this program. This program will help identify what is really needed in Eden Prairie to meet the needs of the kids and adults with disabilities. Barrett asked what Kress was asking this Board and Commission to approve. Lambert explained that the request is for this Board and Commission to make a recommendation to the City Council for approval of this Program. Approval of this Program would require the City to provide the $40,000 of up-front money. The revenue generated from this program would cover the $40,000. Lambert indicated that this program would be monitored on a quarterly basis to make sure that it is meeting the City's needs. The revenues should meet the expenditures at the end of the year. It has been demonstrated that this is a service the residents of the community need. Lambert stated that they are not asking for additional City funds other than to provide the up-front money. Barrett asked if the Therapeutic Recreation Specialist would be a full-time position. Lambert responded that this would be a contract position for as long as the program exists. Swanson asked if they anticipate more children/youths in this program or if they are focusing on adults. Kress explained that at this point they are looking at pre-schoolers, youth and teenagers and anticipate having group sizes of four to five people. They will identify different people in different groups so they are all functioning at the same level. Teaver asked if this program would replace any existing programs. Kress explained that this program would be an adjunct to existing programs and would enhance current programs. Yasiri questioned how other cities would be participating in this program with regards to sharing costs. Kress explained that this is an innovative program created by Eden Prairie and any other city involved in this program would have to pay Eden Prairie. This would result in additional revenue for Eden Prairie. Yasiri asked if this program would be open to non-residents. Kress said it would be for a fee of$30 an Community Program Board & Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Joint Meeting January 22, 2002 Page 4 hour with Eden Prairie residents receiving first priority. In response to a question from Birt, Kress explained that the funding is from MR/RC and the families apply for that money based on their level of disability. The County decides how much money that family receives. Additional funding has now been made available at the federal level through CDCS. The families may apply to receive additional money. This money is then placed with a fiscal agent who approves the programs and authorizes the payment. Dickman asked if the School District has a similar program. Kress responded that there is no existing program that offers this type of service. Community Program Board Action Motion: Benkowski moved, seconded by Brown, to recommend approval of the proposed Leisure Education Program for Individuals with Disabilities as outlined in the staff memorandum. Motion carried, 5-0. Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Commission Action Motion: Dickman moved, seconded by Wright, to recommend approval of the proposed Leisure Education Program for Individuals with Disabilities as outlined in the staff memorandum. Motion carried, 7-0. B. Request from Rotary Club Regarding Signage Lambert explained that the Eden Prairie Rotary Club authorized the expenditure of $1,000 for the purchase and installation of signs to be installed along roadways within City parks. The signs are 24 inches wide by 36 inches high. He further explained that the Rotary Club feels that the service clubs in the community have not done a good job of promoting themselves and letting people know who they are and what they do. They are looking for ways to put their name in front of residents. Lambert said City staff has some concerns about cluttering up the parks with excess signs and feels that residents won't read the signs when there are so many. Too many signs become visual nuisances. Lambert indicated that staff has suggested that all of the service organizations get together and look at constructing a monument type sign to be placed at an entry to Eden Prairie or a prominent location on private property. Lambert explained that staff is recommending that a policy be developed to regulate signage on public land that will limit the size,location and type of signs allowed. In response to a question from Benkowski, Lambert briefly explained that the Rotary Club is a worldwide organization that does wonderful things in the community. Benkowski said she agrees with staff that the City should not allow advertising to occur in the City parks. Also, Benkowski said she did not feel that the proposed signs accomplishes what the Rotary Club is attempting to do. Brown said he thought this issue was addressed a number of years ago when they voted not to have signs of any kind in the City's parks. Lambert explained that they addressed not allowing advertising such as on outfield fences. Lambert said they need to clarify the policy that would restrict the proposed sign. Community Program Board & Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Joint Meeting January 22, 2002 Page 5 Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Commission Action Motion: Dickman moved, seconded by Birt, to recommend the development of a policy re-u� signage on public land that will limit the size, location and type of sins allowed. Motion carried, 7-0. Community Program Board Action Motion: Brown moved, seconded by Benkowski, to recommend the development of a policy re-u� signage on public land that will limit the size, location and type of sins allowed. Motion carried, 5-0. C. Reorganization of Community Program Board and Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Commission Yasiri explained that the Program Board had previously discussed whether or not they are fulfilling their mission. At that time, staff took the Board's concerns to the City Council. Yasiri asked that Lambert give a report as to the Council's action regarding these concerns. Lambert reported that staff addressed this issue with the City Council at a workshop in May. At that time, the City Council asked how all of the different Boards were working. It became apparent to the City Council that there was a duplication of effort between the Community Program Board and the Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Commission over the last two years. It was also apparent that much of the responsibility for advising the City Council on parks and recreation issues had been removed from the Parks and Recreation Commission and transferred to the Community Program Board. The need for the Parks and Recreation Commission was brought into question. It was also difficult for staff to determine what issues went to the Parks and Recreation Commission and which items went to the Community Program Board. Lambert explained that the Council decided that they would like to re-establish the previous structure that worked so well. The Council has directed the City Attorney to develop the appropriate revisions to the City Code to eliminate the Community Program Board and the Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Commission in its existing form and recreate a Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission consisting of seven to nine members whose main purpose will be to advise the City Council and staff on all issues relating to parks, recreation,programs and facilities, and natural resources issues. They will not review development proposals unless those proposals directly impact the Park and Open Space Plan. Lambert explained that the new Commission would have nine members. This gives everyone whose term does not expire after February on the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Community Program Board an opportunity to serve on the new Commission. As of April 1, 2002 those nine members will make up the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission. Community Program Board & Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Joint Meeting January 22, 2002 Page 6 Dickman asked if there is going to be an Arts Commission. Lambert responded that there is no Arts Commission at this time. If they have enough applicants to re-establish the Arts Commission, they will do that. For the past two years there has not been enough interest in it. If they receive five applicants, the Commission could be reformed. Dickman suggested that a front-page story be published urging citizens to participate in the various Commissions. She also suggested that those people who previously served on the Arts Commission receive a formal invitation to apply to serve on an Arts Commission. In response to a question from Yasiri, Lambert explained that the deadline for applying to serve on the various Commissions is February 8. Brown suggested that members of this Commission and Board encourage people they know in the community to apply for open positions on the various commissions. Teaver said she would be happy to serve either on the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission or on the Arts Commission, wherever she is needed. Yasiri also indicated a willingness to serve on either Commission. The following members agreed to serve on the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission: Yasiri, Brown, Benkowski, Gerst, Teaver, Larson, Barrett, Swanson and Wright. Lambert explained that the Commission would meet the first Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers beginning April 1. A special meeting may be called if an item needs to be reviewed prior to that date. A training session for the new Commission will be held in March. He explained that Tria Mann will be the staff liaison for the Arts Commission and that Laurie Obiazor will be the staff liaison for the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission. VI. REPORTS OF STAFF V. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission will meet on Monday, April 1, at 7:00 p.m. Yasiri expressed her appreciation to those Commission and Board members who will not be serving on the new Commission for their time serving on the Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Commission and the Community Program Board. VI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Teaver moved, Brown seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.