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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 05/06/2002 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, MAY 6, 2002 7:00 P.M. City Center Council Chambers COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Munna Yasiri, Chair; Dick Brown, Therese Benkowski, David Larson, Jeffrey Gerst, Trisha Swanson, Kim Teaver and Philip Wright COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Rob Barrett COMMITTEE STAFF PRESENT: Bob Lambert, Director of Parks and Recreation Services; Laurie Obiazor, Staff Liaison; Lyndell Frey, Community Center Manager and Carol Pelzel, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Chair Yasiri at 7:05 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Lambert asked that Golf Course Proposal be moved from Reports of Staff to New Business as Item D. Motion: Brown moved, Gerst seconded, to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried 8-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Commission was asked to consider approval of minutes from the April 1, 2002 meeting and the April 15, 2002,joint meeting with HPC. Wright asked that the April 1 minutes show that he was absent from that meeting. Benkowski asked that the letter"h"be removed from her first name. Gerst asked that the sixth paragraph of Page 4 from the April 15 joint meeting minutes read that"Gerst said he liked the idea of a ......"rather than "Gertz said ......". Motion: Benkowski moved, Gerst seconded, to approve the April 1, 2002, minutes of the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission as corrected. The motion carried, 6-0-2, with Teaver and Wright abstaining because of absence from that meeting. Motion: Swanson moved, Larson seconded, to approve the April 15, 2002, minutes of the joint Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission and HPC meetinz as corrected. The PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION May 6, 2002 Page 2 motion carried, 5-0-3, with Benkowski, Teaver and Yasiri abstaining because of absence from that meeting. IV. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Request for Property Trade from John Thoma Lambert explained that the City has received a request from Eden Prairie resident John Thoma to swap an equal amount of property from his property to Round Lake Park in order to add the existing private driveway, which currently runs across park property, to his lot. When the Lorence 2nd Addition was approved, this land swap was also approved because the driveway was on park property. However, the previous property owner did not follow through with the land swap. The property has since been sold and the current owner, John Thoma, would like to make the change so his driveway will not be on park property. Staff is recommending approval of this request. It would be a square foot for square foot trade and the land would be more useful for the City as park property than as a driveway. This item will go to the City Council for their approval and then the land would be subdivided. In response to a question from Brown, Lambert explained that the driveway would remain where it is. It is on park property and this swap will allow them to move the boundary over so the driveway will be on the applicant's property. Yasiri asked if this swap would result in any additional cost to the City. Lambert said it would not and the amount of land involved is .07 acres. MOTION: Brown moved, seconded by Swanson, to support the request to trade property within Round Lake Park to John Thoma for an equal amount of property that would be added to Round Lake Park. Motion carried 8-0. V. OLD BUSINESS None. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Recommendation to Remove Riding Arena from Riley Lake Park Lambert explained that there has been a riding arena located on Riley Jacques historical site. Staff has been discussing removing the wooden rail fence around an area designated for riding by the City. The Eden Prairie local riding club constructed a riding arena on the Metropolitan Airports Commission property, which was leased by the City. When the Jacques property was acquired it was recommended that the riding arena be moved to this site. The Heyvaert family agreed to pay for the relocation of the arena and to maintain it. The City entered into an agreement with them that as long as they maintained the arena the City would leave it there. Lambert said that City staff recently learned that in the last two PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION May 6, 2002 Page 3 years a Minnetonka resident has been maintaining the arena for use by his grandchildren. Lambert reported that the Eden Prairie Horsemen club no longer holds horse shows at this facility and Club members only rarely use it. Lambert said the City would like to restore this area to a turf play area that can be used for recreational programs. Staff anticipates moving the Sun Bonnet days to this site. Brown asked if there are any Horsemen Club members remaining in the City and who would remove the fencing. Lambert responded that he has talked to Jean Johnson, the President of the Club, and she indicated that this would probably not be a big deal. City staff will give them an opportunity to remove the fencing and Lambert said he would talk to Johnson before the City removes the lumber. MOTION: Brown moved, seconded by Wright, to support Staff's recommendation to remove the ridiniz arena from Riley Lake Park. The motion carried 8-0. B. Proposed Process for Evaluating the Feasibility for an Outdoor Water Park Lambert explained that a Community Forum was held in 2000. He briefly explained the process for this Forum and reported that based on the information received from the Forum and survey, there was much support for an outdoor water park. The second highest indicated need was for an 18-hole golf course. The results of this survey were discussed with the City Council. The City Council asked City Staff to continue to pursue these higher interest areas to determine what steps should be taken to address those needs. The City Council feels they owe it to the Eden Prairie residents to at least do a feasibility study. Lambert stated that there are other groups in the City addressing their needs. These include the need for a third hockey rink, which may or may not cost the City money. The City Council also developed an Athletic Task Force. This Task Force evaluated the City's population growth and participant trends in other sports. It was their task to determine what athletic facilities are needed for the park system. Staff is recommending that the City Council not make any decisions on any of these requests for recreational items until they have all of the information they need. They need to look at priorities, costs and what it means to taxpayers. Lambert indicated that they only way to fund these projects is through a referendum. In order to have a successful referendum they have to inform the voters. Lambert explained that part of this process would be to create an ad hoc committee including members of this Commission as well as community members and representatives from the different interest groups in the community. This subcommittee would also include representatives from the Fox Jets Swim team, a member representing the School District and a representative from the Preserve. The Preserve is the only outdoor pool that is semi- public. The Preserve has talked to City staff about whether or not their pool could be leased or sold to the City. Lambert indicated that this is something that should be looked at. Lambert explained that if this Commission is in favor of this process, they recommend to the City Council that they develop a subcommittee to study the need for an outdoor water park and to gather all of the necessary information. They may also want to recommend that PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION May 6, 2002 Page 4 this subcommittee report to the Parks and Recreation Citizens Advisory Commission. They may also require the services of an outside expert that does pool feasibility studies. Lambert pointed out that this process would probably take six or seven months before they could make a recommendation. Yasiri said she feels the resident's request for an outdoor water park and golf course is somewhat of a contradiction. The residents are asking for more but yet don't want taxes raised. Yasiri pointed out that a subsequent referendum is a good method for the City Council to take direction from the taxpayers. Brown indicated that in the past they have discussed the property next to the Community Center. Brown asked what property would be used for a pool. Lambert responded that one of the sites they would have to look at would be the site adjacent to the existing Community Center. There are very few options. They will also need to look at Round Lake Beach or Miller Park. Another consideration is the availability of parking at the various sites. Lambert said there might be other sites identified as they go through the process. Larson asked if the City has looked at privatizing a pool. This could potentially be less of a burden to the City. Lambert responded that this is something the Task Force could look at. City staff has talked with different potential groups about privatizing the community center or a partnership. This type of partnership is not particularly desirable in Eden Prairie because of existing facilities in the City such as Flagship and Northwest Health Club. Benkowski asked if a budget has been established to pay for consulting fees. Lambert responded that a Request for Proposal would be submitted to the City Council for approval and this would include funding. MOTION: Gerst moved, seconded by Swanson, to recommend to the City Council that they initiate a feasibility for an outdoor water park which would include an ad hoc Committee includiniz members of this Commission. The motion carried 8-0. Yasiri asked that this Commission be informed of the Council's decision on this study and the process to be used to solicit volunteers to serve on the subcommittee. Yasiri also asked that a complete copy of the results of the survey be provided to this Commission. C. Athletic Programs Task Force Report Lambert explained that one of the goals of the Council for the Athletics Program Task Force was that they get all of the different groups that might be requesting facilities to get together to talk about their needs and the rationale for their requests. Over the last couple of months they did go through the process which resulted in some good discussion and enlightened a lot of the members for the various activities. Overall, they determined that the youth population is going down. Lambert briefly explained the process used in determining what facilities are needed. After lengthy discussion regarding participation trends and projected increases in various sports and decreases in other sports, the Task Force agreed that one regulation (90-foot base)baseball field was needed to accommodate the increasing numbers in baseball participants over age 14. They also determined that four full sized regulation soccer fields (beyond the two that are being constructed at Crestwood PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION May 6, 2002 Page 5 Park in 2002) were needed. These fields will accommodate the new Lacrosse program, the continued anticipated growth of soccer and the continued strong football program. The Task Force also recommended evaluating needed field improvements to the existing baseball and soccer facilities. Lambert explained that the soccer fields would probably be constructed on the Flying Cloud Fields. With regard to indoor facilities, the Task Force felt that those needs are being met by the addition to the High School and the existing school gyms. If a third rink were built, figure skating and hockey would be taken care of. Swimmers are requesting a 50-meter outdoor pool, which they feel is critical to their program. Lambert pointed out that residents representing swimmers should be part of the pool feasibility study. Lambert indicated that Staff is asking that this Commission forward to the City Council the Athletic Programs Task Force Report and that they consider this request along with other proposals they will be receiving. Lambert said Staff is recommending that no final decision be made on any of these requests until all of the information is gathered for the pool and on any other facilities they are considering. Brown pointed out that the City is limited on how much they can do. He asked if there is any end to the City building fields. Lambert responded that there would be an end because there are only a couple of sites left in the City available for development. MOTION: Larson moved, seconded by Gerst, to approve the recommendation of the Athletic Programs Task Force as outlined in the memorandum dated May 6, 2002. The motion carried 8-0. D. Golf Course Proposal Lambert explained to the Commission that Mark Christianson, an Eden Prairie resident who is a PGA golf professional, is proposing to develop a golf training center. He is proposing to develop this golf center in the same location that was just recommended for baseball and soccer fields. Christianson stated that he is proposing to build a golf center to meet the needs of the citizens. They have requested an 18-hole facility, however, there is very limited land in Eden Prairie to accommodate such a facility. Christianson said he is proposing to construct the golf center on 35 acres including a full driving range. The site would accommodate 80 to 90 stalls with an overhead area. A portion of the driving range would be covered. The course would be a nine-hole executive course totaling 1,195 yards with eight par three holes and one par four. Christianson explained that this proposal includes golf lessons and a golf shop. Christianson said he is asking this Commission to support this idea and to allow him down the road to enter into a partnership with the City in operating this facility. He is asking that the City lease the land from the Metropolitan Airports Commission and then lease the land to him. There would be no cost to the City. The project will be funded privately. Christianson indicated that the estimated cost for this facility would be PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION May 6, 2002 Page 6 approximately $1.7 million. This amount does not include lease payments made to the City or MAC for the land itself. Teaver asked if the Soccer Association pays the City for the use of the Flying Cloud fields. Lambert responded that the City pays $550 a year to MAC for the use of those fields. The Soccer Association does not pay the City. The City has an agreement with MAC for the use of this property, which includes a 90-day notice to eliminate. Lambert explained that this means that MAC can give the City 90 days notice that they will no longer be able to use the property. In response to a question by Teaver, Lambert said that any profit made by this facility would go to the developer and not the City. Lambert pointed out that the developer is taking the risk. Lambert pointed out that all of MAC's plans do not show them using this property so it is highly unlikely that they would discontinue allowing the City use of this site. Wright asked approximately how many rounds of golf would be played at this facility. Christianson said they are estimating approximately 30,000 rounds a year. He indicated that they would be using the natural elevation changes that already exist and that they would not be making any elevation changes to the site. Yasiri questioned what the City's relationship would be with the developer and if there would be any costs to the taxpayers. Christianson explained that he has not yet worked out the details with the City,however, there would be no cost to the taxpayers. Yasiri said she would like to see this golf course be affordable and not charge exorbitant fees that other courses charge. Christianson responded that there have been a large number of golf courses that have opened recently. He pointed out that there are more ladies and juniors playing golf and this facility would target those participants. They want the course to be affordable. Benkowski pointed out that there is a similar golf course at Glen Lake. She asked if they anticipate any competition from that course. Christianson explained that it is very similar, however, they feel there are enough people in the community to support the proposed facility. It is their plan to create a driving range that people will want to come to. Benkowski said she would personally welcome another course like this. Teaver asked if this facility would be in competition with golf lessons that are offered through the summer program. Lambert said it would. They have had discussions with Christianson regarding how this would benefit the community. This is the best site for a golf course in the City. Lambert said they could look for other locations for the proposed soccer and baseball fields for this location. There will be discussion with the City Council regarding a partnership with the City. The developer is requesting that the City lease the land from MAC and sublease it to him. There would have to be certain conditions and they also need to look at how they can incorporate lessons that are now offered by the City and how the High School kids on the golf team can use this facility for little or no cost. If the City Council thinks this is a good idea, they will proceed with it and gather additional information. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION May 6, 2002 Page 7 MOTION: Benkowski moved, seconded by Gerst, to forward this proposal to the City Council for their consideration along with the other requests for athletic facilities. The motion carried 8-0. VII. REPORTS OF STAFF A. Staring Lake Park Tennis Court Bids Lambert reported that in last year's budget$80,000 was approved to replace two tennis courts and basketball courts at Staring Lake. Bids were opened on April 25 and the low bidder for the project was Midwest Asphalt at a bid amount of$59,600. They will end up with two tennis courts, one basketball court and a sand volleyball court. B. Jean Harris Memorial Task Force Report Lambert explained that the Jean Harris Memorial would be done in a City park. The Task Force focused on Purgatory Creek Recreation Area as the site that will accommodate an artistic component that will reflect Jean Harris's spirit of public service. It was determined that the best way to come up with an idea was to higher an artist. This artist will work with a landscape architect and a citizen committee. It was recommended that an ad hoc committee be developed to work with staff to select an artist. This committee should include members of the Art's Commission and should fall under the Arts Commission and be reviewed by the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission prior to final approval by the City Council. It is anticipated that actual construction will begin next summer. C. Community Center Roof Repair Lambert reported that City staff budgeted $95,000 in the CIP for patching the roof over the swimming pool at the Eden Prairie Community Center in 2002. After further review, it was determined that the roof membrane should be replaced and built up at a cost of approximately $220,000 rather than patching the existing roof for$95,000. The investment of the additional dollars will pay for itself in reduced maintenance costs within five years. The additional expense of approximately $125,000 will come from the debt service balance. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Gerst moved, Benkowski seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. The motion carried 8-0.