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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 07/01/2002 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY,JULY 1, 2002 7:00 P.M. City Center Council Chambers COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Munna Yasiri, Chair; Dick Brown, Jeffrey Gerst, Trisha Swanson, Kim Teaver and Philip Wright COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Rob Barrett, Therese Benkowski and David Larson COMMISSION STAFF PRESENT: Bob Lambert, Director of Parks and Recreation Services; Laurie Obiazor, Staff Liaison; Tria Mann, Arts & Special Events Coordinator 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 under New Business, Starring Lake Sliding Hill be added. Motion: Brown moved, Gerst seconded, to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried 6-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Swanson noted that discussion regarding off-leash dog use of the park was omitted from the minutes. The recording secretary said she would review her notes and correct the minutes accordingly. Approval of the minutes was tabled to the next meeting. IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Appointment of Members to Pool Study Committee Lambert explained that City staff did advertise for residents to serve on the Pool Study Committee requesting a letter be submitted to the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission by June 21. They did receive three letters, which were included in the Commission's agenda material. Letters were received from Susan Dickman, Janice Faucher and Michael Boland. Dickman is a former member of the Parks and Recreation Citizen PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION July 1, 2002 Page 2 Advisory Commission and a current member of the Eden Prairie Arts and Cultural Commission. Faucher is a 14-year resident of Eden Prairie who has three children. Her family has been a member of the Edina pool for the last five years and has visited many other community pools. Boland currently serves as chairman of a Citizens Advisory Committee for the Riley, Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District, as well as on eight other committees for Eden Prairie schools. He has served on the Athletic Programs Task Force, as well as both the Surface Water Management Committee and the Environmental Learning Center Advisory Committee for the City of Eden Prairie. Boland's ten-year old daughter swims for the Foxjet Swim Team so he admits being an advocate for the competitive pool option. Lambert explained that City staff is recommending that all three applicants be appointed to the Committee. Lambert said that the applicants were invited to this evening's meeting to answer any questions the Commission might have and to briefly explain why they wanted to be on the Committee. Yasiri said she would like to hear from the applicants and on behalf of the Commission, she expressed her appreciation to the applicants for their interest in wanting to serve on the Committee. Janice Faucher explained that she has been a resident of Eden Prairie for the past 14 years and has three children who all enjoy swimming. She said she feels it would be nice to know what is going on in the community and explained that she does have a background in facilities management for Ramsey County. Faucher stated that she works for Ramsey County Human Services and their Facilities Planner and is a certified interior designer with over 20 years of experience in planning public spaces. Yasiri asked if Faucher's children are members of the Foxjets. Faucher responded that they are not, they are recreational swimmers. They have been members of the Edina pool for the past five years. Wright asked if they have found the Edina pool to be expensive. Faucher stated that as members she does not feel it is too expensive. For a family of five they paid $140 for the season. Lambert explained that the Edina pool structure is set up to strongly encourage people to buy a membership. That facility brings in over$600,000 a year in revenue and spends half of that in operating costs. They have an excellent operator who keeps things interesting. Lambert explained that one of the things they hope this Committee will do is to tour some of the facilities in the metro area. Brown asked if the Edina pool has a water park. Lambert responded that it has a 50-meter pool. They have added one component that generates a lot of revenue. This is a shallow water area with a playground in the middle. The lap pool brings in one percent of their revenue and is 60 percent of the pool. They will be adding a cable ride and a tree house. Brown stated that Faucher's application indicated that if Eden Prairie builds an outdoor swimming pool they do it right. He asked what Faucher meant by this. Faucher responded that if they build an outdoor pool, they need to do it so citizens can enjoy it. They should not build something that five years from now is out dated or obsolete. Faucher said she is referring to the Oak Point pool. As a school pool it is okay but as a community pool it is not a good facility. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION July 1, 2002 Page 3 Susan Dickman explained that she is also a 14 year resident of Eden Prairie and has different interests. She personally likes to swim and likes to do so outdoors. Dickman said she would like to see some type of facility in Eden Prairie. She has a background in working with pools in the School District and is currently the general manager for the Preserve Association outdoor pool. Dickman said she has a vested interest in knowing what the City is going to do with regards to an outdoor facility and as it relates to the Preserve Pool. She said she feels they may be able to work together. Teaver asked that since Dickman is involved in the Preserve Pool if she has had an opportunity to look at other pools in the area. Dickman responded that she has viewed pools in Waconia, downtown Minneapolis and Maple Grove. The highest percentage of use is the shallow end of the pool. Dickman explained that children that use the Preserve Pool do look for special things. They do need to look at doing something with the Preserve Pool. They are very aware of what should be happening with water parks. The preserve does have 75 families as members and they charge $195 for family membership. Swanson asked if the Preserve offers swimming lessons. Dickman said they offer both swimming and diving lessons. These lessons are wonderful revenue generators. However, the Preserve is facing some real issues as far as the age of the facility. Yasiri asked Dickman if she has any connection to the Foxjets. Dickman answered no. Michael Boland said he too is a 14 year resident of Eden Prairie and has a lot of interest in the community. He has a ten-year old daughter and they have a vested interest in an outdoor facility. He explained that his daughter spends most of her days at the YMCA summer program and has seen many water parks. His daughter also has a lot of friends that enjoy water parks and he feels that Eden Prairie is ready for a water park. The residents want a water park and they don't want to drive too far. Boland said he pledges to work hard and he feels whatever they decide on reflects on Eden Prairie and they need to look at strategic planning to build on the future. Boland stated that he is bias on competitive swimming and that his daughter is a Foxjet. It is very difficult for them to get practice time let alone competitive time. Boland said he hopes they can develop some facts and figures regarding pool rentals and rental income generated to offset costs. Yasiri asked if Boland's connections with the Foxjets would get in the way of his being able to take a balance approach for the use of the pool. Yasiri explained that one of the missions in serving the citizens is taking a look at what the citizenry says. She asked Boland if he feels that he will be able to look at what the citizens want with a balanced perspective. Boland said he feels he can be bias with regards to a competitive pool. He is only one voice at the table. He explained that he does not have a problem moving forward with whatever decision is made by the Committee and supporting that decision. Whatever comes from this Committee must be community supported. Brown asked if Boland presently serves on any board or group with the Foxjets. Boland responded no. He assumed that a Foxjet Board member would also serve on this Committee. Brown explained that the survey conducted by the City showed that the voters wanted a water park. The survey results did not mention a 50-meter competitive pool. Brown said the Foxjets now pretty much take over the indoor pool. Brown asked Boland if he would be open PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION July 1, 2002 Page 4 minded and willing to work for a water park without a 50-meter pool. He said if two members of the Committee are fighting for a 50-meter pool in the beginning, he would prefer Boland not serve on the Committee. Brown asked Boland how he would feel about including the depth of the indoor Community Center pool to meet the qualifications for competitive swimming needs in this study. Boland said there has been a lot of discussion about the Community Center pool. One of the main questions is who will share the costs. They need to look at options other than excavating the pool. Brown said they are looking at two very expensive issues; an outdoor water park and the fixing of Community Center pool. Brown asked if Boland could tell him that he could very honestly appraise the need for a water park and work for the Committee. Boland responded that if the Committee does a good job of gathering information and laying that information on the table, they should have the obvious answers. The Committee will need to decide how big the pool will be and how much it will cost. Once all of the information is gathered, Boland said he assumes the logical will prevail. Brown asked that Boland give him his word that he will be open to building a water park without a 50-meter pool. Boland said he would give Brown his word. Swanson asked if the Master Swimming Program is associated with the Foxjets. Boland said it is not. The City does have a somewhat masters program but the Foxjets do not support it at this time. Boland explained that the Foxjets are currently renting pool space in Bloomington because the Richfield pool is under construction. Swanson indicated that there is large support in the sport triathlon that would result in clients for a large pool. She said this is something else that needs to be considered as they discuss a new pool. Lambert explained that Charlie Gross would be representing the School District on the Pool Study Committee and Jim Goetz would be representing the Foxjets. There will also be three members at large and four Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission members serving on the Committee. Yasiri questioned which members of the Commission would like to serve on the Committee. Brown said if he were assured that members of this Commission would speak up and take a stand,he would rather not serve on the Committee. He wants someone from this Commission who will represent the entire community and not just a few residents. Wright pointed out that they need to gather the data. They need to get the facts to make an intelligent decision. Yasiri said she is interested in serving on the Committee, however, if there are other members of the Commission that would like to serve she would back out. Swanson indicated that she is very interested in serving on the Committee, unfortunately she will not be able to commit the necessary time. Yasiri pointed out that Barrett had indicated an interest in serving on the Committee. Brown questioned Barrett's serving on the Committee since he has missed half of the Commission's meetings. Lambert explained that the Committee would report back to this Commission before City Council review. The Parks Commission will forward a report to the City Council and if the Commission does not support the Committee's recommendation the Council will probably not approve it. Lambert further explained that even if Commission members are unable to PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION July 1, 2002 Page 5 serve on the Committee they will still have a significant part in the decision making process. Yasiri asked if those people that are absent from this evening's meeting should have an opportunity to serve on the Committee. Swanson pointed out that at the last meeting this was discussed and the Commission members were to let someone know if they wanted to serve on the Committee and if no one has heard from them they are probably not interested. In response to a question from Yasiri, Lambert explained that they are not sure what the time commitment would be. He does expect that there will be monthly meetings and a tour of swimming facilities. Lambert said he anticipates four to six meetings. He explained that each task force is different. Staff will try to keep the meetings down to two hours and they will probably hold monthly meetings until they get a consultant on board. They will meet with the consultant and the consultant will work with the Committee to set up the process. It is premature to say at this time what the Committee's role will be as far as how many meetings and research. The City will be hiring a consultant who will be the expert. Wright pointed out that the Travel Channel did recently feature the ten best water parks in the nation. He felt that this would be an educational program to watch. Following discussion, the Commission agreed that Rob Barrett, Philip Wright, Jeffrey Gerst and Munna Yasiri would serve on the Pool Study Committee as representatives of the Parks Commission. Teaver indicated that if Barrett does not serve on the Committee she would replace him. Motion: Yasiri moved, seconded by Swanson, to recommend appointment of the following people to the Pool Study Committee: Representatives from the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission—Rob Barrett, Philip Wright, Jeffrey Gerst, Munna Yasiri and Kim Teaver as alternate. Citizens at-large—Janice Faucher, Susan Dickman and Michael Boland. School District Representative—Charlie Gross Foxjets Representative—Jim Goetz The motion carried, 6-0. B. First Meeting of Pool Study Committee—July 15 Yasiri stated that the first meeting of the Pool Study Committee would be held on July 15 at the Eden Prairie City Center in Heritage Room IV. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. and they will be interviewing consulting firms. It is anticipated that the first meeting with the consultant would be on August 19. Yasiri asked that staff contact Barrett to make sure that he is interested in serving on the Committee. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION July 1, 2002 Page 6 V. NEW BUSINESS A. Set Date for Tour of Parks Lambert indicated that staff would like to schedule a park tour for the Commission. Staff feels it is good to get the Commission members out into the parks. There are a number of projects that are on-going and it would be nice for the Commission to view these projects. Yasiri said she would personally prefer to do this on a Saturday morning. Swanson asked that an August date be considered since she would be unavailable the month of July. Brown asked if it would be possible to drive by the soccer fields located by the airport. Since soccer is a big issue for the City, Lambert agreed that this would be a good idea. The Board agreed that the tour of City parks would be held on Thursday, August 8, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Teaver explained that she had the opportunity to tour Riley Park. She complimented staff on the nice job they did in designing this park. It has a nice pavilion and it was a pleasure to use. B. Staring Lake Sliding Hill Lambert reported that this year's Capital Improvement Program did include money for regrading the Starring Lake sliding hill. Lambert briefly reviewed the plan for the regrading. He explained that the top of the hill is very steep. People build ramps on the hill and it becomes very icy and the bottom gets down to bare dirt and becomes dangerous. The only type of sleds allowed on this hill are plastic sleds or rubber tubes. As people are walking up the hill, they need to dodge the people that are coming down it. Lambert stated that they are planning to have flat contours with the same grade all of the way down and to flatten out the hill at the bottom. They will be grading a flat ditch or chute. This should allow them to retain sliding conditions longer than in the past and they should be able to eliminate the ramps that have been constructed. These ramps have caused injuries and problems. The project will be started around the middle of July and should be completed by August 16. Brown asked what the purpose is for the regrading of the hill. Lambert responded that it is being done to improve the sliding contour of the hill and for safety reasons. VI. REPORTS OF STAFF A. Director of Parks and Recreation Services 1. Update on Parks and Recreation Services Area Project Lambert reported that Round Lake Beach was closed because of a high fecal coliform count. This may have been caused by the geese that have not yet been removed from PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION July 1, 2002 Page 7 the beach area. Lambert explained that they do have two issues with Round Lake; the first issue is dealing with algae and the water quality and the other issue is the problem with the geese. The geese are a major problem, especially during this time of the year. Lambert said staff does not anticipate having to cancel any 4"'of July events scheduled at this location. Lambert reported that Crestwood Park has been completely developed and graded. The parking lot does have rock on it and the concrete curb has been poured and the footings of the building are in. There was concern with the drainage, however, after the rains this spring they found that the soccer fields had drained very quickly. There is a pond on the north end of the park and everything worked well. This park will be included in the August tour. Lambert stated that the grand opening for Smetana Lake Park is scheduled for July 17 and the Commission members will be invited to that. This Park is an example of how well a joint project can work. This park was developed with the Nine-Mile Creek Watershed District and Eden Prairie and consists of 2.5 acres with a trail around the lake. Lambert explained that the Purgatory Creek Recreational Area is progressing very slowly because of the soil conditions. They have put on layers of fill material that they let settle and then add another layer. This is an on-going project. They hope to have a trail around the marsh done this year. It appears that this project will not be completed until next summer. B. Arts and Special Events Coordinator 1. Information on Dedication Ceremony for Smetana Lake Park Mann reported that the Smetana Lake Park grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Wednesday, July 17,beginning at 5:00 p.m. with the dedication ceremony at 6:00 p.m. Brown asked if residents of the area would be invited to this ceremony. Lambert responded that they are unable to accommodate the residents. This is an invitation only event. They do have a limited budget and this is a small park. They did invite the different companies that donated land for the trail or gave easements and those involved in any part of the gifting of land for the park. They have also invited the Nine-Mile Creek Watershed District Board, the City Council, the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission and Mrs. Smetana. 2. Fourth of July Celebration Information Mann explained that the July 4"'celebration will be held at Round Lake Park. Events will start at 7:00 a.m. with 160 registrants for the mini triathlon. They have also added a number of new events including a new Prairie Happenings booth. This booth gives the PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION July 1, 2002 Page 8 citizens an opportunity to meet the City Manager, Councilmembers and Commission members. Mann said they are asking the Councilmembers and Commission members to come and spend an hour or two at the both and talk to the residents in attendance. Mann asked that Commission members let her know if they would be able to spend some time in this booth and the times they would be available. There are 16 vendors that will be selling food, beverages and novelty items. The fireworks will be shot off at 10:00 p.m. and shuttle buses will be used to transport people to and from the park. Mann recognized the sponsors that have helped to make this event possible. Yasiri complimented City staff for the great job on this event and for the professional publication. Mann indicated that Anchor Printing Company paid for half of the publication. V. Adiournment Motion: Gerst moved, Teaver seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. The motion carried 6-0.