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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 11/04/2002 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2002 7:00 P.M. City Center Council Chambers COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Dick Brown, Vice-Chair, Rob Barrett, Jeffrey Gerst, David Larson, Bruce Schaepe, Trisha Swanson, Kim Teaver and Philip Wright COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Chair Munna Yasiri STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Lauren Astry, Chris Shea and David Westphal COMMISSION STAFF PRESENT: Bob Lambert, Director of Parks and Recreation Services; Laurie Obiazor, Manager of Recreation Services; Stu Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources and Carol Pelzel, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Brown at 7:00 p.m. A. Appointment of Student Representatives Brown introduced the student representatives of the Commission. Astry explained that she is a soccer and basketball player and wants to serve on the Commission so that she is able to give something back to the community. Westphal said he is a student at Hopkins Senior High and lives near one of the City parks. He feels that decisions of this body affects what happens near him. Shea reported that he plays soccer and that he was a member of the teen work program two years ago and for three years worked with kids from ages 4 to 12. He decided to join this Commission to make parks better for children and to also give something back to the community. Brown welcomed the Student Representatives and said they are welcome to participate in the Commission's discussions. They cannot vote but their participation is welcome. B. Introductions (Refer to Commission Report) A listing of Commission members, their addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses was included in the Commission's agenda material. Wright indicated that the listing showed it as Private Data. He questioned what that meant. Lambert responded that anything listed as Private Data is not distributed to the public. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION November 4, 2002 Page 2 II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Gerst pointed out that his first name should be spelled Jeffrey. Motion: Barrett moved, Gerst seconded, to approve the agenda as corrected. The motion carried 8-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —October 7, 2002 Motion: Larson moved, Swanson seconded, to approve the October 7, 2002, minutes as presented. The motion carried, 8-0. IV. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS V. OLD BUSINESS A. Off-leash Doi Park Committee Lambert introduced Libby Hargrove explaining that last month the Commission did approve the Charter Statement for an Off-leash Dog Park Committee. He indicated that he asked Ms. Hargrove to provide the City with a list of volunteers who would be willing to serve on this Committee. Hargrove explained that they had been before this Commission last month and since that time they have been moving forward. She provided the Commission with biographies of four individuals that are willing to serve on the Committee. Cheryl Loose presented the Commission with the petition including 1,640 signatures requesting that the City consider developing an off-leash dog park.. She asked that the Commission accept the petition as evidence and support for Eden Prairie to use public land for an off-leash dog park. Loose said they feel the use of recreational land is of interest to a broad range of residents and they appreciate this Commission taking the time to look into this issue. Brown pointed out that on Loose's application she indicated that she has visited other dog parks. He asked what acreage would be necessary for an adequate park in Eden Prairie. Loose responded that one of the smallest parks is about five acres. She has done some research and they have identified what they think would be needed. The size depends on the number of dogs using the facility. They do not want to destroy the land by overusing it but they do want to be flexible. Bloomington's park is approximately 25 acres which appears to be mid-range. There are four parks that are larger than that. Wright pointed out that Maple Grove has a park that is 40 acres and there is one by Lake of the Isles that is two acres. Dana Brewer introduced herself explaining that she would be serving on the Committee. She has been an Eden Prairie resident since 1981 and currently has two dogs and is very interested in providing a safe facility for their dogs to exercise and interact with other dogs. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION November 4, 2002 Page 3 Brown recommended that they have two Commission members serve on the Committee. This gives each member reinforcement and allows them to provide the Commission with a broader range of information. Wright said he would be willing to serve on the Off-leash Dog Park Committee. Hargrove said the first meeting of the Committee would be Friday, November 15, at 9:00 a.m. to view the proposed property offered for their review. Motion: Gerst moved, Barrett seconded, to accept the petition for an Off-leash Dog Park and to appoint an ad hoc committee for the park consisting of David Larson, Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Member; Libby Hargrove, Cheryl Loose, Robert Skimmer and Dana Brewer. The motion carried, 8-0. B. Community Center Improvement Study Committee Brown explained that discussion of this item has been on-going for some time and this Commission needs to discuss and to appoint an ad hoc committee to recommend improvements to the Community Center. Brown said he feels they need at least two Parks and Recreation Commission members on this Committee. Lambert said they anticipate three meetings. Brown said he honestly believes two people can do a good job representing this Commission. He said he feels that at least four members of the Committee will work hard for what they want and this Commission must be well represented so that they can stand up for the whole City and not for special interest groups. Barrett and Gerst said they would be willing to serve on the Committee. Student Representatives Astry and Shea said they would also like to serve on the Committee. Brown said it is important that they get well-rounded information and input. Schaepe said he would also be interested in serving on the Committee. Motion: Larson moved, Schaepe seconded, to appoint an ad hoc committee to evaluate the improvements needed at the Community Center. Membership will consist of the following: Gary Greenberg, Foxjets Board Member John Schmelzle, Hockey Association President Holly Buhler, Figure Skating Club Vice President Nancy Schmitt, Student Activities Coordinator for School District 272 Jean Myers, Citizen at Large/Community Center Member Mike Boland, Citizen at Laerge/Community Center Member Mary Campbell, Citizen at Large/Community Center Member Rob Barrett, Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Jeffrey Gerst, Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Bruce Schaepe, Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Lauren Astry, Student Representative, Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION November 4, 2002 Page 4 Chris Shea, Student Representative, Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission The motion carried, 8-0. C. Eden Prairie Park and Open Space System Plan Lambert explained that the draft Eden Prairie Park and Open Space System Plan was prepared by SRF Consulting Group, Inc. in October, 2002. He explained that final recommended changes will be incorporated into one document to develop a final Plan. Lambert suggested that the Commission use the final document as a guide for making recommendations to the City Council regarding the City's parks and open space. Lambert said the Commission would be asked to review a chapter at a time and will be added to the Commission's agenda. He indicated that they have not changed their course or direction but have simply updated the 1988 issue. There are numerous changes to the document, particularly in the inventory section. There have also been some minor changes made to the policy section. Lambert indicated that the Wetlands Chapter was completely rewritten substituting the Wetland Management Plan for the Wetlands Chapter. This document makes reference to the plan and presents basic information. Wright asked how the City ranks with other cities relative to this plan. He said he could not see other cities developing such a plan. Lambert responded that just about every city does a similar plan. In 1988 the Met Council used Eden Prairie's plan as the model. Lambert pointed out that the most important money the have spent on the Park system is the updating of this plan. The plan guides the City Council and Commission members on what the City wants to do. It gives them a basis to be fair in decision making on every part of the community. Lambert said this is a well thought out plan and he does not think it is non- typical of what other cities do,however, the amount of land Eden Prairie has preserved for park land is not typical. Brown asked if there was any mention of expanding the City's Senior Center. Lambert explained that it does not speak specifically to the Senior Center. It does refer to the fact that the Eden Prairie population is an aging population and that the senior population is growing in the City. They do need to address programs and services that the population will need and expects to have in the future. Brown pointed out that the Senior Center is a beautiful facility but it does close at 3:00 p.m. Lambert said it is this Commission's responsibility to make those points to the staff and the Commission may ask that staff look into this further. Brown said there are so many things that could be done at the Senior Center that are not being done. The City is spending a lot of money to keep this facility going. Schaepe asked if there is any discussion regarding the handling of geese in the document. Gerst pointed out that on Page 6, in the Executive Summary, the ages of the residents does not correspond with a previous entry. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION November 4, 2002 Page 5 Schaepe said that on Pages 2-20 there is a list of existing facilities in neighborhood parks. It also talks about sand volleyball courts,however, volleyball is not listed in the chart. He said he would like to see all of the outdoor volleyball courts listed. He said he would like volleyball courts to be given the same status as tennis courts. Schaepe said he has a similar request on Pages 325 and 326. When looking at indoor facilities they talk about basketball and tennis. He said he would also like to see volleyball included. Schaepe said he would like to see the goals and policies for using the Community Center and for running sports leagues included in this document. He asked what the City's policy is for geese and mosquito control. Lambert responded that the policy chapter was one they were considering eliminating because it may imply these are all of the City policies. The policies included in this document are policies that planners would use when planning park systems. A book of operation policies for the Community Center does exist and there is also a three inch binder with polices for management and maintenance of the park system. The City has many operational policies including policies for deer management and goose management. Lambert said they would review all of the comments made and will make the changes to the final document. They will also attempt to make the recommended changes to the charts in the document and the goals and policies on the running of sport leagues should be included. Schaepe said he feels that Chapter 8, Capital Improvement Planning, is an important part of the document. It allows you to look at any project and evaluate it by the criteria included in this document. He asked who would be doing the evaluating of a specific project. Lambert responded that the Parks Commission reviews the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) on an annual basis. Lambert said he updates the six-year CIP three or four times a year. As projects are bid the CIP is updated with the actual cost. Schaepe asked if that process could be summarized and included in Chapter 8 along with an explanation of how City Staff, City Commissions and City Council are involved in this process. Motion: Barrett moved, Larson seconded, to approve the draft copy of the Eden Prairie Park and Open Space System Plan as prepared by SRF Consulting Group, Inc. in October 2002. The motion carried, 8-0. Lambert said staff would provide the Commission with the changes to this document at the next Commission meeting based on comments made this evening. VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. REPORTS OF STAFF V. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Wright moved, Larson seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. The motion carried 8-0.