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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 04/01/1996 r I i 1996 f I i I April 1 MINUTES Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Commission CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE A AGENDA PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY,APRIL 1, 1996 7:00 P.M.CITY CENTER 8080 MITCHELL ROAD COUNCIL CHAMBERS COMMISSION MEMBERS: Claire Hilgcman, Chair. Bruce Bowman, Richard Brown, Don Jacobson,Vicki Kocning,David Kracum,John Wilson ) 1 STUDENT MEMBERS: Mark Bremer,Emily hlanka i COMMISSION STAFF: Robert A. Lambert, Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources; Stuart A. Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources; Laurie 1-Ielling, Manager of Recreation Services I. ROLL CALL A. Introduce New Commission Member John Wilson 11. APPROVAL OF AGENDA i 111, APPROVAL OF MINUTES- MARCH 18199E I IV, PETITIONS,REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS 1 A. N V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. Water Plant Expansion sion V1. OLD BUSINESS A. 1996 Commission Work Plan and Five-Year CIP U Ic�nte(con't from March 18) B. Tree Preservation Ordinance(con't from March IR1 VI1. NI?W BUSINESS A. Noll. Vill. ADJOURNMENT I APPROVED MINUTES F PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION ( MONDAY,APRIL 1,1996 7:00 P.M.,CITY CENTER '( Council Chambers I 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Claire Hilgcman,Chair;Bruce Bowman. Richard Brown,Don Jacobson,Vicki Koenig,David Kracum,John Wilson STUDENT MEMBERS: Mark Bremcr,Emily Hanka COMMISSION STAFF: Robert A.Lambert,Director of Parks, i Recreation and Facilities, Stuart Fox,City Forester,and Barbara Anderson,City Recorder i 1. ROL. .CALI I The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.by Chair I-lilgeman. Commissioner Bowman and Student Representative Emily Hanka were excused. 11. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Brown moved,Koenig seconded,to approve the agenda as published. a Motion carried 6-0. Ill. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-MARCH 18.1996 Brown stated that on Page 8,third to last paragraph,it should read 80%not 20%. Koenig t stated that on Page 7,last paragraph,it should read complying not compiling;on Page 6 } the motion was made by Brown,and Koenig has only one"n"in it. Hilgcman commented that on Page 5,first paragraph,the last word should be"intact"and the motion on Page 9 was not accurate and should refer to park fees on projects over five acres. MOTION: Koenig moved,Brown seconded,to approve the Minutes of the March 18, _ 1996 Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Commission as corrected. Motion carried 3-0. Commissioners Kracum,Jacobson and Wilson abstained. IV. PETITIONS,REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. None. I PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION April 1, 1996 ( Page 2 V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. Water Plant Expansion Director of Public Works Gene Dietz reviewed the proposal for the expansion of the Water Treatment Plant facility and described the site plan and the process by which water is presently treated in Eden Prairie and the changes which will occur as the new process becomes operational. He noted that the existing lagoon will remain but will be landscaped and used only as an emergency reserve should the need arise. It will be planted with wetland grasses and other vegetation and will contain a NURP pond,which will make it an attractive amenity to the facility. Brown inquired about the residue which will be trucked out and Dietz responded I that it was a process by which waste was treated and chemicals added,primarily i lime,which then coagulated and settled out in the lagoons. The lagoons were then dredged and the residuals were hauled away once a year. When the new facility is completed the management will utilize a plate frame press where liquids are removed and solids drop down into a semi-trailer and will be taken away daily in the winter and perhaps as many as three times during the summer months. He noted they have discussed purchasing a farm where the residuals could be dumped, i� but the actual location where they will be dumped has yet to be determined. Perhaps it would be possible to contract with local area farmers to have them dumped,but it becomes difficult when crops are planted. Discussion ensued regarding the possible solutions to finding a site to dump the residuals from the plant. i Dietz showed the sight lines and noted that the facility ruoi ine criteria which is required for development in the private sector. While the rotunda on the expansion may appear lavish,the actual cost of construction is about.6%of the 3 entire expansion. The rotunda will contain a public education facility which will be i utilized by the school district as well,and the rotunda breaks up the long straight t I Ines of the remainder of the facility and gives it a more pleasing appearance. The School District is developing a water conservation curriculum which will be taught to 3rd,5th and 7th graders and they will be given a tour of the facility to learn about waste management,recycling and conservation issues. There will also be a class available to high school students on an elective basis. Staff believed this was the best solution which met the requirements of the DNR and the City's need for expansion of the facility. Kracum inquired how the City responded to inquiries from citizens concerning the appearance of excessive spending on the water treatment plant. Dietz stated that the addition of the rotunda and the screening and landscaping was less than 3.7% Of the total project cost. All of the funds were obtained from the$12.50 surcharge which has been in place on all water bills,from SAC and WAC charges when new construction is implemented,and from special assessments from sewer and water installation in developments. The City is required to meet the same construction I PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCE'S COMMISSION April I, 1996 t Page 3 i standards as developers in the private sector,and this is an excellent use of the City's resources for the good of the community. Lambert stated he believed the location of the plant had not dictated any increase in the standards as they would apply no matter where the facility was located. Staff requested the Commission to review the plan because it will impact the natural area on the site and to consider the educational part of the plan being included in a public facility. Staff recommended approval of the plans as submitted. Kracum stated he was not opposed to the plan and believed it was an excellent design. 1-lilgcman inquired ifa site is purchased for storage of the residual material if it would be counted as wetland mitigation, Lambert responded negatively, noting that it would not be compatible. Dietz stated that they will receive wetland credit for restoring the two to three acres of wetland which have been used as lagoons. Fox stated that the City is attempting to be a good neighbor with MTS by creating the dual entrance which will serve both MTS and the water treatment facility. MOTION: Brown moved,Koenig seconded,to recommend approval of the site plan,architectural plan and landscape plan for the treatment plant expansion and support the concept of providing the educational component with this project. Motion carried 6-0. V1. OLD BUSINESS A. 1996 Commission Work Plan and Five-Year CIP Update(Continued from March 181 s Lambert reviewed the Work Plan projects. Discussion ensued regarding the cash park fees for park development and Lambert noted that it was unlikely that there would be adequate revenue generated for park land purchases from cash park fees but it might be possible to obutin park dedication land from property which is being developed for neighborhood park purposes. Hilgeman inquired about the revenues available to the Commission and Lambert reviewed the estimated revenue for Park Capital Improvement Projects and explained how the figures were projected out through the year 2000. Fie noted that each expenditure must be approved by the Commission and the City Council,and this was developed strictly as a guide to help the Commission decide what to do to continue building the park system. ( Hilgeman inquired about the Birch Island Park and how many people it would serve if improvements were to be made there. Lambert responded that the City was not ready to install any improvements in this park until it was dctcmtincd 1 PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION April I, 1996 Page 4 I exactly where some Indian burial grounds and sacred grounds were located within the parkland area. They could pave the parking lot if funds were included in the CIP,but in 1979 the neighbors wanted the park Icft in its natural state. He suggested that Commissioners talk to the neighbors and determine what they want to have clone with it. Koenig inquired how vocal the neighborhood had been in the past and Fox responded that it has been an area where people use the park as an extension of the neighborhood and perhaps a few couriers stop and have lunch,but it's quite a secluded area and not utilized by many people except for area residents. Lambert commented that people living to the south of the park could want to see something entirely different than those living to the north of the park would want. No petitions have been received from residents concerning this park. Jacobson inquired if Birch Island Park would abut the new golf course and Lambert responded affirmatively,and noted that a trail would be constructed which would connect the park and the golf course areas. Kracum inquired if staff would consider having a field trip in the near future so Commissioners could view all the City parks and the areas under discussion. Lambert responded affirmatively,and that it would be done as soon as the weather improved somewhat. Hilgeman inquired about Topview Park improvements and wanted to see them implemented as soon as possible because the residents had submitted a petition. Lambert responded that no funds had been budgeted for it but a motion could be made by the Commission and it would be done if the City Council concurred. Koenig commented she felt Item#6 should be reviewed soon f because a major development was proposed for this area and it was a very i important issue. Lambert stated that a subcommittee should be appointed to work on this issue, i i Discussion ensued regarding the results of the City Survey and the issues concerning senior citizens. Brown stated that as a member of the Senior Task Force they were working on developing projects which would affect seniors fifteen years into the future. They were working with people who were willing to get the questions surrounding the survey results answered and develop programs which would meet the needs of seniors in the future based on the research into the reasons why certain programs were rated lower than others, Hilgeman stated she felt Item#7 should be added to the Work Plan stating that the Commission should work toward completion of the following projects scheduled for completion in 1996,which included eight items. MOTION: Brown moved, Koenig seconded,to adopt the 1996 Commission Work Plan as follows: 1. Evaluate the recently completed City Survey and use it to determine what programs and services need to be evaluated,and perhaps what information PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION April I, 1996 Page 5 the public needs to understand regarding how these programs are operated. 2. Develop a plan to address safety guideline deficiencies with each playground site in the community. The plan should include the funding source and time line for completion. 3. Develop a survey instrument to evaluate existing and future recreation program needs for Eden Prairie residents,specifically to help staff determine what residents perceive as their highest valued programs. Also, to provide direction in determining the City's role in providing continuous program care for children when school is out,and the types of programs and services the City should be planning to provide for the elderly. 4. Update the Capital Improvement Plan regarding the final land acquisition schedule,as well as the schedule for completing development of the final three neighborhood parks. 5. Begin the Oak Point pool operation in June of 1996. Work with the School District and the Foxjet Swim Club on developing a use schedule. Ar 6. Develop a comprehensive management plan to protect the various resources in each of the City's conservation areas. 7. The Commission shall work toward completion of the eight projects scheduled for completion in 1996. Motion curried 5-0. B. Tree Preservation Ordinance(_Continued front March 181 { Pox reviewed the Tree['reservation Ordinance which was continued from the March 18th meeting and the proposed changes to the ordinance and the policies. Ile noted that the ordinance,as written,seemed to be working quite well and there , was not a great deal which needed to be changed. He believed it should be referred to us a tree protection ordinance not it tree preservation ordinance as it was intended to provided for tree replacement after development and people assumed that it meant it was to protect existing trees,which it was not always possible to do. He noted that there were more trees in Eden Prairie now than there were 100 years ago,and he believed mitigation was the key to restoring the land. Discussion ensued regarding provisions included in the task force recommendations. Brown stated that he thought the Commission should ask the City Attorney to look into what it would take to create a law requiring title companies to record conservation casements or scenic casements on the titles of property when it is '� i PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION April 1, 1996 ( Page 6 a sold so that new owners are made aware of them. Fox responded that the casements arc recorded as drainage and utility casements and they do appear on I titles,but the biggest problem staff had with that was they will have to explain to the residents who purchase these properties what is involved in the scenic and conservation casements and that no modifications to the land can be made within those boundaries. He was concerned about the future when the reason for the casement might no longer exist,and referred to several instances where the casements had been based on incorrect data and had not been field-verified before they were filed,and now they have to be corrected or removed because they arc no longer. Much of the information gets lost in past history. MOTION:Brown moved,Koenig seconded,to ask the City Attorney to see what the City could do to enforce a requirement that the scenic and conservation casements appear on the title of properties which arc affected. Motion carried 5- 0. V11. NEW BUSINESS A. None. Vill. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Wilson moved,Jacobson seconded,to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried i 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m. r