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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 05/06/1996 1 f 1996 May 6 � MINUTES Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Commission r CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE 1 AGENDA i PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION I MON DAY,MAY 6,1996 7:00 P.M.CITY CENTER 8080 MITCHELL ROAD COUNCII,CHAMBERS COMMISSION MEMBERS: Claire I-lilgeman, Chair; Bruce Bowman, Richard Brown, Don Jacobson,Vicki Kocning, David Kracum,John Wilson STUDENT MEMBERS: Mark Bremer, Emily Hanka COMMISSION STAFF: Robert A. Lambert, Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources; Stuart A. Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources, Laurie Flelling, Manager of Recreation Services 1. ROLI,CALL 11. APPROVAL OF AGENDA i III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES- March 4 1996 and April 15, 1996 IV. I'I EC'fION OF COMMISSION OFFICERS FOR 1996-97(chair and vice chair) V. P�ETITIONytf�OUFSTS ANn COMMUNICATIONS A. Reauest from Girl's Softball Association to Accept Donation of Scoreboards for Ballficlds at Miller Park VI. DEVEI-0i'MENT PROPOSAL A. Staring Lake Townhomcs Vli, NEW BL)SI ES,S � 3 A. Approve Bids to Install Rubberized Flooring in Community Center Lobby 9. Approve Bid to Construct Miller Park Shelter VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONS AND STAFF A. Update on Replacement of Boards in Rink it I IX. ADJOURNMENT I i APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES MONDAY,MAY 6,1996 7:00 P.M.CITY CENTER Council Chambers 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Clairc Hilgcman, Chair. Brucc Bowman, Richard Brown,Don Jacobson,Vicki Koenig,David Kracum, John Wilson i STUDENT MEMBERS: Mark Bremer,Emily Hanka COMMISSION STAFF: Robert A.Lambert,Director of Parks,Recreation and Facilities.Stuart Fox,City Forester, Elinda Bahley, Recording Secretary 1. ROIA,CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.by Chair Hilgcman. Commissioner Bowman was excused. Hilgcman presented Mark Bremer and Emily Hanka with Certificates of Appreciation in recognition of their participation as student members of the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA i Koenig indicated she would like to add a discussion to the agenda regarding the Purgatory Creek Recreational Area to be added under Reports of Commissions and Staff,item B. { i a MOTION: Brown moved,Wilson seconded,to approve the Agenda as amended. Motion carried 6-0. Ill. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-March 4,1996 MOTION: Kracum moved,seconded by Jacobson,to approve the Minutes of the March 4, 1996 Eden Prairie Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Commission as published. Motion carried 4-0-2. Commissioners Brown and Koenig abstained. 1 I Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Monday, May 6, 1996 1 APPROVAL OF MIN T .S-A M11 15,1996 Hilgeman noted the first motion on page 8 should have a vote of 6-1 with the nay vote by Kracum. MOTION: Wilson moved,seconded by Brown,to approve the Minutes of the April 15, 1996 Eden Prairie Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission as amended. Motion carried 6-0. IV. ELECTION OF COMMISSION OFFICERS FOR 1996 97 (chair and chairl i MOTION: Brown moved,seconded by Koenig,to nominate Clairc Hilgeman as Chairman of the Eden Prairie Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Commission, Motion curried 5-0-1. Hilgeman abstained. MOTION: Kracum moved, seconded by Brown, to close the nomination for Chairman of the Eden Prairic Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Commission. Motion carried 5-0-1. Illlgemau abstained. I MOTION: Brown moved,seconded by Koenig, to nominate Bruce Bowman as Vice Chair of the Eden Prairie Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources f Commission. Motion curried 6-0. c i MOTION: Hilgeman moved,seconded by Jacobson,to close the nomination for Vice Chair of the Eden Prairie Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission. Motion carried 6-0. 5 i V. PETITIONS REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS k A. Hs"est from Girl's Snfihall Association to Accept Donation of Scoreboards for Rallfields at Miller Park Staff referred the Commission to a memo dated April 29, 1996,from Stuart A. Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources;a memo dated May 7, 1996, from Robert A. Lambert,Director of Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources; and a letter dated April 29, 1996. from James R. Bayer, Tournament Director. I a I i i Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Monday, May 6, 1996 Jim Bayer, Tournament Director, indicated Super America has donated scoreboards to Miller Park at a cost of$22,000 with the anticipation that the City would pay the$9,100 installation fees. He believes this will be a nice addition to the park. Staff recommended the advertising on the bib scoreboard be on the bottom rather than the top,and the advertising on the small scoreboard be on the right instead of the left. Staff also recommended some color changes to make the blue match the color scheme of the park. The scoreboards are at no cost to the City. Dick Berg, President of the Baseball Association, commented that these scoreboards are for all the players, not just the elite players. Having scoreboards are a big deal to the children. ' Jacobson inquired about the size of the signs. Fox indicated one sign will be 4 feet high and 13 feet long with the advertising. The other sign is 7 feet high and 14 feet long with the advertising. Bremer asked where in the outfields will the signs be placed. Fox stated there has been a predetermined location in left field. There is a predetermined location on every field where the wires are buried. Kracum questioned if there is any impact that Staff anticipates as far as the residents are concerned about the lighting from the scoreboards. Fox replied they do not anticipate any impact to the residents. The lights arc 15 and 25 watt bulbs and the back of the scoreboards will be scaled. There will only be light coming off from the front side. Staff made the recommendation to put a protective screen over the scoreboards to kccp balls from breaking the i lights. F Hilgcman asked if there was any possibility for the association or the sponsor to pay the installation costs. Bayer replied they hesitate to ask the sponsor to pay for the installation fees because of their large donation. They also have not been raising money for the purpose of installation fees. They prefer a that the City take on the cost. Hilgcman inquired about the use of portable scoreboards. Bayer replied they f have not considered them. Jacobson asked why this would be a nice addition to the park. Bayer stated i it's it nice addition primarily for the spectators at the tournament who are trying to keep scores of multiple games. 3 Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Monday, May 6, 1996 Jacobson indicated Miller Park was designed as a youth activity park,and was concerned that scoreboards would increase the competitiveness among the players. Bayer noted there is a level of competitiveness in all sports. He doesn't believe the scoreboards will increase or decrease the level of competitiveness. The scoreboards are primarily for the parents coming to watch the games. Brown asked if other fields around the state arc equipped with electronic scoreboards. Bayer said all of the ones he has been to have electronic scoreboards. Brown suggested charging the 2700 participants a couple of dollars each to help pay for the scoreboards because it's not fair for the citizens of Edcn Prairie to pay when most of them don't use the fields. He was also concerned about Super America having it 10 year tenure for their advertising because the City will have no control. He was opposed to any signagc in the parks. Joe Brady, 1704 New Market Drive,commented he is a firm believer that if there arc good parks with a good park system,there won't be trouble on the streets. The intent of getting scoreboards is for the youths and to bring the youths to the park. This is it$30,000 project and all flicy are asking from the City is$9,000. hlilgeman commented the City has never allowed advertising in the parks i because it detracts from the overall beauty of the parks,and she believes in this very strongly. She was concerned about how the citizens of Eden Prairie would feel about having scoreboards with advertising in the park. The City is eventually going to get these scoreboards. This is an adequate trade-off to not have advertising in the park and to hoer on foot the bill in the future. Brady suggested splitting the bill with the City 50-50. I Wilson commented he's a former baseball coach and knows that every kid j wants to know the score of the game. As a coach,he would much rather I have them look out to sec the score than ask the scorekeeper because then they're not paying attention to the game. He knows of no softball stadium concept or complex that does not have scorcboards. He suggested putting in ' a stipulation that if Super America no longer exists the City has control of the scoreboard. Koenig was concerned about advertising in the parks setting a precedent. She asked if Super American would be willing to lower the 10 years of advertising. Brady replied this is what they asked for which is not outlandish G d Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Monday, May 6, 1996 because the scoreboards will last for 20 years. Koenig commented that past experience shows estimates to be on the conservative side and was concerned that the cost would be much more. She was also concerned about why the City has advocated advertising in the parks when in the past they have not. Fox noted that the$9,100 estimate is very accurate because he personally checked with Daktronics. Staff made the recommendation of putting the scoreboards up with the condition that Super Amcrica pays for the cost of installation. Staff is willing to accept them with advertising because of their donation and that would be told to other people who want to advertise in the parks. Staff believes that il'someone is going to advertise in the park they should pay ror the cost of the advertising. The suggestion was made to cover the scoreboards when they are not in use and no one will sec the advertising. Brown commented that he questions the validity of the quality of the baseball program hinging on a scorcboard. lie doesn't believe it's going to hurt or hinder the program whether they have them or not. He suggested in lieu of advertising they put up a plaque on the scorcboard saying that Super American has donated the scoreboards. MOTION: Brown moved, seconded by Koenig, to deny the application because of the impact it would have on the total park system in terms of commercial advertising. Motion carried 4-1-1. Commissioner Wilson was the nay vote and Commissioner Kracum abstained. V1. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL t A. Starinu Lake Townhomes Stat7referrcd the Commission to a memo dated April 30, 1996,from Stuart ` A. Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources; a memo dated May 7, 1996, from Chris Enger, Community Development Department: a Staff Report dated April 19, 1996, from Michael D. Franzen, City Planner. a memo dated April 18, 1996, from Jon Michael Wertjcs of Bcnshoof and Associates,Inc.,and a letter dated April 9, 1996.from Thomas W. Balcom, Natural Resources Environmental Review Section. 5 1 Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Monday, May 6, 1996 Fox indicated the Staring Luke Townhomes project has been reviewed at three different Planning Commission meetings, in addition to two separate meetings held with the residents,City Staff,the developer,and City Council representatives. This project went before the Planning Commission and was approved on it 6-1 vote. Ron Bastyr,Pulte Master Builders,reviewed his development proposal with the Commission. The proposed location for the park is in the northwest portion of the site,which is approximately four acres of usable area,plus a NURP pond. The:umcnities in the park include basketball courts,volleyball court, two tennis courts,and it tot lot area. Originally proposed was four percent grading across the park but they will comply with Staffs recommendation of two and it half percent grading. He reviewed the planting proposals around the site noting the 75 foot existing wild life corridor located between the NURP pond and the creek will remain intact. Fox reviewed the Staff Report with the Commission. Asa result of grading, the significant tree loss is 14 percent. Bestyr noted the tree loss was 14 percent on one of the original plans, and this site has gone through many changes.As it result,the tree loss presently stands at zero percent. Fox commented the plan is for it screening berm to go along the roadways along Staring Lake Parkway,Anderson Lake Parkway,and Flying Cloud Drive. There berms range in height from ti to 15 feet, The landscaping plan is not complete yet. It shows about 2500 caliber inches of trees on the perimeter with another 2500 inches on the interior.. The NURP pond proposed has been evaluated by the City Engineering staff Lind they believe there is no problem. 'There was an EAW done in terms of the water quality of Purgatory Creek Lis well as Staring Lake,and the opinion J is that water quality would not change significantly. I There is currently an eight foot trail along Staring Lake Parkway and Ov Anderson Lake Parkway. The recommendation was they would remain , intact and not be impacted by any ofthe bcrming. Staffs recommendation was also for Columbine Road to have an eight foot trail on one side,and a live foot concrete sidewalk on the other. Staff also recommended that the most westerly loop road have a five foot wide concrete sidewalk along the southerly and westerly side. Two interior connections were recommended between the four unit buildings as a 6 Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources commission Monday, May 6, 1996 convenience for the residents. It was noted that the City has increased their trail standard to 10 feet wide, and the reason is for easy access for their service vehicles. Staff reviewed the criteria that should be used in the development of the mini park. lie noted the mini park is proposed to handle the neighborhood's needs for recreational activities. It was recommended that the cash park fees be reduced from$1,200 per unit to$600 if built this year,per unit because the developer has proposed to build a four acre mini park and give the land to the City. Staff reviewed the issues regarding the impact of this development on Staring Lake, and the concerns about the wildlife. Staring Lake was designated as a community park because of the significant natural resources, and it was designed to serve a population of 70.000 people. The overall wildlife value of the property currently is very low due to the lack of trees and shrubs for protection and food over the entire site on a year round basis. Jacobson expressed concern about the additional 60 car parking lot to be built by the NURP pond. Fox indicated the issue was raisedby the ncighibors whether the developer should be required to provide parking spaces for Oak Point Intenrcdiat School at the time the project is developed. This is a separate issue. If the school district has parking problems,they arc supposed to take care of it on their property. i Jacobson was concerned about the re-engineering of the NURP pond. Fox replied the re-engineering of the NURP pond is just a matter of shifting the contours further to the south. I-lilgcman expressed concern about the 60 car parking lot being so close to s the mini park. Karen Sell,8796 Fleshcr Circle,who represented the citizens group,noted that her and her husband have been residents of Eden Prairie for 12 years, ,aid moved to the Staring Lake Park area three years ago. She expressed her opposition to this development taking place from the very beginning. She was very concerned about the impact this development will have on Staring Lake and the wildlife in the area. She commented about the increase in traffic and the impact on the school. This development is too huge for Staring Lake to handle. She wits also concerned about the impact on Oak Point Intermediate School not being able to handle the additional students. 7 l t A i Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Monday, May 6, 1996 f. She disagreed with the location of the mini park not being centrally located on the site and the NURP pond being placed within the shoreland. She opposed to the park being next to it NURP pond and a creek which are hazardous to children. All residents should have equal access to the park. She was concerned about the NURP pond only having a 60 or 70 percent reduction of phosphorus and even less for other chemicals. Shc commented that most parks in Eden Prairie do not have this kind of density currently adjacent to the property. Staring Lake Park will have to accommodate a very large population. Site urged the developer to create more open green space within this development,and to provide a recreational park area within the park complex to accommodate the young adults and children. She asked that the Commission request it conservation casement for the area that is dedicated for the park so that nothing can be built on it. She also urged the Commission to allocate any park money back to Staring Lake Park. The long term cost of the park and surrounding area will surely need this funding. Laura Dockery,8999 Flesher Circle,concurred with the comments made by Karen Sell. She was very concerned about the lack of information given,or the incorrect information given to the residents,and that they have had to find out everything on their own. She questioned whether zero percent tree loss means no trees will be cut down. Hilgcman explained that according to the ordinance a tree must be 12 inches in diameter to be significant. Therefore,zero percent tree loss means there are no trees over 12 inches in diameter being cut down. Fox explained which trees would actually be cut down,and commented that the residents could get that information from the Tree Inventory. Laura Dockery was also concerned about some of the houses being built on a very deep slope,that it's not buildable for housing. She expressed concern about where the extra 30 percent of phosphorus will go. She was opposed r to reducing the cash park fees and urged the Commission to leave the fees as they stand. Steve Swanson, 14183 McCoy Court,was opposed to the change in the guide plan from low,medium density to high density. lie was concerned about who has the responsibility of the pool during school hours. H ilgeman replied they have a Joint Powers Agreement. During school hours,operation of the Pool is school jurisdiction. During summers and off evening time it's the 8 Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Cornmission Monday, May 6, 1996 I City's jurisdiction. This is only for operation of the school. The school district maintains the pool itself. Swanson was concerned about the residents of the new development using Staring Lake Park because of the high density. He believes Staring Lake to be under a lot of pressure because of the change in the density. Brown expressed opposition to the reduction in the cash park fees. Hilgcman concurred about the reduction of cash park fees. She does not like mini ' parks and would rather take land in lieu of cash park fees. Sell commented the neighborhood residents never had any input on the placement of this park. Swanson noted that their main concern has been to maintain the slope. He believes that part of the site should remain natural. Koenig asked how the developer came to place the park in that area and not in the middle of the development. Bastyr replied that it was the recommendation of the Parks Department Staff to put it in the northwest corner. �. Hilgcman expressed concern that the EAW states there is no access to Staring Lake according to a letter in the packet. Fox indicated the letter is dated April ft and was before a number of revisions were made to the project. Since then,the NURP pond has been moved. It was also difficult for the DNR to locate the access because of the maps they use. Hilgcman opposed to the recommendation by Staff about the cash park fees. Koenig concurred with the resident's suggestion of, conservation casement on the site. j Brown asked if it was possible to the potential area designated as park to let a it go to natural grasses and leave it alone with it conservation casement,and put a three acre park in the middle of the development. Bastyr noted it could f Potentially be done. Sell referred to a letter from the US Wildlife that recommended 200 feet of grassland in between any building site and the NURP pond so it creates less impact of water runoff to the stream. She also referred to the Shorcland Ordinance which stated land located within 300 feet from u river or stream is considered Shorcland property, and no grading is allowed within the l 9 i Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Monday, May 6, 1996 shoreland. The NUR13 pond is being built within the 300 feet of the shoreland area. Stanke commented that he stated at the Planning Commission meeting they would not use phosphorus in their fertilizer and they can control that. The NURP pond will eliminate some of the problems from the runoff on Staring Lake Parkway itself. The NURP pond was drawn both at one cell and two cell and they will build it any way the City Engineer wants them to. MOTION: Flilgeman shoved, seconded by Brown, to deny the Pulte division as written in the Staff recommendation dated April 30, 1996,page 5,that instead of the four acre mini park,a proposed conservation casement 200 feet above the normal high water mark for 821 feet, that no land be given in lieu of cash park fees at this location, and that there still be sidewalks on the side collector or street but that none would join the park area,and no land be given in lieu of cash park fees at this location. Motion carried 6-0. I Commissioner Krucum and Commissioner Jacobson were excused. V11. NEW BUSINESS A. Approve Bid. to Install Rubberized Flooring in Communitx Center Lobby Staff referred the Commission to a memo dated May 7, 1996, from Elyce Kastigar,Parks,Recreation and Facilities;a letter dated April 22, 1996,from Gene Krieger,Arena Systems;and a letter dated April 2, 1996, from John J. Baker,Acoustics Associates,Inc. Fox indicated bids were given for the Community Center rubber flooring project. Staff recommended the bid go to Acoustics Associates for$31,300. This wits a budget item for$30,000,therefore the City is going to have to reduce some other budget to cover the extra$1,300. MOTION: Brown moved,seconded by Hilgcman,to accept the bids per Staffs recommendations for the rubber flooring of the Community Center lobby. Motion carried 4-0. B. Approve Bid to Construct Miller Park Shelter 10 t 4 Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Monday, May 6, 1996 Staff referred the Commission to a memo dated May 7, 1996,from the Parks, Recreation and Faci!itics Department. Fox indicated they estimated construction for the Miller Park Shelter to be $236,000. It was then found out that there needs to be some soil corrections. Staffdid not feel comfortable doing it themselves because they don't have the equipment. They received bids ranging from$213,000 to$237.500. Staff recommended American Liberty with the low bid of$194,486. Hilgcman was concerned about not getting the roof that's needed. Fox commented they arc getting metal soffits and fascia so the reality is if the roof needs to be replaced in 20 years, they could add a metal roof at that time. MOTION: Brown moved, seconded by Wilson, to accept the Staffs recommendations for the Miller Park Shelter Bids. Motion carried 4-0. Vlll- REPORTS OF COMMISSIONS AND STAFF 1 A. Spdutc on Replacement of Boards in Rink#1 Fox indicated this was an FYI item. B. Purgatory Creek Outlet Structure Koenig commented that she lives near the Purgatory Creek Outlet Structure and that the meadow has turned into mud. She was also concerned about the hay bales and the lack of silt fencing. She suggested some sibmagc there because it's a wide open area and she noted kids on dirt bikes previously. Fox noted he would have it checked out. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Wilson moved,Hilgcman seconded,to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:50 p.m. ` 11