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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 03/15/1999 I MARCH 1511999 MINUTES PARKS RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 1 AGENDA PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL.RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY,MARCH 15,1999 7:00 P.M.CITY CENTER 8080 MITCHELL ROAD COUNCIL,CHAMBERS COMMISSION MEMBERS: Richard Brown, Chair; Frantz. Corneille, Claire Hilgoman, Don { Jacobson,Vicki Koenig,Glenn Stolar,John Wilson STUDENT MEMBER: Ben Christian COMMISSION STAFF: Robert A. Lambert, Director of Parks. Recreation and Natural t Rt`sourc(-N:Stuart A.Fox,Manager of Parks and Natural Resources; t Laurie Flelling,Manager of Recreation Services ? I. ROI. A .I f II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 1 III. APPROVAL OF MIN ITFS-F hnrtry I 1999 IV. PF'rITIONS.R .O IFSTS AND COMM INIC'ATI NS A. Bravest from Minnesota Frichcc Associ•rtion for Tourn moot+ tt St�rin� 1�kc Dt+c Gol' Lours B. Discussion ,n Poli•v R JI'dIing,Use of Disc r If' Course V. DEVFLOPMFNT PROPOSALS S A. VI. OLD BUSIPIFC VII. NFW I�LISIN�Cc A. Recommendat'un for 1999 Trail project, B. Recotimtendation for C'h•nu a to Shc_ reland M masonic 1 Ordinance Amend' City Code ;Section I I I.in Sub f •l 1 cf VIII. REPORTS 017COmmisSIC)Nl:nc naaD 'TArr A. Reports of Director of Parks•nd Reer-Lion S,n i I. Riley La Fishinc 1'icr Cirnnt i B. Rcnorts of Manager of Recreation Scrviccc l I. Public/Priv:rtc Partttcrshin Promun C. Reports of Community Center Manager I. Donation of Olympia Ice Rcsurtacer Advertising Layout Proposal 2. Oak Point Pool Hours IX. ADJOURNMENT y i9 l j J I i I APPROVED MINUTES ' PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY,MARCH 15, 1999 7:00 P.M.CITY CENTER 8080 MITCI-IELL ROAD COUNCIL CHAMBERS d COMMISSION MEMBERS: Richard Brown,Chair;Frantz Corneille,Claire Hilgeman,Don Jacobson,Vicki Koenig,Glenn Stolar,John Wilson I STUDENT MEMBER: Ben Christian COMMISSION STAFF: Robert A. Lambert,Director of Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources; Stuart A.Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources; Lyndell Frey, Community Center Manager; and Rita Maiscr, t I1. 1101.1.CALI, Recorder Chair Brown called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. If. APPROVAL OF AGENDA i MOTION: Stolar moved,seconded by Wilson,to approve the agenda as published. Ililgeman asked that the Eden Prairie High School Cross Country Ski Team be added to the agenda. They want to ask for help in finding a new practice course. The agenda was amended to include this additon,and was approved 7-0. p 1'.s III. APPROVAI.OF MINUTES- February 1, 1999 Koenig asked Rx a change in the minutes,page 4,under letter B,"Perkins Subdivision" paragraph 4. The word"alternative"on line one should be changed to"variance". MOTION: I lilgeman moved,Corneille seconded,to approve the minutes with Kocing's correction. Approved 7-0. l { Parks,Recreation,and Natural Resources Commission Minutes March 15, 1999 Page 2 rf 1V. PETITIONS,IIEQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Request from Eden Prairie II.S.Cross Country Ski Team for Practice Space `? Bjorn Anderson spoke for the Eden Prairie Cross Country Ski Team and presented a petition to the commission asking for help in finding a practice course. The team lost their practice course at CMS and have been going to Hennepin Parks. Anderson said the travel time is long and cost is too high. Anderson said over 100 kids participate. Due to the high school dome construction and Hwy y 212 construction,additional practice courses have been lost. The team prefers a 3h loop,with a trail width of 6'to 12',with hills.Hills are important,since they are a part of team competition. Lambert said the high school j cross country running team is also looking for running space. Staring Lake Park or Miller Park are possibilities. Lambert said parking is a necessity, and Staring may have the most potential. i MOTION: Wilson moved that the city staff work with the cross country ski team and } i the cross country running team to find a suitable site in the city for both teams to practice. Stolar seconded. Jacobson wished to add to that such a practice course be available for the general public. Lambert said any such course would be public. Wilson's motion was approved 7-0. 11. Request from Minnesota Frisbee Association for Tournaments at Staring Lake Disc Gulf Course !, The MN Frisbee Association has requested that the City consider allowing them to hold tournaments and leagues at the Starling Lake Disc Golf course. The City policy does not allow organizations that pay cash to winners at a sporting event to use City facilities. Lambert gave background information on how the Frisbee league operates. The usual sign-up structure is not used, instead the league advertises through flyers. People show C N up and pay their fee to play, then proceeds are divided up among the winners. This ' program has been used in six other cities. Lambert said the disc course was developed, and now it should be used. This method would be a good way to accommodate the sport.,and it could be tried on a one-year basis. Bob Lanzi, Adult Athletic Coordinator, would work with the Frisbee Assoc. Lyle Jensen,president of the association,was present to speak on the proposal. Corneille questioned whether the offering ol'prizes should be a part of public service. Lambert said the policy has been to only accommodate non-profit or service organizations that I Parks,Recreation,and Natural Resources Commission Minutes March 15, 1999 Page 3 do not benefit from private fund raising or profit personally. Allowing this would require a policy change,not an exception to the existing policy. Stolar expressed concern that people may feel inhibited if a large number of people are already using the course. Lambert said people could simply get in line and sign up to play on a first-come, lirst-served basis. 'there would be one league night per week, and about two to four tournaments per year. Hilgeman was concerned that Eden Prairie resi- dents not be kept out. The program would need to be monitored to be sure this doesn't I happen. i t a Jensen explained that the association members are volunteers and that all fees are distrib- uted and not kept for profit. Sellers of merchandise would pay peddler's permit fees. A tournament schedule has already been prepared. A nine-hole course such as this will ac- commodate about 45 participants. Koenig asked about concessions being available. Lambert answered there would be no concessions,although the association does sell Fris- bees and tournament items. Stolar asked about clean-up costs. Lambert said there would no garbage pick-up fees. The park staff would clean up the park as usual. MOTION: Hilgeman moved to approve the request of the Minnesota Frisbee Associa- tion to run a league and to ofier tournaments at the Staring Lake Disc Golf Course in 1999,per staff recommendations. Jacobson seconded. Approved 7-0. V. DEVE11,0111MEWI'A1,PROPOSALS VI. 01,13 BUSINESS I VI1. NEW BUSINESS I A. Recommendation for 1999 Trail Projects The start is recommending a list of seven trail repair projects for 1999,the estimated cost r of which is$115,050, Lambert said the city has budgeted$117,500. in the general fund for trails. I Iilgeman asked if there would be any construction of new trails, lambert said there are now about 75 miles of trails, with a proposed 100 miles in total completed city trails. New, undeveloped areas will have the trails completed when new roads go in. The only new trails in 1999 are the extensions along County Road 4 and Anderson Lakes Parkway. The County Road 4 project does not include easement cost;,which are undetermined. c�. I ^'t Parks,Recreation,and Natural Resources Commission Minutes March 15, 1999 Page 4 l Lambert said there are about 20 repair projects, all of which have been ranked in 1} importance. Koenig asked if there is a grant for the trail along Bryant Lake Dr. Lambert said the city applied for a matching grant. Repairs for trails come out of the general fund. j MOTION: Koenig moved to approve the seven trail projects for 1999 as recommended by staff. Hilgeman seconded. Approved 7-0. i Wilson left the meeting at 8:00 p.m. ii B. Recommendation for Change to Shorcland Management Ordinance Amending City Code Sec. It 1.50,Subd.4.1c ' Lambert explained the importance of clarifying the language in the ordinance,since the current language is open to various interpretations as to definition of a "bluff'. The definition of a"bluff' now includes the following: "The grade of the slope from the toe of the bluff to a point 25 feet or more above the ordinary high water level averages 30 per cent or greater...". The staff and DNR recommendation is to remove the word"average" from this definition, and include the language: "...is 30 percent or greater along a horizontal distance of at least 50 feet". Koenig asked about the time frame if the change is made. Lambert said if the commission approves the change,it goes to the planning commission,a public hearing is , held,and then it goes to the council fix final approval. Any sites already approved under the current ordinance would be grandfathered in. Corneille moved to approve the revision to the Shoreland Management Ordinance, Section 11.40, Sudb. 4.1c, to change the language recommended staff and explained in f Lambert's memorandum dated March 8. 1999. Jacobson seconded.Approved 6-0. V111. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF A. Report of Community Center Manager Oak Point fool(lours Cynthia Mueller, Aquatic Supervisor, was present to discuss changes in the hours at Oak Point Pool.The change would cut eight hours from the pool schedule beginning April 1. The current hours will be restricted during periods of low use, due to cost factors.. The Family Swim will he 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Saturdays,with Open Swim from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Open Swim will also be at the Community Center from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. I I l Parks,Recreation,and Natural Resources Commission March 15, 1999 Page 5 I The Community Center is more efficient to run. Sunday will have open swim with Family Swim from 3:00 pm to 5:00 p.m.. "ncc Oak Point Pool will close at 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Lambert said the Oak Point Pool has not generated enough revenue to offset expenses to justify keeping the current schedule. Y Corneille wanted to know what will happen to the pool employees due to the cutback in hours. Mueller said they would be incorporated into other places,and would keep their hours. Mueller also wants to continue utilizing the entire pool during the same time y period: such as dividing the pool into a lap pool, and a pool for others. Comielle asked { about pool use on holiday weekends. Mueller said attendance is best when specific events are planned on holiday weekends. MOTION: Koenig moved to approve changes to the Oak Park Pool schedule and to cut eight hours from the schedule beginning April 1, as recommended by staff. Jacobson seconded Discussion: Hilgeman asked about cost effectiveness in renting out pool time to groups. Lambert said rentals and subleases to groups costs the city to loose about a $15.00 per hour.The motion was approved 6-0. f B. Reports of Directors of Parks and Recreation Services 1. Riley Lake Fishing Pier The DNR has notified the city that funds will be appropriated in 1999 for a Fishing pier on Lake Riley. As a part of the project, the city will need to provide a trail from the parking lot to the pier. Lambert said the pier will be installed in early summer. The decision to place it in Lake Riley is based on the sire of the lake, and the number of 1 hours it is fished. 2. Eden Orchard Update lambert reported the council is recommending a black vinyl chain link Fence to delineate ir property lines that border the conservation area in this development. Also, seven or eight lots in the woods will have a 20 foot conservation easement with mowing allowed, but no tree cutting. The homeowners association has given a gift of 3.5 acres of conservation area. There was discussion on articles that have appeared in the papers, and a report on TV news as to the decision to develop the orchard, A DNR spokesperson recommended a onc-quarter mile conservation easement into the"big woods",however,she clarified that IJ C I �•P�d1. Parks, Recreation,and Natural Resources Commission Meeting March 15, 1999 Page 6 this is an ideal for preserving large acreages. Lambert agreed that 'more is better" Conservation buffers vary,and it is not an exact science. He noted that the DNR makes recommendations,but it cannot require a buffer,and doesn't have funds to purchase one. 5 Koenig asked about the Metro Greenways Grant. Lambert said the grant application is for a 19 acre parcel connecting to the land to be gifted to the City on the cast side of Eden Orchard. The property owners of this parcel say the value is $1,500,000, to $2,000,000., based on developing the bluff area. What needs to be determined is what constitutes a bluff. One proposal would be to purchase 14 to 15 acres of the slopes and creek valley at $500,000.,and then permit the landowners to develop 2 to 3 lots. This way the creek valley stays protected. The owners are reluctant to give the city the valley, because they believe the city will then take the bluffs, Lambert said that the market value of a wooded bluff lot is about$100,000. The city does not have the funds to purchase the bluff lots. Hilgeman asked it there is some way the apple trees in the orchard can be saved and transplanted. Lambert suggested volunteers, or possibly the Historical Society, maybe willing to take this on. He does not recommend planting apple trees in City parks. 3. Donation of Olympia Ice Resurfacer Advertising Layout Proposal Metro Mitsubishi and Mark's Amoco of Eden Prairie have donated an Olympia Ice Rc- surfacer to be used at the Eden Prairie Community Center, As a part of the agreement, both companies will be allowed to place advertising on the machine. Lambert said the cost of the resurfacer is about$40.000.alter the trade-in,and recommended the commis- sion approve the design layout. MOTION: Stolar moved to accept the ice resurfacer advertising design.Approved 6-0. 4. Public-Private Partnership Program r 1\. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: I filgeman moved,and Koenig seconded,to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. Approved 6-0.