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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 07/19/1993 1993 JULY 19 MINUTES CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMIVIISSION MONDAY, JULY 19, 1993 7:30 P.M., CITY HALL COMMISSION MEMBERS: Pat Richard, Chair; Bruce Bowman, Richard Brown, Claire Hilgeman, Joanne Kube-Harderwijk, Adam Harju, David Kracum, Diane Popovich Lynch, Thomas Marcus, COMMISSION STAFF: Robert A. Lambert, Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources; Barbara Penning Cross, Landscape Architect; Stuart A. Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources; Laurie Helling, Manager of Recreation Services I. ROLL CALL II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JUNE 7 & 28, 1993 IV. PETITIONS. REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Letter from Shelli Nicoson V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. Brunswick Family World VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Riley Lake Park Expansion VII. NEW BUSINESS A. AAAroval of Change Order No. I - Miller Park VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF A. Reports of Director of Parks. Recreation & Natural Resources 1. Financial Section of 1992 Annual Report B. Rgports of andscaW Architect 1. URdate on Miller Park & Recommendation to Delay Park Use IX. ADJOURNMENT parkag/1 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY,JULY 19, 1993 7:30 p.m.,City Hall 7600 Executive Drive i . COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Pat Richard, Chair; Bruce Bowman, Joanne Kube-Harderwijk, Claire Hilgeman, Dave Kracum, Thomas Marcus COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Richard Brown, Diane Popovich Lynch, Adam Hadu COMMISSION STAFF: Robert A. Lambert, Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources; Barbara Cross,Landscape Architect I, ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:36 p.m. by Chair,Pat Richard. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Added under VII. New Business was B. Canoe Rack Rental Report. " MOTION: Kube-Harderwijk moved to approve the Agenda for the Jul 19 1993 J AP g Y meeting. Motion seconded by Hilgeman. Motion passed 6-0 III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -JUNE 7&28, 1993 No changes. MOTION: Kube-Harderwijk moved to approve the minutes of the June 7, 1993, meeting. Motion seconded by Kracum. Motion passed 6-0 MOTION: Kube-Harderwijk moved to approve the minutes of the June 28, 1993, meeting. Motion seconded by Hilgeman. Motion passed 6-0 IV. PETITIONS,REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Letter from Shelli Nicoson In Shelli Nicoson's letter dated June 25, 1993, she addressed her and her husband's concern for their safety while walking along the paved path around Staring Lake. The path is shared by walkers,bikers, in-line skaters and roller skaters. She feels the path is Approved Minutes Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Monday,July, 19, 1993 becoming more hazardous to walk because of the increasing number of wheeled vehicles moving along the paths out-of-control and at excessive speeds. Shelli and her husband attended this meeting and expressed additional concern, in addition to their discouragement of walking along the path fearing for their safety. Shelli recommended there be additional policing on the path to enforce slower speeds for wheeled vehicles. Lambert stated that every place a bicycle can enter the path there is a one-way sign posted as well as painted signs right on the trail with an arrow pointing in the opposite direction of the walkers. However, some people tend to ignore the signage and go in the direction they want. Occasionally, the posted signage will disappear, possibly stolen. Lambert also stated there is a maximum of 10 miles per hour that the wheeled vehicles are requested to travel. Shelli suggested possibly putting speed bumps on the trails. Lambert stated the City could not put speed bumps on the trails because of snow plows in the winter as well as it possibly causing a dangerous condition for the skaters. Mr. Nicoson suggested passing a City ordinance to put warning bells on bicycles. Lambert said that without it becoming a State law requiring all people to put bells on their bicycles it would be near impossible to enforce this because there are so many other people, other than Eden Prairie residents, using the trails. Hiilgeman questioned whether it was budgeted to put a second trail around Staring Lake. Lambert stated there is a budget request for 1994 for a second trail around Round Lake but not Staring Lake at this time. Richard suggested that a better estimate of the cost for putting in a second trail around Staring Lake be provided to the Commission. The recommendation at this time would be for the Commission to request the Chief of Police to increase the patrolling at Staring and Round Lakes on the trails, to require in-line skaters to use the trail in the same direction as bicycles and to educate the people using the trails of the importance of adhering to the signage along the trails. MOTION: I-Elgeman moved to make a special request of the Chief of Police to increase the Park Ranger Patrol around Staring and Round Lakes for the purpose of educating the public on safety concerns regarding the Park trail rules. Kracum seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0 V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. Bnanwick Family World 2 I '• Approved Minutes Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Monday,July 19, 1993 Chris Enger, Director of Community Development gave a brief background on the land site proposed for the Brunswick Family World. The City purchased 23 acres in November of 1992, as part of the Eden Prairie downtown area. The location of this project is adjacent to the Flagship Athletic Club, Wal-Mart, the Eden Prairie Center and the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area. The site's architecture will be consistent with the Marketeenter"theme" as well as the proposed Eden Prairie water tower. Hank Harris, Vice President of Services for Brunswick reviewed and gave a brief slide presentation of the Brunswick Family World. Brunswick Family World is geared towards children 11 and under accompanied with an adult, including a state-of the-art 40 lane bowling facility. The site will also include a pro-shop, a baby sitter room, a 240 seat theme restaurant featuring sophisticated animatronics and children's recreation area consisting of games and small rides. The site is totally handicap accessible, including the bowling alleys. A person in a wheel chair can bowl at any of the 40 lanes available. Also smoking is strictly prohibited except in designated areas. The air exchange in the facility is six times per hour. Smoke eaters have been strategically placed in the facility to remove any haze in the air caused by smoking cigarettes. The staff personnel at Brunswick Family World are required to go through an extensive training program on how to interact with children, as well as the general public, prior to working in the facility. Hilgeman asked whether there were baby changing tables in the men's restrooms. Harris explained there are changing tables in both the men's and women's restroom in the family areas except in the bowling area. He also stated that the restrooms in the family areas are in full view of the parents at all times, so that a child is less likely to be endangered or to wander off into another area. Bowman asked whether or not it would be appropriate to involve other builders in the master plan to be involved in the development of the special sidewalk. Lambert stated the builders are involved and the City is encouraging that builders adhere to a certain standard of architecture to maintain the "theme" appearance of the surrounding area. Cross explained the money that will be used to help build the sidewalks will come from tax increments financing which comes from the general business district. The money will not come out the City's general fund budget. Richard cited with this being an upscale, well manicured area, he encouraged flower bed areas. Harris stated the proposed site includes flower beds in the site area. Enger stated architecture and landscaping of this area is held at higher standard than other sites because of the area. 3 e Approved Minutes Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Monday, July 19, 1993 MOTION: Hilgeman moved to approve the Brunswick development per conditions of the Staff Report dated July 9, 1993, from Don Uram and the Supplemental Staff Report dated July 15, 1993,from Barbara Cross. Motion seconded by Kube- Hardecwijk. Motion passed 6-0 DISCUSSION: Bowman wanted clarification regarding the requested PUD waivers. Cross stated that any parking access shared is a typical parking set back with any project that uses a PUD. The variance of.6 ratio is because of the median cuts along Single Tree Lane. Because it is in the downtown business district area is a good justification to grant the waivers. Enger added that by looking at the site as a whole that it will be at or less than what the City requires for the base area ratio. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Riley Lake Park Enansion Last January the City Council authorized the Staff to obtain appraisals of the four properties on the South end of Riley Lake Park. The acquistion of those four sites would allow existing City-owned land to the north to make a connection to the City-owned land to the south. The Council also directed the Staff to consider other options where it could develop the site without acquiring all four properties. Option 1 - would be to not acquire 9291 or 9281 until the property owners want to sell. The City would purchase the two properties to the south and place the boat launch in that location. Launchers would then be able to use the existing roadway to get to the existing parking lot. This option places the boat launch in the desired location, a significant distance away from the swimming area and next to the currently owned property to the south and west. This option is recommended by the Staff. Option 2 - would be to not acquire any of the four parcels at this time and to develop the boat launch as far south as possible on the existing land. This would require moving the swimming beach as far north as possible and put the boat launch relatively close to the swimming beach. It would also require removing some trees within the park. This option is the most favorable to the property owners. Option 3 - would be to acquire all four parcels and to grant life estate to the residents of 9291. 4 • . . ,�. _.:. _.;..•: :,';: .. ,cam... /.. L...;,;'. _..1.M-.` ._........? ,.. .:�:.�]. ....5,..-.,�..�.4..'::$ _ .^ ..�:.'.....,a .. .:5.'. d.d, .,......,... .ta.;rsa-r.,.da<r x«,....,..-..: Approved Minutes Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Monday,July 19, 1993 I, The appraisals were to be obtained and submitted in April; however the appraiser did not submit them to Staff until June at which time they were then sent to the property owners. The property owners were not satisfied with the appraisals obtained. Lambert also was not satisfied with the appraisals mainly because the comparable parcels used in determining the value of the parcels, was not lake shore property. The appraiser was required to obtain other appraisals in order to be compensated. After reviewing the second appraisals, Lambert was satisfied that the value of the parcels was justified by some good comparisons. At this time Staff is recommending that Option 1 be approved and that Staff receives authorization to negotiate with the southern two property owners to acquire those parcels and to be able to make an offer based on the appraisals received. Hilgeman asked whether there would be enough land for a boat launch by acquiring 9301, which is currently not occupied, and placing the launch just north of the 9300 property. She stated that she would not feel comfortable forcing any one from their property for the ' sole purpose of a boat launch. Lambert feels that the City should acquire 9300 and 9301 to make the connection with the currently owned City property. Eventually the City would like to acquire all of the land to make the connection all the way around. He stated that the building and septic system of 9300 is between the road and lake shore. With it being in close proximity of the lake shore he feels it would be best to acquire this land to protect the lake from any possible pollutants or drainage from the septic system as well as for use for park purposes. Mrs. Joan Thomas, property owner of 9300 along with her husband James, addressed the Commission. She stated this has been their property for 22 years and they plan to use it in another three years as their retirement home. At this time, they do not reside on the property and have been renting it for about ten years. Thomas and her husband wish to keep the property; however, if the City were to force them from the property, she asked that the City compensate them by purchasing another lake shore property. She conceded as much as she does not like the thought of losing the property to a boat launch, she understands and thinks that what the City is trying to accomplish is a good plan. Mr. James Shuldhiess, property owner of 9291 along with Mrs. Shuldhiess,also addressed the Commission. He stated he lived on that property for 35 years and wants to remain there. He is currently retired and if he were to be forced from his property, it would have a negative financial impact on him. S yt, , ...... .�„ . .... r .:.a�'... ... ..,. _. ..},...... 7. .. ............ .1.�..,... !7 ........ .,...F...., .... .....Y. 1.y.1r W i.vmlcwwv.,u w_ a: Approved Minutes Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Monday, July 19, 1993 Lambert clarified that the request, at this time, is to receive approval to begin negotiating with the property owners to purchase the parcels. Once Staff receives approval, they can begin negotiations, making offers and counter offers to reach an acceptable dollar amount between the City and the property owners. If a fair dollar amount cannot be reached between the parties, it would then have to be decided if the City wanted to got to court to obtain the parcels. MOTION: Bowman moved that the City Staff recommend the City Council approve Option I to begin negotiations to acquire the two southern parcels of land to make room for construction of a public boat launch per the Stags recommendations. Kracum seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. M12roval of Change Order No. 1 -Miller Park Cross stated NEller Park has been under construction since mid-April 1993 and this is the first change order for this contract. There are three necessary changes being requested with an increase in the contract total of$7,871.50. The first change is an RPZ valve. This valve is a pressure reducer to allow a 6 inch line is a 1 inch irrigation line, it reduces the pressure into the system. This would be an additional cost of$11,434.50. The second change was the sealing of an abandoned well, according to City and State standards,discovered in the playground area. The existence of this well was unknown and unforeseeable. The cost of this work was$685. The third change is to eliminate the chain link over the dugouts. The contractor stated the framework supporting the chain link fabric and the fabric was not strong enough to handle winter snow loads. Staff is confident the windscreen fabric can be attached directly to the support framework thereby eliminating the cost of the chain link fabric. A total deduction of$4,248 would apply. Richard raised the question of the contractor specfying an irrigation system that the would work with reasonable maintenance for a facility that size and after installing the I 6 Approved Minutes Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Monday, July 19, 1993 system, they come back and state this RPV valve cannot handle the velocity. Lambert stated this was an oversight of the Staff when reviewing the specifications and is not the fault of the contractor. The contractor that specified the valve is not anyone who bid on the job. MOTION: Kube-Harderwijk moved to approve Change Order No. 1 for Miller Park. Hlgeman seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0. B. Canoe Rack Rental Report The suggestion has been made that the City provide rack rental service for canoes at public parks. Lambert recommended putting the racks at the Outdoor Center on Staring Lake and the marina on Round Lake. The rack would be constructed over the winter months. It was suggested rental to be $60 per rack per season. Advertising for the rack rentals would be in the winter brochure. Olgeman questioned the cost of constructing these racks. Lambert responded by explaining that piping would be purchased,welded together and spray painted, along with administrative and maintenance costs, if the City charged $60 per rack, per season it t would cover the costs. Hilgeman also questioned how many months out of the year would these racks actually be used. Lambert stated 6-7 months of the year, April through October. The biggest expense is the administrative time trying to get the boats off the racks at the end of the season. Hilgeman and Richard both questioned whether or not there is a need to place racks on both locations. Richard would like to see this start smaller and to maybe place one rack on either Staring or Round Lake, not both. Bowman questioned how much space the racks would need and whether or not it compromises any room in the parks. Lambert stated that the racks would be placed next to the rack with the City owned canoes and would consist of 8 racks. MOTION: Richard moved to approve the placement of an 8 canoe rack at Staring Lake at $60 per rack per season. I ilgeman seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0. VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF A. Reports of Director of Parks Recrea*ion 8t Natural Resources j 1. Financial Cis+inn of i 992 Annual Report -Tabled until August 2, 1993,meeting. 7 ._. '. .'...., .. .. .. ........:... ,:... .::. .. .. : _-. r ,., :' .. ..,,... ..e... .,i.ter...n,rr..... .1 Approved Minutes Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Monday,July 19, 1993 �F B. Reports of Landscape Architect 1. Update on Muller Park&Recommendation to Delay Park Use Cross reviewed the progress of the Miller Park construction. Due to the substantial amount of rain we have had this summer, construction is well behind schedule. The deadline for the project to be complete was July 15, 1993. Construction on this project is at least 2 months behind schedule. The contractor has made every effort to get in there on a reasonable time and is working the area as much as possible. Most of the area soil is clay so that when it rains and the more the equipment is on the clay the deeper the moisture penetrates the ground until the clay is so saturated and slippery it can barely be driven on. Conditions improved once the storm sewers were in place, however, right now when we get a heavy rain the storm sewers clog up causing the catch basin to plug,creating a small lake. It takes 2 days to unplug the catch basin and another 2 days to dry. At this point, if we did not receive any more rain, it may be well past mid-September before construction is complete. Staff is recommending that any use of Miller Park be delayed until spring of 1993. Richard stated it is obvious this is the correct and proper thing to do. Richard requested Lambert notify the various sports associations of the delay in the completion of the park. Kracum asked if the Commission will be touring the site any time soon. Cross stated there is really nothing to tour right now and with all the rain we have had, it is usually to difficult to drive on. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Kracum moved to adjourn the meeting. Richard seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:53 pm. Respectfully submitted, Theresa M. Pendroy Recording Secretary s