Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 02/18/1974 1974 FEBRUARY 18 MINUTES CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE �i MINUTES y { EDEN PRAIRIE PARK & RECREATION C014IMISSION- NIONDAY, FEBRUAW 18, 1974 7:30 p.m., City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice-Chairman Bill Garens, Francis Helmer, Richard Bren, Jr. , Dick Anderson, Wolf Penzel,, Jan Berkland, Paul Enblom. MEMBERS ABSENT: Marvin Erickson, Steve Eisch, ,STAFF PRESENT: Marty Jessen, Director of Community Services Chris Enger, Landscape Architect Joe Sullivan, Student Intern OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor David Osterholt; Don Bess, The Preserve. `.he meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. by Vice-Chairman Garens.% X );ANUTES OF TANUARY 28 1974, MEETING_. 6/f/Anderson, S/Berkland to approve the minutes of the January 28, 1974, !Hooting as presented. Motion carried unanimously. IL. ORGANIZATION: (� A. Elect-inn of.Offices: ` T�4fI3Er?cl�n�i,. S,�G �tss, to, nominate Marvin Erickson for Chairman. Hearing no further nominations, the Chairman declared nominations closed.. Motion nominating Erickson carrier-1 unanimously. M/Anderson, S/Penzel to nominate Bill Garens for Vice-Chairman. Hearing no further nominations, the Chairman declared nominations closed. Motion nominating Garens for Vice-Chairman carried unanimously. } It was decided not to elect a Secretary as Jessen Is presently serving as official recordkeeper for the Commission. r3. Commission Organization: Jessen reviewed the ordinance establishing a Recreation and Park Commission for the City of Eden Prairie which spells out the charges to the Commission as advising the Council on conducting a public recreation program and also the planning, development, management, operation, and maintenance of a system of parks and recreational areas. jessen suggested that it might be appropriate for the Commission to "break down" into functional sub- committees dealing with particular areas of concern and that he felt it was C appropriate for the Commission to have some discussion on this topic and then have the staff develop some possible organizational schemes for consideration by the Commission at the next meeting. Garens stated that while the meetincpare getting long for the Commission, there are two basic interests represented by Commissioners. These are the Park & Recreation Commission Minutes -2- February 18, 1974 recreational activities, and secondly, the conservation of lands within the community. He suggested that perhaps two sub-committees broken down along these lines would be appropriate. Berkland asked if it was the intention of the Mayor and Council to develop a separate environmental or natural resources commission or if in fact, the Park & Recreation Commission was to continue to serve this function. jessen indicated that at this time, there had been no discussion of a second commission. Anderson stated that he felt it was important that the environ- mental and natural resources concerns continue to lie with the Park & I Recreation Commission at this stage of the City's development. Helmer stated that he'd like to put his energies to parks for kids now, not for residents 20 years from now and he further stated that he felt the develop- a ment of low-cost facilities to serve today's people was a high priority in J his mind. .. Anderson replied by saying that he felt there was a need to continue to acquire land before facilities can be developed on those lands and appropriate recrea- tional activity organized and conducted in the areas. Financing for the acquisition and development of these facilities is of a very high priority in Anderson's mind. He felt that a sub-committee dealing with this topic would be very important and that the sub-committee ought to analyze funding sources and make recommendations to the entire Commission, which in turn would make recommendations to the Council. One particular funding source Anderson suggested was the municipal liquor store revenues and also the private on-sale liquor license. Penzel stated that financing was limited for the City because of the levy limitations imposed by the Legislature, but that a committee dealing with this particular topic could help to crystallize many thoughts for the Council's consideration. ' jessen suggested the possibility of four basic sub-committees, as follows: r ; ry 1. finance and legislation, dealing with policy development for Council consideration and also outlining ordinances and other action necessary to finance the operation. !+ 2. Long-term planning, dealing with long-range master planning for parks and open space in the community. 3. Short--term planning, dealing with the development of particular facilities throughout the community in selected areas. 4. Recreational programming. The Commission felt that these would be four good basic sub-committees and directed the staff to review these four alternatives further as well as possi- bilities and report bark at the next Commission meeting. PETITIONS, REQUESTS & COMMUNICATIONS: A. Letter from the Sterling Field Association. jessen read the letter from mom McMahon asking for City financial participation' in the development of their "Homeowner's Association Park", jessen suggested Park & Recreation Commission Minutes -3- February 18, ,1974 that in light of the Preserve and other larger homeowner associations: in the community, any action on this item could have a significant financial impact on the City. Anderson stated that this was just one of many "private or quasi-public parks" and that it was his quick reaction that if it's public area, perhaps assistance is appropriate. If it's a privately owned area reserved for just those home- owners, then it would not be appropriate for the public to finance the develop- ment. Helmer stated that he feels this is the type of parks we need, parks for kids to go close to their home and indicated general support for the idea of City financial participation. Berkland said that if it's publicly-owned- land, then we have a responsibility to develop it; if it's not publicly-owned, then we have no responsibility. Garens suggested that the people living in the Kings Forest and Forest Knolls area have talked about homeowner's associations being formed throughout the community and they are considering the possibility of developing a homeowner's association to finance and operate a swimming pool and tennis facility and that they too then might consider requesting the City to aid in financial assistance in the development of facilities. No action was required at this time on this item but Garens appointed a sub- committee of himself, Helmer, and Bren to work 'With the staff in developing some guidelines for this item. B. Notice of Public Golf Seminar. Jessen notified the Commission that a seminar dealing with municipal and public golf operations is going to be held Friday, March 8, at Brookview Golf Course in Golden Valley and that if anyone wanted to attend, they should notify him so that he.can make reservations. No action required. IV. RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS: A. Agency Liaison Reports. None. B. Report on Park Bond Fund and Park Land Acquisition Status. jessen reviewed copies of reports distributed to the Commission dealing with analysis of the Park Bond Fund and the status of the City's land acquisition program. No action required. C. Review of appraisal for Parcel E-10h at Anderson_ Lakes Park. jessen reviewed the memo to the Commission dealing with this topic and also the appraisal report submitted by John Janski from Janski & Gibson. He reviewed the status of land acquisition at the Anderson Lakes Park area as indicated in the reports presented with Item B on the agenda. Many questions were asked concerning the development of the Anderson Lakes Park concept, jessen reviewed the original proposal presented to the Hennepin County Park Reserve District and their action on the topic and the subsequent, -•••: Park & Recreation Commission Minutes -4- February 18, 1974 developments with the Park Reserve District deciding not to go ahead with their plan, the City's decision to include the Anderson Lakes Park area in the Comprehensive Guide Plan and the 1968 Park Bond Issue. Following that, The Preserve P.U.D. modified the park plan and the City then reconsidered its proposals for use and placed the 110 acres which used to be shown west of the north lake in the Guide Plan and moved it to the south end of the south lake. This revised park plan was developed jointly between Hennepin County Park Reserve District, Metropolitan Council, City of Bloomington, City of Eden Prairie, State Planning Agency, and Department of Natural Resources. When the modifications were made, they were done with the understanding that 100% state and federal funding would be available for the acquisition of this revised Anderson Lakes Park. Some funding has been received to date within this understanding and much of the funding is yet to be approved for the project. 6 Bren asked if.Anderson Lakes is going to be the one big pack in the Eden Prairie park and open space system. jessen responded that there were now four major parks in the City system and two additional ones to be programmed and implemented at a later date. The four major parks to date are: 1. Round Lake, which serves primarily as an active community playfield and community park site with no power boating on the lake but with swimming and with active adult athletics and the likelihood of additional community playfield facilities being developed on that site. 2. Staring Lake Park, which is visualized as "the park beautiful" In its development concept, i.e. , it would be maintained acreage around the lake with grass cut to the lake edge in many places and walkways around the lake itself, somewhat on the develop- ment order of Lake Calhoun. 3. Bryant Lake Park, which is going to be an intensely used outdoor recreation site, stressing the desirability of the water resource within the park, intensive use of the lake for boating, swimming, and the land for picnicking and non-athletic recreation use will be primary as well as the use of some of the area for the equestrian program. 4. Anderson Lakes Park, which will be primarily y passive outdoor recreation, i.e. , conservation, environmental education, nature study, and some picnicking. The two major community parks not yet implemented but in the long.-range plan are the Minnesota River Bottom and Riley Lake. The river bottom would be a linear system of multiple use, including conservation, nature study, snowmobiling, and many other uses of a wide variety. Riley Lake would probably be a combination between what is planned for Bryant Lake and i Staring Lake. Another major component of the City's open space system is linear parks and open spaces along the creek corridors. The Purgatory Creek system will be the primary one in the City, with secondary linear systems along Nine Mile and Riley Creeks. Penzel asked about a solution to the "cash flow situation" for the Gorra property. jessen stated that he had asked Harlan Perbix, City Attorney, to Park & Recreation Commission Minutes -5- February 18, 1974 advise us as to what our legal possibilities are and further that he has talked to a couple of county and state agencies about borrowing,money for short-term (� loans in anticipation of the receipt of federal grant money on April lst. . M/Anderson, S/Berkland that the Park and Recreation Commission strongly urge the Council to adopt the four recommendations outlined in the Staff Report to the Commission dated February 15, 1974, and entitled, "Review of Appraisal for Parcel E-10h at'Anderson Lakes Park" . These recommendations are: 1. The Park and Recreation Commission recommend to the Council continuation of the City effort to accomplish the Anderson Lakes Park objective as delineated in a report dated August 27, 1973. 2. The Commission recommend to the Council that it continue with condemnation proceedings to acquire the Gorra property (Parcel E-10b). 3. The Commission recommend to the Council that acquisition of the Preserve parcel (E-10h) continue based on Mr. Janski's appraisal and that the staff be directed to negotiate with the Preserve based on these facts. 4. The acquisition of all of the parcels at Anderson Lakes be timed so ; as to correspond to the time schedule anticipated for receiving the grants programmed and/or approved for the Anderson Lakes Park project. Motion carried unanimously. D. Survey Questionnaire for Summer Recreation Activity. Joe Sullivan reviewed the questionnaires as developed by the sub-committee of Erickson, Blacklock, Berkland, Anderson, and Sullivan. Minor changes were suggested to include the word, "Please at the bottom of the first and third pages when we ask respondents to turn the page over and continue and for the inclusion of the 4th of July under Civic Celebrations that the City ought to assist in. M/Helmer, S/Berkland that the staff be directed to proceed with the Survey Questionnaire and further that all Commissioners be listed at the end of the questionnaire along with their telephone numbers so that people may contact ° them to respond on the business before the Commission. Motion carried ' unanimously. w" E. 1974 Winter Spring Recreation Report. y Jessen gave an oral report indicating that the skating season would be ending soon because of the warm weather. The skill development programs are proceeding as reported to the Commission at the last meeting and the organized athletic leagues are coming to the end of their schedule with playoffs scheduled to begin in the next two-three weeks. No action required. F. Crosstown Temporary Playground Lease: C Jessen reported that he has not received a response yet from Art Lee on the letter requesting County consideration to lease property to the City for the purpose of playground facilities at the North Lund area of Eden Prairie. ..He Palk & Recreation Commission Minutes -6- February 18, 1974 indicated that he would include this item on a later agenda after receiving a response from Mr. Lee. No action required. G. Homeward Hills Ski Hill/Golf Course. This,item was tabled until the next Commission meeting. I V. ADTOURNMENT. M/Penzel, S/Helmer that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried unanimously. ,,. I AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1974 7:30 p.m. , City Hall COMMISSION MEMBERS: Marvin Erickson, Richard Anderson, William Garens, Janet Berkland, Steve Eisch, Francis Helmer, Richard Bren, Jr. , Wolfgang Penzel, Paul Enblom, William Bye COMMISSION STAFF: Marty lessen, Director of Community Services Chris Enger, Landscape Architect Joe Sullivan, Student Intern ROLL CALL MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 18, 1974, MEETING. II. COMMUNICATIONS: A. Letter from Art Lee, Hennepin County Department of Public Works -- Crosstown Playground Request. i III. RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS: A. Recreation Survey Report - Joe Sullivan. B. Recommendation for Recreation Supervision. C. Recommendation for Commission Organization. D. Neill Lake/Eden Lake Storm Sewer Report. E. Homeward Hills Ski Hill/Golf Course. F. Golf Course Study Report. IV. DISCUSSIONS•. A. Ordinance No. 135 -- "Set-back Requirements" V. ADJOURNMENT. f