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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 10/15/1984 1984 OCTOBER 15 MINUTES CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE AGENDA _EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION C MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 198#- 7:30 P.M. , SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING BOARD ROOM COMMISSION MEMBERS: Marty Jessen, chairperson; Raiford Baker, Pat Breintenstein, Moe Cook, Gary Gonyea, Jerry Kingrey, Jesse Schwartz COMMISSION STAFF: Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services Approx. Time to Begin Item 7:30 I. ROLL CALL II, APPROVAL OF AGENDA III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 17, 1984 IV. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS 7:35 A. Request from Men's Hockey League 8:00 B. Request of. the Eden Prairie Soccer Association 8:20 C. Letter from Manager of Camp Indian Chief 8:25 D. Letter from DNR Regarding Comments on Draft Comprehensive Plan for Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS 8:30 Eden Commons Apartments VI. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS, BOARDS, AND STAFF A. Reports of Commission Members 8:40 1 . Baseball Association Requests I 8:55 2. Tour of Closed Landfills B. Reports of Recreation Superintendent 9:05 1 . Monthly Community Center Report 9:10 2. Cahill Silent Auction C. Reports of Athletic Coordinator 9:1.5 1 . Adult Tennis 9:20 2. Men's Gym and Open Gym 9:25 3. Horseshoe League Parks, Recreation $ Natural -2- October 15, 1984 rr Resources Commission l 9:30 4. Senior Men's Hockey - Summer 1984 _ I 9:40 S. 1984 Softball Deposits i 9:50 E. Community Education Advisory Council Monthly Report 9:55 G. City Council Meeting Report VII. OLD BUSINESS 10:00 A. Bids on Installation of Bridges for Staring Lake Park Trail. 10:05 B. 1984 LAWCON Grant Agreement 10:10 C. Needs Assessment Survey 10:30 D. Lighting at Staring Lake Park VIII . NEW BUSINESS 10:35 IX. ADJOURNMENT ,f i i I I I I I � APPROVED MINUTES ' EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Monday, October 15, 1984 7:30 p.m., School Board Room COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Pat Breitenstein, acting �. chairperson; Raiford Baker, Moe Cook, Jerry Kingrey (late), Jesse Schwartz COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Gary Gonyea, Marty Jessen COMMISSION STAFF: Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services OTHERS PRESENT: Stu Alexander, Athletic Coordinator; Chuck Pappas, Superintendent of Recreation I. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by acting chairperson, Pat Breitenstein. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Lambert added 1., Proposal on Soccer Complex, under IV., B., Request of �. the Eden Prairie Soccer Association. MOTION: Schwartz moved to approve the agenda as amended. Cook seconded the motion and it carried. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 17, 1984 MOTION: A motion was made by Baker to approve the minutes of September 17, 1984 as published. Schwartz seconded the motion and it carried. IV. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Request from Men's Hockey League Refer to memo dated October 2, 1984 from Chuck Pappas, Superintendent of Recreation; letter dated October 9, 1984 from Eden Prairie Figure Skating Club; letter dated October 11 1984 from Eden Prairie Hockey Association; memo dated October 12, 1984 from Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services; memo dated October 15, 1984 from Men' s Hockey League and memo dated October 15, 1984 from Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services. i � APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Oct. 15, 1984 j -2- Lambert reported that the City has been offering a Men's Hockey League since 1982 on a year around basis. He said they have had as many as 18 teams, but that this fall there was time for ten teams I and ten managers showed up at the managers meeting. Four more teams asked to be put on a waiting list. The manager from Rosemount called all the managers and asked that they allow two additional teams in the league that would play all late games. Seven on the ten managers agreed and the league went up to 12 teams. Lambert added that originally games were scheduled only when there were two hour blocks of ice time available. The league schedule was very eratic due to the limited amount of ice time. Several managers called to complain. Lambert met with four team managers, including Bill Warner. They L discussed the City's policies on ice time and staff requested the Hockey Association, Figure Skating Club and Men's Hockey League provide a letter to the Commission and City Council outlining their position on scheduling ice time at the Community Center. Lambert stated that the representatives of the Men's Hockey League implied that they felt the City was not being fair to them and was giving more priority to the youth hockey and figure skaters. They requested the City reserve from 6:45 p.m. on Sunday for men's adult hockey and from 9:00 p.m. on one other night of the week. Lambert told them he felt this was asking too much since youth hockey and figure skaters would have to purchase additional pre school hours . Lambert reported that the letter from the Men' s Hockey League was not received until the morning of this meeting. The letter includes questions on what the policy is, some items the League is confused about and where do we go from here. Lambert said the Men' s Hockey League represents 4-5% of total ice time during the spring and summer. Tom Brovold was present on behalf of the Men's Hockey League. There were also representatives from the youth hockey and figure skating groups. Brovold said that his intention is not to make demands of the City, but to get clarification of City policies and programs and state some confusion they have on the interpretation. He stated that they do not want to take additional prime ice hours away from the Cyouth, but wish to keep their 8 p.m. time on Sunday evening. . M APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Oct. 15, 1984 -3- I, r : Brovold said that he knows of one case where ice time between 5:00 and 9:00 p.m. was sold to a group from outside of Eden Prairie. Pappas replied that this was a group from Watertown who have cancelled since that time. 1 John Reedy spoke in behalf of the Eden Prairie Hockey Association. He stated that they have compromised and given some of the prime evening hours to the Figure Skating Club. They have also supplemented their ice time by starting their program ten days earlier in fall and taking a 6:00 a.m. ice hour on Wednesday and Friday mornings. In consideration of this, they were given an ; .. 8:00 p.m. hour on Sunday evenings. j Patty Whalen spoke for the Figure Skating Club saying that the Club has taken two early mornings a week and they are satisfied to take �. whatever ice time they can get. Cook asked why the Men' s League couldn't also take early morning l ice hours. Alexander replied that it could be checked into, but it was felt that there would be some difficulty in getting people together to play early in the morning. Mary Upton, who has a daughter in the Figure Skating Club, said that her daughter drives to Burnsville to skate a couple mornings a week since she is at the level where she needs more ice time. Mrs. Upton said she understands the situation. Baker asked how many skaters would be at this higher level in five years. Whalen said there would be about 30. Brovold added that it is difficult to get a referee for only one hour a night and that later hours on Sunday nights might work out better. Breitenstein commended all the groups represented at the meeting for trying to work together on this matter. Cook said that since there is time for only ten men's teams and most other communities allow only four, six or eight teams, why did the Men's League allow 12 teams. Lambert clarified by saying that it was not the Men's League, but the staff's decision to allow the additional two teams to play. He added that if the team managers do not attend the managers meeting, it has been the policy that these teams are out for the season. Lambert said that four teams whose managers did not attend asked to play anyway. Rosemount called all ten team managers and seven out of ten agreed to allow two additional teams in the league. Alexander then expanded the ieague to 12 teams. • p. r APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Oct. 15, 1984 -4- I Baker asked what the existing priority is on ice time. Lambert replied that the Superintendent of Recreation sells ice time at his own discretion. The priorities are as follows: city recreational programs, Eden Prairie School District, Eden Prairie skating organizations (Eden Prairie Hockey Association and Eden Prairie Figure Skating Club), all other Eden Prairie non-profit organizations, community businesses and individuals and non- resident organizations. Pappas reviewed ice time hours and said there will be no changes since more hours are not available. Lambert said the fall schedule has been revised. Alexander added that the number of teams will be limited to eight in the future with no exceptions. Baker asked what time the Men's Hockey League has settled for. Brovold said they have taken 9:15 p.m. Sunday evenings and that they support the priorities the City has listed. Cook agreed with this statement. i B. Request of the Eden Prairie Soccer Association Refer to memo dated October 11, 1984 from Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services and document from Eden Prairie Soccer Association regarding their future needs. Lambert said that the Soccer Association provided a history of the organization and pointed out that the City would be short two fields next year. They wish to discuss this information with the Commission and see what could be done for them in the future. Lynn Johnson and Rob Woodcock spoke in behalf of the Soccer Association and reviewed the history and organization of the association, its purpose, projections thru 1988 and available fields. Johnson stressed that the association has taken over more of the EPSC duties, have adopted worldwide rules and are the only coed athletic organization. Lambert said he feels that the growth figure for 1985 seems rather high. Johnson agreed that it is. Cook said he understood that there was a conflict between soccer and football this year. Johnson said that this was true of the fourth grade groups. Lambert commented on the fields that were said to be available in the memo. The Forest Hills field is being used on a regular basis a by other groups and the Preserve field already has heavy usage. He feels that the Soccer Association is growing and that in several years other fields will have to be developed and possibily an athletic field complex will have to be considered. APPROVED MINUTES I i EDEN nnAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Oct. 15, 1984 -5- i Baker said he is concerned about the traffic situation near these fields and felt that people should be encouraged to use bicycles or walk if possible. Rod Olson wished to thank Stu Alexander and Bob Lambert for their cooperation with the Eden Prairie Soccer Association. He asked if Round Lake wouldn't be a possibility for a 60% of standard field. Lambert replied that this would not be the answer to the problem, , but that maybe as a last resort, temporary goals could be put up at Round Lake. Johnson said the Soccer Association is trying to present their needs and they would like to know by February or March whether they should restrict the number of people playing soccer. Alexander said that this would depend upon the number that register. f Johnson commented that as many as 250 will have to be turned down next year with the field situation as it is. 1. Proposal on Soccer Complex �. �. Dick Ferrick was present at the meeting to show a schematic drawing on a sports complex he and John Parrington feel would be ideal for Eden Prairie. Ferrick said the complex would seat 6000 to 7000 people and would have a parking lot for 1500 cars with additional parking available near the complex. Kingrey asked if the area west of the varsity football field used for football practice could also be used for soccer. Johnson replied that they have used these fields, but many times they have been locked and no one has been there to open up• Ferrick said that this complex could be used for indoor soccer, as well as serve as a total community facility. Possible locations for the complex are Mitchell Park, southwest Eden Prairie or in the floodplain area. Ferrick added that a complex of this type has strong support from the mayor and City Council. Kingrey asked how they arrived at the number of fields shown in the drawing. Ferrick said it was based on a 70 acre site. I r APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL, RESOURCES COMMISSION Oct. 15, 1984 -6- Baker asked the approximate cost of such a facility. Ferrick said it would be approximately $4.5 million with an arena and $1 million without one. Lambert added that a 50 acre complex with lighted fields was estimated between $1 million and $1.1 million. He said the City will have to look into affordable land in the southwest part of the city for building a complex within the next 5-10 years. Breitenstein asked if this subject would be brought up again at a future meeting. Lambert said yes. Schwartz asked if any federal or state funds would be available in the future. Lambert said that about 70% of LAWCON money is requested for athletic fields and some funds should be avail- able in the future. Cook asked if it would be possible to see what the anticipated needs would be for the next 5-10 years. Lambert said he felt it would be a good idea and that he could have the information by the next meeting. C. Letter from Manager of Camp Indian Chief This is an information item only. Kingrey asked if the inlet near the camp is still blocked with tires, etc. Lambert said it was cleared several years ago. Cook asked what the facility is like. Lambert said anyone can go out and look around and that many people don't know about it since they don't do much promotion. He added that the Crosstown will be going along the north side of the camp, but should not affect it. D. Letter from DNR Regarding Comments on Draft Comprehensive Plan for Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge This is an information item only. V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. Eden Commons Apartments Refer to staff reports dated August 24, 1984; September 7, 1984; and September 21, 1984. APPROVED MINUTES C i EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Oct. 15, 1984 -7- Lambert reported that this development is located south of Eden Prairie Center. These will be upper middle class apartments. The question being raised in whether a totlot should be built here. Lambert said there is a totlot at Lake Eden and the Preserve Park which is about three blocks from here and that since there will not be many young families residing here, he does not i recommend a totlot. I -! Kingrey expressed some concern as to how plantings will be maintained. Lambert said that staff feels that the plantings the developer plans are too small and sparse. He suggests something in writing pertaining to tree watering and care. MOTION: Kingrey moved to approve the 9 Y pp proposal per staff repport without a totlot and adding a requirement that landscaping be guaranteed by the developer for one year. Schwartz seconded the motion and it carried. VI. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS, BOARDS AND STAFF A. Reports of Commission Members 1. Baseball Association Requests Refer to memo dated October 11, 1984 from Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services. Lambert met with representatives of the Baseball Association Board of Directors -to tour the park system baseball fields and to discuss what actions could be taken to improve existing facilities and provide necessary facilities for 1985. The Baseball Association requested finding three baseball fields within close proximity, one being a field of 250 feet for sixth and seventh graders and also improvements of the Flying Cloud Field and an additional Babe Ruth field. Lambert suggested that the two ballfields at the Preserve and the lower field at Lake Eden be designated as sixth and seventh grade baseball fields and that the west or upper field at Lake f Eden be designated a Babe Ruth field. He also recommends i certain improvements at the Flying Cloud Babe Ruth field. MOTION: Kingrey moved to recommend approval of staff recommendations. Cook seconded the motion and it carried. ,APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Oct. 15, 1984 -8- 2. lour of Closed Landfills Refer to memo dated September 18, 1984 from Bob Lambert, j Director of Community Services. j Lambert reported that he will meet with BFI in late October to l discuss a conceptual end use plan for Flying Cloud Landfill. He added that BFI will be doing a model of the site. Lambert feels that a picnic area on the bluffs should be considered along with athletic fields. He said he will keep the Commission informed on its progress. Kingrey asked if staff has talked to Don Brauer. Lambert said no. Kingrey commented that Brauer has vast experience with landfills. B. REPORTS OF RECREATION SUPERVISOR 1. Monthly Community Center Report This is an information item only. Kingrey commented on the good writing of the reports and that he feels the Superintendent of Recreation works well with j different groups in the community. j Lambert asked the Commission how they felt about the request from Wooddale Church to use the hockey rinks for a broomball tournament. He recommends not allowing them to use it since the policy is to let only non-profit organizations that use their proceeds for the benefit of community programs use the facilities. MOTION: Cook moved to remain with the current policy and not allow Wooddale Church the use of the facilities. Schwartz seconded the motion and it carried. 2. Cahill Silent Auction j Lambert said that the City receives a number of requests per j year to donate a Community Center membership. He said that they have not given one to a school before. Staff recommended the Commission approve the request. Kingrey asked if this would be a family membership. Pappas recommended it be a family membership even though family memberships are no longer for sale. This would include the use of all facilities. MOTION: Cook moved to recommend approval of the request from Cahill School for the donation of a family membership to the Community Center. Schwartz seconded the motion and it carried. APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Oct. 15, 1984 -9- i C. Reports of Athletic Coordinator 1. Adult Tennis This is an information item only. i 2. Men's Gym and Open Gym i This is an information item only. i 3. Horseshoe League i This is an information item only. 4. Senior Men's Hockey - Summer 1984 This is an information item only. 5. 1984 Softball Deposits I This is an information item only. D. Community Education Advisory Council Monthly Report This is an information item only. E. City Council Meeting Report Lambert reported that at the September 18 meeting the Council approved the funding for the needs assessment survey, the LAWCON grant application procedure, the advertising of bids for bridges on Staring Lake Park Trail and restoration of the senior center. There was no Parks Commission action at the October 2 Council meeting. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. Bids on Installation of Bridges for Staring Lake Park Trail Refer to memo dated October 11, 1984 from Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services. After reviewing all bids, Lambert recommends that all of them be rejected. He suggests that the City review the possibility of reducing the length of the bridge which would allow installation by helicopter. tie also recommends that three quotes be gotten for the ( purchase of bridges and that the park maintenance staff install the: footings. Then more quotes could be obtained for placing the bridges on the footings. I i ( .APPROVED MINUTES i EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Oct. 15, 1984 I -10- Besides a reduced cost, the installation by helicopter would require the cutting of one bad cottonwood tree only, whereas installation by crane would require more tree removal. Lambert said there would be more information on this subject at future meetings. B. 1984 LAWCON Grant Agreement Refer to memo dated October 11, 1984 from Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services. Lambert reviewed the contract for the 1984 LAWCON grant for purchase of 1.84 acres adjacent to Riley Lake Park. The grant is for $41,500 or 50% of the first appraisal. C. Needs Assessment Survey Refer to memo dated October 11, 1984 from Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services. Lambert reported that the needs assessment survey is to be done by telephone and should be about 10-12 minutes long. The present draft is at 15 minutes. The calls will be made by trained professionals and are included in the $4,300 cost. A random sample of 300 people will be surveyed and the City has been divided into several areas. Kingrey referred to Page 6 of the draft survey and said he felt something should be included on indoor hockey rinks. Pappas said Question #3 addresses this subject. Lambert said that this wording could be added easily, but he doesn' t know if it should be asked. Schwartz said it would depend upon how it was asked, ice arena vs. hockey arena. Baker asked if a member of the Commission is called for the survey, should they reply. Lambert said yes. Baker questioned the sequence of Questions #3 and #5 and felt they could be biased. Lambert agreed and Baker asked if the question would say ice arena or hockey arena. Lambert said the sequence of Questions #3 and #5 should be turned around and added that his opinion is that the danger comes when the public is not informed of the needs of the City. Breitenstein said she also feels that the public should be informed of the City's needs. Baker suggested that the public should be informed about the survey in the newspaper before it is done. s APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Oct. 15, 1984 -11- D. Lighting of Staring Lake Park Refer to memo dated October 11, 1984 from Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services. Lambert reported that Gunnar Electric is currently installing underground wiring. The work should be completed this week. He said the Commission will look closer at the type of lighting to use. It needs to be somewhat "vandal-proof". More information will be brought to the Commission before the lighting is installed in December. VIII. NEW BUSINESS Lambert said that Craig Dawson, Assistant to the City Manager, has requested that two people from the Commission serve on a recycling committee that will be meeting in November and December. Kingrey and Schwartz volunteered to serve on this committee. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: A motion was made by Baker to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 p.m. Cook seconded the motion and it carried. Respectfully submitted, & «caCkcL_, Lois Boettcher Recording Secretary