HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts Commission - 05/10/2010 - Joint Meeting APPROVED MINUTES OF A JOINT MEETING
PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION &
EDEN PRAIRIE ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION
MONDAY, MAY 10, 2010 7:00 P.M. ART CENTER
7650 Equitable Drive
PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Geri Napuck, Chair; Hutch Coburn, Vice
Chair; Lee Elliot-Stoering, Derek
Gunderson, Larry Link, Joan Oko
PRNR COMMISSION STUDENTS PRESENT: Spencer Lasley, Pranay Rao
ARTS COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Ann Rorem, Chair; Farida Kathawalla, Vice
Chair; Ana Armstrong, Julia Ramos
CITY STAFF: Jay Lotthammer, Parks & Recreation Director
Laurie Obiazor, Recreation Services Manager
Stu Fox, Parks and Natural Resources Manager
Wendy Sevenich, Community Center Manager
Lindsey Danhauser, Recreation Coordinator—Arts
RECORDING SECRETARY: Katie Hood
I. ROLL CALL/INTRODUCTIONS
Rorem called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Bivins and Petry-Lee were not in attendance.
Ramos arrived at 7:05 p.m. Elliot-Stoering arrived at 7:28 pm. Kathawalla arrived at 7:30
p.m.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Oko moved to approve the Agenda, seconded by Gunderson. Motion
carried 8-0.
III. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES —APRIL 5, 2010
MOTION: Oko moved to approve the April 5, 2010 minutes, seconded by Link.
Motion carried 6-0.
IV. APPROVAL OF A&C MINUTES —APRIL 12, 2010
MOTION: Ramos moved to approve the April 12, 2010 minutes, seconded by King.
Motion carried 8-0.
Parks, Recreation And Natural Resources Commission &
Arts & Culture Commission Joint Meeting Minutes
May 10, 2010
Page 2
V. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Lotthammer said at the April 20 City Council meeting there was an Arbor Day
Proclamation read. The work on the trails was approved to be started. The Miller Park
play area was approved to start the bidding process.
Mayor Young received a response from the Department of Interior confirming that the
federal law for acquiring property mitigation must be followed. The acquisition of
property around Riley Lake is being worked on.
At the May 4 City Council meeting, the Senior Awareness Proclamation was read.
VI. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION
Fox said there will an update in the near future.
VII. EDEN PRAIRIE PLAYERS AND COMMUNITY BAND
Danhauser said Music Man is a free event and has 53 people in the cast. The Community
band is the pit orchestra for the play.
The Children's play will be at Riley-Jacques Barn. There are 27 people cast and 13
princesses instead of 12.
There is talk about adding a second children's theatre workshop next summer for children
who are not as serious in theatre.
There are four different jazz bands set to perform on June 13 at Staring Lake
Amphitheatre. RibFest will be at the same time.
VIII. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION
None.
IX. OLD BUSINESS
A. Miller Park Update
Fox said planning for the Miller Park improvements is being worked on. On June 15,
the bids will be discussed at the City Council meeting. There are five sections of
Miller Park.
1. Soften the space between the parking lot and the park with landscaping
2. The picnic shelter and sand/water play table with diggers
Parks, Recreation And Natural Resources Commission &
Arts & Culture Commission Joint Meeting Minutes
May 10, 2010
Page 3
3. The interconnecting sidewalks and a variety of ground surfaces in the playground.
The swirls on the ground are made of a rubberized material and the brown
sections are made of woodchips. The rubber ground surfaces enable wheelchairs
access to the play equipment. There are swings and a large swing for individuals
with disabilities.
4. Tire swing
5. This is the new section with a boulder and net climber, elevated picnic area, spritz
pad, sensory panels, cozy dome and a large play structure. The boulder and net
climber will be made of fiberglass and nets. The spritz pad will be a water mist
with the intent for children to not get soaking wet clothes. The sensory panels and
cozy dome are located where the pirate ship is now. The pirate ship will be
removed to make room for the new play equipment. The large play structure will
stay the same with enhancements including bigger slides.
The playground construction will start in the beginning of August until the beginning
of September. $350,000 is budgeted for improvements and $90,000 for the
playground. The final items included in the playground improvements may change
once the bids are received.
Elliot-Stoering arrived at 7:28 pm.
B. Public Art
Kathawalla arrived at 7:30 pm.
Danhauser said there are four identified areas for public art: Public Transit, Parks and
Open Space, Indoor Gathering Spaces, and Gateways to our Community. There are
five proposed light rail stations. Ramos said she'd like to make sure the ideas are not
set in stone and the ideas weren't agreed on ideas with a vote. Ramos said she'd like
to revisit the ideas. Lotthammer said this idea is a great reason for the Commissions
to have joint meetings. Great examples could be bike racks and benches. Public art
ideas could be fit into future park plans. Lotthammer said he'd like the groups to
continue to meet once a year.
Ramos said there isn't a budget for public art and recommends some funding be
allocated for public art. Napuck said benches in the parks could be a coordinated
effort between the Commissions. Ramos said there is not a budget for placing art in
the community and $1,000 could have a great impact. There could be an annual
display, similar to the arboretum concept of annual displays. Rorem said another idea
would be to display sculpture around the city. The sculptures could be changed on
annual bases. There is a similar program in North Carolina. Ramos said adding art
around the City would bring a little charm and personality into the city. Elloit-
Stoering said Staring Lake Amphitheatre could be a place where art could be added.
Napuck mentioned having another joint meeting in the fall.
Parks, Recreation And Natural Resources Commission &
Arts & Culture Commission Joint Meeting Minutes
May 10, 2010
Page 4
C. MAC Update
Lotthammer said the lease is getting closer to being finished for the fields. The city
would have an opportunity to expand the fields on an additional 25 acres in the
agreement. MAC wants to keep two to three acres for commercial property. This
commercial property is across from Grace Church. Mac didn't want to lease the land
the fields are on at the previously agreed upon price. There wasn't a lot of
cooperation for a while on finalizing the lease with MAC. The terms of the lease are
now in agreement. The property for the commercial business is being left out of the
lease with the city, in order to not hold up the lease for the fields. Before the lease is
signed, the lease will come back to the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources
Commission. The land will most likely start to be prepared in April 2011. The idea of
the commercial property is there would be a gas station and/or a strip mall. The city is
not recommending MAC should or shouldn't have commercial business on their
property. The new fields move a little south due to the commercial property. Fox said
the land has not been studied to determine if the soil on the land can be graded and if
there is enough soil to the land to be balanced.
Oko said it is good the lease for the fields and the commercial property are not tied
together, but is unhappy MAC is considering a commercial site. Oko said she hopes
the commercial site doesn't happen. Lotthammer said with the land in the control of
MAC the city doesn't have a lot of control or say in what should be done with the
land. It appears MAC doesn't have to go through the same process as a private
developer to develop the site. Oko said she hopes the city attorneys are taking a good
hard look at the potential for commercial on MAC's property. What would be
stopping MAC from placing a strip club or pornography store on their property, if
they don't have to be held to the same process as a private developer? Lotthammer
said there should be a time for some public input in the development of the
commercial property. Lotthammer said the access to the commercial property will not
have access on Pioneer Trail. MAC could try to have a separate entrance further
north. Fox said we could have some say in the other entrance. Link said the
commercial property bothers him because MAC doesn't have to follow the same
process as private developers. Lotthammer said MAC has been advised the
commercial property on their property, may not sit well with the community. Fox
does not think MAC could sell the property. Napuck said she recommends the lease
protect our renewal time for the lease to prevent from the expansion of the
commercial property. Lotthammer said the lease is a three year lease and there is a
significant amount of money into the fields. The city has been told MAC won't have
a change of heart about the lease and property. Napuck asked if there could be
compensation to the city if MAC wants to change any of the land for the fields to
commercial property. Elloit-Stoering said there could be only two years of usage.
Lotthammer said the City was told the FAA restricts MAC to three year leases.
Napuck said the lease should be three years after the construction is finished.
Lotthammer said there was a letter drafted, but wasn't sent about MACs lack of
corporation in the lease process. MAC asked if the city could wait on sending it and
then the city received more cooperation with MAC.
Parks, Recreation And Natural Resources Commission &
Arts & Culture Commission Joint Meeting Minutes
May 10, 2010
Page 5
X. NEW BUSINESS
A. Art Center lst Anniversary Celebration
Danhauser said the first year anniversary of the Art Center will be on Sunday, May 23
from 2-4 pm at the Art Center.
XI. REPORTS OF STAFF
A. Community Center Manager
FYI: Step To It Challenge
The Step To It Challenge will be held May 17 through June 30. The City hopes to get
lots of residents to participate. The website is www.steptoit.org.
B. Recreation Services Manager
None.
C. Parks and Natural Resources Manager
None.
D. Art Center Coordinator
1. Arts in the Park Update
Danhauser said Arts in the Park is May 15 from 10 am to 5 pm. There will be 23
vendors, entertainment all day, face painting and henna. There will be an Art
Center booth with put-put golf art. There will be punch cards with discounts for
Santorini, Culvers, and Chipotle.
2. Art Center Update
Danhauser said 2009 was a good year for the Art Center. The revenue was 222%
above projected. Part of this was due to grants, the Friends of the Art Center
group, registration, and the Sampson family. The birthday party program has had
30 parties year to date. Adult birthday parties are starting to be experimented
with. In 2009, there were 48 registrations on first days. In 2010, there were 101
registrations on the first day.
Ramos said there is publicity at the Ridgedale Mall promoting the Minnetonka
Art Center. Danhauser said there is studio space at Ridgedale Mall. The Ridgedale
Parks, Recreation And Natural Resources Commission &
Arts & Culture Commission Joint Meeting Minutes
May 10, 2010
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Mall and the Eden Prairie Mall are owned by the same groups. Ramos said she'd
like the topic added to a future agenda for the Arts & Culture Commission.
Link said teambuilding for corporations and groups could be another focus for the
Art Center. Danhauser said there is someone who is interested in developing this
program.
FYI: Art Crawl—September 25-26
Rorem said the Art Crawl is September 25-26. The applications are due on May
21. On May 28 the artists will be notified. They are looking for sponsors and for
signs for the event.
FYI: Friends of Eden Prairie Art Center Fundraiser
Rorem said there will be a wine tasting and art auction on Thursday, May 13 from
6:00 to 8:30 pm. The event will be held at The School of Wise IL Tickets are $35
and may be purchased at the door.
E. Parks and Recreation Director
1. 2010 PRNR Work Plan
XII. NEXT MEETINGS
Next PRNR Meeting—Monday, June 7, Council Chamber
Lotthammer said the July meeting is the traditional park tour and would like the
Commission to think of places to visit. Oko said Staring Lake, the new dog faucet, and
the fields would be good places to visit.
Next A&C Meeting—Monday, June 14, Prairie Room
XIII. ADJOURNMERNT
MOTION: Gunderson moved, seconded by Napuck to adjourn the meeting. Rorem
adjourned the meeting at 8:51 p.m.