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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 11/05/2012 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2012 7:00 P.M., COMMUNITY CENTER 16700 Valley View Road COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Geri Napuck, Chair; Tom Bierman, Derek Gunderson, Matthew Kraft, Larry Link and Leonard Pesheck COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Hutch Coburn, Vice Chair STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT: Roseann Awad, Vy Nguyen and Natalie Townsend COMMISSION STAFF PRESENT: Jay Lotthammer, Parks & Recreation Director Laurie Obiazor, Recreation Services Manager Stu Fox, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Wendy Sevenich, Community Center Manager Beth Witt, Aquatics and Facilities Supervisor Carol Pelzel, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Napuck called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. New student representatives Awad and Townsend introduced themselves. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The following items were added to the agenda: VL C. Flying Red Horse Sign IX. D. Round Lake Discussion Motion: Link moved, seconded by Bierman, to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried 6-0. III. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES —October 1, 2012 Motion: Bierman moved, seconded by Pesheck, to approve the October 1, 2012 PRNRC meeting minutes as published. The motion carried 6-0. IV. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Lotthammer reported that no Council action was taken that affected this Commission. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION November 5, 2012 Page 2 V. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION Fox reported the Planning Commission took the following actions at their October 22 meeting: • Approved a zoning district amendment for Riley Creek 5th Addition. The proposal is to turn a single-lot into two lots. Additional park dedication fees will be generated as a result of this change. • Approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Schussler Barn. The applicant is proposing to turn this facility into an event center. • Approved a planned unit development for International School of MN Residence Hall. They have received approval for a three-story, 20,000 square foot resident hall only for students staying there during the week. They have two additional phases planned as well as administration. VI. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. COMMUNITY CENTER SCULPTURE Lotthammer explained this Commission had previously discussed how to bring art into the park system and one of the locations identified as a potential for public art was in the turn- around of the drive-up at the Community Center. He further explained the Eden Prairie Morning Rotary club took on this project and selected a"Prairie Grass & Soaring Bird" concept sculpture by James Gabbert, an Eden Prairie artist. Lotthammer asked the Commission for their comments on the proposal and concurrence with this concept. The Rotary will fully fund the project through a National Rotary grant received along with help from the Eden Prairie Noon Rotary and the Edina Rotary. James Gabbert, artist of the proposal, explained the concept and how he came up with the sculpture. He explained he took the City's logo image of prairie grass and soaring bird and developed a sculpture which reflects those icons. MOTION: Motion was made by Pesheck, seconded by Bierman, and all members present voting aye to recommend the City Council accept the donation from the Eden Prairie Morning Rotary Club of the sculpture of the flying bird and moving grasses by James Gabbert to be placed in the roundabout area in front of the Community Center. The motion carried 6-0. Bierman asked if they should title the sculpture "Prairie Grass & Soaring Eagle" rather than bird. Lotthammer explained when this sculpture is cut out of steel it will resemble a bird and might not be identical to an eagle. This allows people to interpret what it might be. Also, Rotary members were adamant that it not necessarily be an eagle. This sculpture would be more representative of the Community Center and not the High School Eagle mascot. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION November 5, 2012 Page 3 B. AQUATIC FEASIBILITY STUDY PRESENTATION Prior to a presentation by the project team for the Aquatic Feasibility Study, the Commission toured the Community Center's locker rooms and pool area. Lotthammer explained the purpose of the feasibility study stating the Community Center was upgraded in 2007 and the only area not expanded or upgraded at that time was the pool area. As the pool continues to age there are some things that have to be done whether or not they proceed with the study's recommendations. Lotthammer said the City Council asked staff to look at the deficiencies and felt a feasibility study should be conducted to determine what the City could do to resolve some issues and determine the cost to improve that facility. Lotthammer introduced the Project Team from HGA Architects and Engineers including Chris Gibbs and Victor Pechaty. He also introduced Mark Davis, President of Team Foxjets. He explained who worked on the Feasibility Study and what the project goals were. Lotthammer said a similar presentation will be made to the City Council at their November 20 meeting and staff would like this Commission's feedback on the presentation. Ultimately, the City Council will make the final decision on how they should proceed. Witt, Aquatics and Fitness Supervisor, reviewed the project goals and how the Community Center members and other user groups use the pool. She also identified stakeholders requesting aquatics space that are not being served, including diving camps and training programs, masters swim team, triathlon training, scuba training and young families, toddlers and youth programming. Witt also reviewed the current challenges and deficiencies. She indicated the most common deficiencies are the limits on pool availability and pool temperature. Pechaty explained the Feasibility Study process including project needs and defining guiding principles. He said it is very clear that a need has emerged and has been in existence for some time. Pehcaty said it was their task to take the many needs and to bring quantified metrics to them. He also reviewed the guiding principles identified and stated they conducted a site analysis. The Feasibility Study identified a need for a lap swim pool with 12 lanes to accommodate diving/deep water exercise/climbing wall pool (25" x 75"). The Study also identified a need for a recreational swim pool. Pechaty presented different configurations in developing these two bodies of water. He reviewed the building space programming as well as the preferred site and building fit planning options. Pechaty said Phase 1 proposes additional locker rooms, a new entry that fits into the small lobby entering into a bleacher seating area for 250-300 people. There would be an additional meeting room, dry land training area and two multi-purpose rooms along with a 24 yard x 12 lane lap pool. Phase 1 would include a second story allowing for expansion of the fitness area. Phase 2 would add a recreational pool with lap swim. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION November 5, 2012 Page 4 Lotthammer explained the City could remain status quo but there would be some repair/maintenance projects that would be required including roof replacement($220,000), ceiling repairs ($75,000), working with aging mechanical systems and the loss of potential membership/revenue due to aquatic program deficiencies. Also, the existing facility is not as efficient in operation. He further explained they could implement Phase I, keep the same pool with the option of bumping out the fitness area. Implementing Phase 1 and 2 would address all of their needs. Lotthammer reviewed the estimated capital costs stating total construction cost for Phase 1 is estimated at$10 million and the estimated cost for Phase 2 is $6.5 million with the total cost for both phases estimated at$16.5 million. Sevenich reviewed the estimated operating revenues and expenses explaining that in 2011 their total revenue was $3.1 million. Projected revenues for Phase 1 would be $3.7 million and for Phase 2 $4.3 million. She indicated expenses could be matched with revenue. Actual 2011 expenses totaled $3.4 million and projected expenses for Phase 1 are $3.7 million and $3.9 million for Phase 2. The total actual cost recovery for 2011 was ($244,858) and the projected cost recovery for Phase 1 is $42,023 and for Phase 2 $379,706. Lotthammer said staff does not have concerns with how these phases would be paid for. Their models and forecasts are very conservative. Potential funding sources would include Hennepin County Youth Sports grant, reduced debt service, revenue bonds, naming rights, fundraising and pool grants. Pesheck asked if phasing these projects would allow them to keep the current pool running at all times. Pechaty responded it is not an option to close the pool. During Phase 1 there may be some minor impact tying into the existing pool. Link said he was surprised that the depth of the pool would be five feet to three feet and questioned if the Foxjets wouldn't want a deeper pool for training. Davis said ideally they would like it deeper but the most important thing is to have blocks to do dives while start depths are only critical in competition. This pool would serve their purpose. Link said during the summer teams use 50 meter outdoor pools and this would generate additional revenue. Lotthammer explained a 50 meter pool would almost double the footprint of the lap pool and with the volume of water required he does not believe they could make their cash flow from an energy standpoint. Also, it does not give them as much flexibility in other areas. Link said he is fascinated by what has been done to incorporate the different stakeholders and activities. He said he has seen where other pools have water exercise equipment like water bikes in their pools. He said this would give them the ability to add fitness classes like that. Pesheck questioned how the Foxjets fits into this. Lotthammer explained they are considered an Eden Prairie athletic organization. There are other clubs that are not and want to rent additional time. Because of the percentage of residents that are members of the Foxjets they receive premium rental time. Kraft asked if there has been any discussion of adding a hot tub or steam room. Sevenich answered there has not been because hot tubs and steam rooms are labor intensive and high maintenance and difficult to manage. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION November 5, 2012 Page 5 Lotthammer explained this information will be presented to the City Council at their November 20, 5:30 p.m. work session with this Commission. There will be discussion with the Foxjets to determine what their commitments will be and additional financial data will be presented regarding debt capabilities. The Commission will also be allowed to provide feedback to the Council at this meeting. Bierman said this proposal is estimated to cost approximately $16 million. He suggested they take a different approach by adding some statements up front indicating this would be spread out over 20 years and indicate how they plan to finance the project. If they issue revenue bonds they need to indicate how much it would cost per year and show how much money is coming in. People will want to know what the tax impact is. It is difficult to quantify the data and it is not shown on the charts and the information presented does not get into the depth of that information. Also, people don't want to hear water park and he suggested they not use that term. Bierman said this is a community project and he feels they can work to sell it better. He also did not hear anything about a timetable and they may want to include that information in the presentation. They may also want to consider using buzz words like "build it and they will come". Pesheck said he feels it is important to focus more on user statistics. Link suggested they prepare a video showing what goes on at the Community Center particularly on a busy Saturday morning. They should tell the story about the people coming through at a very busy time. Napuck said they have to talk about what is different from this proposal than what was proposed at the time of the referendum. They need to show there is an increase in participation and that they are not in the same situation today as they were in 2005. This has to look different and present a more positive perspective. C. FLYING RED HORSE Lotthammer explained that a former Eden Prairie gas station had a large flying red horse sculpture on its facility and that red horse holds a lot of nostalgia and history in the City. The family that owns the red horse would like to donate it to the City and staff is recommending the City accept this donation. If the City accepted the horse, staff would determine if there is room to place the horse in the Riley-Jacques Barn where people would be able to enjoy it. At some point in time, if money becomes available, the horse can be restored, the lighting repaired and the horse relocated in the park system for display. Lotthammer said if the Commission does not object to accepting this donation, staff would forward this to the City Council for official acceptance. Commission members had no objection to recommending the City accept the donation of the red horse. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. ROUND LAKE UPDATE Fox presented an update on the Round Lake project reporting the skate park is complete with temporary fencing around the outside of the park to be permanent once the irrigation and laying of sod is completed in the spring. The skate park has been well received and heavily PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION November 5, 2012 Page 6 used. Fox also reported Phase I of the Round Lake project is about 96 percent complete. There are several items that need to be completed including electrical and the rubberized surfacing. The loop trail is completed and the striping of the parking lot will occur within the next week. Fox stated two rebuilds of the hockey pens have been completed and a new lighting system is to be installed and ready for the December hockey broom ball season. Lotthammer said staff is looking at possibly holding the grand opening of the park at the fourth of July celebration. VIII. NEW BUSINESS IX. REPORTS OF STAFF A. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER FYI: Community Band Share the Warmth Concert FYI: City-School Facility Use Advisory Committee B. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER C. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER 1. Community Center Update Lotthammer said the Community Center update can occur in January. The Commission should plan to meet at the Community Center for their January meeting and they can then get an update and tour the facility. 2. Community Center Tour The Community Center tour will occur at the January meeting. FYI: Family Turkey Bingo D. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. 2012 PRNR Work Plan Lotthammer reported in January staff will talk about bee keeping with the Commission and take a tour of the Community Center. There will be no meeting in December. 2. 2013 PRNR Dates 3. Round Lake Discussion Bierman said he was pleased to see how the road and path came together at Round Lake. He said Phase I of the Round Lake Project is a great project for this site. However, in PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION November 5, 2012 Page 7 looking at the lake it needs a little polishing. He questioned if they should consider converting part of the lake into a skating rink perhaps with a warming house that could all be kept open for the duration of the season. Bierman also suggested staff think about pumping water out of the lake to create the skating rink. He suggested staff have someone look at developing a skating rink on Round Lake and to visit the facility located in Buffalo which has a skating rink on their lake and a Christmas tree. The City has made a huge investment in Round Lake so they should be able to figure out how to enhance it. Bierman also suggested staff look at draining this lake or part of it and clear the muck out and use a portion of it as a sand pool to create a great community swimming area. They need to start thinking out of the box. They have to figure out something to do with this lake. Link said he liked Bierman's suggestions and believes he has some creative ideas. He suggested they ask people in the community what they would like to see. Link pointed out they do have a winter park area at Staring Lake. Lotthammer explained the Watershed District is working with consultants and staff will talk to them and get some feedback from them. Within the next couple of months staff should know what active roll the Watershed District is taking with regard to Round Lake. X. NEXT MEETING City Council Workshop —Tuesday, November 20, City Center, 5 p.m. dinner; 5:30 p.m. meeting. XI. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Motion was made by Link, seconded by Kraft, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.