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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 04/07/2014 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY,APRIL 7, 2014 7:00 P.M.— CITY CENTER Council Chambers, 8080 Mitchell Road PRNR COMMISSIONMEMBERS PRESENT: Hutch Coburn, Chair; Larry Link, Vice Chair, Debra McBride, Leonard Pesheck, Donald Jacobson, Tim Rawerts, Kirk Spresser, Deborah Tenner, Michael Belean PRNR MEMBERS ABSENT: None STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT: Riley Tilitt, Jennifer Powell, Vy Nguyen and Brian Gilje STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES ABSENT: None CITY STAFF PRESENT: Jay Lotthammer, Parks & Recreation Director Stu Fox, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Leslie Stovring, Environmental Coordinator Robert Ellis, Public Works Director Bob Lanzi, Recreation Supervisor Nicole Weedman, Recreation Supervisor GUESTS: Representative from Barr Engineering RECORDING SECRETARY: Amy Hulet I. ROLL CALL AND INTRODUCTIONS Chair Coburn welcomed new Commission members and asked to briefly introduce themselves, as well as asked the existing Commission members to tell a little about themselves. Donald Jacobson noted he had been a Commission member in the 1990's for approximately six years. He is a 38-year resident of Eden Prairie and is now involved and more interested in the senior activities within the City. Michael Belean noted he has been a Commission member since 2013. Tim Rawerts stated he is a 26-year resident of Eden Prairie and is interested in several of the athletic programs. He is also a member of the EP Players. Leonard Pesheck stated this was his second term on the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission. PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES April 7, 2014 Page 2 Hutch Coburn stated he has been on the Commission for three years and has been the Chair for one year. Debra McBride noted she is a 16-year resident of Eden Prairie and this is her second year on the Commission. Larry Link stated he has been a resident of Eden Prairie since 1987 and has been on the Commission for four years. Deborah Termer stated she is a two-year resident of Eden Prairie. Kirk Spresser stated he was a long-term resident of Eden Prairie. The student representatives also introduced themselves. Brian Gilje stated he is a junior at Eden Prairie High School and this was his first term. Vy Nguyen stated she is a senior at Eden Prairie High School and this was her second term. Jennifer Powell noted she is also a junior at Eden Prairie High School and her first term. Riley Tilitt stated he is a junior at Eden Prairie High School and this was also his first term. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Link moved, seconded by Pesheck, to approve the agenda as presented. III. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 3, 2014 Motion: McBride moved, seconded by Belean, to approve the February 3, 2014 meeting minutes as presented. IV. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION A. Purchase of Treadmills and Bikes Mr. Lotthammer addressed the Commission. He reported on the purchase of treadmills and Stairmasters for the fitness area at the Community Center. The items purchased were a planned replacement for equipment, in order to keep items new and in proper working order. V. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION Mr. Fox reported to the Commission there were no Park issues at the March Planning Commission meeting. He noted there would be some Park related items coming in the next few months. VI. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING: Operations and Maintenance Plan for the Purgatory Creek Conservation Area Mr. Lotthammer introduced Leslie Stovring, an Environmental Coordinator with the City's Public Works Department. She noted the City had partnered with the Riley Purgatory Bluff PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES April 7, 2014 Page 3 Creek Watershed District and the Department of Natural Resources to prepare the new operations and maintenance plan for the Purgatory Creek Conservation Area. Also in attendance at tonight's meeting was Perry Forster from the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District and Jeff Weiss from Barr Engineering. Ms. Stovring provided the Commission with a brief background of the area. In 1995, an outlet control structure was authorized in order to regulate water levels and maintain a diverse wetland community. In 1999 to 2000, an open water pond was added. In 2003, bridges and trails were also added to the area. Since approximately 2009, Ms. Stovring noted the invasive species (carp) had infested the area. The goal of the plan was to study, manage and ultimately reduce the carp in the area. Ms. Stovring noted the City has hired Barr Engineering to assist in implementation of the plan. She introduced Jeff Weiss from Barr, who would provide a brief overview of the plan to the Commission. Mr. Weiss noted the goals of the plan were to attract the most desirable habitat, control water levels,promote diverse vegetation and control invasive species. He discussed ways to control carp in the area and reported the City would install a fish barrier in order to trap the carp. The Commission discussed the location of the fish barrier, winter kill and the removal of dead carp by birds. Spresser inquired as to the effectiveness of the locks and barrier. Mr. Weiss responded the barrier is very effective at trapping the carp and the locks assist in the manipulation of the water levels. Pesheck inquired if the barriers would be needed on a regular basis or would they be able to phase it out. Ms. Stovring reported the barrier captures would be more intense the first couple of years and then the captures would become more of a maintenance program. Water manipulation would be implemented on an as needed basis. The Commission thanked the presenters Jeff Weiss, Leslie Stovring and Perry Forster for their work on this plan. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. City of Eden Prairie Pedestrian & Bicycle Plan OPEN HOUSE for the Pedestrian & Bicycle Plan was held on Monday, April 7 from 5-7 p.m. in the lower level Heritage Rooms. All Commission members were invited to attend before the PRNR meeting. Mr. Lotthammer introduced Robert Ellis, the City's Public Works Director to address the Commission. Mr. Ellis reported the City was developing a master plan for pedestrian and PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES April 7, 2014 Page 4 bicycle trails. As part of this plan, the City held a public meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. prior to tonight's Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources meeting. Mr. Ellis noted they received a good turnout to the meeting and the information gathered was overall very supportive of the current trail system with some room for improvement. The goal moving forward was to collect information and determine where to focus the City's resources. Mr. Ellis introduced Mr. Antonio Rosell from Community Design Group to provide a brief presentation on the proposed plan. Mr. Rosell addressed the Commission and began with providing the vision and timeline for the plan. The final version of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan would be presented at the end of September 2014. Currently, the City was learning from residents what was working for them and what has not been working. At tonight's open house meeting, Mr. Rosell reported approximately 40 residents attended and provided their impression of the current trail system and what were ways to improve it. In addition, Mr. Rosell stated they would be collecting online comments and holding listening sessions with focus groups. A mapping system would be available online to assist residents/users, to advise on the current status of the trails, as well as proposed changes to the trail systems. Spresser noted the mapping tool would be a great resource and inquired as to how they would get the information out to the public. Mr. Rosell stated there would be press releases through social media and the website. Mr. Ellis added they would provide the information to the local newspaper as well as send out email blasts and the City's newsletter. Link inquired about information gathered by Hennepin County and if any of that information would be shared with the City. Mr. Rosell noted they had been able to pull some information previously gathered by the County, which had been helpful. He proceeded with the presentation and noted they offered a brief 15-20 minute survey to residents and users of the trail system. From the survey, city staff had been able to collect some great information and was able to process the strengths and weaknesses of the current system. He proceeded to discuss the different elements of crosswalks, bicycle lanes and controlled/uncontrolled crossings. In addition, Mr. Rosell provided recommendations for specific locations, Flying Cloud/Prairie Center Drive and Minnesota River Bluffs LRT/Dell Road. Chair Coburn inquired as to the Commission's recommendation at tonight's meeting. Mr. Rosell responded they were still in the gathering phase of the project. Mr. Lotthammer noted a draft of the final plan would be provided to the Commission prior to the deadline this fall. Mr. Rosell noted the goal of the plan was to provide a successful trail system to the residents. Link inquired if there was still time to input suggestions. Mr. Rosell responded the comment section had only been up for one week and there was plenty of time to make any suggestions or comments. PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES April 7, 2014 Page 5 Spresser noted the mapping tool on the website was an important feature for those users of the current trail system to provide key information regarding trouble spots and areas to be addressed. Mr. Ellis noted the City would also like to hear from the school district, MNDOT and the Three Rivers Park District. The Commission thanked Mr. Rosell for his presentation at tonight's meeting. VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. Community Center and Outdoor Ice Rinks Overview Mr. Lotthammer introduced Nicole Weedman and Bob Lanzi, Recreation Supervisors with the City. Ms. Weedman noted she was in charge of providing the scheduling for the 10 outdoor rinks and shelters throughout the City. Mr. Lanzi provided the scheduling for the three sheets of ice within the Community Center. Ms. Weedman addressed the Commission and presented information on the outdoor rinks throughout the City. She reported the outdoor rinks were open from December 18, 2013 to February 24, 2014, which was a longer season than the past few years. She began the hiring process for the outdoor rinks in October and hired approximately 50-60 warming house attendants and two lead park attendants. The main users of the outdoor rinks were the EP Hockey Association. Approximately 350 youths from the association utilized the rinks Monday through Thursday. In addition, special events were held at the rinks. Ms. Weedman provided the five-year trend for users of the outdoor rinks and the numbers directly reflected the type of winter that occurred. Warmer winters shortened the season and decreased the number of users. Mr. Lanzi addressed the Commission and provided information on the three sheets of ice within the Community Center. He noted the primary users of the ice were the high school hockey team, youth hockey association, figure skating association, adult hockey/broomball and Northern Educate. The City hosted 17 hockey tournaments, 10 of which were hosted by the youth hockey association. In addition, the City offers learn to skate programs at the Community Center. During 2013, nearly 1,300 skaters took lessons which were a 9% increase from the previous year's numbers. In addition, 36 formal birthday parties (almost 100 informal/formal) were held at the Community Center and over 4,800 skates were rented. The City offered open skating, tot skating and adult skate to 11,530 participants in 2013. Mr. Lanzi discussed user times and numbers for Developmental Ice. In addition, he noted a number of special events held at the Community Center and a breakdown of hours by each user group. Spresser inquired about a few changes Mr. Lanzi and Ms. Weedman would like to see in their areas regarding indoor and outdoor ice. Mr. Lanzi noted he would like to see more hockey at the recreational levels, for families that do not want the cost or commitment that comes with association hockey. PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES April 7, 2014 Page 6 Ms. Weedman stated she would like to control the weather for the outdoor rinks and would like to see more people using the outdoor ice. IX. REPORTS OF STAFF A. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER 1. CIP Park Construction Projects for 2014 Mr. Fox addressed the Commission and presented the CIP Park construction projects for 2014. He noted at the beginning of each year, staff plans for park construction and renovation projects based on age, condition, needed preventative maintenance and construction of new park facilities. Mr. Fox reviewed the projects at the following locations: Rice Marsh Lake Park, Miller Park, CMS Tennis Courts, Anderson Lake Parkway, Franlo Park, Homeward Hills Park, and Cedar Hills Park. FYI: Linked Land Use to Clean Water Workshops FYI: Parks Clean Up Day FYI: Arbor Day Walk B. RECREATION SERVICES AREA FYI: Animal Open House FYI: Art Center Open House FYI: Nature Rocks! FYI: Mother/Son All-Star Evening C. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER 1. Aquatics Upgrade Update Mr. Lotthammer presented the Aquatics Upgrade Update for Wendy Sevenich, who was out sick at tonight's meeting. For those new members and as a reminder, Mr. Lotthammer provided the Commission with an update of the timeline for the project as of date until completion. In addition,he discussed the site plan and the amenities associated with each of the two phases of construction. Mr. Lotthammer reiterated a couple of issues regarding the purpose of the project. First the existing pool is over 30 years old and if not renovated would be in need of costly repairs and upgrades. The expansion would allow for tournaments and competitions to be held at the facility, creating a positive economic impact on the City. There are opportunities to partner with a variety of different groups for funding purposes. Mr. Lotthammer noted that the City would open bids on April 22, staff would bring those bids to the PRNR on May 5 for a recommendation to City Council on May 6. If the project is approved, construction could begin as early as June with Phase I to be completed within a year and Phase II within nine months to two years after that time. The projected cost estimate for the both phases of the project was $19.4 million. Mr. Lotthammer reported that there would be upcoming articles in the newspaper for the proposed project. PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES April 7, 2014 Page 7 Link stated the biggest concern is the financial layout for the project. However,he noted the last pool served the community for over 30 years and to look at the expense as a potential 30 to 40 year investment. He suggested dividing the total cost by the length in years the facility would be used; the investment was actually quite small. He also expressed appreciation for all the hard work of those that participated in the studies and plan preparation. McBride also noted the depths of the current pool were not up to code and therefore would need to be addressed. Mr. Lotthammer agreed that doing nothing would not be an option. Other issues, such as a mechanical and the need for a new roof, would need to be addressed within a couple of years. Chair Coburn stated he liked the fact that concessions, Wi-Fi,bleachers were all thoroughly vetted. In addition, the"do nothing" approach would still cost the City millions of dollars. Termer inquired as to how many bids the City expected to receive for the project. Mr. Lotthammer noted the project was a little different, in that there were 20 different bid packages (HVAC, concrete, etc.) and the construction manager would oversee all the bids. He reported the City could receive several bids for each package. The City would take the lowest"responsible" bid for each package. The City could select two to three bids and then request a second bid. FYI: An Afternoon with the Bunny FYI: Step to It Challenge D. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. Green Team Update Mr. Lotthammer provided the Commission with an update on the Green Team. He reported the concept was initiated to inspire residents to more environmentally aware and active in the community. A concept idea was to earn t-shirts through a"passport" of environmentally friendly events. Participants would receive stamps in their passports for each event they attend or participate in. Mr. Lotthammer noted staff was continuing to work on the passports and would provide an update at the May meeting. 2. Meeting for Proposed Transit Oriented Development Zoning Ordinance Mr. Lotthammer noted the meeting would discuss the five potential stations to be constructed in Eden Prairie. 3. Parks and Recreation 2013 Annual Report Mr. Lotthammer handed out copies of the Annual Report. He inquired if the Commission had any questions. 4. 2014 PRNR Work Plan Mr. Lotthammer provided the information for review. PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES April 7, 2014 Page 8 X. NEXT MEETING Next PRNR Meeting—Monday, May 5, 2014 —7:00 p.m., Community Center Riley Lake Park Lit Courts Grand Opening —Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 9 p.m., Riley Lake Park Mr. Lotthammer stated the mayor would make the first serve and declare May 8th as Eden Prairie Tennis Night. Board and Commission Banquet—Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at 6 p.m., Garden Room Jacobson inquired about an update for the Miracle League Field. Mr. Lotthammer noted he would have an update at the next meeting. XI. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Rawerts moved, seconded by McBride, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:20 p.m.