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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 05/05/2014 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, MAY 5, 2014 7:00 P.M.— COMMUNITY CENTER Cambria Room, 16700 Valley View Road PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Hutch Coburn, Chair; Larry Link, Vice Chair, Leonard Pesheck, Donald Jacobson, Tim Rawerts, Kirk Spresser and Deborah Tenner PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael Belean and Debra McBride STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT: Riley Tilitt and Brian Gilje STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES ABSENT: Vy Nguyen and Jennifer Powell CITY STAFF PRESENT: Jay Lotthammer, Parks & Recreation Director Stu Fox, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Wendy Sevenich, Community Center Manager Lori Brink, Recreation Manager Beth Witt, Aquatic & Fitness Recreation Supervisor GUESTS: Brian Recker, RJM Construction Victor Pechaty, HGA Architects and Engineers RECORDING SECRETARY: Amy Hulet I. ROLL CALL AND INTRODUCTIONS Chair Coburn called the meeting to order. Chair Coburn welcomed Lori Brink, the new Recreation Manager. The Commission gave a farewell to the student representatives. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Tenner moved, seconded by Rawerts, to approve the agenda as presented. III. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES OF APRIL 7, 2014 Chair Coburn asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes. Spresser noted his name was misspelled in the minutes. His name ended with an"er" instead of an"or". The correct name was noted for future reference. Motion: Rawerts moved, seconded by Spresser, to approve the April 7, 2014 meeting minutes as amended. PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES May 5, 2014 Page 2 IV. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION A. BID FOR TRAIL OVERLAY AND RECONSTRUCTION B. BID FOR PARKING LOT AND TRAIL CONSTRUCTION AT HOMEWARD HILLS PARK Lotthammer reported the City Council had approved the bid for trail overlay and reconstruction as well as the bid for parking lot and trail construction at Homeward Hills Park. Safety concerns were one of the issues which moved this item to approval. V. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION Fox reported there was one Park item at the last Planning Commission meeting. A development was to be constructed on an excess piece of MnDOT property at the southwest quadrant of Scenic Heights. The development was to feature a certain number of mid-market homes ($300,000 to $350,000) and market-rate homes ($400,000 to $450,000). Park dedication fees would be assessed in the future and put into the Park CIP. No action would be requested from the PRNR. VI. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION VII. OLD BUSINESS VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. COMMUNITY CENTER TOUR At this time, the PRNR took a recess in order to proceed with a tour. Lotthammer, Witt and Sevenich guided the PRNR Commission members around the Community Center. The tour involved visiting the Child Care Center, Prairie Play Zone, Gymnasium, Locker Rooms, Swimming Pool, Second-floor Fitness Area/Studio rooms, Ice Rinks and Deli. The guides provided the Commission members with a brief overview of past renovations/updates and where proposed updates would be made if the Aquatic Center Expansion was approved. The tour lasted approximately 30 minutes and the PRNR Commission meeting resumed at approximately 7:45 p.m. IX. REPORTS OF STAFF A. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER B. RECREATION SERVICES AREA FYI: Senior Awareness Month FYI: Senior Awareness Month Dinner FYI: Ecopolooza FYI: Arts in the Park PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES May 5, 2014 Page 3 FYI: Shred-It Truck FYI: Splash Time C. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER 1. Aquatics Expansion Bid Review Lotthammer explained that the purpose of tonight's presentation was to finalize the presentation for City Council the following night. The City Council would hear an overview of the project which would include timelines, estimated costs, bid reviews and funding sources. The PRNR was asked to provide the presentation team with comments, questions and suggestions in order to streamline the presentation and accurately convey the purpose of the project. In addition, the PRNR would be asked to provide a motion to City Council regarding their recommendations regarding the award of base bids, as well as alternates suggested by staff. A timeline of the project was provided which began in the summer of 2012 with workshops between interested groups, HGA Architects, RJM, City Staff and the general public. The timeline was followed through the Feasibility Study, several workshops and meetings, details for Phase I and Phase II, approval of both Phases, advertisement of bids, and approval of proposed site plan by City Council and review of bids the City received for the project. The results of the Feasibility Study were reviewed and determined to include: a two-lane lap pool, a competitive diving area, a recreation pool area, additional seating for the lap pool/diving area, an ADA accessible elevator, energy efficient upgrades, and an expanded fitness area. Witt provided the exterior and interior drawings of the proposed renovations, along with the proposed construction materials to be used. In addition, she detailed construction stages for both Phase I and Phase II. Sevenich provided an overview of the Revenue projections as well as Expenditures (history/projections). Lotthammer provided an overview of the bid process and the budget for the project. He noted there would be alternates for the project that the PRNR would need to discuss and determine if they would like to include in their recommendation to City Council. The total cost for the project(minus the alternates) was determined to be $19,636,946.00. The alternates listed (and not included in the cost) were: waterslide with building enclosure, raised concrete platform for diving boards, aquatic climbing wall, waterproofing of ceramic tile, aluminum ductwork in pool areas, LED, aquatic play features. Spresser inquired what the original cost of the proposed renovations was for this project. Lotthammer responded the first cost estimate had been $19.4 million and that included a water slide, smaller bleachers and no hot tub. PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES May 5, 2014 Page 4 Link asked if the City had received a good response on the bids. Recker responded in the approximate 25 categories, on average they received six to eight bids for each category. Spresser noted there was one category where they did not receive a bid. Recker stated the category was "structural steel" and was a very difficult category to get a bid. They plan on reissuing a bid package request. Jacobson noted all the companies to bid were from Minnesota. Lotthammer reviewed each alternate, starting with the diving board platform($9,311.00). The next item was the aquatic climbing wall ($30,105.00). The Commission discussed how tall the wall would be and if the wall would be a safety concern. Staff responded the wall was about 17 feet high and was not a safety risk. The wall would attract the elusive 9 to 12 age group and add an element of"fun". The wall would be located in the diving pool area. Additional features discussed were: the aquatic play feature ($105,143.00), waterproofing under the ceramic tile ($44,617.00), aluminum duct work in pool areas ($50,498.00), LED light fixtures ($25,374.00). Lotthammer presented information regarding finance options. He gave a brief overview of each option: general obligation bonds which would be voter approved, general obligation tax abatement bonds, HRA lease revenue bonds and HRA lease revenue bonds with HRA levy. The presentation included slides indicating the City's debt payments were at its highest from the 2008 Community Center renovations and even with the proposed renovations from this project the City would not have to raise taxes. The reason for the stagnant payment amounts was due to the fact the debt from the prior renovations and city projects would be falling off. Spresser noted some concern the debt payments would not increase as long there were no other capital projects which would need funding. Lotthammer responded there would always be other projects and the City's fund balance could be used as a reserve for those projects. He noted there would always be a debate as to the best type of funding. Tenner inquired as to how the City funded the previous renovations. Jacobson responded the City had received funding through a bond referendum. Lotthammer noted the funding summary: GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price) as $19.6 to $20.9 million, minus the capital improvement fund of$2.5 to $3.0 million and fundraising of$500,000. The total amount to be financed would be $16.6 to $18.4 million. He asked the Commission for their questions and suggestions with regard to the presentation. PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES May 5, 2014 Page 5 The Commission discussed the aquatic feature attractions: the climbing wall, aquatic play feature and the waterslide. They inquired to staff as to the goal of adding those features. Witt responded the overall value of the waterslide would be adding a"fun factor" to the facility. She noted it would not make or break the Community Center but would give the area a water park feature which would be visible from Valley View Road. The Commission discussed height and age restrictions for the slide. Spresser noted it would be better to spend the money now as opposed to trying to add on at a later date and pay even more. He expressed some concern with one of the slides that projected debt payments and that revenue would exceed expenses. He felt that it would be best to eliminate the slide since it appeared the City was making a promise they may not be able to keep. Chair Coburn felt the presentation should include more information as to why the City not only would like the proposed renovations but would actually need to make some of the changes in the very near future. The message to convey would be to encourage the youth in the City to participate and to get motivated. Spresser also felt the renovations, especially adding the waterslide, would satisfy the gap with families of children of different ages. Link stated he originally thought about leaving out the waterslide,but now feels that the kids would come and it would be a"fun factor" attraction to the Community Center. Rawerts commented on the slide Spresser thought was a concern and noted they should leave in all the slides. Jacobson suggested they obtain demographic information from the schools to show the numbers in the age group of children interested in the "fun factor" features were strong, if not growing. Chair Coburn agreed and encouraged the addition of the waterslide feature in the proposal. He asked the wishes of the Commission and they discussed all the alternates. Wording for the proposed motion was discussed and debated. Pechaty assisted in the wording of the motion. Pesheck moved, seconded by Link, to recommend that the Eden Prairie City Council approve the construction of the Aquatics Center Expansion and alternates as presented by the Park, Recreation and Natural Resources staff noted in the RJM letter dated April 29, 2014. Furthermore, the PRNR Commission recommends the award of the waterslide feature and associated enclosure for two reasons: the provision of aquatics amenities that would reach all age groups and to realize the current construction economies of building at the present time. Motion was carried 7-0, a unanimous vote. PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES May 5, 2014 Page 6 FYI: Lions Club Schooner Days D. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. Eden Prairie TOD Zoning District Update Lotthammer provided a memo for the Commission's review. 2. Miracle League Field Update Lotthammer noted the concept was introduced in front of the City Council. 3. Green Team Update Lotthammer stated staff has continued to work on ideas for the Green Team and would be provided at an upcoming meeting. 4. 2014 PRNR Work Plan Lotthammer provided a memo for the Commission's review. FYI: Linking Land Use to Clean Water X. NEXT MEETING Next PRNR Meeting—Monday, June 2, 2014 —7:00 p.m., Senior Center Riley Lake Park Lit Courts Grand Opening —Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 9 p.m., Riley Lake Park Lotthammer stated the mayor would make the first serve and declare May 8th as Eden Prairie Tennis Night. Weather permitting. Board and Commission Banquet—Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at 6 p.m., Garden Room XI. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Jacobson moved, seconded by Pesheck, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:40 p.m.