HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 01/05/2015 APPROVED MINUTES
PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
MONDAY,JANUARY 5, 2015 7:00 P.M.— CITY CENTER
8080 Mitchell Road
PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Hutch Coburn, Chair; Larry Link, Vice Chair;
Donald Jacobson; Kirk Spresser; Tim Rawerts;
Leonard Pesheck; and Deborah Tenner
PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Debra McBride and Michael Belaen
CITY STAFF PRESENT: Jay Lotthammer, Parks & Recreation Director;
Stu Fox, Parks and Natural Resources Manager;
Wendy Sevenich, Community Center Manager;
Lori Brink, Recreation Manager;
Tina Eide, Aquatic Supervisor
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Jacqueline Armstrong, Jennifer Powell, Riley Tillitt
RECORDING SECRETARY: Amy Hulet, not present
I. ROLL CALL AND INTRODUCTIONS
Roll call was taken by Chair Coburn as Recording Secretary Amy Hulet was unable to
attend. Attendance was noted above.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion: Spresser moved, seconded by Jacobson, to approve the agenda as presented.
III. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 3, 2014
Motion: Jacobson moved, seconded by Rawerts to approve the November 3, 2014
meeting minutes as presented.
IV. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Lotthammer addressed the Commission and noted City Council had met only once in
December. At that meeting, the City Council adopted the City Budget. He noted the
Commission would discuss the item later on in the meeting. The City Council would be
meeting the next night to discuss Commission appointments.
V. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION
Fox noted there had only been one Planning Commission meeting since the last PRNR
meeting. At the meeting, they discussed the construction of O'Reilly Parts and the TOD
Ordinance (Transit Orient Design).
PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES
January 5, 2015
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VI. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION
VII. OLD BUSINESS
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Cedar Hills Park Desisn Concept Plan
Lotthammer introduced Jan Anderson of HTPO, the firm contracted by the City to
design Cedar Hills Park. Lotthammer provided a brief history regarding the
development of Cedar Hills Park and the City's agreement with MAC. He
reported to the Commission this park would be the last major neighborhood park
to be constructed in the foreseeable future. The next step in the project would be
to hold a neighborhood meeting to obtain feedback from nearby residents. The
City would like to begin construction of Phase I later this year.
Jan Anderson provided a brief history of the land encompassing the park. She
reported on the original family that settled on the property in the 1860's. She also
compared the 2002 original concept plan with the revised 2015 master plan. She
noted the changes in the amount of green space, trail connections, parking and
amenities. In addition, she reported the park was unique in that encompassed a
creek, wetlands and steep slopes. The proposed design concept includes a native
American/pioneer theme that embraces the surrounding natural amenities. The
Commission inquired about sports amenities versus nature amenities.
Lotthammer responded the park would be oriented more towards large open,
natural spaces as opposed to ball fields and courts. The Commission members
liked the natural aspect of the park along with ties to the history of the land. In
addition, they requested confirmation that MAC had agreed to a long term use
agreement with the City. Termer asked about bathrooms in any of the buildings in
Phase I. Fox responded there were no plans in Phase I for bathrooms. Lotthammer
reported it might be possible in Phase IL He noted the final design of the park
would include more specific details.
IX. REPORTS OF STAFF
A. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER
FYI: Rock on Ice
FYI: Miller Park Activities
FYI: Stay Active this Winter
FYI: Father-Daughter Sweetheart Dance
Brink summarized the upcoming events, Rock On Ice, Miller Park Activities (Ice
Castle) and Stay Active this Winter. She also noted the very popular
Father/Daughter dance.
PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES
January 5, 2015
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B. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER
1. Facilities Rentals
Lotthammer introduced Tina Eide, Aquatics Supervisor. Eide provided
the Commission with information regarding facilities rentals and changes
made in 2015. Reservations opened up at 5:30 earlier this morning, with
Purgatory Creek as one of its hot spots. The facility is popular for
graduations and weddings. She provided the Commission with
reservation history and numbers, in order to track how each facility is
used and if it is being utilized to the best of its ability. She also discussed
the updated cancellation policy. Community Center and Senior Center
rentals were also discussed.
C. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER
FYI: Deer Management
Fox reported the deer management program went well. The City removed 120
animals. The next deer management program would resume in fall 2016.
D. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR
1. Budget Update—General Fund & CIP
Lotthammer provided a brief update with regard to the CIP. This year staff
will work with the CIP and update their project lists.
2. Hennepin County Grant Updates
Lotthammer reported the City had obtained a grant for youth sports. The
grant would be awarded to Camp Edenwood and would go towards
updating the outside play equipment. C.H. Robinson has agreed to match
up to $40,000 and they are looking into additional matching amounts. In
addition, the City also obtained grants for soccer goals/nets and equipment
for the dryland training room at the new aquatic center. Each grant was
$6,000.00.
3. 2015 PRNR Work Plan
Lotthammer noted on January 20, Hutch Coburn and himself would be
presenting the Commission's work plan to the City Council. He reported
on two other subjects, the effects of pesticides on the bee population and
organic recycling as topics for the Commission to discuss in the future.
X. NEXT MEETING
Next PRNR Meeting—Monday, February 2, 2015 —7:00 p.m., Community Center
PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES
January 5, 2015
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XI. ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Spresser moved, seconded by Link to adjourn the January PRNR meeting at
8:31 p.m.