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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 10/06/2014 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2014 7:00 P.M.—HOMEWARD HILLS PARK BARN 12000 Silverwood Road PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Hutch Coburn, Chair; Larry Link, Vice Chair, Donald Jacobson, Leonard Pesheck, Tim Rawerts, Kirk Spresser and Deborah Tenner PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Larry Link, Vice Chair; Debra McBride; 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; Beth Witt, Aquatics & Fitness Supervisor; Robert Ellis, Public Works Director STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Jacqueline Armstrong, Pratik Baandal, Jennifer Powell, Riley Tillitt OTHERS PRESENT: Rita Stensgaard, Senior Center Liaison; Antonio Rosell, Community Design Group; Kevin White, Community Design Group RECORDING SECRETYARY: Amy Hulet I. ROLL CALL AND INTRODUCTIONS Commission member Jacobson began the October PRNR meeting. Chair Coburn arrived during the beginning of the meeting. Roll Call was done via introductions of those present at the meeting. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Lotthammer added an item under New Business (B)—History of Homeward Hills. Motion: Rawerts moved, seconded by Pesheck, to approve the agenda as amended. III. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES OF AUGUST 4, 2014 Motion: Powell moved, seconded by Rawerts, to approve the August 4, 2014 meeting notes as amended. PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES October 6, 2014 Page 2 IV. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION A. MAC AGREEMENT FOR CEDAR HILLS PARK Lotthammer addressed the Commission and presented the first agenda item. He noted the MAC Agreement for Cedar Hills Park would be on the City Council's Agenda at the next meeting. The City has proposed a permanent use lease agreement with MAC for the property. The City would not pay an annual fee for the lease. The agreement would allow the City to move forward with the design phase of the park and eventually to begin construction in 2015. Lotthammer noted this park would be the last new construction for a neighborhood park. Spresser inquired if MAC was giving up the rights to the property. Lotthammer responded MAC still held the rights, but a take back of the property would be very unlikely. Spresser also inquired about another MAC property in the community garden property. Lotthammer noted the property is currently undecided. The property has not been marketed by MAC and the City is exploring other options for a community garden. B. AGREEMENT WITH ICE CASTLE IN MILLER PARK Lotthammer presented the next item, which would also be on the City Council's next agenda, the agreement to allow a company to build an ice castle at Miller Park. The company would lease the park to build the ice castle. A nominal fee would be paid by visitors to view the attraction. Lotthammer noted the potential was for the ice castle to be a regional attraction and would hopefully attract national attention. C. AUDIO EQUIPMENT FOR AQUATICS AND FITNESS Witt addressed the Commission and noted the City Council had approved an audio contract for the Aquatics and Fitness area. The City was still accepting bids for the project. D. LEASE WITH TRUE FRIENDS FOR CAMP EDEN WOOD Lotthammer reported the City had come to an agreement with True Friends. The agreement was for a 20 year lease with a 10 year increase option. In addition, the City has agreed to assist the organization in obtaining a grant to upgrade the current play structure. Best Buy has agreed to match the grant for up to $40,000. V. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION Fox addressed the Commission and noted there had been three Planning Commission meetings since the last PRNR meeting. The August 11th meeting discussed the Transit Oriented Design. PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES October 6, 2014 Page 3 The August 25th meeting discussed a gate variance, a Comp Plan change/reguided zoning change for the Lion Tap property, zoning change/site expansion for the Margaret A. Cargill property. The September 22nd meeting discussed a sign variance for Central Bank and an application for covered pumps/parking at the Southwest Transit Bus station. VI. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION VII. OLD BUSINESS A. PEDESTRIAN & BICYCLE MASTER PLAN Ellis addressed the Commission to discuss the Pedestrian & Bicycle Master Plan for the City of Eden Prairie. He introduced Antonio Rosell of Community Design Group to address the Commission and present an overview of the plan. Mr. Rosell reported the final plan would be available to the public within the week and tonight he would present a summary of the anticipated finalized plan. The Plan included community engagement, vision/goal summary, pedestrian/bicycle networks and tools/approaches. The process began with an open house and followed with several listening sessions with interested groups. The community provided a detailed map of problem biking and walking areas within the City. The next step in the process was to highlight the positive areas and indicate problem areas, which would provide the first steps to make changes in the pedestrian and bicycle network. Ellis noted the purpose of the review was not to flag current problem areas but to assist the City in planning for the future and provide a guide for revisions to those areas when the time came for updating. The Commission inquired as to their role in the process and the goal of tonight's meeting. Lotthammer stated once the PRNR received the final report, they would be asked to review and then make a recommendation to City Council. Rosell provided the Commission with additional information which included: pedestrian/bicycle choices, tools for improving intersection crossings, signs/signals/wayfinding, bike rentals/repair, zoning changes to assist walkers/bikers, enforcement of violators, funding sources for improvement and costs of implementing the Plan. The Commission felt the information provided at the meeting was positive and a step in the right direction, it was quite vague and they expressed a desire for a more detailed plan. In addition, they inquired if the suggestions provided in the summary were concrete plans for the City. Rosell responded the ideas in the summary were just proposals, especially for intersections. He noted each intersection in the City is unique and would need to be addressed individually. PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES October 6, 2014 Page 4 The Commission suggested ongoing education for drivers, as well as pedestrians and bicyclists. They expressed their appreciation to Mr. Rosell for providing a well-thought out plan and stated they looked forward to seeing the final plan. B. AQUATIC CENTER POOL FEES Witt provided a list of additional Aquatic Center pool fees. She reported staff had reviewed additional fees since the Fee Schedule was approved in August. She provided the Commission with fees associated with swim meets/special events, dry land training rates, and additional fees for staffing at special events. The fees included both resident and non-resident rates. MOTION: Pesheck moved, seconded by Rawerts to recommend to City Council to approve the 2015 additional pool fees for the Parks and Recreation Department. VOTE: Motion was carried 7-0. VIIL NEW BUSINESS A. ICE CASTLE Lotthammer noted he had previously discussed the Ice Castle item. B. HISTORY OF HOMEWARD HILLS PARK Fox addressed the Commission and provided a brief history of the barn at Homeward Hills Park. He noted David Brown, an Eden Prairie resident, donated the barn to the City and in the mid 1980's it was moved from its original location to its current location at the park. The City moved the barn and finished the lower level as a warming house/shelter. It opened its doors in 1987. In 1991, the City completed renovations to the upper level. The barn has undergone a couple of updates since its original opening. The barn is a site of parties, events and City programs. In addition, in the winter it still serves a warming house. IX. REPORTS OF STAFF A. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER FYI: City Wide Open House Brink addressed the Commission and discussed the upcoming City Wide Open House on Saturday, October 11th. A variety of events and fun activities for all ages. FYI: Fall Lunch at Senior Center FYI: Halloween on the Mall Brink noted the Eden Prairie Mall would again hold this event on Halloween night from 5:30 to 7:30. She noted it was a safe and fun event for children and parents. PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES October 6, 2014 Page 5 B. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER 1. Beach Recap Beth Witt addressed the Commission and provided a brief recap of the events and programs at Round Lake and Lake Riley. In addition, she provided participant numbers at each park. 2. Aquatic Construction Update a. Public Art Sevenich noted the new Aquatics Center would have areas where they would like to showcase local art. There would be a donor wall as well as a large wall in the diving area in which to showcase a large mural. b. Timeline Sevenich provided a brief timeline of the anticipated completion dates for the project. Phase I is projected to be completed by May 2015, the Second Floor Fitness area by August 2015 and Phase II by December of 2015. FYI: Spooky Saturday C. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER D. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. 2014 PRNR Work Plan X. NEXT MEETING Next PRNR Meeting—Monday, November 3, 2014—7:00 p.m., Art Center XI. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Spresser moved, seconded by Pesheck, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:56 p.m.