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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 11/03/2014 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2014 7:00 P.M.—ART CENTER 7650 Equitable Drive PRNR COMMISSIONMEMBERS PRESENT: Larry Link, Vice Chair; Donald Jacobson; Tim Rawerts; Debra McBride; Michael Belaen; and Deborah Tenner PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Hutch Coburn, Chair; Kirk Spresser; Leonard Pesheck CITY STAFF PRESENT: Jay Lotthammer, Parks & Recreation Director; Stu Fox, Parks and Natural Resources Manager; Wendy Sevenich, Community Center Manager; Lori Brink, Recreation Manager; Lindsey Danhauser, Art Center Supervisor; Bill Olmschenk, Park Construction Supervisor, Robert Ellis, Public Works Director STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Jacqueline Armstrong, Pratik Baandal RECORDING SECRETARY: Amy Hulet I. ROLL CALL AND INTRODUCTIONS Roll call was taken and noted above. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: McBride moved, seconded by Jacobson, to approve the agenda as presented. III. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES OF OCTOBER 6, 2014 Motion: Tenner moved, seconded by Rawerts, to approve the October 6, 2014 meeting notes as presented. After the approval of the meeting minutes, the Commission briefly introduced those in attendance at the meeting. Specifically, the Commission welcomed Bill Olmschenk, the City's Park Construction Supervisor. They invited him to give a brief introduction of himself and his background. PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES November 3, 2014 Page 2 IV. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION A. CEDAR HILLS PARK PHASE I Lotthammer reported the design phase of this park will start in early 2015 and bids would go out in the spring. B. DEER MANAGEMENT SERVICE AGREEMENT Lotthammer noted this item would be presented later in the agenda. C. AUDIO EQUIPMENT FOR EPCC AQUATICS Lotthammer reported this item had been approved by City Council and bid out to companies. D. ICE CASTLE AGREEMENT Lotthammer noted the Ice Castles at Miller Park would be featured on the TV show "Somebody's Gotta Do It" with Mike Rowe. E. MAC FOR CEDAR HILLS PARK Lotthammer reported the lease for the park has been executed. F. TRUE FRIENDS—HENNEPIN YOUTH SPORTS GRANT Lotthammer reported the City assisted the organization in the submission of a grant which would help fund new playground equipment. In addition, Best Buy has agreed to match the grant amount of$40,000, if it is received. The City will find out in early December if the grant was awarded to True Friends. V. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION Fox addressed the Commission and noted there had been two Planning Commission meetings since the last PRNR meeting. He reported the only Park item discussed was Green Acres parking lot expansion. A conditional use permit(CUP)would be needed for the variance in the setbacks. VI. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION A. ARTS & SPECIAL EVENTS RECAP Lindsey Danhauser addressed the Commission and provided a brief introduction of herself. In addition, she provided a brief history of the Eden Prairie Art Center. At first, the City began to fundraise for a public art center. Over the years, Friends of the Eden Prairie Art Center and the Sampson Family have contributed their time, money and even the building PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES November 3, 2014 Page 3 where it is located today. Next, Danhauser briefly described all the special events the City holds each year. The Commission members were asked to describe their favorite events. Brink addressed the Commission and noted the City offers many events to its residents in order to give them a variety of things to do without spending lots of money. B. AQUATIC ADDITION MURALS Danhauser continued her presentation with a request to the Commission members. The City had sent out requests to local artists to come up with a mural for the Competitive pool area in the new Aquatic expansion at the Eden Prairie Community Center. Staff has narrowed the artist candidates to three artists and would like input from the Commission members as to what they would like to see in that area. Sevenich encouraged the members to give their reaction to the murals, as opposed to critiquing them. Brink stated they were not looking for a consensus but more of their interpretation of how they visualize the new facility. The Commission members and student representatives expressed their opinions and staff noted their reactions. VIL 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 noted the Plan had been made public just after the PRNR's last meeting. The Planning Commission reviewed the Plan and passed a motion to endorse it. Ellis provided a recap of the history behind the Plan and asked the Commission for their comments and/or questions. He also asked the Commission for a motion to recommend the Plan. McBride suggested the City start with constructing shoulders that could be utilized as bike lanes and would like to see the City implement as new roads are constructed. Ellis agreed and stated the City could start implementing small items immediately. Rawerts inquired as to who would be responsible for implementing the Plan. Ellis responded the Parks Department, as well as Public Works. The Commission discussed and agreed this Plan was a great investment in the future of the City and they would like to see a continuity with the surrounding communities in order to encourage widespread biking and walking among its residents. The Commission also discussed what projects were in the City's immediate plans. One of the major items to consider was the railroad crossing near the high school. The City is working to obtain a Safe Route to School grant, in order to construct a safe railroad crossing. Belaen moved, seconded by McBride to recommend the City Council adopt the City of Eden Prairie Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan. Motion was carried 6-0. VIIL NEW BUSINESS PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES November 3, 2014 Page 4 IX. REPORTS OF STAFF A. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER 1. Registration Software Brink reported staff would be trained in the new software in December and January. The software would go live in mid-March for the spring/summer brochure. She noted the software would be more user-friendly; however, staff would have to create more than 2000+ new accounts, since they would not transfer over from the old software. FYI: Holiday Boutique and Veterans Breakfast B. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER FYI: Winter 2015 Brochure Sevenich reported this would be the last brochure with the old software. The brochure th would come out November 25 . C. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER 1. Deer Management Fox stated in 1993 a committee was formed in order to reduce the deer population within city limits. The City has a large density of deer, with approximately 25 deer per square mile or 700 deer in the community. Deer management reduces the number of deer to a number natural to the habitat. For the past 20 years, the City has instituted a program every other year to reduce the number of deer based on census population numbers. In the past, the City has also sent out press releases educating the community on the detriments of feeding the deer. Fox reported the City contracts a company to carry out the reduction and it is completed within 10-12 days. McBride inquired as to what happens to the deer. Fox responded the deer are sent to a processing facility, where the meat would be given to food shelters in the area. The areas with the most deer concentration were discussed. D. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. 2014 PRNR Work Plan Lotthammer stated there would be a tour by Ms. Danhauser after the meeting was adjourned for those members interested. In addition, he asked the Commission members to think about ideas or suggestions for alternate locations to meet and any topics of interest they would like to discuss. The December meeting agenda would consist of formulating a 2015 work plan. PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES November 3, 2014 Page 5 X. NEXT MEETING Next PRNR Meeting—Monday, December 1, 2014 —7:00 p.m., Council Chambers XI. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Jacobson moved, seconded by Belaen, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:03 p.m.