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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 11/07/2016 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2016 7:00 P.M. HERITAGE ROOMS 8080 Mitchell Road, Lower Level City Center PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS: Larry Link, Chair; Debra McBride, Vice Chair; Donald Jacobson, Matt Pellowski, Leonard Pesheck, Kirk Spresser, Deborah Termer STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: William Hemler, Kirsten Johnson, Phillip Kuhn, Conner Reding, Stefan Wenc, James Yoo CITY STAFF: Jay Lotthammer, Parks and Recreation Director Matt Bourne, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Lori Brink, Recreation Manager Valerie Verley, Community Center Manager Nicole Weedman, Senior Recreation Supervisor Casey Hagert, Senior Recreation Specialist GUESTS: Jerry Maas and Meredith Anderson, Southwest Metro Pickleball Association RECORDING SECRETARY: Jodie Fenske I. ROLL CALLANTRODUCTIONS Link called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Roll call was taken. Recreation Manager Brink and Student Representatives William Hemler and Phillip Kuhn were absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Link motioned to amend the agenda by moving Section VI. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION after Section IX. REPORTS OF STAFF. McBride moved, seconded by Spresser, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried 7-0. III. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES Motion: Termer moved, seconded by Jacobson, to approve the October 3, 2016 minutes as presented. Motion carried 7-0. IV. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Lotthammer reported on several actions recently taken by the City Council. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES November 7, 2016 Page 2 A. DRYLAND FACILITY GRANT Council authorized Staff to submit an application for a Hennepin Youth Sports Facilities Grant for the development and construction of a dryland training facility in Rink 2 of the Community Center. Lotthammer reported Community Center Manager Verley has been diligently working on completing the application before the November 14, 2016 deadline. The $60,000 grant would allow for a dryland area approximately five track lanes wide by 30 yards long to be used for speed training and explosive training. A decision is expected by January 2017. B. SURPLUS FITNESS EQUIPMENT Council approved to declare obsolete fitness equipment as surplus and authorized the City Manager to dispose of the property. The used pieces of equipment will be traded or sold to another party or at auction. C. TREE ORDINANCE Council closed the public hearing and approved the first reading of the Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 11 relating to tree replacement requirements. The second reading is expected in the next week. V. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION Bourne informed the Commission the Planning Commission reviewed requested amendments to City Code Chapter 11 relating to tree replacement requirements as mentioned above. The Planning Commission also reviewed an amendment to City Code Chapter 11 relating to landscaping and screening requirements for commercial, industrial and office locations, specifically the Design Standards initiative. Staff has contracted with Hay Dobbs and Associates for assistance in developing the changes. VI. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION A. HANDOUTS OF UPCOMING EVENTS Lotthammer presented copies of flyers for two upcoming events. 1. Flick `n' Float The third movie night in the Community Center recreational pool will be held on November 11. The previous two events were well attended and the plan is to continue the series throughout the fall and winter. 2. Winter Brochure The Winter 2017 programs brochure is currently at the printer and PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES November 7, 2016 Page 3 scheduled to be mailed to residents in the next few weeks. Registration begins November 30. B. PARKS AND RECREATION EXPERIENCES Commission members shared recent experiences, including a visit to the new Staring Lake Park playground; a birthday party to which police and emergency vehicles made a visit; another birthday party at the Community Center at which children enjoyed the bounce house and other activities; a fun morning at the Nature Rocks! event at the Outdoor Center; a competitor at the indoor triathlon recently held at the Community Center; and a bike ride to several historic sites in the City resulting in a discount at Rustica Bakery and Cafe at the Smith Douglas More site. Pellowski commended Mary Morris for exceptional work at the Outdoor Center Nature Rocks! event. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. SOUTHWEST METRO PICKLEBALL ASSOCIATION PRESENTATION Lotthammer introduced Jerry Maas and Meredith Anderson of Southwest Metro Pickleball Association and acknowledged the approximately 75 supporters in the audience. Maas thanked the Commission for the opportunity to present an update on the sport,particularly in Eden Prairie. He began with a history of the association, including its growth from six members at its conception in 2012 to its current membership of almost 425. In 2013, the association received 501(3) c status enabling them to accept tax exempt donations. Since 2010, the members have applied for grants and presented the checks to the City in support of the pickleball courts provided. Anderson presented results of a very recent survey requested of 1,200 pickleball players, of which 418 responded. Sixty-seven of those were from Eden Prairie. Ninety-five percent of the Eden Prairie players responding to the survey are aged 51 years and older and 46 percent of them play at least three times per week. According to the survey, the top three concerns of the Eden Prairie players are court time, dedicated courts and courts in their area. Maas stated pickleball is growing in other cities, in particular Edina and Chanhassen. He explained pickleball is a unique sport in that it is a very social activity. Players are able to show up during open court times without a partner or specific court time. While waiting to play, as well as after, players socialize with each other. He reminded the Commission the first two courts were at Pioneer Park behind the Senior Center. This has expanded to six courts with temporary nets stored on PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES November 7, 2016 Page 4 location in a lock box. Tennis courts at Riley Lake Park were dual striped to create additional temporary pickleball courts. In 2015, Franlo Park became the site of the first permanent pickleball courts in Eden Prairie. Since 2013, the association has partnered with the City to host a tournament as part of the 4h of July Hometown Celebration. The Round Lake Park tennis courts are taped for pickleball for this annual event. In 2016, twenty pickleball courts were temporarily prepared at Round Lake Park as the event hosted 135 players in 25 brackets. Each August the association also organizes the Miracle Ear Tournament, a large event in Bloomington which attracts over 290 players from nine states and one province in Canada. Maas ended his presentation requesting additional facilities for the growing interest in Eden Prairie. He stated the association is willing to participate financially and work diligently to assist the City. Spresser inquired what type of facilities other cities provide. Maas stated Edina has built five courts through a donation by a private citizen. Chanhassen has six courts at one location and is currently building at another location. Spresser and Maas discussed ideal amenities would include ten to twelve courts, flush toilets, shaded benches, and an area for social gatherings. Commission discussed possible sites and costs. Bourne stated Franlo courts cost in excess of$100,000. Lotthammer added it is not feasible to use neighborhood parks as they are not large enough and have parking constraints. Staring Lake Park and Riley Lake Park were discussed as possible locations. Tenner suggested pursuing options at Riley Lake Park since it is currently in the process of rehabilitation. Lotthammer stated Staff would be able to provide cost estimates of overlay and an internal feasibility study prior to hiring any outside contractors. He relayed to the group other cities are just now building courts after playing in Eden Prairie for years and it will be interesting to see how play will be affected throughout the southwest metro area. Players may wish to keep playing in Eden Prairie or they may go back to their own cities as courts are built there. Motion: Spresser proposed an internal feasibility study be performed in the next few months to determine at which community park a centrally located pickleball facility could be feasible. Tenner moved, seconded by Pellowski, to approve the motion. Motion carried 7-0. VIII. OLD BUSINESS PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES November 7, 2016 Page 5 IX. REPORTS OF STAFF A. SENIOR RECREATION SUPERVISOR—YOUTH & FAMILY Senior Recreation Supervisor Weedman and newly-hired Senior Recreation Specialist Hagert presented a snapshot of Youth and Family services provided by the department. Weedman explained the youth development approach and provided an example of focusing on a core value of the day with summer program staff and having them relay that core value to the youth attending the programs. The overall Department focus is to provide diverse recreation programs and activities that meet the needs of the community, to be committed in delivering a wide variety of recreational opportunities for all ages and abilities, and to provide quality recreation services by anticipating and responding to the ever changing needs of the community. Weedman explained the preschool programs (ages five and under) continue to grow. There are 603 registrations to date in preschool skill development and camp programs. Gymnastics programs start at 18 months and soccer skills camps start at two years of age. Other programs include traditional sports (baseball, basketball, etc.), karate, arts, and playground camps. Opportunities also include trips to Disney on Ice and Stages Theatre. Parents of preschool participants in this summer's camps were invited to stay for lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays to participate in an art enrichment activity with their child with the goal of meeting other parents. Youth programs remain the largest group for registrations at 3,319 so far in 2016. Focus is on skills, lessons, camps and non-school opportunities. An enrichment program teaching skills for youth staying home alone was popular and will be continued. Sports include tennis, golf, archery and gymnastics. Other opportunities include nature and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs. Weedman reported the Leaders in Training (LIT) program for teens remains popular. It is a fee based character development program that instills life skills with the hopes of developing future employees. The focus is on service projects and learning. Lotthammer commended Weedman on her 19 years of employment with the City and the development she has created within the Department. He stated through the LIT program, the City has hired several seasonal and regular employees through the years. Other Teen programs include skill development, including golf, karate, tennis, archery, BMX, and others. Adult programming includes lesson and skill-based programs such as archery, Kung Fu, golf and tennis. Weedman explained the two areas of Therapeutic Recreation: Adaptive PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES November 7, 2016 Page 6 Recreation and Inclusion Services. Adaptive Recreation offers opportunities for individuals with varying abilities to participate in programs that are specifically for persons with disabilities. Programs include Club 204, camps, Aqua Fit, and skating lessons. A valuable program, AR&LE, is a collaborative adaptive recreation and learning exchange partnership with Bloomington, Edina, Richfield and Eden Prairie. Inclusion Services is a process in which individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in all activities offered with their peers. Services provided include extra staff, sign language interpreters, modified equipment, and establishing plans for participation and behavior. Hagert shared details of recent events the department provided, including Halloween on the Mall, Floating Pumpkin Patch at the Community Center, Rock on Ice, Father and Daughter Sweetheart Dance, and Mother and Son All Star Evening. Weedman explained the importance of focusing on staff development and training which includes an all-staff orientation for Community Center and Recreation regular and seasonal employees. Future Department plans will focus on technology, needs assessment,program evaluation methods, leadership training for teens, and disability awareness training to provide an understanding of inclusion and how everyone has a part. The Commission thanked Weedman for her years of employment and development within the Department and welcomed Hagert to the Department. B. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER Bourne provided a Park Boundary Program and Inspections update. He began with a history of the Park Boundary Program. Before 2005, Parks staff investigated boundary trespass issues as they were discovered. In 2005, the City Council approved hiring additional seasonal staff to inspect all park boundaries. In 2006, a Boundary Initiative letter was developed and sent to the 2,100 residents who lived adjacent to park property at that time. A similar letter is now sent to adjacent property owners of upcoming park boundary inspection work. Seasonal Park Boundary Inspectors verify City property pins and property lines, install boundary posts with signs at property pins, and search for missing pins previously installed by a Registered Land Surveyor. If no trespass is discovered, resident receives a notification thanking them for being a good neighbor. If a trespass is discovered, photographs and notes are taken. A second letter is then sent making the resident aware of trespass or PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES November 7, 2016 Page 7 boundary issue. Spresser inquired and Bourne reported there is about a 30 percent trespass ratio which is approximately 700 issues. Bourne stated the majority are minor violations (mowing too far, dumping grass clippings onto City property, etc.). The violation letter is sent to the property owner and includes the lot survey, photographs, and aerial photo map. Corrective action is outlined with a deadline date. Re-inspection occurs on deadline date and if violation has been resolved, the good neighbor post card is mailed. If violation has not been resolved, the issue is forwarded to the Eden Prairie Police Department for an additional violation letter. If the violation remains unresolved, it is referred to the City Attorney for formal legal action. Bourne shared photos of previous trespass violations and presented an encroachment and trespass list. In 2016, 369 property interfaces were inspected, 273 property pins were found, 256 property posts were installed, and 84 trespass violations were issued. He displayed a map indicating areas already inspected, those in progress, and those not started yet. The department is very close to getting through all parks the first time. C. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER Verley gave a presentation and provided a handout of 2017 fees and charges for the Community Center, including membership, open activities and play care, group rates, and equipment rental and advertising. Rates have historically increased two to three percent but will increase four to five percent in 2017, particularly at the Community Center with new amenities and additions. She anticipates returning to the lower increase in the future. Some tot and youth activity charges are increasing to keep pace with operating and staff expenses. Minimum wage has increased for the second year in a row which impacts wages to run these programs. In order to meet the goal of attracting new families and younger families to the facility, additional staff is needed; thus increased costs to provide services. Ice rink charges will experience an increase for primetime rentals. Prior to recent additions,pool charges were fairly modest. With the amount of new water and resulting maintenance, pool charges will increase. Spresser noted advertising fees have remained the same for several years and inquired if fees could be increased now that facility has been improved and experiencing increased traffic. Verley invited Commission members to review the information and to contact her in the coming weeks with questions and concerns. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES November 7, 2016 Page 8 D. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR Lotthammer presented an updated 2016 PRNR Work Plan and tentative 2017 PRNR Work Plan including meeting dates. A budget update will be presented at the December meeting. Pesheck requested an update on the Staring Lake Outdoor Center improvements and Spresser requested an update on the bike/pedestrian trail plans. Lotthammer stated these items will be added to future Work Plans. X. NEXT MEETING Next PRNR Meeting—Monday, December 5, 2016, at 7 p.m., Heritage Rooms XI. ADJOURNMENT Motion: McBride moved, seconded by Pellowski, to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Motion carried 7-0.