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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 11/06/2017 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION,AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2017 7:00 P.M. ART CENTER 7650 Equitable Drive PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS: Larry Link, Chair; Debra McBride, Vice Chair; Cecilia Cervantes, Patrice Erickson, Donald Jacobson, Leonard Pesheck, John Rahman, Kirk Spresser PRNR STUDENT REPS: William Hemler, John Lindholm, Govind Makaram, Janvi Shah, James Yoo HP COMMISSION MEMBERS: Steve Olson, Chair; Tara Kalar, Vice Chair; Meredith Anderson, Valerie Ross, Shanti Shah, Pamela Spera, Paul Thorp HP COMMISSION STUDENT REPS: Neha Bhupatiraju, Alyssa Meiners, Caleb Miller, Inika Shetty CITY STAFF: Jay Lotthammer, Parks and Recreation Director Matt Bourne, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Lori Brink, Recreation Manager Valerie Verley, Community Center Manager Lindsey Danhauser, Senior Recreation Supervisor Lori Creamer, Planning Technician RECORDING SECRETARY: Jodie Fenske I. INTRODUCTIONS An optional tour of the Art Center was led by Senior Recreation Supervisor Danhauser at 6:30 p.m. Chair Link called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. PRNR Commission members Cervantes, Erickson, and Pesheck were absent. PRNR Commission Student Representatives Shah and Yoo were absent. HP Commission members Anderson, Ross, and Spera were absent. HP Commission Student Representatives Miller and Shetty were absent. PARKS, RECREATION,AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES November 6, 2017 Page 2 II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Olson requested Smith Douglas More House National Register Nomination and Film Festival items be added to the agenda under Section VIL Report of the Heritage Preservation Commission. Motion: Spresser moved, seconded by Rahman, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried 9-0. III. APPROVAL OF PRNR COMMISSION MINUTES Motion: McBride moved, seconded by Rahman, to approve the October 2, 2017 minutes as presented. Motion carried 5-0. IV. APPROVAL OF HP COMMISSION MINUTES Chair Olson requested clarification of True Friends reference on page six in last sentence of first paragraph. Creamer clarified "True Friends" should be replaced with "consultant." Motion: Shah moved, seconded by Kalar, to approve the October 16, 2017 minutes as amended. Motion carried 4-0. V. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION A. DONATIONS Lotthammer reported Council accepted a donation of$1,500 from Kinderberry Hill toward the KidStock entertainment series and summer musical. Council also adopted a resolution accepting a donation of$1,250 from the Eden Prairie Crime Fund ($750), Optimist Club of Eden Prairie ($400), and Veil Orthodontics ($100) toward the Halloween on the Mall event. Council approved the donation of fruit trees from Hennepin County which were planted at Pioneer Park and at the edible garden at Prairie View Elementary School. Fruit produced from the trees at Pioneer Park will be donated to People Reaching Out to People (PROP). B. STARING LAKE PARK PLAY COURT IMPROVEMENTS Council approved a standard agreement for professional services with Hansen Thorp Pellinen Olson, Inc. (HTPO) for the Staring Lake Park play court improvement project. Based on recommendations from the PRNR Commission, Council approved compiling specifications for a tennis court, a basketball court, and four pickleball courts. Pricing will include options for six courts and eight courts,but no more than eight pickleball courts. Three options will be presented to PARKS, RECREATION,AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES November 6, 2017 Page 3 Council by early March 2018, including any fundraising updates from the Southwest Metro Pickleball Association. VI. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION VII. REPORT OF THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION A. CUMMINS GRILL AMENITIES TIMING Bourne reported new directional signage has been ordered and is planned to be installed at the entrance within three weeks. The old wood benches will be replaced by new benches and will be installed next spring since concrete bases are needed. The benches and new trash receptacles will be wrought iron. The old wood benches will be reinstalled within native landscaping on the property. Creamer reported she is working with City Staff and Hennepin County on obtaining entrance signs to the property on Pioneer Trail. B. FALL HARVEST CELEBRATION Creamer inquired about attendance at this year's event and the possibility of HP Commission working with PRNR Commission on the event next year. Senior Recreation Supervisor Danhauser responded event was well attended with an estimated 1,500 participants. Activities included pottery wheel demonstrations, live animals from the Outdoor Center, pumpkin decorating, face painting, Dorenkemper House tours, and horse-drawn wagon rides. Danhauser noted the paid Facebook ad drove attendance numbers higher than any other paid advertising in the past. She welcomed HP Commission involvement for next year and Creamer asked the PRNR Commission to reach out once planning begins. C. ARCHEOLOGY GRANT—TOWN OF HENNEPIN Thorp reported on the archeology research taking place in the Town of Hennepin via a grant received by the City Of Eden Prairie. A consultant is working on the research of six areas from the 1850s: The Road to the Ferry, the Warehouse Site, the Blacksmith Shop site, the segment of the Minnesota Trail, the Hotel foundation on the Hueler property, and The Tavern site on Homeward Hills Road. Kalar inquired and Lotthammer responded the heavily wooded space is City- owned and considered a conservation area. There is no plan for active use of the natural area based on its slopes and soil. Thorp referenced an area of gravel road that is in danger of being developed and needs to be watched closely. PARKS, RECREATION,AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES November 6, 2017 Page 4 D. SMITH DOUGLAS MORE HOUSE NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATION Olson asked Creamer to provide a status update on the national register nomination. Creamer stated she recently met at the site with the City's consultant and State agency representative to which the preliminary application was made for review. The State employee provided the consultant with suggestions for different criteria that may help with approval. Consultant is currently updating the application and Creamer will provide further updates as they become available. E. FILM FEST Olson reported the Commission is researching hosting a film festival, possibly at the Community Center. Kalar further explained the objective is to expose the history of Eden Prairie and its residents for educational purposes to the current residents. Participants would be invited to create short videos of Eden Prairie history, event, or memory, and the films would be presented at a festival for the public to view. Senator Cwodzinski was mentioned as a possible emcee for the event. Discussion ensued regarding possible locations for the event to take place in spring 2018. Staring Lake was determined to be a good fit, as the festival could be the first movie of the summer series of outdoor movies. Brink invited the HP Commission to bring staff back into the loop as the festival planning progresses. VIII. PETITIONS, REQUESTS,AND COMMUNICATION A. HANDOUTS OF UPCOMING EVENTS 1. Winter Brochure Brink presented the cover of the Winter 2018 Parks and Recreation programs brochure which will arrive in homes around November 18. Registration begins November 29 to ensure all households receive the brochure prior to allowing anyone to register. Spresser inquired about the cost of producing a hard copy brochure. Brink responded feedback has indicated people prefer reviewing a hard copy prior to registering online. She will research providing a survey in the future inquiring how the people heard about the program as they register. McBride raised concern about the online search function. Brink responded she will research and follow up with Commission. Link suggested Commission could provide input for improvement. PARKS, RECREATION,AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES November 6, 2017 Page 5 B. PARKS AND RECREATION EXPERIENCES Community Center Manager Verley presented Chair Link with a medal for placing second in the male swimming portion of the indoor triathlon that took place at the Community Center on November 5. Jacobson recently drove past the new Cedar Hills Park and commended the improvements made so far. McBride commented she appreciates the bench recently installed off the trail. IX. NEW BUSINESS X. OLD BUSINESS A. ASPIRE 2040 TRANSPORTATION McBride provided an update on the Aspire 2040 transportation initiative. Eight goals were recently determined and the top three were emphasized and will provide focus for policies, tactics, and procedures in the future. The three transportation goal statements identified as priority were 1) to provide and maintain a safe, convenient, effective, and efficient multimodal transportation system for the movement of people, goods, and services; 2) to promote public transit in Eden Prairie that serves all residents and provides special transit services for communities and diverse populations; and 3) to ensure the Eden Prairie transportation system is resilient, sustainable, and able to evolve with societal advancements and changes, safeguarding investments for years to come. A hotspot issue identified from polling, surveys, and interactive map input was the intersection of County Road 4 and Highway 5. The focus group was asked to discuss and develop solutions to the traffic problem without any constraints. The priorities and ideas generated by the focus group were very much in line with the design group's thoughts. Draft plans are being produced and McBride will provide an update when plans become available. XI. REPORTS OF STAFF A. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER 1. Art Center Programs Senior Recreation Supervisor Danhauser, who has been with the City for nine years, provided a history of the Art Center building. Eden Prairie resident Roger Sampson constructed the building in 1995 as his personal art studio. After his passing in 2007,his family offered to donate the 54,000 square foot building to the City. In April 2008, Council accepted the PARKS, RECREATION,AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES November 6, 2017 Page 6 donation which remains the largest single gift ever donated to the City. The family also donated $35,000 in start-up funding to meet code requirements and continues to provide ongoing support. Danhauser outlined a wide variety of programming offered to adults, teens, school-age children, and toddlers. In 2015, the number of Art Center registrations was 587. As of October 2017, the number of registrations has already surpassed 900. The increase is attributed to recent enhancements: increased class offerings including daytime and homeschool classes, addition of aftercare program at three summer camp locations, new partnership with Eden Prairie Liquor offering a wine and art series, addition of new clay and glass instructors, and additional marketing including new events and sponsored Facebook posts. In addition to attending programs, Art Center participants attend open studio,birthday parties and rentals, and special events. Year to date in 2017, approximately 3,300 participants have visited the Art Center. Program registrants represent 28 percent of the total, open studio participants 38 percent,birthday party and rentals attendees 21 percent, and special events attendees 13 percent. Danhauser reported on the $10,000 National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) creative placemaking matching grant received earlier this year for utility and Knaack box wraps and the rotating sculpture program. Link inquired and Danhauser responded businesses have reserved team building events at the Art Center. She will consider marketing the idea since space and instructors are available for that type of program. Brink inquired and Danhauser reported on the Empty Bowls program which is PROP's largest event. Similar to the Feed My Starving Children concept, companies can rent space and instructor time and purchase bowls from the Art Center. Employees of those companies volunteer their time to paint the bowls which will then be donated to PROP. Rahman commented on the impressive work being done at the Art Center. He inquired and Danhauser responded to the top needs or improvements desired. A gas kiln in an enclosed space with ventilation, as well as generally upgrading equipment, was mentioned. Lotthammer commended Danhauser on the developments she has made to the building, the programming she has created, and the strong relationships she has developed, as well as the creative insight and expression she has brought to other City projects. PARKS, RECREATION,AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES November 6, 2017 Page 7 2. Light Rail Transit (LRT) Update Danhauser presented designs proposed for the Town Center station which is part of the LRT project deferred due to budget cuts. It was placed back into the budget primarily with the assistance of a Hennepin County grant. B. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER 1. Cage Update Verley presented updated photographs of the mostly completed Cage in the dryland training space in the ice area. The enclosed space focuses on speed, strength, and agility. New programming being developed this winter will include female weightlifting and youth boot camp classes. The space is also rented to youth sports groups. A grand opening for the space is planned for January 2018. C. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER 1. Lookout Park Bourne provided an update on the new overlook area being built since the old overlook site is now off limits to the public due to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)restrictions. The City hired a consultant to work with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) last year. The objective was to document the old site and receive feedback to incorporate elements from the old into the new overlook site which is located at the corner of Charlson Road and Flying Cloud Drive. Currently the trail leads to the top of the slope,but staff is working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to hopefully connect with trails near the Riverview Road area in the future. Plans at the new site incorporate interpretive signage to include the history of the river valley, wildlife in the area,history of the old overlook site and how it was constructed, and general river valley and ecosystem information. Staff applied for a grant from USFWS,but it was denied. Grant funds would have been used to complete the trail in the area. Bourne stated funds remain in the City budget to complete the overlook site. The soil report has been completed and forwarded to the consultant. Plans and specifications are completed and will go to bid soon for project completion in 2018. SHPO gave permission to use any materials at the new site since the old site is deteriorating. Kalar inquired and Bourne responded the City does not have possession, nor is aware of the location of the plaque that was embedded in the brick fagade at the old site. Pictures do exist and Kalar suggested incorporating a replica of the plaque into the new site. PARKS, RECREATION,AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES November 6, 2017 Page 8 Lotthammer added the project has been well received by SHPO, Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), USFWS, and Hennepin County. 2. Interpretive Sisn Update Bourne stated staff recently completed an inventory of all interpretive signage in City parks and at historic sites. Replacements have been ordered for eight of the ten signs and the plan is to have them installed soon. Staff was unable to find original large format files of the signs for the peony garden at Cummins - Phipps - Grill House or the Outdoor Center. The Communications Department is working on replicating those signs so they can be replaced in the near future since they are in most need of replacement. Creamer reported she, Bourne, and a consultant reviewed signage needed at Riley Lake Park due to improvements being made. It was determined six additional interpretive signs would be needed. She applied for a grant which was denied. She has since reapplied and hopes to receive the grant for design and fabrication of six upright signs which will be ready for installation in 2018. 3. Biological and Natural Controls in Parks Bourne provided an explanation of the biological and natural controls being used in City parks. Biological control is used for leafy spurge which is an invasive species which arrived in the 1890s and has since spread throughout Minnesota. The largest impact of leafy spurge is seen in native prairie areas which are typically not mowed. The Aphthona lacertosa and Aphthona czwalinae beetles are successfully used for control since the adult feeds on the above-ground portion of the plant and larvae feed on the roots. Typically between two thousand and eight thousand beetles are released at a time in infested areas. Monitoring of the areas indicates the beetles are successfully depleting the leafy spurge. Bourne estimates 75 percent of leafy spurge infestation in the Prairie Bluff Conservation Area has been removed via the beetles since 1997. Biological control is also used for purple loosestrife, an invasive species, which typically invades wetland border areas. The City successfully uses the Galerucella pusilla beetle, a non-native beetle species which feeds solely on purple loosestrife and its entire lifecycle happens on the plant. Prescribed burning is the City's main natural control against invasive weeds since native plants can withstand the burn. Areas where successful PARKS, RECREATION,AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES November 6, 2017 Page 9 prescribed burns have been completed include Prairie Bluff Conservation Area, Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area, Edenbrook Conservation Area, and the prairie area at the Outdoor Center. Link inquired and Bourne responded the best way to control turf grass weeds is to promote the best turf grass environment possible by aerifying, watering, and fertilizing correctly. The denser turf out-competes the weeds. Kalar inquired and Bourne responded the City's pollinator-safe resolution was passed in February 2016 which outlines policies and procedures for residents and businesses. D. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. Public Participation Lotthammer asked Commission members to consider determining protocol on public speaking requests at future Commission meetings. The topic will be on the agenda for discussion at the December PRNR Commission meeting. 2. 2017 PRNR Work Plan Lotthammer stated additional topics for the December meeting will include dryland and the Staring Lake building concept plans. XII. NEXT MEETING The next PRNR Commission meeting will be held on Monday, December 4 at 7 p.m. in the Heritage Rooms at City Center. The next Heritage Preservation Commission meeting will be held on Monday, December 18 at 7 p.m. in the Prairie Room at City Center. XIII. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Jacobs motioned, seconded by McBride, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Chair Link adjourned the meeting at 9:02 p.m.