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Parks and Recreation - 06/06/2022APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2022 7:00 P.M. OUTDOOR CENTER 13765 Staring Lake Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Patrice Erickson, Chair; Cecilia Cervantes, Vice Chair; Saratbabu Atluru, Deepa Bhujle, Pedro Curry, Tom Poul, Shanti Shah, Keith Tschohl, Ashley Young CITY STAFF: Jay Lotthammer, Parks and Recreation Director Lori Brink, Recreation Manager Matt Bourne, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Valerie Verley, Community Center Manager Stan Tekiela, Outdoor Center Supervisor RECORDING SECRETARY: Jodie Fenske Chair Erickson called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Commission Member Atluru was absent. Community Center Manager Verley and Outdoor Center Supervisor Tekiela were absent. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Vice Chair Cervantes moved, seconded by Commission Member Poul, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 8-0. II. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES Motion: Commission Member Tschohl moved, seconded by Commission Member Shah, to approve the May 2, 2022 PRNR Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried 8-0. III. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Lotthammer reported on several actions recently taken by the City Council. A. TENNIS COURT RECONSTRUCTION CONTRACT Council authorized awarding a contract for the rehabilitation of the Crestwood Park and Red Rock Lake Park hardcourt surfaces to DMJ Asphalt Inc. The Crestwood Park hardcourts were resurfaced in 2012, and the Red Rock Lake Park hardcourt was resurfaced in 2014. These courts are aging and have significant structural cracking and surface flaking. The courts are becoming unlevel and unsafe to play. Resurfacing the existing courts is no longer cost effective as the cracks are too many and too large to fill and the surface has pitted out PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 6, 2022 Page 2 significantly. The best option is to rehabilitate these courts by tearing out existing bituminous, regrading, compacting, repaving, and applying a recolor coat. B. TENNIS COURT RESURFACING CONTRACT Council authorized awarding a contract for the resurfacing of the hardcourt surfaces at Eden Valley, Rustic Hills, Homeward Hills, and Riley Lake Parks to The Tennis Court Doctor. Eden Valley hardcourts were resurfaced in 2010, Rustic Hills hardcourts were rehabilitated in 2007, Homeward Hills hardcourts were resurfaced in 2017, and Riley Lake hardcourts were rehabilitated in 2013. The bituminous pavement at these courts is mostly in good repair and safe to play, but has some structural cracking, pitting, and surface flaking. The best option is to clean and wash the surface, fill the cracks and apply new acrylic resurfacing to extend the life span of the courts. C. STARING LAKE PARK RETAINING WALL CONTRACT Council authorized awarding a contract for the replacement of the lower parking lot retaining wall at Staring Lake Park to Odessa II. The retaining wall has numerous timbers that are rotting, damaged, or missing. The wall has rotated beyond the vertical plane and is now structurally compromised. The best option is to remove the existing timber wall and install a new retaining wall using higher quality material. The lower parking lot is also contracted for replacement in 2022, and the wall should be replaced before the new lot is paved. D. MINNESOTA DNR FOR EAB PROTECTING COMMUNITY FORESTS GRANT Council authorized Parks and Recreation Director Lotthammer to sign the Grant Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Protecting Community Forests Grant, which the City was recently awarded. Staff submitted a grant application to help fund many of the City’s EAB management plan activities. E. VIKING DRIVE TRAIL PROJECT Council approved the Standard Agreement for professional services with HTPO (Hansen Thorp Pellinen Olson, Inc.) for preliminary design and construction and easement documents for the Viking Drive trail project which will drastically improve pedestrian safety in the area. F. NESBITT PRESERVE SPLASH PAD INSTALLATION AND EQUIPMENT Council approved the contract with Landscape Structures, Inc. for the purchase and installation of splash pad equipment at Nesbitt Preserve Park. PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 6, 2022 Page 3 G. NESBITT PRESERVE SPLASH PAD GRADING AND SITE WORK Council accepted bids and awarded the contract to Odessa II, Inc. for the Nesbitt Preserve splash pad grading and site work. Parks and Natural Resources Manager Bourne stated the project will likely run from July to September 2022 and be ready to open in Spring 2023. H. SENIOR AWARENESS MONTH PROCLAMATION Council adopted a resolution proclaiming May 2022 as Senior Awareness Month. IV. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION V. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, AND COMMUNICATION VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. OLD BUSINESS A. FLYING RED HORSE UPDATE Lotthammer stated the PRNR Commission previously reviewed concepts with the Heritage Preservation Commission for the plaza area where the Flying Red Horse sign will be installed. Landscape architects are now preparing the preferred design after receiving input from both Commissions. Parks staff recently toured the project area with Community Development staff to ensure the sign can be integrated successfully into the town center area. Lotthammer expects to have concept plans available for the PRNR Commission at the July meeting when a drive-by of the area will be done on the bus tour. Lotthammer explained the property is currently being held by the contractor. SWLRT (South West Light Rail Transit) staff states until there is substantial completion of the light rail project, the contractor will not turn the property over to the Metropolitan Council, who will then turn it over to the City. The sign will be refurbished and prepared in the meantime. However, the sign installation likely will not be completed until June 2023 at the earliest. VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. PARKS AND RECREATION EXPERIENCES Staff and Commission members shared recent experiences with City parks and recreation programs. Chair Erickson thanked the City Council and those hosting the Commission Banquet in May. She stated she enjoyed the evening and was thanked by senior PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 6, 2022 Page 4 residents seated at her table for the work the PRNR Commission does for the Senior Center. Commission Member Young stated her daughter’s fifth grade Girl Scout troop will participate in creating an extension to the mural in the tunnel at the Minnesota River Vista outlook site. The troop will collaborate and be led by an artist, and supplies will be donated by Sherwin Williams. Commission Member Tschohl stated he biked to the meeting tonight and was pleased with the trail improvements made along Flying Cloud Drive. Lotthammer stated Lake Riley Park has been busy with the warmer weather and completion of the new playground. He reported the City beaches officially open this coming Saturday, June 11. B. RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER 1. Outdoor Center Tour and Overview. Recreation Manager Brink reported Outdoor Center Supervisor Stan Tekiela was unfortunately unable to attend the meeting. She commended Tekiela for his many years of managing the Outdoor Center and overseeing the programming and facilities. Brink stated hundreds of school children visit the Outdoor Center each season. Staff members try to find balance between providing environmental education and promoting outdoor recreation (skiing, snowshoeing, etc. in the winter and fishing, canoeing, etc. in the summer). Five habitats (prairie, hardwood, creek, wetland, and lake) on one site provide a unique outdoor classroom opportunity. In addition to school programming, the Outdoor Center is home to a preschool offering parent/child classes and child drop-off classes. A number of family programs are also offered throughout the year, including outdoor recreation, nature trivia nights, bonfires and stories, etc. A particularly popular offering is Feed Me, during which participants are able to learn about and observe animals eating at the Outdoor Center. Brink stated a goal is to develop programming in the future for older adults at the Center. Lotthammer provided a brief history of the Outdoor Center building, which was originally built in Shakopee, disassembled, and brought to its current location in Eden Prairie. Built using old telephone poles, the building was originally placed by a private owner and later given to the City. The building originally functioned as the City’s senior center and later as a rental facility. Through the years, it was determined its best fit is as an PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES June 6, 2022 Page 5 education center. Some upgrades have been performed but the building’s structure has remained in decent shape. Lotthammer added the building is available for birthday parties reserved through the City and with a naturalist on site. Brink led the Commission on a tour of the grounds of the Outdoor Center including the observatory, owl sanctuary, public art installation area, Animal Junction building, playground, and learning garden. She described the woodland loop trail and other paths throughout the site which include wayfinding signage and trail maps. C. COMMUNITY CENTER MANAGER D. PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER E. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR 1. Work Plan. Lotthammer provided an updated 2022 work plan and encouraged Commission members to contact him with any additional topics they would like to learn about or discuss. IX. NEXT MEETING The next PRNR Commission meeting will be held on Monday, July 11. The bus tour will leave from City Center at 6:30 p.m. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Commission Member Shah moved, seconded by Commission Member Tschohl, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 8-0. Chair Erickson adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.