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Parks and Recreation - 01/06/2003 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY,JANUARY 6, 2003 7:00 P.M. City Center Council Chambers COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Dick Brown, Vice Chair; Rob Barrett, Jeffrey Gerst, David Larson, Bruce Schaepe, Trisha Swanson, Kim Teaver and Philip Wright COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Munna Yasiri STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Lauren Astry, Chris Shea and David Westphal COMMISSION STAFF PRESENT: Bob Lambert, Director of Parks and Recreation Services; Carla Kress, Adaptive Services Coordinator; Carol Pelzel, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Brown at 7:05 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Larson moved, Gerst seconded, to approve the agenda as published. The motion carried, 8-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —December 2, 2002 Motion: Larson moved, Wright seconded, to approve the December 2, 2002, minutes as presented. The motion carried, 7-0-1, with Teaver abstaining because of absence from that meeting. IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Request to Consider Acquisition of Open Space Land—Edenvale Conservation Area Lambert reported that at the last Parks Commission meeting they considered a request from several residents of Hillcrest Court asking the City to consider acquisition of approximately ten acres in the Edenvale Conservation Area. At that meeting, the Commission asked Staff to investigate the acquisition of this property. Lambert presented a map showing the three parcels of land that have been created by the subdivision of the 47 acre parcel. Lambert reviewed with the Commission the location of these parcels. He explained that one lot has been sold subject to subdivision; another parcel is being retained by the property owner and the third parcel of approximately 7.7 acres buildable area is listed for$650,000. Lambert said he personally feels there is no rush to acquire this property since it would require PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION January 6, 2003 Page 2 extensive grading to develop. He said staff is recommending that this parcel of land be added to a list of parcels that the City may want to acquire. It is anticipated that a survey of residents would be conducted prior to a referendum to determine which items they might support on a referendum. Lambert suggested that this parcel be included in that survey. Swanson asked if once the survey is conducted, would this item come back to this Commission. Lambert responded that various citizen committees are working on issues to be included on a referendum. It is anticipated that those tasks will be completed in late February. Once those issues are identified, a sample telephone survey of approximately 400 people will be conducted to determine if they would support those items in a referendum. The information from this survey would probably be presented to the City Council at their first meeting in August to determine if there will be a referendum and what to include in that referendum. Schaepe asked where the funding came from for the Birch Island Woods acquisition. Lambert explained that the City Council authorized the use of Park Dedication Fees. He pointed out that they are talking about approximately $15 million worth of projects in this referendum. The City has generated approximately $1 million a year in park dedication funds over the last three or four years. This will not continue. Barrett asked how many acres of land the City has similar to Birch Island Woods that is unbuildable. Lambert responded that the City has a little over 1,000 acres. Barrett pointed out that citizens are requesting the City to purchase land that is not buildable and he is not sure that all of these purchases are desirable. Lambert said the City owns about 2,500 acres of park open space land. The City mows and maintains approximately 900 of those acres. Approximately 1,500 acres is conservation area. Motion: Larson moved, Gerst seconded, to recommend the City Council consider commissioning a random sample survey of City residents to determine what projects or proposals could be supported by a referendum; and furthermore to include questions regarding land acquisition for expansion of the Edenvale Conservation Area, as well as the Picha property and the railroad property in Birch Island Woods. The motion carried, 8-0. V. NEW BUSINESS A. Review of Site Plan for Anderson Lakes Park Reserve Access Road and Parking Lot— Three Rivers Park District Lambert introduced Mike Horn, Landscape Architect for the Three Rivers Park District, stating that Mr. Horn will explain to the Commission how the Three Rivers Park District plans to develop access to Anderson Lakes Park Reserve which is a unit of the Hyland- Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve. He further explained that the City acquired park land on Anderson Lakes through a referendum. In 1976 Anderson Lakes Park was designated a regional park and qualified for funding from the Metropolitan Council. This is extremely PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION January 6, 2003 Page 3 significant park land that has never had public access. This new access will invite the residents to go into the property and to use it. Horn presented plans to the Commission as developed by SRF Consulting Group. He reviewed, with the Commission, the existing features currently at this site. This site does not have a parking lot. Wright pointed out that dogs are not allowed,however,residents do walk their dogs in this park. He suggested they consider making a portion of the trail system a dog walking trail. Horn pointed out that this issue has come up with this plan. Under current statute,residents are not authorized to walk their dogs in the park. They are considering presenting to the Board a dog leash walking path. Lambert explained that the City has received calls from residents indicating that they have discussed with the Three Rivers Park District the possibility of designating some of this area as an off-leash park. Lambert said City staff would not support off-leash dog use in Anderson Lakes Park. This property was acquired by the City with the intent to have this park remain a natural preserve where they would have undisturbed habitat for song birds, water fowl and mammals. This is a great sanctuary right now and there are few places like this in the metro area. Horn explained that they are considering an off-leash park at Bryant Lake and once this is explored further, they will be coming back to this Commission with a recommendation. Horn explained that there would be a total of 19 parking spaces added. They have taken great care in making the park accessible but to not impact the resources. Doug Bryant, Superintendent of the Three Rivers Park District, explained that the District does enforce an 80-percent/20-percent policy in park reserves. The Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve is at 20 percent development. That is the maximum of recreation development. They are proposing a dog walking turf trail at this location. Bryant said he agrees that the entire area being used as a dog walking area would be in excess of their policy. Their proposal would be to not allow dogs on paved trails at this point, only on turf trails. Bryant indicated that they are looking at Bryant Lake having an off-leash dog exercise area. Lambert asked Bryant to explain the difference between a regional park and a park reserve. Bryant explained that a park reserve is a large track of land in excess of 1,000 acres and predominantly maintained in a natural state. Eighty percent of the park is guaranteed to remain in its natural state. Regional parks are intended to take the pressure off of park reserves and they are for active recreation. A regional park serves three to five communities and has space for recreation areas. Barrett asked if dogs would be allowed on turf trails in Anderson Lakes Park. Bryant responded that they are not at this point but they will be recommending turf trails for dog exercising. Residents will be asked to keep their dogs on a leash and on the trails. Lambert pointed out that the City would support on-leash on turf trails. The City would not support any dog exercise area or off-leash designation for Anderson Lakes. Larson asked if the Three Rivers Park District is funded by the County. Bryant explained they are the only park district in the State and have taxing and bonding authority. A great deal of their PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION January 6, 2003 Page 4 funding for development and acquisition comes from the State Legislature and the Metropolitan Council. Larson asked if they would be reimbursed by the State for land that has been taken for development of Highway 169. Bryant responded that they will be and are currently working on that. Larson questioned if there would be fire pits or picnic tables placed at this location. Lambert pointed out that the City's intent was to provide trails for the public to enjoy the views. This is a park reserve. He said he is not sure that they have any plans for any kind of designated picnic areas. Bryant said there would be a couple benches at a proposed overlook. Motion: Barrett moved, Gerst seconded, to recommend approval of the Anderson Lakes parking lot and trail development plans for the Anderson Lakes Park unit of the Hyland- Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve. The motion carried, 8-0. B. Proposed Expansion Plan for Flyins! Cloud Ballfields Lambert reported that City staff had meetings with various athletic associations and a majority of that effort focused on outdoor recreational facilities and the needs to provide a sufficient number of ballfields. After a couple of meetings discussing projected growth or no growth, it was agreed that if the City should acquire one additional regulation baseball field and four new soccer fields it would probably be able to meet all projected future needs. The only place to provide for this expansion is at Flying Cloud. Lambert further explained that during negotiations with the Metropolitan Airports Commission, it was proposed that these fields be expanded west to Spring Road. The existing baseball field at Flying Cloud Fields would be relocated to the west and one new 90-foot base path baseball field would be added. The 80-foot base path baseball field would be replaced by two regulation soccer fields at that location and one additional regulation soccer field and three additional junior size soccer fields would be constructed west of the current fields. The estimated cost for this expansion is $2 million. Tom Siering, President of the Eden Prairie Baseball Association, explained that they have somewhere between 27 and 29 baseball teams playing on six 90-foot baseball fields. There is a constant demand for the fields. There is not enough land to accommodate all of the teams and to accommodate tournaments. The trend indicates that older kids are remaining in the program. The additional fields will address these issues. The ballfield can be used for practice only, and the City should consider developing a new parking lot off Homeward Hills Road. Teaver said she has noticed a field by Pax Christi Church that does not seem to be used. Lambert explained that that is a City owned field,however, the parking lot could only accommodate approximately 12 cars. This is a neighborhood park and is not a regulation field and has very poor access. Swanson asked if this item would be placed on a future referendum and asked how this fits in with the previous survey. Lambert responded that it does not fit in well with the survey. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION January 6, 2003 Page 5 They did ask the general public if they thought the City needed additional ball fields. Needs were prioritized and additional fields came in as number 13. They asked the public without giving any information regarding the growth in soccer and football as well as the expansion of lacrosse. Once the residents receive information they will understand the need for additional fields. Brown pointed out that there are approximately 2,200 kids playing baseball in the City. Swanson said residents do drive by ballfields that are not being used but do not realize they are not large enough. Barrett said with regard to the design of the fields,he suggested that rather than putting the big field next to the kids field he would like to see them closer. Lambert explained that there is a big hill and the design of the road does not make this possible. Schaepe asked if MAC has indicated that the City can use their property for this purpose. Lambert said MAC supports this concept and use of this land and use of 42 acres for the City's last neighborhood park. However, they have to present this proposal to the FAA for their approval. Motion: Schaepe moved, Barrett seconded, to recommend approval of the expansion plan for Flying Cloud Ballfields and request the City Council to consider including this project on any proposed park referendum that may be considered within the next 18 months. The motion carried, 8-0. C. Recommendation to Discontinue Adaptive Recreation Partnership and Expand Therapeutic Recreation Services Carla Kress, Adaptive Services Coordinator,reported that the City has been part of a four- city cooperative for the past 13 years for adaptive recreation. Kress said she is now proposing that they discontinue their formal partnership with Edina, Bloomington and Richfield to become independent, but retain an informal relationship with the three cities. The cooperative has 516 residents and 132 professionals in the database for a total of 648. Of the 648, 102 are from Eden Prairie. Kress said they would expand therapeutic recreation services; expand the TR scope of service to all residents of the City through partnering with other agencies, expand the Leisure Education Program and offer new services. Brown asked if Eden Prairie residents would be better off with this change. Kress responded that they would still have the opportunity to participate in other city programs, however, they will have to pay non-resident fees. Swanson asked if the City would lose any funding. Kress said it would not. Schaepe asked if discontinuing association with this cooperative would free up staff. Kress stated that it would free up her time to do more programs in the City and to focus more on Eden Prairie and what the City's needs are. Motion: Brown moved, Barrett seconded, to recommend to discontinue Eden Prairie's formal partnership with the Adaptive Recreation Cooperative, formerly known as AR&LE as of March, 2003. The motion carried, 8-0. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION January 6, 2003 Page 6 VI. REPORTS OF STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS A. Commissioners 1. Consideration of Public Use of Library Building Gerst said his serving on the Community Center Task Force has made him think about the need for other facilities in the City. With the construction of a new library,he thought the City would be able to use the old library building for a number of different things. The current library is located in the eastern part of the City and the City really doesn't offer any facilities at that location. It could be used as an art center or recreation center. Gerst said he is not making a recommendation for the use of this building but would recommend looking into whether or not the City could acquire the old library building. Lambert reported that Hennepin County has not decided what they are going to do with the building at this time. The County anticipates construction on the new library to take another five to six months prior to completion. Prior to that time, the County will decide on the future use of the existing library building. If no governmental agency is interested in the building, the building would be sold through a public auction process. Lambert said it is a good idea for the City to think about acquiring this building. If this Commission so desires,he would bring this item before the City Council at their Strategic Planning Session on February 7 and 8. He would ask that the City Council consider whether or not this would be worthwhile and if so, they may want to consider developing a task force to consider acquisition of this site. Motion: Barrett moved, Wright seconded, to request the City Council to consider possible public uses for the old library building at its Strategic Planning meeting, and if the building is desirable, to have a plan for acquisition of the building in place when the County makes its decision. The motion carried, 8-0. B. Director of Parks and Recreation 1. Municipal Golf Course Alternatives Lambert reported that various task forces have been developed to address the high priorities of the Community Survey. The top priority was an outdoor pool and the second was an 18-hole municipal golf course. Discussion was held regarding the use of the buffer land around the airport for use as a golf course. Due to the amount of land required for a golf course and the restrictions on the land acquired by MAC for buffer space, the possibility of constructing an 18-hole, or even a nine-hole, golf course at that site has been eliminated. City staff met with representatives from BFI, Allied Waste and from the Minnesota Polluton Control Agency. Information obtained from those individuals caused staff to believe that development of a golf course at that site is not feasible for at least 15- 20 years due to the projected length of time that methane gas will be mined from the site PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION January 6, 2003 Page 7 and the length of time that there will be ongoing settling of the cap. Lambert said he wants this Commission to know that City staff has looked at possibilities for an 18-hole golf course and have not found adequate space for development of such a course at this time. Also, there is concern that the market for golf courses in Minnesota is saturated at this time. At some time in the future, the City should meet with representatives of the MPCA, BFI and Allied Waste to discuss an end use plan for that site. Barrett questioned what happened with the individual that proposed a nine-hole executive training course for the Flying Cloud site. Lambert said this may be a possibility in the future but at this time they are not able to utilize that part of the site right now. 2. Reorganization of Recreation Services Division Lambert reported that some reorganization of the Recreation Services Division has taken place. Obiazor will no longer serve as this Commission's staff person but has been relocated to the Community Center and will manage day-to-day operations of that facility while she continues to manage the overall division. Lambert said he would serve as the Commission's staff person. He explained that the reason for the changes is to be able to provide services to the elderly, to new immigrants and to people with disabilities in future years. With these changes, staff feels that they will be in a position to do that. V. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Gerst moved, Larson seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. The motion carried 8-0.