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Parks and Recreation - 02/05/1996 i 1996 FEBRUARY 5 MINUTES Parks, Recreation & Natural j Resources Commission � CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS,RECREATION&NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY,FEBRUARY 5,1996 7:00 P.M.CITY CENTER 8080 MITCHELL ROAD COUNCIL CHAMBERS COMMISSION MEMBERS: Claire Hilgcman, Chairperson; Bruce Bowman, Richard Brown, Don Jacobson, Vicki Kocning, David Kracum, Joanne Kube-Flarderwijk STUDENT MEMBERS: Mark Bremer, Emily Flanka COMMISSION MEMBERS: Robert A. Lambert, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities,; Stuart A. Fox, Managcr of Parks and Natural Resources: I.auric Helling, Manager of Recreation Services I. 134LJ-CALL IL APPROVAL.OF AGENDA III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-DECEMBER 18. 1995 IV. PETITIONS. REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Letter from Thornas l.indquist RE• Duck Lakc V. DEVF.I.OPMENT PROPOSALS A. Southwest Metro'fransit 1-lub VI. OLD BUSINESS i A. Playground Sitc Inventory and Recommended Improvement flan VII. NEW BW B 1 r A. Natural and Scenic Grant Proeram 13. Proposed Revision to Park Use Ordina Lg C. Community Ccntcr P•rrking Lot Concerns D. Starinu Lakc Park Sliding dill G. Proposed Community.Center Ice Ram F. Parks.Rcereation and Natural Resources 1996 Work Plan G. Storm Damaged Tree Haulinu Policy I ' 'j �r ,r try, y K Agcndn-I'RNRC s Mondny,Fcbrunry 5, 1996 V111. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS AND S]'AFF A. B9j2 UI of Director of Pnrks.Rccrcntion end Fnciliticg 1 1. cLIv suryc Summnry 2. ^��.�America Rcco�nition(FYII 3. -- h"^mbcr Attcnd�ncc(FYII B. jport�of Community(enter Mnnnecr 1. j ;yr�t to(jpnrovc Cnnccline Oocn Skntc on V��cck�nd of M•nrch 29-31 �! 1x• ApjouRNMENT I 2 1 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION ( MONDAY, F EBRUARY 5, 1996 7:00 P.M.,CITY CENTER Council Chambers 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Claire Hilgeman, Chair, Bruce Bowman, Richard Brown, Don Jacobson,Vicki Koenig, David Kracum,Joanne Kubo-Harderwijk STUDENT MEMBERS: Mark Bremer,Emily Hanka COMMISSION STAFF: Robert A. Lambert, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities, Stuart Fox, City Forester, Tria Mann, Doug Ernst, Park and Trail Construction and Repair Supervisor, and Barbara Anderson,City Recorder 1. l3QL«LL The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.by Chair I lilgeman. Commissioner Bowman and Student Representative Mark Bremer u ere excused. 11. APPROVAI,OF A .4C :NDA MOTION: Koenig moved, Jacobson seconded, to approve the Agenda as submitted. Motion carried unaninlously. I11. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-IIKC'FMIIER 18,1995 Koenig made a correction on the Minutes to the motion recommending approval of Sunnybrook Woods,to the effect that Kubc-1 larderwijk seconded the motion. MOTION: Koenig moved, Kube-Hardetwijk seconded, to approve the Minutes of the December 18, 1995 Meeting of the liden Prairie Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources C'ontmission as corrected. Motion curried u:wnintously. r JIL- 11TIONS,HEOL F.1'1'S AND OMMUNIC A'1'IONS A. LLllgr from'Thomas Lindquist R Dgck .a& "ThonMs 1indquist, 16750 Baywood'Terrace,stated over the last few years Duck Lake has become a nice bass fishing lake which is open to the public as well as the residents who live around the lake. The Duck Lake I lontcowners Association has invested in some equipment to measure the oxygen content in the lake. As ice and ( snow accumulate on the lake the oxygen levels diminish to levels where it is dangerous for game fish and there is a very low chance that they will survive until spring. 'Phis is what has happened this year,anti the residents are asking the City for s. EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS,RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION February 5, 1996 ( Page 2 help to remedy this Situation for ILture years. Rod Fisher, 16820 South Shore Lane,stated he is a chemical engineer by trade and he had done some research which indicated that there might be other options available rather than aeration or plowing. Lindquist stated the DNR may help by spending as much as $15,000 in aeration equipment in cases like this, but the City would have to pay for the electricity to operate the equipment. Ray Erickson, 6535 Bay Drive, stated their Ilomcowncrs Association spends $2,699.00 for weed treatment,$650.00 for algae treatment and pays$200.00 to the DNR to oversee the administration of this every year. When the fish die they float to his end ot'thc lake and it creates a mess which in turn gives off an unpleasant odor until the fish are removed. Richard Kennedy, 16709 Baywood'Terrace,stated that between 5 and 6 thousand (lead fish creates a smelly mess fir several weeks when the oxygen levels drop down to a point where the fish die. If the snow is removed front the ice,the oxygen levels Will go up and the fish will be saved. He asked if the City would work together with the homeowners to alleviate the problem. Richard Hammish, 16509 Baywood Lane, Vice-President of the Duck Lake Homeowners Association,stated he and his sons fish on the lake and had enjoyed it a great deal. He asked that the City work with the homeowners to do something to preserve the lake for the future generations. John Kosnick,6503 Bay Drive,stated the fish serve an important ecological function in mosquito control and the loss of fish will add to the mosquito problems in the area. Ile asked the City to help with the aeration of Duck Lake. i Rose Hilk, President of the Duck Lake Ilomcowncrs Association, stated lake restoration was done every year and paid for by file Homeowners Association. They request that the City develop it long term plan to manage Duck Lakes Lambert commented he applauded all the residents who had come to the meeting that evening Ind worked together to save the lake and preserve it for the future. He believed that it was too late this year to save the fish as the oxygen levels in the lake had already dropped too low. However,the Citizens of Eden Prairie and the DNR working together could develop it management plan. Staff will request file City Council to ask the DNR to do a study of Duck Lake to determine what type of an aeration system would be most eNctive and where it should be placed. He noted that if there is a public access to the lake with a boat ramp the DNR:Ind the City will help with this problem. They can request an aeration system and the access and the aeration system will be maintained by the City. The DNR will maintain the fish EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS,RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION February 5, 1990 ( Page 3 population and study it to determine if they need to add more fish. He did not think the City Should just put in an aeration System. Hanka commented they hadjust finished studying the ecology of lakes in school,and while aeration would help preserve oxygen levels in the lake,it was also important that residents living along the lakeshore refrain from fertilizing their lawns in order to decrease the algae content in the lake. Lars crt stated that the City only removes weeds from public beaches where there are swimming facilities,and the City would not pay for any of the weed removal expense for Duck Lake I lomcowners. Brown inquired how Duck Lake compared with other lakes throughout the City,as possibly there were other lakes that may need similar assistance. Lambert described Rice Marsh Lake, which was basically untenable tier fish, Eden Lake which was basically a large stonnwatcr holding pond,and while there are some fish in it,it could possibly become a potential fishing lake in the future. I lowevcr,there are extreme fluxuations in water quality,which would present some problems. Smetana Lake and Duck Lake are the two lakes that have potential for maintaining a stable fish population. Duck Lake is lorty acres in size and it is a resource that should be kept and managed(or the community. Lambert commented that if a management program can be implemented it might be possible to obtain a fishing pier to get people out of the roadway. When a public access is granted the DNR usually becomes involved with the project. Hilgenran inquired if motorized boats were allowed and Lambert responded that no snowmobiles were allowed but because it was not it public lake there were no rules regarding motorized watercraft that can be enforced. There are rules on the public lakes. Unless the City has ownership of the perimeter land around at lake they don't get involved in rules,etc. If a management plan is implemented for Duck Lake then rules and restrictions would be discussed and implemented early in the plan's development. I lilgenran inquired why there was such a large difference in the cost f between a permanent aeration system and a temporary one. Lambert responded that the permanent system costs in the$25.000 to$30.000 range,and if a lake is aerated there is open water which is dangerous to those who use the lake. There is a liability concern for the City if there is open water on lakes duc to aeration systems. Jacobson inquired it'the fish in Duck lake would die this winter and Lambert responded that there was a good probability there would be a loss of fish because it was too late this year to do much to help the oxygen level in the lake. Plowing had ( been shown to improve oxygen levels in the water only where the ice was plowed. Discussion ensued regarding the public access and Lambert commented that he was rs not sure if the 30 liwt strip of land on the north side would be enough area to install 2 'I EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS,RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION February 5, 1996 ( Page 4 i a public access. "There is a development proposed in this area and the City may try to obtain some additional land for the access via park dedication or other means. I-lilgeman inquired if there was anything the City would do to help homeowners clean up the dead fish this spring,and Lambert responded that the residents have to gather them up and the City may be able to haul them away. Jacobson commented that j there are numerous boy scout troops in Eden Prairie who arc always looking for community service projects and might help with the cleanup of dead fish from around the lake. MOTIONXubc-l-larderwijk moved,Kracum seconded,that the homeowners around Duck Lake,the DNR,and the City pursue the possibility of developing a management plan 1'or Duck Lake, which would dcterntine whether an aeration system would be effective, and to work with staff to develop a cleanup plan for the fish that are expected to die off this spring, I Brown commented he did not support the City becoming involved in cleaning up dead fish around Duck Lake because it would set a precedent for other residents to request similar cleanup around their Ickes, tic also did not believe there was room for anyone to be fishing around Duck Lake. I-le thought the City Council and the DNR might consider a management plan for Duck Lake. Lindquist commented that the residents around Duck Lake would prefer not to have motorized boats using the lake. 'ncc DNR will accept management of the lake if a public access is constructed. 'rhere may be years when snow removal would be adequate to maintain the oxygen level and they may develop a thrcc-stage process. Ile thought they should notice where the dead fish are this spring as it may be important in determining where acroion systems arc placed in the lake. I lilgeman commented that she had rarely seen residents so willing to work together ; and with the governmental agencies for the good of ►he community and she �' commended those involved in this process. W A resident froth X435 Morgan Lane commented that the homeowners should consider the restrictions that might be placed on the lake by the DNR because they represent the public interest, not specifically that of the homeowners around ilia lake. The process should be kept as simple as possible and all the options should be considered. llilgcman called for a vote on the notion. Motion carried 5-1. Brown voted in opposition it)the motion. I V. pJ;1'ELOPMENT PROPOSALS EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS,RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION February 5, 1996 Page 5 A. Soutliwect Metro Transit Hub Kate Garwood and Kyle Williams were present representing Southwest Metro. Garwood reviewed the site plan and landscape plan,and stated they were present to answer any questions. Fox reviewed the stafi'rcport and noted that the project was approved by the Planning Commission on January 22, 1996. i MOTION: Brown moved, Kube-liardcrwijk seconded,to recommend approval of the Southwest Metro Transit flub. Motion carried unanimously. i V1. OLD BUSINESS A. Playground Site Inventory and Recomm nded Improvement Plan Fox reviewed the inventory process of the playgrounds and the safety standards which have evolved over the years. lie discussed the categories upon which the sites were evaluated and which are applied to playgrounds throughout Eden Prairic. { Brown inquired about the percentages and what they meant and Fox responded that they were based upon the probability ofaccidents that could happen at the playground and calculated from the percentage ofa possible number of points assigned to specific features. Most of the sites in Eden Prairie need some upgrading in varying degrees. s Kracum inquired if there was no adult supervision if the sites had to be designed to j preclude any and all accidents that could happen. Fox responded that this was why I signage was going to be installed to get people to use the equipment safely. Jacobson inquired why there was such a high hazard potential for Miller Park and Doug Ernst. Park and'frail Construction and Repair Supervisor,responded it was i because the playground was so close to the lake and there arc rocks and physical features in the a rca which increase the number of points. Fox reviewed the staff report and the staff recommendations for upgrading the playground facilities. Karen Powers, 14440 West _Drive,inquired when Pheasant Woods Park would be done,and Ltunbert responded that it would be done in the late summer of 1996. If this is approved by the::ay Council they will invite neighborhood residents to meet with the Park Planner to detennine what type of playground ( equipment will be installed. The project trust be bid and they will write specifications i to get as close to what they want as possible. The playground will he geared to yow-ger children and not as high as the existing structure. Powers Inquired what 6 EVEN PRAIRIE PARKS,RECREATION &NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Fcbruary 5, 1996 ( Page 6 surface is determined to be the safcst,and Fox responded that wood fiber was the safest and that is whal they plan to use on this playground arcs. Powers inquired when the volleyball courts and basketball courts would be constructed and Lambert responded that it would probably be another phase of development as the City's primary goal was to get the playground equipment upgraded. The City's funds arc very limited and the amenities are constructed on an as-needed basis. Powers commented that site would come back to the Commission to request the basketball and volleyball courts later on. MOTION: Kube-l-Iardeawijk moved, Brown seconded,to recommend approval of the following steps to be taken to bring the playground equipment in the Eden Prairie parks into compliance with the safety standards of the National Playground Safety Institute • To make sure that the safety surfacing under each playground is in compliance with CSPC standards both for the height of the playstructure and the safety distance around each of the structures. • To have signage Lit each pkrystructure location. The signs would indicate the tneed for supervision of'children and would also indicate the appropriate age of tile child for whom the piaygrotund/playstructure is designed. • To identify all Class A hazards that could result in severe injury. These areas would be corrected using recommendations either from the manufacturer or by removing the particular piece of equipment or portion of equipment that i represents the Class A hazard. • To develop it five-year capital improvement program that includes the ore+�r and costs that would be associated with refurbishing or replacing of the playgrounds with the highest hazard ratings. • The playground equipment at Round Lake Park is budgeted for replacement in September of 1996. ;..!. J • Staff'recommends that the playground equipment in Pheasant Woods Park also be replaced in 1996 and funds to do this be allocated front the Cash Park Fees,as it is one of the highest ranked parks and due to the high water table the existing equipment continues to heave during the spring thaw. 'Phis causes the concrete base around each structure to be pushed through the sand and create it potentially dangerous fill zone. • Staff also recommends that the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission and City Council authorize the necessary site design changes at Staring Lakc Park playground to accommodate drainage patterns and replacing the boulder walls with it more conventional retaining wall system �t 9 i r.ilY+ I EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS,RECREATION &NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION i February 5. 1996 ( Page 7 that tali be designed to meet the new playground safety standards. The design work should be completed in 1996 with the actual construction to take place in 1997. • Staff will also submit a Five-Year CIP for addressing immediate safety concerns in the overall park playground system,as well as plans for replacing the most critical equipment at Nesbitt Preserve Park, Prairie East Park and Homeward Hills Park. t Motion carried unanimously, t i Commissioner Kracum left the meeting at 9:07 p.m. VI1. NEW BUSINESS i i A. Natural and Scenic Grant Program Lambert reviewed the staff report and noted this item was placed on the agenda for the Commission to review and determine whether they believed the City should apply fora grant for funds to purchase the Peterson Property. I-lilgeman inquired if there would be any impact on the new grant application because the City turned back it previous grant last year. Lambert responded that technically there should not be any adverse impact. Brown inquired if the City could come up with the$150,000 needed to match the grant,and Lambert responded affirmatively,but the reallocation of funds will put the playground replacement prograun behind schedule. Kocnig commented site did not believe a referendum to purchase natural land would pass. Jacobson inquired if this was the first time the grant amount had been increased and Lambert responded that they have varied greatly over the years and some of them were 100%i grants. At the present time there is almost no federal money available for these grants. Given the rise in land costs,they asked to have the amounts increased so they would be able to purchase something substantial with the funds. , MOTION:Brown moved,Koenig seconded,to direct staff to apply for the grant for Option Parcel ti 1. Motion carried unanimously. EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS,RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION February 5, 1996 Page 9 B. Proposed Revision to Purk Use Ordinance Lambert reviewed the staff report and noted the amendment was proposed to add a section to the ordinance that would make it illegal to go into,on,or upon any part or area of a park where the City has notified the public,through signage,that the area is closed. MOTION:Jacobson moved,Koenig seconded,to approve the staff recommendation to add the language to the ordinance. Motion curried unanimously. 1 C. Comnwniw C enter Forking l.nt Concerns Lambert reviewed the staff report and outlined the reasons why they are requesting i the change in parking at the Community Center, Brown inquired what the fine was for parking at the Conununity Center.and Lambert responded he did not know. MOTION: Brown moved,Kubc-Harderwijk seconded,to recommend approval of � tile 5.. 1996 staff report. Motion carried e actions as listed in the January unanimously. �- D. Staring Lake Park 5lidine Hill Lambert reviewed the staff report and the staff recommendations. Koenig inquired if the City was being sued by the family of a boy that was injured while sliding down the hill when it was closed,and L;unbcrt responded that the City had been served with the suit papers. MOTION:Kocnig moved,Kubc-I-larderwijk seconded,to recommend approval of the regulations for the use of the Staring Lake Sliding Hill as listed in the Staff Report dated January 9. 1996. Motion curried unanimously. E. Proposed Conuuuttity enter Ice Rates :{= r Lambert reviewed the staff report and the recommendations for summcr ice rental rates. I MOTION:Brown moved,Koenig seconded,to recommend approval of the summer ice rental fees as outlined in the January 23, 1996 Staff Report. Motion curried unanimously. F. Rcsourcev 1996 Work Flan Lambert reviewed the staff rcixnt and asked the Commission to think about the ideas in the stuff report six a month and decide on what projects they wished to work on EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS,RECREATION S NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION February 5, 1996 ( Page 9 during the coming year. There were six projects listed in the staff report,and other { suggestions would be welcome. He stated he would place this item on the agenda in March. C. Storri► Damaged Tree hauling Policy Lambert reviewed the staff report and the proposed policy. MOTION: Jacobson moved, Brown seconded, to recommend approval of the proposed Storm Damaged Tree Hauling Policy as set forth in the January 26. 1996 Staff Rcport. Motion carried unanimously. 1 Vill. RIsPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF i A. Reports of Director or Parks.Recreation and Facilities 1. City Survey Summary Lambert reviewed the summary of the City survey completed by Decision Resources Limited in August of last year. Overall,residents expressed a high level of satisfaction with all City services, which is most unusual for a community. 'rherc were a few areas where the results indicated room for improvement, but at no time were any services deemed to be unneeded or unwanted. I fie noted that the adult athletic programs pay for themselves and are not subsidized by the City. Also,senior programs should perhaps be given more s publicity,and weed enforcement should be emphasized more strongly. Youth athletic programs arc run by athletic associations and not by the City. Where dissatisfaction was expressed with the youth athletic programs, the Commission felt the athletic associations should be infonned of the rcreeptions from the survey. Jacobson commented that the survey really didn't inform them what the residents were dissatisfied with in the youth athletic programs--it could be any number of things. 2. Renew America Recoallllion(FYI No action was required on this item. 3. Commission Member Attendance(FY11 No action was required on this item. 1 r r; EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS,RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION r February 5, 199E ar, Page 10 B. Reports of Cornm mitt'Center Man Per 1. Request to Approve Canceling Open Skate on Weekend of March 29 31 Lambert stated this item was on the agenda to approve the cancellation of Open Skate for the weekend of March 29-31 to pcnnit the Super Series Hockey Tournament to go on. j MOTION: Kube-Harderwijk moved, Koenig seconded, to approve the f cancellation of Open Skate on the weekend of March 29-31 to pcnnit the Super Series Hockey Tournament to go on. Motion curried unarilmously. IX. ADJOURNMENT I MOTION: Kubc-Harderwijk moved,Koenig seconded,to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. i The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. r l