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Parks and Recreation - 05/19/1997 i I 1997 MAY 19 MINUTES Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Commission CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE � r i i I I i ( APPROVED MINUTES �I EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES MONDAY,MAY 19,1997 7:00 P.M.CITY CENTER 8080 MITCHELL ROAD COUNCIL CHAMBERS I COMMISSION MEMBERS: Richard Brown, Chair: Frantz Corneille, Clairc Hilgeman, Don Jacobson, Vicki Koenig, David Kracutn,John Wilson COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: None i COMMISSION STAFF: Robert Lambert, Director of Parks, Recreation and j Facilities. Stuart A. Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources: Elinda Bahley, Recording Secretary STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE: Jennifer Frecrnyer,Melody Hasse i 1. ROLL CALL i Chair Brown called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 11. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Brown added to the agenda under New Business, Big Woods Meeting, and Community Pool Update. i MOTION: Koenig moved, seconded by Kracum, to approve the agenda as j amended. Motion carried 7-0. ! Ill. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-MAY 5.1997 f , Koenig noted on page 9, last sentence of the first paragraph, risk was spelled incorrectly. MOTION: Wilson moved,seconded by Koenig,to approve the minutes of the May 5, 1997 Eden Prairie Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission as amended. Motion carried 6-0-1 with one abstention by Hilgentan. 1` IV. PETITIONS.REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS ? Approved Minutes Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Monday, May 19, 1997 A. Petition from Residents of Edenvale and Eden Glen Apartments for Floating Boardwalk Trail Staff referred the Commission to a memo dated May 15, 1997, from Bob Lambert,Director of Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources. ' Lambert noted this petition was originally sent in 1994 to the mayor but for some reason never got to the Parks Department. Staff has since received a copy of the petition and is now bringing the petition to the Parks Commission. He explained the process and how the trails get ranked. He noted that process will determine how this trail section is evaluated against all other trails being proposed and requested within the City. Staff has a budget of$150,000 a year to do all the trail construction or trail repair. The total approximate cost will be$22,950 plus installation costs. He noted the list of petitions gel rated every February. `i Nancy Chapman,Steven Scott Management,representing 13700 and 13670 ' Valley View Road,noted she is the manager for both Edenvalc and Eden l Glen properties. They arc requesting a boardwalk to go behind the two �.. properties connecting it with the park. There arc over 100 children living in f these two properties and more children in the townhomes adjacent to theirs. It would be very beneficial to the children to have a direct path to the park, { especially in the summer,rather than walking all the way around Valley 1 View which is a busy street. I Lambert commented they would have to install a floating boardwalk because of the marsh. lie explained the cost breakdown and the detailed plan. Koenig was concerned about the longevity of the boardwalk trail. Lambert said the ones made now arc recycled and float when the water comes up,and would last probably 20 to 30 years minimum. Corneille was concerned about the safety issues for a floating boardwalk. r Lambert said the only safety issue would be kids falling through into the p marsh which is not deep. He noted these boardwalks arc done all over the place and arc reasonably safe. Wilson asked where this petition would be on the priority list. Lambert replied it would not be fundLd this year or next year. Iic explained the safety issues of the other trails higher on the priority list. He noted one thing that �. 2 I Approved Minutes Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Monday, May 19, 1997 will keep this down on the priority list is there's it sidewalk system there now to get to the park. Hilgeman was concerned that the residents are not notified when their item is on the agenda so they can respond to the petition. Wilson commented anyone can call the Parks Department and ask what's on the agenda every week. Hilgeman told the residents to be at the meeting in the first week of February. MOTION: Hilgeman moved,seconded by Wilson,that the petition for a floating boardwalk trail brought by the residents of Edenvale and Eden Glen Apartments be put on the list to be reviewed in early 1997, Motion carried 7-0. V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS 1 A. Lake Corporate Center f Staff referred the Commission to a memo dated May 14, 1997 from Stuart A. Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources,and a staff report dated May 9, 1997,from Michael D. Franzen,City Planner. Debra Brodsho, Brodsho Consulting,reviewed the site plan and noted the development proposal is fora single story building to be built on the cul-de- sac end of Wallace Road. This location is the only flat area of the site and has been decreased slightly in size from the original plan to handle additional parking and storage. All of the grading limits are held to the 858 contour. The exterior of the building will be of concrete material and glass. The concrete will look like stone rather than concrete block and will be attractive. The colors selected are in the browns and beiges,and possibly green glass in the front. She reviewed the landscaping plan and the reforestation plan. The landscaping requirements take up most of the Flat area and the reforestation was limited to some of the slope areas. They are proposing to put in more shrubs to give color and to help stabilize the slope better. It will be more attractive for the residents from the other side of the pond. Fox reviewed the tree loss issue and noted due to an error in calculations the tree loss is 62 percent rather than 67 percent as indicated in the Planning Staff Report. The majority of the trees being removed are cottonwoods. 3 i i Approved Minutes Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Monday, May 19, 1997 The landscaping requirement for the building is 444 caliper inches. The reforestation plan includes 144 trees plus an additional 145 shrubs. A NURP pond is shown on the plan to handle the runoff from the building as well as the parking lots prior to its entry into the school pond. The city engineering staff is evaluating the data related to this NURP pond to make sure it complies with all necessary requirements to adequately treat storm water. There are no trails or sidewalks in this area so the developer is not required to put any trails in. Staffs recommendations for consideration of the four waivers requested arc detailed in the Planning Staff Report. This project was reviewed by the Planning Commission at the May 12, 1997 meeting and received unanimous approval. Koenig complimented the developer on the landscaping plan and commented it's nice to sec so many trees going in. i Koenig was concerned about the statement by Brodsho at the bottom of both �.. her plans. Brodsho said it is her disclaimer and explained why she put that in. Koenig expressed concern about the parking. Brodsho commented they believe they will need all the parking so people will not have to park along Wallace Road. There was a concern at the Planning Commission about possibly saving a couple of the trees. It was suggested to ask for a variance to eliminate four or five parking spots and they are working on that now. Koenig was concerned about the variance for the parking lot particularly,and the shore impact zone,but said she also appreciates what this developer has j done I Hilgcrnan said she doesn't like the tree loss and the huge parking but ay understands it's a tough site. She liked that the building is not a two-story and the deciduous trees will cover it up. MOTION: Hilgcman moved,seconded by Corneille,to approve the plans for Lakc Corporate Center per staff' recommendations of May 9, 1997. Motion carried 6-0-1 with abstention by Krucum. 4 of r � V t f i Approved Minutes Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Monday, May 19, 1997 Kracum noted he abstained from the voting because of the proximity of his residence to this development and finds himself emotionally torn. He was uncomfortable with 'corporate America" being so close to "residential America". I Brown asked when the requests for variances arc going to stop. Lambert �. explained there are many variance requests that come to staff that the Commission does not sec,and until staff recommends it,the Commission will not see it. There are always going to be variances because every situation is different. i VI. OLD BUSINESS i A. Recommendation for Feaslbility Study for Hidden Ponds Trails Renovation € •d Staff referred the Commission to a memo dated May 12, 1997, from Bob f. Lambert,Director of Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources. Lambert gave background information and explained the request for the City Council to authorize the Engineering Department to conduct a feasibility study to determine the cost of upgrading the trail within the Hidden Ponds First and Second Addition to City standards. Upon completion of the study, the Engineering Department would request the Council to set a public hearing and notify all residents within the Hidden Ponds First and Second Addition of the results of the study and the proposed assessment cost to their property. lie noted the study will provide cost estimates to widen the trail within the Second Addition to an eight-foot asphalt trail,and will determine options and cost estimates for replacing the section of trail that hits been removed by '_.. property owners in the First Addition. Fox reviewed the trail system to the Commission using a map. Hilgeman asked how much the study will cost. Lambert said they will do it in-house. Brown was concerned when the neighbors will get notified. Lambert said 5 .�1I 1' 1 Approved Minutes Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Monday, May 19, 1997 they will get notified when the study is completed. They will notify all the residents and invite them to the City Council meeting to go over the study. Koenig asked if the Parks Commission holds the public hearing. Lambert said no,the City Council holds the public hearing. MOTION: Corneille moved,seconded by f-lilgeman,to accept the request for a the Feasibility Study for Hidden Pond per staffs recommendation of May 12, 1997. Motion carried 7-0. B. Mandate on Smetana Lake Outlet Modification Project i Staff referred the Commission to a memo dated May 12, 1997, from Bob Lambert, Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources. and two memos dated March 19, 1997 and June 19, 1996 from Bob Obermcycr,Burr Engineering Company. Lambert gave background information. lie said City staff met with representatives of the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District engineering staff to review the modified plans for the Smetana Lake Outlet Project. The r engineers of the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District have completed plans j and specifications for the project which is described in the June 19, 1996 mono from Bob Obcrtmcycr. He reviewed what the project would include. j At the May 21, 1997 meeting,the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District Board of Directors is expected to authorize going to bid for this project. The estimated cost for the project is approximately 1.191 million dollars and the estimated City share will be between$230,000 and$360,000. The City will pay for 50 percent of the cost for the trail connections from cash park fees and the remaining cost from the storm water utility fund. C. Flying Cloud Field Improvements Update and Recommendations Staff referred the Commission to a memo dated May 5, 1997.and a letter dated March 20. 1997 from Bob Lambert, Director of Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources;and a letter dated March 20, 1997. Lambert said he met with staffa couple of weeks ago, After that meeting he decided to come back to both the Soccer Association and Baseball i Association and explain to them there are some risks. That plan will not be 1 6 I I. it I Approved Minutes Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Monday, May 19, 1997 approved until EIS is completed in 1999 and if EIS determines that they can't put hangars over on the south side,they may have to put it on the other side. That's where they will fall right in the middle of the softball fields. The associations may wish to withhold funding of the irrigation and fencing improvements. He doesn't think EIS is going to change the plan on the location of where those buildings arc but he doesn't want anybody to say you told us the plan was this way and now it's changed. He suggested holding off on making commitments to go out and get bids until going back to the associations and telling of the risks. He referred to a letter from Gary Schmidt and read highlights of it. The Commission had a brief discussion about whether or not the City should take the risk in investing money for Flying Cloud Field improvements. Brown commented he was concerned about the two year wait. V MOTION: Hilgeman moved,seconded by Koenig,that the City continue to agree to accept the risks to invest money in improvements at Flying Cloud i Fields pending the decision of both the Baseball Association and Soccer i Association to providing matching funds for the improvements based upon the risks involved with full disclosure. Motion carried 6-0-1 with abstention by Brown. i D. Recommendation for Installation of Play Equipment at Riley Lake Park Staff referred the Commission to a memo dated May 12, 1997,from Bob Lambert,Director of Parks,Recreation and Facilities. Lambert explained there is$75.000 in the Capital Improvement Plan for use of cash park fees for playground equipment in Riley Lake Park scheduled for 1997. Staff requested authorization to develop concept plans and �; { specifications and go to bid for completion of this project. That park is about 40 acres and has the best beach in town, and it's prudent to get some playground equipment as quickly as possible. $75,000 would give them a good start on playground equipment on that site,and eventually they will spend at least double that. They would like to install that playground equipment this year. �f Koenig asked what the status is of the riding arena. Lambert said they have 7 i : i i Approved Minutes Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Monday, May 19, 1997 graded it and the Heyvaerts have received bids. They are talking about a lime and chry mixture. They have not completed preparing their grade before moving it but they intend to do that in the next 30 days. Once it's in, the City will be seeding it. The archery range is now over where the arena used to be. Brown asked about the Riley Jacques house. Lambert said Mr. Jacques donated money to improve it. The City has painted the house itself and they have to replace shingles in the barn. MOTION: Hilgcman moved,seconded by Koenig,to go ahead with the process of putting the play equipment in for Riley Lake Park on bid. Motion carried 7-0. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Dif;Woods Meeting Fox explained staff was notified of some violation in the scenic conservation 1 casement in the Big Woods property. l irst it went to the Planning staff because they are in charge of zoning administration. The neighbors felt they were not getting answers they hoped to hear and that's how Fox got involved. His recommendation is to have a mecting of one Council person,one Parks commissioner, and each property owner who is affected by the scenic conservation casement. The reason for the meeting is to discuss why the casement is there,talk about violations that occurred and basically find out how people feel about it. The City is finding itself in a position where they have to police it and it's very uncomfortable when you have neighbors pointing fingers at each other. lie also noted this is a problem usually with the first time homeowners who don't know about it. Lambert reminded the Commission that this is the scenic casement that he did not recommend and will continue to be on record as saying these kinds of easements are not a good idea. If the neighbors can't sec the value of that scenic casement,it will never work,and the City will have to continue to bring in the new neighbors every three or four years and tell them about it. Hilgcman volunteered to be the Parks Commission representative. Fox noted the meeting will be next Tuesday,May 27,at the City Center. Ron Case will serve on behalf of the City Council. j I 1 B i Approved Minutes Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources 1 Monday, May 19, 1997 Koenig commented buyer beware before they sign on the dotted line. She has no empathy for them in that respect. B. Community Pool Update Brown asked when the City Council is making a decision on the pool money. 1 Lambert said they will not have estimates done on the heating and ventilation until July and the filtmtion system until August. Vill. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF A. Reports of Director of Parks.Recreation and Natural Resources 1. Article Referring to Organized Youth Athletics This was an FYI item. Ix. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Hilgeman moved, seconded by Kracum, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. C 9