Parks and Recreation - 02/18/1974 1974
FEBRUARY 18
MINUTES
CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE
�i MINUTES y
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EDEN PRAIRIE PARK & RECREATION C014IMISSION-
NIONDAY, FEBRUAW 18, 1974 7:30 p.m., City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice-Chairman Bill Garens, Francis Helmer, Richard
Bren, Jr. , Dick Anderson, Wolf Penzel,, Jan Berkland,
Paul Enblom.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Marvin Erickson, Steve Eisch,
,STAFF PRESENT: Marty Jessen, Director of Community Services
Chris Enger, Landscape Architect
Joe Sullivan, Student Intern
OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor David Osterholt; Don Bess, The Preserve.
`.he meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. by Vice-Chairman Garens.%
X );ANUTES OF TANUARY 28 1974, MEETING_.
6/f/Anderson, S/Berkland to approve the minutes of the January 28, 1974,
!Hooting as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
IL. ORGANIZATION:
(� A. Elect-inn of.Offices:
` T�4fI3Er?cl�n�i,. S,�G �tss, to, nominate Marvin Erickson for Chairman.
Hearing no further nominations, the Chairman declared nominations closed..
Motion nominating Erickson carrier-1 unanimously.
M/Anderson, S/Penzel to nominate Bill Garens for Vice-Chairman.
Hearing no further nominations, the Chairman declared nominations closed.
Motion nominating Garens for Vice-Chairman carried unanimously. }
It was decided not to elect a Secretary as Jessen Is presently serving as
official recordkeeper for the Commission.
r3. Commission Organization:
Jessen reviewed the ordinance establishing a Recreation and Park Commission
for the City of Eden Prairie which spells out the charges to the Commission
as advising the Council on conducting a public recreation program and also
the planning, development, management, operation, and maintenance of a
system of parks and recreational areas. jessen suggested that it might be
appropriate for the Commission to "break down" into functional sub-
committees dealing with particular areas of concern and that he felt it was
C appropriate for the Commission to have some discussion on this topic and
then have the staff develop some possible organizational schemes for
consideration by the Commission at the next meeting.
Garens stated that while the meetincpare getting long for the Commission,
there are two basic interests represented by Commissioners. These are the
Park & Recreation Commission Minutes -2- February 18, 1974
recreational activities, and secondly, the conservation of lands within the
community. He suggested that perhaps two sub-committees broken down
along these lines would be appropriate.
Berkland asked if it was the intention of the Mayor and Council to develop
a separate environmental or natural resources commission or if in fact, the
Park & Recreation Commission was to continue to serve this function.
jessen indicated that at this time, there had been no discussion of a second
commission. Anderson stated that he felt it was important that the environ-
mental and natural resources concerns continue to lie with the Park & I
Recreation Commission at this stage of the City's development.
Helmer stated that he'd like to put his energies to parks for kids now, not
for residents 20 years from now and he further stated that he felt the develop- a
ment of low-cost facilities to serve today's people was a high priority in
J
his mind. ..
Anderson replied by saying that he felt there was a need to continue to acquire
land before facilities can be developed on those lands and appropriate recrea-
tional activity organized and conducted in the areas. Financing for the
acquisition and development of these facilities is of a very high priority in
Anderson's mind. He felt that a sub-committee dealing with this topic would
be very important and that the sub-committee ought to analyze funding sources
and make recommendations to the entire Commission, which in turn would
make recommendations to the Council. One particular funding source
Anderson suggested was the municipal liquor store revenues and also the
private on-sale liquor license. Penzel stated that financing was limited for
the City because of the levy limitations imposed by the Legislature, but that
a committee dealing with this particular topic could help to crystallize many
thoughts for the Council's consideration. '
jessen suggested the possibility of four basic sub-committees, as follows:
r ;
ry
1. finance and legislation, dealing with policy development for Council
consideration and also outlining ordinances and other action necessary
to finance the operation. !+
2. Long-term planning, dealing with long-range master planning for parks
and open space in the community.
3. Short--term planning, dealing with the development of particular facilities
throughout the community in selected areas.
4. Recreational programming.
The Commission felt that these would be four good basic sub-committees and
directed the staff to review these four alternatives further as well as possi-
bilities and report bark at the next Commission meeting.
PETITIONS, REQUESTS & COMMUNICATIONS:
A. Letter from the Sterling Field Association.
jessen read the letter from mom McMahon asking for City financial participation'
in the development of their "Homeowner's Association Park", jessen suggested
Park & Recreation Commission Minutes -3- February 18, ,1974
that in light of the Preserve and other larger homeowner associations: in the
community, any action on this item could have a significant financial impact
on the City.
Anderson stated that this was just one of many "private or quasi-public parks"
and that it was his quick reaction that if it's public area, perhaps assistance
is appropriate. If it's a privately owned area reserved for just those home-
owners, then it would not be appropriate for the public to finance the develop-
ment. Helmer stated that he feels this is the type of parks we need, parks
for kids to go close to their home and indicated general support for the idea
of City financial participation. Berkland said that if it's publicly-owned-
land, then we have a responsibility to develop it; if it's not publicly-owned,
then we have no responsibility.
Garens suggested that the people living in the Kings Forest and Forest Knolls
area have talked about homeowner's associations being formed throughout the
community and they are considering the possibility of developing a homeowner's
association to finance and operate a swimming pool and tennis facility and
that they too then might consider requesting the City to aid in financial
assistance in the development of facilities.
No action was required at this time on this item but Garens appointed a sub-
committee of himself, Helmer, and Bren to work 'With the staff in developing
some guidelines for this item.
B. Notice of Public Golf Seminar.
Jessen notified the Commission that a seminar dealing with municipal and
public golf operations is going to be held Friday, March 8, at Brookview
Golf Course in Golden Valley and that if anyone wanted to attend, they should
notify him so that he.can make reservations. No action required.
IV. RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS:
A. Agency Liaison Reports.
None.
B. Report on Park Bond Fund and Park Land Acquisition Status.
jessen reviewed copies of reports distributed to the Commission dealing with
analysis of the Park Bond Fund and the status of the City's land acquisition
program. No action required.
C. Review of appraisal for Parcel E-10h at Anderson_ Lakes Park.
jessen reviewed the memo to the Commission dealing with this topic and
also the appraisal report submitted by John Janski from Janski & Gibson.
He reviewed the status of land acquisition at the Anderson Lakes Park area
as indicated in the reports presented with Item B on the agenda.
Many questions were asked concerning the development of the Anderson Lakes
Park concept, jessen reviewed the original proposal presented to the Hennepin
County Park Reserve District and their action on the topic and the subsequent, -•••:
Park & Recreation Commission Minutes -4- February 18, 1974
developments with the Park Reserve District deciding not to go ahead with
their plan, the City's decision to include the Anderson Lakes Park area in
the Comprehensive Guide Plan and the 1968 Park Bond Issue. Following
that, The Preserve P.U.D. modified the park plan and the City then
reconsidered its proposals for use and placed the 110 acres which used to
be shown west of the north lake in the Guide Plan and moved it to the south
end of the south lake. This revised park plan was developed jointly between
Hennepin County Park Reserve District, Metropolitan Council, City of
Bloomington, City of Eden Prairie, State Planning Agency, and Department of
Natural Resources. When the modifications were made, they were done with
the understanding that 100% state and federal funding would be available
for the acquisition of this revised Anderson Lakes Park. Some funding has
been received to date within this understanding and much of the funding is
yet to be approved for the project.
6
Bren asked if.Anderson Lakes is going to be the one big pack in the Eden
Prairie park and open space system. jessen responded that there were now
four major parks in the City system and two additional ones to be programmed
and implemented at a later date. The four major parks to date are:
1. Round Lake, which serves primarily as an active community
playfield and community park site with no power boating on the
lake but with swimming and with active adult athletics and the
likelihood of additional community playfield facilities being
developed on that site.
2. Staring Lake Park, which is visualized as "the park beautiful"
In its development concept, i.e. , it would be maintained acreage
around the lake with grass cut to the lake edge in many places
and walkways around the lake itself, somewhat on the develop-
ment order of Lake Calhoun.
3. Bryant Lake Park, which is going to be an intensely used outdoor
recreation site, stressing the desirability of the water resource
within the park, intensive use of the lake for boating, swimming,
and the land for picnicking and non-athletic recreation use will
be primary as well as the use of some of the area for the equestrian
program.
4. Anderson Lakes Park, which will be primarily y passive outdoor
recreation, i.e. , conservation, environmental education, nature
study, and some picnicking.
The two major community parks not yet implemented but in the long.-range
plan are the Minnesota River Bottom and Riley Lake. The river bottom would
be a linear system of multiple use, including conservation, nature study,
snowmobiling, and many other uses of a wide variety. Riley Lake would
probably be a combination between what is planned for Bryant Lake and i
Staring Lake. Another major component of the City's open space system is linear
parks and open spaces along the creek corridors. The Purgatory Creek system will
be the primary one in the City, with secondary linear systems along Nine Mile and
Riley Creeks.
Penzel asked about a solution to the "cash flow situation" for the Gorra
property. jessen stated that he had asked Harlan Perbix, City Attorney, to
Park & Recreation Commission Minutes -5- February 18, 1974
advise us as to what our legal possibilities are and further that he has talked
to a couple of county and state agencies about borrowing,money for short-term
(� loans in anticipation of the receipt of federal grant money on April lst. .
M/Anderson, S/Berkland that the Park and Recreation Commission strongly
urge the Council to adopt the four recommendations outlined in the Staff Report
to the Commission dated February 15, 1974, and entitled, "Review of Appraisal
for Parcel E-10h at'Anderson Lakes Park" . These recommendations are:
1. The Park and Recreation Commission recommend to the Council
continuation of the City effort to accomplish the Anderson Lakes
Park objective as delineated in a report dated August 27, 1973.
2. The Commission recommend to the Council that it continue with
condemnation proceedings to acquire the Gorra property (Parcel E-10b).
3. The Commission recommend to the Council that acquisition of the
Preserve parcel (E-10h) continue based on Mr. Janski's appraisal
and that the staff be directed to negotiate with the Preserve based
on these facts.
4. The acquisition of all of the parcels at Anderson Lakes be timed so ;
as to correspond to the time schedule anticipated for receiving the
grants programmed and/or approved for the Anderson Lakes Park
project.
Motion carried unanimously.
D. Survey Questionnaire for Summer Recreation Activity.
Joe Sullivan reviewed the questionnaires as developed by the sub-committee
of Erickson, Blacklock, Berkland, Anderson, and Sullivan. Minor changes
were suggested to include the word, "Please at the bottom of the first and
third pages when we ask respondents to turn the page over and continue
and for the inclusion of the 4th of July under Civic Celebrations that the
City ought to assist in.
M/Helmer, S/Berkland that the staff be directed to proceed with the Survey
Questionnaire and further that all Commissioners be listed at the end of the
questionnaire along with their telephone numbers so that people may contact °
them to respond on the business before the Commission. Motion carried '
unanimously. w"
E. 1974 Winter
Spring Recreation Report. y
Jessen gave an oral report indicating that the skating season would be ending
soon because of the warm weather. The skill development programs are
proceeding as reported to the Commission at the last meeting and the
organized athletic leagues are coming to the end of their schedule with
playoffs scheduled to begin in the next two-three weeks. No action required.
F. Crosstown Temporary Playground Lease:
C Jessen reported that he has not received a response yet from Art Lee on the
letter requesting County consideration to lease property to the City for the
purpose of playground facilities at the North Lund area of Eden Prairie. ..He
Palk & Recreation Commission Minutes -6- February 18, 1974
indicated that he would include this item on a later agenda after receiving
a response from Mr. Lee. No action required.
G. Homeward Hills Ski Hill/Golf Course. This,item was tabled until the next
Commission meeting. I
V. ADTOURNMENT.
M/Penzel, S/Helmer that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried unanimously.
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I
AGENDA
EDEN PRAIRIE PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION
MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1974 7:30 p.m. , City Hall
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Marvin Erickson, Richard Anderson, William Garens,
Janet Berkland, Steve Eisch, Francis Helmer, Richard
Bren, Jr. , Wolfgang Penzel, Paul Enblom, William Bye
COMMISSION STAFF: Marty lessen, Director of Community Services
Chris Enger, Landscape Architect
Joe Sullivan, Student Intern
ROLL CALL
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 18, 1974, MEETING.
II. COMMUNICATIONS:
A. Letter from Art Lee, Hennepin County Department of Public Works --
Crosstown Playground Request.
i III. RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS:
A. Recreation Survey Report - Joe Sullivan.
B. Recommendation for Recreation Supervision.
C. Recommendation for Commission Organization.
D. Neill Lake/Eden Lake Storm Sewer Report.
E. Homeward Hills Ski Hill/Golf Course.
F. Golf Course Study Report.
IV. DISCUSSIONS•.
A. Ordinance No. 135 -- "Set-back Requirements"
V. ADJOURNMENT.
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