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Parks and Recreation - 12/06/1976 i i 1976 DECEMi3ER 6 MINUTES CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE r , AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Monday, December 6, 1976 7:30 PM, CITY HALL COMMISSION MEMBERS: Marvin Eric%son, Tim Pierce, Richard Anderson, Paul Choiniere, Steve Fifield, William Garens, Francis Helmer, Jerry Kingrey, Geneva Middleton, Randy Retterath, Mary Upton COMMISSION STAFF: Marty Jessen, Director of Community Services Approx. Time to Begin Item 7:30 I. ROLL CALL II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA III. MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 22, 1976 MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 22, 1976 JOINT MEETING WITH PLANNING COMMISSION IV. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, AND COMMUNICATIONS 7:45 A. Letter from City Attorney Concerning Park Use Ordinance B. V. RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS A. Reports of Commissioners I 7:50 1 . Councilman Pierce 7:55 2. School Board Director Middleton 3. B. Reports of Staff 8:00 1. 1976 Park Development--Status Report VI. OLD BUSINESS 8:10 A. Metro CIP for Parks & Open Space 8:45 B. Round Lake Park Develo ment/1977 LAWCON Grant App ication P� C. j VII. NEW BUSINESS I A. 9:00 VIII. ADJOURNMENT APPROVED PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1976 7330 PM, CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENTS William Garens, Mary Upton, Francis Helmer, Geneva Middleton, Paul Choiniere, Steve Fifield, and Randy Retterath MEMBERS EXCUSED: Chairman Marvin Erickson MEMBERS ABSENTS Jerry Kingrey, Richard Anderson STAFF PRESENT: Marty Jessen, Director of Community Services OTHERS PRESENT% Mr. & Mrs. Henry Eserhut, 9281 Riley Lake Rd., Howard Merriman, 9501 Highview Dr., Mr. & Mrs. John Kirtland, Lake Riley, Shakopee, Jim Thomas, 9300 Riley Lake Rd., Milt Woodhouse, 9520 Lakeland Terrace, Richard Vogel, 105 Pioneer Trail, Chaska, Janet Tabat, 690/+ Rosemary Rd., and Becky Hill, 15808 So. Lund Vice-Chairperson Garens called the meeting to order at 8:10 P.M. Garens ruled to consider Item A. Metro CIP for Parks &lgen Snace at this time Csince residents of the Lake Riley area were in attendance. Jessen gave background information on Lake Riley. He said original plan called for Lake Riley as a community park, and the Metro Council said it should be a regional park, and could be funded 100%. The City Council expressed support for this 200 acre park plan in 1975-76, he continued. Jessen added that in May, 1976, the Council took action indicating that Lake Riley will not necessarily be a regional parkand may, in fact, be a community scale park. He said there were three optionst 1. support 200 acre park plan, 2. not to support the 200 acre park plan, with possi- bility that the Metro Council would authorize another agency to implement, 3. request Lake Riley be dropped entirely from park plan completely. Garens asked whether the Council had committed themselves to specific size. Jessen responded negative. He added that in the Fall of 1975 the PR & NR Commission recommended a regional park here. He said the intent of the briefing session before the meeting tonight with the residents of Lake Riley was to explain what the situa- tion is at this time so they can make their statement to the City Council or to the Commission. Helmer asked what the plans of the City were for the Dutch's property. Jessen said they had had conversations with representatives of YMCA regarding the possible use for a girls camp center, or for use for group meetings. He added that the 1977 bud- get included money for the operation of Lake Riley. Retterath inquired as to the use of the balance of the park area. Jessen responded there would be a boat launch rump, slips for sailboats, park rampa, picnicking and swimming, as a general plan, until a definite decision were made. r Minutes - Parks Rec. and Page 2 Natural Resources Commission tapproved December 6, 1976 C f. Garens commented that a park in this area had been one of our priorities, but one of the lowest until more development had occurred. He felt we should still keep this as our goal. w t Jessen commented that much of the concern is relatedi to the fact that if the Metro Council funds it, who controls it. Middleton asked for clarification from some of the landowners present of a statement that they did not want more than a nine acre park. She felt that at least 20 acres would be more realistic. Mr. John Kirtland, Lake Riley, Shakopee, introduced himself as president of the homeownerts association, and he said they were against the idea of a park and ex- pressed oppositon. He continued that they approved of the action the Council took. He said they are not really opposed to the idea of a smaller' park, but were concerned with whether we can afford it. Mr. Milt Woodhouse, 9520 Lakeland Terrace, suggested that the City acquire more land other than lake shore, stating that he felt the people living around the lake do not want to give up their property. He added that he thought 200 acres n was more than is suitable for our community to handle. Helmer commented that in his opinion, with land prices going up, the earliest we d` can buy land for park property, the better off we are. He said he was for neighnor- hood parks rather than for large regional types. Choiniere questioned why the Swedlund property was not bought when it was up for sale a few years ago. Jessen. responded that it is still the most significant piece of property on the lake because of the cabins, and it could have been bought fi four years ago if it had been decided that this should be done. In response to Choiniere's question why the land that the City owns along the rail- road tracks isn't used, Jessen explained that the access point is only 15 feet, making it difficult for police or others to come in, plus thereeie- no parking :, facilities. Mr. Jim Thomas, 9300 Riley Lake Rd., commented that the land was hilly and much grading would be needed for ballfields etc.. Jessen added that there is land away from the lakeshore that would be suitable for those kinds of uses. ti Thomas expressed his concern that children running across the road would be in danger, and also the policing would be difficult. Mrs. Thomas asked whether they had thought of what to do about the road. Garen answered that the road would have to be moved. The Thomases expressed a wish to have a fence put in by the City, separating their property. Jessen responded that the City has some general ideas of what will be done, and that the fencing could be accomplished if this will be a real problem. There was discussion on what the definition of a neighborhood park or community park was, with Commission members agreeing generally that neighborhood parks would be small and would contain swing sets etc.. while community park would be: large enough to contain ballfields etc.. -i Minutes - Parks, Rea. and page 3 Natural Resources Commission iapproved December 6, lc76 MOTIONS Helmer moved to recommend to the Council, that if we do pursue park concept, we stay with the small community park with less than 40 acres if possible, and keep it a smaller community park. Fifield seconded. The motion carried with a vote of 4,3. Upton - yay Middleton - nay Helmer- yay Garens - nay Fifield-yay Choiniere - nay Retterath-yay Mrs- Eserhut asked how the spark could be controlled. Helmer answered that it could be done through permits. 1 Choiniere was concerned about future potential LAWCON funding. Jessen said that future prospects may still be open to funding, but it<:wasn'tknown definitely.. MOTIONc Choiniere moved to add an addendum to the Motion, stating that the Council should give serious consideration to its final Motion that it will present to the Metro Council, as it studies the Capital Improvement Plan, to keep option open for inclusion of any LAWCON funding. Upton seconded, motion carried unanimously. C Minutes - Parks, Rec. and Page Four Natural Resources Commission -approved December 6, 1976 i II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Addition of V. A. 3. Qm sa tics - Middleton f ' it "VII. A. Council Procedure on Commission Appointments - HeLner It it " B. Community Development Act - Jog= C. December 'meeting - Jessen { Upton moved to approve Agenda with additions. Choiniere seconded, motion carried. III. 14INUTES OF NOVEMBER 22, 1976 MEETING Helmer moved to approve Minutes of November 22, 1976 Meeting. Retterath seconded, motion carried. f MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 22, 1976 JOINT MEETING WITH PLANNING COMMISSION M Choiniere moved to receive and file Minutes of November 22, 1976 Joint Meet- i.ng with Planning Commission. Helmer seconded, motion carried. r. IV. PETITIONS. REQUESTS, AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Letter from City Attorney Concerning Park Use Ordinance r Choiniere moved to receive and file letter of November 18, 1976 received c from City Attorney Perbix regarding Park Ordinance. Helmer seconded, motion carried. V. RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS �k A. Reports of Commissioners s 1. Councilman Pierce - not present ;+ 2. School Board Director Middleton Ido report, except to state for the record, that she is opposed to the survey being conducted by the school district to gather information Q about the school bond issue. ttt4 S� F 3. G.vmnastics - Middleton t k} ; Middleton spoke to approach by the Developmental Gymnastic School on Wallace Road inquiring whether their program could be offered as part C. of our program. She said the Community Ed Council expressed their desire for a better program. Upton asked whether this would include toddlers and up. Jessen responded that the City already offers this ba.sic program, and any other additions would expand on these basic skills. Minutes — Parks, Rec. and Page 5 Natural Resources Commission .approved December 6, 1976 l 3. Gymndastirs — Middleton (cont'd) _ Upton suggested that the size of the classes should be limited. WTIONt Choiniere moved that the Commission direct the Staff to prepare a study on gymnastics at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, and consider the coordinating effort with the Developmental Gymnastic School. Helmer seconded, motion carried unanimously. Mrs. Marlin Sackett & Mrs. Carol Carlson were suggested as persons to contact in conjunction with an expanded gym program. B. Reports of Staff Jessen spoke to progress made and specific changes at Prairie View, Forest Hills, and Round Lake as outlined in a Staff Report from Chris Eager, City Landscape Architect. Upton inquired as to where the money came from to pay for these improvements. t: Jessen responded that it was interest earnings on the park bond. F; Jessen suggested the use of these steps on the development of Round Lake when that time comes, because there was a substantial savings in cost by the use of an elevated scraper operated by one of our maintenance crewman trained especially for running the machine, rather than pay the substanially higher price for t t• contractors services. G MOTIONt Retterath moved to accept and file 1976 Park Development Status Report by Chris Eager dated December 6, 1976. Choiniere seconded, motion carried. A i VI. OLD BUSINESS i' A. Metro CIP for Parks & Open Space See beginning of meeting. B. Round Lake Park Development/1977 LAWCON Grant AT)Plication r. Jessen spoke to Memo of June 25, 1976, in which recommendations for 1977 LAWCON grant applications were outlined, with high priority for funding develop- meet of Round Lake. He said that originally it was zo be a $200,000 project, � funded on a 50/50 basis, but he was just informed that the City needs only $33,500 to receive the $100,000from Federal and State funding. He continued that we are prepared to submit a statement to file our application, and that we should r.. be able to get funds by May, 1977. Jessen said that after the use of the 033,500, about 01150,000 to $70,000 should be left in the park bond fund. 3, Choiniere felt strongly that the park bond money should be used for neighborhood parks, and that a lot of people had worked for this bond and were entitled to z it. r Minutes - Park, Rea. and Page 6 Natural Resources Commission .approved December 6, 1976 B. Round Lake Park Develo=entAM LAWCON Grant Application 4 Jessen explained that the 1968 park bond included six items for acquisition and development: Round Lake, Staring Lake, Byrant Lake, Anderson Lake„ , . Forest Hills and Prairie View. He pointed out that the needed work on Round , Lake development was estimated at $$200,000. and some cuts would have to made in the amount of development if the City used only $$33,500; in addition to c. the $100.000 LAWCON funds. He did feel that the City could out some costs ?. by doing the work themselves. MOTION:Choiniere moved that the park bond money that is left from the 1968 1 Park Bond beyond the $$33,500, based on Mr. Frane's calculations, be reserved for seed money rather than for development. Upton seconded. Motion carried, with Middleton voting "nay", until there was more complete information, and Retterath abstaining. Garens commented that he voted for the motion with the idea that the Staff will come back with a more complete picture of what can be done at this price. Jessen felt the motion was premature, and questioned the need for the motion at this time. k VIII. NEW BUSINESS a ' A. Council Procedure of Commission Appointments — Helmer > ' Helmer commented that he felt that more areas should be represented. t Middleton suggested offering criteria and ask people to come in with sugges- tions of people in their neighborhood who might be interested in serving. Garens commented that, there was a time when there were totem people from his '' J area, but felt that t1W..represented all of Eden Prairie, rather than Just their, J own area. c ' MOTION: Helmer moved to recommend to the Mayor that in his future appoint- ments of PR & NR Commission members, he take into consideration eo g graphic locations, in order to get a broader base on his Commission, and if necessary, it increase size of the Commission. Upton seconded, motion carried, with Garens i B. �otin It " ommu�iity 6eve]opment_ ct --Jessen Jessen spoke to memo from City Planner, Putnam, pertaining to monies previous- ly allocated for trails under the Community Development Act, and askedmembers to review report and be ready for discussion at next meeting. C. December meeting - Jessen Helmer moved to postpone meeting of December 20 in view of the holidays. Upton seconded, motion carried unanimously. j VIII. ADJOURNMENT Choiniere moved to adjourn at 10:10 PM.Submitted by, Retterath seconded, motion carried. Donna Stanley, Recording Secretary