09/16/2013 - Advisory Parks & Recreation CommissionADVISORY PARKS COMMISSION
Monday, September 16, 2013
7:00 p.m.
Eagan Municipal Center, Council Chambers
Workshop: 6:00 – 6:55 p.m., Conference Room 2A & 2B
A. 2014 Park & Trail Dedication Fees – Paul Olson
B. Playground criteria/drawings of new installations – Paul Olson
C. Work Plan Priorities for 2013-2014
D. Committee Assignments
Agenda
I. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance 7:00 p.m.
II. Adopt Agenda 7:02 p.m.
III. Approval of Meeting Minutes on July 15, 2013 7:07 p.m.
IV. Visitors to be Heard 7:09 p.m.
V. Director’s Update 7:10 p.m.
VI. Consent Agenda 7:25 p.m.
VII. Development Proposals 7:26 p.m.
VIII. Old Business 7:27 p.m.
IX. New Business 7:30 p.m.
A. 2014 Park & Trail Dedication Fees
X. Other Business and Reports 7:45 p.m.
A. Eagan Community Center, Cascade Bay, and Civic Arena Division Reports
XI. Communications 8:00 p.m.
XII. Round Table 8:05 p.m.
XIII. Adjournment 8:10 p.m.
The City of Eagan is committed to the policy that all persons have equal access to its programs, services,
activities, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex,
disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or status with regard to public assistance. Auxiliary aids
for disabled persons wishing to participate are available upon request at least 96 hours in advance of the
event. If a notice of less than 96 hours is received, the City will attempt to provide the aids.
Next Advisory Parks Commission Joint Meeting with the Energy and Environment
Advisory Commission - Active Living/Complete Streets:
Tuesday October 8th, 2013 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
TO: Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission (APrC)
FROM: Juli Seydell Johnson, Director of Parks and Recreation
DATE: September 12, 2013
SUBJECT: Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
September 16, 2013
A meeting of the Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission (APrC) will take place on Monday, September 16th
at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. To ensure that a quorum is present, please contact Juli Seydell
Johnson at (651) 675-5006 or jsjohnson@cityofeagan.com or Amy Grannes (651) 675-5322
agrannes@cityofeagan.com if you are unable to attend this meeting.
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL
II. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
The agenda, as presented or modified, is in order for adoption by the Commission.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Pages 3-6
The minutes of the July 15th, 2013 meeting, pending any modifications, are in order for adoption by
the Commission.
IV. VISITORS TO BE HEARD
The Eagan City Council and its Commissions set aside up to ten minutes at the beginning of public
meetings to permit visitors to address items of interest that are not addressed on the regular agenda.
Items that will take more than ten minutes or that require specific action can be scheduled for a future
meeting agenda.
V. DIRECTOR’S UPDATE - Pages 7-8
Director Johnson will provide a brief overview of the Park and Recreation’s department happenings for
the month.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
There are no new consent agenda items to be discussed at this time.
VII. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
There are no new development proposals to be discussed at this time.
VIII. OLD BUSINESS
There are no old business items to be discussed at this time.
IX. NEW BUSINESS – Pages 9-10
The Advisory Commission to review the Parks and Trails Dedication annual fees and makes a
recommendation to the City Council. A background report is provided outlining options for the 2014
Parks and Trails Dedication fees.
X. OTHER BUSINESS AND REPORTS
Staff will be present to provide an update on the Eagan Community Center, Cascade Bay, and the Civic
Arena.
Advisory Parks Commission September 16, 2013 Page 1
XI. COMMUNICATIONS
There are no communication items to be discussed at this time.
XII. ROUND TABLE
The Roundtable is scheduled as an opportunity for Commissioners to ask questions, make requests
for future agenda items, or provide informative updates to the Commission pertaining to energy and
environment initiatives.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
/s/Juli Seydell Johnson
Director of Parks and Recreation
Advisory Parks Commission September 16, 2013 Page 2
Subject to approval
ADVISORY PARKS COMMISSION
Monday, July 15, 2013
MINUTES OF MEETING OF JULY 15, 2013
A regular meeting of the Advisory Parks Commission was called to order at 8:00 p.m. on Monday,
July 15, 2013. Commission Members present included Chair Michael Palmer, Member Dorothy Peterson,
Member Andrea Todd-Harlin, Member David Wietecki, Member Dennis Thompson, Member Jerry Farlee, and
Member Nathan Neumann. Staff members present Director of Parks & Recreation Juli Seydell Johnson,
Superintendent of Parks Paul Olson and Office Supervisor Amy Grannes. Visitors present Lil Leatham,
Landscape Architect from Hoisington Koegler Group.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Palmer asked Director Johnson if there were any changes to the agenda. Director Johnson
stated there were no changes. Member Farlee moved, Member Neumann seconded, with all members
present voting to adopt the agenda as presented.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Member Todd-Harlin moved, Member Farlee seconded, with all present members voting in favor to
approve the minutes of the May 20, 2013 APrC workshop and meeting and the minutes from the special
meeting on June 17, 2013, as presented.
VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors to be heard on items that were not on the agenda.
DIRECTORS UPDATE
Director Johnson gave a brief overview of the monthly department happenings. Director Johnson
stated we struggled with wet fields most of the spring and now we are struggling with dry fields. Cascade
Bay was awarded the “Best Water Park in Minnesota” by WCCO viewers. This coming weekend is a busy
tournament weekend we will be hosting two different national tournaments, one for fast pitch softball and
one for baseball. Market Fest is every Wednesday night we had record attendance last week at our family
event with more events coming up. July 31 is Latino night with salsa band and dancing lessons. There is a
new item about Market Fest, there are five certified produce vendors that now accept The Farmer’s Market
Nutrition Program checks and the WIC program checks which local families on state food assistance receive
and can use to by the produce at the market. Blue Cross Blue Shield has a similar program for their
employees; they give vouchers for employees to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables. We are midway on the
10th anniversary celebration at the Eagan Community Center each month there is a new promotion. This
month they are collecting donations for Dakota Woodlands and will be celebrating with a pajama party in The
Blast this month. Coming up on September 15th is a new event for the City of Eagan we are combining
Showcase Eagan with a new event called Streets Alive. The streets will be closed for motorized vehicles and
open for bikes, strollers, rollerblades, and walkers. There will booths for all City Services, Commissions and
Community groups.
CONSENT AGENDA
There were no consent agenda items to be discussed at this time.
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Advisory Parks Commission
July 15, 2013
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DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL
There were no development proposals to be discussed at this time.
OLD BUSINESS
There were no old business items to be discussed at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
Lil Leatham, Landscape Architect from Hoisington Koegler Group representing Dakota County gave a
presentation on the Mendota-Lebanon Hills Greenway resolution. The proposed greenway is an identified
unit of the metropolitan Regional Park System Plan and will establish a link between the North Urban
Regional Trail and Lebanon Hills Regional Park through the communities of Mendota Height, Inver Grove
Heights, and Eagan. Lil Leatham went through the specific project details and provided location maps. After
brief discussion from Commission Members, Member Peterson moved, Member Todd-Harlin seconded, with
all members voting in favors to recommend the resolution as presented to the City Council for approval.
2014 – 2018 Capital Improvement Plan was reviewed. Superintendent Olson review projects
included in the plan for 2014. Projects for 2014 were Lexington-Diffley Fields scoreboard improvements.
Holz Farm phase III – demolition of the Cliff Road house, Moonshine Park development plan, Quarry Park
improvements, Thresher Fields drainage system, Thresher Fields parking expansion, dugout roof upgrades at
site to be determined, playground installation at site to be determined, and an allotment for small projects
were also included. After the presentation Member Todd-Harlin moved for approval, Member Farlee
seconded, with all members present voting to recommend the Capital Improvement Plan as presented to the
City Council for approval.
Superintendent Olson reviewed the next agenda item regarding Verizon’s lease request at Rahn Park
and the Highline Trial. Superintendent Olson stated Verizon is proposing to install new cellular antennas on
an existing Xcel Energy transmission tower within the Rahn Park section of the Highline Trail Corridor.
Because the installation will require that Verizon lease park ground space from the City to install the require
ground based equipment, the APrC is being asked for comment upon the request to negotiate a lease. After
brief discussion from Commission Members, Member Peterson moved, Member Thompson seconded, with
all member present voting to make the following recommendation to the City Council:
1. Recommend proceeding with negotiations on a telecommunications lease for ground space in Rahn
Park located at 4425 Sandstone Drive as requested by Verizon in conjunction with the installation of
telecommunications antennas on Xcel pole #142, all to be consistent with the terms and conditions
of the appropriate City telecommunications lease and pending review of the City Attorney, City staff
and City telecommunications consultant.
Director Johnson gave a brief overview of the next agenda item the 2014 Fee Schedule. The APrC is
asked to annually review the fees charged for private use of park facilities and recreation equipment. The
City Council establishes fees each year after receiving a recommendation from the APrC. The fee schedule
was increased 3% from 2012 to 2013 to offset increased operating expenses. The proposed 2014 fees
remain the same as 2013. After brief discussion from Commission Members, Member Todd-Harlin moved,
to recommend the 2014 fee schedule and to including the addition of the damage deposit for athletic field
users as presented, Member Peterson seconded, with all member present voting to recommend to the City
Council for approval.
Director Johnson gave an overview of the 2013-2014 Work Plan that will be reviewed with the City
Council during a workshop on August 13, 2013. After brief discussion from Commission Members, Member
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Advisory Parks Commission
July 15, 2013
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Thompson moved, Member Peterson seconded, with all member present voting to make the following
recommendation to the City Council:
In addition to reviewing development proposals and recommending projects for the Parks Capital
Improvement Plan budget, the APrC would like to work on the following initiatives:
1. Finish construction of new park at the Nicols Ridge/Cedar Grove three-acre site area to meet the
needs of the surrounding community and, in conjunction with the Eagan Historical Society,
recommend a name for the park to the City Council.
2. Recommend initiatives to the City of Eagan and its constituents for an active living infrastructure.
Conduct a joint meeting with the Energy and Environment Advisory Commission to discuss the
following:
a. Identify where the Complete Streets initiative might be implemented.
b. Enhanced walking and biking routes
c. Trail gaps – fill in where needed
d. Safe route to school initiative
e. Coordination with Dakota Trails and Greenway Development
3. Recommend initiatives to the City of Eagan and its constituents for an active living policies and
programs that encourage activity following the concepts of the Healthy Eating and Active Living
resolution passed by the City Council in 2012.
4. Recommend initiates to the City of Eagan and its constituents for future recreation programs and
facilities to meet the following objectives:
a. Meeting our projected demographics and changing resident needs
b. Promotion of healthy/active living
c. Partnering and coordinating with other recreation service providers to maximize service mix
d. Researching interest, need and feasibility of additional facilities
5. Complete an Art Vision process that includes recommended guidelines for cultivating and installing
public art in Eagan.
OTHER BUSINESS AND REPORTS
There were no other business items and or reports to be discussed at this time.
COMMUNICATIONS
There was one communication item to be discussed. Director Johnson spoke briefly about a thank
you letter that was received from a new vendor thanking staff for all their help establishing Jonny Pops as an
Eagan Market Fest Vendor.
ROUND TABLE
Chair Palmer complimented the ground crews for their work and the commented on the great shape
of our fields. Chair Palmer also mentioned that fall sports sign ups are just starting up for softball and other
activities and to be sure to check them out. Member Farlee stated an individual brought up question
regarding the area by the Community Center at the end of the route of the Fourth of July parade. The
question was can this area be mowed to allow for more room during this event. Director Johnson stated that
this area is on the Lockheed Martin site and not City property. Director Johnson indicated that with all the
new development in this area this could be something we can look into next year depending on the
development progress. After brief discussions there were no further items to be discussed at this time.
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Advisory Parks Commission
July 15, 2013
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ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to discuss, Member Peterson moved, Member Wietecki seconded with all other
members present voting to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
____________________________________________________ ____________________________
Secretary Date
Advisory Parks Commission September 16, 2013 Page 6
Eagan Parks & Recreation
Department Happenings
September, 2013
Strengthen Community Image and Sense of Place
Lone Oak Days is Sat., Sept. 21 & Sun., Sept. 22 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Holz Farm. Event is free; some
kid’s activities and concessions require tickets sold for $.50 at the event. Pumpkins will be for sale.
Promote Health and Wellness
Join the community to celebrate Streets Alive featuring Showcase Eagan on Sun, Sept. 15 from 1-4 p.m.
Park at Eagan Community Center or Byerly’s parking lot. Family walk at 1:15 p.m. starting at community
center. Celebration includes 80+ interactive booths, 3 entertainment stages, fun activities and Fitness
Frenzy area on Denmark near Byerly’s with Youth Zumbatomics (1:45 p.m.), Zumba (2:30 p.m.) and Yoga
(3:30 p.m.). The route roads will be closed from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fall softball is over half way through the season. Most fall sports are underway for basketball, flag
football and volleyball. Winter sports information will be available in October with registration in
November.
A number of park and boulevard trails, and parking lots, throughout the City are being overlaid as part of
the City Wide pavement management plan. There may be some temporary inconvenience for users.
The logs have been shipped to the maintenance facility to begin work on the C.O.R.E. Valley outdoor
exercise area at Central Park this fall.
The ECC fitness center will host a week long open house in October to invite the community to try the
fitness center and take some group fitness classes.
Wednesday, October 9th with be the first of a 6 month “Healthy Conversations” series at the ECC. This
series involves a partnership with Argosy University to provide free health and wellness topics for the
community to attend.
Protect Environmental Resources
Recreation is hosting a new youth Halloween costume swap on Sat., Oct. 12 from 10 a.m.-Noon at the
Eagan Community Center gym. The event promotes recycling and reusing gently worn youth Halloween
costumes and is free. Week of Oct. 7-10, public can drop off a youth costume and receive a ticket to
attend the swap to pick out a new “reused” costume. Program offered in collaboration with Dakota
Valley Recycling.
New tree diseases and infestations seem to be the norm. One the latest to be found in Dakota County is
“BOB” (Bur Oaks Blight). Fortunately it is non-lethal. Another known as “Twig Girdler” can mimic Oak Wilt
but also is non-lethal. Many are brought in inadvertently in packing materials. Residents are encouraged
to explore the Forestry website if they have questions or need more information about new invaders.
It is shaping up to be a big year for Dutch Elm as nearly 200 trees have already been marked. 200 has
been the normal for an entire season.
Most of the park trees damaged in the recent wind storm have been removed. The most severe damage
was around Blackhawk Lake where a contractor worked for nearly a week just to clear the trail. Some
landscape trees will not be replaced, some non-hazardous downed trees within woodlots will be left.
The dry conditions are impacting trees, landscapes and turf at park sites throughout the City. Time will
tell what the impacts may be.
Facilitate Community Connections
Eagan Market Fest continues Wednesdays in September, ending on Sept. 25. Many vendors have been
reporting 2013 has been their best sales year ever at the event. The market will close at dusk (ranging
from (7 p.m.-8 p.m.) as we move through the month and it gets dark earlier.
Advisory Parks Commission September 16, 2013 Page 7
The ECC continues to celebrate 10 years with a special presence at Streets Alive in September, by
sponsoring the Gamin Ride truck and featuring our preschool and fitness equipment in the Parks and
Recreation area.
Cascade Bay partnered with the Wise Swim School for swim lessons. 115 participants enrolled in the
2013 season; slightly down from last year but still encouraging numbers.
The 8th annual Harvest of Art Celebration at the Eagan Art House was a great success. Nearly 500
people attended, a 22% increase over last year. The crowd enjoyed our art exhibit of 43 artists, music,
artist demos, and ice cream.
The public art piece, “Metamorphosis” has been installed at the Eagan Art House. Over 20 feet high,
weighing nearly 4,000 pounds and sporting a Chevy Red paint job, the sculpture creates an unmatched
awareness of the site and the of vitality of our community. Mayor Mike Maguire dedicated the sculpture
by local artist, Melvin Smith.
Provide Recreation Experiences
Installation of the new playground at Evergreen Park is nearly complete. Work will start soon on a play
area/exercise course at the Community Center.
The installation of a new rain/shade shelter at the Thresher Fields Off-Leash dog area is nearly
complete.
Some preparatory work has started at the new Nicols Ridge Park site. Grading is delayed until the MPCA
approves the contingency plans for any contamination that may be found. All preliminary tests were
negative.
The Minnesota Off Road Cyclists in partnership with the City have started the next phase of
improvements to the bike area at the Lexington Diffley Fields. The focus is on correcting drainage issues.
Turf work continues on a number of athletic sites that are being “rested” this fall including Northview
Soccer, Central Park and half of Thresher Fields.
The cities of Eagan & Burnsville will be hosting their first Pickleball tournament on Tuesday, September
17th at North River Hills in Burnsville. Tournament starts at 8:30 a.m. with 14 mixed Pickleball teams
signed up as of Tuesday Sept. 10th (registration ends Thursday, Sept. 12th). A BBQ lunch with hot dogs
and other food/beverages will be provided. Entry fee is $20 per team with snacks and lunch provided.
Eagan Pickleball will move indoors starting September 24th at the ECC. Open Pickleball will take place
every Tuesday & Thursday 9-11 a.m. The fee is $3 per visit. A couple of nets will be left out at Sky Hill for
players who want to enjoy the fall weather.
Fall ice skating lessons have begun at the Eagan Civic Arena. Many classes are filled and registration for
Winter 1 session begins October 10.
Cascade Bay had a very successful finish to the 2013 season. Despite the rainy June and couple cool
weeks in August, the extended season helped surpass revenue from 2012 season!
Kudos to Staff
Melinda Dutcher, a Guest Service staff member at the ECC, stands out as a helpful, courteous resource
for brides at the community center. Several brides have called to let Melissa Wind know how wonderful
she is and her name was specifically mentioned on a recent survey from a bride.
Advisory Parks Commission September 16, 2013 Page 8
AGENDA ITEM: IX.A – 2014 Parks & Trails Dedication Fees
TO: Advisory Parks Commission
PREPARED BY: Juli Seydell Johnson, Director of Parks & Recreation
BACKGROUND/HISTORY:
When reviewing development proposals, the APrC makes a recommendation regarding the method of
satisfying park and trail dedication requirements, the two options being a land dedication or cash payment.
Cash park dedications are the primary source of revenue for the Park Site Fund. Trail dedication is allocated
to the City trail fund.
Each year it is the responsibility of the APrC to review dedication rates and make a recommendation to the
Council for the upcoming year
DISCUSSION/EVALUATION:
Based upon legislation, a local unit of government must be able to demonstrate a justifiable method of
calculating park dedication linked to property value. The City has long had a basic formula for calculating
residential dedication that incorporates a property value variable. In 2005, staff completed an update of the
value base to ensure consistency with the assessed valuations. Nearly 1000 properties were reviewed, the
resulting averages leading to a significant rate increase in nearly every zoning classification for 2006 and
improved adherence to actual values.
In early 2007, in light of the new legislation, the City developed and implemented a user/value based
formula for Commercial/Industrial properties, replacing “net acres”. Over the course of the year, the formula
was reviewed by staff, the APrC, and City Council to determine if it met the intended objectives. It was
subsequently revised and approved by the City Council at their September 4, 2007 meeting.
Since that time, when determining the recommended adjustment for the residential dedication rates, staff
reviews County data to obtain the estimated property valuation adjustment the County may use for property
taxes payable on Eagan properties in the coming year. The City Finance staff is consulted to ensure
consistency with valuations used to determine the City wide tax capacity as required for City budgeting
purposes. Any percentage increase is applied to the revised value base used for calculating dedication. This
method is intended to avoid a lag in rates and to ensure a justifiable basis for the dedication fees consistent
with the legislation.
Based upon the input of the County, dedication rates for 2007 were raised by approximately 5% while the
rates for 2008 -2013 have remained unchanged. The most recent projections developed by the City Finance
staff are that property values are moving back towards 2005 levels but may actually equate to 03/04 levels
due to the higher value of new development.
In light of the steady but slow recovery in the housing market, the associated impact in property values, and
the data provided by the Finance Department, it may be appropriate to consider keeping the 2014 park and
trail dedication rates unchanged from those approved for 2013. It should be noted for reference that many
communities combine parks and trail dedication fees into a single blended rate and do not differentiate in
MEMO
Date: September 16, 2013
Agenda Item: IX.A - Park & Trails Dedication Fees
Action: x
Information: x
Attachments:
ITEM OVERVIEW: Recommend to the City Council the park and trail dedication fees for 2014
Advisory Parks Commission September 16, 2013 Page 9
the residential classifications. Because the administration of the trail development program in Eagan is
assigned to the Engineering Department, segregation of the park and trail fees is appropriate.
2013 approved 2014 proposed
Parks Trails Parks Trails
Single Family $3308 per unit $ 250 per unit Same Same
Duplex $ 3258 per unit $ 250 per unit Same Same
Townhouse/Quad $ 3458 per unit $ 250 per unit Same Same
Apartment/Multi $3212 per unit $ 250 per unit Same Same
Commercial $869 per 1000 sq.ft. of bldg $1251 per net acre Same Same
Industrial $236 per 1000 sq.ft. of bldg $1251 per net acre Same Same
C/I prior to 1983 $2618 per net acre $1251 per net acre Same Same
ALTERNATIVES FOR COMMISSION CONSIDERATION:
1. Recommend that the City Council adopt the 2014 parks and trails dedication rate schedule as
presented with no change from the 2013 rates.
2. Recommend that the City Council adopt an amended parks and trails dedication rate schedule for
2014.
3. Other.
Advisory Parks Commission September 16, 2013 Page 10