03/15/2004 - Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission
Approved as Amended April 19. 2004
ADVISORY PARKS COMMISSION
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 15, 2004
A regular meeting of the Advisory Parks Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on March 15,2004
with the following Commission Members present: Terry Davis, Dorothy Peterson, Joe Bari, Phil Belfiori., Margo
Danner, N. Mark Filipi, Elizabeth Perry, Richard Pletcher, and Ken West. Staff present included Ken Vraa, Director
of Parks and Recreation; Jeff Asfahl, Superintendent of Recreation; Paul Olson, Parks Superintendent; Cathy
Bolduc, Program and Events Supervisor; Paula Nowariak, Recreation Supervisor, Colleen Callahan, Youth
Development Coordinator, Holly Champlin, Preschool Program Coordinator, Beth Wielde, Research and Special
Projects, and Cherryl Mesko, Administrative Coordinator/ Recording Secretary.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Davis made adjustments to the agenda, proposing the Department Happenings be deferred and the
Recreation Updates occur toward the end of the meeting if time permits. Chair Davis moved, Member Peterson
seconded, all members voted to approve the changes.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUAR 12, 2004
Chair Davis suggested that the segment on the Men's Chorus be changed to eliminate the term "jokingly."
Member Filipi moved to approve the minutes as amended, with Member Perry seconding. All members voted to
approve.
VISITORS TO BE HEARD
Dave Fritzey of the Eagan High School football organization discussed the sale oflow to no phosphorus
fertilizer, noting the no phosphorus fertilizer is a best-seller. He briefly discussed the support he has gotten for the
sale.
SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE AND DEPARTMENT HAPPENINGS
Superintendents Asfahl and Olson did not present the Department Happenings at the meeting, however the
recap was provided in the Commission's packet.
EAGAN TEEN ADVISORY UPDATE
Youth Development Coordinator Colleen Callahan introduced members of the Eagan Teen Advisory Board
(E- TAB). She introduced Brent Reykdall, a student at Eagan High School, who discussed some of the work done by
E- TAB in its one year history. He said the group is open to youth ages 12-28 to work with Parks and Recreation to
develop teen-oriented programming. He said his desire was to strengthen the community through a teen voice.
Next to speak was Michael Peterson, a junior at Eagan High School, who said he joined E-TAB as a way to
get involved in the community. He has been active in fund raising, helping give teens a voice, and community
service.
Next to speak was Sam Kunjummen, a sophomore at Eagan High School. He discussed the
accomplishments of the group, such as helping with the July 4th kettle com stand, collecting a survey and sharing
ideas for the Teen Center at the Eagan Community Center, judging Battle of the Bands, working with the Eagan
Foundation to get 501(c)(3) status, which is beneficial for receiving grants and other funding. Sam shared an article
in the newspaper that highlighted E- TAB and their accomplishments. He mentioned the upcoming work on the
Halloween Festival.
Advisory Parks Commission
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 15,2004
Page 2
Member Peterson asked whether they were able to get teens from other high schools to participate.
Callahan said they are working toward expanding their audience, but there are currently students from other schools
that participate in programs and events.
Member Peterson asked how frequently Parents Night Out was held. Brent said it was a monthly event.
Chair Davis commended the youth on their presentation, saying they represent the group very well. He noted the
APrC has been very interested in what they offer the community, and that they set a tremendous example for youth
to follow, the best gift they can give their community.
CONSENT AGENDA
PATRICK EAGAN PARK ADDITION- TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
Chair Davis moved to approve the consent agenda, Patrick Eagan Park Addition as presented. Member
Filipi seconded, with all present members voting to recommend approval.
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
There were no development agenda items for the Commission to discuss. Schwanz Addition, originally
slated to be discussed under Development Items, was deferred to the April 19 meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business for the Commission to discuss under this item.
NEW BUSINESS
PUBLIC HEARING- THRESHER FIELDS GRANT APPLICATION
Superintendent of Parks Paul Olson noted that at their February 17,2004 regular meeting, the City Council
designated the Advisory Parks Commission meeting of March 15,2004 as the date for the public hearing regarding
the DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant application. Chair Davis thus opened the public hearing, asking if there was
anyone in the audience who wished to speak.
Superintendent Olson reviewed the site location, access points from Borchert Land, and showed an aerial of
the site. He briefly described the history of the property, a tax forfeit property that has been cleaned up and
developed into park land and athletic field space. Olson then covered five specific areas of the grant application,
describing:
. Project scope- A shelter complex with an ADA-compliant restroom building and open sided frame
shelter that would also serve as a trail head to the unpaved trail segments proposed as part ofthe grant
application. He shared some preliminary sketches of the complex and the proposed trail plan.
Member Peterson asked whether the structure could recycle beams for the shelter, similar to what was done
at Lexington Diffley. Olson noted that the beams were no longer available, that the shelter at Lexington-
Diffley used all the beams that still had "life" in them.
. Implementation schedule- Olson noted that the primary access, Borchert Lane would be improved in
2004. Design and survey could begin in fall of 2004 or upon grant award, ground could be broken in
2005. Substantial completion of the proposed project could occur in fall of2005.
Advisory Parks Commission
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 15,2004
Page 3
· Olson described in detail the costs of the project, the percentage and amount expected to be covered
by the City of Eagan through the Park Site Fund, the amount expected to be covered by in-kind
services, and the amount that is requested from the Department of Natural Resources Outdoor
Recreation grant program.
· Olson discussed additional costs to the community, noting that maintenance of the facility is expected
to be approximately $100 to $150 per week, and funds to cover that cost would be derived from the
operations budget. He noted that long-term repair or replacement would fall in line with other
comparable buildings.
Chair Davis noted that Thresher Fields is expected to receive heavy use. Chair Davis again asked ifthere was
anyone in the audience who would like to speak. There was no response from the audience. Chair Davis closed the
public hearing. Member Peterson moved, Member Danner seconded with all present members voting to recommend
City Council approval of submission of the DNR Outdoor Recreation grant application.
2004 CIP
Superintendent of Parks Paul Olson presented the proposed 2004 CIP, as developed at APrC workshop
sessIOn. He said the current balance of the Park Site Fund is $3,287,560. He then reviewed the proposed projects:
Park System Plan 90,000
Cedar Pond 35,000
South Oaks Playground 35,000
Quarry Park Playground 50,000
Wescott Square Sun Shelter 40,000
Pilot Knob Park Tennis Court Reconstruction 50,000
Central Park Improvements, Trail Lighting 55,000
Central Park, Festival Grounds Electrical Systems 50,000
Central Park, Gazebo, funding adjustment 50,000
Holz Farm, Phase 1, A&B Farmstead Improvements 95,000
$550,000
He also illustrated the previously approved CIP expenditures for acquisition projects:
Patrick Eagan Park, Caponi North 10 acquisition,
Patrick Eagan Park, Anderson acquisition, grant match
Total Acquisition, as approved
$720,000
$180,000
$900,000
$20,000 was allotted for small projects, typically those under $10,000.
Total 2004 PSF Expenditure
Balance Expected on December 31,2004
$1,450,000
$1,850,000
Chair Davis commented on the great deal of time spent at workshops looking at the expenditures. He noted
how critical it was to update the Park Systems Plan, which was last updated in 1995. Member Peterson noted the
importance of moving the CIP along to allow staff to proceed with 2004 projects.
Member Peterson moved, Member Perry seconded, with all members voting to recommend approval of the
2004 CIP.
Advisory Parks Commission
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 15,2004
Page 4
REVIEW GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Director Vraa explained that at the direction of the City Council, a glossary of was created to enhance
consistency of terminology frequently used in natural resources discussion. Council wanted the APrC to review
the terms and provide feedback with a quick turn around. Member Davis said at the workshop session help prior to
the meeting, the group was comfortable with the information. Member Danner moved, Member Bari seconded, and
all present members voted to approve the glossary of terms.
WATER RESOURCES UPDATE
Sycamore Place Update- Wetlands was deferred to the April 19, 2004 regular meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS AND REPORTS
There were no items discussed under Other Business and Reports.
ROUND TABLE
Chair Davis took the time to recognize Director Vraa on his upcoming retirement, wishing him well in the
future. He noted it is his 7th year with the commission, and he appreciates how Director Vraa helped the
commission with great guidance and moral support. Chair Davis thanked him for that support.
Member Filipi commented that it was his 7th year on the Commission as well, and that the community
could not thank Director Vraa enough and that he put the City in a premier position.
Member Bari noted that the Commission dressed in black for the evening. He said the group was there to
praise Director Vraa for his work. He said he learned a lot on the Commission, and complimented the staff Director
Vraa put together.
Member Pletcher commented that he had been on the Commission for 3 years and was amazed at the
professionalism of Director Vraa and his staff, he is impressed. Member Danner suggested that Director Vraa look
into volunteer opportunities now that he was retired and was happy to share some opportunities that he might
consider. She, too thanked Vraa for all of his contributions to the community.
Member Peterson said she has known Director Vraa for 24 years, and that he had worked hard to put
together the park system from its infancy to today. Member Belfiori added that the City of Eagan had the best
Natural Resources program in the state, and he has worked with many, many organizations on natural resources.
Member Perry said she came to the Parks Commission after serving on the Golf Course Exploratory
Committee. It was that experience working with Director Vraa that prompted her continued involvement. She
thanked Ken for his involvement.
Chair Davis acknowledged the past Commission Members that made an appearance at the meeting.
Director Vraa said overall, he is passionate about parks. He thanked the Commission for its support, and
that staff and commission have helped make things happen. He said he would remember everyone fondly, but
added that there's lots more to do.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to conduct Dorothy Peterson moved, Margo Danner seconded with all members
voting in favor to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8: 10 p.m.
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ecretary Date
Minutes drafted by Beth Wielde