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01/14/2002 - Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission Approved February 1 L 2002 ADVISORY PARKS COMMISSION EAGAN, MINNESOTA MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 14, 2002 A regular meeting of the Advisory Parks Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on January 14,2002 with the following Commission Members present: Joseph Bari, Margo Danner, Terry Davis, George Kubik, Dorothy Peterson, Richard Pletcher, John Rudolph, and David Wright. Commission Members Filipi and Williams were not present. Staff present included Ken Vraa, Director of Parks and Recreation; Jeff Asfahl, Superintendent of Recreation; Paul Olson, Parks Superintendent; Eric Macbeth, Water Resources Coordinator; Beth Wielde, Research and Special Projects; CJ Lilly, Parks Planner; Colleen Callahan, Youth Development Coordinator and Cherryl Mesko, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Director Vraa moved the George Kubik award presentation to the end of the agenda. Dorothy Peterson moved, George Kubik seconded with all members voting in favor to accept the agenda as amended. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 17, 2001 George Kubik moved, John Rudolph seconded with all members voting in favor to accept the minutes of the December 17, 2001 meeting as presented. VISITORS TO BE HEARD There were no visitors who wished to address the Commission under this agenda item. SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE AND DEPARTMENT HAPPENINGS Items highlighted by Superintendent of Recreation Asfahl included the change in meeting location for Eagan seniors while the community room is under construction, update on the Rink Rats hockey program, the Don't-Break-the-Ice Fest on February 9, availability of summer softball packets on February 9, 173 children registered in preschool programs and development of the spring/summer Discover brochure. Items highlighted by Superintendent of Parks Olson included the delay in opening rinks due to the warm weather, the Forestry Division assistance to the Street Department for trimming boulevard trees, request from residents to create rinks on local ponds, joint effort with Pinewood Elementary School to install a new playground structure, and the update of the wood fragments found during the drilling of the well at Central Park. CONSENT AGENDA There were no consent agenda items for the Commission to discuss. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS There were no development agenda items for the Commission to discuss. OLD BUSINESS NORTH PARK FIELD USE UPDATE Director V raa distributed a follow-up letter from Dakota County after their meeting on December 21 to discuss the closure plan for the Borchert Ingersoll property (North Park). The County noted they were not opposed to the City continuing with the development of non-sloped portions of the site including the athletic fields, parking lot and storm water pond. Vraa noted that the stabilization of the slope continues to be an open issue with the County and that staff will continue to work with them to get it resolved. Advisory Parks Commission Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 14,2002 Page 2 Member Peterson noted that the CIP for 200 1 and 2002 included $150,00 and $200,000 respectively for improvements to North Park for athletic use. She asked if those dollars were still available and opined that $350,000 would provide a good start for park improvements on the site. It was clarified that the dollars are still allocated to North Park in the CIP. After further brief discussion, John Rudolph moved, George Kubik seconded with all members voting in favor to have staff move ahead with improvements to North Park. MILLENNIUM TRAILS CELEBRATION COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Member Rudolph reiterated that members of the Commission were being asked to participate on the Millennium Trails Celebration Committee. John Rudolph and Dorothy Peterson volunteered to serve on the committee. It was suggested that new members appointed in January also be offered to opportunity to serve. NEW BUSINESS There were no New Business items for the Commission to discuss. WATER RESOURCES UPDATE Water Resources Coordinator Macbeth noted that the City Council would be updated on the Pond JP-47 project as it relates to Fish Lake water quality. Macbeth stated that staff would be looking at past data to see how effective the water quality management plan has been to date and determine how to proceed in the future. He also noted that the Gun Club Lake project got front page coverage in a recent Sun Current newspaper and stated he would provide an update for the Commission in the near future. OTHER BUSINESS AND REPORTS COMMUNITY CENTER UPDATE Director Vraa explained that all but three contracts have been awarded to date and that grading and concrete contractors are anxious to start. A pre-construction meeting is scheduled for January 24. Review of the park site continues and contracts will be awarded once they're completed. GOLF COURSE EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE UPDATE Member Danner provided an extensive update of the work completed to date by the Exploratory Committee. She noted the update by the Mayor relative to the potential development of an 800-acre parcel in Eagan and Inver Grove Heights. The appraisal of the Anderson property was shown at $620,000 and the Patrick McCarthy property at $10.3 million. It was also noted that most or all of Patrick Eagan Park and the McCarthy property would be needed to develop a golf course within the parameters identified. The Committee expressed concern for the $11 million required to acquire the property and $6 million needed to develop it. Danner concluded that the Committee will meet again in late January and will make a recommendation to the City Council on February 5. Danner stated that she personally hopes the 800-acre proposal comes to fruition so that the property currently being reviewed will not be used for a golf course. Member Peterson added that the projected cost per hole was $150-200,000. She also added that the 800-acre Horton proposal would provide a significant savings because of the grading that would be done by the developer. Peterson reiterated that the Executive Committee would meet in a week to review the information to date in preparation for a recommendation to the City Council. Member Rudolph thanked Members Danner and Peterson for their efforts on behalf of the Advisory Commission in looking at the best interests of Patrick Eagan Park. He opined that the golf course wouldn't be placed at Patrick Eagan Park and hoped that efforts could proceed to eventually develop it as a nature park given the interest the Commission has received from the public to do so. Advisory Parks Commission Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 14,2002 Page 3 SET FEBRUARY ADVISORY PARKS COMMISSION MEETING DATE John Rudolph moved, Margo Danner seconded with all members voting in favor to schedule the February Commission meeting for February 11, 2002. PARK SITE FUND UPDATE Park Superintendent Olson reminded the Commission that they had requested periodic updates of the status ofthe Park Site Fund. Olson pointed to the update in the packet noting that the funds were derived from parks dedication fees over the past year. He cautioned that the numbers provided were un-audited and were for information only. Member Bari added that since the numbers were un-audited the interest calculation wasn't included, which would increase the value of the fund. SET WORKSHOP FOR CIP REVIEW Terry Davis moved, Joseph Bari seconded with all members voting in favor to schedule a CIP workshop for February 4, 2002 at 5:30 p.m. INTRODUCTION OF COLLEEN CALLAHAN, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR Superintendent of Recreation Asfahl introduced Colleen Callahan the new Youth Development Coordinator. He noted that there were over 90 applicants and that staff is excited to have her experience in this position. Coordinator Callahan addressed the Commission and expressed her enthusiasm for being back in the recreation field and for the opportunity to work for the City of Eagan. ROUND TABLE Member Peterson asked for an update on the Dakota County Parks meeting relative to a visitor's center at Schulze Lake. Director Vraa noted that the plans are to build a visitor comfort station with a small rentable space for educational meeting opportunities. He stated the County is in the early design stage. Member Danner asked for an update on the Duke Weeks property near Central Park. Director Vraa explained that Central Parkway construction hit some minor roadblocks as staff works with Unisys and Duke Weeks. He stated that he had not heard any specific updates on the development of the Duke Weeks property. AWARD OF APPRECIATION - GEORGE KUBIK Several Commission Members shared comments reflecting the insight Member Kubik has provided the City of Eagan over 19 of the past 20 years as an Advisory Parks Commission member. Member Peterson recalled meeting Kubik at an Easter egg hunt where she suggested he participate on the Commission. Member Bari commented that George always had the right insight and asked probing questions to help resolve issues. Member Davis commented on George's ability to focus special attention and find opportunities to praise staff. Member Rudolph commented that George has been a friend, mentor and colleague, and has always been supportive of the Commission and its goals. Director Vraa added that Member Kubik has taken strong positions to help move Eagan forward in a positive direction with water quality, tree preservation, and recreation. He thanked George for always supporting staff and looking for ways to improve the community. Member Rudolph then presented George Kubik with an award of appreciation for his past nine years of service on the Advisory Parks Commission. Member Kubik addressed the Commission stating it has been an honor to serve on the Advisory Parks Commission for 19 of the last 20 years. He continued that it was a pleasure to serve with so many talented people who share the best interests of the community. Kubik commented on a remarkable and unique staff that works well as a team and provides complete information so the Commission can thoughtfully assess recommendations they make to the City Council. Finally, Kubik thanked the City Councils, past and present, that have provided direction and support to the Parks Commission. Member Kubik concluded by stating that he is very proud of the park system in Eagan and pleased that he has had the opportunity to be a part of its development. Advisory Parks Commission Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 14,2002 Page 4 ADJOURNMENT With no further business to conduct George Kubik moved, John Rudolph seconded with all members voting in favor to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. ___1'- ~---:-f' ~} +- <:'::':!.J t'---(. ,,~{,J.-.., .L..l~ 'c It 'r-.. Secretary i f f5 /o} Date I {