07/14/2008 - Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission
Approved September 15, 2008
ADVISORY PARKS COMMISSION
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 14, 2008
A regular meeting of the Advisory Parks Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on July 14, 2008 with the
following Commission Members present: Thor Anderson, Phil Belfiori, Jennifer Dahlquist, Bruce Goff, Laurie Halverson,
Duane Hansen, and Dorothy Peterson. Staff included Director Juli Seydell Johnson; Superintendent of Operations, Cherryl
Mesko; Superintendent of Parks, Paul Olson; Water Resources Coordinator, Eric Macbeth.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Member Halverson moved, Member Hansen seconded, with all present members voting in favor to approve the
agenda as presented.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 19, 2008
Member Belfiori moved and Member Halverson seconded, with all present members voting in favor to approve the
minutes of May 19, 2008 as presented. No meeting was held in June.
VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors to be heard.
DIRECTOR'S DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Director Johnson highlighted the Eagan Art Festival held the last week in June and noted it was a great success with
about 20 percent more people attending than in previous years. Market Fest started this past Wednesday with a bumper crop
of visitors coming to buy the produce that was available that day. People were anxious to start at soon as it was open and it
remained busy throughout the night. The Market Fest will be held every Wednesday through September 24..
The Commission was advised of the project currently underway to enclose the mezzanine at the Eagan Civic Arena
for community use and rental. The Wescott Library will be the first temporary tenant while their building is being remodeled
this fall. It is expected that the library will be back in their new building by the end of December to allow the mezzanine to be
rented beginning in January 2009.
Other items highlighted by Director Johnson were registrations of fall adult leagues, the popular Buckthorn removal
program, the completion of Thresher Fields restroom building, the Monday night family activities at Cascade Bay and the
new parks maintenance bike and trailer being used this summer to provide an economical option to some limited park
maintenance services.
CONSENT AGENDA
There were no Consent Agenda items for the Commission to review.
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
There were no Development Proposals for the Commission to review.
OLD BUSINESS
There were no Old Business items for the Commission to review.
Advisory Parks Commission
July 14, 2008
Page 2
NEW BUSINESS
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Director Johnson noted that every year the Advisory Parks Commission evaluates and recommends to the City Council
a 5 year CIP plan primarily focused on the first year of the projected 5-year cycle. Superintendent Olson reviewed how the
funding for the CIP comes from the Park Site Fund which is money collected from developments at the time of platting in
lieu of a dedication of land. A review of the 2009 projects was given, including a brief summary of the Park Site Fund
balance. Member Peterson noted that the task of the Advisory Commission is to refer the parks CIP to the City Council for
approval and that a workshop with the Council has been scheduled for July 22. Member Goff asked if there was a plan to
replace the revenue or the income stream for the Park Site Fund. Member Peterson responded that 3 years ago the Advisory
Commission conducted a study about alternative funding but didn't find any other community that had a long-range plan to
address it so the Commission and Council will have to be creative in finding a solution. Although no one is sure what that the
final recommendation would be, the Commission will need to be diligent in continued review and discussion with the City
Council to find reasonable alternatives.
Member Halverson moved, Member Belfiori seconded, with all present members voting in favor to recommend the
City Council to approve the 2009-2013 CIP plan as presented.
WATER RESOURCES UPDATE
There were no Water Resource updates for the Commission to review.
OTHER BUSINESS AND REPORTS
Eagan Community Center Fitness Coordinator Marshall Grange gave a brief PowerPoint presentation highlighting
some of the facility enhancements and activities over the past year. Projects that have been done this year included the
addition of wireless internet, installation of new curtain dividers in the three gymnasiums, additional installation of security
cameras throughout the building along with a monitor at the guest services counter. Door alarms were installed on the exit
doors along the track, additional work place was installed in the Oasis Teen Center, meetings and events scheduling moved
from Max Facilities to CLASS software and 400 new banquet chairs will be ordered for this year. Catering bids will be
solicited this fall, 250 outdoor chairs were purchased for outdoor weddings and all Saturdays in 2009 are booked out April
through September. Coordinator Grange also reviewed activities and events from the fitness center, Blast playground and
within Central Park.
COMMUNICATIONS
Director Johnson shared several letters that were received. The first complimented the Eagan Community Center's
90-day Fitness Pass and their experience, another commended staff during a rental of the Blackhawk Park Pavilion, another
was a question from a resident regarding Blackhawk Lake and the shallowness of the water and the final letter was from an 8
year old girl thanking the City for the fireworks and all the work that goes into the 4th of July events.
ROUND TABLE
Member Peterson reminded the Commission and public about a meeting on July 15 at 6:00 p.m. at the Eagan
Community Center with Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc. consultants to gather ideas from the community for Carriage Hills in
the event that it is acquired by the City. A second meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on July 29 at the Eagan Municipal Center
in the Eagan Room.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to conduct, Member Belfiori moved, Member Halverson seconded with all members
voting in favor to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
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