01/15/2009 - Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission
Approved March 16, 2009
ADVISORY PARKS COMMISSION
EAGAN. MINNESOTA
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 15, 2009
A regular meeting of the Advisory Parks Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on January 15, 2009 with the
following Commission Members present: Thor Anderson, Jennifer Dahlquist, Bruce Goff, Laurie Halverson, Duane Hansen
Dorothy Peterson, and Ryan Zipf. Member Belfiori was not present. Staff included Director Juli Johnson; and Sonya Rippe,
Facilities Manager.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Member Zipf moved, Member Halverson seconded, with all members present voting in favor to approve the agenda
as presented.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 17, 2008
Member Dahlquist pointed out that she was in attendance for the November 17, 2008 commission meeting and
wanted the minutes to reflect that. Member Zipf moved, Member Halverson seconded, with all present members voting in
favor to approve the minutes of November 17, 2008 as amended.
VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors to be heard.
DIRECTOR'S DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Director Johnson stated that the Parks & Rec Department is currently taking applications for summer positions at
Cascade Bay and encouraged applicants to forward their applications to the Parks & Rec Department. Applications for other
summer positions will not be accepted for another 6-8 weeks. Director Johnson stated that the Civic Arena has received a
letter from the League of Minnesota. Cities, stating that the insurance company wanted the arena to halt certain activities in
the common area outside the rinks because of safety issues. These activities included stick handling and running up and
down the stairs - activities common to pre-game warm-ups and training. Director Johnson stated the arena would no longer
allow these activities and is setting up other areas to accommodate dry land training. Director Johnson encouraged the
hockey associations to work with Mark Vaughan. Director Johnson stated that the library is now back occupying their
building. She stated that it was a great partnership bringing a lot of the public into the arena space while they occupied the
mezzanine level. Director Johnson stated that the space is now open and ready to be used for rentals. Chair Peterson
inquired whether there have been requests for rentals and Director Johnson replied that the carpet has been installed and the
space has been rented for several upcoming events. Member Zipf stated that he had gone to the tubing hill and ice skating
rinks recently and it was nice to see people getting out and enjoying the parks.
CONSENT AG E!V"DA
Chair Peterson stated that there were two items for APrC review on the Consent Agenda. Chair Peterson moved,
Member Zipf seconded with everyone present voting in favor to make the following recommendations to the City Council:
A. Rusten Norvin Oaks
1. This development shall be responsible for a cash Parks dedication applied to the newly created residential
lot.
2. This development shall be responsible for a cash Trails dedication applied to the newly created residential
lot.
Advisory Parks Commission
January 15, 2009
Page 2
3. This development shall be responsible for an individual lot tree preservation plan a the time of building
permit application for the newly created residential lot.
4. A cash dedication in lieu of on-site water quality ponding shall be required for this development, consistent
with City policies and City Code §4.33.
5. Prior to application for final subdivision approval, the applicant shall have the wetland delineated and
assessed by a Certified Wetland Delineator, according to City Code § 11.67.
B. MVTA Cedar Grove Park and Ride
1. Due to the public aspects of this development, it shall not be subject to a Parks or Trails dedication
2. To require that the applicant fulfill tree mitigation conditions through the installation of one hundred
twenty-one (121) Category B trees.
3. The applicant shall protect preserved significant trees through the placement of required Tree Protective
measures (i.e. orange colored silt fence or 4 foot polyethylene laminate safety netting), to be installed at the
Drip Line or at the perimeter of the Critical Root Zone, whichever is greater, of significant trees/woodlands
to be preserved on-site.
4. The applicant shall contact the City Forestry Division and set up a pre-construction site inspection at least
five days prior to the issuance of the grading permit to ensure compliance with the approved Tree
Preservation Plan and placement of the Tree Protection Fencing.
5. A stormwater treatment pond shall be constructed in conformance with City Code §4.33.
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.
NEW BUSINESS
There were no New Business items for the Commission to review.
OTHER BUSINESS AND REPORTS
Facilities Manager Rippe presented a brief Power Point overview of the 2008 calendar year. She covered spring,
fall and winter adult sport, as well as the summer golf and athletic fields concessions operations. She noted that the weather
has hampered some of the winter outdoor activities and the tubing hill and rinks have been closed on several occasions due to
temperature and wind chills. She also shared attendance statistics for Class A and Class B sites as well as for pavilion and
shelter rentals which showed good attendance at those facilities.
Manager Rippe continued with the Youth Fast Pitch Association's national tournament at Lexington/Diffley ball
fields. The City also hosted the sectionals for the Eagan High School at Lexington/Diffley ball fields. Chair Peterson
questioned if provisions had to be made for the fast pitch events and Manager Rippe replied that the association provides
their own portable fences. Rippe concluded that due to budget cuts the open clerical position was eliminated, two Class B
rinks were no longer staffed and the concession trailer at Lexington/Diffley was discontinued. Chair Peterson asked Manager
Rippe what activity she has observed that participants enjoy the most; to which she replied, wiffleball.
Advisory Parks Commission
January 15, 2009
Page 3
COMMUNICATIONS
Chair Peterson noted there were two items in the packet. Director Johnson offered kudos to the ECC staff for the
continuing programs at the fitness center noting that even in these tough economic times, attendance has been consistent.
Director Johnson mentioned a letter regarding the Start Smart preschool program. Chair Peterson asked if it was a new
program and Director Johnson stated it had been available for several years.
ROUND TABLE
Chair Peterson mentioned an article she read in the newspaper several months prior regarding the lead in the air near
Gopher Resources and asked if staff could investigate the matter since Thresher Fields are in close proximity. Director
Johnson stated she would look into the matter.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to conduct, Member Zipf moved, Member Dahlquist seconded, with all members voting in
favor to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
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Secretary Date