03/05/1981 - Advisory Parks & Recreation CommissionMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE ADVISORY PARK RECREATION COMMITTEE
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
MARCH 5, 1981
A regular meeting of the Eagan Advisory Park Recreation Committee
was held on March 5, 1981 at the Eagan City Hall. Those present were committee
members Martin, McNeely, Thurston, Pettit, Loken and Fedde. Also present were
Parks Recreation Director Vraa, Recreation Program Director Peterson, and
Administrative Intern Mielke. Committee members Tilley, Thomas, Johnson and
Carroll were absent.
MINUTES
In a motion by Loken, seconded by McNeely, with all members voting
in favor, the minutes of the regular meeting held on February 5, 1981 were
approved with a correction of the date of the minutes being approved for January
8, 1981 rather than February 5, 1981 and a correction from Community Objectives
to Committee Objectives.
AGENDA
In a motion by Thurston, seconded by Fedde, with all members voting
in favor, the agenda for March 5, 1981 was approved with the addition of a
discussion of the Bicycle Trails Plan as a item of Old Business and the addition
of a discussion of the Consultant Recommendation for Ridgecliffe Park as an
item of New Business.
CINNAMON RIDGE
Steve Riley, representing Zachman Homes, appeared before the com-
mittee to explain the rezoning and preliminary plat applications that have been
proposed for the Cinnamon Ridge Addition. After explaining the concept ideas
for the addition, Riley went on to state that tot lots are proposed for the
area consisting of coach homes. He also stated that the plat contains three
(3) acres of dry ponding area which could be used as park area. Park Director
Vraa stated that it is the recommendation of the City staff that a cash donation
be approved for this development along with three tot lots in the coach home
area of the development. After reviewing the proposed development and discussion
centering on the need for more park land in that neighborhood, it was the deter-
mination of various members that, with the facilities at Metcalf School and
the underutilization of the 4.5 acre park in River Hills 9th Addition plus the
tot lots proposed in the Cinnamon Ridge Addition that the needs of the present
neighborhood and future needs shall be adequately met. Considerable conversation
centered on the feelings of neighborhoods both in Eagan and Burnsville and com-
mittee members empathized with those feelings but could not justify requiring
another neighborhood park in that neighborhood. In a motion by Thurston,
seconded by Fedde, with all members voting in favor, a cash donation in lieu
of park land dedication and construction of three tot lots in the coach home
area was approved to satisfy park land dedication requirements for the proposed
Cinnamon Ridge Addition.
Advisory Park Recreation Committee Minutes
March 5, 1981
Page Two
1981 OBJECTIVES
Committee members discussed the positive aspects of setting goals
and objectives. Martin stated that the objectives list and ranking procedure
was a good method of achieving goals. Loken collected the completed objective
sheets from members and will tally the results for a report to be presented
at the next regular meeting.
BICYCLE TRAILS PLAN
The Bicycle Trails Plan was presented for review and comments by
the committee. Director Vraa stated that the appropriate changes have been
made in the plan and shall be distributed at the joint meeting of the Advisory
Parks Recreation Committee and the City Council on March 19, 1981.
SUMMER PLAYGROUND
Parks Director Vraa explained that changes in the Summer Playground
Program for 1981 include changes in the areas of locations, sites, and pro—
gramming. He went on the state that a study was conducted by City staff to
determine which areas of the City were in most need of change either in more
intensive or less intensive programming. Program Director Peterson was present
to explain that shifts in ages for many of the neighborhoods could justify either
improving or decreasing service to the parks within those neighborhoods. There
was general agreement among the members that the study was very good planning
and a yearly review of the Summer Playground Program as suggested by staff was
agreed to.
TEEN PROGRAM
Parks Director Vraa explained the problems Eagan has had in keeping
its Teen Program operating. He mentioned the lack of attendance as the largest
problem. He went on to say that the program was a success for a while but it
has not been the last couple of years. Dorothy Peterson mentioned a program
used in Eden Prairie, MN, where the teens in 9th grade work for the City for
four days doing small odd jobs and on the fifth day they take a field trip.
Various members asked questions of that program and asked staff to investigate
it further. The problem of the Teen Program was assigned to the recreational
committee for study.
COUNCIL /COMMITTEE MEETING
Discussion of the joint meeting centered on the setting of an agenda.
Martin stated that round table discussions should be on the agenda so each member
could state his ideas and problems. Both Martin and Pettit wanted to see dis—
cussion at the meeting on commercial park land dedication, especially concerning
the bicycle trails. McNeely said he would like to discuss the problem of
policing the parks. A meeting date of March 12th at 11:00 a.m. was set between
the committee officers and Vraa to discuss agenda items for the joint meeting.
Advisory Park Recreation Committee Minutes
March 5, 1981
Page Three
CONSULTANT RECOMMENDATION- RIDGECLIFFE PARK
Parks Director Vraa reviewed the selection process used to evaluate
the consultants who applied for the designing of the Ridgecliffe Park. After
some discussion, Martin moved and Loken seconded the motion, with all voting
in favor, that Brauer Associates be recommended to the Council as the firm to
be awarded the contract of Design Consultant for Ridgecliffe Park.
LAWCON FUNDING CUTS
Director Vraa mentioned that cuts in the state budget made it neces-
ary for the state to cut the size of the LAWCON funding grants and went on to
say that it would be more difficult to get a LAWCON grant now. No action was
taken on this topic.
DONALD WIEKOP REPLACEMENT
Direcotr Vraa informed the committee of efforts being taken to
replace Donald Wiekop who resigned from the Parks Department. He stated that
approximately 40 applications have been received so far.
LADY LIONS
Director Vraa informed the committee that he spoke before the Lady
Lions Club and spoke of the tree forestation program and the signing of parks
in the City. He mentioned that the Lady Lions were interested and were going
to help by making a monetary contribution. No action was taken.
TRAIL CONNECTION PILOT KNOB ROAD YANKEE DOODLE ROAD
Director Vraa mentioned an action taken by the City Council to amend
the contract to upgrade the intersection of Pilot Knob Road and Yankee Doodle
Road to include the trail running on the south side of Yankee Doodle Road.
He went on to say that this is somewhat ahead of schedule but that it is most
cost efficient to do it now rather than wait. No action was taken on this item.
RAHN PARK
Director Vraa mentioned that the approximately 20 acre park land
acquisition had been completed and park personnel were starting to upgrade the
land. No action was taken.
SKATING RINKS
Director Vraa stated that the skating rinks are now closed and some
attendance figures were in. He stated that attendance was highest at the Well
Site rink and that Rahn Park was not as high as was anticipated. Various members
asked how the conflicts were resolved over the use of the rinks and Vraa stated
that they were resolved by reserving the rink. No action was taken.
Advisory Park Recreation Committee Minutes
March 5, 1981
Page Four
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion by Thurston and seconded
by Martin was made to adjourn. All voted in favor and the meeting was adjourned
at 9:30 p.m.
Dated: March 5, 1981 SCM
Advisory Parks Recreation Committee
Secretary