03/17/2003 - Advisory Parks & Recreation CommissionApproved May 19, 2003
ADVISORY PARKS COMMISSION
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 17, 2003
A regular meeting of the Advisory Parks Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on March 17, 2003
with the following Commission Members present: Joseph Bari, Phil Belfiori, Margo Danner, Terry Davis,
Elizabeth Perry, and Dorothy Peterson. Commission Members Filipi, Pletcher, West 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; Paula Nowariak, Recreation Supervisor; Cathy Bolduc, Program and
Events Supervisor and Cherryl Mesko, Recording Secretary.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was noted that Item G -1; Piney Woods development was deferred to the April 14 meeting. Joseph Bari
moved, Elizabeth Perry seconded with all members voting in favor to accept the agenda as amended.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 13, 2003
Margo Danner moved, Dorothy Peterson seconded with all members voting in favor to accept the minutes
of the February 13, 2003 meeting as presented.
VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors in the audience who wished to address the Advisory Commission.
SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE AND DEPARTMENT HAPPENINGS
Superintendents Olson and Asfahl provided an overview of activities in the Parks and Recreation divisions.
RECREATION UPDATE PAULA NOWARIAK
An in -depth report was presented by Recreation Supervisor Nowariak highlighting the action and activities
at the outdoor skating rinks and Trapp Farm Park tubing hill. Nowariak briefly provided an overview of staff hiring
and training and provided a review of Class A, B and C sites. She noted that there were approximately 17,000
logged visits to the various skating rinks this past season. It was also noted that Trapp Farm Park tubing hill was
open 22 days this season and hosted 2,078 visitors. Supervisor Nowariak's report was concluded with a brief
overview of other program responsibilities under her supervision during late fall/winter.
Member Peterson asked about hot chocolate sales at the sites. Supervisor Nowariak responded that it is
only offered at the Trapp Farm tubing hill and is dispensed by machine, which is a change from year's past.
Member Danner asked if the initiation of a fee had a negative impact on attendance. Supervisor Nowariak indicated
that the fee did not appear to deter people from using the tubing hill and that the response from attendees was that
they appreciated the new tubes and found the fee to be very affordable. Member Danner also asked how many staff
were assigned to work at the tubing hill. Supervisor Nowariak responded that during the week three staff were
scheduled, however, during the busier weekend hours, as many as six staff were in attendance.
RECREATION UPDATE CATHY BOLDUC
Program and Special Events Supervisor Bolduc provided an in -depth report outlining program
responsibilities for Rink Rats, babysitting clinic, adapted soccer and snowshoe walk as well as cooperative programs
with other communities like the Who Done It Hike, Halloween Hodge Podge, Breakfast with Santa and Don't Break
the Ice Fest. In addition Bolduc covered several senior programs she coordinates and concluded with a brief
preview of spring offerings.
Advisory Parks Commission
Minutes of Regular Meeting of March 17, 2003
Page 2
Member Danner asked when the Senior Center at the Community Center would open. Supervisor Bolduc
responded that the senior group's program development committee is working to put together programs to be hosted
in the Lone Oak Room. It is anticipated that regular programming will move over to the Lone Oak Room in May
and that the kick -off event will be a cooperative senior's dinner dance on May 13. Supervisor Bolduc added that
programs being planned need to come from the interests of the participants so the program development committee
will be vital to the success of programs offered at the Community Center.
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
ALTERNATIVE FUNDING STUDY UPDATE
Director Vraa introduced this item noting that the City Council had charged the Advisory Commission to
come up with some ideas to create a sustainable funding flow to the Park Site Fund which are generally generated
through parks dedication fees from developers. Vraa noted that Commission members have been holding workshop
sessions to develop ideas and revising them since the summer of 2002. Ideas generated by the Advisory
Commission were combined and presented to the APrC in February of 2003. An outstanding legal question has not
been resolved relative to a fee being added to the water utility bill, but will be addressed prior to the upcoming Joint
Council/Commission meeting.
Member Peterson asked if the Advisory Commission was being asked to identify a preferred alternative.
Director Vraa responded that it was up to the Commission how they wanted to proceed with this information to the
City Council. Member Davis stated that the Advisory Commission was originally charged with fmding facts but
they may want to be prepared to identify funding priorities. Member Peterson opined that while the report captured
the Commission's philosophical discussion she would prefer that the conclusions be stricken from the report. Other
Commission members shared the same opinion noting that it would be beneficial to present this draft information to
the City Council and seek further direction from them.
Following further brief discussion, Dorothy Peterson moved, Elizabeth Perry seconded with all members
voting in favor to present a draft of the Alternative Funding Study to the City Council, with the conclusions
delineated, to be used as a tool for discussion and further direction by the City Council.
UPDATE ON NAMING NORTH FIELDS
Member Peterson noted that representatives of the Advisory Commission had met with the Historical
Society to better understand the historical significance of their request to rename North Fields to Thresher Fields.
This former Heuer family farm was one of the farms in Eagan that had a threshing machine that would draw many
people during the harvest. This was a very social annual event in the community that started in the 1920's and
lasted for approximately 40 years. The Historical Society saw this as an opportunity to celebrate the City's farming
heritage. Member Bari added that the Society wants to put up a sign near the park to describe what activities
occurred on this farm to preserve this historical perspective.
After further brief discussion, Margo Danner moved, Joseph Bari seconded with all members voting in
favor to recommend to the City Council that the name of North Fields be changed to Thresher Fields.
Advisory Parks Commission
Minutes of Regular Meeting of March 17, 2003
Page 3
NEW BUSINESS
MOONSHINE PARK GRANT APPLICATION
Water Resources Coordinator Macbeth provided a brief background noting that Moonshine Park at LeMay
Lake was a good candidate for an outdoor recreation development grant. Having done some preliminary work on
how to enhance the unique aspect of the site relative to the lake, and because of the success of the Cedar Pond
project, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources was supportive of a preliminary proposal for its 2002 -03
Shoreland Habitat Grant Program. Coordinator Macbeth shared aerial views and photos of the site and how this
grant could encourage lake protection at the shoreline.
Following preliminary review by the MDNR the City was requested to develop further the proposal for the
Moonshine Park plan but to drop the private riparian improvement plan. Macbeth continued by identifying the
detailed amenities that could be incorporated into this proposal.
Member Belfiori asked about the match from the MDNR. Macbeth responded that it was a 1:3 match; the
DNR could grant $6,000 and the City's match would be $2,000. If the grant is successful, the City would work with
volunteers and City staff to plant materials and the project would be finalized with signage that would identify the
significance of the improvements to the shoreline.
Following further brief discussion, Terry Davis moved, Joseph Bari seconded with all members voting in
favor to recommend to the City Council endorsement of an application to the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources and support of a plan for a Shoreland Habitat Grant for Moonshine Park.
WATER RESOURCES DEMONSTRATION PROJECT RECOMMENDATION
As a follow up to the Shoreland Habitat Grant for Moonshine Park, Coordinator Macbeth noted that staff
would like to include the LeMay Lake/Moonshine Park project as a water resources demonstration project similar to
what was done at Cedar Pond. Signage at Moonshine Park would be educational and informational, much like what
appeared at Cedar Pond.
Following brief discussion Phil Belfiori moved, Margo Danner seconded with all members voting in favor
to recommend the City Council officially designate the Lemay Lake/Moonshine Park Shoreland Habitat Project as
Eagan's second water resources demonstration project
WATER RESOURCES UPDATE
Items highlighted by Water Resources Coordinator Macbeth included the JP47 pond project, which the City
Council declined to award bids. It was noted that staff will work with the Utilities Division to help with the project.
Macbeth also noted that the Eagan High School Football Boosters will be promoting and selling zero phosphorous
fertilizer at their annual fundraiser.
OTHER BUSINESS AND REPORTS
SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATES
Member Peterson provided an overview of the Holz Farm Master Plan review process. She noted that the
consultants have met with Holz Farm volunteers and are focusing primarily on the buildings, have shared concerns
for parking and access and that there has been little discussion regarding programming. Peterson stated that the
neighborhood meeting was lightly attended but they provided some good feedback. It is hoped that the April 10
meeting will bring more participation when the consultant shares some schematics. Member Peterson noted that the
Friends of the Farm would be meeting at 5 p.m. on April 10 followed by a 7:00 neighborhood meeting.
Advisory Parks Commission
Minutes of Regular Meeting of March 17, 2003
Page 4
Director Vraa suggested that the Commission begin their summer tour schedule with a visit to the
Community Center prior to the April 14 meeting. He noted that construction is winding down and that punch list
review is beginning. Work outside the building is hoped to begin shortly so that the patio, pond and various park
improvements can be completed in a timely fashion.
Member Peterson asked if the work on the pond was completed. Director Vraa responded that it was.
Member Danner asked when other components of the building would be available. Director Vraa responded that in
addition to the indoor playground and banquet space the meeting rooms and Lone Oak Room would also be brought
on -line in May. It was noted that the specific dates for opening the balance of the building had not been exactly
determined yet
Director Vraa pointed out a recent article in the newspaper regarding disc golf. He also reminded the
Advisory Commission of their joint meeting with the City Council on March 25 at 5:30 p.m.
COMMUNITY CENTER UPDATE
COMMUNICATIONS
ROUND TABLE
Member Davis suggested that the Advisory Commission re -visit their mission statement adopted in 1995 to
see if a change in demographics or other influences might impact how the Commission moves forward with future
planning for the community. He added that this might fit in well with the Commission's review and work on
green/open space needs for the future. Member Peterson added that this might also be a good time to look at where
we've been, what's been accomplished and what's left to be done.
Member Danner asked if staff had received any responses from the public relative to the newspaper article
about disc golf from Mr. Ashton. Researcher Wielde responded that all responses to date have been positive and
that staff welcomes any and all input from the public.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to conduct Joseph Bari moved, Dorothy Peterson seconded with all members
voting in favor to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Secretary Date
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