Loading...
11/16/2009 - Advisory Parks & Recreation CommissionApproved January 14, 2010 There were no visitors to be heard. ADVISORY PARKS COMMISSION EAGAN. MINNESOTA MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF' NOVEMBER 16, 2009 A regular meeting of the Advisory Parks Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on November 16, 2009. Commission Members present: Rebecca Aaning, Phil Belfiori, Jennifer Dahlquist, Bruce Goff, Laurie Halverson, Duane Hansen and Michael Palmer. Staff members present included Director Juli Seydell Johnson; Cherry] Mesko, Superintendent of Operations; Paul Olson, Superintendent of Parks, Steve Taylor, Parks Maintenance Supervisor and Mark Vaughan, Campus Facility Manager. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Member Aanning moved, Member Goff seconded, with all members present voting in favor to approve the agenda as presented. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 19, 2009 Member Palmer moved, Member Dahlquist seconded, with all present members voting in favor to approve the minutes of October 19, 2009. VISITORS TO BE HEARD DIRECTOR'S DEPARTMENT UPDATE Director Johnson noted that although the parks are being closed down for the winter, ice rinks will soon be getting ready to open up. The process of hiring staff for the warming houses to cover evening and weekends from mid - December through mid - February is currently underway in anticipation of rinks opening right before the schools' holiday break. Other items heighted were the donation by the Eagan Hockey Association of a sound system to be installed at one of the rinks at the Civic Arena, an Old Fashioned Holiday event at Holz Farm on Sunday, December 6 where Mr. and Mrs. Claus will both be in attendance. Director Johnson also highlighted a new event that will be starting at the Eagan Community Center called F.A.N.tastic Saturdays. This event is geared towards families and will include all types of activities throughout the Community Center. The fee is $2.00 per person with a $10 family maximum. Director Johnson concluded that although there is a 2 week backlog, the resident buckthorn pickup program is still going on and will continue to do so as long as the weather cooperates. CONSENT AGENDA Member Goff moved, Member Anderson seconded with all members voting in favor to make the following recommendations to the City Council: • The Oaks of Bridgewater 3` addition Director Johnson pointed out that since the staff report was written for this particular packet, it had been determined that the Oaks of Bridgewater 3 addition development had paid their parks and trails dedication. Therefore the following recommendations will be passed on to the City Council: 1. This development shall be required to submit an Individual Lot Tree Preservation Plan at the time of building permit application for Lot 1 and for Lot 3. 2. The City shall evaluate possible soil erosion impacts and development visibility from public waters before issuing any construction permits for proposed Lots 1 and 2. 3. Prior to approval of the final subdivision, the developer shall submit a Wetland Buffer landscaping plan (in accordance with City Code §11.67, Subd. 7. A. 2.) for City approval. Advisory Parks Commission November 16, 2009 Page 2 4. Prior to approval of the final subdivision, the developer shall submit for recording a proposed conservation easement for the wetland and wetland buffer in a form and with content acceptable to the City. The developer shall be responsible for recording an acceptable conservation easement. 5. The developer shall place markers at the upland edge of the Wetland Buffer at least every 75 feet (or a minimum of one per lot). Wetland Buffer Markers will be provided by the City. • Northwood Townhomes - Dakota County CDA 1. This proposal shall be subject to a cash parks dedication 2. This proposal shall be subject to a cash trails dedication. 3. The applicant shall be required to fulfill tree mitigation requirements through the installation of thirty (30) Category B trees. 4. The applicant shall protect the preserved tree's critical root zones 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. 5. 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. 6. Prior to approval of the final subdivision, the developer shall submit for recording proposed conservation easements for the wetlands and wetland buffers in a form and with a content acceptable to the City. The developer shall be responsible for recording acceptable conservation easements. 7. The developer shall place markers at the upland edge of the Wetland Buffer at least every 75 feet (or a minimum of one per lot). Wetland Buffer Markers will be provided by the City. 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 Cascade Bay Report Director Johnson introduced Mark Vaughn, Campus Facilities Manager who gave a brief overview of the 2009 season for Cascade Bay and an update of what is to come in 2010. Manager Vaughn noted that attendance was down significantly from previous years likely associated to the cold temperatures and recession. Lowering the after 5 pm rates seemed to help admissions. Cascade Bay hired 100 returning and 48 new seasonal employees. Looking ahead to the 2010 season, Cascade Bay will focus on marketing to groups, using Captain C. Breeze to spread the word of what Cascade Bay has to offer inside and outside of the facility, and concentrate on staffing and expenses. Member Goff asked what some of the turf activities were, that would be combined with the water park. Manager Vaughan explained the indoor turf is only available up to about June 15 and hosts arena softball and the indoor playground. Member Belfori asked if there is a way staffing costs could be minimized by weather related predictions within our policy. Manager Vaughan answered that the policies do need to be re- visited. Member Goff asked if a target market has been made to supporting tournaments coming into Eagan such as Softball and Rugby to try and get families or groups of people into the Advisory Parks Commission November 16, 2009 Page 3 water park. Manager Vaughan replied will be looking into that opportunity to market to those groups. Member Anderson asked why the age group of 11 -15 is declining. Manager Vaughn replied he is not completely certain why, but thought that perhaps deeper water area for diving activities was more enticing. Director Johnson mentioned that the Eagan Convention and Visitors Bureau works to facilitate those events as well as marketing Cascade Bay outside the area. Member Palmer asked what is the biggest expense for Cascade Bay. Manager Vaughan answered that chemicals and heating the pool are the highest expenditures but staff is always working on ways to reduce those expenses. Park Maintenance Report Director Johnson introduced Steve Taylor, Parks Maintenance Supervisor. Supervisor Taylor gave a brief power point presentation highlighting various projects the parks maintenance division has completed in the past year including the fire pit that was put in at Moonshine Park and the dock at Wescott Park. Supervisor Taylor also covered all of the in -house projects done by maintenance including the set up of the Market Fest festival grounds, the striping of athletic fields as well as aerating and seeding fields in the spring and the fall. Supervisor Taylor noted that 400 acres of grass is mowed weekly and 250 trash cans emptied daily. 2009 Park projects included the installation of 16 new park signs, dock repair at Blackhawk Park, two map boards put in at Thomas Lake and Blackhawk Park as well as canopies installed at the Eagan Community Center. Five playgrounds were replaced at Northview, Wescott, Quarry, Rahn and Blackhawk Park. Supervisor Taylor concluded by saying maintenance is gearing up for the 2009/2010 winter season while still continuing to tackle projects. Member Hansen asked where they were at with the prairie field at Patrick Eagan Park. Director Johnson answered that it is finally starting to grow in after a very dry first year. COMMUNICATIONS Director Johnson pointed out a letter from a community gardener who participated in a garden plot at Holz Farm Park. Director Johnson believes this program will continue due to good feedback. Director Johnson noted that she will be attending the South Metro Sustainability Workshop on November 18 and commission members are welcome to attend. There were no Round Table items for the Commission to review. ROUND TABLE ADJOURNMENT With no further business to conduct, Member Goff moved, Member Dahlquist seconded, with all members voting in favor to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Secretary Date