03/15/2010 - Advisory Parks & Recreation CommissionApproved April 19, 2010
A regular meeting of the Advisory Parks Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on March 15, 2010.
Commission Members present: Rebecca Aaning, Thor Anderson, Phil Belfiori, Jennifer Dahlquist, Bruce Goff, Laurie
Halverson, Duane Hansen and Michael Palmer. Staff members present included Director Juli Seydell Johnson;
Superintendent of Operations Cherryl Mesko, and Superintendent of Parks Paul Olson.
Member Halverson moved, Member Goff seconded, with all members present voting in favor to approve the agenda
as presented.
Member Goff moved, Member Halverson seconded, with all present members voting in favor to approve the
minutes of February 11, 2010.
There were no visitors to be heard.
ADVISORY PARKS COMMISSION
EAGAN. MINNESOTA
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 15, 2010
APPROVAL OF A GENDA
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 11.2010
VISITORS TO BE HEARD
DIRECTOR'S DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Director Johnson provided a few highlights including the various recent activities at the Eagan Community Center
including multiple tournaments, rentals and programs. She noted that on Friday one of the big electrical panels got water in
it and about half of the electricity to the building was lost. Staff quickly moved events around in the building, strategized
alternate access to areas that were affected by the power outage and finally got service back in the building to accommodate a
basketball tournament scheduled for that evening and weekend. Johnson also noted the Home & Leisure Show at the Civic
Arena scheduled the past weekend with a great attendance. Cascade Bay is in the process of interviewing and has received
500 applications for approximately150 jobs.
Director Johnson noted that community gardens have been offered at Holz Farm over the last couple of years and
because of the demand for gardens in the past there was a plan to expand it to Bridle Ridge Park. The site was prepared
however with the expansion of community gardens through grant opportunities in Dakota County the interest for spaces at
Holz Farm and Bridle Ridge were minimal. The current interest filled the Holz Farm site and the Bridle Ridge site will not
be used unless there is a strong need in the future.
Johnson continued that Parks Maintenance has been phasing in new park signs and that Blackhawk, Northview,
Thomas Lake and a few others will be replaced between now and this fall. Work will begin soon at the new pavilion at
Central Park and should be completed later this summer. Crews are currently out cleaning the trails throughout the City.
Other items noted by Johnson included over 190 teams are registered for adult sports and arena softball has 2 more teams
than last year, next month the Arbor Day events will kick off with the Arbor Day celebration held in conjunction with the
Holz Farm Spring Festival at Holz Farm on May 16.
CONSENT AGENDA
There were no Consent Agenda Items for the Commission to review.
Advisory Parks Commission
March 15, 2010
Page 2
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
Request to Place Art in Public Spaces
Director Johnson began with a concept drawing that the American Legion and the Eagan Lioness Club have
proposed for a joint memorial to Eagan's heroes which would include veterans, police and fire. The group is currently
waiting for State funding through the State bonding bill that would be the funding mechanism for the project. In preparation
to have this included in the bonding bill the City Council has endorsed the project itself under the condition that the funding
come from the State or another source. The Commission is being asked to look at this proposal under the Art in Public
Spaces Policy and open a 30 day public comment period. After the 30 day public comment period, the Commission is asked
to make a recommendation to the City Council and the City Council will make the final decision.
After further brief discussion Member Goff moved, Member Halverson seconded, with all present members voting
in favor to open the 30 day public comment period effective March 16, 2010.
Superintendent Mesko gave a brief update on the geothermal project at the Eagan Civic Arena along with a power
point presentation. Mesko noted that in addition to the energy saving measures, the construction project presented a good
opportunity to address the long- standing issue with the west arena floor and as part of the overall project that floor will be
completely replaced. This project is on a very fast track; August 2009 the grant was applied for, notification was received on
October 30 that we were awarded the grant pending final review and the City Council took action on February 1, 2010 to
accept the grant and approve the project. Construction will begin shortly with a timeline to have the entire project
substantially complete by July 9 when the ice needs to be back in for operation.
Superintendent Olson gave a short presentation about the Energy Block Grant. He noted that the City received a
Federal Stimulus Block Grant through the Department of Energy to make energy conservation improvements to City
facilities which included: City Hall, Community Center, Maintenance Facility and Fire Stations. A consultant was hired to
conduct an energy audit and developed a list of potential projects. Projects were selected and improvements will begin late
spring and completed within 12 months.
There were no Communications items to review.
OTHER BUSINESS AND REPORTS
Civic Arena Geothermal Project Update
Department of Energy Block Grant Update
COMMUNICATIONS
Advisory Parks Commission
March 15, 2010
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ROUND TABLE
There were no Round Table Items for the Commission to review.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to conduct, Member Dahlquist moved, Member Halverson seconded, with all members
voting in favor to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
Secretary Date