HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-12-10 Parks & Rec Comm MinutesDraft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 1/14/2020
Minutes
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Edina Parks & Recreation Commission
City Hall, Council Chambers
Tues., Dec. 10, 2019
7 p.m.
I. Call to Order
Chair Good called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Answering roll call were Commissioners McAwley, Ites, Dahlien, Good, Nelson, Miller and
Strother and Student Commissioners Lelas and Osborne
Absent: Commissioner McCormick
Late arrivals: Commissioner Willette arrived at 7:13 p.m.
Staff present: Staff Liaison Perry Vetter, Assistant Director Parks & Natural Resources Tom
Swenson and Administrative Coordinator Janet Canton
III. Approval of Meeting Agenda
Motion made by McAwley to approve the meeting agenda. Motion seconded by
Nelson. Motion carried.
IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Nelson to approve the Nov. 12, 2019 minutes. Motion seconded by
McAwley. Motion carried.
V. Community Comment
None
VI. Reports/Recommendations
A. Introduction of Potential Lake Cornelia Water Quality Improvements
Staff Liaison Vetter introduced the potential Lake Cornelia Water Quality Improvement
Project and explained how it relates to the strategic plan as well as how its main goal is
to protect and restore Edina’s water resources.
Randy Anhorn, District Administrator for the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District
explained how this plan is part of their watershed management plan. He also explained
how they have been working on a feasibility water study on Lake Cornelia and Lake
Edina.
Janna Kieffer, Vice President and Senior Water Resources Engineer from Barr
Engineering informed the commission Barr Engineering conducted the study on Lake
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Cornelia and Lake Edina. She noted they identified several management practices they
could do in both Lake Cornelia and outside the watershed. She explained their goal for
tonight’s meeting is to introduce to the commission these concepts during the early
phases of it.
Kurt Leuthold, Vice President and Senior Civil Engineer from Barr Engineering went over
the different concepts they had looked at.
Commissioners asked questions and gave positive feedback.
Staff Liaison Vetter stated that the proposed project is just conceptual at this point. The
next steps in the process would be for the watershed district to review further and if
they are interested in pursuing the improvements, to update the City Council and
determine a review process.
B. Park Assignments
Commissioner Strother indicated she did not submit her preferred parks and noted she
would like to take Chowen Park and would be happy to take any of the other open
parks.
Commissioner Miller asked to have Cornelia School Park added to his park assignments.
Student Commissioner Lelas asked to have Strachauer Park and York Park added to her
park assignments.
Student Commissioner Osborne asked to have Melody Lake Park and Normandale Park
added to her park assignments.
Commissioner Miller noted it would be great if the commissioners could get in touch
with the people who have adopted parks and introduce themselves to make a
connection.
Chair Good indicated that staff will provide guidance on what would be helpful as they
visit some of these parks to capture and send back. He also noted if you get contacted
by somebody affiliated with one of these parks then this gives you a commissioner that
you can include in any discussion.
C. Commission Work Plan Update
Chair Good informed the commission they need to wrap up their 2019 Work Plan and
that the proposed 2020 Work Plan has now been officially approved by the City Council.
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Staff Liaison Vetter informed the commission they will be receiving a template so they
can formulate their response and they can summarize the year’s Work Plan for the City
Council on each of the initiatives as well as give feedback and note if there are any next
steps or recommendations.
Chair Good pointed out to the commission there are seven initiatives on the 2020 Parks
& Recreation Commission Work Plan; one of the initiatives is a carry-over from the 2019
Work Plan.
Staff Liaison Vetter gave a more detailed summary of each of the initiatives.
Commissioners volunteered to be on the following 2020 Work Plan initiatives:
Initiative #1 – Review and comment on the Flood Risk Reduction Strategy and Climate
Action Plan. Commissioner McAwley and Student Commissioner Lelas
Initiative #2 – Co-chair a cross-commission committee (HRRC & PARC) in partnership
with communities of color to identify barriers for participation in programming by
creating a plan to reach communities of color through different modes, structure of
feedback, and how data will be used. (R&E 20.B.) Committee will be comprised of no
more than 2-3 members from each commission and one member from each commission
will serve as co-chair. Commissioner Strother and Student Commissioner Osborne.
Initiative #3 – Develop an approach to build community by proactively connecting with
neighborhood groups, community athletic groups and underserved members of the
community. Commissioners Ites, Nelson and Student Commissioner Osborne
Initiative #4 – Develop criteria that incorporates sustainability and equity for prioritizing
capital improvements for park infrastructure needs, including playground equipment,
warming houses and core amenities for expansion and replacement. Parks and
Recreation Commission will create the criteria and both Energy & Environment
commission and Human Rights & Relations commission will appoint up to 2 members for
feedback on final criteria before it goes to council. Commissioners Nelson, Strother and
Student Commissioners Lelas and Osborne
Initiative #5 – Assist staff with the pursuit of funding opportunities for Braemar Park
Master Plan. Commissioners Good, Ites, Miller and Willette
Initiative #6 – Assist staff with the pursuit of funding opportunities for Fred Richards
Park master plan. Commissioners Dahlien, Ites and Willette
Initiative #7 – Study and report on the strategic goal of 15% of Edina land dedicated to
parks and green spaces. Commissioners Dahlien, Good and Miller
VII. Chair and Member Comments
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Commissioner McAwley asked if the city is going to be grooming cross country trails at
Braemar Park this winter to which Staff Liaison Vetter replied they are not.
Commissioner Dahlien wanted to commend Braemar Arena General Manager Chad
Eichens and his staff for how well they handled some unruly fans at the high school game.
VIII. Staff Comments
Staff Liaison Vetter gave the following updates:
The 2020 calendar of meetings for the city has been approved; due to the primary
election on Aug. 11 the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting will be held on
Monday, Aug. 10. Chair Good asked the commissioners to think about where they
would like to hold their two off-site meetings in 2020. Commissioner Nelson suggested
Arden Park.
The proposed Parks & Recreation fees will go to City Council for approval on Dec. 17.
He noted they have not yet solved what a half-season pass at the Aquatic Center would
look like; however, someone from the Finance Department has been working on it.
Work continues at Arden Park with flooding the rinks and finalizing the warming house.
If all goes well they are looking at opening the rinks on Dec. 16.
Braemar Golf Dome has been receiving some good responses from the people who are
using the new technology.
Braemar Arena has been busy; The Cake Eater Tournament was held over Thanksgiving
weekend and approximately 12,000 people went through the arena over that Friday,
Saturday and Sunday.
The dome has been doing well.
Centennial Lakes Park just finished their final reservation of the year and are moving
towards outdoor skating and are hoping to open Dec. 16 as well.
Edinborough Park has its New Year’s Eve party on Monday, Dec. 30 from 5-7:30 p.m.;
the best way to register is online.
City Council adopted the 2020 budget and the Comprehensive Guide Plan at their Dec.
3 meeting. Staff Liaison Vetter thanked the commissioners and Chair Good for all their
hard work on the Comprehensive Plan.
IX. Adjournment
Motion made by Nelson to adjourn the Dec. 10, 2019 meeting at 8:41 p.m. Motion
seconded by Dahlien. Motion carried.