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06-09-2010 PR MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2010 Members Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Ahlness, Jaker, Karlsen, Niziolek, Nystrom and Peterson Council Liaison: Councilmember Zerwas Staff Present: Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director; Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner; Steve Benoit, Recreation Manager; Tonya Love, Recording Secretary Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Anderson. 2. Consider June 9.2010 Parks & Recreation Commission A eg nda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER JAKER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM TO APPROVE THE JUNE 9, 2010 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. CARRIED 6-0. 3. Consider Minutes of April 14. 2010 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PETERSON TO APPROVE THE APRIL 14, 2010 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 4. Open Mike -None 5. Volunteer of the Month Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit recognized Tara Olsen as this month's Volunteer of the month. 6. Recreation Manager's Report -Steve Benoit Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit shared that the department is gearing up for an extensive 2010 summer program offerings. Anew program offered this year was a ride on the new Northstar Commuter Rail Line. Participants were able to ride the train from Elk River, learn how to transfer to the Light RaIl in Minneapolis and went onto the Mall of America. This opportunity filled up very quickly. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 9J June 9,2010 Mx. Benoit shared the Senior Center and Ice Arena monthly report. Director's Report -Bill Maextz Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maextz shared that he will be resigning as Director of Elk River Parks and Recreation and starting a new position with the Ciry of Santee, California. He thanked the current and past commission members fox their service to the community. Councilmember Zerwas and all the Commissioners thanked Bill fox his service to the community of Elk River and his leadership in building the Parks and Recreation Department. 8. Action/Discussion Items 8.1. Policy Issues 8.1.A. Major Park Use -Lions Park - 4`h of July Event Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit shared that the Elk River American Legion has requested the use of Lions park on Sunday, July 4`h to hold a community 4`h of July celebration event. Mr. Benoit stated staff recommends all facility rental fees be waived, the Parks & Recreation Department provide trash cans and the rental group will be required to provide additional portable toilets at the groups' expense as needed. Commissioner Jakex asked if there is a safety protocol with fireworks and who will clean up after the event? Mx. Benoit stated that the request will also go through other departments which will address the safety measures and clean up will be done by local service groups and sentence to serve. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK TO ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS AS DISCUSSED FOR THE 4T" OF JULY EVENT AT LIONS PARK. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 8.LB. Major Paxk Use -Woodland TxaIls Park - ERHS Cross Country Race Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit shared that the Elk River High School has requested the use of Woodland Trails Park for Wednesday, October 13"' to hold a cross country conference championship meet. Park & Recreation Conunission Minutes Page 3! I June 9, 2010 ------------------------------- Mx. Benoit shared staff recommendations of waiving all rental fees, the Parks & Recreation Department providing trash cans and the rental group providing any additional portable toilets at the groups' expense. Commissioner Niziolek shared that there could be around 600 competitors and that along with using Woodland Trails Park they will be using nine holes at the Elk River Golf Course. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER JAKER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PETERSON TO ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS AS DISCUSSED FOR THE ELK RIVER HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP MEET AT WOODLAND TRAILS PARK MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 8.2. Discussion Items 8.2.A. Lions Paxk Secur rite Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared a memo from Police Chief Jeff Beahen regarding Security issues at Lions Park and a proposal for installing security cameras within Lions Paxk. Commissioner Anderson asked if there was any one venue that could be tied to vandalism and delinquent behavior. Mr. Maertz shared that some people believe it is due to the skate park but after working in the park for six years it is due to a variety of elements. Commissioner Anderson asked if there are park hours and if there is support from other park users on observing the unwanted behavior and vandalism. Mr. Maertz stated that the park closes at lOpm and that there has been minimal support from park users, maybe need to work with the nearby apartment owners/managers to help with reporting. Other long term options would be to have teen programs to deter those involved in the unwanted behavior and to also post signs stating a zero tolerance policy and if vandalism is witnessed to please call 911. Commissioner I{axlsen shared he understands a zero tolerance policy in respect to prosecuting criminal behavior; a few months ago the Commission passed a zero tolerance tobacco use policy. How would bullying and cursing be dealt with in regards to breaking park rules. Mr. Maertz stated that we would enforce what we can within the boundaries of the law. Commissioner Niziolek stated that signage should be posted within the park and an awareness article released in the local paper. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes June 9, 2010 8.2.B. Horses on Great Northern Trail Page 41 Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that horse riding has been prohibited on the Great Northern Trail south of CR 33 since it was paved. When the paving of the portion north of CR33 was planned horse riding was fairly common on the existing unpaved section of trail on north of CR33. Staff's recommendation at that time was to wait and see how the trail was used and whether there would an issue with multiple user types. A letter from a pedestrian user who has concerns regarding the horse riders using the trail was recently received. Staff requests that the Park and Recreation Commission discuss the various uses of the trail and whether at this time it might be appropriate to restrict horse riders from the section of paved trail. Commissioner Niziolek stated the trail use etiquette needs to be taught. Commissioner Jaker stated that there are many different user types and all can co- existhowever when issues arise at what point are the users separated for safety. Mx. Maertz shared that staff can do some research of what other cities axe doing and bring that back to commission. Commissioner Peterson shared that mixed used of the trail is not a good idea; first someone will get hurt and second have the horseback riders been contacted about this issue. Mr. Maertz stated that they had not been contacted. Commissioner Anderson shared that as the Elk River Parks system develops areas and usage will change and evolve, at the next commission meeting staff should present what are some options of what other cities axe doing. 9. Information/Update Items 9.1. Community Events Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit showcased Farmer's Market and this year's Ice Arena Ice Show along with a video of the Riverfront's Concert Series. 9.2. Park HinhliQhts Planner/Parks Planner, Chris Leesebexg showcased Mississippi Oaks Park and Riverplace Park. 9.3. Adopt-A-Park Update Planner/Parks Planner, Chris Leeseberg showcased Mississippi Oaks Park and Riverplace Paxk. Park & Recreation Commission b'linutes Page 5'.. ; June 9, 2010 10. City Council/Planning Commission Review/Updates Commissioner Peterson shared an update from the City Council meeting. 11. Other Business Commissioner Niziolek asked that at the next commission meeting a discussion take place about the private lands adjacent to the Great Northern Trail sections and hunting on those properties and how it affects the use of the trail. 12. Adiournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:46pm. Minutes prepared by/T-~nya Love. Dave Anderson Parks and Recreation Commission Chair