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08-09-2010 PR MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2010 Members Present: Chair Anderson, Counnissioners Ahlness, Jaker, Karlsen and Niziolek Members Absent: Commissioners Nystrom and Peterson Staff Present: Steve Benoit, Recreation Manager; Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner; Jeff Beahen, Chief of Police; Tonya Love, Recording Secretary 1. 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 September 8 2010 Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KARLSEN TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 8, 2010 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Minutes of Au st 11 2010 Parks & Recreation Commission Meetin MOVED BY COMMISSIONER JAKER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER AHLNESS TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 11, 2010 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES WITH CORRECTION TO ITEM 6. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Open Mike -None 5. Volunteer of the Month Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit recognized Lois B. Swanson as this month's Volunteer of the month. 6. Recreati~er's Report -Steve Benoit Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit shared the Senior Center and Ice Arena monthly reports. Mr. Benoit shared that summer programs came to an end in August and staff efforts switched to fall programs. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes September S, 2010 Page 2 Mx. Benoit shared updates regarding the following; City Council holding a work session on September 13 to discuss the possibility of purchasing BaIley Point, hiring of the Parks and Recreation Director, lighting installed at Hillside Park parking lot and alley drainage next to River's Edge Park. Discussion Items 7.1.A. City Park Hours Polite Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit shared that concerns have been raised in regards to activities that occur in Elk River city parks after hours. Current city ordinance states that parks are open to the public from Gam to lOpm daily. However, there have cases where activities axe operating outside that timefxame. Examples include; Mountain bike riding at Hillside Ciry Paxk, hikers at Woodland Tralls Park and disk golf at Lions Park. Mx. Benoit stated that staff is looking for feedback from the commission on how to approach the issue of aftexhours park use. Possibilities include; adhere to current ordinance and not allow activities to occur outside park hours without a permit or adjust hours at certain parks based on use demands, which would require a change in the city ordinance. Chief of Police, Jeff Beahen shared that this issue is two-fold; with 44 parks it is challenging to know what afterhour's activities are allowed at which parks and to enforce that. Would like to be able to differentiate as to who can use the park after hours or not. Decision should be made based on the whole community. Commissioner I{axlsen stated that is the park has posted hours of operation than how is there a legitimate user? There shouldn't be anyone in the park. Chief Beahen agreed that the posted hours should keep all users out. Implementing a way to issue permits for after hours would be a way to keep track. Commissioner Anderson stated the only good way to differentiate who can use the park after posted hours would be to issue permits. Chief Beahen stated he would like to avoid issuing permits for after hours park use, which could catapult into all kinds of users looking to use all kinds of different parks. He asked the commission to look into this one issue at hand of using Hillside Park after hours for night riding. Commissioner Niziolek asked if Chief Beahen would be comfortable with night riding permits being issued along with being notified. Chief Beahen stated that it would be good to have a permit on the vehicle. Hillside City Park TxaIl Steward, Rich Omdahl shared that there are three fall night time races which will go past posted park hours; a lot of riders work latex shifts and Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 September 8, 2010 ---------------------------- want to ride after work, they may start their ride before the park closes but then end after hours. An afterhour's permit process would be a good idea along with some type of pre-approval. Ed Caxxol, Albertville resident shared that having a night pass would be a great benefit, currently there axe only five other mountain bike parks that are open in the evenings in the Twin Cities. Mx. Omdahl spoke about the volunteers that help with maintenance of the park and how they take a small ownership of the park and really do not want others in there vandalizing because they would be the ones to fix it. Commissioner Jaker stated that it is helpful to know that the volunteer group is prideful of park and the commission is grateful for their efforts. If park closes at l Opm and if there is a pertnit process in place, how do we know there still will not be any noise from those using the park after hours. Chief Beahen shared that we would not know if the noise would stop, however since the parking lot lights have been installed there have not been any calls of noise complaints. Planner/Park Planner, Chris Leeseberg asked what a logical end time would be fox night riding at Hillside City Park. Mx. Omdahl stated midnight would be reasonable Mr. Caxrol clarified that time would be kept at park hours closing at 10pm and then issuing a night time permit until midnight? Commissioner Niziolek stated that a proper night time riding permit would be issued to ride until midnight. Mr. Carrol asked is the night time permit would be per use ox annual Commissioner Anderson stated the permit process would have to be user friendly and issued on an annual basis. If this change were to take place riders need to be awared that if it is abused it may be taken away. Elk River resident, Time Hannagxaf ;lives in the Trott Brook neighborhood and rides the trail in the evening and stated he sees anywhere from six to ten riders in the evening hours. Commissioner Anderson shared he would like to keep the parks hours of Gam to lOpm and asked how city and special events that go after hours are accepted. Chief Beahen stated the groups along with city staff should get approval from the commission for the event if the ordinance stays the same. Paxk & Recreation Commission 1~linutes September 8, 2010 Page 4 Commissioner Anderson stated that the user groups should report to staff and staff can present a list of activities that happen after hours to commission. Hillside bike riders should display annual passes in vehicle. Chief Beahen stated that requirements to having a night pass at Hillside City Park should include no loitering between hours of 10pm and 12am. Mixtinuze the noise level in the parking lot area, trying to unload and load bikes quietly and displaying a permit in the vehicle. Commissioner Karlsen stated that looking at encompassing all parks if we are allowing after hours permit process. Commissioner Niziolek shared that we should consider doing this permit process for the larger parks only; Hillside and Woodland Trails. Chief Beahen suggested permitting on a case by case basis. 8. Information/Update Items 8.1. Community Events Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit showcased two tournaments held at Pinewood Golf Course this year. 8.2. Park Hinhli¢hts Planner/Park Planner, Chris Leeseberg presented the Elk River Activity Center. 8.3. Adopt-A-Paxk Update Planner/Paxk Planner, Chris Leeseberg stated that Barrington Park was recently adopted. 9. City Council/Planning Commission Review/Updates -None 10. Other Business Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit presented information on an upcoming opportunity on September 14; riding your bike along the Mississippi River Trail from Elk River to Anoka. Chief of Police, Jeff Beahen shared that there was a shooting incident along the Great Northern Trail on Sept. 5, 2010. He noted that the group was doing target practice facing the traIl and were 600 feet from the traIl. There were a few members of the group charged and will have to go to court. Planner/Park Planner, Chris Leeseberg explained that the location where this incident took place is located in the no shooting firearms zone. Patk & Recreation Commission \linutes September 8, 2010 11. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:SSpm. Minutes prepared by Tonya Love. ~~/ Page 5 L~ve Anderson Parks and Recreation Commission Chair