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11-09-2011 PR MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 201 I Members Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Ahlness, Jaker, Karlsen, Niziolek, Nystrom Members Absent: Commissioner Peterson Council Liaison: Mayor Dietz Staff Present: Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director, Steve Benoit, Recreation Manager, Chris Leeseberg, Plarmer/Park Plarmer, Paul Anderson, Golf Course Superintendent; Doug Dahl, Lead ©ubhouse Attendant; RaeAnn Gardner, Marketing Coordinator 1. Call Meeting To Order 2. 4. 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. Consider November 9, 2011 Parks & Recreation Commission Agcenda Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit added Neighborhood Outdoor Skating Rink Closure to Item 7.1.C MOVED BY COMMISSIONER AHLNESS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KARLSON TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 9, 2011 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA WITH REQUESTED CHANGES. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Consider Minutes of October 12.2011 Parks & Recreation Commission Meetinc MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KARLSEN TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 12, 2011 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. en Mike -None 5. Volunteer of the Month Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit shared that there is no volunteer of the month this month and they will be presenting volunteer of the month next meeting with either the Arena or F3illside. Pazk & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 November 9, 2011 6. Recreation Manager's Report -Steve Benoit Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit shared the Elk River Senior Center report. Mr. Benoit reponed a popular series of programs that are tied to the holiday season including the preschool parent and child ceramic classes. Mr. Benoit also shared the marketing efforts for October 2011. Action/Discussion Items 7.1. Policy Issues 7.1.A. Mississippi River Trail Resolution Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Hecker outlined a resolution for the Mississippi River Trail for the City of Elk River to become a host city. Commissioner Niziolek questioned if there could be a better aligmnent set for the trail to include going along the river. Planner/Park Planner, Chris Leeseberg explained that the plan for the bike passage includes paths and roadways that already exist. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KARLSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM TO RECOMMEND TO CITY COUNCIL TO ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO SUPPORT THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TRAIL APPLICATION AND RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER TO BECME A HOST CITY. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 7.1.B. Removal of Ridgewood Park Playground Parks and Recreation, Director Michael Hecker shared that staff recommends the removal of Ridgewood Park playground. Mr. Hecker explained that the condition of the playground structure has many safety concerns and warrants the need to remove the structure. Mr. Hecker also shared that the staff recommends not replacing the playground due to limited use for that area. Commissioner Jaker asked if there was any opposition to removing the playground. Mr. Hecker explained that the demographics for the area have changed and that the use of the playground has been limited. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER AHLNESS TO ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO REMOVE RIDGEWOOD PARK PLAYGROUND. MOTION CARRIED 6-0 Pazk & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 November 9, 2011 7.1.G Neighborhood Outdoor Skating Rink Closure Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit presented a request to remove the ice skating rinlss at Country Crossings Park and Idighlands West Park due to low usage. Commissioner Karlson shared that he would like to have the opportunity to reevaluate the need for rinks annually. Mr. Benoit agreed and recommends that the Conunission review the need for ice rink usage during the summer season so that decisions could be made prior to the winter season. Commissioner Anderson would like to discuss the option of creating a skating opportunity at Lake Orono in the future. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER AHLNESS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JAKER TO ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO REMOVE ICE RINKS AT COUNTRY CROSSINGS PARK AND HIGHLANDS WEST PARK AND RECOMMENTS REVIEWING IN 2012. MOTION CARRIED 6-0 8. Information/Update Items 8.1. Pinewood Golf Course Overview Planner/Parks Planner, Cluis Leeseberg gave an overview of the past season at Pinewood Golf Course. Mr. Leeseberg shared the changes that were made to the clubhouse, the hiring of Golf Professional Doug Dahl as the Lead Clubhouse Attendant, the number of participants in course lessons and membership fees. Mr. Leeseberg also presented some of the challenges that need to be looked at out at the Pinewood Golf Course Club House. Golf Course Superintendent, Paul Anderson was available to answer questions. Mr. Anderson also expressed gratitude to the Parks and Recreation staff that helped with the changes in the club house and also for help with the marketing efforts. 8.2. Hillside Park Easement Update Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Hecker presented an update to the Commission on the Hillside City Park Easement issues. Mr. Hecker shared that the Parks and Recreation staff continues to work with GRE and the volunteer trail users of Hillside Parkin regards to the tree cutting of the park's utility easement. Mr. Hecker stated that there will be a meeting with GRE the week of November 15~' to discuss possible improvements. 8.3. Ordinance Amendment -Alcohol in River's Edge Commons Park Plarurer/Parks Planner, Chris Leeseberg shared that the Ordinance Amendment for Alcohol in River's Edge Commons Park that was recommended in July 2007 by the Commission will be brought to the City Council as an ordinance amendment. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes November 9, 2011 8.4. Park/Program Hiehliehts Page 4 Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit presented highlights from the 2012 Family Fright Nrght event that was held on October 22, 2011. Mr. Benoit shared that the weather was perfect for an event that night and that there was 600+ participants that came out to enjoy the event. Family Fright Night included a pumpkin patch, crafts, games, Lil' Maze, music, treat trail, hayride and a haunted house. Mr. Benoit thanked all the sponsors and volunteezs that helped make the event a complete success. Mr. Benoit also highlighted the Elk River Arena's skating and open skating programs. 9. Cirv CounciUPlanning Commission Review/Updates Mayor John Dietz shared an email from Superintendent Mark Bezek inviting people to attend the January 12, 2012 HockeyDay in Excelsior. Mayor Dietz stated that they will be looking for staff to attend the event to see how it runs because Elk River is in the n,nning to have Hockey Day in 2014 that would be held at the Handke Stadium Mayor Dietz also shared that a balloon payment is due for the Pinewood Golf Course and that money would be borrowed out of the GRE funds in the amount of $700,000 to help make the payment. Mayor Dietz explained that the council is having staff look into the option of forgiving the loan and transfer the funds into the park improvement fund. 10. Other Business -None There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:37pm Minutes prepared by~aeAnn Gardner. L Dave Anderson `V Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Tina Allard, City Clerk