9. PRSR 10-10-12 Item: 9
Eikk , MEMORANDUM
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TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
DATE: October 10, 2012
SUBJECT: Director's Report
This report is a highlight of our Department's activities to inform the Commission on items related
to strategic planning, staff development,park operations and collaborations during the past month.
Elk River Librarian Mick Staffers
The official last day for Elk River Librarian Mick Stoffers is October 31, 2012. Mick will be
recognized for her 27-years of service to the community at the October 15 City Council meeting. A
retirement party is planned for Wednesday, October 10 from 4-6 pm at the Elk River Library. The
public is invited.
Activity Center Staff Restructure
City Council will review at the October 8, 2012 Work Session, a plan to restructure the staff at the
Activity Center. Over the past several months staff conducted an analysis of the Activity Center
operations and senior programming to determine appropriate staffing levels. Duties have been
restructured and a plan to be implemented will be discussed with City Council.
Summer Concert Series
The Bank of Elk River has agreed to sponsor the 2013 Summer Concert Series for$14,000. Steve
Benoit and I have been working with the Bank on the details. We are looking as a shorter season of
10 dates instead of 12 with an emphasis on quality bands over quantity.
Park Improvement Fund
The special work session on October 3 with the Parks and Recreation Commission to review the
Parks Improvement Fund was beneficial to staff. Except for the Downtown Parking Lot Landscape
Project ($47,000) all of the projects were recommended to move forward to the City Council Work
Session for discussion on Monday, October 8.
Some of the major projects recommended by staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission
include the development of a new destination "Powered By Nature" themed playground at Orono
Park for$250,000; trail repairs for$100,000; and the development of a Parks and Recreation Master
Plan for$65,000.
Bailey Point Project
The closing of the Bailey Point property with the land owner and the MN Land Trust continues to
be in the works and should be completed soon. The discussion of basic improvements needed for
this future park such as a parking lot will be discussed at the City Council Work Session October 8.
Houlton Property
An update on the status of the Houlton property will be also discussed at the City Council Work
Session October 8. The acquisition of this property has been discussed with staff and the Minnesota
and Federal Land Trust conservation organizations. Staff and Parks and Recreation Commission
Members did tour the property site on a beautiful warm day Wednesday, October 3. I especially
enjoyed the views of the Baily Point property from the confluence of the Mississippi and Elk Rivers.
Oak Knoll Athletic Complex Irrigation Project
City Council approved in August a project to irrigate the city athletic fields at Oak Knoll with city
water. The well continues to cavitate, especially with our recent drought conditions. The best option
to guarantee water with consistent pressure for irrigation of the athletic fields is to install city water
service. The well can continue to be used during the spring months with the higher water levels.
This project was done in cooperation with the school district and the city. The project was delayed
by the school district because of the many well/land agreements they found and wanted to review.
Staff met with the school district on October 3 and the project is now moving ahead. The
ownership of the well,and use of this athletic complex has a long history of oral agreements and
written statements that have not been formally approved. It was also agreed on October 3 that a
formal agreement between the two entities will be drafted to clarify future usage and replacements.
National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Annual Conference
I will be attending the NRPA Annual Conference in Anaheim, California the week of October 15. I
will be attending education sessions,the exhibit hall and networking with over 5,000 parks and
recreation professionals.