09-12-2012 PR MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
HELD AT CITY HALL
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2012
Members Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Ahiness,Kallemeyn,Karisen,Niziolek,
Nystrom, and Sagan
Council Liaison: Mayor Dietz
Staff Present: Michael Hecker,Parks and Recreation Director, Chris Leeseberg,
Planner/Park Planner, Steve Benoit,Recreation Manager, Tonya Love,
Recreation Coordinator
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 Vice Chair Airiness.
2. Consider September 12, 2012 Parks &Recreation Commission Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER KALLEMEYN TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 12, 2012
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
3. Consider Minutes of August 8,2012 Parks &Recreation Commission Meeting
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KARLSEN AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER NYSTROM TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 8, 2012 PARKS
AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES.
MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
4. Open Forum- None
5. Awards &Recognitions
Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit presented Jeff Garcia as the September Parks and
Recreation Volunteer of the Month.
6. Discussion Items
6.1. Downtown Task Force Plan Review
Planner/Parks Planner, Chris Leeseberg introduced Redevelopment Framework Task Force
Co-Chair,Dana Anderson who presented the proposed MnDot Highway 10 redevelopment
plan. There is no current funding and the project is a 20-30 years plan.
Park&Recitation Commission Minutes Page 2
September 12,2012
7. Action Items
7.1.A. Major Park Use - Woodland Trails Park; Blue Line Club
Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit presented a major park use for Woodland Trails Park.
The Blue Line Club would like to hold a 5k Run/Walk on Sat. Oct. 6`h from 9-11am.
Commissioner Niziolek questioned which trails would be used.
Blue Line Club Fundraising Chair,Jane Zavier stated they would like to use the paved trails
only and would plan to run several laps for the event.
Commissioner Niziolek advised that the group work with him if they wanted to use any of
the green trails.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYTROM AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER SAGAN TO ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO
APPROVE THE MAJOR PARK USE WITH THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES.
PARK USE FEES WAIVED AS THIS EVENT IS FUNDRAISING FOR THE ELK
RIVER HOCKEY TEAM, GROUP WILL COVER COSTS OF ANY
ADDITIONAL NEEDS,AND WILL NOT MARK TRAILS AND USE CONES
FOR THE EVENT. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
7.1.B. Woodland Trails City Park&Trail Steward
Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker explained that the City Council reviewed and
approved the volunteer safety rules and equipment usage policy on September 10 and
presented that Rich Omdahl was named Hillside City Park Trail Steward in August 2009.
Mr.Hecker would like to name Dave Anderson as the Woodland Trails Park Steward. Park
Trail Stewards provide leadership overseeing volunteers as well as serving as the primary
communication link between staff and the many volunteers who help with maintenance and
park improvements.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SAGAN AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER KALLEMEYN TO ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION
TO NAME DAVE ANDERSON AS THE WOODLAND TRAILS PARK
STEWARD. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
7.2 Policy Issues
7.2.A. Field Use Policy Sub-committee
Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker presented background information regarding
field use policy and would like to appoint three members from the Parks and Recreation
Commission as a sub-committee to work with City staff to review and recommend an
updated policy for field use.
Park&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3
September 12,2012
Mr. Hecker would like to name Commissioners Ahlness, Karlsen and Sagan as the three
members for the sub-committee.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER NYSTROM TO ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO
NAME COMMISSIONERS AHLNESS, KARLSEN AND SAGAN AS MEMBERS
FOR THE FIELD USE POLICY SUB-COMMITTEE. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
7.2.B. Mississippi River Trail as a United States Bicycle Route Resolution
Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker shared that last November both the Parks
and Recreation Commission and City Council approved a letter of support and a resolution
for the Mississippi River Trail(MRT). Resolution 11-70. The success of this recognition
was recognized this past summer when 140 people biked and stopped in downtown Elk
River for lunch. Another resolution for the MRT is needed,using a template that specifically
refers to the United States Bicycle Route 45 for the American Association of State Highway
and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). ASHTO is the governing authority for route
designation and the resolution is needed by them for each local community segment along
the route to make the entire MRT an official route.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER KARLSEN TO RECOMMEND TO CITY COUNCIL TO
ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO SUPPORT THE MISSISSIPPI
RIVER TRAIL RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE CORRIDOR AS THE
UNITED STATES BIKE ROUTE 45 FOR THE AMERICAN ASSOCITAITON
OF STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS(AASHTO).
MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
8. Parks &Recreation Director Report
Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker shared a few highlights of the department's
activities during August. Sharing that the City Council approved to work with the school
district in connecting to city water at Oak Knoll Park as the well is drying up.
Mr. Hecker reported that there were some unforeseen costs of$1,400 for electrical work
regarding the donated scoreboard at the Youth Athletic Complex football field.
Mr. Hecker also recommended the Parks and Recreation Commission have a work session
the first week in October to discuss the department's 2013 capital improvement plan.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KALLEMEYN AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER SAGAN TO HOLD A SPECIAL PARKS AND RECREATION
COMMISSION WORK SESSION ON OCTOBER 3RD AT 6:30PM. MOTION
CARRIED 7-0.
Park&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4
September 12,2012
9. Division Manager's Reports
Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit shared that staff was transitioning into fall programming
and planning for the upcoming winter activities.
Mr. Benoit shared the Activity Center Report, highlighting the winning entry of the "Tell
Your Elk River Story' contest;which can be viewed inside the Activity Center or on the
Powered by Nature blog.
10. Announcements
Mayor Dietz shared that City Council discussed the four proposed options for the Ice Arena
and Barn project and more information will come in the future.
11. Adjournment
There being no further business,the meeting adjourned at 7:30pm.
13. Recess to Workshop
13.1 Parks and Facilities Naming Policy
Staff and commission members discussed the developing a Naming Policy to establish a
consistent approach for the official naming of parks and recreational facilities. Staff shared
research and a drafted sample parks and facilities naming policy for review.
13.2. Field Use Allocation Policy
Staff and commission members discussed developing a Field Use Allocation Policy that will
outline the allocation and rental policies for the permitted us of athletic fields in the City of
Elk River.
13.3. Eagle Scout Project Discussion
Staff and commission members discussed Taylor Hecker's potential Eagle Scout project in
designing and building a gateway/monument sign at the entrance to the Great Northern
Trail.
13.4. Orono Park Master Plan and Playground Concepts
Staff and commission members discussed an updated Orono Park master plan that reflects
new information, several playground concepts, changing budget funds and staff concerns.
14. Adjournment
There being no further business,the workshop adjourned at 10pm.
Park&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5
September 12,2012
Mirpts pr pafed"byTpfiya Love.
Dave Andef-§on
Parks and Recitation Commission Chair
Tina Alla rk