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12-12-2012 PR MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012 Members Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Ahlness, Kallemeyn,Karlsen,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 Chair Anderson. 2. Consider December 12,2012 Parks &Recreation Commission Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KALLEMEYN TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 12, 2012 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3. Consider Minutes of November 14,2012 Parks &Recreation Commission Meeting MOVED BY COMMISSIONER AHLNESS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 14,2012 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 4. Open Forum Elk River Youth Football Association President, Todd Raymaker, 10725 186`h Circle NW Elk River expressed interest in partnering with the City of Elk River Parks &Recreation Department to build a 100 yard field at Youth Athletic Complex. 5. Awards &Recognitions Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit presented Tom Miller as the December Parks and Recreation Volunteer of the Month. Park&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 December 12,2012 6. Park/Program Hiehlight Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit shared new program highlights of Pickleball,a program held at Lions Park Center and Annual Activity Center Members Only Parry. 7. Action Items 7.1.A. Fresno Rink Removal Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker presented staff recommendation to close the Fresno Park Outdoor Skating Rink. Due to either little or no use by the public and in an effort to preserving the newly resurfaced court, staff recommends no ice rink being installed. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KALLEMEYN TO ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO REMOVE OUTDOOR SKATING RINK AT FRESNO PARK. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 7.1.B. Baldwin Park Playground Removal Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker reported that the playground equipment at Baldwin Park does not meet the current safety standards and it would cost an estimated $3,000 to bring it up to current standards. Staff is recommending removal of play structure and leaving the swing set in the park Mr.Hecker also shared that the playground does not receive much use by area residents, because of its size and age. Barrington Park is within walking distance and offers two play structures for two different age groups along with lighting. Commissioner Niziolek stated that it would be nice to plant a few trees for shading the park in the future. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KARLSEN TO ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO THE REMOVAL OF BALDWIN PARK PLAYGROUND STRUCTURE AND REMOVE THE 2015 PLACEHOLDER REPLACEMENT IN THE PARK IMPROVEMENT PLAN ALONG WITH PLANNING TO INCLUDE PLANTING A COUPLE TREES. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 7.2. Policy Issues 7.2.A. Youth Sports Philosophy Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker presented the youth sports philosophy that was developed based on the feedback received from the community youth sports meeting held on November 29,2012. Staff recommends the Parks and Recreation Commission Park&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 December 12,2012 approve adoption of the youth sports philosophy as it sets a foundation for the Field& Facility Use Allocation Policy. Commissioner Sagan explained that the youth sports philosophy was created with the feedback and discussions held with the youth sports associations. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SAGAN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KARLSEN TO ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT THE YOUTH SPORTS PHILOSOPHY FOR IMPLEMENTATION INTO AN OVERALL POLICY FOR YOUTH SPORTS AND FIELD/FACILITY USAGE. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 8. Discussion Items 8.1. Skate Park Discussion Planner/Park Planner, Chris Leeseberg presented pictures of the skate park highlighting the ongoing maintenance problems due to the quality of the skate park structure and the installation. With the constant refastening of the surface with wood screws,many portions of the wood substructure no longer have any material left to fasten to resulting in unsafe areas. Screws are constantly working their way above the riding surface resulting in "tripping" hazards. Commissioner Sagan questioned the liability issues surrounding the skate park Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker shared that the Parks Maintenance staff have done their due diligence in maintaining and explained that due to the fact the skate park is not supervised and that there is no fee charged there is no liability for the City. Commissioner Kallemeyn asked how many injuries occur at the skate park Mr. Hecker explained that the park is not supervised and so all injuries that may have happened have not been tracked. Commissioner Anderson recommended that the skate park user group be informed of the possibility of the skate park removal. Commissioner Nystrom shared that the current location is not transparent enough. Skate park users tend to enjoy having an audience, if removing the skate park it should be based on the condition of the structure, not on who utilizes the skate park or others in the area. Mayor Dietz explained that everything is a matter of priority and the Parks and Recreation Department has limited funding. It would make more sense to build a football field to serve 500 participants than only 50 who may utilize the skate park Commissioner Niziolek requested that a notice be put in the paper and park of the discussion of removing the skate park Park&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 December 12,2012 9. Parks &Recreation Director Report Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker presented department updates including the Bailey Point Project, Orono Park Playground public meeting to held on January 9 and the City Maintenance Facility was recently approved to occupy so Streets and Parks Maintenance crews have been moving into their new spaces. 10. Division Manager's Reports Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit reported that the RecTrac registration software was officially rolled out and participants would be able to access it on the City's website. Mr. Benoit also presented the Ice Arena and Activity Center staff reports. 11. Announcements Commissioner Anderson shared that with the snowfall volunteers had already logged 45 volunteer hours grooming the Woodland Trails Park ski trails. Commissioner Niziolek suggested a park site tour of the Baily Point Project at 4:30pm before the work session on January 30t. 12. Adjournment There being no o .usiness,the meeting adjourned at 7:50pm. utes i •pare s, Tonya Love. Dave Anderson Parks and Recreat'.n .mmission Chair S Tina .rd,-City Clerk