01-09-2013 PR MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
HELD AT CITY HALL
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
Members Present: Vice-Chair Ahlness, Commissioners Kallemeyn,Karlsen,Niziolek,Nystrom,
and Sagan
Members Absent: Chair Anderson
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 6:32 p.m.by Vice-Chair Ahlness.
2. Consider January 9,2013 Parks &Recreation Commission Agenda
Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker requested to add Item 7.1.B. Approve grant
application to conduct an archeological survey of Bailey Point.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SAGAN AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER KALLEMEYN TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 9, 2013 PARKS
& RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA WITH STAFF ADDITIONS.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
3. Consider Minutes of December 12, 2012 Parks &Recreation Commission Meeting
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER KARLSEN TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 12,2012 PARKS
AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
4. Open Forum- None
5. Awards &Recognitions
Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit presented Rob Dalchow as the January Parks and
Recreation Volunteer of the Month.
Park&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2
January 9,2013
6. Park/Pro gram H iighlight
Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit shared outdoor skating rink information along with
highlighting the upcoming Fire &Ice Festival on Jam,aty 26,2013.
7. Action Items
7.1.A. Recommendation of Skate Park Closure
Planner/Park Planner, Chris Leesebert presented staff recommendation to close the skate
park located at Lions Park for safety and maintenance costs.
Many area youth presented and shared their experiences of using the Lions Park Skate Park
and the benefits it had provided to them.
Commissioner Kallemeyn suggested that there are many volunteer groups that have formed
in other parks and that the Elk River youth could do the same with their energy to help with
future fundraising if the decision is made to remove the skate park due to safety concerns
and maintenance cost.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER NYSTROM TO FORM A COMMITTEE OF STAFF AND
STUDENTS THAT USE THE SKATE PARK TO LOOK AT CURRENT PARK
AND COST OF MATERIAL LABOR. COMMITTEE THEN PRESENT
INFORMATION TO COMMISSION FOR RECOMMENDATION.
MOVED BY COMMISSION NIZIOLEK TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO
THE CURRENT MOTION AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
KALLEMEYN TO CLOSE THE LIONS PARK SKATE PARK IMMEDIATELY,
AS WELL AS TO FORM COMMITTEE IMMEDIATELY TO GATHER COST
OF MATERIALS AND VOLUNTEER LABOR AND PRESENT BACK TO
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION WITHIN TWO MONTHS.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
7.1.B. Approve grant application to conduct an archaeological survey of Bailey Point
Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker shared that as part of the Bailey Point
property purchase,the city is required to conduct an archeological survey prior to the final
reimbursement of the grant funds for the acquisition. The city will engage a professional
archeologist and interested volunteers to complete the survey project.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER KARLSEN TO ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO
APPROVE THE GRANT APPLICATION TO THE MINNESOTA HISTORICAL
SOCIETY FOR FUNDING TO CONDUCT AN ARCHEOLOGICAL SURVEY
OF BAILEY POINT. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
Park&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3
January 9,2013
8. Parks &Recreation Director Report
Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker presented department updates including that
the department will be installing the community's first destination playground at Orono Park
and staff is working on a comprehensive master plan for the department.
9. Division Manager's Reports
Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit shared that the City maintains six outdoor ice rinks. Two
of the six have warming houses and along with the ice rinks each have sledding hills as well.
Mr.Benoit also presented the Ice Arena and Activity Center staff reports.
10. Announcements
Mayor Dietz shared that the City of Elk River is on the cusp of possibly being awarded
Hockey Day 2014,which will be announced later this month.
11. Adjournment
There being no further business,the meeting adjourned at 7:43pm.
Minutes prepared by Tonya Love.
Mark Ahlness
Parks and Recreation Commission Vice-Chair
' 7
L ;,
Tina Allard, City Clerk
12. Work session Discussion
Interested community members and Commission members discussed several playground
design concepts that were presented by city staff.