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05-08-2013 PR MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2013 Members Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Ahlness, Kallemeyn,Niziolek,Nystrom, and Sagan Members Absent: Commissioner Holmgren 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 Rodney Schreifels,Parks Superintendent; Annette Bonin, Activity Center Coordinator 1. Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof,the meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recitation Commission was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Anderson. 2. Consider May 8,2013 Parks &Recreation Commission Agenda Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker added Item 6.E. City Comprehensive Plan Committee Representative MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KALLEMEYN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SAGAN TO APPROVE THE MAY 8, 2013 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 3. Consider Minutes of April 10, 2013 Parks &Recreation Commission Meeting Commissioner Nystrom changed 7.B.to read Northeast instead of Southeast for the location of the parking lot. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KALLEMEYN TO APPROVE THE APRIL 10, 2013 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Park&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 May 8,2013 4. Open Forum Eagle Scout,Taylor Hecker presented a new Eagle Scout project of creating mile markers made out of concrete on the Great Northern Trail. This will be instead of the entrance sign project previously discussed. Elk River youth resident, Cameron Barringer shared an update regarding the status of the Skate Park committee and its plans to hold a fundraising event sometime in July. 5. Park/Program Hi g hlight Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit shared highlights of the upcoming River's Edge Concert Series beginning June 6, sponsored by the Bank of Elk River. Mr. Benoit stated that the City Volunteer Program is up and running and all the information is posted on the website. Commissioner Kallemeyn shared pictures of the May Spring snow storm and how the Woodland Trails Park volunteers groomed the ski trails for one last opportunity to cross country ski. 6. Action Items 6.A. Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker introduced Gina Hugo, from Sherburne County. Gina Hugo presented the Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan for Sherburne County and that City of Elk River agreed to partake in. The plan covers,tree removal, replacement and treatment. Commissioner Sagan questioned why the plan doesn't just cut down the Ash trees when the Emerald Ash Borer(EAB) cannot be stopped. Ms.Hugo stated that the management plan does not advocate cutting down healthy trees that are still providing for the environment. Mr. Hecker reminded the commission that staff is looking for approval of the Emerald Ash Borer Preparedness and Management Plan. Commissioner Niziolek stated his concem that it is imperative to manage the forest and open space and believes EAB is a problem however buckthorn will destroy our forest and should be first priority. Commissioner Anderson asked if this management plan was for the city or urban areas. Park&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 May 8,2013 Ms. Hugo stated it is for the City of Elk River limits and that Elk River is estimated to having over 10,000 Ash trees. Commissioner Anderson shared that there are no new trees generated where ever there is buckthorn. Questioned why there is an emphasis on something that is not even in the area and as a City we should be working on removing buckthorn. Parks Superintendent,Rodney Schreifels stated that by having the approved plan in place, it will allow them to work with the DNR to secure grants in the future. Ms. Hugo agrees that buckthron is an issue and having hundreds of trees dying at once from EAB will be a bigger drain on City resources. Commissioner Anderson stated they were not against the management plan but there isn't anything being done about buckthorn. Commissioner Sagan commented it will cost the City resources now or later when the infestation happens. Commissioner Niziolek stated he is worried that the budget of money available is going to other issues and not buckthorn. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SAGAN TO RECOMMEND TO CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE EMERAL ASH BORER PREPAREDNESS MANAGEMENT PLAN AND SPEND COMPARABLE RESOURCES ON BUCKTHORN AS WITH THE EAB PREPAREDNESS MANAGEMENT PLAN. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 6.B. Park Naming of Property known as Bailey Point Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker shared the Park Naming Policy and that staff is recommending Bailey Point as the park name. Commissioner Sagan shared he liked the name Bailey Point and hadn't heard any other names and recommended keeping it. Commissioner Niziolek stated he had an issue with the process of naming the park in that the policy was just developed and in the past the City had chosen not the name park property after individuals and encouraged residents to come forward with naming options. He stated he didn't want to hurt others feelings and believed that there hadn't been an adequate process to name the park Mr. Hecker stated that the public was offered opportunity to give input for two months and a public notice was published per the Park Naming Policy and believed that staff had met the requirements. Commissioner Kallemeyn asked if any residents came forward with ideas. Park&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 May S,2013 Mr. Hecker stated no one had shared any new ideas. Commissioner Nystrom shared that Bailey Point is the most historic location in the area and believed it should have a historic type name to key in on the history of the land and river. Commissioner Ahlness stated that the policy allows people to submit an application to suggest a name change. Elk River Resident,Kelly Prusek, 1858 Tyler Drive; stated that the public who care are present in the meeting and like the name Bailey Point. Commissioner Anderson shared a few name ideas;Bailey Point Park Preserve or Bailey Point Nature Preserve. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SAGAN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER AHLNESS TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO NAME THE PARK BAILEY POINT NATURE PRESERVE. MOTION CARRIED 4-2, 4 YEAH, 1 NO, 1 ABSTANE. Mound Resident,Patty Miller,former Elk River Resident shared that adding Nature Preserve to the name as it clarifies what type of park it is. 6.C. Regulations Regarding use of Bailey Point Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker discussed the park tour that took place. Commissioner Anderson stated he would like to include signage for canoe/kayaking landing area and language stating"carrying boat landing". Mr. Hecker shared that the parking lot will have signs informing the location of the where to fish and land a canoe/kayak. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER AHLNESS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SAGAN TO ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO RECOMMEND TO CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF SIGNAGE FOR ALL DIRECTIONS. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 6.D. Activity Center Code of Conduct Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit presented the updated Activity Center Code of Conduct stating that the goal is to provide a quality experience for all who attend the facility. Commissioner Niziolek shared concern with Item#3 stating the language could be interpreted as staff not doing CPR. Mr. Benoit stated that the City attorney reviewed the Activity Center Guidelines and the intent of Item#3 is geared towards staff not administering medication. Park&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5 May 8,2013 Commissioner Nystrom suggested changing or adding to Item#3 non-emergency medical or personal care. Activity Center Coordinator,Annette Bonin shared that after researching other Senior Centers policies nationwide that proper hygiene is common to have in the policy and that staff would be sensitive to those in having those difficult conversations with attendees who are have hygiene issues. Mr. Benoit stated that actions and discussions would be taken by staff with great sensitivity and the guidelines are there to help staff and those who attend the Activity Center. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SAGAN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KALLEMEYN TO ADD NON-EMERGENCY TO ITEM #3 AND TO ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE ELKR RIVER ACTIVITY CENTER GUIDELINES AND CODE OF CONDUCT. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 6.E. City Comprehensive Plan Committee Representative Planner/Parks Planner, Chris Leeseberg shared that the Citizens Advisory Group for the City's Comprehensive Plan is looking for a Parks and Recreation Commissioner to volunteer to be on the committee. Commissioner Sagan expressed his interest in being on the committee. Commissioner Niziolek stated he would substitute for Mr. Sagan in the event he cannot make meetings. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KALLEMEYN TO NOMINATE COMMISSIONER SAGAN AS THE PARKS AND RECREAITON COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 7. Discussion Items 7.A. Council Liaison Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker shared proposed Council Liaison Policy and asked commissioners for their thoughts on the policy to pass onto the City Administrator, Cal Portner. Commissioner Sagan stated it is a good idea to have the policy and should allow the liaison to speak at the meetings. Commissioner Anderson shared that the liaison position adds to the discussion which leads to a better outcome and have never had a problem with the liaison in the past trying to convince the commission to do something different. Park&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 6 May 8,2013 Commissioner Kallemeyn stated that in the process of having conversation items have been clarified by the liaison. He also stated 1.A. should be taken out of the policy. Commissioner Anderson stated there should be no term limits, strike out the last part of the sentence in 1.A. and be independent,not a voting member. 8. Parks &Recreation Director Report Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker shared that the Orono Park Playground Grand Opening is being planned for June 25. 9. Division Manager's Reports Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit shared an update regarding the Spring recreation programs. Mr. Benoit also presented the Activity Center staff report. 10. Announcements Commissioner Niziolek shared that about 600 trees and 100 deer enclosures were put in Woodland Trails Park, on the north end near the mining area to create a buffer. 11. Adjournment There being no f r r b -ss,the meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m. Min -s p -.. . . '. ya Love. �,/ Dave Andersen Parks and Recreation a n lion Chair Tina Allard, City Clerk