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08-14-2013 PR MIN Et lk City of Meeting of the Elk River Parks and River Recreation Commission Held at the Elk River City Hall Wednesday, August 14, 2013 Members Present: Chair Anderson, Commission members Ahlness,Kallemeyn, and Niziolek Members Absent: Commission members Holmgren,Nystrom and Sagan Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker,Park Planner Chris Leeseberg,Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit, and Recitation Coordinator,Tonya Love I. 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 08/14/2013 Agenda Mr. Leeseberg added Item 6.1. Bailey Point Nature Preserve Park Dedication. Moved by Commissioner Ahlness and seconded by Commissioner Kallemeyn to approve the August 14, 2013, agenda. Motion carried 4-0. 3. Consider Minutes Moved by Commissioner Kallemeyn and seconded by Commissioner Niziolek to approve the following June 12, 2013 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes. Motion carried 4-0. 4. Recreation Coordinator, Jessie Converse Introduction Mr. Hecker introduced the departments' newest staff person,Jessie Converse. 5. Open Forum Michael, 365 Baldwin Avenue - shared his concem over the removal of the playground and the squeaky swings at Baldwin Park. There are six apartment buildings in the area and the children miss the park and would like to see the space made into a useable space again, not an empty lot. Chair Anderson stated that Baldwin Park could be put on as an agenda item in the future. Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 August 14,2013 6. Park/Program Highlight Mr.Benoit presented a slideshow of the Summer Playground Adventure program. 6.1 Bailey Point Nature Preserve Ribbon cutting ceremony Mr.Leeseberg shared a slideshow of the ribbon cutting ceremony held before the regular commission meeting. 7.1 Skate Park Event Update Mr. Leeseberg introduced Chris Turner, Skate Park advocate. Chris Turner, 6944 92' Street,Monticello- shared a video presentation and update regarding a Skate Park fundraising event held by the users of the former Lions Park Skate Park.He stated there were about 30 skaters in attendance to help get the word out about wanting a new skate park built. Mr. Turner asked that the City and Commission put the building of a new skate park into the budget. Commissioner Niziolek stated that they would need to come up with a plan, budget and provide some fundraising to go towards the project. Chair Anderson shared that building a new skate park should be made a priority. 7.2 Youth Football and Youth Lacrosse Field Donation Mr. Hecker presented his staff report. Todd Raymaker,Youth Football Association and Jeff Hendrickson,Youth Lacrosse Association shared the following thoughts on the cost of building two football fields. • Presented the idea of cutting the well, lighting and scoreboard to help save costs. • Questioned if YAC Fields could be grandfathered into not being required to build a new parking lot with the improved fields. • Asked if funds could be set aside for this project in the 2014 Park Improvement Fund. • Asked if other park maintenance could be cut back for one year to help get the football fields completed. • The youth associations are willing to have parent group help with construction of parking lot. • Concerned about the money being donated to covering the cost of building a new parking lot when it was raised with the intent to build two new football fields. • Would like to meet on a more regular basis to help keep this project moving forward. 101E11E1 rY NATURE Parks &Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 August 14,2013 • Believe planting seed this year is key to being able to complete the fields for play next year. Commissioner Kallemeyn asked if there could be an ordinance variation regarding the parking lot since there is a monetary contribution. Mayor Dietz asked if there would be another location to build the football fields, such as Kuss Field. Mr. Raymaker expressed the association's long term vision to build out at YAC to host tournaments in the future. Chair Anderson discussed the timeline in reference to being able to plant seed before winter and that there wouldn't be enough time to plant now and have ready in 2014. Mayor Dietz asked if Oak Knoll fields were used. Mr. Benoit stated that the usage of Oak Knoll fields decreases in the fall and staff could explore the idea of using Oak Knoll as football fields. Mr. Raymaker explained that using Oak Knoll fields would be great however they would still need lights as it gets dark earlier in the fall. Commissioner Niziolek stated that if Oak Knoll could be made into football fields than the Youth Associations should go after lighting the fields. Commissioner Anderson suggested calling Musco Lighting to get quotes. 7.3 Elk River Country Club Mr. Hecker presented his staff report. 7.4 Bailey Point Nature Preserve Development Priorities Mr. Hecker presented his staff report. The Commissioners shared ideas of what should be developed; following is a list of priorities. • • Prairie restoration. • Signage - 2013 • Collect downed trees - 2013 • Remove pile of debris - 2013 • Buckthorn removal- ongoing • Finishing trail system- 2013 • Development of canoe/kayak and fishing areas - 2013 • Kiosk- when funding available [ BREW er NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 August 14,2013 • Horsebam- what to do with it- 2013 • Keep garage • Bum program- 2016 • Hours of the park,neighbors want it closed at sundown— 2013 Chair Anderson stated that the discussion of changing the Bailey Point Nature Preserve hours had been discussed previously and would like to put it on as a future agenda item again. Chair Anderson asked if there was any money in the budget for any improvements. Mr. Hecker stated that there are funds put aside for signage. Mr.Leeseberg shared that the City is working on making signage consistent throughout the city and not clear of the where the process is at. Mr. Hecker stated that the Rotary had shared an interest in possibly doing a memorial type kiosk and will come to a future meeting. Mr.Hecker also shared that snow removal will be very difficult as the parking lot is gravel and not paved. 8.1 Major Park Use— Lions Park (Boy Scout Event) Mr.Benoit presented his staff report. Glen Carlson, 18869 Dodge Street- Shared that the event will be a registration type event to promote Boy Scouts. He also shared that the air rifle will be held near the sledding hill and fenced off. Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Kallemeyn to accept staff recommendation to approve the Boy Scout Event held at Lions Park. Motion carried 4-0. 8.2 Bailey Point Nature Preserve Park Steward Mr. Hecker presented his staff report. Eric Toth, 1023 Manor Place- Shared the following goals he has as the Park Steward • Provide labor to help city staff. • Assure community meets the rules of the property that are in place by Minnesota Land Trust and City of Elk River. • Will be the spokesperson to communicate the needs of the park. Moved by Commissioner Ahlness and seconded by Commissioner Niziolek to accept staff recommendation to appoint Eric Toth as the Bailey Point Nature Preserve Park Steward. Motion carried 4-0. IPOWEREI Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5 August 14,2013 8.3 Request by Heritage Maples for preliminary, final plat and Conditional Use Permit approval for a senior living project (P 13-03, CU 13-11) Mr. Leeseberg presented his staff report. Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Ahlness to accept staff recommendation to recommend to City Council to accept Park Dedication provided in the form of cash for the total number of units as approved in the Conditional Use Permit at the rate applicable at the time of Final Plat approval. Motion carried 4-0. 8.4 Request by Schwappach for street vacation (EV 13-03) Mr. Leeseberg presented his staff report. He also shared that staff is still researching into getting the correct information as to ownership of the land under investigation. Commissioner Niziolek asked if it were possible to "swap" property with one of the homeowners. Moved by Commissioner Niziolek to redefine the property line by vacating the street. Commissioner Niziolek withdrew his motion. Moved by Commissioner Ahlness and seconded by Commissioner Kallemeyn to accept staff recommendation to recommend to City Council to vacate Park Lane. Motion carried 3-1. 9. Parks and Recreation Director Report Mr. Hecker presented his staff report. 10. Division Manager's Reports Mr. Benoit presented his staff report. Mayor Dietz shared that he was approached by the Town Baseball team on looking for a piece of land to make it into a baseball field for them. Commissioner Niziolek asked is lighting were put out at Oak Knoll would that work for baseball. Chair Anderson stated that lighting football fields is different than lighting a baseball field. 11. Adjournment PIWEIEI It NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 6 August 14,2013 There being no further business, Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recitation Commission at 8:57 p.m. Minu , "p -p d/by To : Love. -'G Dave Anderson, Chair Tim Allard, City Clerk IIRPRFFR BY!