09-11-2013 PR MIN City of
Elk Meeting of the Elk River Parks and
River Recreation Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Members Present: Chair Anderson, Commission members Ahlness,Holmgren,
Kallemeyn,Niziolek,Nystrom, and Sagan
Council Liaison: Mayor Dietz
Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker,Park Planner Chris
Leeseberg,Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit,and Recreation
Coordinator, Tonya Love
I. 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 09/11/2013 Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Ahlness and seconded by Commissioner Holmgren
to approve the September 11, 2013, agenda. Motion carried 7-0.
3. Consider Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Sagan and seconded by Commissioner Kallemeyn
to approve the following August 14, 2013 Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes. Motion carried 7-0.
4. Open Forum
None
5. Park/Program Highlight
Steve presented a slideshow highlighting the SALT Tournament held at Pinewood
Golf Course.
6.1 Baldwin Park
Mr.Leeseberg presented his staff report.
Mr.Hecker shared that there is $260,000 in the Parks Improvement Fund which is
to cover the whole parks system and that Baldwin Park would be a priority in 2015 at
$15,000.
Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2
September 11,2013
6.2 Windsor Third Edition Private Park Donation
Mr. Hecker presented his staff report and asked the Homeowners Association
representative for more information regarding the utilities cost of the park.
Mr. Felska,Windsor Third Edition Homeowners Association shared that they are
interested in donating the park to the City as they have more association expenses
coming up and other users from outside their neighborhood come to use the park
Mr. Hecker shared that he and Mr. Schreifels inspected the property and believed
there would be some repairs needed to the trail.
Commissioner Niziolek asked what it cost to maintain the trail and what the
Homeowners Association would think if the city turned the park into a native park
and only mowed around the courts.
Mr.Felska stated that the Homeowners Association would be willing to donate the
playground only and keep the pond area which would limit the cost to the city.
Commissioner Anderson stated that Windsor Third Edition deserves to be
considered and requested that the association get more information to staff to help
in the decision process.
6.3 Football/Lacrosse Field Use
Mr. Hecker presented his staff report.
Mr.Raymakers, 10725 186th Circle NW with the Elk River Football Association
shared that the Musco Lighting estimate came in at$108,000 and to plan on adding
$3,000 more for the dual light system. The underground work could be done by an
outside electric company to save money.
Mr.Hecker asked how using two different field locations would affect the
associations.
Mr.Raymakers stated that the Football Association is desperate for lighted field
space and Oak Knoll would serve that purpose.
Mr.Hendricks, 20055 156th Street NW with the Elk River Lacrosse Association
shared that they need a consistent place to play as right now they are using five
different fields. The Association would like to use the East field as that is closest to
the parking lot.
Mr. Leeseberg noted that the parking lot is not a City owned parking lot,that it is
owned by the school district.
rein . Ii
NATURE
Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3
September 11,2013
Commissioner Niziolek stated that the lighting of Oak Knoll field should be pursued
even though the parking lot could be a hurdle.
Mayor Dietz asked if there was anyway to buy down the cost with volunteer help.
Commissioner Anderson shared that the cost could be cut down by cutting the
scoreboard and the possibility of getting the goal posts for less.
Commissioner Anderson stated that the Musco Lighting estimate was the "Cadillac"
version and we will need to identify any additional costs and how the costs can be
cut down by labor and donations.
6.4 Bailey Point Nature Preserve Park Hours
Mr. Hecker presented his staff report. He spoke with the Police Chief who stated
that enforcing a Sundown closing time would be too difficult to monitor as the time
is different everyday whereas the current time of 10:00 p.m. is a consistent time.
Commissioner Anderson asked if any commission members were interested in
changing the park hours.
Commissioner Niziolek stated to keep the park hours the same as the rest of the
park system.
Commissioner Kallameyn agreed with keeping the current park hours.
Commissioner Anderson stated that the Parks and Recreation Commission supports
keeping the current park hours for Bailey Point Nature Preserve.
6.5 Capital Improvement Project Fund Update
Mr. Hecker presented his staff report, explained the difference between the two
spreadsheets and shared the Commission's recommendations from the work session
meeting on September 11,2013. Stating that Item 7 would be split and $9,000 would
be put towards Woodland Trails Park forest management and the other$9,000
would go towards culvert maintenance.
Commissioner Anderson asked that research be done regarding the best kind of tree
to plant in the dog park
Mayor Dietz questioned if there was any other place that the Master Plan can be
funded from besides the Parks Improvement Fund. It doesn't relate to parks
improvement and the $60,000 could be used in other places.
Mr. Hecker stated he would look into other funding options.
POWERE8 811
Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4
September 11,2013
Commissioner Anderson shared that if the Oak Knoll lighting project were added to
the list it would put the budget in the hole by$108,000. Explaining that the
Commission members had a hard time putting this expense as a top priority and
would the youth associations looks at covering the whole cost over a five year
period.
Mr.Anderson also stated that if the Parks Master Plan and survey is funding from
another source than lighting Oak Knoll fields would be doable.
Commissioner Nystrom stated that if the $60,000 is reallocated than Baldwin Park
needs to be brought back into the budget sooner than 2015.
Commissioner Sagan suggested figuring out the costs in more detail and bring the
lighting project back next month.
Mr.Raymakers asked what the deadline is to get the lighting project budget
completed.
Mr.Hecker stated that the Parks Improvement Fund will be looked at in October by
the Commission and presented to the City Council in November.
6.6 Great Northern Trail Parking
Mr.Leeseberg presented his staff report.
Commissioner Sagan stated that when he has used the trail on a regular basis he has
not seen more than four to five cars parked on the street.
Commissioner Kallameyn agreed with Mr. Sagan and suggested the idea of parking
on one side the street.
Mr. Leeseberg stated that staff could send a letter to the property owner regarding if
they would like to sign their property as a no parking area.
Mr. Hecker asked the police department if there has been any reported with parking
on the street there and there has not as it is a public street.
Commissioner Nystrom asked if it would be possible to add a parking lot area off of
221 Street with the right-of-way property.
Commissioner Anderson shared that there has also been a request to place a portable
toilet somewhere out there. How to service it and vandalism would need to be
considered.
7. Parks and Recreation Director Report
Mr.Hecker presented his staff report.
FArEAEI rr
(NATURE
Parks &Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5
September 11,2013
8. Division Manager's Reports
Mr. Benoit presented his staff report.
9. Announcements
Commissioner Anderson discussed that the Town Ball team was looking for a new
venue and the Commissioner Niziolek would get more information form the Elk
River High School Athletic Director regarding the use and maintenance of the Hales
Field.
10. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Par,'and Re reation Commission at 8:20 p.m.
Minot- p :•ared snya Love.
Dave • ders n, Chair
d /-7
Tina Allark-City dtic
of WEREI III