Loading...
2.0. PRSR 01-08-2000 fifty of Item #: Z ElkRjver MEMORANDUM TO: Park and Recreation Commission FROM: Michele McPherso , irector of Planning DATE: December 27, 1999 SUBJECT: Planning Retreat— Discuss 2000 Goals Request The Commission is asked to review its 1998 goals, identify new goals for 2000, and review/comment on a draft 2000 work plan. Attachments • 1999 Goals • 2000 Goals Worksheet 411 • April 26, 1999 Minutes from Joint City Council Meeting • Memorandum from Pat Klaers, City Administrator Possible 2000 Goals • Review Master Park and Trail Plan • Continue Park of the Month for Undeveloped Parks • Implement Trott Brook Farm Park • Develop Comprehensive Park Identification Signage • Install Park Boundary Markers ❖ Develop 5-year Capital Improvements Plan for Park Development • 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • TDD &Phone: (612)441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425 1999 Goals 1. Continue with Park of the Month as stated in 1998. 2. Continue to investigate serving the needs of the East side of Highway 169 and update the Master Park Plan to reflect these findings/changes as they occur. 3. Park and Recreation Commissioners to tour City parks and trails system on an annual basis. 4. Require developers of new plats to install posts which identify park and trail boundaries, prior to selling lots. Signs will be installed by the • Streets/Parks Department. 5. Specific improvements to be made in parks which have the highest use. 6. Additional commissioner visits to sites as plats are being developed. 7. Invite community partners to a recognition picnic in the Fall to say thank you and informally discuss current issues. Groups invited would include such groups as Recreation Associations, Lions, Boy Scouts, Rotary, etc. 8. Discuss the possibility of a future Parks Department • separate from the Streets Department. .x. 2000 GOALS 1. 2. • 3. 4. 5. 6. • Joint City Council/Park and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5 April 26, 1999 • 4.6. Update on the Healthy Community Partnership Program-Mayor Klinzinq Mayor Klinzing indicated that the group is in the process of organizing and establishing a focus for the City of Elk River and where it is going. She indicated that the group will discuss a strategic plan and she expects the process will take approximately 2 years. Mayor Klinzing indicated she will keep the Council updated on their progress. Councilmember Motin expressed an interest in serving on the committee as a city representative. 5. Open Mike There was no one present for Open Mike. 7. Other Business 7.1. Island View 5th Addition Plat Decision Councilmember Thompson indicated that he met with the developer of the Islandview 5th Addition regarding the Council's decision to deny approval of the plat. He felt it would be appropriate to allow the developer to present the plat again,with revisions he has made to the plans. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO RECONSIDER DENIAL OF THE ISLANDVIEW 5TH ADDITION PLAT REQUEST BY DYNAMIC DESIGN AND LAND CO. ON MONDAY, MAY • 24, 1999, AT 6:00 P.M., AND,THAT ALL RESIDENTS ON ISLANDVIEW DRIVE BE NOTIFIED OF THE PUBLIC HEARING. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6.1. Park and Recreation Commission Goals Chair Huberty and Commissioner Kuester reviewed the Park and Recreation Commission's 1998 and 1999 goals as outlined in the staff report dated April 26, 1999. 6.2. East Side of Highway 169 Planning a. Pedestrian Bridge The Park and Recreation Commissioners discussed the need for trail connections to the proposed pedestrian bridge over Highway 169. b. Trail Connections The City Council and Park and Recreation Commissioners discussed the need for a trail along Proctor Avenue. Mayor Klinzing noted that the street is actually a county road, there may not be enough right of way for a sidewalk. Staff will research the issue. A discussion followed regarding the need for a trail along Dodge Avenue to • connect with the pedestrian bridge. Joint City Council/Park and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 6 April 26, 1999 • c. City/School District Partnership Mayor Klinzing indicated that the District #728 School Board is considering a piece of property in east Elk River for the possible location of a school. She explained that the board has expressed an interest in a joint partnership for park land with the City of Elk River, similar to what was done in Rogers. She noted that the school district is also looking at property in Burns Township. Mayor Klinzing stated that no further information is available at this time and the Council and Commission will be informed of any further development. 6.3. BMX Park Commissioner Reitsma discussed the proposal for a BMX facility. He reviewed the Commission's concerns with the Hillside Park site including water, parking and electric service. He felt that the Elk River Youth Athletic Complex site may be a more desirable option, since these services are already available. Discussion followed regarding the Hillside site versus the youth fields site. Chair Huberty indicated that the Park and Recreation Commission will be making a recommendation at their May meeting, following a presentation by the BMX group. 6.4. Hillside 5th Park • Commissioner Dana Anderson explained the history of the Hillside 5th Addition park concept. Discussion followed regarding the concerns of the neighbors, the need for park land in this area, and if it was appropriate to change the park concept plan at this time. The issue was unresolved. Further discussion of this item will coincide with development of the Hillside Estates 8th Addition, which has been postponed indefinitely. The Council and Commissioners were in agreement it would be desirable to purchase a parcel of property east of the Hillside Estates area for park land, if such a parcel became available and the cost was reasonable. 6.5. Open Space Development/Tree Preservation Commissioner Dave Anderson expressed the Park and Recreation Commission's support for the proposed open space subdivision ordinance. He also spoke regarding the Commission's desire for work to begin on a tree preservation ordinance. 6.6. Consider Recommendation on Use of Park Dedication Fees and Equipment Reserves COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE EXPENDITURE OF$57,600 FOR PARK IMPROVEMENTS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A GRASS SEEDER • USING EQUIPMENT RESERVES. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Joint City Council/Park and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 7 April 26, 1999 • 6.7. Update on Youth Athletic Complex Commissioner Dana Anderson updated the City Council on the development of the Elk River Youth Athletic Complex (ERYAC). 6.8. Council Issues and Other Discussion Items Mayor Klinzing indicated that the Park and Recreation Commission will be updated on possible sites for a commuter train station when more information is available. The City Council and Park and Recreation Commissioners discussed the use of Lion's Park and ownership issues. Phil Hals explained a method of removing some of the peat, placing mesh over it and covering with sand to stabilize the soil for soccer use. Councilmember Dietz asked if the soccer fields at Meadowvale School were completed. Phil Hals indicated that the fields are in an irrigation has been installed. Pat Klaers indicated that the Elk River Country Club requested that they be placed on the May Park and Recreation Commission agenda to discuss a possible land exchange with the City of Elk River. Pat reviewed the 1993 Council and Commission discussion on this topic. 7. Other Business I7.2. MSA Routes COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 99-33, A RESOLUTION REVOKING MUNICIPAL STATE AID STREETS-MSA 128-BALDWIN AVENUE FROM 5TH STREET TO 3RD STREET; AND MSA 128-BALDWIN AVENUE FROM 3RD STREET TO MAIN STREET. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 99-34, A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING MUNICIPAL STATE AID STREETS- 165TH AVENUE FROM TH 10 TO A POINT 1.06 MILES EAST OF TH 10. COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 9. Mayor Klinzing continued the meeting to Thursday, April 29, 1999, at 5:55 p.m. (Time: 10:00 p.m.) Debbie Huebner Recording Secretary • Item#6. ity of E1kMEMORANDUM TO: Mayor & City Council FROM: Pat Klaers, City Administrator DATE: April 26, 1998 SUBJECT: Joint Meeting with the City Council and Park and Recreation Commission 6.3. BMX Park - Providing an opportunity for BMX activity and entering into a public/private partnership with the BMX organization are both acceptable and consistent with past practice in Elk River. However, the location of a BMX park in Hillside Park raises great concerns, especially as it relates to the cost of improvements and the type of improvements (i.e. entrance and parking areas) which may not be consistent with the • character of the park. It appears that a much more appropriate location for this activity is on the land the city purchased a few years ago from Mr. Cass. The youth baseball/girls softball fields at the youth athletic complex (YAC) is on part of this Cass property. The area for the BMX activity is directly east of these fields along 165th Avenue. Parking for larger BMX events could be provided at the adjacent softball/baseball complex. The city has always had, as a fallback position, the possibility of selling this proposed BMX area off to private parties for single family homes. This is a last resort to help fund park activities, but for the foreseeable future it is not recommended. In the long term, the city is going to need this property for recreation fields. More homes in the area would do no one any good except to generate a small amount of funds that would be reinvested into recreation facilities. 6.6. Park Dedication Expenditures - Attached is the material from the Park and Recreation Commission meeting where a recommendation was made to spend approximately $57,600 for park improvements. On an annual basis, the commission makes recommendations to the City Council on the expenditure of park dedication monies, and these • recommendations have generally been in the $30,000 to $60,000 range annually. 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425 • The park dedication fund has a cash balance of$217,000. A few additional expenses need to come out of this fund for the completion of the Phase I YAC improvements. Additionally, $49,000 needs to come from this fund for the railroad trail improvement matching grant requirement (this is actually a net of$30,000 as the city is proposing to spend its $19,400 trail equipment reserve monies as part of this matching requirement). Finally, the city still owes the county $25,000 for the Proctor Avenue pedestrian trail improvement from a few years ago. Accordingly, between the recommended expenditures from the the ilr ad trail, and the commission, County Road 1 trail, the ra o , completion of YAC Phase I, over $115,000 is scheduled to come out of this fund. Last year the city received $134,000 in park dedication revenues and spent approximately $115,000 for improvements. The level of revenue for 1999 is uncertain and depends upon development proposals and the need for land within these development proposals versus receiving cash. The end of year fund balance for the park dedication fund has recently been: • 1993 1994 $101,000 $168,000 1995 $108,000 1996 $169,000 1997 $204,000 1998 $219,000 Overall this status is not too bad considering that we have consistently made some modest park improvements throughout the city in the last few years. The commission is still working on the recommendation for some type of shelter at Woodland Trails and this is expected to be in the $15,000 - $20,000 neighborhood and forthcoming in the next month or two. The second motion made by the commission when it reviewed its park dedication proposal included a motion to spend some equipment reserves for the purchase of a grass seeder. 6.7. Youth Athletic Complex - The four-field YAC was used last summer. Improvements are ongoing and most recently (last fall) the street/park department completed some drainage improvements. The parking lot is • gravel and, ultimately, we would like to have this improved to a bituminous status, but this is a number of years away depending on • available funds. Additionally, we hope to add two more fields to the south of this four-field complex and these two fields were labeled as Phase II in the original plan. Excluding the value of the street/park department time and equipment, the cost of the four-field complex was in the $225,000 neighborhood. Using city manpower and equipment, the estimated cost for the two-field Phase II is in the $125,000 neighborhood. The next plans for improvements at the complex is in the hands of youth baseball and girls softball and they are concentrating on the shelter/concession stand area in the center of the four-field complex. I think that Dana Anderson may be the best qualified to update everyone on the status of improvement plans at YAC. 6.8. Other Discussion Items - Under this agenda topic I would like to commend the commission, and in particular, Steve Wensman from the staff on the park of the month program and how this approach is helping everyone focus on the city's long range park development plans and program (now all we need is money to implement the programs). I would also like to comment on the project to designate with signage the city park boundaries as it is sometimes difficult to know if you are on public or private property in certain areas. This is a very positive and • farsighted program and one that is sure to pay off for the city in the long run. • • A \ k � / / \ •4N I } k . � • q _ . • I w _ C § 2 � e } � A . 0 \ 2 a 4 ` f ° k /as 75. .o. k so o e �® � /§ co N. > \ o = 2 % ■ & Oc5i • 0. S 0 t " ' 2 ( \ 8 0 RI c $ t : F ) @ % — ■ > 0 £ # ° 2 2a) s ■ mzo AI k . 2 • . 2 •