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04-02-2014 PR MIN flk* Elk• Special Meeting of the Elk River River Parks and Recreation Commission Held at the Elk River City Hall Wednesday, April 2, 2014 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,Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit,Park Planner Chris Leeseberg,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. Special Meeting Agenda III3. Consider Minutes Moved by Commissioner Nystrom and seconded by Commissioner Ahlness to approve the following March 12,2014 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes. Motion carried 7-0. 4. Open Forum - None 5. Volunteer Recognition & Volunteer Opportunities Mr. Benoit presented Dylan Church as the Quarterly Parks and Recreation Volunteer. Mr. Benoit shared that the website has all the volunteer information listed and that Dave Anderson is the new Volunteer Coordinator. 6. Park/Program Highlight Mr.Leeseberg presented a video slideshow highlighting this year's upcoming Riverfront Concert Series line up. III Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 April 2,2014 7.1 Skate Park Update • Commissioner Anderson shared that the university students are working on their plan and will give a presentation at the May Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. 8.1 Bailey Point Nature Preserve Screening Mr. Hecker presented his staff report. Commissioner Anderson opened up the meeting for residents to comment. Mrs.Anderson,27 Morton Ave,Elk River;asked commission members to consider building a screening for the north side of the parking lot,their property is most affected by the location of the parking lot. Mary Emhart,201 Norfolk Ave,Elk River;shared she was surprised by all the time spent on this subject when the Jackson's that live in the condos are only there six months of the year and the Anderson's are there 12 months a year.The Anderson's are affected more than the condo residents and should be addressed quickly. Commissioner Anderson stated that there were plans drawn up after considerable discussions regarding screening the parking lot.We are limited by the type of • plants/trees being native. If there is action taken it should be done on both sides. Commissioner Holmgren shared that action should be done regarding both sides of the parking lot. Mr. Hecker stated that the City Engineer shared that the northwest side of the parking lot is low and will need more work to get it prepped. Commissioner Anderson stated that the new road into parking lot has created a dam preventing the natural flow of the water towards the river. Eric Toth, 1023 Manor Place, Elk River, stated that the water used to flow naturally east towards the river and the parking lot is causing the water to pool 16-18 inches higher and is now bordering up to the easement. Would like to see this issue worked on at the same time as the screening project. Commissioner Sagan and Niziolek shared ideas of what types of trees could be planted. Commissioner Niziolek also stated that we shouldn't spend time and money screening the river from the residents. Commissioner Holmgren agreed that the screening should be focused on the • northeast side. rm . er NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 April 2,2014 • Commissioner members discussed more options of plantings to be used that are native to area. Mayor Dietz asked what the east side of the parking lot looked like when the property was purchased. Commissioner Andersons shared that there were brush piles,buckthorn and other invasive species along the fence line. Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Ahlness to recommend Plan C on the southeast side and adding screening on the west side including trees such as Tamarack,Dogwood and Red Cedar. Motion carried 7-0. 8.2 City Comprehensive Plan Mr.Leeseberg presented his staff report. Stating the issues the Parks and Recreation Commission discussed at the March Commission meeting. Road line through Woodland Trails Park,road line through Camp Cozy Park and proposed change in land use for the land north of the Youth Athletic Complex. Mr. Leeseberg stated reasons why the Parks and Recreation commissioners wanted to remove the road line from both Woodland Trails Park and Camp Cozy Park as it will significant environmental impacts to the park and surrounding area,will make trails useable and visually destroy the park. Industrial land use of the land north of YAC land use be changed to Open space or portion of it as there is a great need for athletic space,there is also a great need for industrial space within the city. Commissioner Anderson suggested having two discussions,one regarding land use and the second regarding transportation. Commissioner Holmgren stated that both industrial and green space has value and if done right the property north of YAC could be designated both and feed off each other. Commissioner Sagan asked if there has been discussion regarding artificial turf with the predicted water shortage in the future. Commissioner Anderson stated that the land north of YAC has been in discussions as future athletic complex for the past 28 years,having ball fields in the same area is important and should try to preserve part of this area. Commissioner Anderson recommended that all parks be shown in green on the master plan. • ► O N E I E I a 1 NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 April 2,2014 Commissioner Niziolek asked if there would be a way to include an area north of the 11111 Great North Trail that is a forest area. Commissioner Anderson stated he would like to add to the memo Mr. Leeseberg is putting together regarding the road proposed through Camp Cozy Park. Camp Cozy Park is in a flood plain and the proposed road would have to be a long bridge due to the wetlands and that there is no other area in town that has the wealth of native plants and has been untouched since the 30's. Commissioner Anderson also stated he wanted to add to the memo the remove the proposed road through both Camp Cozy Park and Woodland Trail Park form the Transportation Plan. Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Sagan to recommend to City Council to remove the proposed road line from both Woodland Trails Park and Camp Cozy Park as it will have a significant environmental impact to each park and the surrounding area,the road will make trails useable and visually destroy the park. The industrial land use of the land north of YAC should be changed to Open Space or a portion of it as there is a great need for athletic space, there is also a great need for industrial space within the city. Motion carried 7-0. 8.3 DHJ Plat Park Dedication • Mr.Leeseberg presented his staff report. Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Sagan to recommend to City Council to accept staff recommendation that park dedication be paid in the form of cash, at the rate applicable at the time of Final Plat approval, for one lot. Motion carried 7-0. 8.4 Coachman Ridge Plat Park Dedication Mr.Leeseberg presented his staff report. Moved by Commissioner Ahlness and seconded by Commissioner Sagan to recommend to City Council to accept staff recommendation that park dedication be paid in the form of cash, at the rate applicable at the time of Final Plat approval, for the final number of units approved in the Site Plan. Motion carried 7-0. 9. Parks and Recreation Director Report Mr. Hecker presented his staff report. Sharing interviews will begin next week for the new parks maintenance position. r10 / ESE . 11 NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5 April 2,2014 • I0. Division Manager's Reports Mr. Benoit presented his staff report and passed out copies of the Summer Program Guide and the revised Parks and Trail map. I I. Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update Mr. Hecker presented his staff report. Commissioner Ahlness shared that that all three community meetings went well and one major theme at each meeting was having a banquet facility for larger groups. Commissioner Holmgren shared that the community meeting reinforced the idea of having destination parks, the athletic associations needing more space and adding lights if space isn't available. 12. Announcements Mayor Dietz shared that the City of Coon Rapids will be building a skate park and would be a good resource to talk to. • 13. Adjournment There being no further business, Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission at 8:46 p.m. Mrfutes p.-V. by T. ya Love. Dave Anderson, Chair Tina Allard, City Clerk • � 0 / ESEI sl NATURE