05-14-2014 PR MIN City of
0 Elk „� Special Meeting of the Elk River
River Parks and Recreation Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Members Present: Chair Anderson,Commission members Ahiness,Kallemeyn,
Niziolek,Nystrom,and Sagan
Members Absent: Commission member Holmgren
Council J.iaison: Mayor Dietz
Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker,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 6:32 p.m. by Chair Anderson.
2. Consider Meeting Agenda
•
Moved by Commissioner Nystrom and seconded by Commissioner
Kallemeyn to approve the May 14,2014, agenda. Motion carried 6-0.
3. Consider Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Ahlness and seconded by Commissioner Sagan to
approve the following April 2,2014 Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes. Motion carried 6-0.
4. Introduction of new Parks Maintenance worker; Kristofer Paulseth
5. Open Forum - None
6. Park/Program Highlight
Mr. Benoit presented a slideshow highlighting this year's upcoming Entertainment in
the Park line up.
7.1 Skate Park Update
Commissioner Nystrom introduced the University of Minnesota students who gave a
• presentation regarding design ideas, cost comparisons,research findings and
recommendations for installing a new skate park.
Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2
May 14,2014
U of M students,Alex Miller,Jason Tschida,and Lydia Larson
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7.2 Lions Park Renaming
Mr. Hecker presented his staff report.
Elk River Lion Harold Gramsted shared some of the many awards that Lion John
Weicht had received while volunteering in so many ways in the community.
Lion member Deb Weston shared that Lion John Weicht was instrumental in
building Lions Park and renaming the park is fitting to his memory.
Commissioner Anderson asked the Lions Club members for a brief summary of the
impact that John Weicht has made to Lions Park.
Mr. Gramstead shared the John Weicht was an Elk River Lion since the 1980's and
had helped with many tree planting projects,built the Boys &Girls Club and lions
Park Center buildings. He volunteered with the Land 0'Lakes Choir Boys,
Sherburne County Fair Board, and involved in many aspects of business in the
community and active in the Chamber of Commerce.
Commissioner Ahlness reiterated that the Parks and Recreation Master Plan is in the
works and there are costs related to changing the name. It is a great idea and
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supports it,wondered if they should wait to change the name until after the Master
Plan is complete to be able to tie it all together.
Mayor Dietz shared that he was in favor of renaming the park and asked the Elk
River Lions if they had any other naming options as the one presented was very long
for a park name.
Mr. Gramsted shared that name was the only one they discussed and they would be
willing to look at other options.
Mr. Hecker stated the other thing to consider is signage as that will cost money.The
current park sign costs over$5,000 and to do this the right way to memorialize lion
John Weicht.
Mr. Gramsted stated that Lions Club may be willing to support the cost of changing
the signage and that could be discussed as a group.
Commissioner Anderson shared that he had been thinking about the name as well
and asked if the word"Memorial"was important and if they would consider the idea
of using Lion John Weicht Park as the name.
Mayor Deitz asked if the Lions Club could meet before next Parks and Recreation
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Commission meeting to get more ideas of names.
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May 14,2014
1111 Commissioner Anderson shared that renaming of Lions Park doesn't have an effect
on the Parks &Recreation Master Plan.
Commissioner Sagan shared that it can move ahead now as it doesn't make a
difference.
Commissioner Kallemeyn agreed to move the renaming forward now.
Commissioner Niziolek shared that it should be up the Elk River Lions Club as to if
they move forward now or wait and tie it in with Parks and Recreation Master Plan
unveiling.
Mr. Hecker stated that the Elk River Lions Club members could come to the June 25
meeting to see what the master plans are for Lions Park and tie it together.
Commissioner Nystrom shared that the name could change now and agreed with
Commissioner Niziolek to tie it in with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
Mr. Hecker shared that by the July Commission meeting the plans would be ready.
Commissioner Anderson asked the Elk River Lions members when they would like
to bring it back to the commission as an action item.
like to come back in June to move forward with
Ms.Weston stated that they would J
the renaming of the park.
8.1 Major Park Use— Lions Park 5k
Mr.Benoit presented his staff report.
Crossings Church representative,Tracy Keech introduced herself and shared that the
5k will be a fundraiser for programs that support orphaned children in Haiti.
Commissioner Anderson asked if this was their first race and if a route had been
chosen.
Ms. Keech stated that they would probably go around the park a few times and will
use the church building for the event and toilets.
Moved by Commissioner Nystrom and seconded by Commissioner
Kallemeyn to accept staff recommendations to collect of$100 refundable
damage deposit,waive the park rental fee,group will pay for extra portable
toilets and trash pick-up and that no markings of any kind are allowed on the
trail system. Motion carried 6-0.
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Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4
May 14,2014
Mr.Benoit reminded the commission members that when a new major park use •
request is submitted it comes to the commissioner for approval the first two years,if
there are no major changes to the event after the first two years it is then approved
by staff.
Commissioner Anderson asked that group come back to the commission meeting
after the 5k race and share their outcome and how it went as they like to hear about
successes.
9. Parks and Recreation Director Report
Mr. Hecker presented his staff report adding that local nursery donated trees that
were going to be placed in Orono Park worth$9,000.
Mayor Dietz shared that he had attended a National Day of Prayer and the
organizers of the event took donations and have decided to donate it to the Parks
and Recreation Department.The total was $1,750 to be used as staff needed.
Commissioner Anderson asked if the lifespan of an item would be based on the
useful lifespan and not just taken out of use because the policy states 15 years and
the item could last up to 50 years.
Mr. Hecker stated that the parks maintenance crew would maintain the donated item
past that expected lifespan if it kept in contact and if it became damaged then the •
crew would remove it.
10. Division Manager's Reports
Mr.Benoit presented his staff report.
Mayor Dietz asked what times the Ice Show started on each day or was it the same
time.
Mr.Benoit shared that the Friday night show started at 7:00 p.m. and the Saturday
show started at 1:00 p.m.
II. Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update
Mr. Hecker presented his staff report adding that there will be a work session on
June 11 at 5:30 p.m.with HKgi.
Commissioner Ahlness shared that there were 400 surveys returned out of 3,000 that
were mailed out, sharing that the survey results showed that people were satisfied
with trails on the community and supportive of improvements.
Mayor Dietz asked if a park referendum would be supported. •
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Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5
May 14,2014
410 Commissioner Ahlness stated that there would be support and that the support
would not be high enough to put on the priority list.
Commissioner Anderson questioned why there wasn't more representation from the
associations at the open houses advocating for more field space especially when the
land use recently changed in the City's Master Plan.
Mr. Hecker stated that the satisfaction of our facilities and maintenance is high and
to keep the investment going.
12. Announcements
Mayor Dietz thanked Annette Bonin for attending the Saturday Citizen meeting in
April advocating the Senior Activity Center.
Commissioner Anderson reported that the volunteer program was getting about one
volunteer a week and has realized that those who fill out the forms are the ones who
are very interested in volunteering and follow through and wondering if the program
can be advertised in the"Current"as other programs have been.
13. Adjournment
• There being no further business,Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Parks and Recreation Commission at 8:10 p.m.
Min smp f�.axed by '• ya Love.
Dave Anderson,Chair
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Tina Allard, City Clerk
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