PRSR AGENDA MEMO 08-01-1990 !°t
1k TO: PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
River FROM: PATRICK KLAERS, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
DATE: JULY 26 , 1990
SUBJECT: AGENDA MEMO
The next Park and Recreation Commission meeting is scheduled
for Wednesday, August 1, 1990, at 7 :00 p.m. at the Elk River
City Hall conference room. Chairman, Mike O'Brien has called
the City offices and indicated that he will be out of town on
vacation for this meeting. Included with this packet are Park
Master Plans for members which were absent when this material
was distributed at previous meetings. Attached for your
information are the draft 6/6/90 Park and Recreation Commission
minutes.
The main agenda item for this upcoming Park and Recreation
Commission meeting will be the final review by the Commission
of the proposed Master Park and Recreation Plan as prepared by
Mr. Bill Sanders of Sanders and Associates. This plan has been
extensively reviewed by the Commission at previous meetings.
. Final changes from the Commission should be given to Mr.
Sanders at this meeting.
Following a recommendation from the Commission on the approval
of this plan, a public hearing will have to be held by the City
Council. This will follow Planning Commission review of the
document. Adoption of the plan by the City Council will
incorporate this material into the City Growth Management Plan
and also have the map designated as an official City map. The
timing of these reviews are currently being discussed and a
joint Planning Commission and City Council meeting is
possible. Attendance by the Commission at such a meeting is
desirable.
In general terms, the plan from Section A through D appears to
be acceptable. This includes the important summary statements
for the proposed park system in each of the serviced areas
( located on page 56-75 ) .
The most critical sections for the Commission to review and
discuss with Mr. Sanders at this meeting includes: 1 ) the map
on page 84; 2) the priorities within the implementation
section; and 3 ) the recommendations on the existing policies
section located at the beginning of the appendix.
• Regarding the map, adjustments are required in certain areas.
The most obvious adjustments includes reducing the park area
around the Houlton Farm location and connecting the trail
720 Dodge Avenue N.W., Elk River, Minnesota 55330 (612) 441-7420
Park and Recreation Commission Memo Page 2
August 1, 1990
system around the Jackson Avenue and School Street •
intersections at Highway 169 . This will also require a change
in the trail map located on page 76 . Additionally, the
Barrington Place park can be identified on this map.
The Parks map has some conflicts with the adopted BRW land use
plans. The final approved BRW plans will be available for
distribution at the 8/1/90 Park and Recreation Commission
meeting. It should be noted that both plans are, as the word
indicates, plans that should be used as a guideline in the
future development of the community. Flexibility and possible
adjustments in either plan are required in order for the plan
to be effective. The most significant conflict between the BRW
plan and the park plan is the softball fields and the County
fairground area. The BRW plan anticipates these facilities to
be relocated. The park plan identifies these facilities as
remaining. The BRW plan is workable with or without these
facilities being relocated, however, if they remain, the BRW
plan will probably be adjusted in its location for a
neighborhood park in this vicinity. Also, there remains a
minor conflict between the two maps in the southeast area where
an additional park is called for in the Parks Master Plan.
The priorities listed in the Master Park Plan reflect the •
results of the community survey and discussion of the
Commission. If the Park and Recreation Commission want to make
adjustments in these priorities, such input must be received at
this meeting. For example, there is a comment under the new
parks section about the need for more open fields for youth
athletics. If this is the highest priority of the Commission,
then this identified need has to be highlighted in some
manner. A possibility would be to create a new category called
"Youth Recreation Land" and establish this as the new #1
priority in spite of the results of the community survey. If
flat open land is strongly desired by the Commission NOW, then
some adjustments must be made in this section.
The first three pages in the appendix are very important for
the future development of the City park and recreation system.
First of all, it should be noted that the City Water Craft
Ordinance should be added to this section. This would change
recommendation #5 on the first page of this section.
The recommendations in all three of the pages involve a
significant amount of staff work over a long period of time.
Total implementation of the recommendations would undoubtedly •
require an additional park and recreation staff person.
One of the key elements in this section calls for the
development and refinement of a City/School Joint Powers
Park and Recreation Commission Memo Page 3
August 1, 1990
• Agreement for recreation purposes . Discussion is taking place
between the Community Education Director, Charlie Blesener, and
myself regarding a School District wide meeting to discuss the
future of the recreation programs in the area. The system that
is in place has worked well in the past, but with the growth
and development in the area, adjustments are required in order
for the continued effectiveness of this School District wide
program.
These three areas, plus the summary statements under the
proposed park system and the two Master Park plans previously
reviewed by the Commission, compose the essential elements of
the Master Park Plan. A final recommendation is anticipated by
the Commission at this meeting so that this plan can go through
the official approval process by the Planning Commission and
City Council.
6 . STAFF UPDATES :
Updates from Charlie, Phil, and myself are anticipated on a
variety of topics. These topics include the resurfacing of the
• tennis courts, progress on the Handke pit warming house, City
Council action on the Woodland Trails Park Master Plan and
Hillside Park Master Plan, plans being made for the Janie
Fricke concert at Lion' s Park on August 18, summer and fall
recreation programs, and park improvements completed this
summer and proposed this fall (See attachment) .
An additional comment should be made about an update on the
1991 Parks and Recreation Commission budget. Historically, the
Commission is extensively involved in the Capital Outlay
expenditures for parks and has limited input on the annual
operating budget for parks and recreation. Nonetheless,
attached for your information are four pages from the 1990
general fund budget relating to parks and recreation. The 1991
budget is anticipated to be very similar. The Truth in
Taxation Law requires the City to adopt a proposed maximum
levy and budget by September. The final budget will be
approved in December and cannot exceed these proposed maximum
amounts . Input from the Commission on the operating budget is
welcome.
7 . Other Business
Dave Anderson may want to update the Commission on activities
at the softball complex.
The Commission may want to review a possible name for the.
approximately one-half acre play lot park that is proposed for
the Barrington Place neighborhood.
Park and Recreation Commission Memo Page 4
August 1, 1990
Attached for your information are the School District •
Facilities Task Force recommendations. A school bond referendum
is anticipated for November 6 , 1990. The project list and
total dollar amount will receive additional discussion by the
School Board on 8/14/90 at the Community Education Building.
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