PRSR AGENDA MEMO 09-06-1989 TO: PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
icy of 'N, FROM: PATRICK KLAERS, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
lk : River DATE: AUGUST 31 , 1989
SUBJECT: AGENDA MEMO
The next Park and Recreation Commission meeting is scheduled for
Wednesday, September 6 , 1989 , at 7: 00 p.m. at the Elk River City
Hall Conference Room.
Attached for your information are the draft August 2, 1989 , Park
and Recreation Commission minutes. Also, attached for your
information is some background information for agenda item #7 .B.
(the one acre apartment complex park that is located east of
Highway 169 and south of 5th Street) and two copies of recent
newspaper articles that relate to park and recreation in two
metropolitan suburbs.
4 .1 . The City has been approached by representatives of the
high school cross-country skiing team to add additional ,
more challenging ski trails to the cross-country skiing
trails that were developed last year by Phil Hals on the
Elk River Golf Course and the Woodland Trails Park . The
location of the more challenging environment where the
• school would like to see trails developed is on private
property which is owned by more than one individual . If
the City is not involved in the development of these
trails, then the trails are officially not part of the
City cross-country skiing system and, therefore, not a
concern of the City insurance agent. The liability for
these trails would lie • with the individual property
owners . It is my understanding that the school would have
to rent, at a minimal cost, the equipment from the City to
develop the cross-country skiing trails. Additionally,
the school, and not the City, would have to maintain these
trails. As long as the City is not involved in any
activity on private property then the trails are not part
of the City' s system and not covered under the City
insurance policy. One of the cross-country skiing
coaches, Mike Niziolek , is anticipated to attend this
meeting, as is Finance Director, Lori Johnson, to discuss
from the City' s point-of-view our insurance concerns with
this endeavor.
5 . The major focus of this meeting should be a discussion
with the recently hired Parks Master Plan Consultant , Mr.
William Sanders. Mr. Sanders has met with myself to
discuss, in general terms, the City' s Park and Recreation
programs. Additionally, Mr. Sanders has taken a tour of
the city park with Park Superintendent, Phil Hals . Also,
Mr. Sanders and Charlie Blesener are anticipated to meet
at approximately 6: 15 on 9/6/89 to discuss the City' s
recreation programs.
720 Dodge Avenue N.W., Elk River, Minnesota 55330 (612) 441-7420
Page 2
Park & Recreation Commission
August 31, 1989
Mr. Sanders nd a ers has provided the City with a contract for his
services, as outlined in his proposal . The City Attorney
has indicated that the contract as presented is acceptable
and, therefore, the City will be entering into this
contract shortly. Additional projects, such as the survey
and the focus studies for the two larger parks will
require additional one page agreements in order to
establish the maximum cost for these projects . I believe
that the two focus area studies would come later in the
process and the citizen survey would come early in the
process of developing the Parks Master. Plan.
This meeting should allow for a good informal discussion
with Bill about the Commission ' s expectations for such a
Master Plan along with his feedback on how the plan will
be developed. I am uncertain as to how the discussion
will flow, but I believe a major topic will be the survey
of Elk River citizens as their input will be significant
in the structuring of a Parks Master Plan.
6 . Staff Updates - As the summer winds down, and the fall
season begins, I believe that Charlie and Phil will have
some updates to provide the Commission along with possibly
discussing upcoming programs . At this time, the only
update that I will have for the Commission relates to City •
Council action on Park Dedication Fees for commercial and
industrial developements, along with some possible updates
on the 1990 budget .
7 . Other Business - Two items are included under "Other
Business" for this meeting . The first item is a request
from Commission member, Clete Lipetsky, to discuss the
Senior High tennis courts. Clete, Athletic Director, Mike
Hanlon; Lori Johnson; and myself have met this past summer
to discuss the condition, maintenance, lighting , and
general upkeep of the tennis courts that are on school
property.
Also, we have received a letter and inquiry regarding
"Anda" park that is located along Highway 169 . This item
may be discussed under staff updates with Phil Hals
leading the discussion .
S