02-08-2017 PR MIN l'( .,
City
ik
Meeting of the Elk River Parks and
�� Recreation Commission
Diver Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday, February 08, 2017
Members Present: Chair Anderson, Commission members Ahlness,Holmgren,
Niziolek,Nystrom,Kallemeyn,and Sagan
Council Liaison: Mr. Olsen
Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker,Recreation Manager
Steve Benoit,Parks Superintendent Tim Sevcik, 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. Consider 02/08/17 Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Sagan and seconded by Commissioner Kallemeyn
to approve the February 8,2017, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting
II/ agenda. Motion carried 7-0.
3.1 Consider 01/11/17 Regular PRC Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Nystrom and seconded by Commissioner Ahlness
to approve the following January 11,2017 Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes. Motion carried 7-0.
4. Open Forum
5.1 Camp Cozy Park Steward
Mr. Hecker presented his staff report.
John Mahr shared that he helps by mowing trails within the park.
Mr. Hecker asked how many people use the park in the summer.
Mr. Mahr shared that only a few people use it on a regular basis.
Moved by Commissioner Sagan and seconded by Commissioner Ahlness to
IIIappoint John Mahr as Camp Cozy Park Steward. Motion carried 7-0.
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February 08,2017
6.1 Outdoor Ice Rinks
Mr. Hecker shared that all the outdoor ice rinks except for Handke Pit are closed for
the season due to the weather this year and staff have created a report detailing cost
of maintenance and warming house staffing.
Mr. Sevcik shared information regarding all the outdoor ice rinks and how much
staff and equipment resources go into maintenance.This does not include building
the rinks.
Chair Anderson asked if we should cut back in the future.
Mr. Hecker shared that in 2016 the neighborhood rinks did not get put up and
would like to look at new options in the future.
Mr. Benoit shared that it would be nice to consider making Handke Pit a destination
ice rink.
Chair Anderson shared that Handke Pit has a limit to how many people can use it
and people will go to other rinks when it is too crowded. •
Mr. Hecker stated staff would bring this back for further discussion with more
information.
Chair Anderson stated he would like to see Lion John Weicht Park ice rink stay open
along with keeping the warming house.
7. Parks and Recreation Director Update
Mr. Hecker presented his staff report. There are a few tasks to finish at the Rivers
Edge Park this spring.
Mr. Hecker recognized and thanked Jim Nystrom for his service on the Parks and
Recreation Commission as he did not reapply after his term ends this month.
Chair Anderson shared some of the parks projects that Commissioner Nystrom
was instrumental in over the years and thanked him on behalf of the commission
for his many years of service.
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February 08,2017
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8.1 Recreation Manager Report
Mr. Benoit presented a slide show regarding the Activity Center's Members Only
Party.
8.2 Park Superintendent Report
Mr. Sevcik presented his staff report, sharing photos of the tree removal process at
Hillside Park.
9. Announcements
Chair Anderson encouraged the Parks and Recreation Commission members to
attend the volunteer recognition dinner held on March 8,2017.
Chair Anderson asked that a deer hunting update and eagles nest platform update get
added to the March commission agenda.
10. Adjourn to work session
There being no further business, Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Parks and Recreation Commission at 7:32 p.m.
I 1. Work session
I 1.1 Trails Master Plan
Mr. Hecker asked that everyone introduce themselves as Karen Blaska from Anoka
County Parks would be presenting information on how Anoka County planned their
parks and conservation areas in regards to trails.
Ms. Blaska shared how Anoka County Parks started out by identified their top
priorities of how to bridge the gaps with the entire trail system connecting together,
making sure to consider trails traveling east to west and north to south.
The top priorities were worked into manageable projects.
Commissioner Niziolek asked how they worked through the hurdle of collaborating
between city and county,and how to achieve that.
Ms. Blaska shared that if the county doesn't have a developed trail plan, share the
cities trail plan with them,telling them this vision is an asset for everyone.
Chair Anderson, asked if a few of the Sherburne County staff could be a part of the
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February 08,2017
trail planning meetings to get them to have buy in.
Ms. Blaska shared that getting anyone and everyone to partner with and get their buy
in will help to move the trail priorities forward.
Chair Anderson asked about funding.
Ms. Blaska suggested working the partnerships, so if county uses federal funding that
will help to offset budget.
Commissioner Niziolek asked how their partnerships decided who would maintain
the trails.
Ms. Blaska said they depended on the partnership and the county maintains all
county trails and asks the cities to maintain the trails within their boundaries by using
joint powers agreements.
Mr. Sevcik discussed using a Joint Powers agreement with Sherburne County and
brought it up with new staff. Explaining that connecting to our neighbors trails in
Otsego and Ramsey and creating a hub of trails going outward.
Chair Anderson stated the commission should review the Parks and Recreation
Master plan in March to remind what states regarding connections of trails.
Ms. Blaska stated that the Complete Streets project that Tam is working on ties into
the trails planning nicely and to come up with short,mid,long term projects
regarding the intersections and creating safer zones.
Tam asked if Anoka encountered any community opposition regarding the trails.
Ms. Blaska shared that there was but few and far between and suggested talking to
them one on one and explain the benefits to them along with the economic benefit
with home values.
I I.2 Parks and Recreation Commission Bylaws
Mr. Hecker presented the Parks and Recreation Commission bylaws.
The Parks and Recreation Commission members and staff discussed suggested
updates to the bylaws.
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February 08,2017
Mr. Hecker will ask for members' suggestions and bring back in March for approval.
12. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Parks and Recreation Commission work session at 8:35 p.m.
Minu : .repare y T y. ove.
Dave Anderson, Chair
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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