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04-13-1992 CC MIN - JOINT . . . JOINT MEETING OF THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION AND THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1992 Park and Recreation Members Present: Dennis, Byron Houghtelin, Dana Anderson Clair Olson, Mike O'Brien, Joe st. Dave Anderson, Rolfe Anderson and Park and Recreation Members Absent: Clete Lipetzky Councilmembers Present: Vice Mayor Holmgren, Councilmembers Schuldt, Dietz and Kropuenske(8:35 p.m.) Councilmembers Absent: Mayor Tralle Also Present: Jeff Asfahl, Regional Recreation Director Staff Present: Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent; Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandy Thackeray, City Clerk 1. Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the joint meeting of the City Council and Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Dave Anderson at 8:10 p.m. 2. Consider 4/13/92 Commission Meeting City Council/Park and Recreation Agenda for COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON MOVED PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER O'BRIEN CARRIED 6-0. 4/13/92 MOTION. AGENDA AS THE MOTION TO APPROVE SECONDED THE THE 3. Consider 3/11/92 Park and Recreation Commission Minutes COMMISSIONER OLSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE 3/11/92 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES. COMMISSIONER HOUGHTELIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 4. Open Mike No one appeared for this item. 5. Joint Discussion on Park Improvements for New City Hall Site and Orono Park Pat Klaers stated that the topic of park and recreation activities near City Hall/Orono Park site has been discussed at a number of Park and Recreation Commission meetings. He stated that it is anticipated that the only development on the site in 1992 will be a trail along Orono Lake which will connect Orono Park with the Parkway. The Commission Park and Recreation/City Council Minutes April 13, 1992 Page 2 . and Council discussed the proposed parkway along the southern part of the City Hall site. Discussion was held regarding the possibility of replacing the 5 foot concrete curb the north side with a 10 foot bituminous path for the purpose of biking and rollerblading. It was indicated that if this were possible, this could possibly tie in with the proposed trail system. It was the consensus of the Park and Recreation Commission and the City Council to replace the 5 foot concrete sidewalk with a 10 foot bituminous sidewalk to be used for activities such as hiking, biking and rollerblading, and further, that the City Engineer review this request. Discussion was held regarding the shortage of softball fields in the City of Elk River. Councilmember Kropuenske arrived at this time (8:35 p.m.) . Councilmember Holmgren stated that Orono Park could not hold any more softball fields and that the City should be looking elsewhere for softball field locations. Councilmember Schuldt indicated that Orono Park was more family oriented and that the City should consider using the city-owned sludge land property located east of town to serve the needs of the softball players for many years into the future. Clair Olson indicated that by adding to the current facility, the park would more family use by the softball player's families using the parks while the softball players are playing softball. Councilmember Kropuenske commented that there are too many tournaments and the park is becoming overloaded. He stated he would not be in favor of adding more softball fields to the present location. The Council and Commission discussed the possibility of moving Kuss Field to the E & 0 Tool site. Commissioner st. Dennis indicated that this would only be a temporary measure and would not solve the problem because the city needs more than two additional softball fields. He indicated that by moving Kuss Field to the E & 0 Tool site, the City is not, in reality, gaining two fields. He suggested that the City look for new property for softball fields. Discussion was held by the Council and purchase of property for softball fields. indicated that some discussion has been purchase of 80 acres of land located east of youth fields and softball. Commission regarding the The City Administrator held regarding the possible the City to be used for Chairman Anderson stated that the current softball fields are in a perfect location. He felt that expansion of the present area from a softball standpoint would be the best possibility. Councilmember Schuldt indicated that there is a possibility of losing the fairgrounds and if this did happen, parking space would also be lost. . It was the consensus that the need for more softball fields was a priority and that the Park and Recreation Commission should be talking about alternative sites and solutions at a future meeting. 6. 1992 Park Improvements Park and Recreation/City Council Minutes April 13, 1992 Page 3 . Phil Hals presented the Council and Commission with a park improvement list containing optional park improvements for various parks within the City and estimated costs for these improvements. Also included in the park improvement list was a proposal for playground equipment for the Deerfield IV Park. Phil discussed the different types of park equipment proposed for the park and also discussed the 56 foot hillside slide which he is proposing for Deerfield IV Park. It was noted that $10,000 of the expenses would come from the Capital Projects fund and the remaining expenses would be funded by the Park Dedication fund. Discussion was held by the Commission and Council as to whether some of the horseshoe pits at Orono Park should be removed and replaced with other types of entertainment such as volleyball courts. It was indicated that the horseshoe leagues have moved and are not using the horseshoe pits at Orono Park. It was further indicated that it would be nice to have a couple horseshoe pits available at the park for families using the park. Discussion was held regarding the possibility of relocating the horseshoe pits to Lion's Park or other locations. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO APPROVE THE PARK IMPROVEMENT OPTIONS PROVIDED BY PHIL HALS IN HIS MEMO TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATED APRIL 9, 1992, AND AS RECOMMENDED BY THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. . Discussion on Hillside Estates Plat 7. Pat Klaers indicated that Rick Foster's Hillside Estates Plat was reviewed by the Commission at the March meeting. Pat Klaers stated that the Park Master Plan shows a neighborhood park in this area. He indicated that the recommendation for Phase I is to collect cash for park dedication fees and to use the dedicated right-of-way for the first part of the trail. He further indicated that the Commission should be looking at different types of park opportunities for this area. Discussion was held regarding a future 10 foot wide bike lane/trail on the north side of the east/west street corridor (l93rd Avenue). The City Administrator indicated that the developer must provide the right-of-way and will be required to grade the area. He further stated that the dedication of the right-of-way for a transportation collector street is not substitution for park dedication fees. Chairman Anderson suggested raising the $350 per acre park dedication fee. Pat Klaers, City Administrator, stated that this issue could be discussed at a future Park and Recreation Commission meeting. . Commissioner st. Dennis suggested staying away from the power line easement suggested for the north/south section of the trail system as it may cause problems in the future and to use the street right-of-way in this area. COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON MOVED TO FOLLOW STAFF RECOMMENDATION THAT PARK DEDICATION FEES BE COLLECTED BASED ON COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL . . . Park and Recreation/City Council Minutes April 13, 1992 Page 4 LOTS AND THAT SUFFICIENT RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR THE EAST/WEST TRAIL DEVELOPMENT BE PROVIDED AND THAT THE ACTUAL TRAIL BE CONSTRUCTED BY THE CITY (A 10 FOOT WIDE DETACHED BITUMINOUS SURFACE) AND FURTHER THAT THE NORTH/SOUTH TRAIL BE LOCATED ALONG THE ROADWAY INSTEAD OF UNDER THE POWER LINE ON THE EAST SIDE. COMMISSIONER ST. DENNIS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 8. Staff Update on Depot Site Phil Hals informed the Commission that Boelter's Service Station has leased an additional 300 feet from the Burlington Northern Railroad west of their building. He indicated that the City's beautification project will start at his line and go westerly to Jackson Avenue between Highway 10 and the railroad tracks. Phil informed the Commission that the street department has developed a plan for irrigating the area and that grass will be seeded as soon as irrigation systems are operating. 9. Staff Update on Lake Orono Boat Regulation Sign Phil Hals reviewed the proposed Lake Orono Boat Regulation was requested by the Park and Recreation Commission Council. It was the consensus of the Commission and the to order the sign and have it posted at Lake Orono. Sign which and the City City Council 10. Staff Updates/Other Business - Park and Recreation Pat Klaers introduced Recreation Coordinator. Jeff Asfahl, the newly hired Regional There being no further business for the Park and Recreation Commission, COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION PORTION OF THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. The Park and Recreation Commission meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. 11. Staff Updates/Other Business - City Council Councilmember Kropuenske indicated that he had recently attended a downtown redevelopment meeting and was informed that the Amoco Station would be taken down. He indicated that the Downtown Development group requested him to ask the City to consider the possibility of vacating the road that ran between the Amoco station and Jackson Square Park so as to provide more parking for the downtown area. The Council agreed that a complete evaluation of the parking areas was needed. Councilmember Holmgren indicated that there has been a recent car accident at 4th Street and Gates Avenue. He indicated that the speeds have been quite excessive on Freeport Avenue and requested a police patrol in the area. Phil Hals informed Councilmember Holmgren that the . . . Park and Recreation/City Council Minutes April 13, 1992 Page 5 The City Administrator informed the Council that earlier in the year the City was negotiating for the purchase of the Burlington Northern railroad property located along Highway 10 which the City leases for downtown parking. He indicated that the reason the City was unsuccessful in purchasing the property has to do with environmental concerns. The City Administrator further indicated that he has been informed by Glacier Park Company that the property will be put on the market through an auction and that Staff is requesting permission to have the City make a bid on the property. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY TO BID ON THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN RAILROAD PROPERTY AND FURTHER GRANTED THE CITY PERMISSION TO DEAL WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS. COUNCI LMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. The City Administrator informed the Council that the Purchase Agreement for Woodland Trails is acceptable to both parties and that the City will be moving forward shortly on the purchase of the property. The City Administrator discussed his fall national conference. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE ATTEND THE 1992 ICMA NATIONAL CONFERENCE. SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ The City Administrator informed the Council that he received a letter from MnDOT in response to the Assembly of God Church signage on Trunk Highway 169 and 197th Avenue. He stated that the response from MnDOT indicated that the signage is allowable. The City Administrator informed the Council that the date chosen for the MnDOT tour is May 19. It was the consensus of the Council that the MnDOT tour be held on May 19. The City Administrator informed the letter from Carol Mills of the Guardian expenses of the Elk River Senior Center. Council Angels that he had received a Foundation regarding The City Administrator updated the Council regarding a meeting recently held with Eos Architecture. He indicated that Lori Johnson, the Police Chief, Sergeant Tyler and himself had met with Eos and discussed items pertaining to communications, security, Council Chambers, training room, etc. The City Administrator gave a general update to the Council regarding some of the discussions and some of the decisions that were made at that meeting. . . . Park and Recreation/City Council Minutes April 13, 1992 Page 6 Westwood The City Administrator informed the Council that meetings with the Westwood property owners have been held regarding the Westwood Assessment Project. He stated that more than half of the property owners came in for meetings with the City Administrator and the City Engineer. He indicated that good comments were received at the meetings and that the City would be presenting the Council with some of the suggestions from the meeting. 12. Adjournment There being no further business, COUNCILMEMBER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER KROPUENSKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. The meeting of the Elk River City Council adjourned at 10:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, S (V}lcUL tl J)1 af:_-,lCutcc fj ~ Sandra A. Thackeray City Clerk