8.0. PRSR 02-14-2018 ,,>Pi
i
Memorandum
Item: 8
Elk
River
To: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Michael Hecker,Parks and Recreation Director
Date: February 14, 2018
Subject: Director's Report
This report is a monthly highlight of department activities related to collaborations, strategic
planning, staff changes/developments, and park operations.
Elk River Ice Arena and Lion John Weicht Park Facilities Design
City Council Member Wagner stated concerns at the February 5, 2018,Regular Council Meeting
regarding an action item to direct staff to prepare for bond debt issuance to finance the proposed
improvements to the Elk River Ice Arena and Lion John Weicht Park. She requested he Council
reconsider a general election referendum for recreation facilities. A special meeting of City Council
was held on Thursday, February 8, 2018, to further discuss improvement to the Ice Arena and Lions
John Weicht Park. City Council directed staff to suspend services with 292 Design and RJM
Construction and prepare for a general election referendum for recreation facilities as determined by
the City Council. The referendum will be placed on the general election ballot on Nov. 6,2018.
The Elk River Lions Club met on Tuesday, February 6 to discuss their options for Lions Park
Center. They voted to not maintain operations of the building.
Proposed Fee Schedule
The project schedule for the new ice arena was discussed with City Council last month and they
asked for information about fees and rental revnue. On February 5,we provided an overview of
fees charged by other communities for park and recreation playfields and facilities. We also looked
at the operation/maintenance expenses incurred for park maintenance at athletic complexes and the
amount and who we charge. We further looked at potential rental/lease revenue for spaces within
the new arena. Council also expressed concern with the lack of funding in the Park Improvement
Fund. We sought direction on the amount of rate recovery for play field maintenance.We will share
this direction and have the commission disucss fees at an upcoming meeting. The goal is to have
equity in field use fees between organizations and provide funding for future park improvements.
We will also schedule a meeting to include representatives from each of the user groups.
Park Maintenance Worker Position Vacancy
Interviews for the Park Maintenance position vacancy begin on February 20,2018. Over 90
applicantions were received.
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Woodland Trails Regional Park Improvements
It has been discussed to gather the stakeholders of Woodland Trails Regional Park to review the
improvements and designs we many want to consider. This is for our full request of$362,000 in
funding through the Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) and a city
matching grant of$125,000. The approved project within the park will consist of the installation of
a children's nature play area,a picnic shelter capable of accommodating groups of approximately 50-
people, trailhead improvements and wayfinding signage,updates to the biathlon range to
incorporate archery and invasive species removal.
The DNR and the GMPRTC encourages public input to the process. They have indicated to us that
the city should not do any planning until we receive a fully executed agreement which will not
happen until after the legislature approves funding during their 2018 session. Staff is recommending
that the city hold 1 or 2 public meetings with the Commission beginning this September 2018. We
will keep you posted on this process.
Riverfront Concert Series 2017
The Riverfront Concert Series is confirmed for ten concerts on the following dates:
June 14 Rockin' Hollywood's
June 21 The Band that Fell to Earth (David Bowie tribute)
June 28 Country Roads (John Denver tribute)
July 5 No Concert
July 12 Shane Martin
July 19 Ventriloquist and the Minneapolis Police Band
July 26 A Hard Days Night (Beatles tribute)
August 2 Forever Elvis
August 9 Fabulous Armadillos
August 16 Arch Allies (Styx and Journey tribute)
August 23 Elton Songs (Elton John tribute)
All of the concerts are held at Rivers Edge Commons Park at 7:00 pm on Thursday evenings. This
schedule has been posted on the city's new website. It should also be noted that the Farmer's
Market hours have been moved to 3 - 7 p.m. on Thursdays. Past years were 2 - 6 p.m.
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