10.3. SR 04-02-2018 Eclty1� ,.,�� Request for Action
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To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 10.3
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Work Session Aril 2, 2018 Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
Item Description Reviewed by
Woodland Trails Regional Park Committee Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Discussion of a Woodland Trails Regional Park Committee.
Background/Discussion
The Parks and Recreation Commission adopted a timeline on March 14 to work on the Woodland Trails
Regional Park grant project. The intention of staff was for the Commission to be involved with special
work sessions this fall and winter as outlined in the below timeline to review nature play areas and picnic
shelters. The special work sessions include public open houses overseen by the Commission. Staff
intended the Commission serve as the committee as stated in the Commission Bylaws the Commission is
to make recommendations to major improvements in city parks.
Instead, Chair Dave Anderson added an action item at the meeting before the timeline was approved to
request that a committee of stakeholders be involved with the timeline. While this added agenda item
was approved by the Commission, the actual work or reasons for the committee were not made clear.
Wayfinding should not be part of this project since it has already been approved by City Council. Chair
Anderson stated that as the Woodland Trails Regional Park Steward he should pick out his fellow
volunteer colleagues to serve as the stakeholders. Vice Chair Andy Solvedt recommended an application
process be initiated for the general public.
Staff is seeking direction from City Council on how to involve the public during the public open houses
and Commission Work Sessions this fall and winter. Staff recommends the city use the Commission as
the committee. If a separate committee is preferred by City Council, the city promotes a broader
community representation and involvmenet to serve on a committee with the Commission as the lead.
On December 13, 2017, the Commission was informed the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails
Commission (GMRPTC) approved full funding of$362,000 for Phase I development. In addition to the
grant funds, the city allocated $125,000 as matching funds. Projects include adding a picnic shelter, a
nature play area,buckthorn removal, an archery range, and wayfinding signage.
The GMRPTC is a recommending body for the Parks and Trails Legacy Grant Program under the
Outdoor Heritage Fund. Their recommendation requires legislative approval. Once signed by the
Governor, the DNR and city will enter into a contract for the grant funds.
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The GMRPTC has advised the city that any work completed prior to entering into a contract agreement
will not be funded as part of the authorized grant expenditures.
The Parks and Recreation Commission approved the following timeline as recommended by staff for this
project:
■ June 30, 2018 — Outdoor Heritage Fund appropriations approved by the Governor
■ July-August 2018 — Contract Signed by DNR and City of Elk River
■ September 2018 —P&R Commission Special Meeting to review proposed projects
■ October 2018 —P&R Commission facility tour of nature play areas and picnic shelters
■ November 2018 — Commission Work Session to review nature play areas and picnic shelters
■ November 2018- February, 2019 —Buckthorn removal
■ December 2018 —Publish RFP for Design Services
■ January 2019 — Commission Work Session to discuss concept ideas
■ February 2019 —Public Open House (Commission Special Meeting) to solicit design ideas
■ March 2019 —Review and finalize designs
■ April 2019 —Approve final design
■ April 2019 —Publish RFQ for construction services
■ May 2019 — City Council approval of construction contract
■ July-October 2019 — Construction
■ September-October 2019 —Buckthorn seedling treatments
Financial Impact
None
Attachments
■ Woodland Trails Regional Park Master Plan Map
N:APublic Bodies\Agenda Packets\04-02-2018\Final\x10.3 sr Discussion of Woodland Trails Committee.docx
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