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04-11-2018 PR MIN In44 ..., City of Meeting of the Elk River Parks and ilkRecreation Commission RiverdimirHeld at the Elk River City Hall Wednesday, April 11, 2018 Members Present: Chair Anderson, Commission members Ahlness,Holmgren,Niziolek, Rathbun, Soltvedt, and Williams 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 4/11/18 Agenda Moved by Commissioner Ahlness and seconded by Commissioner Williams to approve the April 11,2018, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting agenda. Motion carried • 7-0. 3.1 Consider 03/14/18 Regular PRC Minutes Commissioner Rathbun asked to add that the Eagle Scout project cost will be covered through fundraising. Moved by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Ahlness to approve the following March 14, 2018 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes with the suggested change. Motion carried 7-0. 4. Open Forum - None 5 Eagle Scout Presentations Paul Andreasen installed steps in the Great Northern Trail to create a safer path, taking 340 hours of work and planning time. Chair Anderson shared that it was a very large project. Rand Carlson created a '/a mile Hackberry Loop Trail Extension in Woodland Trails Regional Park system which will now go from Proctor to Elk Lake Road. The project included clearing III of downed trees and buckthorn. Hiking trails of 3 feet.The Hillside volunteers borrowed him their tools and taught them how to bench a trail. 300 hours into planning,200 hours in Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 April 11,2018 • construction of trail. Chair Anderson shared that the archers will use this trail. 6. Action Items 6.1 Park Dedication — Miske Meadows Fifth Addition Mr. Benoit presented his staff report along with explaining what Park Dedication is for the new commission members. Council member Olsen shared that after the December meeting when the other additions were approved he was asked why there wasn't a smaller park for an area with that many homes. Chair Anderson asked how much more land is to the south for the development, and if there are out lots? Mr. Benoit shared that he doesn't have that information on if they are formed yet. Chair Anderson stated that he has a problem with developing in small sections at a time and needs to see the area where the park will be located. Mr. Benoit stated that when the southern half is developed it will come into play and be discussed. 410 Commissioner Niziolek shared that commission had discussed road alignment and topography due to being major concerns for the park area Moved by Commissioner Niziolek to recommend to City Council to accept park dedication for the plat of Miske Meadows Fifth Addition be paid for 57 dwelling units at the rate applicable when the subdivision is released for recording.This will be $81,278.01 at the 2018 low density rate. Mr. Benoit shared that this item will go to City Council on April 16. Chair Anderson stated that crucial information for size of park and location is missing. Mr. Benoit shared that this was discussed and acted on in a previous meeting. Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Williams to recommend to City Council to accept park dedication for the plat of Miske Meadows Fifth Addition be paid for 57 dwelling units at the rate applicable when the subdivision is released for recording. This will be $81,278.01 at the 2018 low density rate. Motion carried 7-0. i111E1E1 1r NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 110 April 11,2018 Commissioner Niziolek shared that the commission needs to be very proactive to acquire park amenities suitable for large park. Chair Anderson asked to look at the land to the south to look at a strategy of size of land versus the size of park. Commissioner Niziolek asked for the topography and road alignments of the southern property. 7. Discussion Items 7.1 Woodland Trails Regional Park Grant Committee Mr. Hecker shared his staff report. Chair Anderson stated the committee will work on things as the project progresses, asking when the group can be formed. Mr. Hecker shared that once the grant is signed by DNR we can form the group. Mr. Sevcik said it will be in Legislature end of June and then signed by DNR. In past experience it will be sometime in August.We can use community volunteers and staff time and track their time to apply to the grant. In kind work can be site prep, clean up,vegetation • of site then our grant money can stretch further towards equipment purchases. Chair Anderson asked that the main groups be represented. Biathlon group,Nordic skiing High school team,woodland trails volunteers,running community, families. The police chief expressed interest. We should reach out to groups for representatives. Can something go in the paper to advertise to come to a meeting to identify individuals with a skill set that could volunteer. Broaden our volunteer base. Commissioner Niziolek asked when to publish ad. Mr. Sevcik said that to wait until June 30 when it goes through legislature. Chair Anderson clarified to wait to form the group until June 30. Mr. Hecker asked if members of the commission will be on the committee. Chair Anderson sees the commission involved in active discussions with the committee along with staff. Mr. Hecker mentioned with the tour in May of nature play areas the group could join in that. Mr. Sevcik shared that nature play areas are fairly new, as the industry hasn't caught up to the current playground standards and will bring examples of others in May.Their goal is to give i NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 111 April 11,2018 kids a safe place to play in nature. Bridge the gap of getting the kids back to nature. Chair Anderson asked what the archery role would be. Mr. Sevcik stated to bring back archery to school,layout of area. Chair Anderson stated that in June we will start thinking about how to get some things done. Mr. Sevcik stated we have three years to get the grant completed. Commissioner Niziolek stated it is a great project with community involvement. Seeing students interested in park projects. 7.2 Park System Tour Date Mr. Hecker asked commission to look at calendar to set tour dates. Start about 4:30 p.m. and go until 9-9:30 p.m. Commissioner Niziolek would like to look at June. Postpone discussion to May agenda. 8. Parks and Recreation Director Update Mr. Hecker presented his staff report. 11111 Mr. Sevcik shared that Lacrosse has wanted to move up a tournament with the new lights;and Musko Lighting had delivered equipment for the lighting project. 9.I Recreation Manager's Update Mr. Benoit presented update of Elk RiverFest.July 7, 2018 in downtown Elk River from 4:00 —9:00 p.m. Fireworks will be held that night at 10:00 p.m. Stating the event will feature city services and have many activities that will be held during the event.With a concert at 7:00 p.m. 9.2 Parks Superintendent's Update Mr. Sevcik presented his staff report. Stating that the weather is delaying athletics for outdoor sports at our athletic fields. This will delay the dugout project from finishing up and the he is working with the contractor to have a game plan of finishing the project. Commissioner Holmgren asked when the snow is cleared then how long it is until the ground frost cleared out. Mr. Sevcik shared that a day of rain will help pull the frost out, or temperatures need to rise 1'0 / EIEI 1111 [NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5 • April 11,2018 for a string of days. Chair Anderson asked to bring in the four different design options for Deerfield Park ideas in May. 10. Announcements - None I I. Adjourn to Work session There being no further business, Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission at 8:08 p.m. 12. Work session The work session meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 8:15 p.m. by Chair Anderson. 12.1 Park Assets Project Priorities Mr. Hecker led discussion regarding park asset project priorities. Discussed Lion John Weicht Park,Youth Athletic Complex, Orono Park and Dave Anderson Athletic Complex and Oak Knoll Athletic Complex. Oak Knoll discussion points: • Needs shelters • Restrooms • Update ball fields • Make Hales field and other school property city owned, to allow people to make donations • Batting cages at 1 and 2 fields • Bleachers,permanent seating • Putting in grass in-field on field one • Parking lot • Storage along with ability to do concessions with restrooms, similar to Ramsey Central Park • 1 and 2 fencing • Lighting on field one • Burr Oak preservation and how to work with wetlands • Paving gravel trail between properties • Turf fields Council member Olsen asked how much is shared. 1 / IVEIE / II ® NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 6 • April 11,2018 Mr. Hecker shared that only the well is shared. Council member Olsen asked what fields we share. Mr. Hecker stated we do not share fields. Council member Olsen asked if this is an area of collaboration for sharing or using school fields. DAAC discussion points: • Fences need to be replaced and lengthened • New lighting • Restrooms • New central building • Dedicated parking or ramp-Secure parking,get in writing with county fairgrounds • Storage building • Batting cages • Pave trails in between fields • Trails to connect to other Orono trail,back entrance from DAAC • Nice permanent sign • Dugouts improved YAC discussion points: • T.ights on 1-4 fields • • Paved parking lot • Miracle field • Consider 165th Ave and that it will not be realigned so move the fields • Turf • Central Building/storage/restrooms • Upgrade concessions stand • Permanent signage Lion John Weicht Park discussion points: • Parking lot • Reduce trails,keep current trails and reconstruct them • Discussed how many shelters in park and which ones to keep. • Have Lions give input on this park. • Add two more Pickleball courts and fencing • Take out bandshell • Remove ball field • Look at age demographic as to who is using park • Enhance playground • Improve road access • Rebuild stairs 1 ® / ERE . 11 NATURE 1111) • Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 7 April 11,2018 • What to do with Lions Park Center and concrete slab • Maintain it as a neighborhood park;consider it similar to Trott Brook Park • Mr. Hecker proposed to continue with master planning and get community input • Mow less • Do habitat restoration • Enhance Disc golf Chair Andersonasked what is the goal? Mr. Hecker to update the plans since the current one is not up to date. Commissioner Niziolek discussed what to put as priorities to get it done really well and not branch out too far. Mr. Sevcik said Lions Park needs to be decided on what to continue to maintain. Commissioner Williams said we need to give our feedback to council. Chair Anderson cannot see anything at Lions Park and how much to do trails. Mr. Sevcik said$203,000. Chair Anderson said to take out the concrete slab, the Destination Park and asked if the trails can be made to not shift. IIIChair Anderson asked what type of input are we seeking. Mr. Hecker stated,Youth Associations, neighbors in apartments, and Lions Club Mr. Hecker will update next month with timeline. 13. Adjournment There being no further business,Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission work session at 9:42 p.m. 4 r Minutes pre ared=byonya Love. 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