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6.1. PRSR 10-03-2018 City of Meeting of the Elk River Parks and ElkRecreation Commission River Held at the Elk River City Hall Wednesday, September 12, 2018 Members Present: Chair Anderson, Commission members Ahlness,Holmgren, Niziolek,Rathbun, Soltvedt, and Williams Council Liaison: Ms. Olsen Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker, Recreation Manager Steve Benoit, Senior Planner, Chris Leeseberg, 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 09/12/18 Agenda Moved by Commissioner Soltvedt and seconded by Commissioner Williams to approve the September 12, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting agenda. Motion carried 7-0. 3.1 Consider 08/08/18 Special PRC Minutes Moved by Commissioner Ahlness and seconded by Commissioner Soltvedt to approve the following August 8,2018 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes. Motion carried 7-0. 4. Open Forum Ms. Germanson, 18473 Yakton St. stated she would like to see West Oaks Park get updated with a swing set and a second basketball hoop. There are many kids of all ages in the neighborhood. 5. Action Items 5.1 Park Dedication — Mississippi Oaks Fourth Addition Mr. Benoit presented his staff report. Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Williams to recommend to City Council to accept park dedication for the plat of Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 September 12,2018 Mississippi Oaks Fourth Addition to be paid for one dwelling unit at the rate applicable when the subdivision is released for recording.This will be $1,425.93 at the 2018 low density rate. Motion carried 7-0. 5.2 Request to purchase City property Mr.Leeseberg presented his staff report. Commissioner Niziolek asked if the easement should be kept to County Road 1. Mr. Leeseberg shared that there is currently right-of-way. Chair Anderson asked if the property would be sold at fair market value. Mr. Leeseberg stated yes it would be sold at fair market value. Commissioner Niziolek would like to have the trail easement marked with clear signage. Carl Hanson,Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, asked if they can build on the easement. Mr. Leeseberg stated that no building can occur in an easement as it would be for general public access to the park. Commissioner Niziolek would like space for parking and the street parking would be deemed adequate. Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Holmgren to recommend to City Council to accept staff recommendation to proceed with selling a portion of the subject property (75-129-4100) to Abiding Savior Lutheran Church with the following conditions: 1. The church shall be required, at their expense, to apply for and receive approval of a Subdivision Exemption. 2. The church shall provide, at their expense and as approved by city staff, a recorded trail easement outside of the wetlands. With 30 foot wide easement and marked with appropriate signage. Motion carried 7-0. 1 ® NEREI II NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 September 12,2018 6. Discussion Items 6.1 Riverwalk Apartment Park Concept Mr.Leeseberg presented his staff report. Chair Anderson asked how much is considered buildable in the back area? Mr. Leeseberg said approximately 2 1/4 acres based on the 12 acre proposed park. Chair Anderson asked how we preserve trail corridor through the property. Mr. Leeseberg stated by putting an easement across the bluff line. Commissioner Niziolek would like to establish a 30 foot easement atop of bluff line. He also stated it is really important of the community to look at this trial corridor along the river. Chair Anderson stated that a wider easement would be needed in the area. Commissioner Niziolek stated this is a potential phenomenal river trail. It is important to put this piece in place as more property becomes available. Commissioner Niziolek stated that the easement should be on the bluff part. Dan Anderson,Briggs Companies, shared that the lower parking lot is not in the flood plain and that the parking lot is not needed for the project to work but Briggs Companies wants to provide an easement to the riverfront and would love to connect it to Babcock Park. This upgrades the project to having a park that will bring people down there. This is one spot in town that is hidden behind the previous Saxon property and needs to be watched. The driveway is ADA accessible to parking lot and can be used as proof of parking which they may not need. Having a lot of people down there would deter the crime that has been happening. Movement needs to be created. Chair Anderson asked what the size of the parking lot is. Dan Anderson said 20 cars;we want the parking lot to feel like a public lot,if it is smaller people think it is private. Chair Anderson asked staff to show the north portion of the property in relation to Babcock Park on Beacon. P-® rEREl IT NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 September 12,2018 Dan Anderson showed on map where the walking path could go from the boat launch in Babcock to the north to south to property. Chair Anderson asked about access to Highway 101. Mr. Leeseberg shared he did not know at this time. Chair Anderson stated we will be losing access to Babcock Park when Highway 10 changes and if we could retain that via this direction which was never thought about before,it is certainly worth looking at. Patrick Briggs,Briggs Companies, stated that approximately 70% of domestic police reports in the last 120 months stem from this right hear (pointing at Babcock Park). He also stated there are 260 police reports on this property. He indicated what is happening is people park at Babcock Park,walk under Highway 101 Bridge and then walk south to Saxon property creating issues along the way. This is the root of their problems in the area. Dan Anderson referenced the overlay slide looking at how the piece of property can be a park even though they don't own it. Keep a walking path,and have access to a boat launch for canoes,with lighting, and have access for police and it will change the environment and we as a team can control it. Stating they are also in the works to redevelop the Saxon property and want to maintain body movement,wayfinding, and access in that area. Patrick Briggs stated he monitors the river level and that the subject property is an impressive opportunity. Chair Anderson asked if Babcock Park closes at 10:00 p.m. Mr. Hecker stated that it technically falls under our rules. Patrick Briggs stated he was told by multiple police officers they cannot tell people to leave Babcock or close it off. Chair Anderson asked staff to check into if Babcock Park falls under the city park rules or is it an open wayside rest. Chair Anderson stated that in theory it is an easement that goes north and west to be able to access Babcock Park. He also stated at this point they are interested in an easement but have not heard any talk on park land dedication. He also wondered if PIVEIEI I NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5 September 12,2018 50 feet would be enough of an easement. Mr.Leeseberg said 50 foot easement would be enough. Dan Anderson offered to look at property to maximize views and vegetation and throw that path in and get more feedback. Chair Anderson asked how we would access an easement to Highway 10. Mr. Leeseberg said there would be an easement to Zane through the proposed parking lot. Chair Anderson wants to make sure the public access to the bluff line easement with an easement over the private property to access it. Mr. Leeseberg stated that staff is unaware of where property lines are proposed to occur separating a possible park. Mr. Leeseberg restated is if the Parks and Recreation Commission wanted park land, or a trail easement, or do they want both, access public property through private property or would you rather see road frontage. Chair Anderson again stated at this point he has not heard any commissioner talk about park land. Pat Briggs commented the access to Lions Park is a prescriptive easement (6th Street) to Boys and Girls Club and Lion Park. Commission Soltvedt stated the park land in lieu of cash dedication is not as advantageous as the cash donation (dedication)would be for the city. The land is not useable, not developable, and not going tobe effected in the long term, the trail easement would provide the views and access that the commission is looking to do in the Master Plan and we have a lot of park amenities that park dedication funds could help enhance in the long term for the city and serve a larger purpose versus the acreage that is designated there. Chair Anderson asked about the parking lot, street access, and trail easement and if a planning issue. Mr. Leeseberg said the parking would be a planning issue. Chair Anderson said that it would be easy to continue the trail along the bluff line in / R / ERER IV NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 6 September 12,2018 the future with easement from north to south. He doesn't think the parking lot would support the area as it doesn't go anywhere. Dan Anderson said it is delineated there for possible future and how access is handled. Chair Anderson asked if anyone was excited about land dedication versus cash. He stated there was a noting of heads that there is an interest in a trail easement and cash dedication. Dan Anderson suggested looking at how to get people moving in that area for a better quality of life. Chair Anderson stated this is a discussion item not an action item and the commission is unanimous and would like to see project. Chair Anderson indicated what he heard staff was looking for initial direction for staff and council and that it (direction) was pretty unanimous from the group. Dan Anderson would suggest the commission tour the property. Pat Briggs commented about using and enjoying the space below and questioned where can residents currently drop canoes in the Mississippi River? Chair Anderson an Mr. Hecker stated Babcock Park, Camp Cozy Park, Orono Park, and William H. Houlton Conservation Area,Bailey Point Nature Preserve. Dan Anderson stated that the DOT owns 100 feet each side of the bridge property. 7. Parks and Recreation Director Update Mr. Hecker presented his staff report. Deerfield Hill Park surfacing was put in and will be open to public tomorrow. Discussed the October meeting date and change due to conflicts, changing to a special meeting on October 3. Mr. Hecker shared that ads will go out regarding the special meeting on October 3 for interviews. Chair Anderson asked to have a work session at 6:30 p.m. and action items will be afterwards recommending committee members. He asked it be put on social media, volunteer website area, and to see if paper will do a story on it. Commissioner Holmgren asked if this is an odd trend for the liquor store profits to PO- ERE / 11 NATURE f Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 7 September 12,2018 decrease. Mr. Hecker stated it may be due to the Highway 10 construction. Commissioner Anderson asked to look into if the CIP can be approved later and bring last year's list that was created for 2019. Mr. Hecker shared the proposed Senior Activity Center area in the referendum. Chair Anderson asked about where the exercise area would be. Mr. Benoit shared that the multi-purpose room shows yoga mats in proposed drawing. Chair Anderson stated it looks like all activities they have now are being covered in proposed new space. Mr. Hecker stated that the seniors have agreed that this meets their needs. Commissioner Niziolek asked about outdoor space and natural lighting. Mr. Benoit shared that lighting has been discussed and there is space to the east of the building that may be used for outdoor space. Mr. Hecker shared that the Active Elk River website will be set up this week. Chair Anderson asked about the volunteer dinner. Mr. Hecker stated a volunteer appreciation dinner will be October 4, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Lions Park Center. Chair Anderson stated he wanted to make sure that members know any volunteers should be invited and get info to Mr. Hecker. Commissioner Niziolek asked about the ribbon cutting time at Deerfield Hill Park ceremony. Mr. Hecker stated it would start at 4:45 p.m. 8.1 Recreation Manager's Update Mr. Benoit presented his staff report. Presenting the Seniors and Law Enforcement PIIIERE1 IT NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 8 September 12,2018 Tournament (SALT) held at Pinewood Golf Course. 9. Announcements Chair Anderson asked to discuss the Woodland Trails Regional Park incident. Mr. Hecker shared the police report stating there was an assault in Woodland Trails Regional Park. Commissioner Niziolek shared that the school is hosting the NW conference cross country race on October 10. I 0. Adjournment There being no further business, Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission at 8:24 p.m. Minutes prepared by Tonya Love. Dave Anderson, Chair Tina Allard, City Clerk r ® UEeII Sr NATURE