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04-08-1998 PR MIN e e e MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1998 Members Present: Commissioners Huberty, Olson, Peterson, Anderson and Westrum Chair Dana Anderson arrived at 7:03 p.m. Members Absent: Commissioners Kuester and Madsen Staff Present: Terry Bye, Parks Foreman, Steve Wens man, Planning Intern; Debbie Huebner, Recording Secretary Also Present: Jeff Asfahl, Community Recreation Director .'. ...."....... -....- .. ._, L ... Call Meetina To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice Chair Huberty. Aaenda Consider 4/8/98 Park & Recreation Commission Aaenda COMMISSIONER OLSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE APRIL 8, 1998, PARK & RECREATION AGENDA. COMMISSIONER WESTRUM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consic:lerMinutEko(3111/98 Park & Rec::reationC:ornmission Meetina COMMISSIONER HUBERTY MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 11, 1998, PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. COMMISSIONER WESTRUM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 4. Park and Recreation Commissioner to Attend 4/20/98 City Council Meetina Commissioner Huberty will attend the 4/20/98 City Council meeting. 5. Park and Recreation Commissioner to Attend 4/28/98 Plannina Commission Meetina Commissioner Kuester will attend the April 28, 1998 Planning Commission Meeting. 6. Open Mike Tom Cruz, 19146 190th Avenue NW, was present to discuss a concession stand for the Elk River Youth Athletic Complex. He indicated there are local businesses and individuals willing to donate materials for the project. The Commissioners discussed whether to construct a temporary or permanent facility, the location of the structure and the construction type. Terry Bye indicated some sort of building Pari< & Recreation Minutes April 8. 1998 Page 2 e will be needed to store a mower and groomer. Commissioner Anderson suggested a maintenance free block exterior. The Commissioners asked Mr. Cruz to submit a list of interested individuals and vendors willing to donate materials and/or labor. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to pursue having formal plans prepared for the "ultimate" permanent concession/restroom/storage facility for the Youth Athletic Complex. Neiahborhood Meetinq to Discuss HillsidePark-7: 15to 7:4S0.m. 7.a. Steve Wensman, Planning Intern, reviewed concept plans for Hillside Park. Approximately 10 Hillside residents were in attendance. All comments expressed by the residents were favorable and supportive of the concept. A resident on Wilson Street expressed his concern for the condition of the trails and asked if he could sod the edge of the trail near his property at his own expense. Terry Bye indicated the Parks Department could work with the resident by supplying black dirt to prepare the site when he was ready to lay the sod. COMMISSIONER WESTRUM MOVED TO APPROVE THE PARK DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT PREPARED BY PLANNING INTERN, STEVE WENSMAN, FOR THE HILLSIDE PARK. COMMISSIONER HUBERTY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 7..b. . Review MeadoWYOIe Park- Park of the. MonthbiscLJssion e Steve Wensman, Planning Intern, reviewed three concepts for development of the 40 acre Meadowvale Park property: ConceotA - 2 trails around the pond with bridges crossing the wetland - Pedestrian access to the east to cui de sac, north and northeast in location of ditch to future subdivisions easement - Vehicle parking area to the south of the park. - 200' x 200' play field - Picnic structure - Information kiosks Ootion B - Looped trail around pond - Opportunity to create vehicle and/or pedestrian access and parking to north from County Road No. 1 with proposed new development - Posted signs to show the trail layout - Picnic structure - Play structure - 200'x200' playfield - 10 foot trail connection to the south - 2 land bridges with paved trail crossing e Ootion C - Access to the north through Outlot A - Trail connections in the northwest through wetland over land bridge and east - Parking area to the south - Picnic structure Park & Recreation Minutes April 8. 1998 Page 3 e - Information kiosks - Play structure - Sliding hill CHAIR ANDERSON MOVED TO ACCEPT A COMBINATION OF CONCEPT A AND B FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MEADOWV ALE PARK, WITH THE FOLLOWING CHANGES: - OMIT PLAY STRUCTURE UNTIL USAGE IS DETERMINED - INCLUDE OPTION C SOUTH PARKING PROPOSAL - SECURE PARKING AREA TO THE NORTHEAST IF OPPORTUNITY ARISES - SOME TYPE OF BRIDGE (POSSIBLY FLOATING DOCK) LINKING LAND MASSES TO BE DETERMINED BY COST - SHELTER ON BOTH SIDES OF WETLAND - BENCHES SCATTERED AROUND TRAIL LOOP COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Steve reviewed the concepts for Mississippi Oaks and Country Crossings 3rd previously discussed by the Commissioners. Steve noted a full court basketball court has been incorporated in the Country Crossing 3rd park concept. rather than a half court. Chair Anderson suggested the approved park concepts could be enlarged. laminated and posted in each particular park. e It was the consensus to invite the Country Crossing 3rd residents to the May 13th Park and Recreation Commission meeting to review the park concept. 7.c. Review Boys and Girls Club Prooosal It was the consensus of the Park and Recreation Commissioners to approve the plans for the Boys and Girls Club facility proposed to be located in Lions Park. 7.d. Review Conceot PlanforTrottBrook Estates Homer Tompkins of Contractor Property Developers Company and Ed Hasek of Westwood Engineering were present to discuss park plans for Trott Brook Farms. Mr. Tompkins indicated they spent a significant amount of time and money investigating the development of a championship golf course. only to find they were uncomfortable with the increased density and land value that would be necessary to do the project. e Mr. Hasek explained the changes that have been made in the park concept since the Park and Recreation Commissioners last review. The concept previously approved by the Park and Recreation Commission included a trail system with connections to all of the roadways which abutted the park property. a ballfield/soccer playfield. hockey rink. skating rink. tot lot. tennis/basketball court. and a small parking area near the street on the south. The total project has been increased in size from 280 acres to 360 acres. The project is bounded by County Road No. 12 on the south. County Road No. 13 on the west and Trott Brook on the east. The proposed centrally located park area has been increased in size from Park & Recreation Minutes April 8. 1998 Page 4 e 8.5 acres (6.6 acres of upland) to 13.2 acres (9.8 acres upland). A park linkage of 3.9 acres has been included along Trott Brook, as well as a potential 3.5 acre passive area to the north along the creek. The total dedicated park area will be approximately 20.6 acres. Mr. Hasek indicated the park area will serve as a focal point at the southern entrance into the project. Mr. Hasek explained the layout of the park and the location of the proposed trails and trail connections. The revised park plan shows the proposed locations for the playfields, hockey rink, skating rink, tennis/basketball court, an additional playfield to the west and a picnic shelter. He noted picnic tables could be included in the wooded area. Mr. Hasek described the proposed landscaped entrances. Commissioner Olson expressed his concern that the wetlands will increase in size. Mr. Hasek explained a drainage system will be in place to properly route the runoff and explained how the topography creates a natural separation area. Mr. Hasek explained a 50' corridor is shown along Trott Brook, but he felt this corridor would need to be tied into a future project to the north. The Commissioners felt since the trail would be subject to flooding, the construction material would be something other than bituminous (Le., wood chip, ag lime, etc.) Discussion followed regarding proposed locations of trails and sidewalks. e Chair Anderson expressed his concern that the impact of the park on the adjacent homes to the north and south of the park. Mr. Hasek felt the impact on the homes to the north would be the trail between the lots which will be no less than 50 feet. The distance from the back of the building pads to the ballfields is 250 - 300 feet and did not feel the lots would be impacted. The lots to the south that would be most impacted would be those directly south of the tennis court and adjacent to the hockey rink. He felt the location of tennis court and hockey rink could be changed to lessen the impact on the residences. Also, he felt the activities during the day would be less likely to affect the neighboring properties. Discussion followed regarding the location of the hockey and skating rinks and possible lighting. Mr. Hasek suggested locating a lighted hockey rink in the 80 acre city park to the south of the proposed project. Mr. Hasek felt that if the hockey rink were lighted. it would be a draw for people from other areas to use the rinks. A warming house and substantially more parking would then be needed and the complexion of the park would be changed from a neighborhood park to an area park. Chair Anderson expressed his that concern the hockey and open skating would have on the southern lots. Mr. Hasek suggested the City's Planning Intern, Steve Wensman. view the site to see if a workable solution can be found. e Further discussion followed on relocating the southern lots. Commissioner Anderson indicated he felt the usage of the park will be greatly limited by the 7 residential lots on the south side of the park. Mr. Hasek discussed the possibility of relocating some of the southern lots to the west on the collector street. He Park & Recreation Minutes April 8. 1998 Page 5 e explained that if the hockey rink is located as far as possible from the home, the access will be more difficult to maintain in the winter. Chair Anderson indicated the Commissioners have expressed their concern for the need to reduce the number of lots to the south. He questioned whether 9.8 acres of usable park area is adequate for the potential 618 families that will be living in this project. Commissioner Anderson felt the size was adequate. but the issue is the 7 lots to the south. Mr. Hasek suggested the hockey and skating rinks be taken out of the plan, since this type of use seems to cause the greatest concern for impacting the neighbors. He felt the other uses are summer uses and will have less impact. Chair Anderson indicated he felt the hockey rink needs to be considered. Mr. Hasek noted the parking and lighting then needs to be addressed. The Commission expressed their support for the trail concept along Trott Brook. Discussion followed regarding the trail along the main collector street connecting County Road No. 12 and 13. The Commissioners did not feel a sidewalk would be needed as well. Chair Anderson suggested a sidewalk be considered along the road to the east which dead ends at the park connecting to Trott Brook to the new park. 8. Area Recreation Uodate - Jeff Asfahl e Jeff Asfahl. Director of Community Recreation, provided an update on the following issues: 1) Field development network meeting; 2) July as Park and Recreation Month; 3) MRPA "Youth Initiatives/Enrichment" legislative update; 4) Youth athletic complex; 5) Youth Initiative updates. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of developing the 80 acre Hillside Park for mountain biking. and a BMX track. Jeff Asfahl suggested the Commissioners visit the BMX site in St. Michael which is run by volunteers of a BMX association. 9. Bond Referendum Discussion Due to Commissioner Kuester's absence. there was no discussion on this issue. 10. Craft Festival Reauest The Commissioners expressed no Objection to a request by John Huard of St. Cloud to hold an arts and crafts show in a city park. The Commissioners recommended the City Council consider requiring a larger deposit for community events, to ensure the responsible organization cleans up the area. Commissioner Anderson noted that many hours are spent cleaning up City property after the Sherburne County Fair parade and questioned if they are required to make a deposit. 12. Staff Uodates e Terry Bye, Parks Foreman, noted the following staff updates: e e e Park & Recreation Minutes April 8. 1998 Page 6 1. 2. 3. Thank you from Parker Elementary for playground equipment contribution Boys' and Girls' Club site prep Elk River Youth Athletic Complex Commissioner Anderson updated the Commission on the following issues: 1. Prairie burn at Woodland Trails 2. Signs for target practice area used for biatholon 3. Commissioners to work at Kelley Farm for Arbor Day program 14. Adiournment There being no further business. COMMISSIONER WESTRUM MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER HUBERTY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. The meeting of the Elk River Park & Recreation Commission adjourned at 10:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, AD~ ~~ Debbie Huebner Recording Secretary