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06-10-1998 PR MIN e e e MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 1998 Members Present: Chair Dana Anderson; Commissioners Huberty, Kuester, Peterson and Anderson. Commissioner Olson arrived at 7:55 p.m. Members Absent: Commissioner Westrum Staff Present: Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent. Terry Bye, Parks Foreman; Debbie Huebner, Recording Secretary Also Present: Councilmembers Thompson and Holmgren 1. 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 Chair Anderson. 2. Agenda Consider 6/10/98 Park & Recreation Commission Aaenda COMMISSIONER ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE JUNE 10, 1998, PARK & RECREATION AGENDA. COMMISSIONER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Minutes of 5/13/98 Park & Recreation Commission Meetinq COMMISSIONER PETERSON MOVED APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 10, 1998, PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. COMMISSIONER ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Park and Recreation Commissioner to Attend 6/15/98 City Council Meetinq Commissioner Westrum will attend the June 15, 1998, City Council meeting. 5. Park and Recreation Commissioner to Attend 6/23/98 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Olson will attend the June 23. 1998, Planning Commission meeting. 6. Open Mike No one appeared for open mike. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes June 10, 1998 Page 2 e 7.a. Neiahborhood Meetina to Discuss Meadowvale Park - 7: 15 - 7:45 p.m. Planner Steve Wensman reviewed the park development concept for Meadowvale Park which was endorsed by the Park & Recreation Commission at their May 13 meeting. Steve explained the proposed amenities as well as the location of trails. floating dock bridges, and parking areas. A neighboring resident suggested including a trail for horseback riding. Staff and the Commissioners were in agreement that there is not adequate space for horse trails within this park. Discussion followed regarding snowmobiles and 4-wheelers using the park. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to place signage in prominent areas to warn violators that no motorized vehicles are allowed in the park. Residents in attendance expressed favorable comments regarding the park concept. COMMISSIONER ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONCEPT FOR THE MEADOWVALE PARK AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER PETERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7.b. Park of the Month Discussion Planner Steve Wensman reviewed the following park concepts: e Ga!::me Park - Gagne Park is a 48.27 acre parcel with two level open field areas. Steve reviewed access to the park and use of the park property by neighboring residents for access to their homes. Steve explained that since most of the site is in the flood plain. permanent structures are not allowed and temporary structures would have to be removed in times of flooding. The open field areas in the floodplain are well suited for soccer or baseball fields. A picnic/restroom facility, concessions, rental facility and children's playground would be suitable in the northern open field area above the floodplain. Commissioner Olson arrived at this time (7:55 p.m.) e Concept A - Includes acquiring properties to the east and south to provide additional river access. as well as a southern vehicle access and parking lot, across the river utilizing an old bridge structure for pedestrians - Main access at the end of Waco with cul-de-sac for parking and canoe launching area. - North open space includes ballfields, picnic facility, restrooms. parking and paved looping trail - Southern space contains prairie for walking, picnic facility and paved trail from north to south - Prairie open space with walking trails, benches, rest/picnic area for canoeists. trail to east and looping through the woods and along Elk River - Possibility to serve as upstream boat/canoe launching site with rental services. concessions, and stream side picnicking. - Possibility to include Harris Island Park as picnicking/camping location. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes June 10, 1998 Page 3 e - Possibility to tie concept with canoe or inner-tubing facility in Orono Park as final destination. Concept B - Park entrance is realigned, redirecting neighboring properties to use the road easement provided for them. - Park road crosses open field to canoe launch location with some parking - Canoeists could paddle to Harris Island or Orono Parks. . - Three parking areas: 1) services picnic structure, restrooms, play structure, basketball courts, ball fields; 2) services more ballfields; 3) services remote picnic area extending through woods to river. - Paved trail loops perimeter of park to benches on river and connecting all park areas. Concept C - Sharing of existing entrance road by park users and neighboring residents - Prairie restoration in northern field with trails, picnic structure, restrooms, and parking lot - Ballfields in southern open field - Paved trail around ballfields and along Elk River, with benches along riverbank - Secondary picnic area accessible only by trail e The Commissioners reached a consensus to support Concept C as a starting point, but also to include the concept for future development if property to the east and south became available for acquisition. The Commissioners also supported the concept of resting/picnicking areas along the river. Harris Island Park - Harris Island is 12 acres of island and river. The site is wooded with no access over the Elk River. There is an narrow easement from Troy Street which is very steep and wooded with mature trees. Concept A - Ties into Gagne Park concepts - Island used as picnic and camping site for canoe travelers. - Permanent rowboat locked and stored on shore for patrol and emergency use - Picnic and camp sites well marked with rules posted, and located for maximum surveillance from across the river - Patrolling achieved from Wapiti Campground or Gagne Park Concept B - Temporary pedestrian bridge from Troy Street easement which would be removed in times of flooding - Small parking lot off Troy fora few cars only - May be cost-prohibitive - Possible problems with obstructing floodway e Park & Recreation Commission Minutes June 10, 1998 Page 4 e Concept C - Leave island as conservation park for birds and small animals Discussion followed regarding costs of installing a bridge, and maintenance and patrolling issues. The consensus of the Commissioners was to basically leave the island as is, and possibly add a picnic table and fire ring. It was suggested the Boy Scouts may be willing to keep the island clean if they were allowed to use the site for camping outings. 2nd street and Evans Park - Steve Wensman indicated the park consists of a 85' x 150' lot which is flat near the street and slopes up towards the back of the lot to another flat area. The site is in the middle of the neighborhood with a house on either side and behind and is primarily covered with Chinese Elm and Box Elder trees. He explained that a neighborhood boy submitted a drawing for this site, requesting trees, a swing set, ice rink, and a sledding hill. Concept - Skating rink located near the street and up to the property line - Sliding hill made by clearing existing weed trees except a few on the outer edges - Swing set located at top of the hill - Overstory trees on the boulevard and ornamental trees and shrubs within the park. e It was the consensus of the Commissioners to apprqve the concept as presented, noting that inclusion of a swing set would be discussed during the prioritization of park amenities for all parks. It was additionally noted that skating rinks in these type of parks are very difficult to maintain, but this may be something the neighborhood would want to undertake. RiverDlace Park - Riverplace Park is a 2 acre park in the Riverplace development located north of Highway 10 and west of the Sherburne County Government Center. The park is rectangular and flat and can be accessed by 186th Lane or Pascal Street. If adjacent property to the east develops at some point in the future, there will be an opportunity to enlarge the park, making a connection to the Elk River. Concept A - Includes a children's play structure, basketball or volleyball court, and 6' paved path with benches. ConceptB - Open ballfield and children's play structure with benches - Landscaping to screen adjacent homes, provide shade, define the edge of the park areas and keep children out of the retention pond ConceptC - Open ballfield and basketball or volleyball court - Children's play structure not included e Park & Recreation Commission Minutes June 10, 1998 Page 5 e It was the consensus of the Park and Recreation Commissioners to support Concept A. citing that ballfields could be added if development to the east occurs. Concept plans will be reviewed for Lafayette Woods, Hillside Park, and the Mississippi Oaks 2nd small green space park at the July 8 meeting. Also, residents near the Deerfield 2nd park will be invited to the July 8 meeting. 8. Park Bond Referendum and Survey Results - Discussion Members of the Commission discussed the results of the Decision Resources survey. Chair Anderson indicated Decision Resources feels there is a less than 50 percent chance a second referendum will pass without a pool and slightly more than a 50 percent chance of passage with a pool. Decision Resources has also recommended a cap of $2.2 million. Discussion followed regarding including a pool at $1 million with the remainder of the park bond going towards park and trail improvements. The Commissioners discussed whether or not to move forward with a park bond referendum for the November general election, if a pool should be included in the package, and at what cost. The Commissioners reviewed the list of park improvements proposed to be financed by passage of the original referendum and made cuts in various line items. e A pool committee will be formed to research types and costs of pools. Phil Hals will arrange presentations by several pool companies. Kathy Warneke expressed her support for including a pool in the proposal. She felt some revenue could be generated from swim lessons at the proposed pool without affecting the program at Vanden Berge. She explained that their current swim lesson program fills up so quickly, they have to turn people away. 9. Area Recreation Update Chair Anderson indicated Jeff Asfahl was not present due to the recent birth of his daughter. He asked the Commissioners to consider whether or not Jeff should pursue a second grant application for the skatepark and another for the concession building at the Elk River Youth Athletic Complex. COMMISSIONER HUBERTY MOVED TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY RECREATION DIRECTOR JEFF ASFAHL SUBMITTING GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING OF THE SKATEPARK AND CONCESSION BUILDING AT THE ERYAC. COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 10. ERY AC Plans for Full Development e Commissioner Anderson indicated he met with the Baseball Board regarding a concession building at the Elk River Youth Athletic Complex. Phil Hals and Commissioner Anderson will be meeting with an architect who will draft plans for a concession/maintenance/restroom facility. Commissioner Anderson indicated that Tom Cruz has offers for donation of materials, but will not know what materials are needed until building plans are available. e e e Park & Recreation Commission Minutes June 10. 1998 Page 6 CHAIR ANDERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND THE EXPENDITURE OF UP TO $500 FOR BUILDING PLANS FOR A MULTI-PURPOSE BUILDING AT THE YOUTH ATHLETIC COMPLEX. COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Discussion followed regarding the need for identification signage for the ERY AC. Phil Hals indicated he will have staff prepare signage and he will check with MN/DOT to possibly place a sign near Highway 10. 11. UPA Power Line UDdate Chair Anderson reported that he and Commissioner Dave Anderson attended a meeting with city staff and United Power Association to discuss the possibility of locating a power line along the Woodland Trails former railroad bed. He noted it was the consensus of staff and the Park & Recreation representatives that they could not support such a project due to the clear cutting of trees that would be necessary. and the lack of compatibility with the park uses. 12. Staff UDdates A. Waddv Schulze Barn Streets/Parks Superintendent Phil Hals indicated he had been contacted by the developer of Trott Brook Farms for possible use of the Waddy Schulze barn as an interpretive center. Phil indicated he has done some cost research and it appears that it would be financially viable to undertake such a project. B. Safety Camp Phil Hals stated that a safety camp was conducted at Lions Park on June 9th and 10th. Approximately 210 children participated in the camp. Commissioner Huberty suggested the possibility of Community Education/Community Recreation offering a "Day in the Park" in which children could participate in a different activity at several parks in the city to increase awareness of the different types of parks. 13. Other Business A. Gene Thompson Administrative Subdivision Steve Wensman explained that Gene Thompson has requested subdividing a 2.5. acre parcel from a 40 acre parcel. COMMISSIONER ANDERSON MOVED TO ACCEPT CASH AS PAYMENT OF PARK DEDICATION REQUREMENTS FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE SUBDIVISION REQUEST BY GENE THOMPSON. COMMISSIONER PETERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0-1. COMMISSIONER KUESTER ABSTAINED. e e e Park & Recreation Commission Minutes June 10. 1998 Page 7 8. Adiournment There being no further business. COMMISSIONER PETERSON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. The meeting of the Elk River Park & Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:57 p.m. Respectfully submitted. ~~ Recording Secretary