09-02-1998 PR MIN - SPECIAL
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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION/CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2,1998
Park/Rec. Members Present: Chair Dana Anderson; Commissioners Westrum, Huberty,
Kuester and Peterson
Park/Rec. Members Absent: Commissioners Anderson and Olson
City Council Members Present:
Councilmembers Thompson and Dietz.
Council member Farber arrived at 6: 1 0 p.m.
City Council Members Absent:
Mayor Duitsman, Councilmember Holmgren
Staff Present:
Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals; City Administrator Pat Klaers;
Debbie Huebner, Recording Secretary
Also Present:
David Burbach, Burbach Aquatics
Jeff Asfahl, Community Recreation Director
1.
Call Meetina To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the Elk River Park
and Recreation Commission and City Council was called to order at 5 p.m. by
Park and Recreation Commission Chair Dana Anderson. The City Council is
scheduled to joint the Commission at 6:00 p.m.
2. Consider Aaenda
By consensus the agenda was accepted as presented.
3. Presentation from Burbach Aauatics
4. Discuss Park Referendum Issues with Consultant
David Burbach, of Burbach Aquatics, was present to review the
feasibility/marketing study for municipal pool alternatives. Mr. Burbach discussed
the engineering site rating for Orono Park (Page 16 of the attached report),
indicating a rating of 152 points for the site out of a possible 198 was excellent.
Mr. Burbach reviewed the proposed pool facility as follows:
. 10,000 sq. ft. main pool
· diving hopper located in main pool
. zero depth entry area
. bathhouse
Park & Rec/City Council Joint Meeting
September 2, 1998
Page 2
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· parking lot
· site amenities:
- sun arbors/shelters
- veranda
- large grass areas
- landscaping
- bicycle racks and area
- single flume waterslide
- sand plan area and apparatus
- sand volleyball area
- sunning areas and furniture
- concession building
- 3 water features including 1 pump
- public address system
The Council arrived at this time (6:00 p.m.)
Mr. Burbach explained that the study recommends a minimum 10,000 sq. ft. main
pool to accommodate a projected daily attendance of 666. He noted the
Minnesota Department of Health requires 15 sq. ft. of pool area per patron. Mr.
Burbach noted that his projections are very conservative and attendance may
actually be higher. He suggested that a second pool could be located east of
Highway 169 when the need arose.
Costs outlined on pages 66 and 67 of the report were reviewed. Mr. Burbach
indicated the total cost of the pool facility which has been recommended for Elk
River is $2,835,500. This figure includes the components noted above, plus
construction costs, professional fees and contingency.
Alternative pools were reviewed and discussed.
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(Councilmember Dietz left the meeting at this time - 6:50 p.m.)
Possibilities for reducing costs were also discussed as follows:
- Diving hopper - Reduction of approximately $100,000 - $150,000
- Bathhouse construction of wood, rather than block - Reduction of
approximately $100,000
- Bathhouse construction to meet minimal requirements (open roof) - Reduction
of approximately $150,000
- Smaller pool with large green areas and sand areas - (Example: 6,000 sq. ft.)
- Construction of a wet playground instead of a multi-use pool (Considerable cost
reduction but a completely different project)
After discussion, the City Council and Park & Recreation Commissioners reached
a consensus on the following issues regarding cuts to the proposal:
- Deletion of the diving hopper would have a dramatic effect on the number of
people (especially teenagers) who would use the pool.
- A pool smaller than 10,000 sq. ft. would not likely meet the current needs of the
community, much less the future needs
- Upon passage of the referendum, voters would expect a quality pool facility,
not a minimum standard facility
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Council member Thompson felt it was important for residents to know up front the
impact the pool would have on their taxes, and also, how much it will cost for
them to use the pool (daily entrance fees and season passes). Discussion took
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Park & Ree/City Council Joint Meeting
September 2, 1998
Page 3
place regarding having the outdoor recreation portion of the referendum issue
be simplified to state that 1/3 of the $1.1 million will go toward trails, 1/3 for
community parks, and 1/3 for neighborhood parks.
Commissioner Huberty suggested that amount of the homeowner increase in
taxes for the bond could be comparable to the cost savings of a resident for a
pool season pass vs. The cost for a non-resident.
The Council members were in agreement to have one question on the ballot for
the outdoor recreation and the pool, rather than two questions. It was decided
that a public meeting would be held in late September to gain membership for
the core support group, and then to hold another public meeting in late October
to promote the referendum.
It was the consensus of the Park & Recreation Commissioners to make a formal
recommendation to the Council regarding the referendum at the regular Park &
Recreation Commission meeting on Wednesday, September 9, 1998.
Pat Klaers, City Administrator, indicated that the question to be placed on the
November 3rd ballot must be received by the County no later than September
17th, in which case, the Council must make a decision at the September 14th City
Council meeting or call a special meeting.
5.
Adiournment
By consensus, the meeting was adjourned at 8: 10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
!)d0ci ~
Debbie Huebner
Recording Secretary