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07-14-1999 PR MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1999 Members Present: Chair Lana Huberty; Commissioners Dave Anderson, Kuester, Westrum and Reitsma. Commissioner Olson arrived at 7:30 p.m. Members Absent: Commissioner Dana Anderson staff Present: Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Terry Bye, Parks Supervisor; Steve Wensman, Planner; Debbie Huebner, Recording Secretary Also Present: Michele Bergh, Interim Community Recreation Director 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 Huberty. 2. Consider 7/14/99 Park & Recreation Commission Aaenda COMMISSIONER KUESTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE JULY 14, 1999, PARK & RECREATION AGENDA. COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Minutes of 6/9/99 Park & Recreation Commission Meetina COMMISSIONER KUESTER MOVED APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 9, 1999, PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. COMMISSIONER REITSMA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Park & Recreation Commissioner to Attend July Plannina Commission and City Council Meetinas a. 7/19/99 City Council Meetina - Commissioner Westrum Commissioner Westrum will attend the July 19,1999, City Council meeting. b. 7/27/99 Plannina Commission Meetina - Commissioner Reitsma Commissioner Reitsma will attend the July 27, 1999, Planning Commission meeting. 5. Open Mike Jim Nystrom, 19232 Proctor, requested that the Park and Recreation Commission consider preserving the original railroad grade as part of the upcoming trail paving project. Mr. Nystrom felt that corridor reflects significant engineering skill in achieving a flat, straight grade, and also has historic value, as well. He felt that . . . Park & Recreation Minutes July 14, 1999 Page 2 achieving a flat, straight grade, and olso has historic value, as well. He felt that the City could work with Cretex and Elk River Concrete for possible donation of goods and services. 6. Hearinqs/Neiqhborhood Discussions - None 8. Park DeveloDment Proqress UDdate - Terry Bye Terry Bye reviewed photos of Deerfield 4th Park and Meadow Park improvements completed in the past month. Terry discussed the following park issues: a. Wood Duck Houses - The Iyan Sand students have been building wood duck houses and would like to place some of the houses in Woodland Trails park. The Commissioners supported the request, provided staff supervised the work and the project coordinator determined a maintenance program. b. Country Crossinas 3rd Park - The nursery which was hired to plant some of the trees for this park was unable to provide the trees. This project will be put on hold until next spring. c. Contribution by Bauerly Bros. - $1,000 in concrete has been pledged by Bauerly Brothers for concrete pads for the bleachers at ERY AC. d. Bids for Railroad Trails - Bids for blacktopping of the railroad trails ranged from $85,000 to $117,000. The City Council awarded the bid to North Valley at $85,000. The Commissioners and staff discussed the possibility of including restoration of the railroad grade near the water tower site and drainage corrections at other trail connections, as part of the project. They also discussed the city trail to the water tower site and the impact of truck traffic on recreational use. Commissioner Olson arrived at this time (7:30 p.m.) COMMISSIONER KUESTER MOVED TO SUPPORT RESTORATION OF THE ORIGINAL RAILROAD GRADE AND INVESTIGATE COST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. COMMISSIONER WESTRUM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0-1. Commissioner Olson abstained. COMMISSIONER REITSMA MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE SERVICE ROAD TO THE WATER TOWER SITE BE SEPARATED FROM THE CITY TRAIL AND SURFACED WITH GRAVEL, AND THAT AN ALTERNATIVE ACCESS TO THE SITE BE OBTAINED WHEN THE PROPERTY TO THE EAST AND/OR NORTH IS DEVELOPED. COMMISSIONER WESTRUM SECONDED THE MOTION. Commissioner Dave Anderson expressed his concern regarding the narrow entrance to the railroad trail off County Road NO.1. Terry Bye suggested that the curbs could be moved back approximately 3 feet on each site to correct the problem. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Park & Recreation Minutes July 14, 1999 Page 3 . 9. Action/Discussion Items: A. Land Use Cases: 1. Seven Oaks Preliminary Plat - Steve Wensman reviewed the request by Windsor Development to subdivide 70 acres into 87 single family lots. Mr. Wensman indicated that this item has been postponed to the August 24th Planning Commission meeting, but the developer has asked for the Commissioner's comments at this time. The Commissioners expressed their support for the park dedication proposal outlined in the staff report dated July 14, 1999, with the following addition: 9. THAT RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS BE PLACED ON LOTS IN THE SUBDIVISION TO PREVENT HOMEOWNERS FROM DISTURBING THE TREES AND WETLANDS. Chair Huberty tabled this issue to the August 11, 1999, Park and Recreation Commission meeting. B. Park/Trail Development Issues: . 1. Workplan for Shelter Desians - The Commissioners concurred with the workplan for park shelter designs proposed by staff. Commissioners Dave Anderson and Westrum volunteered to serve on a subcommittee to study the issue. Staff will contact Commissioner Dana Anderson to see if he is interested in serving on the subcommittee. 2. Lions Park Tot Lot and Ballfield Locations - Steve Wensman indicated that the Lions Club is moving forward with their plans to build the new tot lot. COMMISSIONER KUESTER MOVED TO ENDORSE THE LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO LIONS PARK WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: 1. THAT PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION, A DETAIL PLAN AND SPECIFICATIONS OF THE PLAY STRUCTURE BE REVIEWED BY THE COMMISSION AND STAFF. 2. THAT THE BALLFIELD BE CONSTRUCTED AS DIRECTED BY THE STREETS AND PARKS DIRECTOR. COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6- O. C. Community Events: 1. Discuss Volunteer Picnic - It was the consensus of the Commissioners to host a volunteer picnic/pig roast on Thursday, September 6, 1999, at Orono Park. Various volunteer groups will be invited by mail and a notice will be placed in the Star News. Commissioners Reitsma and Kuester will serve on a committee to plan the event. . Park & Recreation Minutes July 14, 1999 Page 4 . 10. Information/Update Items A. Land Use Cases: 1. Status of Park in Trott Brook - Commissioner Kuester stated that he and Steve Wensman walked the park site and met with the project engineer and found that no grading has been done in the park area. He felt that the engineer has some good ideas to provide drainage for the ballfields. Commissioner Kuester noted that the park will be staked the end of next week and encouraged the Commissioners to visit the site after the staking is completed. He explained that no work will be done in the park until next spring. Michele McPherson stated that developer appears to be interested in negotiating for the city's acquisition of Outlot K (formerly known as Outlot F), but that the city administrator has some reservations regarding the value of the property because of lack of access for either a park or future development. Staff will continue to update the Commission on this issue. 2. Elk River Country Club Land/Easement Exchanqe, Buildina Location - Steve Wensman stated that the Planning Commission approved the Country Club's request with the recommendations made by the Park & Recreation Commission, with two additional conditions: . 1. THE ACCESS ROAD UP TO THE MAINTENANCE BUILDING AND THE MAINTENANCE YARD BE PAVED WITH BITUMINOUS SURFACE. 2. STORAGE BE CONFINED TO THE DEFINED YARD AREA. B. Park/Trai/ Deve/opments - no discussion on these items except as noted. 1. Trail Standards - Review by Steve Wensman 2. Lions Park Shelter 3. County Road 12 Realignment - Commissioner Anderson discussed road width. 4. BMX Facility 5. Community Recreation 6. Park Dedication Ordinance 7. Letter from Aaron Veek 8. Article re: Eagan Water Park 11. Update on 6/21/99 City Council Meetin9 Commissioner Olson did not attend the June 21, 1999, City Council meeting 12. Update on 6/22/99 Planninq Commission Meetina Commissioner Westrum reviewed action taken at the June 22, 1999, Planning Commission meeting. . . . . Park & Recreation Minutes July 14. 1999 Page 5 7. Community Recreation Update - Michele Berah Michele Bergh reported that the summer programs are going well and they have experienced record numbers in participation. Ms. Bergh reported on the success of an event at Woodland Trails park. Commissioner Dave Anderson stated that a bicyclist was injured during a surprise encounter with the horse-driven wagons on the trail. He suggested that signage be provided at both entrances to the park advising park users to use caution on the trails due to an event in progress. This issue will be placed on the August agenda. 13. Other Business a. Future agenda issues - Cost for providing irrigation of the Kuss softball fields, and, cost to provide netting at Orono Park to protect park users from stray balls from the ballfield. b. Request to investigate possible filling of wetland behind Dickenson Bus Company property. 14. Adiournment There being no further business, COMMISSIONER REITSMA MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER WESTRUM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. The meeting of the Elk River Park & Recreation Commission adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, De&U~ Debbie Huebner Recording Secretary