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11-10-1999 PR MIN . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1999 Members Present: Chair Lana Huberty; Commissioners Dana Anderson, Dave Anderson, Peterson, Westrum and Reitsma Members Absent: Commissioners Kuester and Olson Staff Present: Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent, 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 11/10/99 Park & Recreation Commission Aqenda . COMMISSIONER WESTRUM MOVED TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 10, 1999, PARK & RECREATION AGENDA. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 3. Consider Minutes of 10/6/99 & 10/13/99 Park & Recreation Commission Meetinqs COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 6,1999, PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. COMMISSIONER REITSMA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 13, 1999, PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. COMMISSIONER WESTRUM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 4. Park & Recreation Commissioner to Attend November Planninq Commission and City Council Meetinqs a. 11/15/99 City Council Meetinq - Commissioner Peterson b. 11/23/99 Planning Commission Meetinq - Commissioner Huberty 5. Open Mike No one spoke during open mike. . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes November 10, 1999 Page 2 . 6. Hearinas/Neighborhood Discussions - None 7. Area Recreation Update - Michele Berqh Michele Bergh reported on Area Recreation activities as follows: . Staff is still working on the move to Emporium; the construction is not yet completed. . Community Recreation website is up and running. A counter has been added to determine usage by the public. . Dan Fields has been hired to assist with multimedia; his marketing skills will be an asset to the department. . Traditional winter programs are being offered; registrations have begun and are looking good. . There have been no problems in staffing open gym programs and no problems are expected in staffing the warming houses. Commissioner Dave Anderson requested an update on the utilization of the ice rinks and warming house usage at the end of the season. . 8. Park Development Proaress Update - Phil Hals Phil Hals updated the Commission on the following issues: . The hockey rink site by the water tower has been leveled and lights have been ordered. The hockey boards will be built in approximately two weeks. 10 spruce trees have been moved from the Hohlen property to the site and they hope to move 10 more. A light pole will be installed by Shelter NO.5 at Orono Park to light the skating rink. . Shouldering of the railroad trail has been completed and the south end has been seeded. The top soil has been stripped at the trail connection site at Proctor, and the trail will be surfaced with Class 5 until it can paved in the spring. . Time and weather permitting, more trees will be moved to Lions Park, the ERY AC site, and River Place Park. Commissioner Dave Anderson asked how large the ice sheet would be at the water tower/MSF site. Phil Hals stated that it would be approximately 80' x 150'. . The Commissioners and staff discussed whether or not to allow the use of hard pucks at the new hockey skating site. They also discussed restricting times for hockey practice at the new site. The Commissioners concurred that hockey practices could be scheduled for evening weekdays, as well as Saturday and Sunday mornings, but the warming houses would not be open and staffed. S: \MINUTES\1999\111099PR.DOC Park & Recreation Commission Minutes November 10, 1999 Page 3 . Michele Bergh stated that she would obtain feedback from the Hockey Association and report back to the Commission. 9.A.3. Nordic Ski Club Ski Plans Rollie Ring-Jarvi, representing the Nordic Ski Club, reviewed the ski club's schedule of practices and events for the 1999-2000 season, noting that the 8 meets scheduled for Elk River would be held in Woodland Trails Park. Mr. Ring- Jarvi highlighted the following events: January 9th - Citizens' race - approximately 300 racers, noon to 3 p.m. January 28th - Elk River Invitational- 15 schools will be participating. The event Will last approximately 3 hours. February 5th - Middle School State Championship meet - approximately 200 - 300 Participants, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Mr. Ring-Jarvi explained that weekday practices run from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 12 noon on weekends. He expressed his appreciation for the new trail signs that have been placed in Woodlands. Mr. Ring-Jarvis suggested that the Commission may wish to consider for the future a lighted 1 kilometer looped ski trail. . Chair Huberty explained that the city now has sandwich board-type signs available to post events at Woodland Trails, and asked that the ski club utilize these signs. Commissioner Dave Anderson noted that a kiosk will also be placed at the park entrance to place the schedule of events. Mr. Ring-Jarvi noted that a children's practice is scheduled for Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lions Park. 9.A.1. Minnesota Biathlon MEA Weekend Update Commissioner Dave Anderson reported that the Biathlon event was a success. He suggested that signs be placed at the park entrances to let people know the park is still open during events. Ms. McPherson stated that notice could also be placed in the city newsletter to let the public know they are welcome to use the park during events. Commissioner Anderson felt an article in the newspaper would also be appropriate. Commissioner Reitsma stated that in order to gain public support for parks, the Commission needs to make the residents aware of the park amenities and services that are available to them. . Commissioner Dave Anderson explained that a request has been received from Champlin Park to use Woodland Trails on various dates for skiing. Discussion followed regarding usage of Woodland Trails by other schools and maintenance issues. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to add discussion of a policy for Woodland Trails to the December 8th Park & Recreation Commission agenda, and to advise Champlin Park that they should not make any assumptions regarding use of the trails at this time. S: \MINUTES\1999\111099PR.DOC Park & Recreation Commission Minutes November 10, 1999 Page 4 . 9.A.2. Humane Society Doo Walk Update Michele McPherson stated that the Humane Society Dog Walk has been rescheduled for the spring, due to inclement weather during October. 9.B.1. Review Attorney Draft of Park Dedication Ordinance Michele McPherson reviewed the changes in the draft park dedication ordinance. Commissioner Reitsma felt that the park dedication should be paid at the time the building permit is pulled for each lot, as is done in Shakopee. Chair Huberty stated that a commercial/industrial developer spoke in support of this concept at a conference she and Commissioner Reitsma attended. Ms. McPherson explained that the park dedication fees are collected before a final plat can be recorded to ensure that the developer is responsible for the cost. She stated that staff would need to discuss the suggestion. Ms. McPherson explained that commercial and residential developments are usually a small number of lots, and that requiring the fees to be paid at the time of building permit issuance for individual residential lots could create a number of administrative problems. . COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE PARK DEDICATION ORDINANCE AS PRESENTED BY STAFF. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 9.C.1. Eaole Scout Proiect - Grilling Shed at Orono Complex Commissioner Dave Anderson requested that the grilling shed project for the Orono Softball Complex be placed on the December Park & Recreation Commission agenda, as well a project to construct a ticket booth. 9.C.2. Lions Park Tot Lot Steve Wensman explained that the Lions Club of Elk River has donated $16,000 to be used for the following improvements to Lions Park: . Bqll field with backstop . Band shell improvements and plantings . Tot lot structures and benches . Evergreen screening for berm near Elk River Machine . Mr. Wensman reviewed plans for the proposed tot lot at Lions Park to be located near Shelter #5 and the band shell. Six "Tough Rider" structures are proposed for the site. Mr. Wensman stated that the site plan has been worked out with Phil Hals. He questioned if there should be some variety in the types of structures, rather than having six of the same. Chair Huberty suggested including one of the "digger" type structures. The Park & Recreation Commissioners supported having S: \MINUTES\1999\111099PR.DOC Park & Recreation Commission Minutes November 10, 1999 Page 5 . staff work with the Lions to include a variety of play structures and to work on a long range plan for the tot lot. COMMISSIONER WESTRUM MOVED APPROVAL OF THE LIONS PARK TOT LOT PLAN AND THAT STAFF WORK WITH THE LIONS TO CHOOSE ALTERNATIVE STRUCTURES AND A LONG TERM PLAN. COMMISSIONER PETERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 9.C.3. Country Crossinqs I Park Desiqn Implementation steve Wensman reviewed revisions in the park concept for Country Crossing I Park. The revisions include plantings of conifers, shrubs and prairie on the southern park boundary to provide more of a buffer to the adjacent residences. A memorial garden is also proposed with a recessed garden area with boulder walls and benches located near Hudson Lane and Orono Parkway. The memorial might include a small plaque in memory of Milt Kinnunen, a city worker who died in a tree-cutting accident. Commissioner Dave Anderson stated he was some~hat apprehensive about placing a memorial on the same site where someone had died. He asked if Mr. Kinnunen's family had seen the desi9J1 for the memorial. Phil Hals stated that he had discussed the idea with Mrs. Kunnenan, but she had not seen the design. . Commissioner Reitsma asked what the reaction of the neighbors was when the city began cutting down the trees. Phil Hals explained that the residents immediately adjacent to the park opposed opening up the park because they felt they were loosing some of their buffer. But the majority of the residents in Country Crossings (who attended the previous neighborhood meeting) wanted to see the brush and scrub trees removed, in order to make the park more usable. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to have Phil review the proposal with Mrs. Kunnenan and then present the revised park plan to the neighboring residents at a future meeting. 9.C.4. Snowmobilinq Commissioner Dave Anderson stated that in the past, the city has provided information regarding snowmobiling regulations, but he did not believe that it was done last season. He expressed his concern for increasing damage to the paved trails and sidewalks. Commissioner Anderson explained that most violators are new residents who are not aware of the city's ordinance and argue that there are no signs posted. The Commissioners concurred that the regulations need to be published in the local newspaper and city newsletter. Also, more signage is needed on city trails stating no motorized vehicles are allowed. Commissioner Dave Anderson noted that a resident on County Road 30 is using part of the city trail for a track for his 4-wheeler. . S: \MINUTES\1999\111099PRDOC Park & Recreation Commission Minutes November 10, 1999 Page 6 . 9.C.5. Padded Hockey Goal Cost Phil Hals stated that if the Commission decided to purchase factory-made padded hockey goals, 6 goals would be needed at a cost of approximately $500 each. COMMISSIONER REITSMA MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF SIX PADDED HOCKEY GOALS AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $500 EACH ($3,000). The motion died for lack of a second. The Commissioners and staff discussed liability issues regarding manufactured hockey goals versus goals made by city staff. The Commissioners concurred to have staff research the cost and selection of hockey goals for discussion at the December Park & Recreation meeting. 10. Information/Update Items The Commission was provided information on the following items: . A. Land Use Cases: 1. Status of Park in Trott Brook 2. Status of Charest Mississippi Parcel 3. Signalization of Proctor/County Road NO.1 B. Park/Trail Developments: 1. Railroad Trail: Acquisition by Sherburne County 2. BMX Facility 3. Lions Park Parking 4. Community Recreation 5. Recreation Briefs 11. Update on 10/18/99 City Council Meetinq Commissioner Dave Anderson provided a report on City Council action on park issues at the October 18,1999, meeting. Commissioner Anderson stated that he presented the Park and Rec Commission's recommendation regarding park dedication for Lafayette Woods, but he explained that he also expressed his personal opinion that the $900 per lot park dedication fee was appropriate. Commissioner Reitsma expressed his objection to Commissioner Dave Anderson presenting an opinion in opposition to the Park and Recreation Commission's recommendation. The Commissioners discussed the issue of a Park & Recreation Commissioner expressing a differing opinion on a particular issue when acting as their representative at a City Council meeting. The Commissioners concurred that the Park & Recreation Commissioner should notify the Chair so that another Park & Recreation Commissioner can also attend to present the Commission's recommendation. . The Commissioners discussed their disappointment and frustration with the Council's decision to require the developer of the Seven Oaks plat to dedicate only one of the two lots recommended by the Park & Rec Commission. S: \MINUTES\1999\111099PR.DOC Park & Recreation Commission Minutes November 10. 1999 Page 7 . 12. Update on 10/26/99 Plannina Commission Meetina No October Planning Commission meeting was held due to lack of agenda items. 13.A. Set Commission Retreat Date Saturday, January 8, 2000, was set as the date for the Park and Recreation Commission retreat to be held at LaRose's Pizza and Pasta, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Commissioner Reitsma asked that the Commissioners consider the idea of community partnerships to help maintain parks. He explained that he learned about a successful volunteer program in Brooklyn Park, when he attended the park and recreation conference. This item will be added to the retreat agenda, time permitting. 13.B. Future Agenda Item - Finalize winter rules for Woodland Trails Park 14. Adiournment . There being no further business, COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON 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 9:20 p.m. nj:U~LeJ Debbie Huebner Recording Secretary . S: \MINUTES\1999\111099PR.DOC