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07-12-2000 PR MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 2000 Members Present: Chair John Kuester; Commissioners Dana Anderson, Dave Anderson, Huberty and Sladek. Commissioner Westrum arrived at 7:07 p.m. Commissioner Peterson arrived at 7:12 p.m. Commissioner Reitsma arrived at 7:15 p.m. Members Absent: None Staff Present: Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent; Debbie Huebner, Recording Secretary 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 Kuester. 2. Consider 7/12/00 Park & Recreation Commission Agenda COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE JULY 12,2000, PARK & RECREATION AGENDA WITH THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONS: - 13. OTHER BUSINESS - COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON ITEMS REGARDING MEADOWVALE TOWN HOMES TRAILS COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Commissioner Westrum arrived at this time (7:07 p.m.) 3. Consider Minutes of 6/14/00 Park & Recreation Commission Meetina COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON MOVED APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 14,2000, PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES WITH THE FOLLOWING CORRECTION: ITEM 9.1.B. - AMEND MOTION TO READ, "TO CONSIDER A PARK DEDICATION OF TEN PERCENT FOR THE 36 ACRES.....". COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 4. Park & Recreation Commissioner to Attend July Planning Commission and City Council Meetings a. 7/17/00 City Council Meeting Commissioner Huberty will attend the July 17, 2000, City Council meeting. b. 7/25/00 Plannina Commission Meetina Commissioner Sladek will attend the July 25, 2000, Planning Commission meeting. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes July 12. 2000 Page 2 Commissioner Peterson arrived at this time (7:12 p.m.) 5. Ooen Mike No one appeared for Open Mike. 6. Hearinas/Neiahborhood Discussions - None 7. Area Recreation Uodate Ms. McPherson reviewed Michele Bergh's Area Recreation update regarding summer programs, entertainment in the parks, staff issues, community festivals and fall programming. 8. Park Develooment Proaress Reoort Phil Hals reported that, in addition to their extensive mowing schedule, the Streets/Parks Department is involved with the following projects: - The chip trail at Country Crossing 1 sl is under construction; - Footings for the barn will be installed Thursday, July 131h. The barn is scheduled to be moved to Trout Brook Park sometime next week. - Jerry Palmer's Korean War Memorial at Lions Park is nearing completion. - Excavating for the play structures at Trout Brook Farms, Lions Park and Country Crossing 1 sl is scheduled to be completed in the near future. - Park boundary signs are being placed in the parks. A portion of the work is being doing by Phil's crew and the rest by the ALC students. Commissioner Dave Anderson discussed his concerns with the trail construction in Country Crossing 1 sl Park. He felt the trail was too wide and was concerned that the. trees along the trail would be affected by the large equipment being used. Commissioner Reitsma arrived at this time (7: 15 p.m.) The Commissioners discussed a more suitable width for the trail. It was the consensus of the Commissioners that chip trails should be a maximum of eight foot wide. Phil Hals stated that the Country Crossing trail would conform to the eight foot width. Commissioner Dave Anderson questioned the need for black dirt and seeding on the sides of the trail. Phil stated that he felt mowing the sides of the trail gives it a more finished look. 9.A.1. Jane Gauker - Reauest for After Hours Use of Parks for Astronomical Observation Phil Hals explained that Jane Gauker, a teacher at Elk River Senior High School. as requested use of the park after hours by a small group for astronomical observation. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to allow Ms. Gauker to use the parks after hours as requested. Phil Hals will notify the applicant that the request has been approved. Ms. McPherson will notify the Elk River Police Department. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes July 12, 2000 Page 3 . 9.A.2. Mike Nikiolek: Cross Country Runnina Races Ms. McPherson explained that Mike Niziolek of Elk River Senior High School has indicated that two races will be held at Woodland Trails Park as follows: Saturday, July 29th, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 :00 p.m., and Thursday, September 28th, from 1 :30 p.m. to sundown. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED THAT THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION SUPPORT THE TWO RACES AT WOODLAND TRAILS, ONE ON JULY 29TH AND ONE ON SEPTEMBER 28TH. COMMISSIONER WESTRUM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 8-0. 9.C.l. Dan Block, Tony Mustaov: Bow Huntina in Parks Elk River Police Officers Dan Block and Tony Musatov, both active bow hunters, were present to provide information on bow hunting and to discuss hunting in city parks. Officer Block explained the high incidence of accidents which are occurring in the City due to the high deer population. He stated that they also are experiencing high numbers of complaints from farmers and home owners regarding deer eating up their crops and gardens. Officer Block noted that there were deer in the Target Store parking lot, eating in the boulevards. . The officers discussed where bow and shotgun hunting for deer is currently allowed. Officers Block and Musatov displayed the different types of bows and tree stands which they use. The Commissioners asked how far an arrow can travel. The officers felt 20 - 30 yards is a comfortable distance, and that 35 - 40 yards would be the maximum. Officer Block noted that the shots are directed downward, since they would be shooting from either a tree or top of a hill. The Commissioners asked if hunting were allowed in city parks, should the park be closed down completely. Both officers were in agreement the park should be closed down, for safety and to avoid any conflicts with park users. The Commissioners and police officers discussed what affect allowing hunting in city parks would have on decreasing the deer population. The officers felt that approximately 25 percent of the hunters would actually bag a deer. They also discussed the possibility of deer being driven into the residential areas to escape the hunters. Commissioner Dave Anderson felt the hunting could occur in Woodland Trails without completely closing down the park. The officers felt completely closing down the parks was necessary to prevent any possibility of an altercation with park users, since there are people that are opposed to hunting. Commissioner Westrum felt a policy should be in place by fall for the hunting season. . Discussion followed regarding regulation of hunting in the parks. Officer Musatov explained that a permit would be required and a liability release signed by the hunters. He stated that hunters in Hennepin County Parks are required to carry their permit at all times. Officer Musatov also explained that some areas where special permits are used, the hunters must attend a bow hunting class and if they pass a test, they are issued a card by the DNR. He stated that he preferred hunting to control the deer population, rather than animal control measures. The explained that in Fridley . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes July 12.2000 Page 4 police officers go to Spring Brook and shoot the deer with pistols and the meat is given away to charities. The Commissioners and police officers discussed which parks may be appropriate for hunting. They discussed Hillside, Top of the World and Woodland Trails. It was the consensus of the Commission to support the effort to allow bow hunting in city parks. The Commission felt is was appropriate to obtain more information on special permit hunting, DNR statistics on the deer population in Elk River, and, information from Anoka and Hennepin parks were hunting is allowed on the process used, number of permits issued per acre, cost and number of deer harvested. . The meeting was moved to the Training Room at this time (8: 1 0 p.m.) for a joint session of the Park and Recreation Commission and the Planning Commission. 9.C.2. Joint Meetina with Plannina Commission 10. 11. Separate minutes were prepared for this session. The Park and Recreation Commission reconvened at approximately 9:20 p.m. Information/Update Items {No discussion or presentation unless reauestedl a. Update on Trout Brook Farms Park b. Update on Charest Property c. Balance Sheet d. Playground Update e. Brookstone Development Update f. River City Snow Riders Newsletter g. Article Shoreview BMX Facility Update on 6119100 City Council Meetina Chair Kuester provided an update on the June 19,2000, City Council meeting. 12. Update on 6/26/00 Plannina Commission Meetina Commissioner Huberty provided an update on the June 26, 2000, Planning Commission meeting. 13. Other Business a. Country Crossing 1 sl Trail- Commissioner Dave Anderson stated his concern regarding the width of the wood chip trail under construction. He stated that the woodchip path is 13 - 16 feet wide in some places and felt that it should be reduced. Commissioner Anderson also felt it was inappropriate to have mowed grass along a woodchip trail and should be left natural. The Commissioners discussed establishing standards for woodchip trails. COMMISSIONER PETERSON MOVED TO ESTABLISH THE FOLLOWING STANDARDS FOR WOODCHIP TRAILS: . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes July 12.2000 Page 5 1. WOODCHIP TRAILS SHALL BE NO WIDER THAN 6 FEET; 2. DEPTH OF THE WOODCHIPS SHALL BE A MAXIMUM OF 4 INCHES; 3 NO MOWING SHALL OCCUR ALONG WOODCHIP TRAILS; 4 PRAIRIE SHALL BE PLANTED ON BOTH SIDES OF A WOODCHIP TRAIL; AND, THAT THESE STANDARDS SHALL APPLY TO COUNTRY CROSSING 1 ST WOODCHIP TRAILS. COMMISSIONER SLADEK SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. b. Meadowvale Townhomes Trail- Commissioner Dave Anderson distributed photos of the trail under construction in the Meadowvale Townhomes Addition. He pointed out areas where the trail alignment is crooked and also, where it doesn't appear there is any Class V under the bituminous. Commissioner Anderson felt the north 1/4 to 1/3 of the trail needs to be ripped out. He stated that someone should be supervising the construction of the trail. Ms. McPherson stated that the city engineer's inspector, Ralph Bader, is heavily involved in the $13 million East Elk River sewer, water and road construction project, and was dealing with issues related to its construction, in addition to inspecting trail construction. Discussion followed regarding possible remedial action for the trail, including not accepting the trail, accepting the trail with no payment to the developer, having the developer rip out the trail and re-do it, etc. Discussion also centered around the need for a full time parks department to supervise these types of activities (trail construction) . COMMISSIONER PETERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND ACCEPTING THE TRAIL IN MEADOWVALE TOWNHOMES ADDITION, BUT TO DENY TRAIL REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT TO THE DEVELOPER, AND TO HAVE THE CITY ACCEPT BIDS FOR RE-CONSTRUCTlNG THE TRAIL. COMMISSIONER REITSMA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 8-0. Chair Kuester asked that a discussion of a full-time parks department be placed on the August Park and Recreation Commission agenda. 14. Adiournment There being no further business, COMMISSIONER HUBERTY MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 8-0. The meeting of the Elk River Park & Recreation Commission adjourned at 10:07 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ,UjIM ~L'~ij7A-J Debbie Huebner Recording Secretary