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09-12-2001 PR MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2001 Members Present: Chair Kuester; Commissioners Dana Anderson, Dave Anderson, DeWall, Huberty and Sladek. Commissioner Peterson arrived at 7:07 p.m. Members Absent: Commissioner Briggs Staff Present: Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Chris Leeseberg, Park Planner/Planner, Phil Hals, Streets/Parks Superintendent; Terry Bye, Park Foreman; Michele Bergh, Community Recreation Manager; Debbie Huebner, Recording Secretary 1. Call Meeting 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 9/12/01 Park & Recreation Commission Agenda COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 12, 2001 PARK & RECREATION AGENDA. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 3. Consider Minutes of 8/8/01 Park & Recreation Commission Meeting COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 8,2001 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. COMMISSIONER DEWALL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 4. Park & Recreation Commissioner to Attend September Planning Commission and City Council Meetings a. 9/17/01 City Council Meeting Chair Kuester and Commissioner Huberty will attend the September 17,2001 City Council meeting. b. 9/25/01 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Sladek will attend the September 25,2001 Planning Commission meetmg. 5. Open Mike No one appeared for Open Mike. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes September 12, 2001 Page 2 6. Hearings/Neighborhood Discussions - None 7. Area Recreation Update Michele Bergh stated that the summer program had over 2,000 registrations. 400 fall registrations have been received and several new adult, toddler, and preschool programs have been added. Staff has been busy with the transition from Community Recreation to City of Elk River management of the recreation program. She stated that there are some assets that need to be divided. Staff will be working with a consultant to design their own brochures which will be published 6 times a year. These brochures will be delivered every- other-month opposite the months the "Current" is delivered to residents. Commissioner Peterson arrived at this time (7:07 p.m.) Commissioner Huberty asked when they expect to move into their new offices at the Lions Park shelter expansion. Ms. Bergh stated that they are planning to move at the end of this year. Chair Kuester asked what kind of assets the department had to divide. Ms. Bergh stated that the items do not have a great deal of value and mainly consist of office furniture, desks, computers, etc. which they have had for some time. 8. Park Development Progress Report Terry Bye reported that the plant sale generated $700 to be used for purchasing new plants next year. Staff has been busy reseeding, fertilizing and doing general fall work. Interior work will begin soon on the Devine Barn. W oodchips have been delivered to Riverplace Park. A photo of the improvements at Barrington Place Park was shown. Mr. Bye explained staff's proposal to create a "mini" BMX track in Riverplace Park. He noted that it would not take a significant amount of work to create the track and if it was not successful, it could easily be graded and seeded. The Commissioners were in agreement that the mini BMX track was a good idea and encouraged staff to begin work on it. Chair Kuester asked if the Barrington Place Park was used more now with the improvements. Mr. Bye stated that it appears to be used quite heavily, since the woodchips are scattered around significantly. Commissioner Dana Anderson asked if any work has started on the trail by Lafayette Woods. Mr. Bye stated that this project is on their "to do" list for next week. Park Planner Chris Leeseberg provided an update and photos of work being done on the Lions Park shelter addition. 9.A.I. Andrew Fox - Gagne Park Volunteer Proiect Andrew Fox reviewed his proposal to secure Gagne Park from the use of motorized vehicles as part of his Eagle Scout project previously presented to the Commission. He provided an outline describing problems at the park and proposed solutions, including fencing, gates, posts and placement of boulders. Discussion followed regarding the location, type, and quality of fencing and gates proposed by Mr. Fox. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes September 12, 2001 Page 3 . Chair Kuester asked who would be helping with the project. Mr. Fox stated that his troop, as well as other troops he has assisted in the past, are willing to work on the project and that he also will be contacting the neighbors for their participation. Commissioner Dave Anderson stated that he felt the project could be coordinated with city staff to ensure that the proper locates were done and acceptable materials were used. Ms. McPherson suggested that staff purchase the materials and make them available to Mr. Fox at the city street garage. Commissioner Dana Anderson asked when Mr. Fox anticipates completion of the project. Mr. Fox stated that he needs to complete the project by mid-November 2001. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONCEPT PLAN PROPOSED BY ANDREW FOX TO SECURE ACCESS AT GAGNE PARK, AND TO RECOMMEND THE PURCHASE OF MATERIALS FOR THE PROJECT NOT TO EXCEED $800, WITH THE CONDITION THAT THE PROJECT BE COORDINATED WITH CITY STAFF. COMMISSIONER SLADEK SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. D9.A.2.Minnesota Biathlon - MEA Event Piotr Bednarski of the Minnesota Biathlon stated that their new A-frame shelter building is 90 percent complete and that they hope to have the temporary building (fish house) removed by November. . Mr. Bednarski explained the Biathlon's request to use Woodland Trails Park for a 1-day event on October 14th and a 3-day event to be held Thursday, October 18th, Saturday, October 20th and Sunday, October 21st, 2001. On Thursday, October 14th a running event with approximately 30 participants will be held from 8 - 10:30 a.m. On October 18,20 and 21, roller-skiing events will be held for approximately 65 athletes ages 14 -17. Most ofthe athletes are from Minnesota, but some will be from other states, and will include the U.S. Junior National Team. The park will be used from 8:30 a.m. - noon, with the races lasting approximately 1 hour. He explained that the longest loop in the park will be used on Thursday by some of the older male athletes. Mr. Bednarski stated that most of the trails may accessed by other park users, except during the actual race. The park entrances will be signed and greeters will be posted to let people know what is going on. Mr. Bednarski stated that the Biathlon group would like to discuss a proposal with staff for "in kind" service in lieu of paying fees for use of the park. Commissioner Dave Anderson noted that the rate is currently $500 or 50 hours of service. Mr. Bednarski stated that the Biathlon group has done this type of work on a ongoing basis including picking up trash in the park, maintaining trails and developing new trails. Ms. McPherson stated that she and Phil Hals will work with Mr. Bednarski on this issue and report back to the Commission. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE USE OF WOODLAND TRAILS PARK FOR THE MINNESOTA BIATHLON EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 14, 18,20 AND 21, 2001. COMMISSIONER HUBERTY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. . . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes September 12, 2001 Page 4 9.B.1. Preliminary Plat P 01-18. Whipple Hill Director of Planning Michele McPherson reviewed the preliminary plat of Whipple Hill to subdivide 10.35 acres located at the southwest corner of the intersection of County Road 35 and Pascal Street into eight single family lots. Staff recommends that the Commission recommend to the City Council cash for eight lots for park dedication purposes. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO ACCEPT CASH FOR PARK DEDICATION PURPOSES FOR THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OF WHIPPLE HILL. COMMISSIONER DEWALL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 9.B.2. Administrative Subdivision - Theresa Hoaglund This item was withdrawn. 9.B.3. Concept Plan of Elk Path Business Center Ms. McPherson reviewed the plan and stated that the Park and Recreation Commission has the option of recommending land dedication of 7.5 acres or $142,260 in cash dedication. Terry Schneider, representing Hoyt Partners, stated that they are developing a master plan for the business park and would like input from the Commission. The Commission discussed trail options. Ms. McPherson noted that sidewalks would be recommended along the new roads in the business center. It was the general consensus of the Commission to recommend cash dedication. The Waco Street trail will be discussed at the October 10th meeting. 9.C.1. Request to Purchase Prairie Seed Commissioner Dave Anderson discussed a number of prairie planting projects including 3 in Woodland Trails, Oak Savannah Park near Country Crossing 3rd, and the city entrance sign site near Lake Orono. He reviewed the location, history, current status, suggested maintenance and improvements, and funding request for each of the sites. Commissioner Dave Anderson proposed the following expenditures for prairie flowers and grass seed: Woodland Trails North of Entry Road/ West of Parking Lot $191.25 Oak Savanna Park $962.50 Highway 10 "Welcome to Elk River" Site $476.25 TOTAL $1,630.00 Ms. McPherson stated that prairie seed has been added to the CIP budget as a line item. Phil Hals noted that many residents who use Oak Savannah Park have requested that the trails be converted to paving. Commissioner Huberty stated that prior to doing that, the neighbors should be consulted. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes September 12, 2001 Page 5 COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO SUPPORT ADDING A LINE ITEM TO THE PARK AND RECREATION BUDGET FOR PRAIRIE SEED, AND TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDED EXPENDITURES FOR PURCHASE OF PRAIRIE SEED. COMMISSIONER PETERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 9.C.2. Gagne Park Security This item was discussed under Item 9.A.1. Andrew Fox Project for Gagne Park. 9.C.3. Park Department Subcommittee Report The Commissioners were presented with a final draft of the Park Department Subcommittee Report. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE PARK DEPARTMENT SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE REPORT BE SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL. COMMISSIONER SLADEK SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED76-0. 10. Information/Update Items This information was presented to the Commissioners in their packets. No action was required. 1. August Park Dedication Fund Balance 2. Parks and the City 3. Sherburne County A TV/Dirt Bike Ordinance 4. River City Snow Riders Newsletter 5. Article - Lions Park Shelter Groundbreaking 6. Article - Youth Athletic Complex 7. White Bear Lake Skate Park 11. Update on 8/20/01 City Council Meeting Commissioner Peterson provided an update on the August 20,2001 City Council meeting. Ms. McPherson noted that the townhome waiver and rezoning requests by Elk River Station LLP were approved, but that the preliminary plat and conditional use permit have been tabled for approximately 45 days. 12. Update on 8/28/01 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Huberty stated that there were no park issues on the Planning Commission agenda. 13. Other Business The Park and Recreation Commission will meet at City Hall at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 10, 2001 for tour of city parks prior to their regular meeting. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes September 12, 2001 Page 6 Staff is soliciting quotes for printing the park map and hopes to have it printed for delivery with the November issue of "]be Current". The Commission will review the final draft at their October 10th meeting. A neighborhood discussion with Fresno Street residents will be held at the October 10th Park and Recreation Commission meeting. A neighborhood meeting is tentatively scheduled for the November meeting with the neighbors of the Oak Savannah Park residents (County Crossing 3rd area). 14. Adiournment There being no further business, COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER PETERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. The meeting of the Elk River Park & Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, /.("/~/t0J Xid~ Debbie Huebner Recording Secretary