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11-14-2001 PR MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2001 Members Present: Chair Kuester; Commissioners Dana Anderson, Dave Anderson, Huberty, Peterson, Briggs, and DeWall Members Absent: Commissioner Sladek Staff Present: Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Phil Hals, StreetIPark Superintendent; Chris Leeseberg, PlannerlPark Planner; Terry Bye, Park Foreman; Donna Malecha, 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 11/14/01 Park & Recreation Commission Agenda COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 14, 2001 PARK & RECREATION AGENDA. COMMISSIONER HUBERTY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 3. Consider Minutes of 10/1 % 1 Park & Recreation Commission Meeting COMMISSIONER HUBERTY MOVED APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 10, 2001 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. COMMISSIONER DEW ALL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 4. Park & Recreation Commissioner to Attend October Planning Commission and City Council Meetings a. 11/19/01 City Council Meeting Commissioner DeWall will attend the November 19,2001 City Council meeting. b. 11/27/01 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Briggs will attend the November 27,2001 Planning Commission meeting. 5. Open Mike No one appeared for Open Mike. ~ Commissioner Peterson arrived approximately 7:10 p.m. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes ~ovember14,2001 Page 2 . 6. HearingsINeighborhood Discussions: - Consider Trail Paving - Oak Savannah Park Approximately 86 residents were invited to give their input to consider paving of the Savannah Park trail system. There were several phone calls and two e-mails in response. Three residents were in favor of paving the trails, four were not, and one resident did not comment, but suggested that benches and picnic tables be added to the park. Mr. Todd Engstrom stated that when he moved to the area, his impression from the developer was that the Park would be left in its natural state with additional barriers (shrubs, evergreen trees, and cedar trees) to be planted in order to achieve this overall look. He was strongly in favor of leaving the trails chipped, as is. Commissioner Briggs suggested that he would visit the site, and also will consider what the residents of the Park would favor before making his decision. The majority of the Commissioners felt they [at this point] would favor keeping the chipped trails and utilize the dollars for additional natural barriers to the Park. This issue will be revisited at the February meeting. 7. Area Recreation Update . Ms. McPherson presented for Ms. Bergh. Open gym will begin on November 18,2001. The volleyball leagues are up and running. The final draft of the first City of Elk River Recreation brochure is due out in December. Ms. Bergh and Ms. Gardner attended the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association Conference. Ms. Bergh stated that she enjoyed this year's conference and was able to gather some information on managing youth workers and motivational skills. 8. Park Development Progress Report - Terry Bye Mr. Bye reported that the entrance to the Lafayette Woods trail has been landscaped with wood chips, and grass seed has been added to complete the project. He also reported on the building expansion at Lion's Park. The extra black dirt from the construction site at Lions Park has been delivered to Y AC fields 5 and 6 and will be tilled in and seeded next spring. The final touches on leveling the various skating areas and ice rinks is being completed. The rink boards are ready to be assembled at Lions Park and Handke Pit. The grading has also been done at Gary Street (which will be used as back-up in the event insufficient ice forms on Orono Lake). Construction at the Trott Brook Barn also continues, as well as the Y AC Fields. . Mr. Leeseberg presented some photos and a video of the ongoing progress at the following facilities: Lions Park [walls are painted and roof trusses are completed at the new facility] . Y AC Fields retaining walls have been erected, the player bench pads and home plate bleacher pads are also completed. Trott Brook Barn is progressing with the installation of several new windows, and a projected future silo installation with stairwell access, and an outdoor ADA-accessible ramp to the second floor. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes November 14,2001 Page 3 . 9.A.1. Community Events: Camp Cozy Park Update - Andrew Fox Mr. Fox presented an update of his Eagle Scout project at Camp Cozy Park. He presented several photographs of the accomplishments thus far, and stated that there have been several changes made since he began the project earlier this fall: Telephone poles that were originally going to be used to block vehicle access to the park have been replaced with wire mesh fencing due to cost, and he feels that it will have better impact to deter motorized vehicle access. The fence that was to be placed at the cul-de-sac on Waco Street has been move further down Waco Street and placed at a 90 degree angle from the fence at the entrance to the northern prairie in order to discourage motorized vehicles from accessing Waco Street at the cul-de-sac. An opening at Waco Street has also been modified to allow a neighbor's access for a snow plow during the winter months. A fence has been added to the entry way into the northern prairie to also deter access of four-wheelers which have been entering off the river path. Barton Sand & Gravel has donated several large boulders to aid in Mr. Fox's project. He is planning on having them delivered and disbursed to adjoin the gates as a natural barrier fence to aid in the deterrence of motorized vehicles from the Park. . Mr. Fox has been working extensively with the neighbors who border the Park to accommodate their concerns, as well, and also inquired as to the signage for the Park. Mr. Hals said that his staff would be able to construct proper signs for Mr. Fox's project. 9.B.1. Case No. P 01-13, Preliminary Plat - Park Pointe Ms. McPherson presented the revised plat of Park Pointe, which has been submitted by the applicant. The plat is at the northwest comer of 175th Avenue and Fillmore Street and is comprised of94 lots and one 5.54 acre exception which will be owned by the Mitchell family who are the current property owners. The gross area for park dedication is 74.4 acres times 10% equals 7.4 acres. The applicant is proposing park dedication of an area in the north and west portion of the site, encompassing part of Kliever's Marsh and a small trail easement area [outlot B in the southeast portion of the plat]. The total area of dry land [outlot A and outlot B] is 4.9 acres, leaving a balance of approximately 2.5 acres of land to be dedicated. The alternative for park dedication would be to accept cash for the 94 lots totaling $138,180.00, calculated at the current rate. COMMISSIONER HUBERTY MOVED TO ACCEPT THE PARK LAND ALONG KLIEVER'S MARSH, EXCEPT THE EXCEPTION AREA, AND ACCEPT A 2.5 ACRE PIECE OF LAND AROUND LOTS 1,2, AND 3 OF 176TH COURT FOR THE TOTAL LAND DEDICAITON OF 7.4 ACRES. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. . . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes ~overnber14,2001 Page 4 9.B.2. Case No. P 01-14, Trott Brook South Ms. McPherson presented the revised plat of Trott Brook South under the newly adopted R-3 townhome standards which require open space in townhome developments matching approximately 5% of the net buildable area. This has reduced the number of units from the original proposal. The site is located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Twin Lakes Road and County Road 12. The proposed plat includes 149 dwelling units; 130 townhomes [comprised of two-story condominiums and rambler-style townhomes]; and 19 single-family lots. The Commission could request 4.1 acres of park land or accept cash dedication of $219,030.00, which is calculated at the current rate. Staff recommends the Commission accept cash dedication with a trail easement to Hillside City Park. COMMSSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO ACCEPT CASH DEDICATION FOR THE TOTAL PLAT DEVELOPMENT. COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 9.C.1. YAC Update Ms. McPherson expressed that she would like to have the Commission acknowledge three separate contributors who helped to develop the first phase of the Youth Athletic Complex: 1. The $1000 grant from Bauerly Brothers for concrete. 2. The discounted concrete from AME, Inc. 3. The discounted retaining wall blocks and fill from Plaisted Companies. CHAIR KUESTER MOVED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THESE COMPANIES. COMMISSIONER HUBERTY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Ms. McPherson also stated that Elk River Exteriors will be starting work on reshingling the Trott Brook Barn. This project is to begin this week. The next meeting of the Y AC Working Committee will be Sunday, November 18,2001 at 6 p.m. Commissioner Dave Anderson inquired as to the volunteer support for this project. Ms. McPherson stated that there was a crew that formed the pads and built the retaining walls [with the help from staff]. She also stated that the city is going to continue to support and foster volunteer efforts. 9.C.2. Report on MRPA Conference Both Chairperson Kuester and Commissioner Huberty attended the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association State Conference in Duluth, MN on November 6-8,2001. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes ~over.nber14,2001 Page 5 . Commissioner Huberty commented that there were many very good sessions this year. They attended a session on a nature center which, in the past, had many vandals and four- wheelers accessing the area and causing excessive damage. For the past eight years, they have been leading nature tours with thousands of children, and groups for overnight stays, and walking tours. They have raised enough money to build a nature center building at the site which has discouraged vandals; it [the program] has also expanded to include full time staffing. Chairperson Kuester noted a session sponsored by the DNR that exclusively funded trails for a bike-friendly community. He commented that one community in southern Minnesota will be implementing 20 miles of trail per year for the next ten years. He felt that one of the benefits of attending a conference like this is to gain further insight as to what other communities in the state are doing. He felt it was a very positive venture to Duluth and encouraged other Commission members to attend this conference in the future. 9.C.3. Approve Snowmobile Trail/Implementation Plan Ms. McPherson presented the second phase of the two-phase project; phase one [the adoption of a revised ordinance] was completed earlier this year. . On November 6th staff met with the members of the River City Snow Riders and Commissioner Dave Anderson to finalized the last of the snowmobile trail activities. The snowmobile club has agreed to the tasks listed on the Snowmobile Trail Implementation Plan which was proposed by staff. A corrected copy of the map was given to the Commission and included a line of demarcation of 197th Avenue which relates to the rules that were adopted earlier this year. The map explains where snowmobilers can ride north and south of 19ih Avenue. There is a proposal for trails along the east side of Waco Street, the south side of County Road 30, and also the east side of Joplin Street as potential additional loops for snowmobilers, as well as other various pending trails which the Group needs approval as these are on private property. The rules have been incorporated on the map to assure safety as well as proper direction of trails within the City limits. The trails will open December 1,2001 and will remain open through April 15, 2002, conditions permitting. COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON MOVED TO ACCEPT THE SNOWMOBILE TRAIL MAP TO ASSURE PROPER LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ADEQUATE DIRECTION OF TRAILS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 9.CA. Identify January Retreat Date The Commission preferred to meet on January 5, 2002 at 8 a.m. tentatively at the new Lions Park Center with the alternative meeting place at City Hall. . . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes ~overnber14,2001 Page 6 10. InformationlUpdate Items Chair Kuester commended Commissioner Peterson and staff on the completion of the Park and Trail maps which were delivered in today's Elk River Star News. Ms. McPherson also thanked the city staffwho aided in the assembly of the maps. B. Park/Trail Developments: 1. Park Dedication Fund Balance 2. John Dailey e-mail 3. River City Snow Riders Newsletter 4. City Administrator memo re: Land of Lakes Choirboys Request for Land 11. Update on 10/15/01 City Council Meeting Ms. McPherson presented an update for Commissioner Sladek on the October 15,2001 City Council meeting. Further discussion with the City Council regarding the formation of the Park and Recreation Department will continue. The retreat discussion will be a continuation of this issue in terms of drafting the job description for the director's position. 12. Update on 10/23/01 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner DeWall provided an update on the October 23,2001 Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner De Wall presented a modification of the Conditional Use Permit at the landfill along the Railroad Hiking Trail which would allow the landfill to add demolition debris on top of the existing solid waste that would necessitate changing the slopes from 5: 1 to 3: 1. There are some gaps in the screening that the landfill has volunteered to fill with spruce trees and shrubs. These trees will be planted 10'apart. The modification was recommended for approval. Commissioner Dave Anderson asked if the Conditional Use Permit is an annual event, and Ms. McPherson stated that it is a four-year renewal, but that this was a special modification to the site plan and required an amendment to the CUP. 13. Other Business There was no other business at this time. 14. Adjournment 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 8:57 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Donna Malecha Recording Secretary