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01-12-2002 PR MIN - SPECIAL . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION RETREAT HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL SATURDAY, JANUARY 12,2002 Members Present: Chair Kuester; Commissioners Dana Anderson, Dave Anderson, Briggs, DeWall, Huberty, Peterson and Sladek Members Absent: None Staff Present: Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Chris Leeseberg, Park Planner/Planner The meeting was called to order by Chair Kuester at 8:05 a.m. 1. Review Commission Process. Mission Statement and Individual Commissioner Responsibilities The Commissioner reviewed the April 26, 1999 joint meeting minutes with the City Council regarding the Commission Mission Statement and Rules and Procedures. It was requested that the Commissioners are called by staff when it is their turn to attend either the Planning Commission or City Council. Chair Kuester noted that sometimes it is difficult to know when to speak up at the City Council, although staff does provide some hint of when it may be appropriate. 2. Review 2001 Accomplishments The Commission reviewed the 2001 accomplishments and goals. Two goals were not completed from those identified in January of 2001. Those were: (1) "acquire or negotiate for acquisition of one property identified as a regional park" and (2) "develop resource management strategies". Chair Kuester noted that a number of items had been accomplished and that 2001 was an extremely productive year. Commissioner Huberty noted that the master plans for Orono, Woodlands and Oak Knoll had not been completed, although a master plan for the Youth Athletic Complex (Y AC) had been completed and adopted. 3. Set 2002 Goals The Commission spent time brainstorming on an individual basis goals and/or tasks that they would like to see completed during 2002. Those goals were shared with the larger commission and prioritized as follows: 1. Participate in the update of the City's Transportation Plan to ensure that the road corridor adjacent to and through Woodland Trails Park is removed. 2. Evaluate and fine-tune the list of property acquisition priorities to identify where, how much and what in order to be more selective. Park & Recreation Commission January 12,2002 Page 2 . 3. Develop an inventory of critical natural resources and identify what needs to be protected and what should be enhanced. Once completed, this should be reviewed annually. 4. Develop long-term master plans and budgets for Orono Park! Athletic Complex, Woodland Trails Park, and Hillside City Park. 5. Re-evaluate the park development focus and project priority list. 6. Continue to develop the Park and Recreation Department and help out with City Recreation by better understanding programming areas such as the Ice Arena and the Senior Center. 7. Develop a better understanding regarding the issues surrounding the development of a community center; for example, programming needs, meeting space requirements, etc. 8. Continue to explore alternative forms of recreation. 4. Review 2002 CIP Including Land Acquisition The commission discussed at length the proposal submitted by Richard LeFavor for 70 acres of land located in the northeast corner of the city. The appraisal prepared by Jerry Smith indicated that the value of the land was $546,000. Staff suggested paying $500,000 on a similar payment schedule as proposed by Mr. LeFavor. . Several commissioners felt that the land was primarily swamp and that there were other parcels in the area that were worth more environmentally than the LeFavor property. Discussion regarding the need to act versus delaying a decision was weighed by each of the commission members. Several commissioners felt that adjacent lands eligible for development should be analyzed to determined how much land could be obtained via park dedication and added to the subject property. A majority of the commissioners felt that the land offered by Mr. LeFavor would eventually remain open as the land was essentially undevelopable. Chair Kuester pointed out that there were several reasons for purchasing the property; (1) an area wide park in the northeast corner of the city has been talked about for several years; (2) there are future expansion opportunities; (3) there is a willing seller; (4) there is cash in the park dedication fund; and (5) this is within a developing area of the city. Commissioner Dave Anderson indicated that the offer would be more palatable if funds could be leveraged for a natural and scenic area park grant from the Department of Natural Resources. After much discussion, the Commission, by consensus agreed to make a counter offer to Mr. LeFavor for $300,000 for 70 acres, half down at 5 percent interest over 5 years. The commission also directed staff to prepare a number of development scenarios for the adjacent properties. The Commission then considered the following Capital Improvement budget for 2002: . Baldwin Park Barrington Park Y AC Improvements Playground - Mississippi Oaks Deerfield - hill, fence, landscaping $15,700 600 23,200 30,000 9,650 Park & Recreation Commission January 12, 2002 Page 3 . Fresno playground Lions Park landscape and disc golf Riveplace landscaping Orono bleachers Devine barn Prairie seed Undeveloped park improvements Supplies 25,000 15,500 11,300 30,000 20,000 2,000 10,000 5.000 TOTAL $197,950 After much discussion regarding neighborhood park development including the need for playgrounds in all neighborhood parks, a motion was made by Commissioner Huberty, seconded by Commissioner Briggs, to accept the proposed 2002 Capital Improvements budget in the amount of $197,950. Upon a voice vote, Commissioners Sladek, Dave Anderson, Dana Anderson, voting no, the motion was approved 4-3. 5. Discuss Park Department The Commission reviewed the draft position description for the park and recreation director. A discussion occurred regarding the skill and qualification level required and what types of degree programs would be accepted for applications. Additional work will be done on the job description and brought back to the Commission for consideration. 6. Discuss Park Dedication . No discussion occurred regarding this issue. Having no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michele McPherson Director of Planning .