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02-13-2002 PR MIN . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002 Members Present: Chair Kuester; Commissioners Dana Anderson, DeWall, Sladek, Peterson, Dave Anderson, and Briggs Members Absent: Commissioner Huberty Staff Present: Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner; Terry Bye, Park Foreman; Michele Bergh, City Recreation Manager; Jessica Miller, 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 02/13/02 Park & Recreation Commission Agenda . COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 13, 2002, PARK & RECREATION AGENDA. COMMISSIONER SLADEK SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3. Consider Minutes of January 9. 2002 and the January 12. 2002 Park & Recreation Commission Meeting COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 9 AND THE JANUARY 12, 2002, PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES WITH THE FOLLOWING CHANGE TO THE JANUARY 12, 2002, MINUTES: COMMISSIONER DEWALL WAS NOT PRESENT FOR THE JANUARY 12, 2002 MEETING COMMISSIONER PETERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 4. Park & Recreation Commissioner to Attend February Planning Commission and City Council Meetings a. February 19. 2002 City Council Meeting Commissioner Briggs will attend the February 19,2002, City Council Meeting. . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes February 13, 2002 Page 2 . b. February 26. 2002 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Peterson will attend the February 26, 2002 Planning Commission Meeting. 5. Open Mike No one appeared for this item. 6. Hearings/Neighborhood Discussions: None 7. Park Development Progress Report Terry Bye stated that last Thursday the ice rinhwere closed for the season due to the warm weather conditions. He stated that they are in the process of moving the trailers out and removing the nets from the ice. Mr. Bye stated that the Public Works Department has been helping the City Recreation Department move from the Emporium to the new Lions Park Facility and it is going welL Mr. Bye noted that they plan to construct a 90-foot wooden sidewalk from the trail into the new facility to provide safe walking through the disturbed area in front of the building. This sidewalk would be temporary until the landscaping project can be completed. . 8.A.l. Community Events: Storage and Grilling Shed at Orono Athletic Complex - Art V olna & Eric Johnson Art V olna and Eric Johnson from Troop 111 gave the commission an update on the storage and grilling shed at the Orono Athletic Complex. The purpose of the shed will be to store grilling equipment and a small overhang will provide shelter for grilling during inclement weather. Mr. V olna stated that the cost for the entire project will be $2,073.64. Mr. V olna and Mr. Johnson plan to fund the project by obtaining donations from charitable organizations in Elk River. The Lions Club has already donated $200 towards the project. The construction is scheduled to begin as soon as weather permits. 8.B.1. City Recreation/Programming Update Ms. Bergh handed out the new program guides to the commission. She stated that City Recreation is currently working on the Summer brochure for which the deadline is March 1, 2002, for distribution in ApriL This brochure will cover May through the end of summer. Ms. Bergh stated that City Recreation is hoping to have some new programs, including an entertainment in the parks, which is geared more towards adults. Ms. Bergh informed the commission that she has a meeting with the YMCA to discuss the possibility of joint programs. The two main items that they will be discussing will be the possibility of day camp opportunities and sports camps. Chair Kuester indicated that he would like the commission to be able to comment on some of these programs before they are listed in the summer brochure. . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes February 13, 2002 Page 3 . 8.B.2. Disc Golf Update Ms. Bergh expressed thanks to the commission on behalf of Kristin Harris, who was unable to attend the meeting, for responding to her idea of disc golf in Lions Park that was presented at the January meeting. Ms. Bergh indicated that they hope to get the disc golf equipment ordered and get volunteers to help with the installation this spring. 8.B.3. Lions Park Center Update Ms. Bergh stated that City Recreation is working on the last minute details for their move to the new facility. She wished to express her thanks to the Parks Department for helping them move their equipment from the Emporium to the new facility. Ms. Bergh was pleased to announce that there has been a great response from the public over the new Lions Park facility. They already have a wedding scheduled in March. Ms. Bergh announced that Lana Huberty has filled the position of Office Assistant left vacant by Darci Stiff. Ms. Huberty has a background in recreation and is a former member of the Park and Recreation commission. The commission agreed that Ms. Huberty will be a great addition to the city recreation staff. . 8.C.1. Case No. P 02-03. Windsor Park 3rd Addition Director of Planning Michele McPherson stated that prior to the meeting, several members visited the site of Windsor Park 3rd addition to look at the park area that was discussed at the January meeting. Ms. McPherson gave some background information on the land area and the proposed development of 95 lots on 196 acres. The applicant is proposing that outlot E, which is approximately 26 acres, be dedicated to the City for open space and parkland. Ms. McPherson indicated that there is a power line corridor crossing the land and there are some low areas, but the area is predominantly high ground. Under the ordinance, the City can request up to 10% of the land area that is subdivided, which in this case is 19.6 acres, for parkland dedication. The total acreage proposed for dedication is 26 but if the wetlands and power line easements are subtracted, the total is just under the 10% allowed by city ordinance. If outlot E meets their approval, staff recommends acceptance of the applicant's dedication of the 26 acres. Mr. Brown, representing the developer, stated that the 11Uldowners have requested that the parkland not be developed or given public access until they no longer live in their home. The City would more than likely take immediate possession of the land with a condition that it not be developed for 10-15 years or at the time that Mr. and Mrs. Bloomdahl no longer reside there. Chair Kuester questioned what amenities would be available to residents during this interim period. The residents would have to use other parkland in the city until public access was given to this park. . The commission discussed the accessibility issues once the park is made public. There was some concern about residents of the development having to cross County Road 33 in order to get to the park. Mr. Jim Brown stated that he feels like this park will serve all the residents Park & Recreation Commission Minutes February 13, 2002 Page 4 . of the city of Elk River and they will arrive via all modes of transportation; therefore, the issue of pedestrians and bike traffic crossing the road shouldn't be a huge issue. He suggested that the developer could put up signs indicating a crossing area if the county would allow it in their right of way. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO ACCEPT THE 26 ACRES OF LAND FOR PARK DEDICATION WITH NO CREDIT GIVEN TO THE 3.7 ACRES OF POWER LINE EASEMENT TOWARDS THE 10%. COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 8.C.2. Land Exchange with D.R. Horton Ms. McPherson brought for consideration by the commission a proposed land swap with D .R. Horton. She explained that as a condition of the plat for Trott Brook South ~ocated at SE corner of Cty 12 and Twin Lakes Road) the City required the developer, D.R. Horton, to make an offer to the city for outlots A and B (city owned property) because the applicant showed utilization of these areas on their plats for open space and detention ponds. . Ms. McPherson stated that during the discussion with D.R. Horton it came up that the city has a remnant parcel that was acquired through condemnation for the Twin Lakes Road construction adjacent to Trott Brook Farms. A portion of this remnant is currently being used for well #7 and for a water treatment facility. Ms. McPherson explained that the city has proposed to D.R. Horton a land exchange. The city would give the applicant the remnant and outlots A and B in exchange for oulot K of Trott Brook Farms 1st Addition. The total area of outlot K is 23 acres with approximately a 60/40 split for dry/wetland. Outlot K was previously identified as parkland. As part of the land exchange D.R. Horton would provide the City with a 50-foot trail corridor, which would provide access across Trott Brook and end on dry land. Ms. McPherson also informed the commission that the City Council was made aware of this proposal and they did not voice any concerns with it. If the commission agrees with the proposed land exchange, staff recommends that the commission encourage the City Council continue negotiations with D .R. Horton. CHAIR KUESTER MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO CONTINUE DISCUSSION WITH D.R. HORTON FOR THE LAND EXCHANGE. COMMISSIONER SLADEK SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 8.C.3 Review Concept Plan - Becker Property . Ms. McPherson presented the concept plan for the Becker property located to the north of Trott Brook Farms for consideration. The property is 113 acres and the proposed development would contain approximately 319 dwelling units comprised of both town homes and single-family homes. Ms. McPherson presented the commission with two options for parkland. The first showed a smaller land acquisition limiting the area to be requested for park dedication to 4 acres of high ground. The second showed a larger site of 9 acres of which approximately 7.8 acres would be high ground. Both options would then Park & Recreation Commission Minutes February 13, 2002 Page 5 . include cash dedication. The city can accept approximately 11 acres under the 10% park dedication requirements. Doc, representing Tollefson Development, informed the commission that his company would rather pay the park dedication fee of $1570/ dwelling rather than dedicate land for a park. They would like to see the larger park built to the south of them as discussed in the previous case. The other option that Doc presented was that the developer possibly create smaller park amenities rather than one large park. The commission discussed several different options of how much land to accept and how much in park dedication fees to accept. There were many different options presented and they varied greatly in the amount of land to be dedicated. Ms. McPherson recommended that staff work with the developer over the next month to draw up a new concept plan for the commission to consider. The commission agreed with Ms. McPherson's recommendation. 8.CA Concept Plan. Ron Bastyr . Mr. Ron Bastyr, of Windsor Development, gave the commission some background information on the proposed development. The 55 acres of land is located north of Nordic Woods, north of Meadowvale School, and west of the city railroad trail. Mr. Bastyr informed the commission that Windsor Development is just entering the design phase with the project and they are looking for some direction regarding parks. Mr. Bastyr stated that he was informed that the city would like to gain better access to a wellhouse on the property that is currently being accessed by the railroad trail. Mr. Bastyr stated to the commission that he believes that putting the park on the south end of the land would serve the following three purposes: o o o serve as a neighborhood park provide trail connection to Lafayette Woods provide a connection for city vehicles to reach wellhouse #7 Commissioner Dave Anderson suggested that the commission take a trip to see the land to get a better idea of the layout. The general consensus of the commission was to take partial land dedication for access to the wellhouse and take the remainder in cash. 8.D.1 Landscaping. Oak Savannah Park Michele McPherson presented the commission with information regarding the landscaping of Oak Savannah Park (north of County Crossings). She indicated that at the October Park and Recreation meeting it was decided that the trails in Oak Savannah Park would remain wood chips rather than be converted to asphalt. She also stated that two residents expressed the need for more landscaping to buffer them from the lights of the fairgrounds and softball fields, etc. . Ms. McPherson informed the commission that the city has removed the invasive species from the area and has attempted to transplant some red cedars with little success. It was agreed that anything that was planted on city property would be difficult to maintain due to poor soil conditions. It was discussed that if the homeowners were provided with seedlings that they could plant in their own yards and they would grow better thus buffering out the light. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes February 13,2002 Page 6 COMMISSIONER DA VEANDERSON MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO WORK UP A MATERIALS liST AND COST FOR PROVIDING SEEDliNGS TO THE HOMEOWNERS ABUTTING OAK SAVANNAH PARK WHO REQUEST IT. COMMISSIONER PETERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 8.D.2 Review 2002 Goals and Tasks as Identified at January 12 Meeting Michele McPherson asked the commission to review the wording of the goals and tasks. The commission reviewed the wording and agreed that it was acceptable. 8.D.3. Review Revised Draft. Park & Recreation Director Job Description The commission reviewed the draft job description for the park and recreation director. They made a few minor changes to the description but overall agreed that it was good. The commission agreed that the candidates must have a related Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years related experience. 8.DA Review/Discuss Park Development and Project Priorities Chair Kuester suggested that this item be assigned to a subcommittee and they can report to the entire commission at a later date. The subcommittee is comprised of Commissioner Dave Anderson, Commissioner Tim Sladek, and Commissioner Duane Peterson. 8.D.5 Orono Park Master Plan Michele McPherson informed the commission that one of the goals for 2002 is to review and revise the Orono Park/ Athletic Complex Master Plan and that staff is looking for a preliminary direction from the commission to proceed. This is taking place sooner than originally anticipated due to the upcoming construction of the new Public Safety Facility, which will cause the closure of Orono Road and Gary Street. Ms. McPherson asked that the commission take a month to think about anything that they would like to see added to the Orono Park Master Plan and bring those ideas to the March meeting. Ms. McPherson also informed the commission that the city administrator has asked that the commission make a determination of what to do with the former Minnesota Sports Federation (MSF) land. He would like the commission to make a policy recommendation to the council as to how the site should be used (open space, YMCA, community center). Ms. McPherson asked the commission to think about this as it will be discussed at the March meeting. 8.D.6 Special Meeting - March 2.2002. Landfill End Use Chair Kuester called a special meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission on Saturday, March 2, 2002, at the Elk River Landfill. The primary agenda for this meeting will be to discuss with representatives of the landfill the possible uses for the landfill once it has closed. 9. Information/Update items (No discussion or presentation unless requested) Park & Recreation Commission Minutes February 13, 2002 Page 7 . A. Land Use Cases - None B. Park/Trail Developments: 1. Park Dedication Fund Balance, January 2. River City Snow Riders Newsletter 2310. Update on 1/22/02 City Council Meeting Chair Kuester provided an update on the January 22, 2002, City Council Meeting. 11. Update on 1/29/02 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Briggs provided an update on the January 29, 2002, Planning Commission Meeting. 12. Other Business Commissioner Dana Anderson informed the commission that he was the representative from the Park and Recreation Commission on the Ice Arena Commission and that since his term is up that they will have to appoint a new representative. . Commissioner Dave Anderson wished to publicly thank Commissioner Dana Anderson for his nearly 11 years of service to the community and wished him well on the Planning Commission. 13. Adjournment There being no further business, COMMISSIONER DA VEANDERSON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. The meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~~ Jessica Miller Recording Secretary .