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09-11-2002 PR MIN e MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER II, 2002 Members Present: Chair Peterson (7:10 p.m.), Commissioners Anderson, Sladek, Nystrom, Kuester, Polston-Hork, and DeWall Members Absent: Commissioner Briggs Staff Present: Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner; Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent; T eny Bye, Park Foreman, Michele Bergh, City Recreation Manager 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 Vice Chair Sladek. Consider 09/11/02 Park & Recreation Commission Agenda 2. e COMMISSIONER ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 11, 2002, PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. COMMISSIONER DEWALL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 3. Consider Minutes of August 14, 2002, Park & Recreation Commission Meeting COMMISSIONER ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 14, 2002, PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. COMMISSIONER NYSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 4. Park & Recreation Commissioner to Attend September Planning Commission and City Council Meetings a. September 16, 2002 City Council Meeting Commissioner DeWall will attend the September 16, 2002, City Council meeting. b. September 24, 2002 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Nystrom will attend the September 24, 2002 Planning Commission meeting. 5. Open Mike e Scott Dirks presented an update on his Eagle Scout project within Camp Cozy. He reported that southern prairie was burned in April 2002, however, the north prairie was too wet and Park & Recreation Commission Minutes September 11, 2002 Page 2 e did not burn properly arid will be re-burned in April of 2003. He plans to plant prairie seed in 2003, including both long and short grass prairie seeds, as well as flowering prairie plants. Mr. Dirks stated that 8 - 10 bluebird houses would also be installed in 2003. They would be constructed over the winter. The materials to build the bluebird houses is estimated to cost $100. The prairie seeds will cost an additional $300. Mr. Dirks requested that the Commission fund the prairie seed and half of the material cost for the bluebird houses, for a total expenditure of $350. COMMISSIONER NYSTROM MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY EXPEND $350 FOR PRAIRIE SEED AND BLUEBIRD HOUSE MATERIAL FOR THE EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT. COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 6. Neighborhood Meetings/Discussions: None 7. Park Development Progress Report T eny Bye, Park Foreman, stated that additional trees were moved from the City Hall construction site to Trott Brook and Barrington Parks, and Jackson Square. e (Chair Peterson arrived at this time.) Mr. Bye showed photographs of park identification signs. He stated that the staff is busy striping baseball, soccer, and football fields for City Recreation programs. The irrigation has been installed at the Youth Athletic Complex for Fields 5 and 6. Approximately 5,000 lineal feet of pipe was installed and the grass seed is beginning to sprout. Commissioner Sladek stated that he was at the Youth Athletic Complex and the fields were looking very good. 8. City Recreation Update Michele Bergh stated that they are in the process of planning the November and December brochure. The Halloween Family Fright Night has 50 registrants to date. The existing PeeWee classes are full and the Recreation staff will be advertising for additional instructors. They are offering a new program this year, PeeWee Basketball. Ms. Bergh stated that concerts have resumed at Emporium. They plan on having an event once every three weeks and there is a large amount of interest by local bands. She explained that City Recreation is expanding the adult fitness program offerings and introducing a new concept titled the "U Pass" which allows residents to purchase a pass for a number of sessions which would allow them to attend any adult fitness class that they choose. This would allow someone unsure of a particular class an opportunity to tty out something new. They are offering cardio-vascular and mind and body classes for adult fitness. e Park & Recreation Commission Minutes September 11, 2002 Page 3 e Ms. Bergh stated that concessions are very busy with the football season and that disc golf at Lions Park is popular item. Ms. Bergh reminded the Commissioners that the Lions Park Grand Opening is from 3 - 5 p.m. on September 12th and that there will be disc golf demonstrations. 8.B. Appoint Members to the Gty Council/Park and Recreation Commission Fee Subcommittee Commissioners Polston-Horl{, Anderson, and Peterson volunteered to be on the Subcommittee. 9.B.1. Elk River Station. Case No. POl-OS Ms. McPherson presented the preliminary plat of Elk River Station comprised of 298 townhome units, 60 apartment units, 60 - 70 senior cooperative units, and several acres of commercial property. She requested that the Commission affirm its consensus of August 14th in requesting cash dedication for all components of the project. Commissioner Nystrom stated that he would like to see a trail easement along the railroad tracks over the commercial site in the southwest comer of the property. The Commission discussed the possible trail connections, the road construction through the westerly Cargill property per the agreement between the Gty and Cargill, and concurred that requesting the easement would be acceptable and that it may not come to fruition. e COMMISSIONER NYSTROM MOVED TO CONCUR WITH STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION IN THE STAFF MEMO WITH THE ADDITION THAT A 30' TRAIL EASEMENT BE GRANTED OVER THE COMMERCIAL SITE IN THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE DEVELOPMENT. COMMISSIONER ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 9.C.1. Neighborhood Skating Rinks Ms. McPherson presented the concept of establishing a policy for neighborhood skating rinks based on a request during the neighborhood meeting for Riverplace Park. Commissioner Polston-Hork asked if other cities allowed neighborhoods to establish skating rinks. Commissioner Anderson indicated that it was past practice within the Gty itself and suggested that a very simple policy regarding these rinks be established. Commissioner Peterson suggested that a contact person is needed and that training should occur with the Public Works staff in regards to establishing the neighborhood rinks. Commissioner Kuester concurred that the policy should be kept simple and that the Gty should encourage volunteer efforts of this nature. He suggested setting a series of guidelines which outlined both Gty and volunteer responsibilities. Commissioner Kuester asked what the liability issue would be in regards to the establishment of neighborhood rinks. e Phil Hals stated Park staff would be willing to work with neighbors in training and establishing boundaries for rinks. Commissioner Polston-Hork asked about refereeing conflicts between hockey players and recreational skaters. This will be discussed as part of the guidelines. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes September 11, 2002 Page 4 e 10. Information/Update items (No discussion or presentation unless requested) A. Land Use Cases - None B. Park/Trail Developments: 1. Park Dedication Fund Balance 2. River City Snow Riders Newsletter 3. May 16, 2002 Center for Community Committee Minutes 4. YMCA Information . Committees . June 27, 2002 Founders Committee Minutes . August 1, 2002 Founders Committee Minutes 5. Sherburne County Board of Commissioners Minutes . August 6, 2002 · July 9,2002 6. City Administrator's Memo re: Facility Use Policy 7. City Administrator's Memo re: Budget . August 8, 2002 . August 26, 2002 11. Update on 8/19/02 City Council Meeting e Commissioner Anderson provided an update on the August 19, 2002, City Council Meeting. 12. Update on 8/27/02 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner DeWall provided an update on the August 27, 2002, Planning Commission Meeting. 13. Other Business Chair Peterson stated that special meetings would be established to discuss the overall park development policy for the City of Elk River. This would include a discussion regarding neighborhood parks, regional parks, land acquisition priorities, and financial discussions. The first meeting of this nature will occur from 5 - 7 p.m. prior to the October regular meeting. 14. Adiournment There being no further business, COMMISSIONER DEWALL MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. The meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 8: 15 p.m. e Respectfully submitted, Park & Recreation Corrunission Minutes September 11, 2002 Page 5 e Michele McPherson Director of Planning e e