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10-09-2002 PR MIN e MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2002 Members Present: Chair Peterson, Commissioners Anderson, Briggs, Nystrom, Kuester, and Polston-Hork Members Absent: Commissioners DeWall and Sladek Staff Present: Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner; Phil Hals, Park/Street Superintendent; Teny Bye, Park Foreman; 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 Peterson. 2. Consider October 09,_ 2002, Park & Recreation Commission Agenda e COMMISSIONER KUESTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 9, 2002, PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. COMMISSIONER BRIGGS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 3. Consider Minutes of September 11. 2002, Park & Recreation Commission Meeting COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK MOVED TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 11, 2002, PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. COMMISSIONER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 4. Park & Recreation Commissioner to Attend October Planning Commission and City Council Meetings a. October 21. 2002 City Council Meeting Commissioner Nystrom will attend the October 21,2002, City Council Meeting. b. October 22, 2002 Planning Commission Meeting Chair Peterson will attend the October 22, 2002, Planning Commission Meeting. 5. Open Mike No one appeared for this item. e 6. Neighborhood Meetings/Discussions: None Park & Recreation Commission Minutes October 9, 2002 Page 2 e 7. Park Development Progress Report Terry Bye, Park Foreman, stated that September was a very- busy month for staff. He stated that the plaque is in place at the Oak Savannah Memorial site and suggested that the Q)mmission stop by and take a look at it. Mr. Bye also stated that staff has been working on the Barn at Trott Brook Farms. The playground and sandbox have been completed at Fresno Park and both seem to be getting a lot of use. 8. Gty Recreation Update Michele McPherson, Director of Planning, presented the Gty Recreation update. The November-December program guide has been delivered. Recreation is very- excited about the new opportunities that they have available, including the new "U" pass. This is a pass that allows adults to try- fitness classes at their convenience. The Lions Park Center Open House was a success. Many people attended including several youth who visit the park almost every- day to skateboard, bike, or rollerblade outside. Gty Recreation feels that Lions Park would be an ideal location for a skate park. The Lions Club has expressed a willingness to help fund a skate park and the new Youth Director at Central Lutheran Church has also expressed an interest in being involved. e Recreation is in the process of developing a program called Girl Power for girls in 4th and 5th grades and a smaller version called Just 4 Girls for girls in 2nd and 3rd grades. This is a program sponsored by the US Department of Health and Human Services for girls between 9 and 14 years old. The program will kick off in J anuaty and will include activities to help promote a healthy lifestyle for girls, such as developing and strengthening their self-esteem and teaching them to make good decisions. Gty Recreation is holding Family Fright Night at Woodland Trails Park. Almost 100 people are registered so far and Recreation has received help from other city departments, organizations, and the public to help with this event. The Commission suggested that staff look at having some off-site parking such as the Golf Q)urse since parking is limited at Woodland Trails. 9A. Q)mmunity Events: Orono Park Grilling Shed Update: Eagle Scouts Art V olna and Eric Johnson presented an update on the Orono Park grilling shed. The shed is done and the only thing left to be completed is the sod. Mr. V olna and Mr. Johnson asked the Commission if they preferred that the sod be completed this fall or next spring. It was the consensus of the Commission to wait until the spring. e Mr. V olna and Mr. Johnson stated that they did raise money for this project but not enough to cover their expenses. Q)mmissioner Anderson informed Mr. V olna and Mr. Johnson that the Adult Softball league paid their remaining balance of $654.87 at Arrow Building Center. Mr. V olna's and Mr. Johnson's families paid for a portion of the expenses and the boys asked if the Q)mmission would consider reimbursing their families. It was the consensus of the Q)mmission to recommend reimbursement to the V olna and Johnson families because Park & Recreation Commission Minutes October 9, 2002 Page 3 e Art and Eric put many hours into the shed and the job would have been much more costly had it been completed by a contractor. COMMISSIONER ANDERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THE REIMBURSEMENT OF $871.10 TO ERIC JOHNSON AND ART VOLNA'S FAMILIES FOR THE REMAINING BAlANCE OF THE ORONO PARK GRILLING SHED PROJECT. COMMISSIONER POLSTON- HORK SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. The Commission thanked Mr. V olna and Mr. Johnson for their time and commitment to this project. 9.B. Land Use Cases: None 9.C. ParklTrail Development Issues 9.C.1. Landfill End Use Ms. McPherson stated that representatives from Elk River Landfill were in attendance to present the Landfill End Use Plan. Ms. McPherson stated that at this time the Commission is asked to listen to the presentation and suggest any changes. This item will be "set aside" until the end of 2003 and will come back for formal approval at that time. e Debra Dehn, Elk River Landfill Manager; Debra McDonald, Waste Management Engineer; and Augie Wong, URS (Waste Management Consultant) presented the Elk River Landfill End Use Plan. Mr. Wong stated they began working on the plan back in April with city staff, the Park and Recreation Commission, and Livonia Township members and four concept plans were established. The first and second plans are based on landscape restoration, the third on a recreation concept, and the fourth on a commercial/city park concept. Mr. Wong went on to explain the different sections of the plan. The Commission agreed that they liked the process that was used to establish the four concept plans. Commissioner Anderson stated that he would like to know who is going to fund the end use plan before the Commission makes any recommendations on it. Ms. McDonald stated that at this point it is much too early to know who will be funding the project but she stated that she has worked on this type of project in other communities and a large part of the balance was funded by commercial developers. 9.C.2. Neighborhood Ice Rink Policy Ms. McPherson presented the draft neighborhood ice rink policy to the Commission and asked that they review it and provide any comments or changes to staff. The City Council will be asked to adopt the policy for implementation for the 2002-2003 skating season at the October 21, 2002 meeting. The Commission discussed the policy and made two changes. e COMMISSIONER KUESTER MOVED TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD ICE RINK POLICY TO THE CITY COUNCIL WITH THE FOLLOWING CHANGES: Park & Recreation Commission Minutes October 9, 2002 Page 4 e Item #1 - Should be clarified so that neighbors may flood a rink on a paved surface without city approval as long as they follow the entire policy. If they would like to have a rink on a non-paved surface, city approval must be obtained prior to any flooding. Item #5 - The Commission would like the neighborhood to be responsible for the flooding of the rinks but with the condition that the City would help with flooding if needed as long as there is a ftre hydrant nearby. COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 9.C.3. Results of Snowmobile Information Meeting/Council Recommendation Ms. McPherson stated that an informational meeting on the proposed snowmobile and A TV ordinance changes was held on September 24, 2002 and was well attended by the public. The public submitted comments that can be summarized as follows: e Allow snowmobiling on private property regardless of lot size. Allow snowmobiling on County Road 1 from Highway 10 to County Road 33. Allow snowmobiling within the curb lines of city streets so that a resident living four blocks from the trailhead does not need to trailer their sled. Focus more on enforcement and ticketing those who violate the rules. Staff is recommending that the Commission reaffirm their original decision to recommend Council approval of Option 2 of the snowmobile map. COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK MOVED TO RECOMMEND CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF OPTION 2 OF THE SNOWMOBILE MAP WITH THE FOLLOWING CHANGES: Option 2 should reflect that it is okay for snowmobilers to access the trails through the no-snowmobiling zone on County Road 33. The snowmobile map should be changed to be identical to the A TV map. COMMISSIONER BRIGGS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-1. CHAIR PETERSON VOTED AGAINST. 9.CA. Lions Park Master Plan e Ms. McPherson stated that since City Recreation has been occupying Lions Park Center, a number of observations have been made by staff regarding potential park improvements. Lions Club member Jim Mulroy has also expressed a desire to construct a skate park in Lions Park. Staff agrees with Mr. Mulroy that Lions Park would be an appropriate place for a skate park as skateboarders and rollerbladers already use the handrails and steps as obstacles. Staff has identified the following needs for the park: expanded parking for large events, gentler slopes on the water body for safety reasons, fishing opportunities, trail replacement, and a filtered water play opportunity. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes October 9, 2002 Page 5 e Chris Leeseberg, Park Planner, presented the three options for the Lions Park Master Plan. The Commission reviewed the options and provided staff with some input as to what they would like to see. It was the consensus of the Commission that they would like to see a pool facility somewhere in the city, but they are not sure Lions Park would be the best location. The Commission also indicated that they believe there is a need for a skatepark and that Lions Park would be a great location as long as it was supervised. It was suggested that a meeting be set between the Commission, staff, and the Lions Cub to discuss the possibility of a skate park. Ms. McPherson indicated that she could schedule this. 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. Article: "Pay to Play Areas Inspire Suburbs" 4. Center for Community Committee Agenda & August 29, 2002 Minutes 11. Update on 9/16/02 City Council Meeting Ms. McPherson provided an update on the September 16, 2002, City Council Meeting in Commissioner DeWall's absence. e 12. Update on 9/24/02 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Nystrom provided an update on the September 24, 2002, Planning Commission Meeting. 13. Other Business There was no other business at this time. 14. Adiournment There being no further business, COMMISSIONER BRIGGS MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. The meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~q~ e Jessica Miller Recording Secretaty