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01-08-2003 PR MIN e MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8,2003 Members Present: Chair Peterson, Commissioners Anderson, Nystrom, Kuester, Polston- Hork, and Jackett Members Absent: None Staff Present: Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner; Phil Hals, Park/Street Superintendent; T eny Bye, Park Foremen; and Jessica Miller, Recording Secretaty 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 7:03 p.m. by Chair Peterson. 2. Consider J anruuy 8. 2003 Park & Recreation Commission Agenda COMMISSIONER KUESTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 8,2003 PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSIONER ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. e 3. Consider Minutes of November 13. 2002 Park & Recreation Commission Meeting COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORKMOVED TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 13, 2002 PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES. COMMISSIONER NYSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 4. Park & Recreation Commissioner to Attend Januaty Planning Commission and City Council Meetings a. J anu;uy 21. 2003 City Council Meeting No representation is required at the Januaty 21,2003 City Council meeting. b. Januaty 28. 2003 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Kuester will attend the Janu;uy 28, 2003 Planning Commission meetIng. 5. Open Mike e Kathy Straus, 11204 195m Ave NW, presented the Commission with a petition signed by over 50 people stating that they would like the Highlands East Park (formerly Hillside 5th) developed. They would like the park to be completed in the spring or summer of 2003. Chair Peterson stated that previously when plans to develop the park were presented, residents came forward with a petition for the Commission to not develop the park. The Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Januaty 8,2003 Page 2 e Commission will accept the petition and provide it to the City Council at their January 21 update to the Council. Ms. McPherson stated that a new neighborhood meeting will have to be held before plans for the park can proceed. This will allow new residents to see the set of plans that are in place for this park and to make any adjustments to it. It will also allow the residents that were previously not in favor of the park being developed to voice their concerns. If the Council approves the park plans, money could be set aside in the 2003 Capital Improvement Plan budget for the park. The Commission agreed to hold a neighborhood meeting for this issue at the February meeting. 6. Neighborhood Meetings/Discussions: None 7. Park Development Progress Report: T eny Bye Park Foreman T eny Bye stated that due to the lack of snowfall, the Public Works Department has had time to complete other projects. Mr. Bye stated that many dead and nuisance trees have been trimmed and/or removed from Woodland Trails, Camp Cozy, and from behind the bam at Trott Brook. Public Works has also been removing tree houses from City parks. Public Works continues to flood and maintain the ice rinks. Mr. Bye indicated that the turnout at the rinks has been great. 8. City Recreation Update e The Recreation Department's first year as an official City department was 2002. Throughout the year they had approximately 8,300 registrations, compared to 7,500 in 2001 for Elk River programs under the Joint Power Agreement. In November 2002, Recreation implemented an adult U Pass wellness program. This program has been a great success and allows adults to attend classes at their convenience. Beginning in 2003, City employees who work at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis as defined by the employee manual are able to participate in all adult wellness programs offered by the Recreation Department at a discounted rate of one-half of the resident fee. This will encourage employees to participate in the Recreation programs as part of the opportunities offered by the Wellness Committee. The Wellness Committee was formed a couple of months ago to help promote health and wellness for all employees and to get employees involved. A kickoff event will be held later this month and some of the other items scheduled are: fitness consultations, brown bag seminars on nutrition and stress, a walking program, a blood drive, Relay for Life team, and much more. Registration has begun for the annual ice show at the Arena. The theme this year is Beauty and the Beast. Approximately 90 participants have attended in past years, and the same number is expected this year. e Park & Recreation Commission Minutes January 8, 2003 Page 3 e 9.A. Community Events 9A.1. Consider Resignations of Commissioners DeWall and Sladek Commissioners DeWall and Sladek have submitted their resignations to the Park and Recreation Commission. Both Commissioners feel the need to resign due to time commitments with family and business. Staff recommends that the Commission accept both resignations with regrets and recommend the same to the City Council. COMMISSIONER KUESTER MOVED TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATIONS OF COMMISSIONER DEWALL AND COMMISSIONER SLADEK WITH REGRETS AND RECOMMEND THE SAME TO THE CITY COUNCIL. COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 9A.2. Consider Update on Hillside Park by BLAST Bob Mueller from BLAST was in attendance to provide the Commission with an update on Hillside City Park. Mr. Mueller stated that he is very impressed with how well the trails have held up. He stated that many people use the trails, both from Elk River and from other communities. Mr. Mueller stated that during the summer months there are about 30 cars in the parking lot at any given time. e Mr. Mueller suggested that a user fee be set for non Elk River residents. He believes that a small yearly fee be charged which would cover the cost for maintaining the trails and for trail! park improvements. He suggested that Elk River residents be given a seasonal pass free of charge. Mr. Mueller believes that volunteers that come from other communities to help with the trails should also be rewarded with free seasonal passes. Michele McPherson suggested that this issue be brought to the Park and Recreation Sub-Committee to discuss. Mr. Mueller stated that he would like to see something implemented before this year's riding season, which normally begins on May 1. Ms. McPherson stated that she wasn't sure if fees could be set and implemented this year, but possibly donations could be taken for the 2003 season and fees implemented for the 2004 season. Mr. Mueller would like to hold clinics with the Recreation Department once or twice a year to show people about the sport and the basics of riding. Mr. Mueller also stated that BLAST would like to hold larger events in May and September as they have done in previous years. He will be in contact with Michele Bergh to coordinate these events. 9.B. Land Use Cases: None 9.C. Park/Trail Development Issues: Consider 2003 CIP Budget Items e Director of Planning Michele McPherson reviewed the 2003 Capital Improvements Budget with the Commission. Ms. McPherson stated that revenues in 2002 totaled $516,429 compared to the estimated $244,145. Expenditures totaled $340,922, compared to the proposed $233,950. The preliminatyyear-end 2002 balance is $951,261. Staff is recommending a trimmed down plan for 2003. Ms. McPherson stated that 2003 will be a "clean up" year. This will be a chance to go back to the parks worked on in the last three years and finish them up. Baldwin, Barrington, Joplin, Mississippi Oaks, Fresno, and Riverplace are the main parks in which work needs to be completed. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes January 8, 2003 Page 4 e In addition to the cleanup items, Ms. McPherson asked the Commission to consider three major construction projects as follows: . Winterizing the Trott Brook Barn - Staff must evaluate whether the siding should be removed, sheathing installed, and the barn re-sided prior to the insulating and completion of the interior. This would allow year-round use of the barn for the City and for private activities. The cost of winterizing the barn is unknown at this time, and staff will come back to the Commission and Council for approval on this item. . Construction of the concession stand at the Youth Athletic Complex - Youth Baseball has obtained material donations for construction of the concession stand. Volunteers or pro-bono labor has not been procured so staff is currently obtaining quotes from contractors to complete this work. Once quotes have been submitted and evaluated, staff will bring them back to the Commission. . Lions Park - Staff anticipates installing the lights, and if money can be approved and fundraising completed, they would like to complete Phase 1 of a Skate Park. Ms. McPherson stated that staff met with the Lions Club regarding the Lions Park Master Plan. The ideas of the Commission along with those of the Lions were put into the Final Master Plan. Some of the changes made were: a larger parking lot, crossing over water, skate park. e A public meeting was held J anuaty 2, 2003 to discuss with the public the development of a skate park. Eighteen members including parents and skaters were in attendance. The youth skateboarders were challenged by Chair Peterson and former Mayor Jim T ralle to plan the park and fundraising activities. They will come to the March Commission meeting to discuss their plans and seek support. There is a grant opportunity available through the Tony Hawk Foundation for up to $25,000 for the development of a skate park. Staff is also discussing with the Lions the level of financial assistance they would be willing to put into this project. COMMISSION POLSTON-HORK MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO ACCEPT THE LIONS PARK MASTER PIAN WITH PHASE 1 OF THE SKATE PARKAS PRESENTED WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE COULD BE POTENTIAL CHANGES IN THE FUTURE. COMMISSIONER NYSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. The Commission took no action on approving a list of construction materials for 2003 and on recommending a dollar amount for implementation of the Lions Park Skate Park. The Commission will review these items at the February meeting. 10. Information/Update items (No discussion or presentation unless requested) A. Land Use Cases - None B. Park/Trail Developments: e 1. Park Dedication Fund Balance - November, December 2. River City Snow Riders Newsletter - November, December 3. Center for Community Center Minutes Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Januaty 8, 2003 Page 5 e 4. Article: "Unhappy Trails, Till They Meet Again" 5. Park Dedication Survey 2003 11. Update on December 16. 2002 Gty Council Meeting Commissioner Polston-Hork provided an update on the December 16, 2002 Gty Council meeting. 12. Update on December 17. 2002 Planning Commission Meeting There was no representation required at the December 17, 2002 Planning Commission meeting. 13. Other Business Michele McPherson stated that approximately 100 snowmobile stickers have been given out so far and probably many more will be given out once the snow falls. Ms. McPherson also stated that the only negative comment that she has received so far is that the stickers are too large. 14. Adiournment e There being no further business, COMMISSIONER POLSTON -HORK MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. The meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~1~ Jessica Miller Recording Secretary e