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03-12-2003 PR MIN e MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2003 Members Present: Chair Peterson, Commissioners Anderson, Nystrom, Kuester, Polston- Hork, Jackett, and Paige Members Absent: None Staff Present: Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner; Phil Hals, Park/Street Superintendent; Michele Bergh, 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 7:10 p.m. by Chair Peterson. 2. Consider March 12. 2003 Park & Recreation Commission Agenda COMMISSIONER ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MARCH 12, 2003 PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSIONER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. e 3. Consider Minutes of Februaty 12. 2003 Park & Recreation Commission Meeting COMMISSIONER KUESTER MOVED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 12,2003 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. COMMISSIONER JACKETT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 4. Park & Recreation Commissioner to Attend March Planning Commission and City Council Meetings a. March 17. 2003 City Council Meeting Commissioner Anderson will attend the March 17, 2003 City Council Meeting. b. March 25. 2003 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Nystrom will attend the March 25, 2003 Planning Commission Meeting. 5. Election of Chair and Vice Chair Commissioner Anderson nominated Duane Peterson to serve as Chair of the Commission. The nomination was seconded by Commissioner Nystrom. Having no further nominations, the nominations were closed. e COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORKMOVED TO ELECT COMMISSIONER PETERSON CHAIR UNTIL 2004 ON A WHITE BALLOT. COMMISSIONER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Park & Recreation Cormnission Minutes March 12, 2003 Page 2 e Commissioner Kuester nominated Commissioner Polston-Hork to serve as Vice Chair. Commissioner Anderson seconded the nomination. COMMISSIONER NYSTROM MOVED TO CLOSE THE NOMINATIONS AND TO ELECT COMMISSIONER DAWN POLSTON-HORK VICE CHAIR UNTIL 2004 ON A WHITE BALLOT. COMMISSIONER ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 6. Neighborhood Meetings/Discussions: Meadowvale Heights Park Ms. McPherson presented the two options for the development of Meadowvale Heights Park. She explained that the two plans are very similar. Both include walking trails and an active playground area at the north end of the park. Option 2 is different from Option 1 in that two walking loops have been created as part of the park plan. Ms. McPherson explained that the City would be requesting funding assistance from the Department of Natural Resources through its Open Space Grant Program. Chair Peterson opened the floor to public comment regarding the two development plans. e Dan Tveite, 13275 192 112 Avenue stated that he prefers Option 2. He asked if this would be a neighborhood versus a regional park. He stated that there is an active beaver colony within the park and they create impoundments and remove trees on a regular basis. He inquired as to whether or not a road would be constructed within the easement area which crosses his property. He stated that if it is a regional park; a parking lot would need to be provided within the park area. Terri Bostrom, 13301192 112 Avenue NW asked if the construction of the road to the park would be assessed to the adjacent property owners. She stated that she likes Option 2 as well because of the multiple loops. She stated she was concerned with the location of the parking lot as it would be adjacent to her house. She also asked if there would be a fence along the property line in order to prevent cars driven by teenagers from entering the park. Chair Peterson stated that it would be unlikely that the road construction would be assessed to the adjacent property owners. Ms. McPherson stated that as opposed to a road it may be a widened trail similar to the width of the railroad grade trail, which is approximately twelve feet in width. Jennifer Thorsland, 13101 Elgin Drive stated that she objects to a parking lot in the park as it would only bring more traffic to the park. She stated that she preferred that the use be limited only to the immediate surrounding neighborhood. Mike Thorsland, 13101 Elgin Drive asked if the Commission knew what the current crime statistics were for the park. He inquired as to the number of police calls to this area. e Ms. McPherson stated that she was not aware of any police calls to the park; however, she did not inquire of the Police Department as to the number of police calls. Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent, stated that the more use a park receives, there is a corresponding reduction in the number of police calls to the park facility. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes March 12, 2003 Page 3 e Doug Rogers, 19441 Lander Street NW asked if there were any plans to dredge the park and provide more open water. He also suggested that as opposed to a floating boardwalk system, use a series of earthen damns or land bridges to cross the wetland area. Ms. McPherson stated that the cost in wetland mitigation may be equal to the cost of purchasing floating boardwalks. Any wetland area that is filled is required to be mitigated at a 2-1 ratio under the State Wetland Conservation Act. Seeing no further public, Chair Peterson closed the public input. Commissioner Kuester stated that a floating boardwalk would connect the user more closely to the water and wetland area. Commissioner Anderson stated that he felt that it was important to provide a substantial play structure at the north end of the park even if additional fill and retaining walls were needed to provide a larger space for the playground area. 7. Park Development Progress Report Presented by Phil Hals e Mr. Hals stated that over the last month, staff has been working to renovate the parkway lights for use at Lions Park. The lights were modified from a two light pole to having a single light on the top of the pole. The lights were also rewired. He stated that picnic tables are under construction. These will replace the existing tables at Lions Park Center. The new picnic tables are constructed out of recycled plastic and square tubing. Mr. Hals stated that the YAC concession stand will be constructed this year. They uncovered the site in preparation for excavating the foundation and there is no problem with frost so the excavation can occur as soon as the contractor is ready to begin footings. Mr. Hals stated that ice at the rinks was maintained until mid February. 8. Gty Recreation Update Recreation Manager Michele Bergh provided an update to the Commission from the Recreation Department. Her update included a review of ice skating at Handke and Lions Park, fitness instructor training, first aid/CPR certification, Girl Power, use of Lions Park Center, and Boys and Girls Oub programming. Ms. Bergh stated that the Lions provided a $500 donation to help with the summer Entertainment in the Park program and that Crow River Rental will be a sponsor for some of the programs, and as a result have reduced their rental rates to the Recreation Department. The summer brochure has been sent to the printer and will be distributed in early April. e Park & Recreation Commission Minutes March 12, 2003 Page 4 e 9A.1. Community Events: Recommend Member of the Commission to Serve on the Ice Arena Commission Ms. McPherson reviewed the need to recommend a member to serve on the Ice Arena Commission. Arthur Jackett volunteered to serve on the Ice Arena Commission. 9.B.1. Land Use Cases: P 03-02 - Kingdom Estates - Preliminary Plat Ms. McPherson reviewed the preliminary plat of Kingdom Estates. The request is for a six lot subdivision on 60 acres located in the Al, Agricultural Conservation District. There is an existing single family home on the lot. In addition to the preliminary plat, there is a "ghost plat" for Lot 2 Block 2 showing a possible future further subdivision should the zoning requirements change for the parcel. Staff recommends cash dedication for five lots in the plat. Commissioner Kuester requested further information regarding a future subdivision: What would the park dedication requirements be and should the Lot 2 Block 2 be further subdivided? Ms. McPherson stated that cash for any additional lots could be requested at the time Lot 2 Block 2 is further subdivided. e Commissioner Anderson asked if the site could be subdivided under the cluster subdivision standards. Ms. McPherson stated yes. Commissioner Paige stated that he would be interested in looking at how this site fits into the larger picture in regards to area-wide or community parks. COMMISSIONER NYSTROM MOVED TO RECOMMEND CASH DEDICATION FOR FIVE LOTS AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF. COMMISSIONER ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 9.B.2. AS 03-01 - Hildenbrand Administrative Subdivision Ms. McPherson reviewed the request for an Administrative Subdivision of one lot. She reviewed the existing parcel of 108 acres. The subdivision will create a 3.5 acre site. The subject property is located in the Al, Agricultural Conservation District. The Commission discussed the opportunities for future subdivision and how much land may be available at that time. It may be possible to add additional land to park 34, the 26 acres located in Ridges of Rice Lake subdivision. COMMISSIONER KUESTER MOVED TO RECOMMEND CASH DEDICATION FOR ONE LOT. COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 9.C.1. Park/Trail Development Issues: Discuss Riverwalk Concepts e Ms. McPherson briefly reviewed the history of the Riverwalk proposals in downtown Elk River. She stated that the City has entered into a preliminary development agreement with MetroPlains to redevelop a portion of downtown. An issue that has been raised by the liRA and developer is the status and! or development of the Riverwalk. The Riverwalk concept Park & Recreation Commission Minutes March 12, 2003 Page 5 e has been discussed for manyyears, the most recent 1995 in which a design was developed by the Hoisinton-Koegler Group. At this time, staff is requesting guidance from the Commission regarding use of the Riverwalk., design of the Riverwalk, and ownership of the Riverwalk.. Commissioner Nystrom asked about the acquisition of easements along the river, as there is not a lot of public land adjacent to the river. Commissioner Kuester stated that during the Art Soup Festival when the floating stage was in place, it really provided a solid connection to the river. He stated that a Riverwalk. could celebrate the history of the Gty that stemmed from the river. Chair Peterson stated that he could see a trail, overlooks, a fishing pier, and multiple events occurring on the Riverwalk.. He suggested that the parking lot be relocated as in other communities as there is very little vehicular access along the Riverwalk.. Commissioner Paige stated that staff should think about creating a place and not just a connection to the river. Ms. McPherson stated that staff will prepare some preliminary design ideas for consideration at the April meeting. 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 Gty Snow Riders Newsletter 3. E-mail from John Dailey 4. Otsego Snowmobile Trails 11. Update on February 18. 2003 Gty Council Meeting Commissioner Kuester provided an update on the February 18, 2003 Gty Council meeting. 12. Update on February 25. 2003 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Anderson provided an update on the February 25, 2003 Planning Commission Meeting. 13. Other Business Ms. McPherson provided the Commission with a Comprehensive Plan update. e Park & Recreation Commission Minutes March 12, 2003 Page 6 e 14. Adiournment There being no further business, COMMISSIONER ANDERSON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. The meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Michele McPherson Director of Planning e e