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01-14-2004 PR MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT LIONS PARK CENTER WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2004 Members Present: Chair Peterson, Commissioners Anderson, Nystrom, Kuester, Jackett, Polston-Hork, and Paige Members Absent: None Staff Present: Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Michele Bergh, Recreation Manager; Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner; Phil Hals, Park/Street Superintendent; T eny Bye, Park Foreman; and Rae Ann Gardner, 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 6:40 p.m. by Chair Peterson. 2. Consider January 14. 2004 Park & Recreation Commission Agenda MOTION BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 14, 2004 PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3. Consider Minutes of December 10. 2003 Park & Recreation Commission Meeting MOTION BY COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORKAND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 10, 2003 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 4. Park & Recreation Commissioner to Attend January Planning Commission and City Council Meetings a. January 20. 2004 City Council Meeting Commissioner Jackett will attend the January 20, 2004 City Council Meeting. b. January 27.2004 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Kuester will attend the January 27, 2003 Planning Commission Meeting. 5. Open Mike No one appeared for this item. 6. Neighborhood Meetings/Discussions: None . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Janumy 14, 2004 Page 2 7. Park Development Progress Report Mr. Bye noted that they have finished putting the light poles at the sliding hill in Lions Park. Mr. Bye also stated that the conditions have been good for ice at the rinks at both Lions Park and Handke Stadium. Mr. Bye also shared they have removed about twenty trees from Big Tooth Ridge Park and would like to remove some tree branches in Oak Savannah Park. They would also like to remove tree branches in Windsor Park off of County Road 1 that have been leaning over the hiking trail. 8. Gty Recreation Update Michele Bergh reported that they are currendy working on the Marchi April Program Guide, which will include t-ball and summer day camp programs. The Recreation Department will also be partnering with 1RSA for youth and adult soccer. Ms. Bergh also stated that the ice at all the rinks has been good, the warming houses have been fully staffed, and the rinks have been busy. Rink attendants are seeing more hockey being played at Lions Park because of the new lighting. Ms. Bergh stated that the Facilities Committee met tonight for the last time until the fall. The Facilities Committee discussed the non-resident fee currendy being charged on all programs and decided to bring it Gty Council to have the non-resident fee removed. Ms. Bergh stated that Cabin Fever is being held January 31,2004 and that seventeen local businesses are participating in the free event. Ms. Bergh noted that the Gtyof Elk River Employee Wellness 101 kick-off will be held Tuesday, January 20th. Ms. Bergh also shared that they are working on making changes to the building to house Park and Recreation staff and new department. 9.A.1. Community Events: None 9.B.1. Consider Park Dedication - Case No. AS 03-05 Park Planner, Chris Leeseberg reported the subject property is located at the southwest comer of the intersection of 198m Avenue and Ironton Street. Located on the property are a single-family dwelling unit and three detached buildings. The proposal is to split the property into two parcels; Parcel A for the existing house totaling 2.79 acres, and Parcel B totaling 2.50 acres. The subject property is not located within a neighborhood park area, nor is it large enough to justify requesting land dedication. Due to the nature of the parcel, staff recommends cash dedication for one lot for the administrative subdivision request. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK TO ACCEPT THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION OF A CASH DEDICATION FOR ONE LOT FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE SUBDMSION REQUEST. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes January 14, 2004 Page 3 9.C.1. Royal Valley Park Update Director of Planning, Michele McPherson reviewed the written proposal for maintenance of the prairie planting and native deciduous planting of Hazelnut, Gray Dogwood, Common Chokecheny, and White Oak, not to exceed $1000 at Royal Valley Park. Bryan Adams, General Manager Elk River Utilities was present. Commissioner Peterson asked Mr. Adams if the Utilities Commission was agreeable to the recommendation presented. Mr. Adams stated that the Utilities Commission had no issue with paying for the tree plantings. The Commission does not feel they should have to do the maintenance of the park and feel they have done their share to fix the problem. Commissioner Anderson stated that he could do the 2006 Spring bum with volunteers and that would reduce the proposal by $675 bringing the total to $3,050. The Commission decided that they will have a couple of commissioners attend the Utilities Commission meeting in February and Michele McPherson will put together a memo to have Commissioner Peterson to sign to explain the position of the Commission. Commissioner Anderson shared that the neighbor has requested that he be able to install an electric fence to allow his cattle to continue to graze outside of the planted area. The Commission felt that the fence would not work and that the cows should remain out of the park. 9.C.2. 2000-03 CIP Proiect Status Report Director of Planning, Michele McPherson reviewed the memo on the Park Project Status Report. Ms. McPherson asked if the Commission had any questions on the information presented. The Commission had no comments. 9.C.3. 2004 CIP Proiect Discussion Director of Planning, Michele McPherson reviewed the 2004 CIP Budget. She stated that 2004 is a transitional year with the mid-year hiring of the Park and Recreation Director, and staff is suggesting a scaled-down 2004 Capital Improvements Budget, with fewer projects, all of which would be contracted out. The Commission discussed the 2004 CIP budget, the skate park and the need to get bids for the equipment. The Commission discussed adding $500 to the purchase of doggie bag pet waste bag dispensers for related trash cans. The Commission also discussed adding a project for the design and construction of a trail in Big Tooth Park in the amount of $7,000 which brought the total 2004 CIP Budget to $225,000. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JACKETT TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE 2004 CIP BUDGET WITH THE FOLLOWING CHANGES: 1. ADD AN ADDITIONAL $500 TO THE PURCHASE OF DOGGIE BAG PET WASTE BAG DISPENSERS; AND, . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes January 14, 2004 Page 4 2. ADD BUDGET ITEM FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A TRAIL FOR BIG TOOTH IN THE AMOUNT OF $7000; BRINGING THE TOTAL 2004 CIP BUDGET TO $225,000. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. The Commission requested a ten-year CIP budget for the next Commission meeting. 9.C.4. Tobacco Free Recreation Director of Planning, Michele McPherson reviewed the memo showing sample policies from the cities of Owatonna and Grand Rapids, Minnesota given to the City by Jennifer Eide from Sherburne County Health as requested by the Park and Recreation Commission at their December 10, 2003 meeting. Staff drafted a revised version of the Grand Rapids policy, as it was similar to the Elk River situation in regards to the Orono Athletic Complex. The Commission was asked to discuss the issue of tobacco free recreation. Commissioner Polston-Hork stated that she believed the policy should say no smoking at youth activities. Commissioner Polston-Hork requested that staff research if this goes against a person's constitutional rights and see if other cities have similar policies. Commissioner Polston-Hork suggested tabling the issue until more research is completed. Commissioner Paige stated that he felt all parks should be tobacco-free as the use of tobacco is very offensive and sends the wrong message to the youth in the community. Having signs in place would help ordinary citizens enforce the policy. Commissioner Kuester shared that he is not sure how the policies could be enforced. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER JACKETT, SECONDED BY COMMISSION PETERSON TO TABLE THE TOBACCO-FREE PARK POLICY UNTIL THE JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 10. Information/Update Items This information was presented to the Commissioners in their packets. No action was required. A. Land Use Cases: None B. Park/Trail Developments: 1. Park Dedication Fund Balance 2. Woodland Trails Donations 11. Update on December 15. 2003 City Council Meeting All Commissioners provided an update on the December 15, 2003 City Council meeting. . . . Park & Recreation Connnission Minutes January 14, 2004 Page 5 12. Update on December 16. 2003 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Jackett provided an update on the December 16, 2003 Planning Commission Meeting. 13. Other Business A. Sign Request by Elk River Lions Tony Mikols attended the meeting to request approval of three signs for Lions Park Center. The Lions are proposing a wall sign for the north face of the building in the gable area, which will say "Lions Park Center" in red 12-inch letters and include the Lions dub logo. The Lions have elected to dedicate the meeting room to Les Anderson, the Lions member instrumental in envisioning the building and encouraging its construction. They would like to identify the meeting room as the "Lion Les Anderson Community Room". The third sign will be a larger sign (2'x6') inside the meeting room which will include a slogan acknowledging the past, present and future of the community, the Lions involvement in the building/meeting room, and that the community room is for the enjoyment of all Elk River citizens. The Lions dub will be purchasing the signs and paying for their installation. The Commission suggested adding the Elk River City logo along with the Lions logo on the north end of the building. The Commission also suggested putting "Lions Park Center" all on one line possibly in ten-inch letters in the gable area. Mr. Mikols agreed to this redesign. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO RECOMMEND THE CITY COUNCIL ALLOW THESE SIGNS TO BE PLACED IN AND ON LIONS PARK CENTER WITH CHANGES TO THE OUTSIDE SIGN ON GABLE TO INCLUDE THE CITY OF ELK RIVER LOGO. MOTION CARRIED 7-0 B. Greenway Update Director of Planning, Michele McPherson stated that she has sent out requests for proposals to nine firms. The deadline to submit proposals is Tuesday, January 20, 2004 by noon. The Greenway Subcommittee will interview consultants on February 3, 2004. C. Park and Recreation Director Job Description Ms. McPherson distributed packets to all Commissioners and requested that they look over the information and write down any of their ideas and have them back to her no later that February 2nd and she will compile them and have them for the February 11, 2004 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes January 14, 2004 Page 6 14. Adiournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:15pm Respectfully submitted, ~~~ Recording Secretary