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02-11-2004 PR MIN e MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT LIONS PARK CENTER WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY II, 2004 Members Present: Chair Peterson, Commissioners Anderson, Nystrom, Kuester, Jackett, Polston-Hork, and Paige Members Absent: None Staff Present: Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner; Michele Bergh, Recreation Manager; Terry 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 6:45 p.m. by Chair Peterson. 2. Consider February 11. 2004 Park & Recreation Commission Agenda Ms. McPherson added two items under Other Business: e - Utilities Commission Meeting Update - Royal Valley Park Update MOVED BY COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORKAND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JACKETT TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 11, 2004 PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3. Consider Minutes of January 14. 2004 Park & Recreation Commission Meeting MOVED BY COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORKAND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 14, 2004 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 4. Park & Recreation Commissioner to Attend February Planning Commission and City Council Meetings a. February 17. 2004 City Council Meeting Meeting has been cancelled. b. February 24. 2004 Planning Commission Meeting e Commissioner Polston-Hork will attend the February 24, 2004 Planning Commission Meeting. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes February 11, 2004 Page 2 e 5. Open Mike No one appeared for this item. 6. Neighborhood Meetings/Discussions: None 7. Park Development Progress Report Park Foreman, Terry Bye noted that because of the steady snowfall they have been busy clearing trails, rinks and streets. Commission Kuester asked how long the rinks would stay open. Mr. Bye stated that they would be open as long as the weather conditions are good for making and maintaining ice. 8. Gty Recreation Update e Recreation Manager, Michele Bergh reported that the second annual Cabin Fever event was held on January 31, 2004. Participation was down from last year due to the weather and a district-wide basketball tournament for grades 9 and under. Elk River Recreation is planning on running this event again in 2005 on the last Saturday in January. Ms. Bergh stated that the March-April Program Guide is now out. The guide also includes Lions Den Summer Camp, the new adult soccer league, the new house soccer league with TRSA, and T-ball information for summer. An Easter egg hunt will be held on April 10 at Woodland Trails, which is co-sponsored with the ERAHS National Honors Society and the YMCA. Ms. Bergh also shared that Elk River Recreation will be stepping up their advertising efforts to let people know there is no longer a non-resident fee. The Elk River Star News has been great about doing some articles for us. Ms. Bergh noted that the office is busy working on summer programming with the May- August Program Guide deadline approaching at the end of February. The department is also busy doing inventory on all of its equipment for summer. Ms. Bergh stated that the ice rinks are scheduled until February 16th, however with the cold weather they have decided to try to remain open for another week. Ms. Bergh will be providing a summary of the season at the March meeting. 9.A.1. BMXUpdate Joe Walters was in attendance to provide the Commission an update regarding activities at the Gty's BMX park located at the Youth Athletic Complex. Mr. Walters shared copies of the organization's financial statements to the Commission. Mr. Walters stated that there was a drop in riders on the track in 2003. Mr. Walters shared that this may be due to the first five races being cancelled due to the rainy weather. . Mr. Walters stated that they held several fundraisers out at the track that had been successful. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes February 11, 2004 Page 3 e Mr. Walters provided the Commission with a diagram of how they would like to change the track this year. Mr. Walters requested help from the City with equipment and manpower to help change the track. Park Foreman, Terry Bye stated that they could help with that project during normal hours this summer. Mr. Walters also requested help with the weeds and grass out at the track. Mr. Bye stated that he would have to wait and see what the maintenance schedule is like this summer. Mr. Walters also shared they are looking for new ways of advertising the BMX track and asked if it would be possible to be put in the Elk River Recreation Program Guide. Recreation Manager, Michele Bergh said that would be fine and information for the next Program Guide is due by the end of February. Mr. Walters also asked if it is possible to put a sign under the 165th Street name sign that says BMX track with an arrow. Ms. McPherson stated that that it is a MNDOT sign and that it probably would not be possible, but they would have to contact them. 9 A.2. Consider Woodland Trails "Wheels to Shoes" Fundraiser Recreation Manager, Michele Bergh stated that Mike Niziolek with the Wheels to Shoes organization is requesting use of Woodland Trails for a running/walking event on Saturday, July 10, 2004 from 9-11am. This event is a fundraising event for the Courage Center and they are hoping for approximately 250 people. e Ms. Bergh stated that the route has already been approved from the Elk River Police Department. Ms. Bergh also stated the Police Department wanted certified medical staff or volunteers on hand at the event. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM TO APPROVE USE OF WooDIANDS TRAILS FOR THE WHEELS TO SHOES RACE FOR MOBILITY WITH NO FEES OR DEPOSITS FOR USE OF THE PARK. THE GROUP WILL ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY EXPENSES INCURRED SUCH AS EXTRA PORTABLE TOILETS OR POLICE RESERVES AS NEEDED/REQUIRED. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 9.B.1. Concept Plan Discussion - Orrin Thomson Homes Ray Baird from Orrin Thomson Homes presented a preliminary concept plan regarding park dedication requirements for a residential development on approximately 220 acres currently owned by the Miske family. The developer was seeking direction from the Park and Recreation Commission regarding park dedication requirements for this development. After much discussion the Commission decided they would like the following changes to happen to the concept plan: e 1. Expand the park in the lower part of the development to at least five acres. 2. Add an additional park to the north end of the concept plan. 3. Change the central public park area into private open space. 4. Indicate what will be sidewalks and trails. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes February 11, 2004 Page 4 e 9.B.2. Consider Park Dedication for P 04-02 - Woodland Hills Park Planner Chris Leeseberg reviewed the request to consider park dedication for a 135 lot preliminary plat. The subject property is located between the Elk River Country Club to the north and Nordic Woods to the south with County Road 1 on the west and the Great Northern Trail to the east. The 47-acre property is heavily wooded with moderate topographic changes. The 135-lot plat will have one access point off of County Road 1 and three other connections into Nordic Woods. Sidewalks are being proposed on most streets with two trail connections to the Great Northern Trail. The Commission agreed they would like to see a minimum 200- foot buffer from property line to property line running parallel to the Great Northern Trail with two connections to the railroad grade. The southern trail connection will have to be heavy duty for trucks to access the well house. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM TO RECOMMEND TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND CITY COUNCIL SEVEN ACRES OF LAND WITH A 200 FOOT BUFFER TO THE GREAT NORTHERN TRAIL WITH A TRAIL CONNECTION ON THE NORTHERNLY END AND SOUTHERNLY CONNECTION WITH ACCESS TO THE WELL SITE. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 9.C.1. Consider Recommendation re: Consultant to Complete NRI e Director of Planning, Michele McPherson stated that the Greenway subcommittee, comprised of Commissioners Nystrom, Paige and Polston-Hork, in addition to staff, reviewed the six submitted proposals, ranked them, and selected four consultants to interview. The subcommittee has selected Bonestroo and Associates as the preferred consultant to complete the Natural Resources Inventory at a cost of $33,430.00. Ms. McPherson stated that Bonestroo had indicated that they could complete the inventory within this season and present a final report in October of 2004. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE TO RECOMMEND BONESTRoo AND ASSOCIATES TO COMPLETE THE GREENWAY/NATURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER AND TO INCLUDE A PARK AND RECREATION FIELD TRIP WITH THE CONSULTANTS DURING THE FIELDWORKAND THE PROJECT BE COMPLETED BY OCTOBER 2004. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 9.C.2. Lions Park Center Remodeling Park Planner, Chris Leeseberg shared plans for the proposed changes to the interior of Lions Park Center. Staff is currently obtaining quotes to complete the work. The Lions Club will be given an update at their March meeting. The Council will consider the plans at their March 15, 2004 meeting. Work is slated to begin shortly thereafter with a completion date of June 1, 2004. . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes February 11, 2004 Page 5 e 9.C.3. Review CIP Budget and Proiects David Badger - 19495 Auburn Street was present to ask the Commission if they plan on finishing the Highlands East/West Park that was talked about at the May 2003 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. Director of Planning, Michele McPherson shared with the Commission the Capital Improvements Project spreadsheets and shared the history of how the Capital Improvements Budget is created. The Commission discussed Highlands East/West Park and concurred they would like to work on including benches, a full basketball court and trails, but concurred that the trails would be deferred until planning could start in late 2004. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO AMEND THE 2004 CIP BUDGET TO ADD $10,000 TO ADD A BASKETBALL COURT, LANDSCAPING AND PICNIC TABLES TO THE HIGHLANDS EAST/WEST PARK. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 10. Information/Update Items This information was presented to the Commissioners in their packets. No action was required. e A. Land Use Cases: None B. ParklTrail Developments: 1. Park Dedication Fund Balance 2. Woodland Trails Donations 3. YMCA Update 4. Oty News - New Brighton's Tobacco-Free Parks 11. Update on January 20.2004 Oty Council Meeting Commissioner Jackett provided an update on the January 20,2004 Oty Council meeting. 12. Update on January 27.2004 Planning Commission Meeting There were no park related items on the agenda. 13. Other Business 1. Utilities Update Director of Planning, Michele McPherson shared with the Commission that she attended the Utilities Commission meeting and shared with the Commission the Park and Recreation Commissions feelings about the request for $3,050 for maintenance costs of the park. Ms. McPherson stated that the Utilities Commission respectfully declined the request by the Park and Recreation Commission. e Park & Recreation Conunission Minutes February 11, 2004 Page 6 - MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO INCLUDE THE COST OF MAINTENANCE OF ROYAL VALLEY PARK IN THE 2004 CIP BUDGET. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 2. Royal Valley Park Update Ms. McPherson reported that Mr. Burandt has agreed to install a woven wire fence around the newly planted prairie at his expense. He would like to continue to pasture his cows within Royal Valley Park. He asked that the $100 fee be waived for 2004. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER]ACKETT TO ALLOW A WOVEN WIRE FENCE THAT WOULD BE REMOVED WHEN IT BECOMES A PARK TO BE INSTALLED AT MR. BURANDT'S EXPENSE AND WAIVE THE $100 FEE FOR PASTURING FOR 2004. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 14. Adiournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:55pm. Respectfully submitted, e RaeAnn Gardner Recording Secretary e