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04-14-2004 PR MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT LIONS PARK CENTER WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2004 Members Present: Chair Peterson, Commissioners, Nystrom, Polston-Hork, Paige and Niziolek Members Absent: Commissioners Anderson and Kuester Staff Present: Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner; Phil Hals, Park/Street Superintendent; Terry Bye, Park Foreman; Michele Bergh, Recreation Manager; 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 6:37 p.m. by Chair Peterson. 2. Consider the April 14. 2004 Park & Recreation Commission Agenda Commissioner Polston-Hork added an update on Ice Arena under Other Business. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORKAND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM TO APPROVE THE APRIL 14,2004 PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider the Minutes of March 10. 2004 Park & Recreation Commission Meeting MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK TO APPROVE THE MARCH 10,2004 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Park & Recreation Commissioner to Attend April 29. 2004 Planning Commission and April 19. 2004 City Council Meetings a. April 19 . 2004 City Council Meeting Commissioner Kuester will attend the April 19 , 2004 City Council Meeting. b. April 27. 2004 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Anderson will attend the April 27, 2004 Planning Commission Meeting. 5. Open Mike No one appeared for this item. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes April 14, 2004 Page 2 6. Neighborhood Meetings/Discussions: None 7. Park Development Progress Report Park Foreman, T eny Bye noted that the department is gearing up for the season. They have opened the Hillside Park early and will continue to monitor the trail conditions when it rains. Mr. Bye also stated that they have replaced the worn out fencing at the Orono Softball Complex and that the Adult Softball League paid for the replacement. They replaced about half of the fence. Mr. Bye shared that the Youth Baseball volunteers came and hung OSB at the Youth Athletic Complex and the plumber was also working out at the complex. Due to new regulations they will not be allowed to use the sink that was left from the City Hall construction. T eny Bye is looking into purchasing a new sink. Mr. Bye stated that the electrician was working on the Youth Athletic Complex concession stand. They now have power to the stand and running out to the batting cage and holding tank. Mr. Bye shared that fields Five and Six have been requested for practice by May 1st. Mr. Bye stated that after the road restrictions are lifted they would haul ag lime out to the fields. Mr. Bye stated that Case Hayward is back working for the department for the summer. Case is in the process of watering trees at the Youth Athletic Complex. Case will also be going over the ball fields to pick up thatch to make them look nice. Mr. Bye shared that the plumber has been out at Trott Brook Barn and everything has been installed. The plumber needs to come back and replace the toilets that were not handicap accessible; they also need to move the water fountain to make it handicap accessible. Mr. Bye also shared that the ceramic tile is complete and the painter will be there next week. Mr. Bye stated that things should be close to running by May 1, 2004. Mr. Bye stated that he was approached about having a clean up day at Windsor Park on April 24th. The resident wanted to know if the Streets Department would be interested in helping with pick up. The resident also asked Mr. Bye about the plans for the park. Mr. Bye also shared that Sentence to Serve was out and helped with the Great River Energy hill to remove under brush and they were also out at the Youth Athletic Complex and the prairie by Elk River Bowl. Commissioner Niziolek shared that Ditch 31 looks like it has been cleared and the water level appeared to have decreased. Commissioner Niziolek also shared he was concerned about the trail and that it when they are finished clearing Ditch 31 will have to be leveled so that the cross country running team does not get hurt. 8. City Recreation Update Recreation Manager, Michele Bergh shared a letter from Mike Roden with TRSA about working with the City to develop more soccer fields and a complex that could be centrally located in Elk River. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes April 14, 2004 Page 3 Ms. Bergh stated that the department is moving forward with plans to begin accepting Internet registrations this year. The department will be making the necessary adjustments and plan on having the system up and running for the September-October Program Guide. Ms. Bergh shared that the department is very excited about implementing this program and believe it will make things much easier for the customer. Ms. Bergh also shared that she had 6th grade visitors form Salk and VandenBerge through their Education to Employment program. The students came with a parent volunteer and worked on a math word problem about the Easter Egg Hunt to show how staff uses math in our daily work. Ms. Bergh reviewed the programs that are running during the month of March. Programs include Tumbling, Pee Wee Basketball, Parent and Tot Tumbling during the day, Preschool Tumbling, Parents Night Out and a 4 Square Tournament. Ms. Bergh stated that the department is working hard to increase its exposure and let people know about the programs and that there is no longer a non-resident fee. Ms. Bergh shared that they are already seeing a growth in non-residents calling with questions and to register for programs because of the change. Ms. Bergh also shared that they participated in the Business Expo, complete with a "Lions Den" and a lion roaming the halls of the high school. Ms. Bergh shared a couple of pictures from the Business Expo. Ms. Bergh also stated that they would be participating in the Meadowvale and Lincoln Elementary carnivals doing face painting and promoting programs. Ms. Bergh shared an update on facility use for the month of March, and shared that they are busy working with Adult Softball, Youth Baseball, Girls Softball and 1RSA to reserve summer field space. Ms. Bergh stated that they would be conducting a coaches training again for the Girls Softball on April 26th. Ms. Bergh explained that the training certifies Girls Softball coaches with National Alliance for Youth Sports. Ms. Bergh shared that the Wellness Committee is very busy with the Shape Up Challenge through Medica. The city has seven teams of five employees participating. Ms. Bergh stated that summer programming is almost complete and the first summer program guide was delivered on April 7th. Ms. Bergh stated that she did not have to do any outside advertising for summer staff almost all of them are returning from last summer. Ms. Bergh shared that the Easter Egg hunt was held at Woodlands Park on April 10th. Ms. Bergh stated that the National Honor Society students from the Elk River Senior High School were very helpful and great to work with. Ms. Bergh also shared that the Four Square Tournament was a huge success that was held here at Lions Park Center. Ms. Bergh shared that they are preparing to have a large family event on Wednesday, May 26th to promote summer programs. This event is also co-sponsored by the YMCA and will take place at Lions Park. They will have food, face painting, a moonwalk, pony rides and more. Ms. Bergh stated that they are gearing up to get the concessions stands up and running by the end of the month. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes April 14, 2004 Page 4 9.B.1. Affirm Recommendation for Woodland Hills Park Dedication Chair Peterson along with Commissioners Kuester and Anderson reviewed the recommendation that was made at the March 10, 2004 meeting to see what it would cost before sending the recommendation to City Council. Chair Peterson questioned if condemnation was good at this time and for this property use. Chair Peterson was worried that this might hurt the relationships with developers and City Council and could cost $300,000 to get 1.8 acres of land. Commissioner Peterson shared that they were concerned about the need for a road access to the wellhouse and that the Commission said they would place a playground in the development. Chair Peterson shared the following recommendations: 1. The road to the wellhouse be taken out. 2. The siting of the playground will be determined after the park has been marked. 3. The diameter of the cul-de-sac on the south end be reduced as much as possible to allow for easier security and to lessen the impact on the area. 4. That there be a consideration of a variance in the house setback from the road for those lots that back up to the park to allow for more trees to be saved. 5. That there be a vibratory plowing along the line - preferably in the development in front of the tree line to prevent the spread of oak wilt. 6. That there be a underplanting of White Pine as a screening along the property line. Commissioner Paige questioned if we needed to turn the 200- foot buffer into parkland. He wondered if they can pursue other means of protection such as conservation. Commissioner Niziolek made a recommendation to break it down into pieces and start with the road to the well house. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK TO DROP THE ROAD THAT LEADS TO THE WELLHOUSE FROM THE DEVELOPMENT PLANS. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The Commission discussed the need for a playground in the development. Commissioner Niziolek requested an explanation of why the Meadowvale School playground could not be used by the neighborhood. Director of Planning McPherson reviewed the site conditions at Meadowvale Elementary School. Commissioner Niziolek recommended taking two lots overlooking the Meadowvale wetland for the park and adding the two lots to the south east end. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORKAND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE TO RECOMMEND TAKING OUTLOT G AND LOTS 4 BLOCK 4 FORA NEIGHBORHOOD PARK, CREATE A BUFFER ALONG THE RAILROAD GRADE THROUGH PARK DEDICATION, AND CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ALONG WITH DOING PROACTIVE MEASURES TO PROTECT THE AREA FROM OAK WILT. MOTION CARRIED 5-0 . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Apri114,2004 Page 5 9.B.2. Consider Park Dedication AS 04-01 Thompson Addition 9.B.3. 9.B.4. Director of Planning, Michele McPherson reported the applicant is proposing to create a 10- acre parcel out of a 59-acre parcel. The subject property is outside of any area-wide or neighborhood park target area and would be too small to request land dedication. The site is adjacent to County Road 1 that contains wide roadside ditches. Ms. McPherson recommended that the Commission look at establishing a subcommittee to study the feasibility of off-street detached pedestrian facilities along County Road 1. Commissioner Nystrom shared that he does not believe a 100-foot right-of-way is enough and recommends they take 30 additional feet of land to make a 150-foot right-of-way. Commissioner Paige questioned if they would have enough room to go behind the pines with a trail. Ms. McPherson will get the County's plans for County Road 1 and share them at the next Park and Recreation Commission meeting. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK TO ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION FORA CASH DEDICATION FOR ONE LOT FOR PARK DEDICATION PURPOSES. MOTION CARRIED 3-2 Commissioner Nystrom and Commissioner Paige opposed. Consider Park Dedication AS 04-02 Wemer Addition Director of Planning, Michele McPherson reported the subject property is located east of Oeveland Street (County Road 40) approximately ~ mile north of County Road 12. Ms. McPherson shared that the applicant is requesting an administrative subdivision to create three lots out of a 19.31-acre parcel. Located on the property is a single-family home with multiple out buildings. A large electric line and easement cross the property from southeast to northwest. There is a low area through the westerly portion of the property. Ms. McPherson shared that the property is outside of a neighborhood park target area, and would not provide sufficient connected land area to provide a neighborhood park. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK TO ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL CASH DEDICATION FOR TWO LOTS. MOTION CARRIED 5-0 Consider Park Dedication P 04-08 Trout Brook Estates Park Planner, Chris Leeseberg reported the subject property is located adjacent to Trott Brook Farms and Oudot-K and east of County Road 13. The 115.56-acre property has a variety of highland, lowland, wedand and forested areas with moderate changes in topography. The plat will have one access point off of County Road 13 and one connection into Trott Brook Farms. The proposed plat is comprised of 55 single-family lots and 58 twinhome lots for a total of 171 units. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes April 14, 2004 9.C.1. 9.C.2. Page 6 Mr. Leeseberg shared that a trail corridor is being proposed from the cul-de-sac of Becker Trail to Street D. The Commission discussed the potential of connecting a trail corridor from the end of Becker Trail to the cul-de-sac of Street E. The Wetland Technical Evaluation Panel will not allow any wetlands to be filled for trail purposes. Mr. Leeseberg also shared that the potential location of a trail corridor to Street E has two storm water holding ponds that make it difficult if not impossible to provide this trail. Staff would recommend that the trail connection from Street D be moved west to between Lots 2 & 3, Block 16 and that the park boundary end at the southeast comer of Lot-3, Block 16. Commissioner Niziolek stated that he does not think it is good practice to put trail in people's back yards. Commissioner Paige would like to see the trail connection to Street E, and suggested moving the trail into Outlot K to move it away from the backyards. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PETERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE TO ACCEPT 9.31 ACRES OF PARK lAND IN OUTLOT G AND ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO MOVE THE TRAIL FROM LOTS 5 & 6 TO 2 & 3, BLOCK 16. MOTION CARRIED 5-0 Review Interview Questions - Park and Recreation Director Director of Planning, Michele McPherson gave an update on the applications received for the Park and Recreation Director job position. As of Apri114, 2004 the City had received 26 applications with six requests that had not been returned. Nine of these applications are from out of state. Ms. McPherson shared that staff will construct the questions for the interview. Commissioner Kuester, Commissioner Paige, Councilmember Dietz and Councilmember Tveite will be on the interview committee. Discuss Park Development Standard Operating Procedures Director of Planning, Michele McPherson shared a list that staff has created for park development and asked the Commission for any comments. Commissioner Polston-Hork would like to add the concept of review during plat approval. Commissioner Niziolek requested to add under number two, "natural, plant and animal " areas . Ms. McPherson will revise the list and bring it to the May Commission meeting for approval. 9.C.3. Discuss Big Tooth Ridge Park Development Plans Director of Planning, Michele McPherson asked if anyone had a chance to visit Big Tooth Ridge and if they have any thoughts or opinions on how the park should be developed. Commissioner Niziolek would like to see a walking trail with switchbacks. Start a walking trail system on the south backside of the wetland around to Ridgewood. Commissioner Niziolek stated that they need a definite barrier to define City property. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes April 14, 2004 Page 7 Conunissioner Peterson shared that the west end with the hill is a challenge to walk. Park/Street Superintendent Phil Hals shared that he can get a brush grinder to clean up the underbrush and limbs of the trees that have already been cut down. Conunissioner Niziolek warned that they will need to be careful not to btunp into any of the oak trees or oak wilt can take over. 10. Information/Update Items TIlls information was presented to the Conunissioners in their packets. No action was required. A. Land Use Cases: None B. Park/Trail Developments: 1. Park Dedication Fund Balance 2. YMCA Update 3. Article - "Grooming Garbage for Golf" 4. Article - "Ice Arena's Fate to be Decided Soon" 5. Article - "At this Library, There's Nothing to Check Out" 11. Update on March 15. 2004 Gty Council Meeting Co~ssioner Polston-Hork provided an update on the March 15, 2003 Gty Council meetmg. 12. Update on March 23. 2004 Planning Conunission Meeting Conunissioner Kuester was absent from the meeting. Conunissioner Peterson gave an update. 13. Other Business A. Ice Arena Update - Conunissioner Polston-Hork shared that at the March 10, 2004 Ice Arena Conunission meeting the Youth Hockey wanted to know if the Gty of Elk River would be interested in a partnership to have a rink using the old hockey boards from the barn side of the arena. Youth Hockey said they would maintain the rink. ~ark/Street Superintendent Phil Hals brought up warming house and staff costs as an Issue. Chair Peterson suggested putting together a small group from the Park and Recreation Conunission, staff and Youth Hockey Association to discuss possibilities for an outdoor rink. B. Director of Planning, Michele McPherson shared that the bids were opened for the paving projects for Lions Park and Highlands West; the total was $85,000. 14. Adiournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:42pm. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes April 14, 2004 Page 8 Respectfully submitted, Recording Secretary