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03-09-2005 PR MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9,2005 Members Present: Chair Peterson, Commissioners Kuester, Polston-Hork, Anderson, Paige and Niziolek Members Absent: Commissioner Nystrom "excused" Council Liaison: Council Member Gumphrey Staff Present: Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director; Rae Ann Gardner, Recording Secretary; Tonya Love, Recording Secretary 1. Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Vice Chair Polston-Hork. 2. Consider March 9. 2005 Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda Commissioner Anderson added Proctor and County Road 33 trail plan update under 9.3 and added Woodland Trails wetland update under 9.4. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO APPROVE THE MARCH 9, 2005 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Special Minutes of January 24. 2005 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 24,2005 PARKS AND RECREATION SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Consider Minutes of February 9. 2005 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 9, 2005 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Parks & Recreation Commissioner to Attend March 22. 2005 Planning Commission and March 21. 2005 City Council Meetings a. March 21. 2005 City Council Meeting Chair Peterson will attend the March 21, 2005 City Council Meeting. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes March 9, 2005 Page 2 b. March 22. 2005 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Niziolek will attend the March 22, 2005 Planning Commission Meeting. 5. Open Mike None 6. Recreation Manager's Report - Bill Maertz Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz presented to the Commission that the Parks and Recreation Department scheduled approximately 217 hours of facility use in February. 83.25 of this was at Lions Park Center, 5 hours at the barn, 44 hours took place at the Handke East Hockey Rink, and the remainder occurred at various other city facilities. Mr. Maertz also shared that there were 1,036 participants at the Lions Park ice rink and was open for 44 days during the season. Handke ice rink was open longer at 49 days and saw a total of 3,106 participants, an average of 64 people per night. Mr. Maertz stated there were almost 100 applicants for the Recreation Coordinator position. Chair Peterson arrives. 7. Director's Report - Bill Maertz Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared with the Commission information about a Restoration Grant for Highlands East Park. Mr. Maertz stated tha,t the entrance to Hillside Park off of Tyler St. has generated some complaints and staff is considering blocking off the entrance. Mr. Maertz shared with the Commission that Woodland Trails Donation Box was vandalized several times this year and are looking into other options for the future. Mr. Maertz stated that the Park Maintenance position will be advertised next week and will hopefully be filled by late April. Mr. Maertz shared that in return for hosting the sale of Christmas Trees at the Emporium site that Rum River Tree Farm will provide $1500.00 of live trees to the city. Mr. Maertz shared that there have been 200 trees removed from Windsor Park and a plan to manage the new open space. Mr. Maertz shared that the ER Star News Article about the Rivers Edge Commons had cost information that was out of date. 8.1. Community Events: None . . . Park & Recreation Commission :Minutes March 9, 2005 Page 3 Sol.A. Land Use Cases - Administrative Subdivision Cemstone Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz stated that applicant is proposing an Administrative Subdivision to create one new lot. The site is not large enough for land dedication and is outside any park target area. Staff recommends that the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend cash dedication for one lot. Commissioner Anderson questioned the amount of acres in the preliminary plat. Commissioner Paige questioned how the cash dedication would be calculated. Commission requested that Mr. Maertz get clarification on preliminary plat. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO TABLE DISCUSSION UNTIL APRIL 13, 2005 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING PENDING FURTHER INFORMATION. MOTION CARRIED 6-0 8.2.B. River Park 8.3.A. 8A.A. Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz updated the Commission regarding River Park development. Mr. Maertz shared that in order to have greater street frontage for all area residents, the southern park plan has been changed to 9 lots from the original 11 lots. Rain Garden at Orono Park Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared with the Commission plans for Orono Park Rain Garden. Mr. Maertz stated the total cost for this project is $16,262. The Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District will pay $12,197 (75%). The City of Elk River's share would be $4,066 (25%). The City of Elk River can substitute in-kind labor worth $2,969, leaving a balance of $1,097. Commissioner Anderson asked if there would be any tree removal and how it would affect the topography. Chair Peterson questioned the drainage from the north and south ends of the rain garden. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO RECOMMEND TO CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE AGREEMENT WITH THE SHERBURNE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVAITON DISTRICT TO CONSTRUCT A RAIN GARDEN AT ORONO PARK. MOTION CARRIED 6-0 Top of the World Grant Applications Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz presented information about the Top of the World Grant Applications and shared the proposed area to be purchased. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes March 9, 2005 Page 4 Commissioner Anderson shared concerns about losing the highest point of park with oak trees. Commissioner Kuester shared concerns that if after straightening the lot line we would have the power line area. lvlr. Maertz conftrmed that the power lines would not be paid for and that the high point referred to would be part of the agreement. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK TO RECOMMEND TO CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL TO PROCEED WITH THE TOP OF THE WORLD GRANT. MOTION CARRIED 6-0 9.1.A. Land Use Cases - River Park School Site Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz updated the Commission on the River Park School site. 9.2.A. 2005 Park Capital Improvement Plan Progress Report Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz presented to the Commission that staff is preparing Requests for Proposals for the various 2005 park improvements to move forward. Commissioner Anderson shared concerns about how charges for the ball fteld lighting will be handled during the high peak use times. 9.3.A Proctor and County Road 33 Trail Commissioner Anderson shared concerns over what type of trail is planned for the area of Proctor and County Road 33. Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that the goal is for a 10 foot wide trail and that the County has not approached Parks and Recreation staff about their plan. 9.4.A Woodland Trails Wetland Commissioner Anderson shared concerns about the wetland area in Woodland Trails. Commissioner Kuester shared concerns that the issue should be acted on more swiftly and there needs to be a staff person championing this issue. Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz stated he will gather information for the April Park and Recreation Commission meeting. 10.1. Update February 22. 2005 City Council Meeting Commissioner Nystrom was absent, no update given. . . . Park & Recreation Commission :Minutes March 9, 2005 Page 5 10.2. Update on February 25.2005 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Niziolek provided an update on the February 25, 2005 Planning Commission Meeting. 11. Other Business Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that at the next City Council workshop meeting they will consider the establishment of the proposed NRI task force. Commissioner Anderson questioned if the Commission needed to appoint members to the potential task force and recommended Commissioner Paige and Commissioner Nystrom to represent the Park and Recreation Commission and Commissioner Polston-Hork to be an alternate. Chair Peterson shared concerns that members should be appointed today if the task force will be approved as early as March 14. Commissioner Anderson asked for clarification on when elections were for the Commission Officer positions. Chair Peterson stated in April. 12. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:29 pm. Respectfully submitted, ~~ Tonya Love Recording Secretary