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04-13-2005 PR MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2005 Members Present: Chair Peterson, Commissioners Kuester, Polston-Hork, Anderson, Paige, Nystrom and Niziolek Staff Present: Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director; Michele Bergh, Recreation Manager; Ross Demant, Recreation Coordinator; T onya 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 6:32 p.m. by Chair Peterson. 2. Consider April 13. 2005 Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORKAND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE APRIL 13, 2005 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3. Consider Minutes of March 9. 2005 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting MOVED BY COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORKAND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM TO APPROVE THE MARCH 9,2005 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 4. Election of Chair and Vice Chair/Parks & Recreation Commissioner to Attend April 18. 2005 City Council Meeting and April 26. 2005 Planning Commission Meetings MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO RE-ELECT CHAIR PETERSON AND VICE CHAIR POLSTON-HORK. Commissioner Anderson nominates Commissioner Nystrom for Chair; Commissioner Nystrom declines the nomination. Commissioner Anderson nominates Commissioner Paige for Chair; Commissioner Paige declines the nomination. Commissioner Anderson nominates Commissioner Polston-Hork for Chair and Commissioner Paige for Vice Chair. The maker and seconder of the first motion were agreeable to withdraw their first motion. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO ELECT COMMISSION POLSTON-HORKAS . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes April 13, 2005 Page 2 CHAIR AND COMMISSIONER PAIGE AS VICE CHAIR. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 4.1. April 18. 2005 City Council Meeting Commissioner Paige will attend the April 18, 2005 City Council Meeting. 4.2. 1\pril26. 2005 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Polston-Hork will attend the April 26, 2005 Planning Commission Meeting. 5. Open Mike None 6. Recreation Manager's Report - Michele Bergh Recreation Manager, Michele Bergh presented to the Commission that the Parks and Recreation Department scheduled approximately 152 hours of facility use in March. 78 of this was at Lions Park Center, 60 hours took place at the Emporium as well as 14 hours for park shelters. Ms. Bergh stated what programs were offered in March and that the Program Guide was delivered April 6, 2005 for the upcoming summer months. Staff is looking into other options for delivery of the Program Guide due to some residents not receiving the Star News. Ms. Bergh also shared that there were seven teams this year for the Healthy Living Challenge offered by the Wellness Committee. 7. Director's Report - Bill Maertz Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz introduced people from the BMX Track and Elk River Bike Park to share their plans for upcoming improvements. Sonny and Becky Freeman are the new track managers. They have plans to re-do the parking lot to have better drainage and easier maintenance and condense track. Mr. Freeman asked if city could help with maintaining the mowing of grass adjacent to the ball fields. Commissioner Paige asked if there would be an expansion of the parking lot and if the commission could review the plans to see if they fit with the plans of the ball fields. Mr. Freeman shared his concerns about having the plans reviewed during the biggest months of the season for the track, which are June, July and August. Mr. Maertz said he would review the plans with Mr. Freeman before the next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting and than share the plans with the commission members in May. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes April 13, 2005 Page 3 Mr. Maertz shared with the Commission information about a proposal to the Elk River Lion~ Club to help pay for two new Parks and Recreation signs and an outdoor portable mOVIe screen. Mr. Maertz shared with the Commission information on the Grant Proposal for Highlands East. Mr. Maertz introduced Ross Demant, newly hired Recreation Coordinator who shared an update on the adult softball program. Recreation Coordinator, Ross Demant shared that the Monday and Tuesday night leagues were full with 18 teams each and the Wednesday night league has eight teams. Mr. Maertz shared the 2005 Parks Capital Improvement Plan. 8.1. Community Events - Business Expo Recreation Manager, Michele Bergh stated that the Business Expo was a success with many people sharing their excitement about having the summer Program Guide. Ms. Bergh also shared that there were many residents asking questions about various parks. The staff had focused on sharing information on the recreation programs and next year will include information on park development. Commissioner Kuester asked what kinds of questions were being asked. Ms. Bergh stated that people wanted to know when their neighborhood parks would be improved and questions about the downtown city park. 8.2. Land Use Cases None 8.3.A. Policy Issues - House at Woodland Trails/Removal Schedule Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz updated the Commission regarding LOVE Elk River; a non-profit group that helps people find housing. City Council approved CIP that includes a Nature Center/Nordic Ski Center for 2009; staff is looking for direction on if the house should stay unti12008. Commissioner Niziolek suggested having one large playground in that area, that would serve multiple neighborhoods. Commissioner Kuester suggested the possibility of moving the house, not demolishing it. Commissioner Peterson agreed with Commissioner Kuester about moving it, but at someone else's expense by 2008. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PETERSON TO HAVE THE HOUSE AVAIIABLE FOR LOVE ELK RIVER UNTIL JANUARY 2007. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes April 13, 2005 Page 4 Commissioner Peterson shared that after talking to neighbors it may be better to move up ~e timeline to put in a playground due to there being children being of the right age to enjoy It now. Commissioner Kuester withdraws first motion. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PETERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO GIVE LOVE ELK RIVER A ONE YEAR NOTICE EFFECTIVE JUNE 1ST, 2005 TO VACATE, CONTINGENT UPON 2006 PARK BUDGET PLAN. MOTION CARRIED 7-0 8.4A. Woodland Trails Pond Update Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz presented information from Rebecca Haug, Environmental Technician regarding restoring the Woodland Trails Park pond. Commissioner Anderson questioned the ditch plug method and if there could be a pipe put into the pond or would a damn rectify the problem. Mr. Maertz shared that there is still no solution and before moving ahead there will have to be further investigation. 9.1A. Land Use Cases None 9.2A. County Road Construction/Trail Development Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared information on various County road and trail developments. Mr. Maertz also shared that they should consider other methods of funding other than assessments, such as a referrendum in 2006 including 3.5 million for trails. 10.1. Update March 21. 2005 City Council Meeting Commissioner Niziolek provided an update On the March 21, 2005 City Council Meeting. 10.2. Update on March 22. 2005 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Paige did not attend, no update given. 11. Other Business Commissioner Anderson asked for an update on the Adopt-A-Park program. Recreation Coordinator, Mr. Demant is coordinating the Adopt-A-Park program. He is currently recruiting new groups. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes April 13, 2005 Page 5 Commissioner Peterson asked for an update on the Committee for Natrual Resource Inventory. Commissioner Paige shared that the committee met and realized that there is a lot to learn about current ordinances before any action is taken. Commissioner Nystrom shared that there will be a session in May regarding ditch law and he will not be able to attend. An alternate for the Natural Resources Inventory Committee will attend the ditch law session in May. 12. Adiournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:46 pm. T onya Love Recording Secretary