02-13-19-19 PRMMeeting of the Elk River Parks and
Recreation Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Members Present: Chair Anderson, Commission members Ahlness, Holmgren, Niziolek,
Rathbun, Soltvedt, and Williams
Council Liaison: Ms. Wagner
Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Hecker, Recreation Manager, Steve
Benoit, and Recreation Coordinator, Tonya Love
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 Chair Anderson.
2. Consider 2/13/19 Agenda
Mr. Hecker added Item 7.2 Woodland Trails Regional Park Nature Playground and Shelter
Update
Moved by Commissioner Ahlness and seconded by Commissioner Soltvedt to approve
the February 13, 2019 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting agenda with the
addition of Item 7.2 Woodland Trails Regional Park Nature Playground and Shelter
Update. Motion carried 7-0.
3.1 Consider 01/09/19 Regular PRC Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Rathbun and seconded by Commissioner Soltvedt to approve
the following January 9, 2019 Regular Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes.
Motion carried 7-0.
3.2 Consider 01/23/19 Special PRC Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Ahlness and seconded by Commissioner Williams to approve
the following January 23, 2019 Special Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes.
Motion carried 7-0.
4. Open Forum- None
Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2
February 13, 2019
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5. Presentations
5.1 Eagle Scout Presentation: Aaron Bouma
Installation of an ADA Portable Toilet, concrete slab, and fencing for Bailey Point Nature
Preserve.
5.2 Eagle Scout Presentation: Emmett Miller
Updating the Orono Park Fishing Pier by restoring floor boards, replacing railings, creating
corner benches and making it safer for users.
5.3 Pinewood Golf Course Presentation: Chris Singer
Mr. Singer shared a presentation overview of the 2018 Pinewood Golf Season.
Chair Anderson asked to add Seadge Meadow Park Steward onto the agenda as Item 6.2
Moved by Commissioner Holmgren and seconded by Commissioner Niziolek to add Item 6.2
Approval of Pat Andreason as Sedge Meadow Park Steward
6. Action Items
6.1 Free Little Library
Mr. Benoit presented his staff report.
Moved by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Niziolek to accept
staff recommendation to install a free little library at Meadowvale Park. Motion carried
7-0.
6.2 Sedge Meadow Park Steward Pat Andreason
Chair Anderson introduced Pat Andreason.
Mr. Andreason shared how he has been helping in Sedge Meadow Park.
Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Williams to
appoint Pat Andreason as Sedge Meadow Park Steward. Motion carried 7-0.
Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3
February 13, 2019
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7. Discussion Items
7.1 Elk River Parks Archery Hunt
Wayne Becklan presented his staff report.
Commissioner Niziolek asked for the data to be put into city archives to be able to compare in
future and would like to see a more accurate data of how many deer there are in the city.
Chair Anderson asked if the DNR can do a deer population count.
Mr.Hecker stated he would discuss with Tim Sevcik.
7.2 Woodland Trails Regional Park Nature Playground and Shelter Update
Mr. Hecker shared that the committee decided to move the shelter. Consultant is working on
the costs for an upcoming council meeting.
8. Parks and Recreation Director Update
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report. Thanked Mark Ahlness for his time on the commission of
nine years of service.
9.1 Recreation Manager’s Update
Mr. Benoit presented his staff report.
9.2 Park Superintendent Update - None
10. Announcements
Chair Anderson shared grooming update for Woodland Trails Regional Park going extremely
well. Thanked Mark Ahlness and appreciated calm addition to discussions.
11. Adjourn to Work session
There being no further business, Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
Parks and Recreation Commission at 7:46 p.m.
Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4
February 13, 2019
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12. Work session
The work session meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission was called to
order at 7:53 p.m. by Chair Anderson.
12.1 Park Facility Fees
Mr. Hecker shared the current Field Use Allocation Policies and Procedures with commission
members.
Commission discussed reviewing the policy and discussing more in March.
Discussion of why we need fields:
Quality of life, growth, collaboration, physical fitness, pride, community rallying places, social
development, learn to be a teammate, learn to talk to others
Discussion of why charge fees:
Need to be able to maintain, and make improvements. Create a level playing ground between
associations when it comes to capital fees and user fees.
Do not want to limit participation by costs. Needs to be equitable, and to make sure that
every kid that wants to play isn’t priced out by the fees charged.
Discussion of what costs should be recovered:
It is not to reduce the levy but building in capital for improvement costs.
Think of the larger picture of sustainability and look at fees that way. Need to sustain the
activity/practice/resource over an extended period of time and need to build in some funds
for maintenance. Think about doing a 10-25% range to meet costs.
12.2 Woodland Trail Regional Park Great Northern Trail Land Acquisition
Mr. Hecker shared that the land acquisition was completed years ago.
13. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
Parks and Recreation Commission work session at 9:23 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Tonya Love.
Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5
February 13, 2019
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___________________
Dave Anderson, Chair
_____________________
Tina Allard, City Clerk