06-12-2019 PRMMeeting of the Elk River Parks and
Recreation Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Members Present: Chair Anderson, Commission members, Loidolt, Niziolek, and Rathbun, and
Williams
Members Absent: Commissioner Members Holmgren and Soltvedt
Council Liaison: Ms. Wagner
Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Hecker, Street and Park
Superintendent, Tim Sevcik, 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. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Consider 06/12/19 Agenda
Mr. Hecker added Item 7.9 Rivers Edge Commons Rental Policy
Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun to approve
the June 12, 2019 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting agenda with the staff
changes. Motion carried 5-0.
4.1 Consider 05/08/2019 Regular PRC Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Loidolt to approve
the following May 8, 2019 Regular Parks and Recreation Commission minutes. Motion
carried 5-0.
4.2 Consider 05/15/19 Special PRC Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun to
approve the following May 15, 2019 Special Parks and Recreation Commission
minutes. Motion carried 5-0.
5. Open Forum – None
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6. Presentation – Eagle Scout Project
Gabriel Brendon, presented Eagle Scout project, installing 350 property line signs for
Woodland Trails Regional Park.
7.1 Park Dedication Hilltop Woods Second Addition
Mr. Benoit shared his staff report.
Councilmember Wagner stated this was at council meeting and requested to come back.
Chair Anderson asked why we are not asking for 45 feet for right of way.
Mr. Sevcik stated that planning may have been looking at a private driveway
Commissioner Niziolek asked about the private driveway becoming a city street and would this
be a place for a trail. Concerned about how the roads are connected outside this site and how
it will relate to future trails.
Mr. Hecker stated that the private drive is a mistake on the map.
Moved by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun to
recommend to City Council to accept park dedication for the Hilltop Woods Second
Addition to be paid for one (1) dwelling unit at the rate applicable when the
subdivision is released for recording. This will be $1,425.93/lot at the 2019 low-density
rate. Motion carried 5-0.
Chair Anderson asked to discuss a total of 90 feet for future right of way.
Commissioner Niziolek to build outside the woods for environment.
7.2 Park Dedication LG Acres
Mr. Benoit shared his staff report.
Commissioner Niziolek stated he is concerned about a lack of trail in this area as it goes East
and West. Need to address the issue of how dangerous this road is to travel by pedestrian or
bicycling.
Chair Anderson stated to combine it with the county’s trail plan.
Mr. Sevcik stated that the properties road dead ends into Big Lake Township.
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Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun to
recommend to City Council to accept park dedication for the LG Acres to be paid for
one (1) dwelling unit at the rate applicable when the subdivision is released for
recording. This will be $1,425.93/lot at the 2019 low-density rate. Motion carried 5-0.
7.3 Deer Management Hunt
Mr. Sevcik shared his staff report.
Commissioner Niziolek asked to look into having an ordinance to not feeding deer.
Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Loidolt to
recommend to City Council to authorize controlled archery deer hunts within select
park units. Motion carried 5-0.
7.4 Picnic Pavilion Design
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report.
Chair Anderson and Commissioner Niziolek shared their reservations about the red roof color
and that it does not blend in with the surrounding nature at Woodland Trails Regional Park.
Mr. Hecker stated this is for the whole park system.
Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun to
recommend to City Council to accept a standardized picnic pavilion design and to
consider the Woodland Trails Regional Park Nature Playground committees
recommendation for Woodland Trails Regional Park. Motion carried 3-2’
7.5 Rivers Edge Commons Park Master Plan Update
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report and updated proposed dock location stating staff is looking
for commission’s approval to update the master plan.
Commissioner Loidolt agrees to move the dock to the east and that the area needs extensive
cleanup and believes it will be a lot easier for a boat to dock and be accessible.
Chair Anderson asked what will happen with the gangway when the water is low.
Commissioner Niziolek has reservations to the location of entrances by the stage.
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Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Williams to
recommend to City Council to accept the updated Rivers Edge Commons Park Master
Plan reflecting the new dock location on city property adjacent to the park. Motion
carried 5-0.
7.6 Field Use Allocation Policy
Mr. Benoit shared his staff report.
Moved by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Niziolek to
recommend to City Council to approve the adoption of the revised Field Use
Allocation Policies and Procedures. Motion carried 5-0.
7.7 Athletic Field Use Fees Policy
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report.
Commissioner Loidolt shared that the youth baseball stated that the house games do not play
on the fields except for one time a year for a tournament until they are older about 150 kids.
Chair Anderson stated it is paying it forward.
Commissioner Williams shared that that policy does not state where the money goes such as
the Athletic Field Improvement Fund.
Commissioner Loidolt asked how this money will be managed.
Mr. Benoit, will request enrollment data and invoice accordingly and manage the money
through the commission.
Council member Wagner asked to add the “why” to the policy; why the rates are what they
are.
Chair Anderson shared the fees were intentionally kept low for ease of participation and
collaborations between the associations and the city.
Moved by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Loidolt to
recommend to City Council to approve the adoption of the revised Athletic Field Use
Fees Policy and to add the following:
City will request enrollment data to invoice accordingly
City will manage the money in a sinking fund called the Athletic Field
Improvement fund
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Add a section that states the rates were intentionally kept low to foster
participation and collaboration between the youth sports associations and the
city.
Motion carried 5-0.
7.8 Public Art locations
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report.
Chair Anderson would like more background information.
Councilmember Wagner shared that the Economic Development Authority is looking to get a
grant.
Chair Anderson stated commission is in support of public art but concerned they may narrow
the focus of the location of future art.
No Motion.
7.9 Rivers Edge Commons Park Rental Policy
Mr. Benoit shared his staff report.
Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Williams to
recommend to City Council to approve the adoption of the revised Rivers Edge
Commons Park Rental Policy. Motion carried 5-0.
8. William H. Houlton Conservation Area Friends Group
Chair Anderson shared his report.
9. Parks and Recreation Director Update
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report.
Commissioner Niziolek requested an email regarding Woodland Trail Regional Park trail
updates.
Chair Anderson stated late summer and fall trail use is very high and has reservations regarding
the disruption to the high school cross country team practices.
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10. Division Manager Updates
Mr. Benoit shared his staff report. Highlighting Senior Day Out Event, held at Friendly
Buffalo in Big Lake, sponsored by Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT).
Staff training going on this week and getting facilities ready for summer programs.
11. Announcements
Chair Anderson wants staff to contact Hal Steward to look at dog ordinance to match the
conservation rules.
Chair Anderson asked to discuss the Master Trail Plan on connectivity to outside connections
plans from adjacent cities and counties in the future.
Chair Anderson asked staff to research deer feeding ordinance in the future and have a
workshop to discuss.
12. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
Parks and Recreation Commission work session at 8:26 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Tonya Love.
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Dave Anderson, Chair
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Tina Allard, City Clerk