09-11-2019 PRMMeeting of the Elk River Parks and
Recreation Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Members Present: Chair Anderson, Commission members Holmgren, Loidolt, 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. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Consider 09/11/2019 Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Soltvedt and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun to approve
the September 11, 2019 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting agenda. Motion
carried 7-0.
4 Consider 08/14/2019 Regular PRC Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Soltvedt to approve
the following August 14, 2019 Regular Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes.
Motion carried 7-0.
5. Open Forum - None
6. Presentations
Jake Swaja, Spectrum High School Senior Project Little Library in Windsor Park.
Mr. Hecker stated that parks maintenance staff approved the location.
7. Action Items - None
8. Discussion Items - None
9. Active Elk River Update
Mr. Hecker shared this will be a regular agenda item to keep commission informed.
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September 11, 2019
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10. Parks and Recreation Director Update
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report.
11. Recreation Manager’s Update
Mr. Benoit presented his staff report and presented the SALT Golf Tournament.
12. Announcements
13. Adjourn to Work session
There being no further business, Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
Parks and Recreation Commission at 6:48 p.m.
14. Work session
The work session meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission was called to
order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Anderson.
14.1 Alcohol at Rivers Edge Commons Park
Mr. Benoit shared the Rivers Edge Commons Park Policy in regards to alcohol consumption
within the park. Currently the city ordinance does not restrict alcohol consumption in parks
and sharing other city alcohol consumption ordinances.
Commissioner Niziolek shared that it is not appropriate to consume alcohol in Woodland
Trails Regional Park and Lion John Weicht Park with the new high school fields going in.
Mr. Hecker stated that when the fields are used at Lion John Weicht Park the school district
will not allow alcohol consumption.
Commissioner Loidolt believes that there will be more revenue in downtown with events.
Commission agreed to remove the administrative policy for no alcohol consumption in Rivers
Edge Commons Park.
14.2 Deer Feeding Ordinance
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report. Sharing that the public safety staff are stretched and would
prefer not being involved with an ordinance of no deer feeding.
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September 11, 2019
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Chair Anderson shared concerns of the high number of deer feeding in neighborhoods near
Woodland Trails Regional Park. Too many deer in town, people feeding them, and thinking of
future deer health, Chronic Waste Disease.
Commission decided to discuss as a possible ordinance in the future.
14.3 WHHCA Dog Ordinance
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report.
Hal Stewart shared that this is a unique property, that the State did not want this to be a dog
park as it would interfere with the wildlife management. Asking the commissioners if they
want to bring this forward as an ordinance.
Chair Anderson shared conservation area sign statement, and shared that the committee who
worked on the rules were adopted so that we can comply with the funding regulations.
Commissioner Williams stated he did not agree with creating something that cannot be
enforced.
Commissioner Soltvedt would like to hear from public safety at a future meeting.
Commissioner Loidolt would like to hear from DNR staff at a future meeting.
Mr. Stewart shared that the Master Plan for WHHCA is very specific to having no dogs for the
growth of a high quality habitat for wildlife.
15. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
Parks and Recreation Commission work session at 8:12 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Tonya Love.
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Dave Anderson, Chair
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Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4
September 11, 2019
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Tina Allard, City Clerk