12-11-2019 PR MIN )44
City of
elk Meeting of the Elk River Parks and
��
Recreation Commission
Riverdift Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Members Present: Chair Anderson,Commission members Holmgren,Loidolt, Niziolek, Rathbun,
Soltvedt, and Williams
Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Hecker,Recreation Manager, Steve
Benoit,Assistant City Engineer,Jenna Fabish, and Recreation Coordinator,
Tonya Love
I. 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 12/I I/2019 Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Soltvedt and seconded by Commissioner Loidolt to approve
the December 11, 2019 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting agenda. Motion
III carried 7-0.
4.1 Consider 10/09/2019 Regular PRC Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Soltvedt and seconded by Commissioner Williams to approve
the following October 9, 2019 Regular Parks and Recreation Commission meeting
Minutes. Motion carried 7-0.
5. Open Forum - None
6. Presentations
Chair Anderson introduced Eagle Scout Patrick Moos who presented his Eagle Scout project
to build wood benches for the Nature Play area at Woodland Trails Regional Park.
Jenna Fabish,Assistant City Engineer presented information regarding a grant the city is
applying for that would use some of the Active Elk River funding to construct two new trails
with a combined cost of$1,170,000.
Ms. Fabish shared the recommended trail gap segments in the grant as being 181st Avenue and
Twin Lakes Road. The city would be required to do a Local Match of$370,000 of the
illproposed funding request of$800,000.
Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 •
December 11,2019
7. Action Items
7.1 Cascade Industrial Park Third Addition Park Dedication
Mr. Benoit presented his staff report.
Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun to accept
staff recommendation to recommend to City Council to accept park dedication for
Cascade Industrial Park Third Addition to be paid in the form of cash for
approximately 25 acres at the City Council established rate when the subdivision is
released for recording. The current rate is 6% of the county assessed value,which
equates to approximately$66,360 for this application. Staff will determine the final
acreage and amount when the plat is released for recording. Motion carried 7-0.
7.2 Woodland Trails Regional Park Grant Project
WSB staff, Candace Amberg presented an update on the project and current construction
documents. There will be a small shelter added to the north of the nature play area due to city
staff salvaging a shelter that was being removed from Lion John Weicht Park due to its Active •
Elk River updates. Bids will go out in February and plan to start construction in the spring.
Commissioner Soltvedt asked if the well will be used for other amenities within the park for
future.
Mr. Hecker stated yes it will be built large enough to handle future irrigation and building
restrooms.
Commissioner Loidolt asked about recycling the water to reuse.
Ms. Amberg stated recycling water is more expensive due to the process of having to
chlorinate it.
Council member Wagner asked if the water hand pump could be sourced through a donation,
such as a local farm and a plaque could state where it came from.
Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Soltvedt to accept
and recommend to the City Council the final designs of the Woodland Trails Regional
Park Nature Play Area and Shelter. Motion carried 7-0.
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• Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3
December 11,2019
7.3 2020 Commission Meeting Calendar
Mr. Hecker presented his staff report, adding that the county will be hosting a meeting on
January 8, 2020 regarding the proposed changes to 181s`Avenue which will impact Hillside
Park and suggested meeting on January 15, 2020 so commission members could attend if they
choose to.
Moved by Commissioner Soltvedt and seconded by Commissioner Holmgren to accept
the 2020 calendar with the following changes to meet on January 15, October 7, and
November 4. Motion carried 7-0.
8. Discussion Items
8.1 Alba Ridge Park and Oxbow Park Properties
Mr. Hecker read his staff report and shared a map of where Alba Ridge Park is located and the
issues with beavers making dams and how it is affecting the sod farms being flooded.
Commissioner Soltvedt asked if any funds can be added to operating costs to cover the
• maintenance issues.
Commissioner Niziolek asked if the ditch is a county ditch system and who takes care of it and
thought that the county would be responsible to clean up after the beavers, sharing that the
county trapped and cleared beavers on his property when he had an issue with beavers.
Hal Stewart, 20572 Ulysis St. shared that there will be developments down the road near Alba
Ridge Park.
Mr. Hecker shared that Oxbow Park is surrounded by Houlton and people are accessing
William H. Houlton Conservation Area (WHHCA) from Oxbow Park and wondering what
commission thinks about assimilating the park into WHHCA property.
Commissioner Soltvedt asked if the access would be removed from Oxbow Park to WHHCA.
Mr. Hecker shared that the access would not be removed.
Chair Anderson stated that if Oxbow Park were folded into WHHCA it would no longer be a
park and it would follow the hunting plan.
Commissioners agreed to the idea incorporating Oxbow Park into part of WHHCA.
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Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 IllDecember 11,2019
Mr. Hecker stated that neighbors do not like people parking on the street to access WHHCA.
Mr. Stewart suggested that the commission members consider discussion about the setbacks,
parking on Concord, and educate the neighbors on hunting weapons.
Chair Anderson stated that if the neighbors are not comfortable with the hunting component
that is border to border than we should not incorporate the park into WHHCA.
Commissioner Niziolek stated if we incorporate Oxbow Park into WHHCA maybe there
could be financial help in removing buckthorn.
Council member Wagner stated that there would need to be a public meeting for the residents
to be able to state their concerns.
Chair Anderson doesn't think it will happen because of the neighborhood concerns,probably
best to leave Oxbow Park and Alba Ridge Park as current park status.
Commissioner Rathbun said to look at the park as a buffer to WHHCA for the neighbors.
Mr. Hecker shared that the Chief of Police is looking into what are allowed hunting weapons
within city parks.
III9. Active Elk River Update
Mr. Hecker shared the November progress report.
10. Parks and Recreation Director Update
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report.
I I. Recreation Manager's Update
Mr. Benoit presented his staff report and presented the Santa in the Park and tree lighting
event.
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• Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5
December 11,2019
12. Announcements
Chair Anderson stated that there will be walking events at Woodland Trails Regional Park in
2020 and looking for a tour guide.
13. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
Parks and Recreation Commission at 8:13 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Tonya Love.
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Dave Ander on, hair
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IIITina Allard, City Clerk
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