01-15-2020 PR MIN 4City of
el Meeting of the Elk River Parks and
� Recreation Commission
River Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday,January 15, 2020
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
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
III3. Consider 01/15/2020 Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Williams to approve
the January 15,2020 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting agenda. Motion
carried 7-0.
4.1 Consider 12/1 1/2019 Regular PRC Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun to
approve the following December 11,2019 Regular Parks and Recreation Commission
meeting Minutes. Motion carried 7-0.
5. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
6. Presentations
No one appeared for Presentations.
7. Action Items
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7.1 Hillside Park Access
Ms. Fabish presented information regarding the CSAH 12 reconstruction and how it impacts
Hillside Park to having a right in and right out of the parking lot. Two options are proposed:
Access off Tyler St. or off the extension of Trott Brook Parkway.
Tyler St. access would relocate the parking lot and driveway acquisition would be needed from
the townhome homeowner's association. Trott Brook Parkway access would need a new
driveway location off the extension and the lot would be shifted and impacts both areas 1 and
4 of the trails.
David Roedel,Deputy County Engineer,talked about the CSAH 12 project and its impact on
the Hillside Park entrance.
Commissioner Rathbun asked about the safety of doing a U-turns after leaving the park.
Mr. Roedel shared that County engineering staff looked at that and went with protected left
turn lanes.
Commissioner Soltvedt asked if there would be a marked cross walk at Trott Brook Parkway
going North and South.
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Mr. Roedel stated that the county has great concern over putting in a crosswalk and they are
looking at several options.
Graydon Betts, Hillside Park Steward,422 Proctor Ave,NW. Shared that MORC members
agree that the access would be best at Tyler St. as there would be less impact on trails within
the park then if the entrance was put at Trott Brook Parkway.
Mr. Hecker reminded commission members that the trail improvements were made with park
improvement funds and used a contractor a few years ago.
Ms. Fabish shared that there are grade issues at both access points.
Mr. Betts shared that although Trott Brook access looks like it would not take much to
change,it would impact all trails to the south which would mean a higher cost in redesigning
and rebuilding them.
Ms. Fabish shared that if we left the proposed access and wanted to change it later than the
cost would be on the city.
Commissioner Niziolek shared that a safe pedestrian crossing needs to be achieved at Trott
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Brook Parkway as it is a better location.
Mr. Roedel stated that the county does not support a mid-block crossing and would support a
Trott Brook Parkway crossing due to the easier sight line adding that the county is looking at
options for a safe crossing and that the county supports either Tyler St. or Trott Brook
Parkway for the entrance to the park.
Chair Anderson shared that an acceptable motion would be that the current access is not good
and city should be working with county and MORC to gather the costs and different impacts
and come back with options to choose from.
Kaitlin Sampson, student asked which plan will last the longest without having to change it in
the future due to the population growth.
Commissioner Williams asked where the funding is coming from for the access, driveway,and
parking lot.
Mr. Hecker said there isn't any funding designated for the project and the park improvement
fund cannot take on the project at this time.
Chair Anderson stated that the commission feels the current access is not safe and if there is
• funding,they would like other accesses explored.
Moved by Commissioner Soltvedt and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun to
recommend to City Council to relocate Hillside Park's access to retain full access to
the park with the construction of CSAH 12 with future parking areas to be explored by
city staff and public input. Motion carried 7-0.
8. Discussion Items
8.1 Trail Condition Assessment
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report.
Ms. Fabish shared information about the research bike and how it can be used to gather
information regarding our paved trails. Condition of the trails will be evaluated,what needs
immediate repair and what will need funding. Images will be uploaded to google trails with a
cost of$9000.
Commissioner Soltvedt stated this will give a lot of good information to the city to aid in
making better informed trial maintenance decisions.
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Chair Anderson asked how the trail bike would pay for it and would need to go through the
budgeting process.
Commissioner Soltvedt asked if the pavement management fund would cover the trails.
Ms. Fabish stated that currently the pavement management fund is for streets and parking lots.
Commission agreed to revisit the idea at the end of the year to see if budget would allow the
expense.
9. Active Elk River Update
Mr. Hecker shared photos of the main arena and update of the project.Also sharing pictures
of MRPA Awards ceremony where Steve Benoit received the MRPA Jack Niles award.
Chair Anderson asked for and updated Active Elk River timeline with it containing
improvements that will be made at Orono Park.
Mr. Hecker stated that the city will be going out with an RFP for an architect to assist with
design,utilities and park amenities.
10. Parks and Recreation Director Update •
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report adding that the MN Land Trust evaluated Bailey Point
Nature Preserve and that the property is meeting the use of wildlife habitat and low impact
restoration.
I I. Recreation Manager's Update
Mr. Benoit presented his staff report and presented the Activity Centers New Year's Eve
Party.
12. Announcements
Commissioner Williams shared that the Youth Association's meeting was productive,and the
consensus was support of the determined rates for rentals to sustain the facility and then add
to those fees for non-residents.
I 3. Adjournment
There being no further business,Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
Parks and Recreation Commission at 8:08 p.m.
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Minutes prepareecAy Ton e.
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Dave Anderson, Chair
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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