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02-12-2020 PR MIN J City of - S iMeeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission iver Held at the Elk River City Hall Wednesday, February 12, 2020 Members Present: Chair Anderson,Commission members Holmgren,Loidolt,Niziolek, Soltvedt, and Williams Members Absent: Commissioner Rathbun Council Unison: Ms.Wagner Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director,Michael Hecker,Recreation Manager,Steve Benoit,Assistant City Engineer,Jenna Fabish,and Recreation Assistant,Dawn Larson 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 6:32 p.m. by Chair Anderson. • 2. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Consider 02/12/2020 Agenda Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Williams to approve amended agenda the February 12,2020 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting agenda. Motion carried 6-0. Remove presentations from end per Michael Hecker. 4.1 Consider 01/15/2020 Regular PRC Minutes Moved by Commissioner Soltvedt and seconded by Commissioner Loidolt to approve the following January 15,2020 Regular Parks and Recreation Commission meeting Minutes. Motion carried 6-0. 5. Open Forum No one appeared for Open Forum. 6. Presentations • No one appeared for Presentations. Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 February 12,202041110 7.1 YAC Turbine Location Mr. Hecker presented his staff report. Troy Adams, General Manager of Elk River Municipalities presented location options for the smaller demonstration/educational wind turbine to the Commission to seek a recommendation. It would be located North East not North West according to the memo though. Krystal Knutson, from Minnesota Municipal Power Agency contributed to the presentation by answering questions the Commissioners had. Mr.Adams and Ms. Knutson explained some of the reason the locations at the Youth Athletic Complex in Elk River was identified as the primary choice:visibility,away from the river to avoid birds and bats,land is owned by the City of Elk River,proximity to youth, access road,no shadows on the ballfields,and far enough away from the ballfields to avoid balls. There would be a road leading up to the turbine but would not extend past it. Mr.Adams explained that there would need to be an easement with the city so that • maintenance could be done with the blades etc. Mr. Hecker also confirmed that the suggested location does fit in with the current Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Mr.Adams explained that at this time YAC is the only location option left. Concerns the Commission had included: noise,proximity to neighborhoods,possible vandalism or a possible need for fencing,visual annoyance, de-commissioning process,and maintenance access Mr. Adams said that it wouldn't be built until later Spring 2020. Chair Anderson is in support of reducing carbon footprint whenever he can but would like to be considerate of other living and recreating near the site. Mr. Hecker asked if the Commission is being asked to approve the site within the park tonight. Commissioner Niziolek said that he does believe that great plans have been made and to be considerate of the options. 1111EiE / i1 IIINAi Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 February 12,2020 Mr.Anderson would still recommend that members of the Commission go listen to one. Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Soltvedt to recommend to City Council to accept the City Council and Elk River Utilities Commission's recommended site location for a wind turbine at YAC. Motion carried 4- 2. 7.1 GRE Platform Mr. Hecker presented his staff report. Tim Steinbeck, Great River Energy Director and long-time member of Great River Energy City Commission explained that GRE will start taking down the decommissioned plant and the underground utilities in the Spring of 2020. He proposed the option of the City taking over a similar agreement as they have with MNDOT and Babcock Memorial Rest Area regarding leaving the concrete platform that is currently across from the plant and extends out into the Mississippi River for public use. Mr. Steinbeck said MNDOT will be closing the current pull off area to the structure on the • highway. Commissioner Niziolek asked what the life expectancy is of the structure. Mr. Steinbeck said he didn't know. Chair Anderson would like to get more information. It would be nice to have the structural integrity evaluated by the engineers. Mr. Steinbeck said that he believes this property is already owned by MNDOT. He suggested a rock wall or something to block it off from the highway but then do a trail or something to join it to Babcock Memorial Rest Area. Commissioner Soltvedt said that while that spot is used a lot the city would need more information before they acquired the property. Chair Anderson asked about what does acquiring mean if MNDOT already owns it. Mr. Steinbeck said that it would be an agreement similar to the one the city has with Babcock Memorial Rest Area. Chair Anderson said that it is attractive as a fishing spot but close to the highway. ► 1 / EtEi 11 Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 February 12,2020 Mr. Steinbeck said that his purpose of the presentation is just to see if there is interest by the Commission in the property. Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Soltvedt to recommend to City Council to pursue opportunities to utilize the platform for recreation. Motion carried 6-0. 7.1 Arena Commission Member Nomination Mr. Hecker presented staff report. Commissioner Williams said that he is still willing to do it but doesn't want to hold it if someone else is interested. Council member Wagner said that there is not a commission created for the new Multi- purpose Facility and that the Ice Arena Commission is still a relevant commission today. Moved by Commissioner Holmgren and seconded by Commissioner Loidolt to nominate Commissioner Williams as the Arena Commission Member Liaison. Motion carried 6-0. 8. Discussion Items • 8.1 Hillside Park Access Mr. Hecker shared his staff report. Ms. Fabish,Elk River Assistant City Engineer, shared information about the research that had been done regarding the existing and potential access points to Hillside park.At the current entrance the County is planning on putting in turn lanes and concrete medium on County Road 12.The county is looking at right in right out and then turn at a roundabout about a half mile up the road. The city had concerns about a safe access to and Hillside Park so there was research done to see what other options there would be.Tyler Drive was one of the options that was reviewed but there were concerns about traffic,neighborhood safety,and the private property owner was not in favor of the easement. Chair Anderson asked for an explanation of the hybrid option that was discussed via the outlet to the existing parking lot. Ms. Fabish shared a concept idea for discussion stating that the next point of access location would be off of Tyler Street and would give access under the powerlines via the transmission lines,a paved trail would be included via the master plan and could include a new parking lot ! 1 ■ EIEI sr • ENATUPEI • Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5 February 12,2020 and bathroom pad. Council Member Wagner explained that these are concepts and that they didn't even know about until December. She agrees that she is trying to figure out what would be best for the residents and everyone. Parks and Recreation is looking to see how it affects their park and council is looking at how it affects the residents. Council member Wagner asked Ms. Fabish a clarifying question-MN Dot has say over the speed limit on this road. The county hopes that the medians and lanes will slow traffic down.Johnson St.would be a potential roundabout. The City is reviewing options for a light vs. roundabout. Right now,it is appearing to be a roundabout. Council Member Wagner will continue discussions with the county about this to help alleviate the issue of access to the park and keep the access off Tyler. Council Member Wagner spoke to the Elk River Chief of Police and he gave a list of all the calls that have happened at the park.The Chief was in favor of keeping the parking lot where it is to keep it visible for police etc.The report showed 145 officer check ins to the park over a three-year period which includes officers entering the parking lot.There are no cameras in the park. At a recent council meeting the council asked for more time on this project. Right now, a round a bout at Trott Brook Parkway would be the smartest Chair Anderson said but is not considered an option by the County at this time. Hillside Park is currently used quite a bit and is becoming more heavily used. He pointed out that users/patrons become great • policemen. Chair Anderson asked to hear from a spokesman in the audience that would like to represent the neighborhood off Tyler Street. Curt Dahn,residing at 10843 180th Ave NW, Elk River,Minnesota 55330 stated that he was representing 350 homes and about 700 residents. He met with Ms. Fabish,Chair Anderson, and Mr. Hecker previously to discuss the potential access change.The concerns he and the community expressed included: • The residents believe that Hillside Park is a community park and were not aware of other parks that visitors would have to drive through a residential area to access. He asked why the change for this park?He said that this would inflict traffic on this neighborhood. • He was disappointed when they asked if lights would be installed and he said they were told basically no. He pointed out that a stoplight could never be put in a Tyler Drive, but one could be put in at Trott Brook Parkway if the traffic warranted it. • Mr. Dahn asked if there is a number for how many visitors utilize the park. Mr. Hecker said that MORC is reporting that the parking lot is full on the weekends. Curt Dahn is pointing out the users are not Elk River residents. Mr. Hecker said that is not necessarily true. • He passed out some pictures with trees. He said that at the entrance to their development there is a monument.The cost of moving the monument and acquiring PI / E111 If • INATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 6 • February 12,2020 the land by Tyler would be expensive. He asked how the park would benefit the residents of Trott Brook South. He asked about a playground or anything and he said that they were just told there would be a trail. Ms. Fabish said the County will have to provide access to the park and agreed to confirm with the County what the plans are for allowing access during construction. Chair Anderson said that no decisions have been made and they are not in favor of the Trott Brook Parkway access. Chair Anderson said that this is a community problem and hopefully the community can come together. Everyone is being pushed by the County's timeline. Council Member Wagner thanked everyone again for coming but stated several times that this was a County lead initiative and that the City can't make decisions on this road due to it being a county road. None of the options that have money amounts were in the 2020 budget. Mr. Dahn said that he still doesn't understand why the access through Tyler would be considered. Commissioner Loidolt pointed out that safety is the primary issue for people getting in and out of the park. Chair Anderson said that most of our neighborhood parks don't have parking lots including • the Trott Brook Park so often the streets are relied on for parking. 9. Active Elk River Update Mr. Hecker shared an update regarding Lion John Weicht Park and the Multi-Purpose Facility progress. 10. Parks and Recreation Director Update Mr. Hecker shared his staff report adding that there is an Active Elk River timeline that he is handing out that was approved by City Council. Chair Anderson requested to have a list of the projects within the park's construction timeline for Orono. Mr. Hecker said yes, that could be done next month. II. Recreation Manager's Update Mr. Benoit presented his staff report and presented the Winter Walking at Woodland Trails NAT E • Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 7 February 12,2020 Regional Park as featured presentation. I2. Announcements Council member Wagner gave an update on the Arts Committee.The committee received two submissions for an art sculpture for this year and narrowed it down to one local artist.The concept for the sculpture is an eight to ten-foot structure emulating the curvature of the river. The subcommittee will make a recommendation on whether to accept it or not after February 17,2020. I3. Adjournment There being no further business,Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission at 8:38 p.m. Minutes prepared by Dawn son. • Dave Anderson, air Tina Allard, City Clerk IrE1E1 It rNATIME