05-13-2020 PRMMeeting of the Elk River Parks and
Recreation Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Members Present: Chair Williams, Commission members Anderson, Holmgren, Loidolt,
Niziolek, Rathbun, and Soltvedt
Council Liaison: Ms. Wagner
Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Hecker, Recreation Manager
Steve Benoit, Environmental Coordinator, Amanda Erickson,
Stormwater Coordinator, Brandon Wisner, 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 Williams.
2. Roll Call
Roll Call was taken.
3. Consider 05/13/2020 Agenda
Chair Williams added Item 8.3 Discussion of live hybrid meeting for June.
Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Holmgren
to approve the May 13, 2020 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting
agenda with the addition of Item 8.3 Discuss June Commission meeting.
Motion carried 7-0.
4.1 Consider 03/11/2020 Regular PRC Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Niziolek
to approve the following March 11, 2020 Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes. Motion carried 7-0.
5. Open Forum - None
6. Presentations – Eagle Scout
Talen Carlson, Eagle Scout Project proposal to install wood structures in the nature
play area in Woodland Trails Regional Park.
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7. Action Items
7.1 CSAH 12 Highway Construction Update
Mr. Hecker introduced David Roedel, Sherburne County Assistant Public Works
Director.
Mr. Roedel presented an update of the CSAH 12 Highway project. Adding a
dedicated right turn lane into Hillside Park.
Commissioner Anderson asked if temporary easements would be staked out so the
bike group and staff could look at them ahead of time.
Mr. Roedel shared that the easements will not encroach on current trail system.
Commissioner Anderson supports the concept but to consider not allowing u-turns
for more safety.
Commissioner Rathbun asked about the driveway easement and looks like it will
impact newly planted trees.
Mr. Hecker asked what the height of the retaining wall will be and cost.
Mr. Roedel stated it will be a couple feet tall, estimate at $60 square foot, at about
$15,000.
Moved by Chair Williams and seconded by Commissioner Loidolt to
recommend to City Council to accept staff’s recommendation the
construction of a dedicated right turn lane into Hillside Park, a modified curb
to allow a u-turn maneuver, a round a bout at Johnson St., and the offer by the
County for trail construction to Cleveland on CSAH 12 project. Motion carried
7-0.
7.2 Lake Orono Restoration and Enhancement Project (LORE)
Mr. Wisner presented an update regarding LORE. Going to council on June 1 for
public hearing, working with the lake improvement district, and making sure the plan
sticks within the budget.
Commissioner Loidolt asked where sediment is going to be relocated to.
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Mr. Wisner stated that part of the DNR and Army Corp of Engineers requires to
state where the sediment will go. City will work with bidders to try to keep it within
7-8 miles of location to keep hauling costs down such as, the gravel sites or farm
fields, a lot of the soil testing came back as mostly sand.
Commissioner Soltvedt asked if there will be a continued effort to keep sediment
from coming from upstream.
Mr. Wisner shared that the water shed area stretches up to south part of Mille Lacs,
Sherburne County does not have enforcement on fixing riverbanks, they are working
with property owners to fix.
Councilmember Wagner asked if there was any feedback on the drawdown of the
lake.
Mr. Wisner stated that the opt-out postcard that the DNR required to send to
property owners was sent out and they received 43, and 46 were needed to stop the
drawdown.
Moved by Commissioner Soltvedt and seconded by Commissioner Holmgren
to recommend to City Council to accept staffs LORE plan. Motion carried 7-
0.
7.3 Baseball Dugout Deferment Request
Mr. Benoit presented his staff report.
Commissioner Holmgren pointed out this could create a precedence, and if other
youth sports organizations want to do this that each sport is different and should be
discussed individually. Baseball has lost its whole season due to it being held in the
Spring.
Moved by Chair Williams and seconded by Commissioner Holmgren to
recommend to City Council to defer 2020 and 2021 payments due to Covid-19
the Elk River Youth Baseball’s dugout payments for one year. Motion carried
6-0, Commissioner Loidolt abstained.
8. Discussion Items
8.1 Great Northern Trail – Watson Street Parking
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Mr. Hecker shared his staff report.
Commissioner Anderson shared this trail entrance has been moved once in the past,
it was further south. Invaluable access to Great Northern Trail, not in favor of
limiting parking on public street.
Commissioner Holmgren stated that the unprecedented times is causing more use of
trails and do not see any reason to make changes.
Commissioner Loidolt, new house owner knew the trail access was there, and leave it
there, believes it will level out.
Commissioner Niziolek access to parks creates community, we must promote road
access to parks.
Commissioner Rathbun states he thinks commission should be consistent with
leaving the street access to parks.
8.2 Youth Athletic Complex Lights
Mr. Hecker asked commissioners for feedback on what they would like to do for an
opening.
Chair Williams shared that we have something out there at YAC with social
distancing, and have participants sit in cars with their lights on.
Commissioner Anderson thinks it’s a great idea, go from total darkness to turning on
the lights. Have participants turn off their car lights.
Commissioner Loidolt said to have youth baseball and softball board members on
field.
Commissioner Niziolek, like the idea, concerned about it at this time.
Commissioner Rathbun concerned too and need guidance.
Commissioner Soltvedt stated to getting more guidance to be able to participate
safely or do it during a larger scale activity of opening YAC.
Commissioner Holmgren supports the idea.
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8.3 Discuss Parks and Recreation Commission June meeting
Chair Williams discussed that the council discussed having a live meeting on June 1
and looking to do a hybrid meeting so those people who do not feel comfortable in
person would not have to.
Councilmember Wagner stated that the council may be discussing at the next
meeting.
Commissioner Anderson stated he would be for a hybrid meeting, continue to
participate by Zoom.
Commissioner Loidolt is for hybrid.
Commissioner Niziolek, would prefer hybrid and not attend in person
Commissioner Rathbun would prefer hybrid and not attend in person.
Commissioner Soltvedt would prefer hybrid and want to make sure everyone can
participate.
10. Active Elk River Update
Mr. Hecker shared pictures of Youth Athletic Complex playground installation,
stating that the contractor hired for YAC has stated that the building at YAC will be
kept and remodeled.
Sharing pictures of Lion John Weicht Park LED field lighting, varsity field bleachers,
and building and of the Multi-Purpose Facility, showing the new staircase and
windows, and other areas of progress.
11. Parks and Recreation Director Update
Mr. Hecker presented his staff report.
Commissioner Niziolek discussed keeping the trail open with the high usage going
on right now to ease the pain.
Chair Williams stated we will have to deal with the construction, and it will be better
in the long run.
Commissioner Anderson stated that the number of people using that trail is 100’s a
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day, not dozens, if there are any way accommodations can be made for cross access
that would be good.
Commissioner Rathbun stated that several cities have closed roads for pedestrian use
only and could we create a one-way designated walking trail for when Great
Northern Trail closes on the west side of town.
Mr. Benoit shared that access to the green trails will be maintained throughout the
project.
12 Division Manager’s Update
Mr. Benoit presented his staff report. Staff is focusing on July and August
programing and how it will work with social distancing. Also, sharing some of the
new virtual senior programs being offered.
13. Announcements
Commissioner Loidolt asked how much revenue has been lost from the liquor store
and if the drive up will be taken away soon.
Council member Wagner stated she does not know the revenue at this time.
Council member Wagner shared that she’s been working on Together Elk River, a
grass roots way to support local Elk River businesses, and will be rolled out Saturday,
May 23.
14. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Williams adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Parks and Recreation Commission at 8:36 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Tonya Love.
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David Williams, Chair
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Tina Allard, City Clerk