Loading...
10 PRSR 06-10-2020 Memorandum To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director Date: June 10, 2020 Subject: Director’s Report This report is a monthly highlight of department activities related to recent collaborations, strategic planning, staff changes/developments, and park operations. Steve Benoit Resignation Steve Benoit has tendered his resignation effective July 1. He has accepted Shoreview’s Parks and Recreation Director position. Steve came to Elk River from Shoreview and will be an asset to their team. In the interim, Tim Dalton will take on Steve’s responsibilities. Tim has held the position of recreation manager in his previous employment and we expect he will be up for the challenge. Incidentally, our former park maintenance superintendent, Rodney Schreifels also works for Shoreview. Rodney had left Elk River to take on a family business opportunity in Oklahoma and returned a couple of years ago. CSAH 12 Highway Construction The Commission has been reviewing this project since it was presented by the county as an open house in early January. It was recommended by the Commission May 13, 2020, and approved by City Council June 1 for construction this summer. Active Elk River Park Improvements Orono Park and YAC SRF Consulting has reviewed the YAC building and they are making progress on the Orono Park analysis. They have the following currently in progress: - Working through site layout with focus on accessibility, site grading, and minimizing impacts to existing utilities. - Development of a preliminary cost estimate based on the site layout. - Architect HCM has developed a preliminary spatial program for the shelter, restroom, and watercraft rental spaces and is preparing conceptual layouts. - SRF & HCM are planning to meet early next week to integrate site layout and building concepts. They will be meeting with staff in the next few weeks. Item: 10 GNT Wastewater Conveyance or Leachate Pipeline The contractor is continuing to make progress on the sanitary pipeline along the GNT. They are averaging drilling approximately 2,600 feet per week and are currently 2,000 feet south of CSAH33. Work north of CSAH33 will likely begin the week of June 8th with a closure beginning between CSAH33 and 221st Ave. The section from CSAH1 to CSAH33 will remain closed through June while pipe connections are made, and air release valves are installed along the pipeline. This work will begin from south to north with trail sections opening as the work is completed. The contractor continues to be challenged with pedestrians going around barricades and entering into their work zone. Each time a pedestrian enters the work zone they have to shut down operations and guide the individual around the equipment. The contractor has added additional signage and barricades which has helped, but several people continue to disregard the trail closures. While this has not resulted in substantial delays of the project, it could lead to longer closures to complete the work. Park Playgrounds We have opened all the playgrounds a few weeks ago. We installed new signs to educate users on appropriate social distancing practices and that the playgrounds are not sanitized on a regular basis so take necessary precautions. Multipurpose Facility Fees, Staffing and Commission Staff presented the proposed new facility fees to City Council in December. The Council directed staff to present the information to the youth athletic groups, review private banquet room costs and update the fieldhouse budget projection with a higher expected us. The youth groups suggested a nonresident fee above the resident fee. The feedback and recommendations were discussed at the May 4 City Council work session and we have another work session planned for follow up. WTRP Nature Play Area and Shelter The contractor started work on this project June 2. They are currently removing dirt while city maintenance crews take the dirt to the nearby archery range. Dirt has also been removed for the park shelter. The shelter will be shipped by August 1, 2020 to be installed by the contractor in early August. Woodland Trails Regional Park Archery Range Park Maintenance completed final grading and seeding of the WTRP archery range and installed all the target stands and how holders. We anticipate opening the range in early September after we completed construction of the backstop berm utilizing excess materials form the nature play area. YAC dugout project PIF The YAC dugout project is currently on hold awaiting the dugout kits. DUGOUTS USA informed us they have received permission to begin production operations and their powder coating facility also recently received permission to begin operations. The concrete slabs and footings are installed, and the new dugout benches are at the shop. BPNP Eagle Scout Project The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed and recommended last year Aaron Bouma for his Eagle Scout project to provide a concrete pad for the BPNP portable toilet location. The portable toilet was located in the parking lot which does not meet ADA standards. An ADA-compliant concrete slab was installed two years ago along the main trail; however, after a complaint from the public the volunteer park steward suggested working with an Eagle Scout candidate. The terrain in the area limits potential placement and the Scout’s planned location impacts the existing ADA ramp and would be very time consuming for winter snow removal. The current slab is the best location from a maintenance and user standpoint, although not the most scenic. It has been moved to this site for the summer. Staff is working with Aaron on a different project to install fencing for the archery range at WTRP. Riverfront Concert Series and Elk River Fest Based on the City Council work session May 18, the concerts planned for June have either been cancelled or re-scheduled to the end of the summer. We currently have nine concerts scheduled pending the upcoming Governors Executive Orders and a follow up discussion with City Council at a work session June 15. Elk RiverFest has been cancelled for July 4th due to COVID-19. City Council will discuss with staff on June 15 moving this event to Labor Day weekend. Independence Day Fireworks At the May 18 City Council meeting, staff was directed to proceed with the Independence Day fireworks with no organized events planned. As in past years, they will shoot from Elk River High School stadium. The fireworks company stated they have 15-fireworks displays planned for July 4 with only five cities cancelling.