07-08-2020 PRMMeeting of the Elk River Parks and
Recreation Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday, July 8, 2020
Members Present: Chair Williams, Commission members Anderson, Holmgren, Loidolt,
Niziolek, Rathbun, and Soltvedt
Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Hecker, 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 6:31 p.m. by Chair Williams.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Consider 07/08/2020 Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Soltvedt to
approve the July 8, 2020 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting agenda.
Motion carried 7-0.
4.1 Consider 06/10/2020 Regular PRC Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Rathbun and seconded by Commissioner Loidolt to
approve the following June 10, 2020 Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes. Motion carried 7-0.
5. Open Forum - None
6. Presentations - None
7.1 City Comprehensive Plan Committee
Mr. Hecker read his staff report.
Moved by Commissioner Soltvedt and seconded by Commissioner Anderson
to nominate Chair Williams to the City Comprehensive Planning Committee.
Motion carried 7-0.
7.2 Copart Land Swap/YAC Master plan
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report.
Chair Williams shared that having the street come into a cul-de-sac with swapping
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land will work better.
Commissioner Anderson would like to see how the amenities would fit with the
topography in the area.
Chair Williams shared that the Council would like this project done soon.
Commissioner Loidolt agrees doing the land swap.
Commissioner Holmgren shared that he supports the land swap, it gives more
options.
Commissioner Soltvedt likes the access off the north side but wants to make sure we
will not lose any access to having the amenities that are in the current master plan.
Commissioner Rathbun concerned whether all the amenities will fit in the new area.
Commissioner Niziolek thinks it is important to spend time now to make certain the
amenities fit into the area.
Commissioner Anderson stated concerns about the area south of the holding pond
possibly being a wetland, which would be very difficult to move. We do not have
enough information to give guidance to the Mayor and Council whether this is a
feasible to do for the amenities to fit. Would like to see the property before
recommending to council.
Commissioner Soltvedt shared that the area south of the holding pond is a small hill
but that it relatively flat across the parcel. In making sure that we can fit all the
amenities and not sacrificing the position of the fields so they are not pointing into
the sun.
Commissioner Loidolt sees a big benefit of moving away from the railroad and could
use the tree line as buffer.
Commissioners discussed the proposed land swap with Copart noting that they want
to make sure the new area will not lose any access to having the amenities in the
current YAC Master Plan.
Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Anderson
to table meeting until August. Motion failed 4-3.
Move by Commissioner Anderson to deny land swap with Copart until we get
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more information. No second.
Commissioner Niziolek asked to look at original plan of Copart to see where the
road goes.
8. Discussion Items - None
9. Active Elk River Update
Mr. Hecker shared pictures of YAC Fields lighting ceremony, Lion John Weicht
Park, and Multipurpose Facility.
10. Parks and Recreation Director Update
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report. Sharing that the CSAH 12 will start this summer
and will be complete in Spring of 2021.
11. Announcements
Chair Williams shared that the August meeting will be hybrid meeting and will
discuss the September meeting.
12. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Williams adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Parks and Recreation Commission at 7:45 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Tonya Love.
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David Williams, Chair
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Tina Allard, City Clerk