7.4 PRSR 08-12-2020 Added ItemMeeting of the Elk River Parks and
Recreation Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday, June 10, 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, 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 6:32 p.m. by Chair Williams.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Consider 06/10//2020 Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Soltvedt and seconded by Commissioner Loidolt to
approve the June 10, 2020 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting agenda.
Motion carried 7-0.
4.1 Consider 05/13/2020 Regular PRC Minutes
Commissioner Soltvedt noted the location of the May Commission Minutes stated
that it was held at City Hall and it was virtual and may need to change.
Ms. Love stated she will confirm what location to list per the City Clerk.
Moved by Commissioner Soltvedt and seconded by Commissioner Holmgren
to approve the following May 13, 2020 Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes with the suggested change. Motion carried 7-0.
5. Open Forum - None
6. Presentations - None
7.1 Lacrosse Field Lighting Deferment Requests
Mr. Benoit read his staff report.
Chair Williams stated he was in favor of deferring the Lacrosse Association’s
payments.
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Commissioner Soltvedt asked if the Elk River Football Association was asking for
deferment of payment.
Mr. Benoit shared that Elk River Football Association is not requesting a deferment
plan at this time.
Chair Williams stated he well abstain from the vote.
Moved by Chair Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Niziolek to
recommend to City Council to accept staff’s recommendation to defer
Lacrosse Association field lighting payments by one year. Motion carried 6-0.
Abstained 1.
8.1 Meadowvale Road and Active Elk River Trails
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report and reviewed the Active Elk River Trails.
Commissioner Niziolek stated that the Meadowvale Road would be more important
because it is a more dangerous road and should be a higher priority.
Commissioner Soltvedt asked if the Line Ave will be affected by the 169 Project.
Council Member Wagner stated that there will be a cul-de-sac put in at Line Ave.
8.2 188th Avenue Right-of-way
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report. A resident requested that a road right-of-way be
maintained as a natural trail for the neighborhood to use at 188th Ave.
Commissioner Anderson stated that he spoke to two of the neighbors and had a
tour. About 40% is mowed and maintained and the rest is full of brush. Would the
city allow the neighborhood to do the clearing to be able to walk through the area
for access? This trail would allow residents to skirt around Meadowvale Road.
Commissioner Anderson shared that we need to have a public meeting with the
neighbors to discuss the option and not promoting to add it to staff current
workload.
Mr. Hecker suggested it be an Eagle Scout project.
Commissioner Niziolek asked if the empty lots were to be built out in the future.
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June 10, 2020
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Commissioner Anderson stated that the lots are landlocked and no access.
8.3 Youth Athletic Field Allocation Discussion
Mr. Benoit shared an update regarding field allocations, use and field fees and how
it’s been impacted by COVID-19.
Mr. Benoit also shared maintenance updates regarding fields and following state
guidelines. Stating that staff is looking for feedback regarding field rental fees and
possibly not collecting in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Chair Williams asked if youth associations have submitted residence numbers and
that the rates were set at a fair rate.
Commission members discussed leaving the fees at the rates set and to discuss again
at the end of the season because each sport may potentially be impacted differently,
and to look at a possible pro-rated fee.
Councilmember Wagner asked if staff had heard of any relief coming to youth
associations from the state level. With the cancelling of tournaments and house
leagues are hurting the associations budget to no fault of theirs could use financial
help.
Chair Williams stated that he has not heard anyone advocating for money just for
grants.
Mr. Benoit shared that he has only heard about how to play sports but no financial
support.
Councilmember Wagner stated that City Council will be looking at the budget and
without fees being collected things will look different.
Mr. Benoit asked when the field lighting event at YAC and what the elements of the
event would be.
Chair Williams shared that the event will be on Wednesday, June 24, Baseball will
play games July 6. People will arrive at 9:00 p.m. and lights will turn on at 9:30 p.m.
9. Active Elk River Update
Mr. Hecker shared pictures of Lion John Weicht Park and Multi-purpose Facility
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progress.
10. Parks and Recreation Director Update
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report, adding that the Skate Park Committee should
reconvene to discuss the final design within the Orono Park.
Commissioner Rathbun shared he checked out the Great Northern Trail progress
and sympathize with the construction zone workers due to how many people were
there and asked if the construction company can place a cone near the pipes sticking
out of the trail.
Commissioner Anderson discussed the trail to the new shelter at Woodland Trails
Regional Park was moved from what was discussed and the location it was put will
impact the skiing amenity negatively.
11. Division Manager’s Update
Mr. Benoit shared the latest flyer marketing piece that was sent out June 6 in the Elk
River Star News.
12. Announcements
Councilmember Wagner shared Together Elk River initiative and to use
#TogetherElkRiver in social posts to help promote Elk River Businesses.
13. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Williams adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Parks and Recreation Commission at 8:33 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Tonya Love.
___________________
David Williams, Chair
_____________________
Tina Allard, City Clerk
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity
Request for Action
To
Parks and Recreation Commission
Item Number
8.2
Agenda Section
Discussion
Meeting Date
June 10, 2020
Prepared by
Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
Item Description
188th Avenue ROW – Island View Neighborhood
Trail
Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Discussion.
Background/Discussion
A resident requested a section of road right-of-way (ROW) at 188th Avenue in the Island View
neighborhood be maintained as a trail. The resident claimed the city mowed a path through this area and
maintained it as a natural surface trail years ago. Residents now utilize this ROW for walking and biking
through the neighborhood to get to the trail along TH 10 and Upland.
Staff could not find any evidence this area was ever maintained as a trail. It would require a lot of work to
clear the corridor and transform it to a natural surface trail.
Staff recommends not proceeding with this request since it does not appear in our trails master plan and
we usually don’t maintain trails on grass ROW’s.
Financial Impact
N/A
Attachments
188th Avenue ROW