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09-09-2020 PRMMeeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission Held at the Elk River City Hall Wednesday, September 9, 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, 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. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Consider 09/09/2020 Agenda Mr. Hecker added items 7.5 Great Northern Trail Hunting Closure and 7.6 Scheduling Special Meetings. Commissioner Holmgren asked if Item 7.4 Orono Park Plans was different than what the special meeting held on August 27 was about. Chair Williams stated that it is for Commissioners who missed that meeting the opportunity to give feedback. Commissioner Loidolt asked why the commission would have special meeting and is a waste of time to discuss a second time. Commissioner Anderson was disappointed that he was not consulted on the meeting time on regarding a special meeting that he suggested to be held and only attended because he was told there would be a quorum and believes everyone should be extended the opportunity to be consulted to see what day would be best to meet for them as was said would happen at the August 12 commission meeting. Commissioner Loidolt stated that each commissioner gave up something to attend and believes by bringing back the item it would be in violation of Roberts Rules. Commissioner Anderson stated it wasn’t an action item at the special meeting and after reviewing the plans more he has additional ideas to discuss. Chair Williams stated Michael Hecker and staff did the best they could to get as Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 September 9, 2020 ----------------------------- many members in attendance, to stay within the timeline. Commissioner Rathbun stated he recalled Commissioner Anderson requesting the special meeting. Moved by Commissioner Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun to approve the September 9, 2020 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting agenda. Motion Carried 7-0. 4.1 Consider 08/12/2020 Regular PRC Minutes Moved by Commissioner Soltvedt and seconded by Commissioner Loidolt to approve the following August 12, 2020 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes. Motion carried 7-0. 4.2 Consider 08/27/2020 Special Meeting PRC Minutes Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Soltvedt to approve the following August 27, 2020 Parks and Recreation Commission Special Meeting Minutes. Motion carried 7-0. 5. Open Forum - None 6. Presentations - None 7.1 Hillside Park Improvements Mr. Hecker read his staff report. Hillside Trail Park Seward, Graydon Betts shared his submitted presentation report. Todd Russell, 180 Ave. Elk River, Hillside Park volunteer, questions the amount trails at 6 miles and what defines as advance and extreme trails. Mr. Hecker stated that the city relies on MORC for their definition of trail levels. Mr. Russell stated he is concerned that if section 3 and 4 are made into an extreme level trail then we will lose the regular riders that go out there and will go to other mountain bike parks. Todd Greig, 10709 Twins Lakes Parkway, stated he shares the same concerns as Mr. Russell and questions where special features come to an end. What is the long-term Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 September 9, 2020 ----------------------------- plan of the trail? There isn’t always a B line for the features and there is no way out of the B line. Concerned about the height of one of the new features and concerned that features are not being run through the city. Commissioner Anderson asked Commissioner Soltvedt what his family feels about trials. Commissioner Soltvedt shared that his family uses sections one and two and have not gone through three and four due to their abilities. Commissioner Rathbun shared personal experience with teaching his daughter to ride the trails. It would be nice to add miles to the sections if the land affords it and add protocol for the group to come up with a plan to submit to the city to get approval. Mr. Hecker stated that he and the Parks Superintendent meet regularly with MORC to discuss plans at the park. Council member Wagner thanked volunteers and asked if there are always a ride around to the difficult features Mr. Greig stated there are ride arounds, however the B lines shortens the length of the trails from 6 miles to 5 and ¼ miles. Council member Wagner asked how safe the roller ramp is. Mr. Betts stated that with the insurance policy they have they are not required to have a guard rail and when designing trail features they keep risk mitigation in mind so with the roller ramp it was built with a 3-ft wide decking which will reduce the risk. Council member Wagner asked what kind of liability insurance the city has if someone gets hurt. Mr. Hecker stated that MORC and city are co-insured and realize there is inherent risks with all features. Mr. Betts said MORC has its own insurance policy and has a rider for features that are over 36 inches. Council member Wagner would like to bring back to the council: how does the process work, who is providing the oversight and how riders know who to ask Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 September 9, 2020 ----------------------------- questions of. Carlson Emmerson, 181 Lane, Elk River and asked who came up with the new map and why has it changed. Mr. Hecker stated that the map will be updated. Council member Wagner clarified that Mr. Hecker will bring this item back to the commission along with inviting community members. 7.2 Park Improvement Fund 2021 Chair Williams asked what the thought process was for putting a basketball court in at Orono Park. Commissioner Anderson stated he did not know why it was recommended for Orono Park. Chair Williams suggested not doing the basketball court at Orono Park, taking the $30,000 and putting it into at Country Crossing to be more like the court at Lion John Weicht Park. Mr. Hecker shared his staff report, stating the three projects based off of $250,000 and looking for discussion of what to do for 2021. Also, would like to discuss the replacement of the playground near The Boys and Girls Club at Lion John Weicht Park in 2022. Commissioner Soltvedt shared he is more familiar with east side parks, and is concerned with lighting at the basketball court at Country Crossing and wondered how close are the homes to the court and if they would be affected by the lighting. Commissioner Anderson likes the idea of improving the basketball court but wondered if the courts get a lot of play. Likes the idea of doing more court in less areas. Commissioner Loidolt agreed with replacing Trott Brook tennis courts and asked if the home association is a part of improvements or expects city to improve the park and would like to know the plans for DAAC to protect people. Looking at fences, buildings, and safety. Commissioner Holmgren agree with the basketball court idea. Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5 September 9, 2020 ----------------------------- Commissioner Rathbun agrees with how different the two user groups are of pickleball and basketball players and they would not be the best mixed use at Orono Park. Mr. Hecker stated Trott Brook Park is a city park and have collaborated with the HOA to get the basketball court built and that it is the cities responsibility to update the tennis courts. 7.3 Open Meeting Law and Gift Regulation Chair Williams asked to share this as it was at the Multipurpose Facility Commission. Mr. Hecker shared his report. 7.4 Orono Park Plans Commissioner Niziolek asked about the trail line next to the skate park and if it will be made between the skate park committee and designer of park and thinks a trail should go to the dog park but not by splash pad and playground, as there may be people afraid of dogs and not a good practice to have dogs near the splash pad. Commissioner Rathbun asked if it is possible to plant prickly bushes in between the beach and splash pad area to keep the sand from entering the splash pad from foot traffic. Also stating if there is any area that lighting could go that would serve a dual purpose. Mr. Hecker stated that the bid would have lighting included in it as a second bid alternate item. Commissioner Anderson shared the trails planned may be redundant trails inside park area L.2.2 and opened up the park. Torn about leaving basketball court out and agree with the incompatibility to being next to pickleball and it might be redundant. Council member Wagner asked to clarify the $2.5 million budget and how will the project be completed on that. Mr. Hecker stated the original budget did not include design work, trails, earthwork, furnishings and equipment which is the reason the base bid estimate is $3million. Mr. Hecker shared that the cost of the restroom building should come down with changes and removing the basketball court. Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 6 September 9, 2020 ----------------------------- 7.5 Great Northern Trail Hunting Closure Mr. Hecker shared his staff report. The city council had asked the police chief to review the hunting ordinances and which was discussed on September 8, 2020 at Council worksession. The chief stated that the GNT cannot be closed and enforced as it is not in the current ordinance. Mr. Hecker stated if commission wants to prohibit hunting, then suggests that Parks and Recreation Commission recommend to council an update to the current ordinance. Tom Olker, 18569 55th St NE, Foley, speaking on behalf of the landlord of the property being discussed adjacent to the GNT. This policy is a safety issue as the GNT gets more popular each year. On opening hunting weekend there were 200 people on the trail in 2019. It is the northern most part of the trail at 1 mile long. From a commonsense standpoint it makes sense to close the trail down for 9 days to prevent an accident. Commissioner Soltvedt shared he is not opposed to making the adjustment to closing the trail. Commissioner Anderson recommends continue the closure the GNT during the firearms season for 9 days also sharing that the County closes their segment of the GNT during firearms season. Commissioner Holmgren shared that the precedent has been set and council will decide. Commissioner Loidolt agree to keeping the GNT closed and understand police cannot enforce it as a policy. Commissioner Niziolek agree with closing the GNT to pedestrian activity during hunting season. Commissioner Rathbun agree with closing the GNT for safety. 7.6 Scheduling Special Meetings Chair Williams shared by city ordinance that a special meeting may be made by the chair. Commissioner members agreed and preferred to do work at meetings and to avoid Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 7 September 9, 2020 ----------------------------- special meetings when possible. 8.1 Park Dedication – TRIE Addition Plat Mr. Hecker shared his staff report adding that it is $1425.00 rate per lot. Moved by Commissioner Soltvedt and seconded by Commissioner Anderson to recommend to City Council to accept staff recommendations that Park Dedication for TRIE Addition Plat be paid in the form of cash for one dwelling unit at the City Council established rate when the subdivision is released for recording. Motion carried 7-0. 8.2 Park Dedication – Weatherly Lot Split Subdivision Mr. Hecker shared his staff report adding that it is $1425.00 rate per lot. Commissioner Niziolek wanted to note that Zebulon has no shoulder and that if traffic increases it will be difficult for pedestrians on that road. Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun to recommend to City Council to accept staff recommendations that Park Dedication for Weatherly Lot Split Subdivision to be paid in the form of cash for one dwelling at the City Council established rate when the subdivision is released for recording. Motion carried 7-0. 9. Active Elk River Update Mr. Hecker shared an update regarding YAC playground, Lion John Weicht Park and the Multipurpose Facility. 10. Parks and Recreation Director Update Mr. Hecker shared his staff report. Commissioners discussed and agreed to a combination of using both social media and the website for the WTRP naming contest. Mr. Hecker shared that MRPA member and Shoreview Parks and Recreation Director Steve Benoit presented two awards to the city council on September 8, one for the expansion of Rivers Edge Commons Park and one for the Active Elk River campaign. Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 8 September 9, 2020 ----------------------------- Mr. Hecker shared that the City Council has directed staff to post larger signs at Oxbow Park. Discussed Fall Women’s Volleyball League update. 11. Announcements - None 12. Adjournment There being no further business, Chair Williams adjourned the meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission at 9:10 p.m. Minutes prepared by Tonya Love. ___________________ David Williams, Chair _____________________ Tina Allard, City Clerk