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02-10-2021 PR MIN City of Elk Meeting of the Elk River Parks and � Recreation Commission River Held at the Elk River City Hall Wednesday, February 10, 2021 Members Present: Chair Williams, Commission members Anderson, Holmgren, Loidolt, Niziolek, Rathbun, and Soltvedt Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Hecker,Public Works Director/Chief Engineer,Justin Femrite, Street and Park Superintendent,Tim Sevcik,Recreation Coordinator,Tonya Love, and Recreation Assistant,Ali Wallace I. 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 02/10/2021 Agenda Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Soltvedt to approve the February 10,2021 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting agenda. Motion carried 7-0. 4.1 Consider 01/13/2021 Regular PRC Minutes Moved by Commissioner Soltvedt and seconded by Commissioner Anderson to approve the following January 13,2021 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes. Motion carried 7-0. S. Open Forum - None 6. Presentations - None 7.1 Trail Maintenance Mr. Hecker introduced Mr. Femrite,Public Works Director. Mr. Femrite shared his staff report. Commissioner Anderson thinks a 7.5 rating is a good target because it would be comfortable and sustainable if we can figure out where the money is going to come from. Commissioner Niziolek suggested including trail usage in the evaluation. Some trails Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 February 10,2021 we may want to keep at an 8, 9, or 10 and others that are not used as often or by bikers could be dropped down to a 7, 6 or 5. Commissioner Rathbun would like to see the trails prioritized in regard to the usage. Commissioner Anderson agrees with the average rating of 7.5. Commissioner Soltvedt asked what the typical life cycle is for the new construction trails. Mr. Femrite estimates they can maintain a rating of 10 to 7 range for about 10 years. Moved by Commissioner Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun to recommend the use of a target system average rating for the overall trail pavements of 7.5 with future consideration to being open to some trails being higher and some trails being lower. Motion carried 7-0. 7.2 Woodland Trails Regional Park Parking Lot Mr. Femrite shared his staff report. Commissioner Soltvedt asked how many times a year the parking lot has been at it's �� full capacity. Commissioner Anderson said the usage at the park has been phenomenal. On a recent Sunday the parking lot was full with cars parking along the road coming into the park as well as parking in the golf course parking lot. In an ideal situation he feels like we need to double the parking capacity. He feels that with the additional features, such as the archery range, nature play area and new pavilion we will see this lot at capacity and will need to talk about parking alternatives in the future. Commissioner Soltvedt asked if we would need to do any additional storm water ponding in the area for the expansion? Mr. Femrite said it doesn't trigger us to the level of requiring that but will look into it. Commissioner Holmgren feels this is reactionary. He would like to see an increased usage of the park over a longer period of time before adding to the parking lot. Commissioner Loidolt also thinks this is a reactionary plan. He agrees that the new amenities will draw more people to the park but there are other projects that also IF-111111111 11 NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 February 10,2021 need to be done. He suggests plowing out an area to the south of the lot to add a few temporary parking spots and we can continue to use the parking lot at the golf course. Commissioner Niziolek thinks the increase in use is driven by the new amenities at the park and thinks the usage will continue to increase dramatically. Commissioner Rathbun also agrees there has been an increase in park usage due to the new features which justify adding more parking spots. Chair Williams also feels like this plan is reactionary. He mentioned he had Mr. Hecker check to see if the cost could be paid out of the Pavement Management Fund but it can't. It would need to be paid with funds from Park Dedication and he is not supportive of that. Commissioner Soltvedt asked what the approximate fund balance is of the Park Dedication Fund. Chair Williams said there is $511,000 but there will be some funds going towards the Highway 10 trail. Commissioner Niziolek stated that there is not neighborhood parking available and can only park in this parking lot. County Road 1 is too dangerous,and we need to keep everyone in this area to keep it safe. Commissioner Rathbun suggests that if there isn't support for this proposal that there could be exploration to a second-tier option for expanding parking. Moved by Commissioner Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun to accept staff recommendation of the expansion of the Woodland Trails Regional Park parking lot. Motion fails 4-3. Commissioner Soltvedt asked if we have received any feedback or complaints from the Elk River Golf Course regarding people parking in the overflow area during the winter months. Mr. Hecker and Chair Williams have not heard of any complaints. Commissioners discussed the expansion and where the money will come from. Some supported it and some did not. Some Commissioners want a large parking lot but don't want to spend the money when there are more important projects. 11 ■ E 1 E 1 IT NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 February 10,2021 7.3 Park Dedication —Wildlife Woods Addition Mr. Hecker shared his staff report. Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun to recommend to City Council to accept staff recommendations that park dedication for Wildlife Woods Addition be paid for the final number of dwelling units at final plat approval at the rate applicable when the subdivision is released for recording. Motion carried 7-0. 7.4 Park Dedication — River Walk Apartments Mr. Hecker introduced Brendan Muldoon, one of the developers from PRG Commercial. Mr. Hecker shared his staff report. Commissioner Niziolek wants to make sure the 20' trail easement is buildable. Chair Williams said that Mr. Carlton ensured him that the 20' trail easement is buildable. Commissioner Anderson also agreed trail needs to be buildable. Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Anderson to recommend to City Council to accept staff recommendations that park dedication for River Walk Apartments be paid for the final number of dwelling units at final plat approval at the rate applicable when the subdivision is released for recording with an emphasis that the 20' trail easement can easily be constructed. Motion carried 7-0. 7.5 Park Pavilion and Shelter Fees Mr. Hecker shared his staff report. Commissioners stated they feel the rates are a good value. Commissioner Loidolt asked if there is a special rate for sports associations that will use the fields, concessions, and pavilion. Mr. Hecker said that has not been decided yet. If someone is having a tournament PIIIENEI IT NATURE �. �--..., Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5 February 10,2021 that is something we will need to negotiate. Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Anderson to recommend to City Council to approve the new fee schedule for park pavilions and shelters. Motion carried 7-0. 7.6 Eagle Scout Project Signs Mr. Hecker shared his staff report. Commissioners discussed the Eagle Scout Project signs,how to contact the past Scouts, and the cost of the signs. Commissioner Loidolt asked what budget would be used for the project. Mr. Hecker stated it will come out of the Parks and Recreation operating budget. The funds will either come out of the Parks Maintenance Sign fund or the Recreation fund which is designated for programs. Mr. Hecker suggested a fund should be designated to put money aside for the signs. ,--....„ Commission discussed how it would affect the budget it came from and if half could be funded in 2021,which is $875.00. Commissioner Soltvedt asked how many Eagle Scout projects have been done. Commissioner Anderson thinks there has been about 50 and is putting a list together. Commissioners agree that the Eagle Scouts deserve the recognition. Moved by Commissioner Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Loidolt to recommend to City Council to accept staff recommendations for the Eagle Scout Sign program and design. Motion carried 6-0. �....., PUILIEI 11 NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 6 February 10,2021 7.7 Elk River Golf Course Property Mr. Hecker shared his staff report. Commissioners think the land would be a valuable addition but need more information. Moved by Commissioner Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Niziolek to recommend to City Council to accept staff recommendations that this portion of the Elk River Golf Course would be a good addition to Woodland Trails Regional Park. Motion fails 3-3. Commissioner's continued to discuss. Moved by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Niziolek to recommend to City Council that the park commission is interested in the property identified by the Elk River Golf Course,which a portion was previously identified in the Woodland Trails Regional Park Master Plan, if in the future it is determined that the acquisition makes sense financially. Commissioner Niziolek withdrew second. Amendment made by Commissioner Soltvedt adding to the end of motion, and provides significant natural resource and recreational value. Commissioner Niziolek seconds the motion. Motion carried 6-0. 8.I Recreation Program Plan Mr. Hecker read his staff report. 8.2 Softball League Mr. Hecker read his staff report. Commission discussed and agreed that staff can make the decision to cancel adult softball or continue it. Mr. Hecker said staff has not reached out to the teams. 1A / EIEI 11 NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 7 February 10,2021 9. Active Elk River Update Mr. Hecker shared that the bids will be going out soon for Orono Park. 10. Parks and Recreation Director Update Mr. Hecker shared his staff report and thanked the Bank of Elk River for sponsoring the Riverfront Concert Series. I I. Announcements— None 12. Adjournment There being no further business,Chair Williams adjourned the meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission at 9:06 p.m. Minutes prepared by Ali Wallace. David Williams, Chair Tina Allard, City Clerk �� 11 ■ E A E I IT NATURE