08-25-2021 Special PRMSpecial Meeting of the Elk River Parks and
Recreation Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Members Present: Chair Williams, Commission members Anderson, Holmgren, Loidolt,
Niziolek, Rathbun, and Soltvedt
Members Absent: None
Council Liaison: Ms. Wagner – via Zoom
Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Hecker, Recreation Assistant, Ali
Wallace
1. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the Elk River Parks and
Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:06 p.m. by Chair Williams.
3. Discuss Park Projects and Park Improvement Fund
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report.
Council member Wagner suggested we do a reference search of other agencies that have
had HKGi do an analysis for them in the past. She asked if we could get better pricing if
we entered a contract with HKGi to do both the Athletic Fields Demand Analysis and
Athletic Fields master Planning? She also suggests finding out if everything that was
included was necessary or if there is something they wish had been included in the analysis.
Mr. Hecker shared the Ninja/Fitcore Challenge Course presentation. He suggested that
the Ninja/Fitcore system could be paid for with park dedication funds since it’s a new
addition to the park.
Council member Wagner suggests having a plan for ongoing maintenance costs for new
park equipment.
Chair Williams confirmed the commission would like to move Lions Park Ninja/Fitcore
System $270,000.00, Orono Park Security Cameras $17,000.00, and Orono Park Pickleball
Shade Structures $14,000.00, and possibly Orono Park Pickleball Windscreen $4,500.00 to
the park dedication fund.
Mr. Hecker asked if there was anything they felt needed to be added to the budget.
Commissioner Soltvedt suggested having nets installed at the Youth Athletic Complex to
protect people from foul balls. He also suggested having a placeholder to put money into
for special things that come up, such as volleyball nets.
Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2
August 25, 2021
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Commissioners agreed to add $10,000.00 for Miscellaneous Park Facility Improvements to
the park improvement fund.
4. Discuss Park Dedication Fund
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report. There is $930,000 in the fund now and there should be
a total of $1.8 million going into 2022. The park dedication fund is for new things to be
built and the park improvement fund is for existing things that need to be replaced.
5. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Williams adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
Parks and Recreation Commission work session at 6:20 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Ali Wallace.
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Dave Anderson, Chair
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Tina Allard, City Clerk