Loading...
07-14-2021 PR MIN II44 City of Elk Meeting of the Elk River Parks and �� Recreation Commission River Held at the Elk River City Hall Wednesday, July 14, 2021 Members Present: Chair Williams, Commission members Loidolt, Niziolek, Rathbun, and Soltvedt Members Absent: Commission members Anderson and Holmgren Council Liaison: Ms. Wagner Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Hecker, Recreation Coordinator,Tonya Love 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 07/14/2021 Agenda Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun to approve the July 14, 2021, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting agenda. Motion carried 5-0. 4.1 Consider 06/09/2021 Regular PRC Minutes Moved by Commissioner Rathbun and seconded by Commissioner Soltvedt to approve the following June 9, 2021, Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes. Motion carried 5-0. 5. Open Forum Jack Lorge 19490 Lowell Street, shared a petition to add windscreens and shading to the Orono Park pickleball court area along with sharing pictures of the Otsego pickleball court showing shading and windscreen. Chuck Leingang 19691 Wilson Street demonstrated blowing a pickleball on a table to show how important the windscreen will be around the pickleball courts. Kathy Warneke 18923 146 Street asked the commission to build the pickleball courts the best way from the start and sharing that it will bring people here to play. Indoor --.. pickleball was promised to be played at the Furniture and Things Furniture Community Event Center. Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 July 14,2021 Anna Wagner 432 Proctor Avenue shared that she started playing pickleball this year, and it is fun and social for the seniors. All ages can play, seniors need shade,it would be difficult to play in the high heat and the shade and windscreens will help. Players are not going to Highland Park to play any longer. Steve Christenson 807 Line Avenue stated the pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America. Fun for people who have not been athletic in the past,it is for all abilities. Otsego is the premier court in the area. Mr. Hecker stated that the commission had work sessions and got input from pickleball players regarding the initial design and your requests will be looked at with commission members in the near future. 6. Presentations - None 7.1 Park Dedication — Tall Pines Third Addition Mr. Hecker shared his staff report. Commissioner Niziolek asked if there is a plan for how the trails will be constructed. Councilmember Wagner shared that there will be sidewalks on Line Ave. along with a trail that is in the second addition to access Twin Lakes Road. . — Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun to recommend to City Council to accept staff recommendations to accept park dedication for Tall Pines PUD Third Addition to be paid, at the applicable rate, for the final number of dwelling units when the lots are released for recording. Motion carried 5-0. 7.2 Trott Brook Park Tennis Court and Country Crossing Park Basketball Projects Mr. Hecker shared his staff report stating that due to the higher cost quotes staff is required to go out for bids instead of the quotes that were received regarding Trott Brook Park Tennis Courts but will be able to move ahead with the basketball court at Country Crossing Park. Commissioner Rathbun shared that a delay may get a better cost. Commissioner Soltvedt asked if the bidding was on both amenities at the same time is then Country Crossing basketball court cost too high? PUIERFI 1 1 NATURE ^ Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 July 14,2021 Mr. Hecker stated we could wait. Chair Williams shared that the cost may not go down. Commissioner Niziolek asked if we package it together and delay until next year could we get a better deal packaged together. Council member Wagner shared that there are unhappy neighborhood residents near Trott Brook Farms Park and explained that we are feeling the effects of Covid-19 trickle down. Supports the commission on what they choose to do. Mr. Hecker shared that park dedication could be used for the project at Country Crossing Park. Chair Williams stated it may be better to wait with timing of construction. Mr. Hecker stated the quote is good for 30 days. Council member Wagner asked if we went back out for bids,would it be done in 2022. �•• Commissioner Soltvedt stated the excavating work could be completed in the winter to be able to start construction early in 2022. Council member Wagner asked if staff could do the removal. Mr. Hecker stated they have the ability but cannot predict their workload at that time of year. Commissioner Soltvedt stated he would like to see excavation done as soon as possible in the winter for the tennis courts and would like to move forward on Country Crossing project. Council member Wagner asked if moving the reconstruction of the Trott Brook Park tennis courts to 2022 if it would make sense to then ask if the two tennis courts meet the needs of the community or do the courts need to be expanded,like adding a pickleball court and to discuss at the park improvement budget meeting. Commissioner Loidolt asked if there is there a way,we can survey the Trott Brook neighborhood residents to see who plays tennis vs pickleball. Council member Wagner shared that she could survey the neighborhood residents IoWERFI 81 II' NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 July 14,2021 through their Facebook neighborhood group. Moved by Commissioner Soltvedt and seconded by Commissioner Niziolek to recommend to City Council to accept staff recommendations to approve the North Valley quote for the Country Crossing and Fresno Parks general site improvement for$112,584.32 pay for using Park Improvement Fund with possible use of Park Dedication fund. Motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Soltvedt would like to see updated signage put up at the tennis courts and on city website and Facebook page.Also,stating that using a QR Code that residents could scan and be directed to the website with a timeline of the project. Commissioner Niziolek wants the tennis court discussion on the agenda next month. 8.I Elk RiverFest Mr. Hecker shared his staff report, sharing a slideshow of Elk RiverFest, then asked commissioners for feedback on the event if they attended. Commissioner Rathbun attended and thought it was excellent,multiple food trucks, like the improvements each year.Very organized at Sips on Main. Doesn't believe it has to be linked to the July fourth holiday and liked the energy it brings to downtown. Commissioner Loidolt didn't attend due to being out of town and stressed that we always reference Elk RiverFest.Would like a different date. Fireworks should stay on July fourth. What do businesses think? Commissioner Soltvedt didn't attend and echoed Commissioner Loidolt's statement. Would changing the date benefit the businesses or not,it is nice to highlight the businesses and park. Downtown and Furniture and Things Community Event Center would be good option if bad weather or to highlight it. Commissioner Niziolek stated that the fireworks should be on fourth of July, either do both on the fourth or separate them. Encourage the downtown businesses to participate in event. Idea to use Orono for families,could connect with a running event,with a Main St Mile race. Chair Williams thought it was more spread out and liked the different day idea and splitting the event for families and Sips on Main.Like fireworks on July fourth. Consider Furniture and Things Community Event Center and its role. POWEREI BY NATURE _ Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5 July 14,2021 Council member Wagner shared info regarding downtown businesses,they often take their vacations during the fourth of July weekend. Direct feedback that just because some do not take part others do take advantage of the event. 9. Parks and Recreation Director Update Mr. Hecker shared his staff report. Shared a slide show of Orono Park progress. Shared a letter that was sent to Elk River Youth Baseball Association regarding the costs of issues happening at our athletic facilities. Highlighted contract cost increase for projects. 10. Announcements - None I I. Adjournment to Work Session There being no further business, Chair Williams adjourned the meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission at 7:53 p.m. 12. Work Session The work session meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:59 p.m. by Chair Williams. 12.1 Elk River Youth Lacrosse Deferment Request Mr. Hecker introduced the Lacrosse board members. Brian Lambertz,Youth Lacrosse Association President shared how registrations went down in 2021 from what was projected in the budget which was set in 2020. After restructuring the budget and cutting items they are still in the hole. Instead of making two payments,can they spread the debt out. They can accommodate lesser payments.Looking for recommendations and advice from Commission. Mrs. Lambertz shared that state mask mandate was in effect when registration closed and believe that effected the registration numbers. Chair Williams suggested meeting with a youth sports consultant to help with budgeting that has fresh eyes looking at it. Mr. Lambertz shared that the U8 teams were canceled last season and they will need to advertise more for that age group. P PDIVEREI BY NATURE Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 6 July 14,2021 Council member Wagner suggested that the lacrosse budget can be cut in areas to get back on track. Supports the partnerships in the community and suggested adding to income area the corporate sponsorships they receive. 12.2 Lion John Weicht Park Playground and Disc Golf Mr. Hecker introduced Tim Macky,Disc Golf designer and Jarred Sherhammer, local disc golfer. Lion John Weicht Pak already has nine baskets and should be done correctly.A destination course would benefit the community. Suggest staying with nine holes and having two tee pad sets to play an 18-hole course.All skill levels can Play. Mr. Macky shared we could auction off the existing baskets or install in another park to introduce to other park users. Designed Zimmerman,Big Lake,Monticello, St. Cloud,Albany,Upsala,Rochester, about 50 courses. Most in public parks. Commissioner Loidolt shared his concerns about the proposed layout with a few holes being too close and that there should be a water shot included. Mr. Macky shared he could make adjustments to the layout and do nine holes instead of the proposed 12. Mr. Hecker shared the Ninja playground course information,asking if commissioners believe it is a trend that will last, this course is for 13 years and older. Suggested doing a special meeting on August 18 to look at park dedication funding. I3. Adjournment There being no further business,Chair Williams adjourned the work session meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission work session at 8:53 p.m. Minutes prepared by Tonya Love. -a— _._1-___ David Williams, Chair Tina Allard,City Clerk POVEREI OE NATURE _