07-13-2022 PRMINMeeting of the Elk River Parks and
Recreation Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday, July 13, 2022
Members Present: Chair Williams, Commission members Anderson, Loidolt, Niziolek,
Rathbun, and Soltvedt
Members Absent: Commissioner Holmgren
Council Liaison: Ms. Wagner
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 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 07/13/2022 Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Soltvedt to
approve the July 13, 2022, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting agenda.
Motion carried 6-0.
4.1 Consider 06/08/2022 Regular PRC Minutes
Commissioner Niziolek stated in the announcements if staff could create a policy for
all events that would include people and pets, not only 5k events.
Moved by Commissioner Soltvedt and seconded by Commissioner Niziolek
to approve the following June 8, 2022, Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes with the suggested change. Motion carried 6-0.
5. Open Forum - None
6. Presentations
6.1 Eagle Scout Presentation
Bjorn Pederson, Troop 90, shared his Eagle Scout Service Project that will be done
at Woodland Trails Regional Park.
Commissioner Anderson shared the city will provide the wood chips from the
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compost site.
Commissioner Niziolek stated we have used a mesh fabric below the wood chips in
the past and asked if there is a plan to use it for this project.
Commissioner Anderson suggested that Commissioner Niziolek find a good mesh
fabric.
Commissioner Niziolek will look into that, and suggested Bjorn send an email to
Minnesota State Parks to see what fabric they use. If we can find a fabric, we will see
what the cost is and if we can generate the money.
7. Action Items
7.1 Park Dedication – Final Plat: Jabez Third Addition
Mr. Hecker shared the staff report.
Steve Rolf, 17094 Vance St., shared it is about time the board gets the recognition
they deserve.
Commissioner Loidolt asked if the sidewalk on the west side of Twin Lakes Road
will continue to Highway 10.
Mr. Hecker shared it is not in the existing sidewalk plan and is not on the master
plan.
Moved by Commissioner Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun
to recommend to City Council to accept cash for park dedication, at the
applicable commercial rate when the lot is released for recording. Motion
carried 6-0.
7.2 Park Dedication – Preliminary Plat: The Villas at Fillmore
Mr. Hecker shared the staff report.
Marly Glines, 19230 Evans St, shared his plan to pay all the park fees and the 10-foot
trail or pay for the whole trail and put some money towards the park dedication.
Mr. Glines explained the handout that was passed out proposed the park dedication
fees be prorated according to how many lots he will be developing per ¼ mile of
trail.
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Commissioner Anderson shared this would be a complete about face from what
we’ve been doing. We accept cash, land, or a combination of both.
Commissioner Niziolek shared the cost of the trail is outside of our jurisdiction.
Mr. Glines asked if Parks and Recreation Commission is only responsible for
approving the park fees. He stated he will bring it up to the City Council about being
fair and reasonable.
Mr. Hecker shared he spoke with Mr. Carlton, and he shared that could happen and
it is up to the commission to make the recommendation.
Councilmember Wagner shared the trail system is meant to serve the community and
not just the lots that are being developed.
Mr. Glines asked if he only had 20 lots would he still need to pay $56,000 for park
dedication.
Councilmember Wagner shared that is how the practice is at this time.
Mr. Glines shared he has done many plats in Elk River and has dedicated over 60
acres of usable park land. He feels the reasonable thing to do is pay all of the park
fees and prorated portion comparable to Miske Meadows and Lennar.
Councilmember Wagner shared no matter how many lots are put in the developer is
responsible for the trail.
Commissioner Anderson shared the Lennar project has only been discussed in
concept. He shared the commission can make a motion to the recommendation of
park dedication, but the funding of the trail is outside of our jurisdiction.
Mr. Hecker shared the reason the commission is supportive of the trail is because
they approved the trail master plan.
Moved by Commissioner Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun
to recommend to City Council to accept cash for park dedication, at the
applicable rate, for the final number of dwelling units when the lots are
released for recording, and we are in support of the trail because it is part of
the parks master trail plan. Motion carried 6-0.
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8.1 Discuss Potential Park Projects
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report and referred to Park Improvement Fund handout.
The numbers on the report are not up to date and he expects a jump in price due to
inflation.
Mr. Hecker would like to get ideas from the commission on projects you may want
to add or remove for 2023 and beyond. The playground safety netting for $50,000 at
the Youth Athletic Complex will not be done due to only receiving one quote which
was over $110,000. We need more than one quote and could only get one. We did
not proceed because of the cost. There is a chance the design can change to include
the netting over a larger area which may cost over $200,000. There are other options
that we can look at such as additional backstops, before getting an updated estimate.
Mr. Hecker shared the commission wanted to have the Ninja Park brought back,
which would come from the park dedication fund and was $280,000 at the time.
Chair Williams shared the commission will have a month to look over the
spreadsheet and contact Mr. Hecker with any questions.
Mr. Hecker shared the playground costs have gone up 8-10% in the last year, so
expect an increase in cost for the playgrounds.
Commissioner Anderson asked when this will be approved by council.
Mr. Hecker said the recommendation is to bring to council by September.
Councilmember Wagner shared the council will need to set the preliminary operating
budget at the September 19 meeting.
Mr. Hecker shared the park improvement funds come from a percentage of the
liquor store funds and the park dedication funds come from various developers.
Commissioner Anderson would like the storage garage at Woodland Trails Regional
Park that was originally scheduled for 2008.
Mr. Hecker shared one other option he will provide next month is getting quotes for
Lions Park using partially new equipment with existing equipment.
Commissioner Anderson shared it is not sustainable to replace the playgrounds every
25 years.
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Commissioner Loidolt asked if the liquor store funds can be higher than $250,000?
Councilmember Wagner shared it is a minimum of $250,000 instead of a fluctuating
number so you can plan.
Commissioner Loidolt asked when we will know if the monetary amount will be
higher than $250,000?
Councilmember Wagner said that amount will be presented in October during the
capital budget.
9. Parks and Recreation Director Update
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report and went over a handout with a timeline project
for Orono Park. The parking lot will be closed July 14-18 for final paving and
striping. The splash pad is officially open every day 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. The
pickleball court lines will be put down the end of August.
The Orono Park Ribbon Cutting will be August 2, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. with Night to
Unite to follow 6:00p.m. - 8:00p.m.
Commissioner Rathbun asked about electrical issues at Woodland Trails Regional
Park.
Mr. Hecker shared it is still being worked on.
Commissioner Loidolt asked about grass at Youth Athletic Complex and if staff has
been transparent with user groups about the issue.
Mr. Hecker shared one of the test areas with seed is working so they will be able to
use grass seed instead of sod and the fields should be ready by next Spring. He
shared that Mr. Ellingworth has been in communication with the associations.
Councilmember Wagner thanked Mr. Hecker for the detailed information about
Orono Park.
10. Announcements
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11. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Williams adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Parks and Recreation Commission at 7:28 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Ali Wallace.
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David Williams, Chair
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Tina Allard, City Clerk