09-14-2022 PRMINMeeting of the Elk River Parks and
Recreation Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
Members Present: Chair Williams, Commission members Anderson, Holmgren, Loidolt,
Niziolek, Rathbun, and Soltvedt
Members Absent: None
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 09/14/2022 Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Soltvedt and seconded by Commissioner Niziolek
to approve the September 14, 2022, Parks and Recreation Commission
meeting agenda. Motion carried 7-0.
4.1 Consider 08/10/2022 Regular PRC Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Soltvedt to
approve the following August 10, 2022, Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes. Motion carried 7-0.
5. Open Forum - None
6. Presentations - None
7. Action Items
7.1 Great Northern Trail Regional Trail Designation Resolution
Mr. Hecker shared the staff report.
Commissioner Niziolek shared one thing that could set this trail system apart from
others is if there could be grade separation when road improvements occur. Elk
River already has one grade separation on the GNT so people can travel 4 miles
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without having to cross a road.
Moved by Commissioner Anderson and seconded by Commissioner
Holmgren to recommend to City Council to accept the resolution supporting
regional trail designation for the Great Northern Trail. Motion carried 7-0.
8. Discussion Items
8.1 Park Improvement Fund and Park Dedication Projects
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report and referred to the updated Park Improvement
Fund and Park Dedication Fund spreadsheet that was handed out.
Mr. Hecker shared Lion John Weicht Park is listed as a signature park in the master
plan. Our signature parks are Woodland Trails Regional Park, Orono Park, Dave
Anderson Athletic Complex, Youth Athletic Complex, Lion John Weicht Park and
Rivers Edge Commons Park, which means people are willing to drive to those
locations. According to the master plan they should be larger playgrounds, high
quality features and kids are engaged with high quality features.
Option 1 and 2 are $100,000 and have wood fiber surfacing. Option 3 and 4 are
around $300,000 and have poured-in-place rubber surfacing. All designs meet the
ADA requirements. The demo of the existing equipment will be done in house to
save money.
Mr. Hecker shared he put in $100,000 into the spreadsheet as a place holder but that
amount can be increased if the commission would like. Does the commission want
any more added to the budget for the playground?
Commissioner Rathbun likes that the playgrounds are ADA accessible.
Commissioner Loidolt would like an estimate in the middle of the 4 options.
Commissioner Holmgren would like more options in the middle price range.
Mr. Hecker will get quotes for $200,000.
Commissioner Niziolek asked if staff has looked at the number of users of this
playground. Also, asked what playground features are at Lincoln Elementary and
Parker Elementary. We should try not to be redundant with the equipment.
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Mr. Hecker shared we do not take counts of the users, but the park is well used
because it is close to the Boys and Girls Club. He will also check what playground
equipment is at the schools.
Commissioner Soltvedt asked if maintenance had any input regarding the soil at
LJWP and the poured-in-place rubber surfacing.
Mr. Hecker shared there is poured-in-place rubber surfacing in some high impact
areas of the playground, and it has not been an issue.
Chair Williams asked commissioners if they want to keep $100,000 as a place holder.
Commissioner Anderson stated we should put in the dollar amount that we want.
Asked what the lifecycle of the playground is.
Mr. Hecker shared it is 25 years.
Commissioner Soltvedt asked if we are concerned about the cash balance going into
the next year if we add another $100,000 to the playground.
Anderson shared if the commission thinks it’s a priority, we can push some things in
2024 to the next year.
Commissioner consensus was to put $200,000 as a placeholder for LJWP
playground.
Mr. Hecker shared plans for a storage garage at Youth Athletic Complex for user
groups and park maintenance to use for equipment and tools. The cost for the 2-stall
garage at YAC and WTRP does include the concrete, concrete pads, lighting and
electric.
Commissioner Holmgren asked where the location of the garage will be.
Mr. Hecker shared staff will work together with the user groups and maintenance to
determine the best location and the site work will be done by staff.
Mr. Hecker shared the quote for the netting at YAC is $125,000. Still waiting on
quotes for shade structures.
Commissioner Loidolt shared Dassel Cokato Softball fields have nice shade
structures between the fields and suggests contacting the high school to see where
they are from.
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Mr. Hecker shared Sherburne County is having an open house on Tuesday,
September 20, 2022, to go over the plans for the County Road 44 Trail, which is in
the 2024 budget for $250,000. The design is an urban section which includes curb
and gutter, and they will do their best to follow the trail plan, but not guaranteed.
Commissioner Niziolek requested Sherburne County attend the next meeting to
share the plans for CR 44.
Commissioner Anderson suggests adding cameras to the budget for Woodland
Trails.
Mr. Hecker shared he started looking at costs to have cameras in some of the parks
but stopped when it seemed there is no funding available.
9. Parks and Recreation Director Update
Mr. Hecker shared his staff report.
• October meeting will be one week earlier on Wednesday, October 5.
• Rivers Edge Dock dedication will be on Monday, September 26 at 4:30p.m.
• Orono Park Pickleball Courts are open.
10. Announcements
11. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Williams adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River Parks and Recreation Commission work session at 7:12 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Ali Wallace.
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David Williams, Chair
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Tina Allard, City Clerk