Loading...
07-13-1994 PR MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, JULY 13,1994 Members Present: Chair Dave Anderson; Commissioners Daleiden, Dana Anderson, Rolfe Anderson, and Clair Olson Members Absent: O'Brien, St. Dennis, and Lipetzky Staff Present: Stephen Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator, and Chris M. Leesberg, Park and Rec employee Others Present: Bruce Pearson and Jeff Asfahl 1. Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:03 p.m. 2. Consider 7/7/94 Park and Recreation Commission Agenda COMMISSIONER OLSON MOVED TO SWITCH ITEM # 9.1 TO 4.5, ITEMS 6 AND 5 BE PLACED IN THE OPPOSITE ORDER, HILLSIDE ESTATES TRAILS BE ADDED AS A DISCUSSION ITEM UNDER 8.5, AND PARK DEDICATION FOR 4 ADMINISTRATIVE SUB-DIVISIONS BE ADDED AS 9.3. COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Park and Recreation Commission Minutes 3.1 COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FROM 5/11/94. COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Park & Rec 7-13 minutes Continued Page 2 3.2 COMMISSIONER OLSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE 6/8/94 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES. COMMISSIONER ROHLF ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. . 3.3 Discussion was carried on regarding Item #5, Hillside Estates 4th Addition Park Dedication, on the June 27,1994, Park and Recreation Commission Minutes. The discussion of this item centered around the second motion, regarding trails in Hillside Estates. That motion should read: COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON MOVED THAT A 33 FT. WIDE DEDICATED TRAIL PARALLELING AND IMMEDIATELY EAST OF THE NORTHERN NATURAL GAS EASEMENT FROM THE SOUTH PROPERTY LINE TO THE NORTH PROPERTY LINE OF THE PLAT, BE DEDICATED. FURTHER, A 30 FT. WIDE TRAIL, FROM 193RD AVENUE NORTHEASTWARD PARALLELING AUBURN STREET ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE BACKYARD SIDE OF THE EXISTING LOTS OF HILLSIDE 4TH ADDITION, TO THE CITY WATER TOWER PARCEL AND A 30 FT. WIDE DEDICATED TRAIL ACROSS THE NSP POWER LINE EASEMENT FROM THE WATER TOWER PARCEL TO THE CITY PARK IN "OUTLOT A" IN A LOCATION TO BE DETERMINED BY THE CITY, IS TO BE DEDICATED, IF "OUTLOT A" DOES NOT BECOME CITY PROPERTY; DEDICATED AS PARK. . Due to the lack of a map of Hillside Estates 4th Addition, the Park and Recreation Commission decided to table the minutes of 6/27/94. COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON MADE THE MOTION TO TABLE THE 6/27/94 MINUTES. COMMISSIONER DALEIDEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Open Mike Jeff Asfahl asked the Park and Recreation Commission if a few items he wanted to discuss should be brought up at this time. It was the consensus of the Park and Recreation Commission that Jeffs issues . pr7-13-minutes . . . Park & Rec 7-13 minutes Continued Page 3 could be brought up after discussion regarding Park Land on Shiely's property. 4.5 EDA Site on Main Street Chris Leesberg showed the Park and Recreation Commission three possible ways of developing the EDA Main Street site into a City Park. It was the consensus of the Park and Recreation Commission that the option showing a courtyard area, level with Main Street, dropping off to a grass amphitheater, was the preferred option. Further discussion included the ability of changing the grass amphitheater into a concrete amphitheater in the future, if the demand for use was sufficient. A specific plan for the development of this area should be developed by staff for the Park and Recreation Commission's review and the site being extended to the banks of the Mississippi River should be considered. COMMISSIONER DALEIDEN MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE EDA SITE ON MAIN STREET BE PARK AND FILLED WITH DIRT TO START THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING THE GRASS AMPHITHEATER OPTION PRESENTED, WITH DETAILED PLANS BY STAFF TO FOLLOW. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6. Discussion of Potential Park Land From Shielv Property Mike Niziolek started the discussion and indicated that the oak woods in the southwest portion of Shiely's property was a mesic oak forest; which is a dry oak sub type. Mr. Niziolek also indicated that another unique feature of the property is that there is a 155 ft. elevation change from one end to the other, and it would make an excellent east/west corridor for a trail system entering Woodland Trails Park. Bruce Pearson indicated that he was part of a sub committee from Ridgewood, dealing with Shiely's on their proposed mining operation. He indicated that Shiely's were cooperative regarding the possibility of dedicating this woods as park now in lieu of future park dedication. He urged the Park and Recreation Commission to recommend that this land be obtained as park at this time. Stephen Rohlf added that the mesic oak forest spoken of was classified as threatened by the DNR. Further, the Park and Recreation Commission will need to look at the big picture of the entire City to see pr7-13-minutes Park & Rec 7-13 minutes Continued Page 4 if adding land to Woodland Trails Park fits into the City's overall plans. He made the point that the City cannot require Shiely to dedicate land through a conditional use permit, but only through a sub-division. Also, taking the land now would forego future park dedication on property that is proposed to mined over the next 50 years. So deciding to take land now affects the long term. He encouraged the Park & Recreation Commission to at least recommend that the woods be left out of the mining operation so it would not preclude it being dedicated as park in the future, and that the edge between the woods and the mining should be left uneven so it did not look like a clear cut. . Commissioner Olson indicated that he was in favor of getting the land to make a bigger wild park in the center of the City; a sort of central park as Mr. Pearson indicated. Commissioner Rolfe Anderson was not against getting the woods as park but was concerned with future neighborhood park needs that might be foregone, if the entire park dedication is taken from this woods at this time. It was the consensus of the Park and Recreation Commission to table this item until there regularly scheduled meeting to be held on 7/10/94, starting at 7:00 p.m., at Elk River City Hall. . Discussion with Jeff Asfahl. Area Park and Recreation Coordinator Mr. Asfahl discussed the summer co-op program and the need to identify capital improvements, including equipment and maintenance, that is needed in Oak Knoll Park. He further discussed the possibility of a family hayride that would start from the Community Education building and end at Woodland Trails. The need to talk to other communities regarding athletic facilities and advertising the existence of Woodland Trail Park in the City newsletter was also discussed. The Park and Recreation Commission asked Mr. Asfahl to come up with a list of youth program needs and other capital improvements. Further, they asked Mr. Asfahl to look into fixing the varsity baseball field fence which is too high off the ground. 5. Discussion of Tobacco Free Status of Oak Knoll Park The Park and Recreation Commission discussed the fact that Oak Knoll Park is partly a school facility, and school grounds are typically tobacco free. . pr7-13-minutes . . . Park & Rec 7-13 minutes Continued Page 5 COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON MOVED TO MAKE OAK KNOLL PARKA TOBACCO FREE FACILITY. COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7. Discussion on Two Softball Fields on the E & 0 Park Land Plan The issue at hand was a proposal to eliminate Russ field and replace it with one or two softball fields on the E & 0 park land. Jeff Asfahl indicated that he felt that the youth needs were more critical at this time than adding more adult softball fields. Staff brought up the economic cost of removing one field and building others. The parking needs and carnival needs for the 4th of July that are currently on the E & 0 park land, which would be replaced by the proposed softball fields, and the possible commercial value of the E & o park land that is adjacent to Highway 10. Commissioner Dana Anderson indicated his feeling that it did not economic sense to move Russ field, especially prior to having an overall plan for the entire area. He further indicated that before the Orono Park area is developed, the Fairboard will need to finally settle the issue of whether or not they are going to remain in their current location. Lastly, Mr. Anderson indicated that he felt an area where a four-plex of adult softball fields could be built would be more efficient. It makes the most sense and needs to be identified. COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING LIST OF PRIORITIES TO THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING THIS ISSUE: 1. LEAVE KUSS AND ADD AN UNLIT FIELD TO THE E & 0 SITE FOR THE APPROXIMATE COST OF $23,000. 2. LEAVE KUSS FIELD AND NOT ADD ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL FIELDS FOR A COST OF $00.00. 3. ABANDON KUSS FIELD AND ADD ONE LIT FIELD ON THE E & 0 PARK LAND FOR THE COST OF APPROXIMATELY $70,000. 4. ABANDON KUSS FIELD AND ADD 2 UNLIT FIELDS ON E & 0 PARK LAND FOR A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $46,000. THE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD ADDED THE FOLLOWING RATIONAL FOR RANKING THE ABOVE LISTED PRIORITIES. pr7 -13-minutes Park & Rec 7 -13 minutes Continued Page 6 THAT NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS WITH ADDITIONAL FIELDS, KUSS FIELD IS NEEDED FOR ADULT SOFTBALL. BEFORE MAJOR RENOVATIONS TAKE PLACE AN OVERALL PLAN FOR THE ORONO PARK SITE IS NEEDED AND THE DISPOSITION OF THE COUNTY FAIR NEEDS TO BE DECIDED BY THE COUNTY BOARD. THE PORTION OF THE. E & 0 PROPERTY ADJACENT TO HIGHWAY 10 MAY MAKE MORE ECONOMIC SENSE TO BE A COMMERCIAL SITE, LASTLY, A LARGE PORTION OF THE E & 0 TOOL SITE IS CURRENTLY USED FOR THE 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. . 8. Discussion Regarding a Lighted Trail at Orono Park and City Hall It was the consensus of the Park and Recreation Commission that the cost of the proposed lighting increased to where it was too high to do the project. However, they indicated that they would be willing to discuss the issue when Phil Hals is at a meeting. The Park and Recreation Commission decided to place this issue on a special meeting to be held on 8/3/94, starting at 7:00 p.m., at the Elk River City Hall. Other items to be discussed at this special meeting include the 6/27/94, Park and Recreation Commission minutes, the 193rd Avenue trail, and community athletics with Stephen Rohlf. . 9.3 Consider Park Dedication for Administrative Subdivisions COMMISSIONER OLSON MOVED TO ACCEPT CASH IN LIEU OF LAND FOR PARK DEDICATION FOR THE FOLLOWING ADMINISTRATIVE SUBDIVISIONS; MASTLEY, TUTTLE, CROSS, AND GRAMSTAD. COMMISSIONER DALEIDEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. There was discussion regarding the Gramstad Administrative Subdivision which lies in a park service area that currently does not have a neighborhood park. The Park and Recreation Commission also felt that this was an extremely dense subdivision with a need for open space for children. However, because the parcel in only 3 acres, and therefore only .3 acres of park could be dedicated, land was not an option for it would be too small for a neighborhood park and is also on the wrong side of Meadowvale Road. . pr7 -13-minutes . . . Park & Rec 7-13 minutes Continued Page 7 8.5 Trails in Hillside Estates COMMISSIONER DALEIDEN MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THEIR ORIGINAL RECOMMENDATION TO KEEP THE TRAILS OFF THE GAS LINE REMAIN AS IS. COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 9.2 Trail Development on 193rd and Hillside Estates It was previously indicated, and it was the consensus of the Park and Recreation Commission to table this item to a special meeting to be held on 8/3/94. 10. Adiournment There being no further business, COMMISSIONER OLSON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The regular meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 11:00 p.m. Respectfully sUbmitt/~1 Stephen Rohlf Building and Zoning Administrator pr7 -13-minutes