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08-18-1994 PR MIN . . . . , SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 1994 Members Present: Chairman Dave Anderson Commissioners Mike O'Brien, Dana Anderson, Clair Olson, and Rolfe Anderson Members Absent: Commissioners Joe St. Dennis, Clete Lipetzky, and Sue Daleiden Staff Present: Building and Zoning Administrator Stephen Rohlf Others Present: Mike Niziolek and Sara Sawyer 1. Call Meeting to Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:12 p.m. by Chairman Anderson. 2. Consider 8/18/94 Park and Recreation Commission Agenda COMMISSIONER OLSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE 8/18/94 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Park and Recreation Commission Minutes 3.1 7/13/94 Regular Meeting COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF 7/13/94. COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3.2 Consider the minutes from the 7/26/94 special meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE 7/26/94 MINUTES. COMMISSIONER . Park & Rec Minutes Continued Page 2 ROLFE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. . 3.3 Consider minutes from 8/3/94, special meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON MOVED TO TABLE THESE MINUTES BECAUSE THEY HAD NOT BEEN PREPARED YET. COMMISSIONER O'BRIEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Open Mike No one appeared for this item 5. Update of EDA Site Discussion pursued regarding EDA site in downtown Elk River and the fill that was being brought into that area. Commissioner Dana Anderson suggested that a new name be given to this site. At this time Stephen Rohlf distributed a letter from Economic Development Coordinator Bill Rubin, dated August 18, 1994. In Mr. Rubin's letter, he addressed an issue related to the downtown EDA site regarding the proposed river walk. In his letter, Mr. Rubin suggested to the Park and Recreation Board they recommend to the City Council that $17,000 dollars worth of park funds to match the HRA's contribution, be placed in a fund to study and possibly do improvements to this river front trail. Mr. Rubin also suggested that two representatives from the Park and Recreation Board serve on a committee to be established, regarding this project. . It was the consensus of the Park and Recreation Board to have Mr. Rubin at their September 14th meeting to discuss this issue further. 6. Discuss Shielv Land Use Chairman Dave Anderson introduced this item. Chairman Anderson explained that Shiely is proposing to mine approximately 200 acres of a 380 acre site, south of County Road 33. He further indicated that a portion of Shiely's property was classified as "threatened" by the DNR. This portion was an old growth oak forest. At this time Stephen Rohlf distributed a letter dated August 17, 1994, by Jonathan Wilmshurst of the Shiely Company, indicating their . pr8-18/minutes . . . Park & Rec Minutes Continued Page 3 interest in dedicating 50 acres of this old growth oak forest for park purposes in lieu of a portion of their future park dedication. In his letter, Mr. Wilmshurst also indicated that they would be happy to consider other ways in which the City could acquire additional park space. Mike Niziolek presented the Park and Recreation Board with a map showing a proposed boundary for the 50 acres that would encompass the majority of the old growth oak forest. On his map, Mr. Niziolek had a boundary showing additional land that would be considered high priority for the City to purchase. At the request of the Park and Recreation Board, Stephen Rohlf explained possible negatives with this offer. Mr. Rohlf explained, that if an east/west road corridor dividing Shiely's land south of County Road 30 was ever constructed, Shiely's property would logically be in two different park service areas. This would be presuming that Shiely's property was earmarked for sewer and water development, and therefore needed neighborhood parks. The problem with Shiely's property, south of County Road 33 , being divided into two park service areas, would be that the park dedication for that area would already have been granted and opportunities for any further park would be limited. Commissioner Dana Anderson indicated that he was in favor of the proposal because it acquired land that was a suitable and logical extension of Woodland Trails. Further, it did not forego all future park dedication and left options open for further park dedication on Shiely's property. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO ACCEPT SHIELY'S OFFER OF 50 ACRES, AS IDENTIFIED BY MIKE NIZIELOK, AND TRY TO NEGOTIATE A PURCHASE AGREEMENT ON THE REMAINDER OF THE LAND THAT WAS IDENTIFIED AS HIGH PRIORITY BY MR. NIZIELOK. COMMISSIONER O'BRIEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. At this time the Park and Recreation Commission thanked Mike Nizielok for his efforts and the other citizens of Ridgewood that participated. pr8-18/minutes Park & Rec Minutes Continu~d Page 4 7. Continued Discussion On Lighted Trail Around City Hall . The Park and Recreation Commission decided it would be better to discuss this issue with Phil Hals present. COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON MOVED TO TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL THEIR SEPTEMBER 14TH MEETING. COMMISSIONER O'BRIEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 8. Discuss Possible Athletic Field Complex in Lion's Park The Park and Recreation Commission discussed a proposal by Phil Hals to construct two soccer fields in Lion's Park. Commissioner O'Brien was concerned with contacting the Lion's due to their issue with having organized athletic activities in the park. Mr. O'Brien was further concerned with whether or not there would be a parking problem with these activities added to the park. Chairman Dave Anderson questioned the cost of the fabric that would be needed. . Commissioner O'Brien questioned whether or not the grant the City received for Lion's Park would include this type of activity. Chairman Anderson indicated that plans for the improvement of these athletic fields should include a paved trail, which does not necessarily have to be built in the immediate future. Commissioner Rolfe Anderson indicated that if the project could be done for $10,000 dollars or less, it was a good project and was in favor of it. COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THIS PROJECT CONDITIONED ON THE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE DESIGN AND COST OF THE PROJECT PRIOR TO IT PROCEEDING, AND A FAVORABLE RESPONSE BY THE LIONS REGARDING THE PROJECT. COMMISSIONER O'BRIEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. . pr8-18/minutes . . . Park & Rec Minutes Continued Page 5 9. Consider Commercial Plat of Elk River Retail Center. Outlot A. of Deerfield 3rd COMMISSIONER OLSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE DEVELOPER PROVIDE SIDEWALKS ON THE WEST SIDE OF DODGE AVENUE AND NORTH SIDE OF ELK HILLS DRIVE, AND THAT THE CITY REQUIRE CASH FOR PARK DEDICATION. COMMISSIONER O'BRIEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 10. Update on Hillside 4th Plat Commissioner Dana Anderson explained the recent Council action regarding trails in Hillside 4th Addition. Commissioner Rolfe Anderson requested that staff explore how other cities accomplish the construction of trails. 11. Parkway/Fairground Chairman Anderson explained the issue of negotiating with the Fair Board to acquire additional acreage so that the alignment of Orono Parkway did not have to destroy trees. Chairman Anderson also explained that the County Fair Board would trade acre for acre, but not sell any more property to the City. It was the consensus of the Park and Recreation Commission that they had no property that they wished to trade, therefore, the alignment of Orono Parkway would have to go through the trees. COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY DOES NOT TRADE ANY LAND WITH THE COUNTY FMR BOARD, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE ALIGNMENT OF ORONO PARKWAY WOULD HAVE TO ELIMINATE SOME TREES. COMMISSIONER O'BRIEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 12. Community Athletic Facility Recommendation to the City Council The Park and Recreation Commission reviewed a proposed memo from Stephen Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator, to the City Council regarding a recommendation from the Park and Recreation Board on community athletic facilities. It was the consensus of the Park and Recreation Board to indicate that land to accommodate community athletics would be optimally 20-40 acres in size, but not restricted necessarily to these acreage's. pr8-18/minutes Park & Rec Minutes Continued Page 6 COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE STAFF'S PROPOSED RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL AS OUTLINED IN MR. ROHLF'S MEMO, INCLUDING THE FIVE STIPULATIONS IN AN ADDITIONAL MEMO BY MR. ROHLF DATED MARCH 28, 1994. COMMISSIONER O'BRIEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. . Jeff Asfahl indicated that he would like to help with upcomIng meetings which will be held with the various athletic associations regarding community athletic facilities. 13. Staff Updates Jeff Asfahl again indicated that he would help with an athletic association co-op meeting. It was the consensus of the Park and Recreation Board to hold this meeting on September 21, 1994, starting at 7:00 p.m., at City Hall. Mr. Asfahl also indicated that he would like to review the adequacy of various athletic fields and set forth goals and objectives regarding community athletics, as well as an update on Oak Knoll capital improvements. . Stephen Rohlf indicated that the Park and Recreation Board should re- visit their entire efforts thus far in updating the Master Park Plan, including regional parks. It was the consensus of the Park and Recreation Board to revisit the planning process that has been accomplished so far, sometime this winter. 14. Other Business Discussion by the Park and Recreation Board was pursued regarding setting forth policies regarding trails and pedestrian movements. The issue was pedestrian safety. Commissioner O'Brien also suggested that the fee schedule be revisited. It was the consensus of the Park and Recreation Board that public safety for pedestrians has not been a high enough consideration when plats are reviewed. They strongly encourage the Planning Commission to consider issues such as street width for trails and sidewalks, that are being provided by developers. CHMRMAN ANDERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION THAT A JOINT MEETING BE HELD WITH THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION, DURING A PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP, TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF SAFE MOVEMENT OF PEDESTRIANS. . pr8-18/minutes . . . , Park & Rec ~ Minutes Continued Page 7 COMMISSIONER O'BRIEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Discussion pursued regarding Park and Recreation Commission representatives at upcoming meetings. It was decided that Chairman Anderson and Commissioner Rolfe Anderson would attend the Planning Commission meeting on August 23, 1994, to discuss the Shiely land offer. It was further decided that Commissioners Dana Anderson and Mike O'Brien would attend the August 29,1994, City Council meeting on this same subject. 15. Adiournment There being no further business, COMMISSIONER O'BRIEN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION. COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The special meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 10:09 p.m. Respec"~fUllY. subm i~~ //~/ //// d /~(;(~/ Stephen Rohlf Building and Zoning Administrator pr8-18/minutes