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11-09-1994 PR MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1994 Members Present: Chair Dave Anderson; Commissioners O'Brien, Daleiden (7:17 p.m.), and Lipetzky (7:45 p.m.) Members Absent: Commissioners Dana Anderson, Rolfe Anderson, St. Dennis, and Olson Staff Present: Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent Others Present: Shawn Donais, Gwen Smith, and Paul Bell 1 . Call Meetina To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Chair Anderson. Due to the lack of a quorum, it was the consensus of those present to proceed with an informational meeting. 2. Consider 11/9/94 Park and Recreation Commission Aoenda The following items were added to the agenda: 6.a. Lions Park Update 6.b. County Road 1 pedestrian crossing update It was the consensus of those present to accept the agenda as amended. 3. Consider 10/12/94 Park and Recreation Commission Minutes Due to lack of a quorum, the 10/12/94 Park and Recreation Commission minutes will be considered at the December meeting. Commissioner Daleiden arrived at this time (7: 17 p.m.) 4. ODen Mike Gwen Smith addressed the issue of a walking path from 182nd Avenue and Fresno Street to Orono Parkway. Ms. Smith expressed concerns for safety of people walking on a trail past her driveway and that a trail would open the confined neighborhood to strangers. Paul Bell also commented on the same issue stating that he opposes the trail connection on Fresno Street. Mr. Bell stated that the City Council guaranteed that this street was closed when Fresno was upgraded. Elk River Park and Recreation Commission Meeting November 9, 1994 Page 2 Chair Anderson explained that the Park and Recreation Commission has a safety concern for pedestrian traffic and it would create a loop for people to travel safely. Chair Anderson explained that the process will be for the Park and Recreation Commission to look at the entire area's trail needs and make a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council will then weigh the issues of public safety, neighborhood concerns, and public needs and make the final decision. Chair Anderson also stated that the public would be notified before the Council meeting. Chair Anderson thanked the citizens for their interest. . 5. Discuss Western Area Trail System Chair Anderson led the discussion stating that the present plans call for 10 foot wide bituminous trails from Fresno Street to Joplin Street on the north side of County Road 30; from County Road 30 to Highway lOon the east side of Joplin Street; and from Joplin Street to Orono Road on the north side of Orono Parkway. Chair Anderson suggested that a trail from 182nd Avenue and Fresno Street to Orono Parkway and from Joplin Street to Fresno Street through the Lakoduc park would complete a trail loop around Country Crossings. A trail from Orono Park to Joplin Street and Highway 10 would create another trail loop around the fairgrounds. Other trails in the western area will be considered as development moves forward. It was the consensus of those present to forward a recommendation to the City Council requesting the addition of the trail in the Lakoduc park and the addition of a trail from 182nd Avenue and Fresno Street to Orono Parkway. . 6. UDdate on Biathlon Ranoe - Dave Anderson Chair Anderson stated that Meridian Aggregate donated 50 ton of CL-2, Morrell and Morrell and LeFebvre's donated the trucking, and the City leveled the aggregate on the firing line. Volunteers have cut brush to establish the penalty loop so the course in basically ready to use. Chair Anderson stated that he has received comments that there are sometimes 8 to 10 cars driving up the railroad trail to the biathlon range for practice sessions. The Park and Recreation Commission had recommended that a maximum of 2 vehicles be allowed to drive up the railroad trail to haul rifles, spotting scopes, and to be available for emergency use at any time. It was the consensus of the group that no vehicles be allowed for practice times and one official vehicle be allowed for actual competitions. 6.a. Lions Park UDdate Chair Anderson explained that he and Phil Hals had gone to a Lion's Club meeting and had given the Lion's Club a brief presentation recommending that the City make use of an opportunity to build three junior sized soccer fields for use by the Three Rivers Soccer Association. A Lion's Club representative informed Anderson that the Club would support construction of a baseball/softball field, a football field, and a soccer field, but not to allow any organized athletics in the park. . . . . Elk River Park and Recreation Commission Meeting November 9, 1994 Page 3 Phil Hals stated that the park is very underutilized at the present time and the field construction would amount to a large commitment of time and money for the City, especially if it will not be used. It was the consensus of those present to recommend to the City Council that they invite the Lion's Club representatives to a joint meeting to discuss the issue of organized athletics using Lions Park. Commissioner Lipetzky arrived at this time (7:45 p.m.) Phil Hals gave an update on Lions Park. He stated that the present playground equipment is in marginal condition and should be considered for replacement in the near future. The sliding hill has been graded and will receive topsoil from the wetland mitigation from the 221 st Avenue yet this fall. The trail lights have been repaired by Street/Park Department staff. The Street/Park Department paved a 400' x 10' test trail. The skating rink has been enlarged and eight new lights are on order for the sheet ice and hockey rink. There is fill material available from the Western Area project if the Lion's Club agrees to organized soccer fields in the park. Construction could be done on the frost this winter. 6.b. County Road 1 Pedestrian Crossing Chair Anderson distributed a letter from Sherburne County Engineer Dave Schwarting regarding the recommendation for a pedestrian crossing on Country Road 1 and School Street. Mr. Schwarting indicated that without a sidewalk on the west side of County Road 1 along School Street, he didn't feel that a crosswalk would be appropriate. It was the consensus of the Park and Recreation Commission that this issue be forwarded on to staff for a recommendation regarding a sidewalk in this area. 8. Staff UDdates Phil Hals reported that the 6 foot wide concrete sidewalk on the north side of 193rd A venue from Dodge Avenue to Baldwin A venue will be poured adjoining the street curbing and is scheduled for construction this week. Heritage trail has been started, the brush has been cut and the grading will proceed as soon as possible. Woodland Trails Park entrance road and parking lot grading is scheduled to start soon. There will also be more stump removal and brush chipping on the wooded trails. Elk River Park and Recreation Commission Meeting November 9, 1994 Page 4 The American Legion's plan for the memorial in the MnDOT right-of-way on 5th Street and Oxford A venue has received approval from MnDOT and the City has received a conditional use permit for the construction of the memorial. . The EDA site has the underground irrigation pipe installed and has been sodded. Any additional work will be done in the spring, once the Riverfront Corridor Committee has completed their plan. 10. Adjournment There being no further business, it was the consensus of those present to adjourn the meeting. The meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, OJJr ~ Phil Hals Street/Park Superintendent . .