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4.1 PRMIN 05-10-2023Meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission Held at the Elk River City Hall Wednesday, May 10, 2023 Members Present: Chair David Williams, Commissioners Dave Anderson, Mike Brown, Ryan Holmgren, Greg Loidolt, Mike Niziolek, and Mark Rathbun Members Absent: None Council Liaison: Councilmember Mike Beyer (absent) Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Manager Michael Hecker, Assistant City Administrator Joe Stremcha, 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 Agenda Mr. Hecker requested to add 6.1 Eagle Scout Presentation to the agenda. Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Anderson to approve the May 10, 2023, agenda with the addition of Item 6.1 Eagle Scout Presentation. Motion carried 7-0. 4. Consider Minutes Moved by Commissioner Rathbun and seconded by Commissioner Niziolek to approve the April 12, 2023, Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes. Motion carried 7-0. 5. Open Forum No one appeared for Open Forum. 6.1 Eagle Scout Presentation Tristan Jordan, Eagle Scout with Troop 90, presented his Eagle Scout Project Proposal. Mr. Jordan is going to create a trail to connect neighborhoods along Zumbro St and York Ave to create safe access, so people do not need to walk on County Rd 44 or Highway 10. The City right of way is approximately 60’ x 700’ and Mr. Jordan will clear a trail approximately 14’ x 700’ with a clearance of at least 10’ high. The trees are encroaching the trail so Mr. Jordan will identify which trees to remove. He would like the city to fund grass seed and city property signs. He understands he will need adults trained in chain saw use to assist him. Commissioner Niziolek asked if staff has notified neighbors of this project. Mr. Hecker shared he was not sure if neighbors have not been notified. Commissioner Anderson explained that this idea was brought up about 3 years ago and it took time to find an Eagle Scout to do the project. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 May 10, 2023 7.1 Meadowvale Heights Park Privacy Fence Request Mr. Hecker presented the staff report. The boardwalks were deteriorating and were replaced with an ADA compliant paved trail which required moving the trail 20 ft closer to Barrett’s property. Staff met with various homeowners that were adjacent to the park property a few years ago to discuss the changes. Mr. Sevcik shared that bare root shrubs were planted along the property line, but they take time to grow. Chair Williams invited Dirk and Jane Barret to speak. Dirk and Jane Barrett, 13210 196th Ave, shared they are not suggesting it needs to be a privacy fence and think there is enough space between their property and the trail to plant larger trees to provide a screen. They built their house in 2002 and designed it to take advantage of the privacy. There is a lack of privacy and 50-75 people walk by each day on the path. They would be okay with natural vegetation instead of a fence. Commissioner Holmgren shared that he uses the trail, and it is very different now and it feels like you’re walking through people’s yards. Commissioner Anderson shared that he stopped by the Barrett’s house last week and shared while it is different, it will be less obvious when the buckthorn leaves come out. It is a very shady environment in their backyard and there is not a lot of quality ground to plant trees. He is at a loss as to how the city can help with tree planting on city property because he doesn’t think that will work. If the Barrett’s asked for a fence it would be setting a precedent that we wouldn’t recommend. Commissioner Brown stated if we installed a fence it would need to be right next to the trail to provide screening and it would be difficult and set a precedent. He asked if a berm could be added instead of a fence. Commissioner Anderson shared it wouldn’t provide enough privacy. Mr. Stremcha suggested looking into the option of the Barrett’s donating a fence to be installed on city property if city staff would be willing to install it. This way it wouldn’t set a precedent for city funds being applied towards the fence. Commissioner Holmgren would like something done and is curious about the donation possibility. Commissioner Niziolek shared the only creative solution he has is to remove trees and put in Cedar and Hemlock trees that provides a lot of greenery and would give a higher screen than an 8ft fence in 5-10 years. Chair Williams shared his concern about the Barrett’s asking for a privacy fence in their email, and he said that is a precedent he is not willing to vote for but is okay with exploring other options. Moved by Commissioner Brown and seconded by Chair Williams to not accept the installation of a privacy fence at Meadowvale Heights Park. Motion carried 6-1. Commissioner Holmgren opposed. 7.2 Park Dedication – Bradford Park Preliminary Plat Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 May 10, 2023 Mr. Hecker presented the staff report. Staff is recommending moving lots #180 through #184 to the far west section in Outlot H at the end of Road A to provide better, fuller access to the body of water. Mr. Tabone, Land Entitlement Manager representing Lennar Homes 16305 36th Ave N Plymouth, shared after the discussions at the meeting last year there was a lot of talk about trail systems. Lennar Homes looked at shifting homes to the west section of Outlot H but you would lose some of the usable area. Lennar Homes is asking to use the upland area for park dedication which is 34 acres of upland with water features in the middle. Chair Williams asked Mr. Tabone if Lennar was okay with moving lots #180 through #184. Mr. Tabone said they will review that option after receiving comments from the planning department but cannot guarantee that it will work. Commissioner Anderson asked how many acres are buildable or programmable in Outlot H. Mr. Tabone shared that is about 5-6 acres. Commissioner Anderson asked about the trail around the upper pond in Outlot E. Mr. Tabone shared they need to look at that and it will be part of the future preliminary plat for that area. Commissioner Loidolt asked why staff is recommending moving the homes to the west section of Outlot H. Mr. Hecker stated that staff felt it would provide greater access to the body of water in Outlot G. Mr. Stremcha stated depending on the topography it would consolidate Outlot H so if there is programming or events it wouldn’t be taking place in someone’s backyard. Chair Williams stated he would like to hold off on the discussion of moving the lots until next month so Lennar can work on it. Commissioner Brown would rather have the lots where they are today because he wouldn’t want a park on each side of the houses. Commissioner Niziolek would be more comfortable if the entire park and trails were laid out before we begin. He understands it will be constructed in phases but wants to know what the park will be like in its entirety. He also thinks the city should look at a shoreline management plan that will maintain and enhance the body of water. Mr. Tabone said that sounds like something the city will do in the future once the Outlots were conveyed to the city. Commissioner Anderson asked if we can put the action items on hold until next month since we are withholding one of the items. He feels like the programmable space looks small and wants to make sure the property is giving us the space to do the programming we want. Chair Williams shared that 5-6 acres is the same usable space as Trott Brook Park. Mr. Tabone shared 5-6 acres is a good programmable space and added that even though it’s not highlighted around the water features there are spaces for lookouts, vistas, and park areas that range from a quarter acre to a half-acre. Mr. Tabone would like the recommendation to come from the commission to move forward as of tonight and would prefer not to wait a month. Mr. Tabone shared there was discussion about programming the park or leaving it natural and the intention was to provide this area for the city to decide how to use it. Chair Williams asked if it could potentially be 4 to 5 years before it’s ready to be programmed. Mr. Tabone said that is correct and the plan is to start construction in the northwest corner, Outlot D. Mr. Stremcha asked if Lennar reviewed Outlot C as potential for park dedication with a trail connection through the middle. Mr. Tabone did make note of that since the request was to remove the trail on the west side but isn’t sure his engineer had time to vet the upland area with a trail corridor through there. He thinks that would be a great idea to wrap linear trails through ponds and wetlands as it is a great aesthetic feature. He has no doubt the 34 acres will change as the plans are fine tuned. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 May 10, 2023 Commissioner Anderson asked how many acres Outlot H is. Mr. Hecker shared it is 5.65 acres. Mr. Tabone shared the area will be graded and leveled to be usable. Commissioner Niziolek is concerned about breaking the park dedication into pieces and would like to see a package with contours and vistas. 1. Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun to accept park land in Outlot H for park dedication. Motion carried 6-1 Commissioner Niziolek opposed. 2. No action was taken to approve lots #180 through #184 be moved to the farthest west in Outlot H at the end of Road A. 3. Moved by Chair Williams and seconded by Commissioner Brown to approve park dedication for Bradford Park plat to be paid for at a pro-rated amount after accounting for the land dedication, which will be determined by staff and the developer, when the lots are released for recording. Chair Williams amended the motion to include Outlot G as needed based on staff discussions with Lennar. Motion carried 5-2. Commissioners Niziolek and Anderson opposed. 4. Moved by Commissioner Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Niziolek to approve trails in the new development be a minimum of 10-feet wide and the trail around the pond be developed for a full loop. Motion carried 7-0 7.3 Park Dedication – Vinje Commercial Addition Mr. Hecker presented the staff report. David Vinje, 18575 Lander St NW, was in attendance and explained the location of the property as being across Hwy 10 from Broadway Pizza. Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Anderson to approve park dedication for Vinje Commercial Addition to be paid at the applicable commercial rate when the lots are released for recording. Motion carried 7-0 7.4 Updated Park Improvement Fund and Park Dedication Projects Mr. Hecker presented the staff report. At the April 12 meeting the commission suggested adjusting funds from the park dedication fund and park improvement fund to make it possible to purchase the new Lion John Weicht Park playground. The updates made to the park dedication fund include an additional cost of $17,800 to relocate electric utilities and install sonotube concrete forms for the YAC shade structures, $309,000 for the Lion John Weicht Park playground, and $132,400 for the WTRP storage garage. The updates made to the park improvement fund include $6,500 to replace security cameras and cabling at Orono Park, $100,000 for the Lion John Weicht Park playground, and $17,600 for the WTRP storage Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5 May 10, 2023 garage. The ninja playground was removed from the park dedication fund, and as directed from the commission, the Country Crossing playground replacement was moved out a year to 2025. Commissioner Loidolt stated all the playgrounds will be replaced in a few years and asked if we can update another park, such as Trott Brook, this year so they don’t all need to be replaced at the same time. Chair Williams shared we should hold off since this was done by moving money around. Commissioner Niziolek stated we could purchase it at this year’s cost. Commissioner Brown asked if we could spread the money around and buy pieces for certain parks and replace what’s bad instead of replacing all of it. Chair Williams shared when you replace playgrounds it needs to be done all at once. Mr. Hecker suggested having a meeting this summer to talk about the playgrounds in our park system. Consensus from the Commissioners is to accept staff recommendations Moved by Commissioner Holmgren and seconded by Commissioner Niziolek to accept staff recommendations for Lion John Weicht Park playground design for $309,000 from Park Dedication and $100,000 from the Park Improvement Fund, adjust the Woodland Trails Regional Park storage garage funding to $132,400 from Park Dedication and $17,600 from the Park Improvement Fund, add $17,800 to relocate electric utilities and install sonotube concrete forms for the Youth Athletic Complex shade structure to Park Dedication Fund, and add $6,500 for security cameras and cabling at Orono Park to Park Improvement Fund. Motion carried 7-0 7.5 Approval of the Lion John Weicht Park Playground Mr. Hecker presented the staff report. Unique features and will be one of the first ones in the state to have this equipment. The price went up to include the sitework. Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Niziolek to recommend the purchase and installation of a replacement destination playground at Lion John Weicht Park. Motion carried 7-0 Moved by Commissioner Beyer and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun to recommend color option A, blue and green. Motion carried 7-0 Votes were 4 for A, 2 for B, 1 for C 8. Discussion Items - None 9. Parks and Recreation Manager Report Mr. Hecker presented the staff report. The rock-climbing feature was removed from Orono Park due to a 2- foot hole in the top that is not salvageable. The commission will have to discuss replacement options in the future. The lighting is installed at the Skate Park and the lights turn off at 10:00 p.m. Rivers Edge Commons dock will be installed on May 17. Commissioner Anderson said a skater asked about a feature in the original design plan that was not included in the final design. Mr. Hecker shared the Skate Park Committee decided the final plan. 10. Announcements Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 6 May 10, 2023 Chair Williams shared staff has requested to have agenda items sent to staff a week before the packet is mailed instead of adding them the day of the meeting for the sake of transparency and so staff are notified. Commissioner Anderson thought the Presentation Agenda Item was there as a placeholder so items could be added at the meeting. Mr. Hecker suggested removing presentations from the agenda template unless there is a presentation. Chair Williams suggested removing presentations and discussions from the agenda template unless there are agenda items. 11. Motion to Adjourn Moved by Commissioner Holmgren and seconded by Commissioner Loidolt to adjourn the meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Minutes prepared by Ali Wallace. ___________________ David Williams, Chair ___________________ Tina Allard, City Clerk