Loading...
12-14-1994 PR MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1994 Members Present: Chair Dave Anderson; Commissioners Dana Anderson, Rolfe Anderson, Daleiden, Olson, and Lipetzky (7:40 p.m.) . Members Absent: Commissioners O'Brien and St. Dennis Others Present: Shawn Donais, Mike Niziolek, Ron Bastier and Chris Kreger Staff Present: Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent; Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator; Steve Ach, City Planner; Jeff Asfahl, 728 Area Recreation Coordinator 1. Call Meetina To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Park & Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Chair Anderson. 2. Consider 12/14/94 Park & Recreation Commission Aaenda Item 9.1, Easement Vacation/Dan Nichols, was added to the agenda. Item 7 was moved ahead of Item 5. COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE 12/14/94 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA AS AMENDED. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 3. Consider Park & Recreation Minutes COMMISSIONER OLSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE 10/12/94 AND 11/9/94 PARK AND RECREATION MINUTES. COMMISSIONER DALEIDEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 4. Open Mike There was no one present for this item. 7. Discuss Park/Trail Needs on the Bradv Property Ron Bastier displayed several plans that showed the Brady property of approximately 116 acres. Steve Rohlf questioned the use of cluster homesites as a way to preserve trees. Steve also commented that Sherburne County is a hot bed of oak wilt and this property has many red oaks. Therefore, oak preservation should be a major developer concern. Dave Anderson questioned if Highland Road would be extended to the west, through this property, connecting to County Road 1 via the Nord property. The Park and Recreation Commission discussed the need for a trail connection from Highland Road to the west, connecting to the railroad trail. Mr. Bastier stated that as a general rule, there would be no grading on slopes greater than 30 degrees. He also stated that due to the wetlands, hills, and trail corridor, this project may be best developed by leaving more than 10% as public property. . Mike Niziolek questioned the planned tree clearing indicating that April, May, and June are the months when oak wilt spreads rapidly. Mr. Bastier stated that he has worked on projects with oak wilt and is very concerned about preserving the trees. The streets are planned to go on top of the ridges providing potential walk out lots. Mr. Bastier stated that by using the wetlands and sloped area for park land, the dedication would be approximately 20% of the project. Steve Rohlf indicated that the Park and Recreation Commission should agree to park property only if it fits with a park plan and makes sense as a useful piece of public land. Mr. Bastier stated that he feels he has enough direction to start the planning process and that he would like to have plans ready for an April construction start. Chair Anderson commended Mr. Bastier on this approach and philosophy in developing the parcel and including the Park and Recreation Commission in the early stage of planning. Mr. Bastier stated that his proposed schedule would be to return to the Park and Recreation Commission in January, Planning Commission in February, and the City Council in March. . Mr. Bastier thanked the Commission for the opportunity to present the project at this meeting. Commission members discussed the value of Highland Road continuing to the west and connecting to County Road 1, and also the value of taking the sloped area. It was the consensus of the Commission members to take the park property if offered. 5. Consider Conflict of Interest Ordinance Phil Hals stated that the Commission members received a copy of this ordinance in September and they should take this opportunity to comment on the ordinance before City Council acceptance. There were no comments from the Commission members. 6. Steve Rohlf distributed a memo and highlighted map indicating the proposed trail system in the western area. Staff explained the rationale for trail corridors, sidewalks located along collector roads, and no pedestrian ways on local 30 mph s.treets. . . . . COMMISSIONER L1PETZKY MOVED TO CHANGE THE SIDEWALK ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF ORONO PARKWAY FROM FRESNO STREET TO JOPLIN STREET TO A 10' WIDE BITUMINOUS THAT GOES THROUGH THE 7 ACRE PARK WOODS. A SECOND CHOICE FOR THIS SIDEWALK WOULD BE TO CHANGE IT TO AN 8' WIDE CONCRETE SIDEWALK GOING THROUGH THE 7 ACRE PARK WOODS. THE LAST CHOICE WOULD BE THE PROPOSED 6' WIDE CONCRETE SIDEWALK ALONG ORONO PARKWAY. COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. It was the consensus of the Commission that the trail on the south side of Highway 10 service road should be a 10' wide bituminous trail. 8. Consider Preliminary Plat bv Chuba Companv (Case No. P 94-12) Steve Ach presented the Chuba Company proposal as information for the Commission. 9. Consider Preliminary Plat bv Kinaman Builders (Case No. P 94-13) Steve Ach presented the proposal of Kingman Builders and explained that the lot size averages 10,700 square feet per unit, and that the park dedication has already been paid. The area includes a 4 acre wet pond. Commissioner Lipetzky left at this time (9:30 p.m.) 9.1. Easement Vacation/Dan Nichols Steve Ach explained the issue of the easement vacation and stated that the City would retain a 15' easement for utilities and a trail system. It was the consensus of the Commission that 15' was a minimum requirement. 10. Update on Ice Rinks Phil Hals stated that Lion's Park is just 2 or 3 days from being ready for skating. City crews have expanded the sheet ice by about 50% and the lighting has been doubled. City crews are ready to start flooding a neighborhood ice rink at Moldenhauer Park and Barrington Park. As soon as Orono has sufficient ice thickness, City crews will start preparing an ice oval and a sheet ice area. If Lake Orono skating is a success in 1994-95, the Park and Recreation Commission should consider adding a warming house for the 1995-96 skating season. 11 . Staff Updates 13. Phil Hals stated that the topsoil has been completed on the Lion's Park sliding hill. The contractor has graded it as good as possible due to frost chunks and it will be fine graded and seeded next spring. Chair Anderson asked staff to request a meeting with the City Council to discuss the issues of a trail from Fresno Street and 182nd Avenue to Orono Parkway, and use of Lion's Park for organized athletics. Adiournment There being no further business, COMMISSIONER OLSON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER DALEIDEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. . The meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, OJ.) ~ Phil Hals Street/Park Superintendent . .