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02-08-1995 PR MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1995 Members Present: Chair Dave Anderson; Commissioners Tuttle, Olson, Daleiden, Dana Anderson, and Lipetzky (7:30) Members Absent: Commissioners Donais and Rolfe Anderson, staff Present: Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent; Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator; Jeff Asfahl, 728 Area Recreation Coordinator Lion's Club Members: Harold Gramstad, John Weicht, Wally Fox, and Ed Lukkonen 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 7:00 p.m. by Chair Anderson. 2. Consider Aaenda Item 5, Election of Officers was moved to Item 8.1. COMMISSIONER OLSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE 2/8/95 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA AS AMENDED. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Minutes COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 11, 1995, PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES. COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Introduction of New Members Chair Anderson introduced Robin Tuttle and welcomed her to the Commission. 6. Open Mike No one appeared for this item. 7. Discussion with Lion's Club Members on use of Lion's Park for Youth Soccer Chair Anderson asked the Lion's Club members to respond to the proposal to add soccer fields to Lion's Park. Harold Gramstad spoke to the group stating that the Lion's Club, at a meeting on Park and Recreation Commission Meeting February 8, 1995 Page 2 2/7/95, has reconfirmed their position to maintain the park as a family park and not allow organized sports. He also stated that the Lion's Club would like to complete the park as originally designed including open fields for family use. . Commissioner Lipetzky arrived at this time (7:30 p.m.) Commissioner Olson spoke of his disappointment in not being able to utilize this area for an organized athletic use on Monday through Friday evenings, allowing full family usage on weekends. John Weicht stated that kidS in the neighboring apartments are run off from the Oak Knoll fields so he feels that Lion's Park should always be open for kids. Commissioner Tuttle stated that she appreciates the Lion's Park because it is quiet and there is opportunity to use the open space. Commissioner Dana Anderson stated that he felt that this would be an excellent opportunity for a cooperative improvement which would benefit both the City and the Lion's Park. He also confirmed Commissioner Olson's sentiments of full family use of the park during weekends. Commissioner Dana Anderson stated he feels that it is a shame that this issue cannot be resolved by the City doing the construction and then, after a defined time of temporary use, the fields revert back to the Lion's Club's determination of use. Ed Lukkonen spoke of the term "temporary fields" as in temporary taxes or temporary classrooms and stated he feels it would be very difficult to say yes to soccer and no to youth football or other youth groups. . John Weicht stated that the Lion's plan to do soil corrections and create fields for family use now that the Lion's Club has a better financial status. Harold Gramstad stated that the Lion's Club will be coming forward with a five year plan for the park development later this year. Phil Hals stated he feels that 1.) the park is grossly underutilized, 2.) the Lion's should consider replacing the playground equipment that is now used in the tot lot because of the equipment's condition, and 3.) the City needs to approve any playground equipment before the Lion's Club installs it in the park. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL NOT TO PURSUE THE IDEA OF BUILDING SOCCER FIELDS IN LION'S PARK AND, SINCE THE LION'S CLUB IS MORE FINANCIALLY SECURE, THAT THE CITY WILL ASSUME A MORE "HANDS OFF" APPROACH TO CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES IN THE PARK. COMMISSIONER DALEIDEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0-1. Commissioner Olson abstained. 8. Discussion of City Non-Motorized Pathway System - Steve Rohlf Steve Rohlf gave a brief description of his plan for a collector trail system and gave Commissioners a memo, including financial requirements for developing such a system. Steve went through his memo line by line, explaining the thinking behind these numbers and how they relate to existing and potential residential lots. He continued by explaining the options for trail funding. Although there are . . . . Park and Recreation Commission Meeting February 8, 1995 Page 3 different ways to build this system, the cost breakdown in a best case scenario would be $97.00 per residence to construct. The worst case scenario would be $179.00 per residence. The yearly cost to maintain the pathway system, including snow plowing, herbicides, seal coat on all bituminous trails every 7 years, sweeping, and sign maintenance, would amount to $65,217.00 per year. Steve Rohlf made the recommendation that the off street trails be 8 feet wide, a paved should be 4 feet wide. Steve Rohlf met with four local developers and shared the following points from this meeting: 1 . Support 8 foot trails (detached) 2. Felt that 6 foot sidewalk is too wide - support 5 foot 3. Rear yard trails are less desirable than front yard trails 4. Allow developers more input on park location within their development 5. Inequity in park dedication fees vs. park land 6. City pay for collector trails 7. Give park dedication credit to a developer for land for trails and trail construction cost. Steve Rohlf circulated a trail system map from the City of Ramsey. He explained the map of the Elk River collector trail system that indicated widened shoulders, detached trails, sidewalks, horse trails, and snowmobile trails. Steve emphasized the need to have a realistic system that will be affordable both to build and to maintain. John Weicht spoke as a developer, suggesting that marginal land (not wet land) be considered for park land which may allow developers to dedicate an excess of property. He also stated that the developers are also sensitive to trail width, suggesting that in his experience, 8 feet is an adequate width. Chair Dave Anderson stated that, in his opinion, 8 feet is too narrow and would strongly recommend a 10 or 12 foot width for collector trails. John Weicht stated that Elk River park dedication fees are now higher than that of some of the surrounding communities. Harold Gramstad stated that a trail system is a value to the community and costs may have to spread out between existing households as well as levying costs against new homes. Chair Anderson stated that there is much information to digest and he suggested that members take some time to think this through. He also thanked Steve for all of his effort in putting the information together. 8.1. Election of Officers COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO NOMINATE DAVE ANDERSON AS CHAIR FOR 1995. COMMISSIONER L1PETZKY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION Park and Recreation Commission Meeting February 8, 1995 Page 4 CARRIED 5-1. Commissioner Tuttle opposed as she felt there was a need for a change in leadership. . COMMISSIONER OLSON MOVED TO NOMINATE DANA ANDERSON AS VICE CHAIR FOR 1995. COMMISSIONER L1PETZKY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-1. Commissioner Tuttle opposed as she felt there was a need for a change in leadership. 9. Staff Update Jeff spoke regarding the Association's concerns about the concession stand and stated it appears that at this point the project is off track. Gary Casperson volunteered to work with Jeff on this project to try to move it forward. Jeff is planning a meeting of all area Park and Recreation Commissions. Phil distributed a sheet with five scenarios for reduced size soccer fields on the E & o Tool property. After a brief discussion, staff was directed to refine Plan 4 and show parking areas on the north and south of the fields and return with the plan next month. Chair Anderson stated that he had been contacted by Otsego, requesting that if one set of the hockey boards from the ice arena site were available they have an opportunity to make use of them. It was the consensus of the group to follow up on this as the ice arena plans move forward. . 10. Adiournment There being no further business, COMMISSIONER L1PETZKY MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER DALEIDEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. The meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission was adjourned at 9:45p.m. Respectfully submitted, Q~ ~ Phil Hals Street/Park Superintendent .