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04-19-1995 PR MIN - SPECIAL . . . SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL APRIL 19, 1995 Members Present: Chair Dave Anderson, Commissioners Dana Anderson, Rohlf Anderson, Daleiden, Tuttle, and Olson Members Absent: Commissioners Lipetzky and Donais Staff Present: Phil Hals, Street/ Park Superintendent Others Present: Joe and Twila O'Keefe, Megan Skinner, Ben and Robin Skinner, Jim and Sue Lenz, and Harry Sunderman The meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:00 by Chair Anderson. The following items were noted as agenda items to be discussed: 1 . Soccer Fields 2. Athletic Fields on 1 65th and Jarvis COMMISSIONER OLSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE 4/19/95 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA AS STATED. COMMISSIONER TUTTLE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Soccer Fields - Clair Olson Clair explained that Three Rivers Soccer program has increased by over 100 kids since last year. He stated that two fields are out of circulation at Salk/Vandenberge creating a real need for additional green space for the under 10 soccer players. He also explained that one field on the 3.3 acre site and one field northwest of City Hall would be usecl Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. and parking would be in the City Hall parking lot. Clair gave a list of areas that had been considered for temporary fields by the Park and Recreation Commission and the reasons that other parcels would not work. Joe O'Keefe spoke against the field on the 3.3 acres stating that 1 1/2 years ago, the Park and Recreation Commission had promised $5,000 in funding to build berms and plant trees and flowers on that site. Twila O'Keefe spoke against the field on the 3.3 acres stating that it would cause additional noise and be an invasion of their privacy. Mrs. O'Keefe also said that she has been in contact with a local garden club and a volunteer designer who are very interested in donating their time to a "peace garden". Sue Lenz said that she had nothing against soccer or kids playing, but not in her back yard. Ms. Lenz also stated that if other property is not available, then the soccer program size should be restricted. Special Park & Recreation Commission Meeting April 19, 1995 Page 2 Robin Skinner said that she feared that her children would be attracted to the field during the games and wander from their own yard, and also that the activity would make her dog bark. . Harry Sunderman said that if it were only for one year he could handle the annoyance. Ben Skinner said that he felt a garden area for volunteer gardeners would be a good use for the 3.3 acres. Several of the Park and Recreation Commission members spoke about the needs being greater than the available facilities and that after many considerations, this option was a last resort. The neighbors restated their strong opposition to fields of any type on the 3.3 acres. COMMISSIONER OLSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO ELIMINATE THE SOCCER FIELD ON THE 3.3 ACRE PARCEL AND REQUEST THAT STAFF TRY TO FIT TWO SOCCER FIELDS ON THE LAWN NORTHWEST OF CITY HALL. COMMISSIONER TUTTLE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. AthletiC Fields on 1 65th and Jarvis The Park and Recreation Commission members had an opportunity to meet at 6: 15 at the WWTP land on 165th and Jarvis to make first hand observations about location, accessibility, terrain, and odor. Commissioner Olson left meeting at this time (8:00 p.m.). . After a long discussion that included the topics of building six fields on 12 acres of WWTP land, five or six fields on the Waco property, relative access and property location, it was the consensus of the Commission that the Waco Street property: · Has much potential for park uses. · Has a proposed road corridor that cuts the property in half. · Has a somewhat irregular Shape with some areas un-buildable'. · Open land would be better suited for athletic field development. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL: · THE LOC;:ATION AND ACCESSIBILITY OF THE FIELDS ON 165TH IS ACCEPTABLE. · THE WWTP LAND OR THE CASS PROPERTY ON 165TH AND JARVIS BE CONSIDERED FOR AN ATHLETIC COMPLEX WITH A MINIMUM AREA OF 40 ACRES. . PHASE ONE BEING TO DEVELOP FOUR SOCCER FIELDS, FOUR BASEBALL FIELDS AND PARKING ON ABOUT 15 ACRES . PHASE TWO DEVELOP THE REMAINDER OF THE LAND INTO ATHLETIC FIELDS AND PARKING. . PHASE THREE TO DEVELOP LIGHT FIELDS AS NEEDED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PLAYING TIME. . THE WACO PROPERTY IS VALUABLE AS PARK LAND, BUT WOULD NOT BE AS SUITABLE FOR ATHLETIC FIELD DUE TO ACCESS, SIZE, AND A MAJOR ROAD PLANNED TO BISECT THE AREA. COMMISSIONER ROHLF ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5-0 . Special Park & Recreation Commission Meeting April 19, 1995 . Adiournment Page 3 There being no further business, COMMISSIONER DALEIDEN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, O~ ~JY Phil Hals Street/Park Superintendent s:minutes/pr04-19 . .