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01-08-1997 PR MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL JANUARY 8, 1997 Members Present: Chair Dana Anderson, Commissioners Dave Anderson, Olson, Westrum and Huberty. Commissioner Rohlf Anderson arrived at 7: 10 p.m. Members Absent: Commissioners Madsen and Kuester Staff Present: Phil Hals, Street/Park Department; Debbie Kleckner, Recording Secretary Others Present: Jeff Asfahl, Community Recreation Director 1. Call Meetinq To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Park & Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chair Dana Anderson. 2. Consider January 9, 1997 Park & Recreation Commission Aqenda COMMISSIONER WESTRUM MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 9, 1997 PARK & RECREATION AGENDA WITH THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONS: - ITEM 3.A. - ELECTION OF OFFICERS - ITEM 12.A. - UPDATE - UPCOMING MEETINGS COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 3. Consider Minutes of December 11, 1996, Park & Recreation Commission Meetinq COMMISSIONER OLSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 11, 1996, PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES. COMMISSION ROLF ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 3.A. Election of Officers COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON MOVED TO ELECT DANA ANDERSON AS 1997 CHAIR OF THE ELK RIVER PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION. COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0-1. CHAIR DANA ANDERSON ABSTAINED. COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON MOVED TO ELECT LANA HUBERTY AS 1997 VICE CHAIR OF THE ELK RIVER PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION. COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0-1. COMMISSIONER HUBERTY ABSTAINED. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes January 8, 1997 Page 2 4. Open Mike . Tom Cruz, 11146 190th Avenue NW, expressed his concern there were no parks on the east side of Highway 169, except for a small neighborhood park with swings and a small basketball court. Chair Dana Anderson explained when the residential property east of Highway 169 was developed, cash was accepted in lieu of park dedication. He noted the Park & Recreation Commission is trying to establish an east-west trail link. Mr. Cruz felt the Park & Rec Commission should consider buying property to set aside for future parks when the street is extended to the proposed new church. He also felt the Commission should consider a park in the vacant land south of his property towards McDonalds, as well as the vacant land behind Deerfield. Mr. Cruz stated there is a great need for a hockey rink or baseball diamond, due to the large number of children living in this general area. Phil Hals indicated there is are three park areas proposed for the east side of Highway 1 69, but that these areas will likely not become available for parks until they are developed. Dana explained that it is not economically feasible for the Commission to buy land when developers are willing to pay more. Tom Cruz also expressed his concern for tree preservation. Members of the Commission and staff stated they would contact Mr. Cruz when more information is available regarding the proposed park bond referendum. 5. Area Recreation Update - Jeff Asfahl . A. Recreation Proarams Jeff reported the winter community education brochure is out and programs will begin this coming Friday. He noted the Youth Initiative Task Force will be meeting next Tuesday. A joint meeting is also planned with Community Ed, the recreation board and ECFE. B. Skateboard Park Jeff met with Phil regarding this issue. The youth group voted to spend the $100 raised this past summer to purchase the engineered plans from the City of Burnsville. Jeff sent out an informal survey to several cities that have skateboard parks but has not received any information to report on at this time. 6. Planninq Items Oak Run - This proposed plat is located between County Road 32 and County Road 1 at 21 Oth Avenue alignment. The plat involves subdividing a 9 acre parcel into 3 lots. COMMISSIONER OLSON MOVED TO ACCEPT CASH TO MEET THE PARK DEDICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OAK RUN PLAT. COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. . . . . Park and Recreation Commission Minutes January 8, 1997 Page 3 7. Update on Anoka County Parks Joint Meetinq - Dave Anderson Dave indicated he attended the Anoka County Parks joint meeting. Representatives were in attendance from all cities in Anoka County, as well as representatives from the National Park Services. Dave reported Anoka County will move forward with the proposed southeast trail connection to Sherburne County. 8. Update on Sherburne County Parks Development - Dave Anderson 9. Dave noted the Becker Citizen newspaper included an excellent summary of the proposed Sherburne County Master Park Plan. A public hearing on the plan will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 1997 at 1 :00 p.m. at the Sherburne County Government Center. Dave explained the plan includes general planning statements and does not address specific sites. The plan addresses the formation of a county park commission, with representation of cities and townships throughout Sherburne County. Update on Ski Trail Groomer - Dave Anderson Dave reported excellent skiing on the city's trails. $2,000 has been pledged through fundraising for the purchase of the snowmobile for grooming trails. Dave explained city staff has indicated they would like the ski club to finance the entire purchase. Staff also suggested the possibility of contracting the ski club to groom the trails. Discussion followed regarding staff's view that the school district be asked to participate in financing costs associated with grooming of the ski trails, since the school use the city trails for practice and meets. COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON MOVED THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BE ASKED TO CONSIDER PARTIAL FUNDING OF COSTS RELATED TO THE HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY SKI PROGRAM FOR PRACTICE AND MEET USE OF THE CITY'S TRAILS. COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Dave noted the order will be placed for the snowmobile and delivery will be in the summer. 10. Update on Pump Water Fountain for Jackson Sauare Park - Phil Hals 11. Phil distributed information from Renner Well Drilling which illustrated the type of hand water pump the Downtown Committee wished to place in the Jackson Square Park. By consensus, the Park and Recreation Commissioners favored placement of the proposed hand water pump and drinking fountain at the EDA site, rather than at the Jackson Square parking lot, and, that consideration by the appropriate committees be given to moving the gazebo to the EDA site, as well. The Commissioners also expressed their desire to work with the downtown committee to better enhance the downtown within river corridor plan proposed for the city. Update on Country Crossinqs '" Gradinq Plan - Phil Hals Park and Recreation Commission Minutes January 8, 1997 Page 4 The final plat grading plan will be available for the next Park & Recreation Commission meeting. . 12. Naminq of the Cass Fields Chair Dana Anderson noted the letter from Mary Elveru regarding naming the Cass fields be entered into the official record. COMMISSIONER ROLF ANDERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND A "NAME THE PARKS" CONTEST FOR THE CASS FIELDS AND "TOP OF THE WORLD" PARK, AS WELL AS DESIGNING A CITY PARK LOGO. COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 12.a. Upcominq Meetinqs Sherburne County Master Park Plan Public Hearina The public hearing will be held on January 21, 1997 at 1 :00 p.m. Joint Meetina with the City Council A joint meeting of the Park & Recreation Commission and City Council will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 1997 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Chair Dana Anderson encouraged all Commissioners to be in attendance. January 22. 1997 Park & Recreation Special Meetino . Discussion followed regarding the proposed park bond referendum. Dave noted Bill Morris from Decision Resources will be available on either January 21st or January 22nd to discuss a possible survey project. A suryey can be executed and back with results in approximately 2 months. Decision Resources recommends a 400 sample size for this type of survey. Cost of the survey for 60 units. (approximately 85 questions) is approximately $7,800. The cost is $100 per unit over the suggested 60 units. Discussion followed regarding whether or not the survey was necessary and possible funding. It was the consensus of the Park & Recreation Commissioners to discuss the proposal with the City Council. An additional special meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission was scheduled for January 22, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. 13. Staff Updates Phil noted that the company cleaning up the recent fire damage in the lower level of the former cinema building has requested temporary placement of a large dumpster on the "hole in the ground" property located next to the building. 14. Other Business a. Minnesota Sports Federation - The Sports Federation is currently working on their fundraising activities. b. Snowmobile Route - Discussion item only. c. Funding for Development of Cass Fields - Chair Dana Anderson noted the . . . . Park and Recreation Commission Minutes January 8, 1997 Page 5 baseball association has accepted the city's proposal for participation in the funding of the Cass property athletic field development. Dana will also be meeting with the softball association to request their participation, as well. Commissioner Dave Anderson commended Chair Anderson for his efforts. 15. Adiournment There being no further business, COMMISSIONER WESTRUM MOVED TO ADJOURN THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING. COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ;JJdJ!;U 'f)h~ Debbie Kleckner Recording Secretary