Loading...
02-12-1997 PR MIN . ~. "$; , .,-~l~ MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL FEBRUARY 12, 1997 Members Present: Chair Dana Anderson, Commissioners Dave Anderson, Olson, Westrum, Madsen and Kuester. Commissioner Huberty arrived at 7:08 p.m. Members Absent: Commissioner Rolf Anderson Staff Present: Phil Hals, Street/Park Department; Ron Nierenhausen, Police Department Representative; Debbie Kleckner, Recording Secretary Others Present: Jeff AsfahL Community Recreation Director '1. Call Meetinq To Order PurS!jant 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 Dana Anderson. 2. Consider February 12, 1997 Park & Recreation Commission Aqenda COMMISSIONER OLSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 12, 1997, PARK & RECREATION AGENDA. COMMISSIONER MADSEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3. Consider Minutes of January 8, 1997, Park & Recreation Commission Meetinq COMMISSIONER KUESTER MOVED APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 8, 1997. PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES WITH THE FOllOWING AMENDMENT: ITEM 9 . ADD "COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON" AS MAKER OF THE MOTION COMMISSIONER WESTRUM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 4. Open Mike Mike Niziolek reviewed a document entitled" A Vision of Elk River" which stressed the importance of preserving naturally significant areas within the community. Mike explained that only 4.5% of the natural landscape is left in Elk River. and .75% of it has been preserved through the Woodland Trails Park. He felt there is support in Elk River to preserve at least 5% of the natural significant land in the city, which would be approximately 1 ,000 acres. Mike proposed the city pass a resolution that clearly states the natural park land will be preserved and asked for the Park & Recreation Commission's support. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commis:ioners to review the document and discuss it at next month's Park & Rec meeting. 5. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes February 12, 1997 Page 2 Update on Joint Park and Recreation Commission/City Council Meetinq of January 21. 1997 (Dana Anderson) . 6. Park Bond Issue Discussion Chair Anderson reviewed the 1989 survey questions with members of the Commission which will be included in the survey by Decision Resources. Discussion was given to questions for various type of recreational uses, interest in a community center, Handke stadium, and youth activities. Members of the Commission discussed when the proposed bond issue would be presented to the voters. Dave Anderson explained the bond issue can be presented at any time, but that there needs to be a polling place in each precinct. Discussion followed regarding school bond issues. It was the consensus to have a park bond referendum in September. Chair Anderson stated he would check with the City of Plymouth regarding the success of their park bond. and Commissioner Dave Anderson will contact Eden Prairie. 7. Area Recreation Update - Jeff Asfahl ~ '# a. Skateboard Park John Johnson, representing the youth skateboard enthusiast's group indicated their goal is to establish a professionally built. maintained and operated skateboard park. Engineered plans have been purchased from the City of Bloomington with money from a fundraiser held last fall. Proposed design plans were submitted to the Commission for their review. A demonstration fundraiser is scheduled for March 1 st at the Elk River Ice Arena. The youth felt the Oak Knoll temporary location was a great success and recommended it for a permanent site. Other possible locations were discussed including Lion's Park, Orono Park, and the Woodland Trails parking lot near the golf course. The" Hot Spot" skateboard shop in Blaine has expressed interest in bringing in professional skateboarders who they sponsor, and . would possibly bring in materials to use temporarily while the new skateboard park is under construction. The skateboard group will be contacting Menards and other businesses for possible sponsorship and donation of lumber and other materials. Nate DeMars, also representing the skateboarding youth, indicated they are shooting for an opening day of May 1 sf. . Chair Anderson commended the youth for their aggressive approach, but cautioned them that the project may not move as quickly as the group would like. Determining factors include site selection, approval of construction plans, supervision costs and the insurance liability issue. Discussion followed regarding possible sites for locating another temporary skateboarding park in the interim. Phil Hals suggested the Lion's Park parking lot, or the outdoor hockey rink. Kent Madsen suggested using the parking lot area adjacent to the new ice arena. . . . f, /tJ Park & Recreation Commission Minutes February 12, 1997 Page 3 Phil expressed concern that the ramps proposed will require construction by someone knowledgeable in the construction businesses or carpentry to insure safety. Phil encouraged the youth to work on the construction of ramps for a temporary site while the process continues to establish a permanent site. Phil indicated user fees may have to be collected to support the operation of a permanent site to cover insurance liability, maintenance and supervision. It was the consensus of the group to meet with the Lions to discuss the possible location of a temporary and/or permanent skateboard park site. Jeff Asfahl will continue to work with city staff regarding liability. Identification of a temporary and permanent site and projected costs will be discussed at the March Park & Rec meeting. 8. Discussion - Outdoor Hockey Rinks The need for additional outdoor hockey rinks was discussed. Phil explained that there is fill material available to prepare a site at Lions Park for an additional outdoor hockey rink. Discussion followed regarding the Liolls opposition to organized sports using Lions Park. Phil noted there are other sites available such as the property next to the water tower off Gary Street. Supervision at the warming houses was discussed. Commissioner Madsen indicated there are approximately 550-600 youth involved in hockey and figure skating. Madsen noted Rogers. Dayton and Zimmerman are adding outdoor hockey rinks. Commissioner Madsen felt the Handke Stadium rink should be flooded on the south side so that it does not melt so early in the spring. Comm'issioner Madsen felt the small hockey rink in Handke Stadium could be made a full size rink. Currently. no pucks are allowed and skaters use tennis balls. which he feels are more dangerous. Madsen noted that there is a need for an outdoor skating rink on the east side of Highway 169. Phil also noted they have also considered a skating rink on Lake Orono. Phil stated explained he is considering purchasing a piece of equipment for efficient ice maintenance which has a broom on one end and a blower on the other. 9. Discussion - Oak Knoll Soccer Field #7 The Park & Recreation Commission discussed the School Board's .::>roposal to building an Alternative Learning Center (ALC) on the Oak Knoll soccer field #7 site. Commissioner Olson stated the School Board intends to build the ALC on the south end of the field and locate a parking lot for 75-80 vehicles on the north end. Commissioner Olson spoke with Tom Wingard of the Three Rivers Soccer Association who suggested the possibility of the city acquiring the soccer field property. Tom Wingard has proposed the $10 userfee which was proposed for development of the Cass Fields go instead to the purchase of this property. Discussion followed regarding whether or not the School District would consider an offer to purchase the site. Commissioner Olson expressed his concern that Park & Recreation Commission Minutes February 12, 1997 Page 4 the community would be giving up a fully developed soccer site, without the School Board fully considering alternative sites. Other possible sites were suggested, including the school district's gravel parking lot east of Proctor. and the non-irrigated baseball field north of the parking lot. . COMMISSIONER KUESTER MOVED THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION RECOMMEND THE CITY COUNCil EXPRESS THEIR CONCERN THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS NOT SUFFICIENTlY EXPLORED ALTERNATIVE TO CLOSING SOCCER FielD #7 FOR THE LOCATION OF THE AlC, AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONDUCT A MORE RIGOROUS SEARCH. COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 10. Snowmobile Corridors Throuqh the City (Police Department) Ron Nierenhausen stated that there were problems throughout the city with snowmobilers. and not just in a few specific areas. Discussion followed regarding options for snowmobilers to get from the Parrish Avenue bridge over to Highway 169 and also to Highway 10. Phil suggested the possibility of designating a trail on east Main Street to Highway 169, or, frcm Main St. heading east on Highway 10 down by Babcock Park to Highway 169. Phil also suggested a route west on sidewalks to the Highway 10 right of way to the Lake Orono Bridge. Ron felt an organized trail system through the city would help alleviate some of the Police Departments concerns. Commissioner Dave Anderson noted that in Mora there is a built-up snow area which runs down the middle of the street for snowmobiles, and this may be an option the city could consider. . j It was the consensus of the Commission to further explore possibilities for routing snowmobilers through the city. 11. Cass Field Usaqe by Youth Groups (Dana Anderson) Chair Anderson noted he has received letters of intention from both girls' softball and boys' baseball to contributing $10 per player towards development of the Cass fields. Chair Anderson indicated the Soccer Association would be welcomed if they wished to participate in funding. as well. Chair Anderson explained the associations have expressed an interest in starting the development as soon as possible. He stated someone will be contacting Phil regarding drilling a well at the site. 7.b. Planninq Issues- Preliminary Plat for Oakwood Hills (Good Value Homes/J. Peterson!. Case No. P 97-1 Phil noted the developer. Good Value Homes. is proposing to subdivide a 40 acre parcel into 14 single family lots. Members of the Commission expressed concern that there was only one access into the development. COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON MOVED THE PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION RECOMMEND PARK DEDICATION FEES BE ACCEPTED TO MEET PARK DEDICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OAKWOOD HillS PLAT, CASE NO. P 97-l. COMMISSIONER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. . t . ,~ :~. ;;f .....'h.,:;- {~.i'.'..'... ~ Park & Recreation Commission Minutes February 12, ] 997 Page 5 12. Discussion - Fundinq of Out of State Seminar for Commission Member Commissioner Kuester submitted a request fur endorsement to attend the American Planning Association National Conference in San Diego. COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND SUPPORT OF COMMISSIONER KUESTER'S REQUEST FOR $462 IN FEES TO COVER CONFERENCE REGISTRATION AND PARK RelATED FEES FOR THE Alv\ERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN SAN DIEGO APRll5.9, 1997. COMMISSIONER WESTRUM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1. COMMISSIONER KUESTER ABSTAINED. 7.c. Master Park Plan Update - Steve Rohlf Steve Rohlf reviewed updates to the Master Park Plan. 13. Staff Updates Commissioner Dave Anderson indicated an agreement has been reached with the city for the Nordic Ski Club to purchase the snowmobile for grooming ski trails. and will in turn, contract the club for grooming the trails. Costs for equipment and gas could be recovered with this arrangement. 14. Other Business No other business. 15. Adjournment There being no further business. COMMISSIONER OLSON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. The meeting of the Elk River Park & Recreation Commission adjourned at 10:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted. Ud,('4?" ~f!h0fJ Debbie Kleckner Recording Secretary