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06-14-2023 PRMINMeeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission Held at the Elk River City Hall Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Members Present: Chair David Williams, Commissioners Dave Anderson, Mike Brown, Ryan Holmgren, Greg Loidolt, Mike Niziolek, and Mark Rathbun Members Absent: None Council Liaison: Councilmember Mike Beyer Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Manager Michael Hecker, Senior Administrative Assistant Dawn Larson 1. Call Meeting to Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 6:30p.m. by Chair Williams. 2. Consider Agenda Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Anderson to approve the June 14, 2023, agenda. Motion carried 7-0. 3. Consider Minutes Moved by Commissioner Rathbun and seconded by Commissioner Holmgren to approve the May 10, 2023, Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes. Motion carried 7-0. 4. Open Forum No one appeared for Open Forum. 6.1 Bradford Park Development Park Dedication Mr. Hecker presented his report. Mr. Hecker introduced Paul Tabone, Land Entitlement Manager from Lennar Homes. Secretary Larson handed out a recent email from Mr. Tabone to Zach Carlton, the Community Development Director. In the email there was a request by Lennar to discuss the following: Ponding Area Credit: Lennar is asking for a partial open space credit on the water area. They are seeking a credit of 0.5 acres of credit would result in approximately seven acres of credit. Lennar believes the water feature and possible future amenities to be programmed by the City have value, and we are asking to receive some partial open space credit for this area through the PUD. Trail corridor between basin J and basin K: Lennar noted that this is an extremely difficult place to locate a trail corridor. To compromise and add the connection desired by the City, lot 194 was relocated to the westerly block of homesites at the intersection of Road A and Road G. The trail can be shifted east out of the spillway through the flat area that was lot Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 June 14, 2023 194. Lennar is asking for construction cost credit for this trail segment because it will require a retaining wall and is an improvement being requested by the City. Park trail and south loop trail: Given that the trail segment in the park (Outlot H) connects to the regional trail, Lennar is seeking construction credit for that portion. They are also seeking construction credit for the southern loop of the waterfront trail because it will connect to the regional trail and connects to Ivanhoe Avenue, which will facilitate regional vehicular and pedestrian mobility through the community and beyond. Chair Williams said that he would not vote for the water credit. He believed it would be setting a precedent and it is against current ordinance. Chair Williams said that Mr. Tabone would have to go to the City Council to request a change in ordinance. Mr. Tabone stated Lennar would be able to build the orange areas on the exhibit of the park trail at their credit at cost versus the City having to go out to bid from others etc. Mr. Tabone would appreciate support from the commission on this before the City Council meeting. Commissioner Anderson said that this is super complex, and he has many questions. Commissioner Anderson requested to see the grading plan that Mr. Hecker had in the power point from last month. Mr. Tabone explained that the orange trail portion on the exhibit between J and K is shown as a spillway and the city has requested that it be made into a trail, but it does need some culverting and grading. Lennar would have to do storm water modeling, etc. to make that happen so that is why they would like credit. Commissioner Anderson asked what the construction cost credit would be. Lennar would have their contractor send it out for bid. Lennar would receive the credit for everything that would be necessary to make that portion a trail. Commissioner Anderson expressed concerns that without a dollar amount, he does not see how they can agree to give them credit for something that could be a large amount. He said that as far as the amount of green park land there does not appear to be much flat usable land. Commissioner Anderson asked how many acres of flat usable land there was. Mr. Hecker and Mr. Tabone explained that once the grading is done it will be five to six usable programmable acres in Outlot H.. Mr. Tabone said that he had worked with Mr. Stremcha, City of Elk River Assistant City Administrator/Business Services Director and Zach Carlton, Community Development Director, on what would be usable acreage. The total acreage of the usable programmable space on the Bradford Park exhibit that has been passed out is 26.68 acres. Commissioner Anderson asked if that is a pond that will run dry, and Mr. Tabone explained that it would if there was a lack of rain, but it is not the piece of water that they are requesting the water credit for. Commissioner Anderson said that before them tonight are several requests. Commissioner Loidolt asked if J and K would be man-made, and Mr. Tabone confirmed that they would. Mr. Tabone explained that the area between J and K is low lying and is currently used as an overflow. So, by mining out J and K some of that dirt would have to go somewhere so Mr. Tabone said it would have to be culverted. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 June 14, 2023 Commissioner Loidolt said that he cannot give his vote on the trail between J and K tonight. Mr. Tabone asked if the conversation about these items could continue later for consideration. Commissioner Loidolt said that he would consider it. Commissioner Niziolek said that he would feel more comfortable if he could see the grading plan for the overall park property and that he would be voting blindly until he does. He thinks good things are happening but wants more details. He said that according to the trails master plan that describes “scenic property” with specific criteria, “You can accept property if it is low land along streams or areas of rough terrain when such areas are extensive and have natural features worthy of preservation.” Commissioner Niziolek said without the grading plan he finds it difficult to act on this. Commissioner Anderson asked if the grading would go all the way down to the water in the gravel pit. Mr. Tabone confirmed it would. The slope would be cut to allow for the trails to go down to the water. The remainder of the land will graded out to usable flat land and or usable slopes. The grading plan is being worked on to reflect this and that is the direction Lennar received. Commissioner Anderson said that between the trails and the water it is likely that it will be graded. He asked who would be responsible for reestablishing the vegetation after the construction and Mr. Tabone said Lennar would because it needs to be done within two weeks as part of maintaining the water quality. The south loop of the water feature would have a trail in a future phase of the development. The Commissioners asked when the project is going to City Council. Mr. Tabone said it would be the next Council meeting in June and or the July 17 meeting. Commissioner Anderson said that they are relying on Chair Williams, Mr. Stremcha, Mr. Hecker, and Mr. Carlton for the information surrounding this project. Commissioner Anderson wants to see the next grading plan for the park before recommending and supporting this. He does not believe the commission currently has enough information. He hopes that he can see cost estimates and trail that the city is paying for. Commissioner Anderson asked Mr. Tabone if the elevation of the pond has been established. Mr. Tabone said yes, and it is deep in some spots, but he did not have the numbers at this meeting and said there is culverting in that area to maintain the stormwater rate and environment. Mr. Tabone said everything is being reviewed by staff. Mr. Stremcha explained to the commission again that the slope will be programmable space. It has changed four times with different versions based on conversations and will continue to change until the final design. Commissioner Anderson clarified that it was a two percent to three percent slope. Commissioner Niziolek said he thinks he is going to approve this, but he would really like to see the grading plan before deciding. Commissioner Niziolek said he does not understand the interest between J and K. He would rather drop that and focus on other areas. He would rather focus on trail connections and entrances from the road. Mr. Tabone said that staff had initiated the want for the trail to be there initially so that is why. Staff recommended the trail for access and maintenance. Commissioner Loidolt asked if staff had approved the plan yet and Mr. Stremcha said no, it is still being reworked and that is why it is being discussed tonight. Commissioner Brown said that he does not see it as their job to see the grading plan and question the engineers. Commissioner Niziolek said that according to the master plan he believes that this project may not qualify. He then requoted the piece of paper that he kept reading from the master plan. He said that the park property is very steep right now, and he said that he wants to see the grading plan. Commissioner Anderson Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 June 14, 2023 said that if they are to trust staff and lead blindly then why is the commission here. He said they should have drawings and requested them at the next meeting. In reference to the third action request in Mr. Hecker’s staff report, Commissioner Loidolt asked for clarification on the motion. Lennar would grade the area and the city would build the trail Mr. Tabone said. They would sub cut the trail, put base in, and pave the trail. Lennar would grade it as part of the preparation for the trail. The trail would be a little less than a mile- this is the blue line on the north side of the pond shown on the exhibit. Commissioner Anderson asked how much the trail would cost. Commissioner Loidolt pointed out that this trail is in in our master plan. Commissioner Anderson asked why the City is paying for this and he would also like to get the trail cost. In reference to the fourth action request in Mr. Hecker’s staff report Lennar Homes will come back with the costs. In reference to the fifth action request in Mr. Hecker’s staff report, Councilmember Beyer noted that the next commission meeting is July 12, and the next City Council meeting is July 17, which are close together. Commissioner Anderson wanted to clarify that the trail between J and K was requested by staff for maintenance and Mr. Hecker said yes. He also said the grading plan would be available at the next meeting so these decisions can be made. Moved by Chair Williams and seconded by Commissioner Loidolt that lots #180 through #184 be moved to the farthest west in Outlot H at the end of Road A, as depicted on the attached Bradford Park exhibit. Motion carried 7-0. Moved by Commissioner Brown and seconded by Commissioner Rathbun the acceptance of the proposed upland park area (26.68 acres) as shown on the attached Bradford Park exhibit. Motion carried 5-2. Commissioner Niziolek and Commissioner Anderson were opposed. Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Anderson inclusion of a developer funded trail along the west side of Cleveland Ave/CR40, as shown in the preliminary plans. Motion carried 7-0. 6.2 The Cove Housing Development Mr. Hecker presented the slides and his report. He noted that the trails master plan needs to be updated. He explained the difficulty of accessing the piece of property known as Scout Island other than by boat. Commissioner Anderson asked for the aerial to be pulled up. He also asked if the current homeowner has the same access via the road. Mr. Hecker confirmed they do. Commissioner Anderson said that normally the developer provides drawings or plans showing the easement. He does not remember ever not having something showing the width and location. Mr. Stremcha said that the commission could be specific in the motion. Secretary Larson pointed out on the map where boy scout leaders typically park and hike out to the Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5 June 14, 2023 land. Councilmember Beyer said that the logical place to put the easement would be off the cul-de-sac 30 feet wide. Commissioner Anderson made a motion to preserve a 30-foot-wide trail easement from the cul-de-sac adjacent to the City/Boy Scouts of America property in the most suitable location. Commissioner Brown made a second to the motion but there was more discussion and then Commissioner Anderson withdrew it. Commissioner Niziolek had questioned if they could ask for 30 feet or more out of lot five and take the edge to the west to have a parking feature. He said it does not appear that there will be a home on the west side of the cul-de-sac. Commissioner Anderson said then they are talking about wasting space. Commissioner Niziolek said that it is a piece of land that a homeowner would not want to maintain, especially if there is an easement going right through the center of it. It would also make the property line for parcel five nice and precise. Commissioner Anderson asked if the dotted line was the normal high-water line. Mr. Stremcha said he thinks it is the top of the slope. It was decided that it is the normal high-water mark. Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Anderson park dedications for The Cove to be paid, at the applicable park dedication rate when the lots are released for recording. Motion carried 7-0. Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Anderson to provide a trail easement on the west side of the cul-de-sac 30 feet wide with the potential of using the space on the southwestern portion of lot five. Motion carried 7-0. 7.1 Trott Brook Barn Loitering Concern Mr. Hecker said that the lighting has already been purchased and will be installed shortly. 8. Parks and Recreation Manager Report Mr. Hecker presented the staff report. The meeting with the committee next week has been cancelled and will be rescheduled to the same day as the next commission meeting in July. 9. Division Manager’s Report No report. 10. Announcements 11. Motion to Adjourn Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Holmgren to adjourn the meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Motion carried 7-0. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 6 June 14, 2023 The meeting was adjourned at 7:47p.m. Minutes prepared by Dawn Larson. ___________________ David Williams, Chair ___________________ Tina Allard, City Clerk