4.1 PRMIN 10-17-2023
Meeting of the Elk River
Parks and Recreation Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Members Present: Chair David Williams, Commissioners Dave Anderson, Greg Loidolt, and
Mike Niziolek
Members Absent: Mike Brown, Ryan Holmgren, Mark Rathbun
Council Liaison: Councilmember Mike Beyer (absent)
Staff Present: Assistant City Administrator/Business Services Director Joe Stremcha, Parks and
Recreation Manager Michael Hecker, Recreation Assistant Ali Wallace
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 6:30 p.m. by Chair Williams.
2. Consider Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Niziolek to approve the
October 17, 2023, agenda. Motion carried 4-0.
3. Consider Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Loidolt to approve the
September 13, 2023, Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes. Motion carried 4-0.
4. Open Forum
No one appeared for Open Forum.
6.0 Parks and Recreation Manager Report
Mr. Hecker presented the staff report and added that the staff is working on two trail grants. One is
for the Meadowvale/CR44 trail. We have $370,000 from park dedication for the trail next year but if
we can get the grant, we can save some park dedication money. The second grant is for a
Transportation Alternative Grant for a trail along Highway 10, from the Rotary trailhead to Babcock
Park under the bridge towards the apartments.
Mr. Stremcha shared the first step in applying for the grants is to submit a letter of intent. The full
application process begins in January and February, depending on the grant. As we work with the
Public Works department to help craft the letter of intent, we will bring this to the commission at a
later date. MN DOT will give feedback whether this project is worthy of pursuing based on the
criteria of the grant process, if it is then it will go through the full application process.
Commissioner Anderson asked for more information regarding the vandalism at the skate park. Mr.
Hecker shared the lighting control box was broken and the irrigation control box was also damaged.
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2
October 17, 2023
Staff are working to move the two control boxes into a secure area, such as a mechanical building like
the one at the splash pad.
Commissioner Anderson asked about the work being done at Hillside Park. Mr. Hecker said some
improvements are being made and confirmed they are also making some changes to the design to
reduce maintenance in the future.
Mr. Hecker shared that he attended the National Recreation and Parks Association Conference last
week in Dallas and his main emphasis was to look at master planning. The process has changed since
we did our last plan in 2015 and it should include what the public needs, not just wants. There are
other types of analysis they do now in addition to the statistically valid needs assessment which is an
important part of the process.
Commissioner Loidolt shared he was excited to read about the athletic facilities tour. Mr. Hecker said
they learned quite a bit on the tour and shared some things with HKGi. There should be a meeting
soon for the Athletic Facilities Master Plan Committee.
7. Announcements
Commissioner Anderson shared the Nystrom property along Proctor, across from Salk Middle
School, will be developed eventually. He thinks the Commission should focus on the trail master plan
for that area since there is only parking on the west side of the road, across from the baseball fields,
and he is concerned about someone getting hit while crossing to the east side of the road to get to the
ball fields.
Commissioner Loidolt agrees there is not enough parking and people park on the west side of Proctor
since there is no parking on the east side and suggests looking at getting better parking for the fields.
Commissioner Niziolek shared we need to create a controlled or semi controlled intersection for
pedestrians to cross, which seems to be the Salk Middle School exit.
Mr. Stremcha stated we will add this to a future agenda item as a talking point and bring up the Trails
Master Plan as a focus point.
8. Motion to Adjourn
Moved by Commissioner Loidolt and seconded by Commissioner Anderson to adjourn the
meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Motion carried 4-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:46 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Ali Wallace.
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3
October 17, 2023
___________________
David Williams, Chair
___________________
Tina Allard, City Clerk