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05-10-1988 PR MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER RECREATION BOARD HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL ON MAY 10. 1988 Members Present: Mike O'Brien. Chair; Rolfe Anderson. Vice Chair; Dave Anderson; Byron Houghtelin; Todd Mixer; Marilyn VanPatten; and Clete Lipetzky Members Absent: None Others Present: Councilmember Roger Holmgren; Pat Klaers. City Administrator; Phil Hals. Streets/Parks Superintendent; and Charlie Blesener. Community Education Director 1. to due Board and notice thereof. the meeting of the Elk River called to order by Chairman O'Brien at 7:00 p.m. Pursuant Recreation call was 2. Consideration of 5/10/88 Recreation Board Agenda It was requested that discussion on additional youth baseball helmets. lighting at the softball field complex. the need for temporary soccer fields. and the basis of funding park and recreational activities be added to the agenda. It was the consensus of the Recreation Board to accept the 5/10/88 Recreation Board Agenda as amended. 3. Election of Officers Mike O'Brien accepted the nomination as Chairman of the Recreation Board. MOTION BY BYRON RECREATION BOARD. HOUGHTELIN TO ELECT MIKE 0 'BRIEN AS CHAIRMAN OF THE SECONDED BY CLETE LIPETZKY. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Rolfe Anderson for 1988. accepted nomination as Secretary of the Recreation Board MOTION BY RECREATION ROLFE ANDERSON TO ELECT ROLFE ANDERSON AS SECRETARY TO THE BOARD. MOTION SECONDED BY MIKE O'BRIEN. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Dave Anderson accepted nomination as Vice Chair of the Recreation Board for 1988. MOTION BY RECREATION ROLFE ANDERSON TO ELECT DAVE ANDERSON AS VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD. MOTION SECONDED BY MIKE 0' BRIEN. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0. 4. Public Mike Mr. Shawn Knutson and Mr. John Travis were present to discuss with the Recreation Board their plans for the development of a water skiing slalom course on Lake Orono. It was indicated by Mr. Knutson and Mr. Travis that the proposed water skiing course would be private in nature and would be much too difficult for the general public who are nonexpert skiers. It was indicated that Sherburne County had been contacted Page 2 Recreation Board Minutes May 10. 1988 . regarding such a water skiing course and that Mr. Dave Anderson. County Water Way Director. had indicated that prior to issuing a county permit for such an activity that permission must be received by the City of Elk River. It was further indicated that some of the 1akeshore owners had been contacted regarding this water skiing course and that they had expressed no concern over an activity. Mr. Travis and Mr. Knutson presented the Recreation Board with a list of 15 names on a petition that indicated these property owners on Lake Orono did not have any problems with the slalom course as discussed. At a 5/2/88 presentation before the City Council. Mr. Knutson and Mr. Travis were requested to present this proposal to the Recreation Board. The City Council had no major problems with the proposal except for liability and insurance concerns. The proposed private water skiing course is to take place on the north side of Highway 10 in the section of Lake Orono that is generally not used extensively by the public. The Recreation Board concurred with the City Council concerns on the need for Mr. Knutson and Mr. Travis to be fully insured so that in case of an accident. the City is at a minimum risk. The Recreation Board also expressed a concern over the erosion of the banks in this area along with potential injury if one of the water skiers would hit a tree stub underneath the water surface. . MOTION BY BYRON HOUGHTELIN TO CONCUR WITH THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL ON ALLOWING THE PRIVATE WATER SKIING SLALOM COURSE TO EXIST ON LAKE ORONO PROVIDED THAT THE WATER SKIING COURSE NOT BE ON A PERMANENT STATUS; THAT MR. KNUTSON AND MR. TRAVIS OBTAIN BOAT LIABILITY INSURANCE; THAT THE ACTIVITY ONLY TAKE PLACE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF HIGHWAY 10; THAT PERMISSION BE GRANTED BY THE LAKE SHORE ASSOCIATION; AND THAT IF PROBLEMS EXIST. MR. KNUTSON AND MR. TRAVIS REVIEW THE SITUATION WITH THE CITY STAFF. MARILYN VANPATTEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. It was the consensus of the Recreation Board that such activities only be allowed to take place on the north side of Highway 10 and that no consideraton would be given to any private recreation activities. such as a water skiing jump. on the south side of Highway 10 in the area of Lake Orono as more extensively used by the general public. 5. Review of 4/12/88 Joint City Council/Recreation Board Meeting It was the consensus of the Recreation Board that the 4/12/88 Minutes as presented were an accurate reflection of the discussion that took place. 6. Review of City Recreation Board Ordinance . After general discussion of the Recreation Board. it was the consensus that the entire Recreation Ordinance needs to be revised an updated to reflect the current status of what is hoped to be a park and recreation board. The Staff was directed to obtain examples of park and recreation board ordinances from communities where a similar structure exists. If possible. such ordinance examples would be presented at the next Recreation Board Meeting. . . . Page 3 Recreation Board Minutes May 10. 1988 7. Review of Parks Section of the Growth Management Plan The Parks section of the Growth Management Plan had been previously distributed to all Recreation Board Members. The revised updated version of this Parks section was distributed at this meeting. No problems or concerns with this proposed park section of the Growth Management Plan was expressed by the Recreation Board. It was noted that if any members have concerns after further review of the Parks section that they should contact the City Administrator with their comments and concerns. 8. Discussion on City Park Names and Development of a City Park Name Policy The Recreation Board reviewed the names of all the existing City Parks. It was the consensus of the Recreation Board that. except for the so called Wilderness Park and Old Dump Site. that all the existing park names were acceptable. Furthermore. it was the consensus of the Recreation Board that it is appropriate for the smaller neighborhood parks to be named after the development or plat. In this manner. the location of the smaller neighborhood parks are easily identifiable. Additionally. it was the consensus of the Recreation Board that the larger community parks should be named on a case by case basis and that no set City park name policy needs to be approved for these larger community parks. Regarding the naming of the future City Wilderness Park (Lamm property) and the old municipal dump site. the Recreation Board decided that it would be appropriate to get community involvement. In this regard. a "name that park" contest was discussed. The Recreation Board is requesting City Council approval of such a contest and that a $50 gift certificate to a local business that is a Chamber of Commerce member. be provided to the individual submitting the winning name of each park. Discussion was held on whether or not such a contest could be concluded by June 11 so that all the entries can be submitted at the City Council booth at the Community Festival. The Administrator indicated a concern with this time frame in so much as the City does not technically own the Wilderness Park at this time. It is anticipated that the purchase of this park will be signed and completed before the Community Festival but that an insufficient amount of time to publicize the contest may exist. If this scenario turns out to be true. the second alternative discussed was to have all of the park name entries submitted prior to the Fourth of July celebration so that the winners can be announced at that time. It was indicated that such a contest would need publication in the Elk River Star Newspaper and that entry blanks including a map and narrative describing the parks would need to be available at the City Hall and. if possible. at the City Council booth at the Community Festival. The Administrator was instructed to discuss this concept with the City Council at its next meeting. Page 4 Recreation Board Minutes May 10. 1988 . 9. Orono Park The issue of public safety and the need for a pay telephone around Orono Park and the softball complex was discussed. In spite of the potential for vandalism and the $55.00 per month cost in addition to the $125 installation fee. it was the consensus of the Recreation Board that the need for a public phone in case of emergencies far outweighed the cost and potential vandalism factors. MOTION BY BYRON HOUGHTELIN TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THE INSTALLATION OF A PUBLIC PAY PHONE AT A LOCATION IN ORONO PARK WHICH IS CONVENIENT FOR BOTH THE PARK AND THE SOFTBALL COMPLEX FOR AN APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTH PERIOD DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS AND THAT SUCH A PHONE BE FINANCED FROM THE PARK BUDGET. CLETE LIPETZKY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. The topic of the need for a lifeguard at the Orono public beach was discussed by the Recreation Board. The major concerns regarding this issue related to the cost of the lifeguards. the scheduling of the lifeguards. and the liability placed upon the City for providing such a lifeguard and structured swimming environment. . MOTION BY CLETE LIPETZKY THAT DURING THE FALL OF 1988 THE RECREATION BOARD MORE CLOSELY EVALUATE THE NEED FOR A LIFEGUARD AT ORONO PARK DURING THE SWIMMING SEASON OF 1989. BYRON HOUGHTELIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 10. Community Ed Update - Charlie B1esener Charlie provided the Recreation Board with some budgeting information and discussed the school and city relationship in providing recreational programs. Mr. B1esener indicated that in very basic terms. the school provides and monitors recreation activities and the City and school combined provide physical facilities for the recreational programs. Additionally. the City also helps finance a senior citizen worker for various senior citizen programs. The major budget issues relating to the City include swimming. administration. ice skating. and other recreational programs which are offset by revenues generated by the programs. Mr. B1esener discussed with the Recreation Board the winter ice skating season and the need for Lion's Park to have ice skating facilities available. It is the philosophy of the Community Education Department. that wherever an ice skating facility is available that both hockey and general skating be providing. Discussion at this time centered around the Handke ice pit and the need for an improved shelter at this facility. . MOTION BY MIKE 0' BRIEN TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE STREET/PARKS SUPERINTENDENT INVESTIGATE THE COST AND NEED FOR A NEW SHELTER AT HANDKE SCHOOL AND ALSO THAT THE CITY ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY rOI PIOVIDING IECREATIONAL SKATING. HOWEVER. THAT ALL TYPES OF SKATING BE PROVIDED WHEREVER A SKATING AREA EXISTS WITH THE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION AND/OI LIONS CLUB BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR THE UPKEEP OF THE HOCKEY AREA. CLETE LIPETZKY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. . . . Page 5 Recreation Board Minutes May 10, 1988 11. Update from the City Street/Park Superintendent - Phil Ha1s Mr. Ha1s reviewed with the Recreation Board a list of capital outlay items he would like to purchase from the City Park Dedication Fund. The items included barbeque grills in Lion's Park and in Orono Park, a boat dock, street lights, and barbeque grills. The total cost of the improvements was under $4,000. An additional request that was discussed related to playground equipment for $7,000 in Moldenhauer Park. MOTION BY MARILYN VANPATTEN TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS IN ORONO AND LION'S PARK AND TO WAIT ON THE PROPOSED PLAYGROUND EQUPMENT AND IMPROVEMENTS IN MOLDENHAUER UNTIL THE CITY CAN EVALUATE THE USE OF SIMILAR PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT THAT I S TO BE INSTALLED, AS APPROVED LAST YEAR, IN RIDGEWOOD PARK. BYRON HOUGHTELIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Mr. Ha1s distributed a map of the Orono Park with its completed improvements, that will be used during the Community Festival on June 11. At this time, Mr. Ha1s responded to a variety of park related questions from the Recreation Board. 12. Other Business It was the consensus of the Recreation Board that their monthly meeting date would be the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. and that they would meet at City Hall. Topics to be discussed at the next Recreation Board meeting included an update from the City Administrator on the budget process and financing of recreation and park activities and discussion of a comprehensive "wish list" for desired park and recreation activities. Also, at the next Recreation Board meeting (6/7/88), the Board would like to discuss various components for a Park and Recreation Board Ordinance. The need for temporary soccer fields for organized games was discussed. The need for the fields exist because some of the fields previously used are under construction. Discussion related to the open area in Lion's Park and Dave Anderson indicated he would talk to the Lion's Club about the use of this property for temporary softball fields. The Recreation Board had no problems with this action. Dave Anderson distributed some information relating to the lighting of the softball fields at the softball complex. Mr. Anderson indicated that the poles would cost approximately $12,000 and that the lighting would cost either $40,000 if paid at one time, or $10,000 per year if paid over a five year period ($50,000). Staff was requested to evaluate the timing for installation of such lighting and the financial feasibility of funding the project. . . . Page 6 Recreation Board Minutes May 10. 1988 Rolfe Anderson discussed the significant increase in youth baseball participation in 1988. The overall conclusion for this increase in participation is because of the recent success of the Minnesota Twins. Because of the increased participation. there is a lack of baseball helmets available and such helmets are essential in order for the activity to take place in a safe manner. Community Ed Director. Charlie Blesener. indicated that some of the budgeted items came in under their expenditure projections and that funds are available for this purchase. MOTION BY MARILYN VANPATTEN TO PURCHASE 50 HELMETS AT A MAXIMUM OF $800 FOR YOUTH BASEBALL. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY DAVE ANDERSON. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. discussed the financial basis of park and the City's perspective. The Administrator provide more information on this topic at the The Administrator briefly recreation activities from indicated that he would next meeting. MOTION BY MARILYN VANPATTEN TO ADJOURN MEETING. MOTION SECONDED BY DAVE ANDERSON. THE 5/10/88 RECREATION BOARD MOTION CARRIED 7-0. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:45 p.m. {J(L-t~U( c{) r(~W 4: Patrick D. Klaers City Administrator