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05-11-2005 PR MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2005 Members Present: Chair Polston-Hork, Commissioners, Nystrom, Niziolek and Peterson Members Absent: Commissioners Anderson, Paige and Kuester Council Liaison: Council Member Gumphrey Staff Present: Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director; Chris Leeseburg, Planner/Park Planner; Tonya Love, Recording Secretary 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 6:34 p.m. by Chair Polston-Hork. 2. Consider May 11, 2005 Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PETERSON TO APPROVE THE MAY 11, 2005 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3. Consider Minutes of April 13, 2005 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM TO APPROVE THE APRIL 13, 2005 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4. Parks & Recreation Commissioner to Attend May 16, 2005 City Council Meeting and May 24, 2005 Planning Commission Meetings 4.1. May 16, 2005 City Council Meeting Chair Polston-Hork will attend the May 16, 2005 City Council Meeting. 4.2. May 24, 2005 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Kuester will attend the May 24, 2005 Planning Commission Meeting. 5. Open Mike None 6. Recreation Manager’s Report – Michele Bergh Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz presented to the Commission that the Parks and Recreation Department scheduled approximately 172 hours of facility use in April. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 May 11, 2005 ------------------------------------ 107.75 of this were at Lions Park Center, 43.25 hours took place at the Emporium as well as 14 hours for park shelters. Mr. Maertz stated what programs were offered in April and shared that staff were able to attend the Meadowvale School Carnival, which is a great marketing opportunity. Mr. Maertz shared that the Wellness Committee is currently forming a team for the Relay for Life that takes place in August. 7. Director’s Report – Bill Maertz Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared information about the Great Northern Trail project. Mr. Maertz stated the park dedication balance was currently 1,663,000.00. Mr. Maertz shared with the Commission information about the utilities department wanting to place a utility box in Rivers Edge Commons. Taking into consideration what clearance is needed it has been decided to place it by the retaining wall. Mr. Maertz shared with the Commission information on nine Oak Wilt Suppression studies at Woodland Trail. Several sites were located, which had infected trees next to healthy trees, the healthy trees will be injected with a chemical that will help prevent Oak Wilt. Mr. Maertz shared the 2005 Parks Capital Improvement Plan, the progress of the soccer fields and expansion of the parking lot. In addition, the dog park fence has been installed with a grand opening on May 25. Mr. Maertz asked the Commissioners to start thinking about the 2006 Capital Improvement Plan. 8.1.Community Events – Business Expo Parks and Recreation Director, Bill Maertz shared that the second annual Community Garage Sale had approximately 100 homes participating on May 7. Mr. Maertz also shared there were over 20 businesses that participated in The Shoppes at the Lions Park Center. This event offered booth space to businesses to promote their products on May 7. Mr. Maertz stated that the Summer Kickoff Event would be on May 25 at Lions Park. It will include pony rides, a petting zoo, an inflatable bouncer, face painting, food and more. 8.2. Land Use Cases - Request for Simple Plat (Elk Meadows 2 Addition) nd Chris Leeseburg, Planner/Parks Planner shared information regarding a request to consider park dedication for a Simple Plat in Elk Meadows 2 Addition. nd MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PETERSON TO ACCEPT CASH DEDICATION FOR ONE LOT. MOTION CARREID 4-0 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 May 11, 2005 ------------------------------------ 8.3.A. Policy Issues – Request by Elk River Rotary Club for financial assistance with Handke Project. Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared with the Commission that the Elk River Rotary Club is in its final stage of working on the restoration of Handke Stadium. The estimated cost of the final phase is $50,000. The Rotary is requesting the Park & Recreation Commission consider using $10,000 of park dedication funds to assist with this project. Mr. Maertz shared that the City of Elk River has participated financially in the project in the past and there is a precedent in using park dedication funds on school district property. The lights installed at Handke in the winter of 2004/2005 were paid for with park dedication funds. The Parks and Recreation Department operates the warming house and maintains the rinks, which received over 6,000 visits last year. Mr. Maertz introduced Tom McNair and Bob Maxwell of the Elk River Rotary Club who shared an update on how the renovation of Handke Stadium has gone and what is left to finish. Commissioner Niziolek stated he would like to approve assistance towards efforts of finishing Handke Stadium. Commissioner Nystrom stated he appreciates the work that has been done and it is a great program. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK TO USE $10,000 OF PARK DEDICATION FUNDS TO ASSIST WITH THE FINAL PHASE OF RESTORATION OF HANDKE STADIUM. MOTION CARRIED 4-0 8.3.B. Relocation of Downtown Gazebo Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that the downtown gazebo is scheduled for demolition as part of the downtown redevelopment project. The City’s Economic Development Director has asked Parks and Recreation staff as to whether there is interest in moving the gazebo into a city park. The gazebo is not a historic structure; it is less than ten years old. Mr. Maertz shared that staff has identified three spots for the gazebo, one being near the volleyball courts at Orono Park, the second would be near the parking lot by the Lake Orono and the third is near the senior center. Mr. Maertz also shared that the staff is not convinced that the structure will be able to be moved intact and has received estimates of what it would cost to move the gazebo. The cost will be any where from 8,000 to 10,000 to move the gazebo. Mr. Maertz shared that Commissioner Paige, who is unable to attend tonight; emailed him that he believes it is not the most desirable structure architecturally and that he would not be in favor of it being in a city park. Commissioner Peterson asked what would happen if the Parks and Recreation Commission does not deal with moving the gazebo. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 May 11, 2005 ------------------------------------ Mr. Maertz stated that other alternatives would have to be considered such as money from another entity or demolishing it. Commissioner Peterson asked where the $10,000 would come from. Would it be the Park and Recreation contingency fund? Mr. Maertz explained that with unexpected costs rising this year that he would like to keep the contingency fund intact. The Parks and Recreation Commission would need to ask the City Council for an amendment to cover the cost. Commissioner Peterson shared that he would prefer not to put it in a city park, due to it not having any historical value, and the fact it does not fit with the Parks and Recreations park vision. Chair Polston-Hork shared that she agreed with Commissioner Peterson and would like to see another entity move the gazebo. Commissioner Nystrom shared that it might be worth saving and that the senior center would be an appropriate site. Commissioner Niziolek stated that he also thought that the Commission should not pay for the moving of the gazebo but do encourage some entity to move the gazebo. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER PETERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM TO NOT USE PARK DEDICATION FUNDS TO MOVE THE DOWNTOWN GAZEBO INTO A CITY PARK BUT WOULD ENCOURAGE THAT IT BE MOVED BY ANOTHER ENTITY. MOTION CARRIED 4-0 8.4.A. Ditch 31 Update Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared an update regarding the progress of Ditch 31. The plan is to raise it by 2.5 feet, fill the pond up, and measure how quickly the water leaves the pond. Commissioner Niziolek asked who would be responsible to remove the structure if needed. Mr. Maertz shared that he believes it would be the Sherburne County Soil and Water Conservation District but will confirm that at the DNR meeting on May 12. 9.1.A. Land Use Cases None 9.2.A. Park/Trail Development – Site Plan for BMX Track Improvements Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared information on the progress of the BMX track improvements. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5 May 11, 2005 ------------------------------------ Mr. Maertz shared that they put rock in the middle of the track instead of draining to the nearby wetland. Appearance has been improved with some general landscaping, cleaning up of debris and removal of a stored car. 10.1. Update April 18, 2005 City Council Meeting Chair Polston-Hork provided an update on the April 18, 2005 City Council Meeting. 11. Other Business Chair Polston-Hork shared an update on the Committee for Natural Resource Inventory, stating that it is more complicated than she thought and at the next meeting, more will be decided. Commissioner Niziolek asked Mr. Maertz to keep working with the county on detached trails as a priority and wanted an update on how things were going on Proctor where it has been closed. Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz, stated he would add detached trails as a regular discussion item on the agenda in order to keep it in front of the public. 12. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:46 pm. Respectfully submitted, Tonya Love Recording Secretary