Loading...
12-14-2005 PR MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2005 Members Present: Chair Polston-Hork, Commissioners Nystrom, Niziolek, Peterson, Anderson, Paige, and Kuester Council Liaison: Council Member Gumphrey Staff Present: Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director; Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner; Ross Demant, Recreation Coordinator; 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 6:32 p.m. by Chair Polston-Hork. 2. Consider December 14, 2005 Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 14, 2005 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 3. Consider Minutes of November 9, 2005 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 9, 2005 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 4. Parks & Recreation Commissioner to Attend December 19, 2005 City Council Meeting and December 27, 2005 Planning Commission Meetings 4.1. December 19, 2005 City Council Meeting Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz will attend the December 19, 2005 City Council Meeting. 4.2. December 27, 2005 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Kuester will attend the December 27, 2005 Planning Commission Meeting. 5. Open Mike - None 6. Recreation Manager’s Report – Bill Maertz Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 December 14, 2005 ------------------------------------ Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz presented to the Commission that the Parks and Recreation Department scheduled approximately 100 hours of facility use in November. 60 were at Lions Park Center, 3 hours were at the Trott Brook Barn, and 25 hours were at the Program Facility/Emporium. Mr. Maertz stated what programs were offered in November and shared that planning for the annual ice show and summer 2006 programming has begun. Mr. Maertz shared that staff is looking into a grant for improving Hillside Park and more information will be available in January. Mr. Maertz shared that staff will be working with a newly formed committee for Safe Schools which includes the community. The January meeting will focus on the skate park facility. 7. Director’s Report – Bill Maertz Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared information on the improvements made to the Emporium, which has also been renamed “Program Facility”. Mr. Maertz shared that the Woodland Trails Park sign has been installed. Mr. Maertz shared that the ice rinks at Handke and Lions Park opened the weekend of December 10 and these parks will also have free snow tubes available for park users. Staff will be flooding rinks at Mississippi Oaks Park and Trott Brook Park this year as well. Mr. Maertz stated that two of three recreation positions were approved for the 2006 budget. Mr. Maertz shared that the new ice arena office is close to being completed. Ross Demant, Recreation Coordinator shared the policy for field use that has been approved by the City Council. Commissioner Paige asked how we coordinate with the school fields. Mr. Demant stated that discussion of policies takes place, not how many fields each user group gets for the season. 8.1.Community Events – Skate with Santa Parks and Recreation Director, Bill Maertz shared that the annual Skate with Santa is a popular event that is well attended each year at the ice arena. 8.2.A Land Use Cases – Metro Plains Request to be charged 2004 Park Dedication Rates Tabled 8.2.B Plan review of Dulak property Parks and Recreation Director, Bill Maertz shared information regarding the Dulak property plan. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 December 14, 2005 ------------------------------------ Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner presented the Commission with Mr. Dulak’s revised plan stating where the park, fields and trail locations would be. Commissioner Niziolek stated it would be wonderful for the community and school to have the trail extend around the entire wetland area. Commissioner Paige asked if there would be issues with maintenance with the park adjacent to the school property. Mr. Maertz stated that trees could be planted to mark where the park property started and school property ended. Commissioner Niziolek commented that the trail looping around the wetland area would provide recreational activity for all ages and would be a great benefit. Mr. Dulak, developer shared that the trail was not proposed to go around the entire wetlands due to future maintenance issues and that a sidewalk was added to the properties in the area where the trail is discontinued. Commissioner Paige stated that if the trail was at base line that the streets and lots would be adjusted accordingly to balance the engineering issues of the soils. The trail has been top priority from the beginning, giving those natural features public access is important. Commissioner Anderson asked what the total acres and if plan would satisfy the park dedication. Mr. Maertz stated that there is enough acreage and Commission could approve the park contingent upon trail going in. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO RECOMMEND ACCEPTING PARK LOCATION AND SIZE ON THE CONDITION THAT THERE IS A TRAIL ADJACENT TO, AND COMPLETELY ENCIRCLING THE WETLAND AREA, AND THE REMAINDER IN CASH DEDICATION. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Commissioner Nytsrom asked who would own the land the trail is on. Mr. Maertz shared that it could be done two ways: by fee simple title or an easement around the wetland. 8.3.A. Policy Issues – Park Name for Barsody Property Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared with the Commission a list of suggested names for the new park. Commissioner Niziolek suggested Albaridge Park as another option. Commissioner Paige asked to confirm the policy on naming parks after an owner selling property. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 December 14, 2005 ------------------------------------ Commissioner Nystrom discussed a council policy directive regarding not naming parks after people. Commissioner Niziolek suggested a formal policy of naming property be formed. Commissioner Anderson asked that staff do some research on any current naming policies and the commission to form a polity at a future meeting. Decision Tabled. 8.4.A. Discussion Items – Elk River Country Club: Land adjacent to Great Northern Trail Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that the Elk River Country Club Board has expressed interest in selling a parcel of wooded land on the east side of the golf course to the City of Elk River. There is an opportunity to apply for a Metro Greenways grant for this property. One challenge presented by this property is the fact that the property line is somewhat unclear; it will need to be surveyed. In its current state the site acts as a buffer between the golf course and the Great Northern Trail. Staff is interested in getting direction as to how high a priority this property is. Even with a matching grant, the city’s cost could be as high as $125,000. Commissioner Peterson asked if it could be paid over time and how much time. Mr. Maertz stated that the agreement cannot go over five years and the price is not solid. Commissioner Niziolek stated that payments made towards the acquisition of this property would go towards recreation in our community. Commissioner Anderson stated it would be a high priority to acquire this property and timing would be important. Mr. Maertz stated that the Country Club would do upgrades on the course with the money from the sale. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE ELK RIVER COUNTRY CLUB BOARD. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 9.1.A. Land Use Cases – Pinewood Golf Course Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared clarification of the Pinewood Golf Course financial analysis. 9.2.A. Park/Trail Development – Trail Developments Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that there is no opportunity to do a trail along County Road 1 on the northern end due to no right away. County is aware of the need to have a trail on County Road 33 to access the Great Northern Trail. 9.2.B. Tiller Property Purchase agreement Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5 December 14, 2005 ------------------------------------ Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that the Tiller Property purchase is moving forward, they will require access for a testing well which tests water pressure periodically. 10.1. Update November 21, 2005 City Council Meeting There was no update presented. 10.1. Update November 22, 2005 Planning Commission Meeting There was no update presented. 11. Other Business None 12. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm. Respectfully submitted, Tonya Love Recording Secretary