11-09-2005 PR MIN
MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
HELD AT CITY HALL
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2005
Members Present: Chair Polston-Hork, Commissioners Anderson, Kuester, Niziolek,
Nystrom, Paige and Peterson
Council Liaison: Council Member Gumphrey
Staff Present: Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director; Chris Leeseberg, 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 6:30 p.m. by Chair Polston-Hork.
2. Consider November 9, 2005 Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
KUESTER TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 9, 2005 PARKS & RECREATION
COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
3. Consider Minutes of October 12, 2005 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 12, 2005 PARKS
AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION
CARRIED 6-0.
4. Parks & Recreation Commissioner to Attend November 21, 2005 City Council Meeting and
November 22, 2005 Planning Commission Meetings
4.1. November 21, 2005 City Council Meeting
Chair Polston-Hork will attend the November 21, 2005 City Council Meeting.
4.2. November 22, 2005 Planning Commission Meeting
Chair Polston-Hork will attend the November 22, 2005 Planning Commission
Meeting.
5. Open Mike
None
6. Recreation Manager’s Report – Bill Maertz
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared programs offered in October. Adult
and youth fitness classes, recreation classes, adult volleyball, tumbling and Girl Power were
among the many offered.
Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2
November 9, 2005
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Mr. Maertz stated there was 43 hours of Emporium use, 57 hours of indoor facility use, 132
hours of soccer field use, 81.5 hours of athletic facility use, and 132 hours of other
miscellaneous park use.
Mr. Maertz shared that 36 units of blood were collected during the employee blood drive on
October 28 for the Red Cross.
7. Director’s Report – Bill Maertz
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz reported that construction of the arena office
is on schedule and the new arena roof will be complete by mid-November.
Mr. Maertz shared that the Emporium has been repainted, new carpet installed, and new
signs will be installed soon.
Commissioner Peterson arrived.
Mr. Maertz stated that the County would cooperate with the City of Elk River regarding
inclusion of trails along county roads.
Mr. Maertz shared an update regarding the Woodland Trails Park sign project.
Commissioner Kuester asked if there would be room to do an interpretive sign regarding the
history of the railroad grade.
Mr. Maertz shared that the railroad interpretive sign was an important feature and would be
included and that there were several more meetings to come.
8.1.Community Events – Fright Night
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that the 4 annual Fright Night was a
th
huge success with over 400 participants.
Mr. Maertz would like to thank all the volunteers and staff who did a wonderful job.
8.2. Land Use Cases
8.2.A. Request for a Preliminary Plat – Aulik Acres
Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Parks Planner shared information regarding a request for a
preliminary plat of Aulik Acres for a six lot subdivision with an existing home on what will
be Lot 4, Block 1. Staff recommends that park dedication be paid in the form of cash for
five lots.
Commissioner Nystrom asked if staff would ask to get an easement to be able to construct a
detached trail of 10-12 feet wide and be a safe distance from the highway.
Mr. Leeseberg stated he would have staff work on that.
Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3
November 9, 2005
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MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
ANDERSON TO RECOMMEND THAT COUNCIL ACCEPT CASH
DEDICATION ALONG WITH OBTAINING AN EASEMENT TO
CONSTRUCT A DETACHED TRAIL IF THE TRAIL CANNOT BE
CONSTRUCTED IN THE RIGHT AWAY. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
8.2.B. Request for a Simple Plat – Raivala Addition
Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Parks Planner shared information regarding a request for a simple
plat for Raivala Addition for a division of an existing lot into two lots, one with an existing
home and the other a buildable lot.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
NYSTROM TO RECOMMEND CASH DEDICATION FOR ONE LOT.
MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
8.3.A. Policy Issues – Recommend Park Dedication Fees for 2006
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared a recommendation for a 5% increase in
2006 Park Dedication fees and consider adding an additional fee for trails in 2007.
Commissioner Paige stated he is in favor of the fee increase; he has recently seen a metro
area survey of park dedication fees and Elk River’s increase will bring them to the metro
average.
Commissioner Anderson agrees with the recommendation.
Council Member Gumphrey asked Mr. Maertz to explain the trail fees and if the county
would help pay for trails.
Mr. Maertz stated that the County views a trail system as an amenity and will not help pay
for the construction. With the goal being a connected citywide trail system, it is important to
look at other possibilities to raise the funds needed.
Council Member Gumphrey asked to have it put on the next Council meeting agenda to
discuss county participation in trail development.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER PAIGE TO RECOMMEND DEDICATION FEES INCREASE
OF 5% FOR 2006. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
8.4.A Discussion Items – Pinewood Golf Course
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that the City Council approved a
motion to send a letter of intent to Mr. Krause to purchase Pinewood Golf Course at $2.4
million contingent upon appraisal coming in at $2.4 million, and recording the existing plat,
so the city could sell in future if it loses too much money.
Commissioner Paige stated he supports the idea of the city owning the golf course and sees
it as a great recreational resource.
Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4
November 9, 2005
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Commissioner Kuester agreed with Commissioner Paige.
9.1. Land Use Cases
None
9.2.A. Park/Trail Developments – 2006 Park Improvement Project Budget
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared the 2006 Park Improvement Project
budget. Improvements to Meadowvale Heights, Kliever Lake Fields, Downtown Park,
Youth Athletic Complex, park amenities and the purchase of trees, park entrance signs and
prairie seed system wide totaling $978,750. Purchase of Tiller property and Barsody
property first installment totaling $270,000. Total 2006 Park Improvement Project budget
$1,248,750 and a 10% contingency at $124,875.
Council Member Gumphrey asked if there were any loan grants from the state or federal.
Mr. Maertz shared that he explored a grant for the Barsody property however it did not meet
the requirements.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER NYSTROM TO RECOMMEND APPROVEL OF THE 2006
PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT BUDGET. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
10.1. Update October 17, 2005 City Council Meeting
Commissioner Niziolek shared that VanDenBerg Estates was approved and Pinewood Golf
course was discussed.
10.2. Update on October 25, 2005 Planning Commission Meeting
There was no update presented.
11. Other Business
None
12. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Tonya Love
Recording Secretary