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01-11-2006 PR MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2006 Members Present: Chair Polston-Hork, Commissioners Nystrom, Niziolek, Peterson, Paige, and Kuester Members Absent: Commissioner Anderson Staff Present: Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director; Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner; Michele Bergh, Recreation Manager; 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 January 11, 2006 Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 11, 2006 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 3. Consider Minutes of December 14, 2005 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 14, 2005 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 6- 0. 4. Parks & Recreation Commissioner to Attend January 17, 2006 City Council Meeting and January 24, 2006 Planning Commission Meetings 4.1. January 17, 2006 City Council Meeting Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz will attend the January 17, 2006 City Council Meeting. 4.2. January 24, 2006 Planning Commission Meeting 5. Open Mike None 6. Recreation Manager’s Report – Michele Bergh Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 January 11, 2006 ------------------------------------ Recreation Manager, Michele Bergh presented to the Commission that the Parks and Recreation Department scheduled 115 hours of indoor facility use, 4 hours of hockey rink use, 24 hours of park shelter use and 24 hours of trail use. Ms. Bergh stated that staff is being trained to learn to use the internal electronic bulletin board at Lions Park Center. Information regarding current and upcoming events and welcoming groups who are using the facility are a few things that being showcased on the electronic bulletin board. Ms. Bergh shared that there is classes at the Program Facility/Emporium currently on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, and Thursday days on a regular basis. There will also be a few programs on Fridays that will be moved over there from Lions Park Center and staff is looking at other programming opportunities to hold there in the future. Ms. Bergh also shared that MSF awarded Elk River two summer tournaments this year, which affects how many groups usually work the tournaments for fundraising. The number has gone down significantly due to the higher demand. In past years there have been 6-8 groups requesting the opportunity to run the tournaments for fundraising purposes, staff is open to suggestions as to how to award them to the local groups. 7. Director’s Report – Bill Maertz Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that the ice rinks had an early opening date however, with the warmer weather recently there was loss of ice. Mr. Maertz shared that other funding possibilities will be looked into for Rivers Edge Commons. Mr. Maertz shared the agenda for the upcoming Elk River Safe Schools meeting; the hot topic is Strategies for Success at the Skate Park. 8.1.Community Events – Summer Weekend Games Parks and Recreation Director, Bill Maertz shared that this new event would highlight many parks and recreation opportunities in Elk River. This event would involve multiple races and tournaments, all held on one weekend in the summer. 8.2.A Land Use Cases – Request by Scott Schulz for a Simple Plat (Timberland) Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner presented information regarding a request to create one ten acre lot. Staff recommends park dedication be paid in form of cash. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO RECOMMEND ACCEPTING PARK DEDICATION CASH AT THE RATE APPLICABLE AT THE TIME OF FINAL PLAT APPROVAL, FOR ONE LOT. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 8.3.A. Policy Issues – Facility Use Changes Recreation Manager, Michele Bergh shared with the Commission proposals to change the following Indoor Facility Use Policies. First, prohibiting the use of candles or any open Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 January 11, 2006 ------------------------------------ flame at all facilities, second; not to offer building supervision for the Trott Brook Farm Barn but instead have renters check out a key and return it within one business day of event. Lastly, to have the Program Facility (formerly Emporium) available for rent for small meetings or gatherings of no more than 75 people. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PETERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE TO AMEND INDOOR FACILITY USE GENERAL RULE #7 TO STATE USE OF CANDLES OR ANY OPEN FLAME IS PROHIBITED. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PETERSON TO DISCONTINUE BUILDING SUPERVISION FOR THE TROTT BROOK FARM BARN AND IN LUEI HAVE A KEY CHECK OUT SYSTEM WITH A FEE. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE TO HAVE THE PROGRAM FACILITY AVAILABLE FOR RENT FOR SMALL GROUPS WITH THE FEES OUTLINED. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 8.4.A. Discussion Items – Woodland Trails Interpretive Sign Project Representatives from Kestrel Design presented the work that has been completed on the Woodland Trails Interpretive Sign Project and asked the Commissioners for feedback. Commissioner Niziolek would like to discuss the location of the entry kiosk. It is important to keep the staging area that is currently used for area ski meets. Commissioner Kuester would like to see the three inter-related stories of how the park came to its current state showcased. Commissioner Paige commented on having the durability of the signs being tested, seeing information on glaciers and migration and making a gateway or passage when entering the trail system. Commissioner Polston-Hork liked the historical information that was presented and also wondered if “Top of the World” would be included in this project. Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that the park would be done in phases and the more accessible trails would be phase one. Commissioner Niziolek also shared his concern that the “stream community” sign should be changed to state that it is a ditch and to go into the history of the ditches and their purpose. 9.1.A. Land Use Cases – Dulak Property Review Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that there has been a revised plan submitted based on Parks and Recreation Commission requests. There are two concerns with the revised plan, first; the trail location is in the area the developer stated was too wet and had bad soils and second; the small triangle of land on the NE corner or the park which Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 January 11, 2006 ------------------------------------ is essentially unusable land next to the county road. City staff will work with the developer to resolve these issues. Commissioner Niziolek stated his concern over possible flooding of the trail system and that a 100+-year flood plan should be looked at to keep the trail intact in the future however, not to have a negative impact on the wetlands. 9.2.A. Park/Trail Development – Trail Developments CR 1, CR33 Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that County Engineer has given some cost estimates relating to trail development on CR33 and CR1. A trail on CR 33 running from CR 77 to CR 1 in the right away would be approximately $65,000. A tunnel at the railroad would be approximately $152,000. in addition, a tunnel at CR1 would be approximately $250,000. Park Dedication funds would be used to pay for the tunnel at the railroad crossing and other funding options will have to be considered for the tunnel at CR 1. Commissioner Paige asked if the County is going to put in any traffic controls at CR 1 and CR33. Mr. Maertz stated he was told that the county is not able to get the warrants necessary for a traffic control change. Commissioner Niziolek asked why the trail is not going along the south side of CR 33. Mr. Maertz stated it was due to right of way and slope issues; the grading of CR 33 will not be completed for another 7-8 years and it was made a priority to put the trail in as soon as possible for the safety of the area residents. 10.1. Update December 19, 2005 City Council Meeting Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that the City Council entered a contract with the Boys and Girls Club to support them financially with $24,000. 10.1. Update December 20, 2005 Planning Commission Meeting There was no update presented. 11. Other Business Commissioner Kuester asked to look at goals to be able to keep track of progress. Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz stated he would add it to the monthly agenda. 12. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:03 pm. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5 January 11, 2006 ------------------------------------ Respectfully submitted, Tonya Love Recording Secretary