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02-08-2006 PR MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2006 Members Present: Chair Polston-Hork, Commissioners Anderson, Nystrom, Niziolek, Peterson, Paige, and Kuester 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 February 8, 2006 Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PETERSON TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 8, 2006 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3. Consider Minutes of January 11, 2005 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 11, 2005 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 4. Parks & Recreation Commissioner to Attend February 21, 2006 City Council Meeting and February 22, 2006 Planning Commission Meetings 4.1. February 21, 2006 City Council Meeting Commissioner Anderson will attend the February 21, 2006 City Council Meeting. 4.2.February 14, 2006 Planning Commission Meeting 4.3. Election of Chair and Vice Chair MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PETERSON TO RE-ELECT CHAIR POLSTON-HORK AS CHAIR OF PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM TO RE-ELECT VICE CHAIR PAIGE AS VICE CHAIR OF PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 January 11, 2006 ------------------------------------ 4.4. Appointment to Ice Arena Commission MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPOINT COMMISSIONER PAIGE TO THE ICE ARENA COMMISSION. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 5. Open Mike Elk River Resident Erwin Hilter of 17950 Naple St. stated he would like to see the Lake Orono boat ramp improved. It has become very difficult for people to pull their boats out of the lake if they do not have a 4x4 vehicle due to the unevenness of the ramp. Elk River Resident Charles Schuldt stated he was flabbergasted that 1.8 million would be spent on purchasing the Pinewood golf course. As a past president of Elk River Country Club, Charles stated it is losing money due to the over saturation of golf courses in the area. Pinewood golf course is not in good condition, the Elk River Country Club budgets at least 50,000 every year for equipment. 6. Recreation Manager’s Report – Michele Bergh Recreation Manager, Michele Bergh presented to the Commission that the Parks and Recreation Department scheduled 140 hours of facility use in January. 75 hours of indoor facility use, 17 hours of hockey rink use and the remainder was for miscellaneous park and trail use. Ms. Bergh stated that the internal electronic bulletin board at Lions Park Center is up and running. The electronic bulletin board will be a marketing tool and used to greet patrons of Lions Park Center. Ms. Bergh shared that summer programming has begun; some of the new classes are dog obedience classes, more variety of youth class opportunities and more ways to serve the growing teen population at Lions Park. Ms. Bergh stated that the Program Guides were mailed out for the first time in February for the spring classes. An ad was placed in the Star news announcing the mailing and to call the office if they were not a past participant and would like to be added to the mailing list. Ms. Bergh shared that the new park and trail maps were finished and was pleased with the outcome. 7. Director’s Report – Bill Maertz Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that the City Council will be discussing whether to purchase the Pinewood golf course on February 13 and staff will provide an update. Mr. Maertz shared that the city hired the architect firm of KKE to study library expansion options. The recommendation was to build a new library on the site across from City Hall. On 1/17/06, the City Council voted to approve the site selection and authorize staff to explore financing options. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 January 11, 2006 ------------------------------------ Mr. Maertz shared the current Park Dedication Fund balance and updated revenue forecasts. Commissioner Niziolek stated his concern over the huge amount of money being spent on Pinewood golf course. It has great recreational value for the community however does not see that it is worth 1.8 million. Commissioner Nystrom shared the same views as Commissioner Niziolek and would like to know if a substantial property value assessment would be made for the properties surrounding the golf course. Commissioner Anderson shared that it is a good idea and is in favor of preserving green space however is surprised that the Park Dedication funds are being used without the Parks and Recreation Commissions recommendation. Commissioner Anderson asked if the property could be sold in the future if the golf course did not make enough revenue. Commissioner Kuester stated he was disappointed that Park Dedication funds will be used and saw it as a political decision to by-pass the Park and Recreation Commissions recommendation. Commissioner Kuester also shared that it is probably not the best use of money and do wish the City Council would have thought of other financing options. Chair Polston-Hork asked for clarification of the estimated 2006 revenue and if the purchase of Pinewood golf course would drain the budget into the negative. Parks and Recreation Director, Bill Maertz shared the purchase plan. Commissioner Paige shared concern about moving too quickly and what would happen later if it were to be sold. The deal on the table now may allow us to have a referendum to pay the balloon payment in 2012. Commissioner Anderson questioned where the funds would come from to upgrade the equipment, building and irrigation system. Mr. Maertz shared that it would take approximately $90,000 for maintenance equipment and approximately $200,000 for upgrades for the irrigation system, ADA and code issues concerning the building. Commissioner Anderson shared that it would be wise to discuss with the city council how the funding would work. Commissioner Niziolek stated that as a responsible Parks and Recreation Commission member we cannot spend 1.8 million on the Pinewood golf course. The whole parks system would be compromised. Commissioner Anderson stated that he did not want to jeopardize their standing or the project with the City Council however, there should be a monetary limit as to how much the Council should be able to commit to any one project for funds from the Park Dedication Funds. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 January 11, 2006 ------------------------------------ Commissioner Peterson asked how it was decided to use Park Dedication funds. Mr. Maertz stated that it is only one of several funding sources researched by staff. Commissioner Peterson suggested taking more time to look into other funding sources before moving ahead. 8.1.Community Events – Taste of Elk River Recreation Manager, Michele Bergh shared a request by the Elk River Rotary Club to use Lions Park and Lions Park Center for their Taste of Elk River event on May 11 2006. This th event will be in luau of the annual pancake breakfast. Commissioner Anderson asked what the proceeds from the event would be used for. Jeff Gongall, Elk River Rotary Club stated the funds raised would be spent on other community projects in Elk River. Commissioner Kuester asked if there would be any activities offered. Mr. Gongall explained that there would be live music and a roving magician for entertainment. Commissioner Paige asked if they had set up a parking agreement with Central Lutheran Church and if it would be a non-smoking event. Mr. Gongall stated that the church had agreed to share their parking lot and that it would be a non-smoking event due to the parks non-smoking ordinance. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK TO WAIVE FEES TO ONLY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 8.2.A Land Use Cases – Request by Joseph Huber for a Preliminary Plat (Carverwood Hills) Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner presented information regarding a request to create a five lot Preliminary Plat. Staff recommends park dedication be paid in form of cash for four lots. Commissioner Anderson stated to have staff secure easement for a trail. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM TO RECOMMEND ACCEPTING PARK DEDICATION CASH AT THE RATE APPLICABLE AT THE TIME OF FINAL PLAT APPROVAL, FOR FOUR LOTS AND IN THE INTEREST OF CONTINUATION OF TRAIL ALONG EAST SIDE OF PLAT HAVE STAFF LOOK AT CONSTRUCTABILITY OF TRAIL. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 8.2.B. Policy Issues – Request by Briggs Construction for a Preliminary Plat, Alea Rae Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5 January 11, 2006 ------------------------------------ Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner presented information regarding a request to create a two lot Preliminary Plat. Staff recommends park dedication be paid in form of cash at the commercial rate applicable at the time of final plat approval. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO RECOMMEND ACCEPTING PARK DEDICATION CASH AT THE COMMERCIAL RATE APPLICABLE AT THE TIME OF FINAL PLAT APPROVAL. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 8.3.A. Policy Issues – Grant application for Additions to Woodland Trails Park Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that staff has been working on preparing grant applications for acquisition of two parcels of land adjacent to Woodland Trails. The proposed budget for the acquisition would be a total of $700,000; $200,000 in Park Dedication funds and $500,000 in various grants. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE TO HAVE STAFF APPLY FOR GRANTS TO PURCHASE LAND ADJACENT TO WOODLAND TRAILS PARK. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 8.3.A. Policy Issues – Grant application for Hillside City Park Recreation Manager, Michele Bergh shared that staff would like to apply for a grant through the DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant Program that is due March 2006 and if awarded, would be for work performed in 2007 and 2008. Ms. Bergh also shared what costs would be covered by the grant. Two shelters, paved access road and parking lot, four benches, rock climbing play area, picnic tables, garbage cans and grills, and bringing water to the site for a drinking fountain. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM FOR STAFF TO APPLY FOR THE DNR GRANT FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE AT HILLSIDE CITY PARK. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 8.4.A. Discussion Items – 2006 Goals Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared an update on the 2006 goals. 9.1.A. Land Use Cases – None 9.2.A. Park/Trail Development – Trail Developments CR 33 Tunnel Stated under 2006 Goals. 10.1. Update January 17, 2006 City Council Meeting Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 6 January 11, 2006 ------------------------------------ Commissioner Nystrom shared that the Sherburne County Park Director is trying to get interest in finishing the old railroad grade to be able to connect Elk River, Zimmerman and Princeton. 10.1. Update January 23, 2006 Planning Commission Meeting Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that the letter of intent to purchase Pinewood golf course was discussed. 11. Other Business - None 12. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm. Respectfully submitted, Tonya Love Recording Secretary