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07-19-1988 PR MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER RECREATION BOARD HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL ON JULY 19, 1988 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mike O'Brien, Chair; Dave Anderson, Vice Chair; C1ete Lipetzky; Byron Houghte1in; Todd Mixer; and Marilyn VanPatten MEMBERS ABSENT: Rolfe Anderson, Secretary Pat K1aers, City Administrator; Phil Ha1s, Street/Park Superintendent (7:15 p.m.); Charlie B1esener, Community Education Director (7:15 p.m.); and Bruce G1asrud, Community Education Department Employee OTHERS PRESENT: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prior to the regularly scheduled 7/19/88 Recreation Board Meeting at City Hall a park tour was conducted. Members, Mike O'Brien, Dave Anderson, Todd Mixer, C1ete Lipetzky, Marilyn VanPatten and Byron Houghte1in along with Pat K1aers, City Administrator and Phil Ha1s, Street/Park Superintendent, took a tour of the 80 acre City owned property, formally referred to as the Old City Dump site. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. to due Board call was and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River called to order by Chairman O'Brien at 7:00 p.m. Pursuant Recreation 2. Consideration of 7/19/88 Recreation Board Agenda It was the consensus of the Recreation Board that the agenda was acceptable as presented. 3. Consideration of 6/7/88 Recreation Board Minutes It was the consensus of the Recreation Board that the minutes, as submitted were accurate and acceptable. 4. Public Mike 5. There was nobody present for this item. Former Railroad Depot Site Beautification Proposal Mary Keifenheim, representing the 2001 Green Space Committee, introduced herself to the Recreation Board and informed the Board of the purpose of the 2001 Committee. Mary indicated that the Green Space Committee had identified two major goals to pursue in the next year or so. One of the goals was the landscaping of the riverside area near the Elk River Central Business District; and the other goal was the improvement of the old railroad depot site. The Green Space Committee had decided to concentrate its efforts this year on the old railroad depot site. Page 2 . Recreation Board Minutes July 19. 1988 Mary also indicated that if the proposal for beautifying this site met with the Recreation Board approval. then the Committee would make a presentation to the City Council. If the plan is then approved by the City Council. the Committee would be looking for City assistance in dealing with the railroad in order to obtain permission to beautify the area. and also for the purchase of trees and labor need to plant the trees plus future maintenance of the area. Mary indicated that provided everything else feel into place. the group would then pursue finances from various non-profit organizations within the City. The planned starting date for this project is during the fall season of 1988. . 2001 Green Space Committee member. Sherri Borgquist. was introduced to the Recreation Board. Sherri is a landscape architect graduate student and presented the concept for beautification of the old railroad depot site. This former railroad depot site is along the north side of Highway 10 (before the railroad tracks). starting at approximately the Jackson Avenue intersection on the west and running east to approximately 200 feet short of the existing gas station. Sherri indicated that her understanding of the major concerns from the railroad for beautification of this site was safety of pedestrians and line of sight vision for the vehicles to see trains. The proposal presented consisted of the planting of trees; placement of flower boxes. hedges. and benches; sodding certain areas and providing for vehicles to be able to pull off and park in the area. The site currently has four ingresses and a proposal would call for the elimination of one of these accesses. The proposed site to be beautified is approximately 35 feet deep from Highway 10. towards the railroad tracks and approximately 400 feet long. The Recreation Board discussed with the 2001 Committee members the merits of sod vs. rock or wood chips in the area; the future maintenance (watering) of the site; the possibility of installing an irrigation system in the area for watering; whether the property was highway right- of-way or railroad right-of-way (it was determined that the site was railroad right-of-way); and the time frame for getting approval from the railroad to proceed with the plans. MOTION BY MARILYN VANPATTEN TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE FORMER RAILROAD DEPOT SITE BEAUTIFICATION PLAN AS SUBMITTED BY THE 2001 GREEN SPACE COMMITTEE. AND ALSO THAT THE CITY PARTICIPATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO REALIZE THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THIS AREA. BYRON HOUGHTELIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. . . . . Page 3 Recreation Board Minutes July 19, 1988 6. Name that Park Contest Results The City Council approved the Recreation Board holding a "Name that Park" contest. The purpose of the contest was to rename the 80 acre former City dump, which the City owns and hopes to use as a future park. Also the City is looking for a name for the newly purchased 160 acre parcel of land, directly north of the Golf Course. Entries were received until July 15, 1988, with the individuals submitting the winning park names to receive a $50.00 gift certificate. Chair, Mike O'Brien, and Vice Chair, Dave Anderson, read the submitted park names out loud and the most appealing names to the Recreation Board were placed on the chalkboard. A vote was then taken amoung Recreation Board members, as to the preferred names for each park. MOTION BY CLETE LIPETZKY TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL, THE NAME OF WOODLAND TRAILS PARK FOR THE NEW NAME FOR THE PARCEL OF LAND DIRECTLY NORTH OF THE GOLF COURSE. BYRON HOUGHTELIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0-1. MARILYN VANPATTEN ABSTAINED. MOTION BY BYRON HOUGHTELIN TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL, THE NAME OF HILLSIDE PAlU( FOR .THE CITY PROPERTY THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY USED AS A CITY DUMP SITE. MIKE O'BRIEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0-1. MARILYN VANPATTEN ABSTAINED. Sharon Stone, 19233 Proctor Road, Elk River, submitted the name of Woodland Trails Park. Cindy Olson, 12935 Mississippi Road, Elk River, submitted the name of Hillside Park. 7.1. Handke Pit Warming House Mr. Bruce G1asrud, from the Community Education Department, distributed a handout on the Handke Pit warming house sitution. The handout described the condition of the existing warming house and the proposal for a new facility. It was indicated that the existing warming house may not be safe and is questionable whether or not the existing facility can be used as an ice skating warming house much longer. It was indicated that the building was used last year, and regardless if the new building was constructed, the old facility would stay on site for storage. If a new facility was not constructed, the chances are good that this facility could be used for the upcoming skating season. A new facility would be constructed at different locations. The facility would be approximately 30 feet by 15 feet, of which 10 feet would be used as a garage for storage, and 20 feet as a warming house. An approximate cost would be $7,000, which excludes any of the City street crews labor. Financing for the facility would have included the City of Elk River and possibly some community organizations and the School District. Page 4 . Recreation Board Minutes July 19, 1988 It was indicated that a concern of the City Council regarding a new facility was whether it was appropriate of the City constructing a structure on school property plus the future maintenance and use of the facility. It was indicated that school district financial participation in a new facility was unlikely. Regardless of school participation, if the proposal meets with City Council approval it should be forwarded to the School District for their consideration and at the very least, receive approval for the structure to be constructed which would ensure the area being used as a skating area for years to come. MOTION BY CLETE LIPETZKY TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THE PROPOSAL AS SUBMITTED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A.NEW WARMING HOUSE AT THE HANDKE PIT, AS IT IS THE RECREATION BOARD. UNDERSTANDING THAT SKATING, BOTH OPEN AND PICK- UP HOCKEY SKATING, ISA RECREATION FUNCTION AND NOT A SCHOOL FUNCTION AND THAT SUCH A WARMING HOUSE FACILITY BE JOINLY FINANCED BY THE CITY, SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IF POSSIBLE. DAVE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 7.2 Softball Complex Lighting . The proposal previously reviewed by the Recreation Board was briefly discussed. This proposal calls for poles to be purchased from Cretex in the amount of $12,000.00; lights to be purchased for just under $40,000.00; and an unknown amount of money needed for the installation of the lights. At a previous City Council meeting the Council concurred that lights were needed at this complex, but stressed the need for substantial Softball Organization contribution for this project. The softball financial relationship with the City for field maintenance was discussed. It was mentioned that the Softball Organization could finance the entire lighting project over a five or six year period, if they did not have to pay the City for some of the costs of complex maintenance. Dave Anderson, representing the Softball Organization, will review projected future revenues and discuss the issue with the City Staff and make a presentation at the next Recreation Board meeting. 7.3 Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan It was the concensus of the Recreation Board to discuss this issue at future Recreation Board meetings. 7.4 Lion's Park Update . Street/Park Superintendent, Phil Hals, updated the Recreation Board on the status of Lion's Park and the plans for skating during the winter of 1988-89. Plans call for both free skating and non organized hockey play plus a warming house. The cost for boards for the hockey rink will be in the $4,500.00 range and once installed would not be removeable. The maintenance of the skating area and the boards would be a City responsibility. No scheduled hockey games (organized) would be allowed in the area. The Lion's Club has constructed a warming house which is hooked up to municipal sewer and water. Page 5 . Recreation Board Minutes July 19. 1988 It was noted that hockey boards is not a budgeted expenditure in 1988. It was suggested that the Lion's Club should contact youth hockey to determine the availability of hockey boards and if no boards are available. whether youth hockey would finance such a purchase. It is planned that both skating areas. the warming house and lights for the skating areas would be in operation this upcoming winter season. 7.5 Update on Recent City Council Action The only Recreation Board item reviewed by the City Council was the Softball Complex lighting proposal. In this regard. the City Council concurred that such lighting was a high priority but stressed the need for substantial Softball Organization financial participation in such a project. See Agenda Item 7.2. 8.1 Emergency Telephones at Recreation Areas Phil Ha1s reported that the phone in Orono Park that was discussed at recent Recreation Board meetings has been installed. . Charlie B1esener indicated that there has been no change in the proposal for a telephone at the Salk Athletic area. The proposal is for a regular telephone to be locked up. with all Recreation Supervisors having a key for access in case of an emergency. Since this area is used for City wide recreation activities. the financial proposal calls for installation to be shared by the School and City. and for ongoing costs to also be shared by the School and City. As Charlie may not be attending the 8/2/88 Recreation Board meeting. he requested that this item be placed on the 9/6/88 Agenda. 8.2 Park and Recreation Commission Ordinance City Administrator indicated that such an ordinance has not been drafted but it is anticipated that a proposed ordinance will be available for Recreation Board review sometime during the fall season of 1988. 8.3 Budget Update City Administrator indicated that the Park and Recreation Department proposed budgets and current financial status will be presented during the September Recreation Board meeting. Financial figures requested by the Recreation Board include; Fund Balances. Capital Improvement Program projections. Revenue projections including Park Dedication projections and projected Year end Fund Balances. 9. August Recreation Board Agenda . It was the consensus of the Recreation Board that a tour of Woodland Trails Park should be held prior to the 8/2/88 Recreation Board meeting. The Board agreed to meet at the Golf Course parking lot at 6:30 p.m. on 8/2/88 to tour this park. . . Page 6 Recreation Board Minutes July 19. 1988 The Recreation Board requested that youth recreation programs be added discussion. the issue of adults superv1s1ng to the 8/2/88 Agenda for 10. Other Business It was the consensus of the Recreation Board that a discussion on the tour of Hillside Park. that took place prior to the 7/19/88 Recreation Board meeting. would take place in conjunction with discussions on a Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan. CLETE LIPETZKY MOVED TO ADJOURNED THE 7/19/88 RECREATION BOARD MEETING. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY DAVE ANDERSON. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. The meeting of the Elk River Recreation Board adjourned at approximately 9:20 p.m. Re?R d2 Patrick D. Klaers Recording Secretary .