11-01-1988 PR MIN
MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER RECREATION BOARD
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM
NOVEMBER 1, 1988
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Members Present: Mike O'Brien, Chair; Todd Mixer, C1ete Lipetzky, Dave
Anderson, Rolfe Anderson, Marilyn VanPatten
Members Absent: Byron Houghte1in
Others Present: Phil Ha1s, Street/Park Superintendent; Charlie B1esener,
Community Education Director; Pat K1aers, City Administrator;
Dennis Palm and Linda St. John, Park and Recreation
Department employees from City of Brooklyn Park.
1. Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Recreation
Board was called to order at 6:08 p.m.
2. Consideration of 11/1/88 Recreation Board Agenda
It was the concensus of the Recreation Board that the Agenda was
acceptable as presented. It was noted that members have a difficult time
making a 6:00 p.m. meeting. Additionally, it was noted that the next
Recreation Board meeting on 12/6/88 is planned to start at 8:00 p.m., as
the guest speaker cannot make the meeting until that time.
3.
Consideration of 10/11/88 Recreation Board Minutes
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BOARD MEMBER DAVE ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE 10/11/88 RECREATION BOARD
MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER TODD
MIXER. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
4.
Public Mike
There was nobody present for this agenda item.
5. Discussion with Dennis Palm and Linda St. John, Brooklyn Park Park and
Recreation Department Employees
Charlie B1esener and Pat K1aers provided some background information on
how the City of Elk River and the School District jointly cooperate in
financing and organizing a recreational program. It was noted that most
of the recreational activities, excluding softball, take place on school
grounds and that the school personnel administer the recreation programs.
It was also noted that the recreation programs are currently financed by
the City. Besides the more typical need for park development and
recreation program development, the most pressing need in the community
of Elk River is to strenghthen the youth supervisor volunteer network.
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Dennis Palm began his presentation by discussing his background in the
recreation profession. He indicated that cooperation between the cities
and the school districts provides a very positive benefit to the entire
community. He stated that this is a very fragile relationship and
that the breakdown of this relationship has caused problems in many
metropolitan communities. Dennis indicated that the Brooklyn Park
relationship with the school district is formalized with a joint powers
agreement and strongly recommended that such an agreement be entered into
between the City of Elk River and Independent School District #728.
Page 2
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Recreation Board Minutes
November I, 1988
Dennis stated that he felt the existing relationship between the City of
Elk River and School District #728 is very good and that this foundation
should be built upon to develop an even better and stronger community
recreation program.
Dennis indicated that
financially to develop
used during the day by
recreation.
in Brooklyn Park, the City helps various schools
park sites on school property so that they can be
school children and during the evenings for adult
.
Dennis and Linda talked about the Brooklyn Park Athletic Association
(BPAA) and how this organization has strengthened the youth supervisory
volunteer network. The Association has been the tool which allowed all
of the various groups to unite and support each other. The City plays a
role in helping to keep the Athletic Association united by providing
clerical support and administrative support. City assistance includes
helping in the registration procedures; the scheduling of games or meets;
the evaluation of equipment needs; promotion and publicity of programs;
and with the purchasing of equipment. The Athletic Association is self
sufficient financially and the fees generated by registration for
activities helps purchase the needed equipment and the materials for
various organizations. It was noted that the City donates labor to the
organization and purchases various pieces of equipment and property for
athletic activities.
Dennis and Linda emphasized that this is a volunteer network of
individual groups and organizations and not a recreation program. The
best reason given to various groups or organizations to join an athletic
association has to do with the ability to serve future needs of each
group within a balanced financial framework of all the needs of all the
groups. The Athletic Association has a President and a Board which
jointly makes financial decisions for all of the youth organizations that
are members of the association.
At this time an organizational chart of the Brooklyn Park Athletic
Association and a memo indicating City participation and assistance in
the association was distributed.
In response to questions from the Recreation Board on how the BPAA got
started, Dennis and Linda indicated that "one on one" meetings are needed
to encourage each individual organization to join the association. Once
the presidents of various organizations (i.e. girl's softball, boy's
basketball, soccer, etc.) agree to join the association, meetings are
required in order to formulate bylaws for the association.
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At this time Dennis distributed a copy of the BPAA bylaws to the
Recreation Board. He indicated that there is no magic formula on how to
create an association, but there has to be a perceived need for such an
association by all the various youth groups. Dennis stated that from
what he has heard from the Recreation Board, there appears to be such a
need in Elk River. Dennis and Linda both indicated their willingness to
provide additional information on the BPAA and to allow Elk River
representatives to attend a future BPAA meeting.
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Recreation Board Minutes
November 1, 1988
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Dennis Palm and Linda St. John left the Recreation Board meeting at
approximately 8:10 p.m.
6. Community Education and City Park and Recreation Updates
As Charlie Blesener had left the meeting early and Phil Hals was not in
atendance, this agenda item was cancelled.
7. Other Business
a.
The Recreation Board discussed the recent accidental death that took
place along the abandoned railroad trail. In late October a youth
was riding an All Terrain Vehicle CATV) along this abandoned railroad
bed and died as a result of an accident when the vehicle went into a
gully or a gap in the railroad bed. The Recreation Board was
wondering what action the City could take to improve the safety of
this abandoned railroad bed. Since the City does not own the
property, the City Administrator indicated that there appears to be
very little tbat can be done at this time.
BOARD MEMBER CLETE LIPETZKY MOVED TO STRONGLY RECOMMEND TO THE CIT!'
COUNCIL THAT IN LIGHT OF THE . RECENT ACCIDENTAL DEATH ALONG THE
ABANDONED RAILROAD BED, THAT THE CITY IMMEDIATELY CONTINUE TO PURSUE
THE PURCHASE AND SAFE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS ABANDONED RAILROAD BED AS A
CITY TRAIL. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY DAVE ANDERSON. THE MOTION
CARRIED 6-0.
b.
The Recreation Board discussed the
Committee. Chairman Mike O'Brien was
Board representative to this committee.
continued efforts of the 2001
appointed as the Recreation
c. The Recreation Board discussed the need in Elk River for open areas
to allow snowmobileing and ATV activities. It was noted that as the
City grows and develops, various large tracts of property need to be
obtained by the City so that adequate recreation opportunities can be
provided in the future.
8. Adj ournment
BOARD MEMBER ROLlE ANDERSON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE 11/1/88 RECREATION BOARD
MEETING. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MIKE O'BRIEN. THE MOTION CARRIED
6-0.
The meeting of the Elk River Recreation Board was adjourned at approximately
8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
7<? ~~
Patrick D. Klaers
City Administrator