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02-07-1989 PR MIN . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER RECREATION BOARD HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM FEBRUARY 7, 1989 Members Present: Mike O'Brien, Chair; Todd Mixer, Byron Houghtelin, Dave Anderson, Clete Lipetzky, Rolfe Anderson (7:07 p.m), Marilyn VanPatten (7:15 p.m.) Others Present: Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent; Charlie Blesener, Community Education Director; Dick Fursman, Economic Development Coordinator; Guests Present: Tom Fischer, Big Lake Snowcruisers Snowmobile Club 1. Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Recreation Board was called to order at 7:03 p.m. 2. Consideration of 2/7/89 Recreation Board Agenda Board member Dave Anderson requested that under Other Business, Item 10.1, Discussion of monthly meeting night be added to the Agenda. It was the concensus of the Recreation Board that the Agenda was accepted as amended. 3. Consideration of 1/3/89 Recreation Board Minutes lOAM MEMBER BYRON HOUGHTELIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 1/3/89 RECREATION lOAM MINUTIS AS SUDMI'1"1'ID. 'rHE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY TODD MIXER. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. . 4.1 Snowmobile Discussion Mr. Tom Fischer, who is a member of the Big Lake Snowcruisers Snowmobile Club and is a School District employee, was present to discuss with the Recreation Board local snowmobile needs. Board member Clete Lipetzky introduced Mr. Fischer and indicated that he invited Tom to visit with the Recreation Board regarding snowmobile needs and specifically the Burlington Northern abandoned railroad bed. Tom began his presentation by discussing the two local snowmobile clubs which are the Big Lake Snowcruisers and the Elk Lake Easy Riders. It was indicated that these two clubs are well established and fulfill a variety of needs for snowmobilers. The clubs provide a social atmosphere for people to enjoy this outdoor winter activity and they also provide a significant amount of work in maintaining snowmobile trails throughout the area. Both local groups are members of a larger Trail Association which is the agency that actually owns the trail groomer and other equipment plus works with state agencies for funding. . Mr. Fischer indicated that the association maintains approximately 75 miles of snowmobile trails in the county and also helps to maintain the snowmobile trails in the state park. Most of the trails that are maintained by the association are on private property. This location of trails on private property presents many unique problems in terms of obtaining permission for access to their property and disruption of the trail system when property is sold. Page 2 . Recreation Board Minutes February 7. 1989 Mr. Fischer indicated that a major emphasis of the association is to obtain the abandoned railroad beds throughout the area as these provide an excellent opportunity for linking up the trails for a continuous system. It was indicated that the Minnesota Grants Program finances a large part of the snowmobilers maintainance expenses. The Grants program pays for such activities as the labor for cleaning up the trails. the gas for the trailgroomer. signs identifying the trails and similar items related to snowmobileing acitivity. Additionally. the club as an individual group raises finances through a pull tab charitable gambling operation. Mr. Fischer indicated that the association would be willing to work with the City in any way possible to provide snowmobile activity and access through Elk River. He indicated that the group has finances available to help in the purchase of the abandoned railroad bed as long as it can be used for snowmobileing activities. Additionally. they would work with other governmental agencies outside the city limits to obtain the railroad bed north of Elk River all the way to Zimmerman. This stretch of trail would provide an excellent link and connection for the overall county system. . The Recreation Board thanked Mr. indicated that we would be willing common goal providing snowmobilers activities within the city limits. Fischer for his information and to work with them toward acheiving a with an opportunity to enjoy their New Recreation Board member. Barb Northway arrived at this time. 5. Staff Updates Phil Hals. Street/Park Superintendent. updated the Recreation Board on the Lion's Park skating activity. the cross country ski trails in Woodland Trails Park and the finalization of the LAW CON Grant for the Lion's Park. Phil also indicated that he will be continuing to pursue the latest offer made for the abandoned rairoad bed with Burlington Northern representatives. The last word received on the City offer was that it "looks good" and should be acceptable to the railroad. . Charlie Blesener provided the Recreation Board with an update on future needs at Handke Pit for skating activities. These needs include shelter. lighting and an ice cleaning machine. Charlie indicated that overall the 1988-89 skating season has gone very well at Handke. It is far and above the most popular skating area in the City and receives much more use than the Lion's Park skating rink. Charlie also provided additional update on the status of the winter recreational programs administered by the Community Education Department. It was noted that the City employee working at the Senior Citizen Center had requested elevation to full time status. This request is supported by Charlie and the Director of the Guadian Angels Foundation. The City Administrator indicated that he would process this request to the City Council. Page 3 . Recreation Board Minutes February 7, 1989 6. Discussion on Possible 1989 LAW CON Grant Applications The Recreation Board discussed the possibility of submitting a LAW CON Grant for the development of Woodland Trails Park. Discussion took place relative to the need of submitting a Grant application for the acquisition of additional parkland versus the development of an existing park. It was noted that a City receives only one LAWCON Grant per park and that typically the Grant lasts for three years. The City could submit a Grant application for acquisition and a Grant application for development within the same year. It was indicated that the Grant applications are typically due around June 1, and that roughly 15% of the Grant applications receive funding. A general discussion took place among the Recreation Board members regarding the philosophical approach to park and recreation in Elk River. The discussion centered on whether the highest priorities in the City is on additional parkland purchase or the development of existing parks. It was the consensus of the Recreation Board that at its next meeting this entire issue would be discussed and that staff liaisons to the Recreation Board would not attend this next meeting. This was requested in order to facilitate a more open and free discussion of local issues. 7. Review of Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Ordinance In a brief discussion, the Recreation Board had no significant negative comments on the proposal ordinance but noted that the "advisory" concept may have been repetitive. It was the consensus of the Recreation Board that this ordinance would be discussed at the next meeting. . 8. Discussion on Elk River Athletic Association The Recreation Board discussed the need for a Recreation Board Task Force to further study the issue of a local Athletic Association. It was the consensus of the Recreation Board that this issue would be discussed at the next meeting. Byron Houghtelin and Rolfe Anderson left at this time (9:00 p.m.) 9. Joint Powers Agreement It was the consensus of the Recreation Board that Charlie Blesener, Community Education Director and Pat Klaers, City Administrator should meet to develop a Joint Powers Agreement that defines the existing relationship between the City and the School District. A draft document should be presented to the Recreation Board as soon as developed. 10.1 Recreation Board Meeting Night It was the consensus of the Recreation Board that a more appropriate time to meet is the first Wednesday of each month. . BOARD MEMBER DAVE ANDERSON MOVED TO ESTABLISH THE MONTHLY MEETING DATE rOR THE RECREATION BOARD rOR WEDNESDAY AT 7: 00 P. M. AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL CONfERENCE ROOM. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY BARB NORTHWAY. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. . . . Page 4 Recreation Board Minutes February 7. 1989 11. Adj ournment BOARD MEMBER. CLETE LIPETZKY MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING OF THE 2/7/89 RECREATION BOARD MEETING. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY TODD MIXER. THE MOTION CARRIED 6~O. The meeting of the Elk River Recreation Board was adjourned at approximately 9:27 p.m. Respectfully submitted ?/J 14~ Patrick Klaers City Administrator