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09-06-1989 PR MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 6. 1989 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Mike O'Brien. Todd Mixer. Marilyn VanPatten. C1ete Lipetzky. Byron Houghte1in. Rolfe Anderson. Dave Anderson and Barb Northway ALSO PRESENT: Pat K1aers. City Administrator; Lori Johnson. Finance Director; and Counci1member Roger Holmgren 1. Pursuant to due call and notice thereof. the meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair O'Brien. 2. Consideration of 9/6/89 Park and Recreation Commission Agenda Mike O'Brien was added to the agenda as Item 7c. BARB NORTHWAY MOVED COMMISSION AGENDA AS MOTION CARRIED 5-0. TO APPROVE AMENDED. THE TODD 9/6/89 PARK AND RI CRlAT ION MIXER SECONDED THE MOTION. Tim 3. Consideration of 8/2/89 Park and Recreation Commission Minutes TODD MIXER MlNU'1'ES AS CARRIED 5-0. MOVED TO SUBMITTED. APPROVE THE 8/2/89 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MIKE 0' BRIEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION 4. Open Mike 4.1 Cross Country Skiing Coach. Mike Niziolek. was present to discuss the possible expansion of the City cross country ski trails that are located in the City park (Woodland Trails) and the Elk River Country Club. Mike requested that the City consider expanding the cross country ski trails to a more challenging area to the east side of the southern part of the Golf Course. This would be beneficial to the cross country ski team and they could then hold a number of cross country ski meets in this area. Mike indicated that the ski team would be willing to help in the development of the trails and further that he did not believe. from his reading of the State law. that there would be any increased City liability for having the trails developed in this area. Finance Director. Lori Johnson. and City Administrator. Pat K1aers. indicated a concern from the City point of view regarding potential liability and the expanding of a new City program onto private property. Questions were also raised regarding how this cross country ski trail system for the general public came under consideration for school use for ski meets. Concern was expressed that during such ski meets the public would not be able to use the course and the appropriateness of this was questioned. However. it Page 2 Park and Recreation Commission September 6. 1989 . was indicated that if the expansion of the ski trail system into the Ridgewood III Addition area did not cause any increased liability or increase maintenance responsibility. then the City would be willing to further examine the proposal. OLETE LIPETZKY MOVED TO HAVE THE CITY AND SCHOOL CONTINUE TO WORK ON 'I'll! PROPOSAL AND TO HAVE THE CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW THE POTENTIAL LIABILITY ISSUE. ROLFE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 8-0. 4.2 "Anda Park Inquiry" (this item is listed as 7b. on the agenda) Joanne Hendrickson. 365 Baldwin Avenue #201. was present to discuss with the Park and Recreation Commission the future use of the one acre park property recently purchased by the City. The City has purchased one acre of land which is surrounded by apartment complexes. The Park and Recreation Commission recommended to the City Council and the City Council approved a proposal to begin development of this park. The proposal approved by the City called for the installation of some playground equipment and providing an entrance into the park area. The concern of Ms. Hendrickson was the safety of children playing in the area and the fact that some apartment complex dwellers have dumped used car oil in the area. . The Park and Recreation Commission reviewed the sketch plan submitted by Ms. Hendrickson in her 8/2/89 letter to Phil Hals. The Commission agreed that some improvements are needed in this area and that improvements are expected soon. Staff was instructed to have Park Superintendent. Phil Hals. contact Joanne and update her on plans for this area. 5. Williams Sanders/Parks Master Plan Consultant Mr. William Sanders. recently hired Parks Master Plan Consultant was introduced to the Park and Recreation Commission. Mr. Sanders expressed his appreciation for being hired to perform the service of putting together a City of Elk River Parks Master Plan. Mr. Sanders briefly reviewed the project components and his schedule for completion of the document. Bill indicated that he has already began Task #1 of the program which calls for data collection and review of existing programs. A tour of the area parks has been conducted by Phil Hals. Park Superintendent. Additionally. background information on the City Parks and Recreation programs has been provided to Bill by the City Administrator and Charlie Blesener. Community Education Director. . It was acknowledged that the scope of services for producing a Parks Master Plan will cost approximately $9.400. The City Council has authorized the addition of two focused area studies in the Woodland Trails Park and Hillside Park plus a community survey. It was noted that air photos are being obtained for the Woodland Trails and Hillside Parks. The total cost of all work should not exceed $20.000. . . . Page 3 Park and Recreation Commission Meeting September 6, 1989 Discussion centered on the need for a survey to evaluate the needs of the community in the park and recreation area. Mr. Sanders indicated that he is recommending that Decision Resources, Ltd. conduct the survey for the City of Elk River. At this time, Mr. Sanders briefly reviewed the example survey from the City of Little Canada that was completed by Decision Resources, Ltd. Mr. Sanders indicated that a very similar survey would provide an immense amount of useful information for the City not only in the parks area but also could obtain input regarding other City services. The Park and Recreation Commission emphasized that it was their strong desire that this survey concentrate in the parks and recreational areas and not have the survey become a "City services" survey. The Commission did acknowledge that there would a need for other questions besides the ones re~ating to Park and Recreation issues in order to improve the reliability and effectiveness of the survey. Bill indicated that in general terms the questionaire would consist of 100 questions, is conducted over the telephone by trained personnel, is given to 400 randomly selected residents, takes 21 minutes to complete and costs approximately $5,000. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission that the next meeting would be held on 1989, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Conference representatives of Decision Resources, Ltd. and Mr. present. Park and Recreation Tuesday, October 10, Room. At this time, Sanders will both be The Park and Recreation Commission discussed the benefit of having aerial photographs of existing and potential park areas. It was noted that the City Council is planning to authorize the air photographs for the Woodland Trails Park and the Hillside Park within the near future. Additional air photos could be obtained in 1990 as the need arises and is more clearly defined. The Commission discussed with Mr. Sanders the need for area wide parks in the developing area of Elk River and in the undeveloped northern area of the City; the potential problems with developing a city wide trail system; the possibility of Hillside Park being expanded to the east in order to provide a larger park; and potential development of properties underneath existing highwire areas which are currently right-of-way properties of the Utilities. Prior to 1989, it etc. would survey and collection, River. the next Park and Recreation Commission meeting on October 10, was indicated that the City Staff, Commission, Councilmembers, work on defining the issues that need to be included within a that Mr. Sanders would continue his work on the data inventory, and analysis of existing situations within Elk 6. Staff Updates It was noted by the City Administrator that Charlie Blesener had met with Mr. Sanders prior to the meeting to provide him with information regarding city recreation programs and that he had a previous appointment and could not attend this meeting. Additionally, the City Administrator noted that Park Superintendent, Phil Hals, was on vacation. Page 4 . Park and Recreation Commission Meeting September 6, 1989 The City Administrator updated the Commission on recent City Council action regarding park dedication fees for commercial and industrial plats. The Council has approved the collection of a fee in the amount of $1,000 per acre in the non-sewer and water areas and $1,500 per acre when connected to City utilities. Additionally, it was noted that while $7,000 of park dedication funds have been allocated for a new warming in Handke Pit, it is unlikely that such a new facility will be constructed until the summer of 1990. The City Administrator also updated the Commission on the Park and Recreation budget proposals for 1990. 7. Other Business 7a. Tennis Courts . Commissioner Lipetzky updated the Commission on recent discussions regarding the condition, future maintenance and lighting at the 10 tennis courts located on school property. Athletic Director, Mike Hanlon, was also present for this discussion. It was the consensus of the Commission that this is an issue that merits both City and School attention because the courts are continually used during summer months for non-school activities. It was the consensus of the Commission that if the School could finance the improvements of the courts, that the Commission would make every effort possible to have the City work with the Utilities Commission in order to have the lighting system upgraded and improved. 7b. Resolution Oposing Storage of Ash Commissioner O'Brien presented the Park and Recreation Commission with a resolution that expresses the Park and Recreation Commission's oposition to the storage of any type of ash at the Elk River Landfill. The Commission strongly supported this position. CLETE LIPETZKY MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 89-1, A RESOLUTION STATING THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION OPOSITION TO THE STORAGE OF ASH AT THE ELK RIVER LANDFILL. ROLFE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 8-0. 8. Adj ournment CLETE LIPETZKY MOVED TO ADJOURN THE 9/6/89 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MElTING. BYRON HOUGHTELIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 8-0. The meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation meeting adjourned at approximately 9:35 p.m. . Respectfu11yftubitted. .~/). I' j/ ~~... Patrick D. K1aers City Administrator