11-01-1989 PR MIN
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MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1989
Members Present: Chair, Mike O'Brien, Barb Northway, Todd Mixer, Byron
Houghtelin and Dave Anderson
Members Absent: Rolfe Anderson, Clete Lipetzky and Marilyn VanPatten
Also Present: Bill Sanders, Sanders & Associates Inc.; Charlie Blesener
and Pat Klaers
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. Consider 11/1/89 Park and Recreation A~enda
BYRON HOUGHTELIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 11/1/89 PARK AND RECREATION AS
PRESENTED. BARB NORTHWAY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
5-0.
3.
Consider 10/10/89 Park and Recreation Commission Minutes
BARB NORTHWAY MOVED TO APPROVE THE 10/10/89 PARK AND RECREATION
COMMISSION MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. TODD MIXER SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
4. Open Mike
Ms. Sheridan McClain, president of the Orono Lake Homeowners
Association, was present to discuss some concerns that they have
regarding activity on Orono Lake. It was indicated that many of the
issues that are being discussed had previously been presented for
review by the Park and Recreation Commission during the summer of
1989. The Homeowner's Association is requesting consideration by the
Ci ty of some of the steps that they feel would improve the boating
safety situation on Orono Lake.
Ms. McClain indicated that the Association received 58 responses out
of the 100 questionnaires that were distributed to Orono Lake
homeowners. Some of the major concerns expressed in this survey
included:
1. The speed limit being a maximum of 40 mph during the day and 15
mph during the night which would begin 1/2 hour after sunset.
2. That some mechanism be in place to control the speed of boats
when they are in the channel area under Highway 10.
Park and Recreation Minutes
November 1, 1989
Page 2
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3. Limit the fishing locations.
4. The placement of directional signs which indicate the movement
for boats.
Ms. McClain further indicated that she has been in contact with the
Sherburne County Water Safety Patrol Director, Mr. Dave Anderson, and
that he has indicated that the Big Lake Ordinance is working rather
well and achieving its objectives in Big Lake of controlling boating
activity. Ms. McClain requested that the Commission formally
recommend adoption to the City Council of similar rules and
regulations regarding boating activity on Orono Lake.
5.
Discussion with Bill Morris and Diane Traxler of Decision Resources
Ltd. Re~ardin~ the Community Survey
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Mr. Bill Sanders, prior to a discussion on the Community Survey,
distributed the preliminary draft, dated October 31, 1989, of the
Master Park and Recreation Plan for the City of Elk River. Mr.
Sanders indicated that this plan is approximately 1/2 complete and
that the information distributed is subject to change depending on
input received from the Commission. Mr. Sanders indicated that he
felt it was important to provide the Commission with some preliminary
information so that they can assess the progress that has been made.
It was indicated that additional information will be included within
this document once such information is made available as a result of
a Community Survey. The Community Survey information will have a
significant effect on the development of the goals and the
development of the action plan in order for the City to satisfy the
park and recreation needs of its citizens.
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Mr. Morris and Ms. Traxler reviewed with the Commission the October,
1989 draft survey questions that were previously distributed to the
Commission. In general, Mr. Morris indicated that they would be
conducting a telephone interview with 400 households in Elk River.
The interviews would be conducted with an adult of the household. An
interview of 60 unit questions would take approximately 20 minutes.
The cost for 60 unit questions would be approximately $5400 with each
additional unit question costing about $90 each. Mr. Morris
indicated that they have a very low refusal rate and that any
advanced publicity in the newspaper about the survey would be
helpful. General discussion took place regarding the time frame when
the interviews are conducted, how the answers are interpreted and
analyzed, and the fact that Elk River desired the responses to be
based on the activity within the household, not only the activity of
the individual responding to the survey.
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Park and Recreation Minutes
November 1, 1989
Page 3
The Commission reviewed the October 27, 1989, Community Survey draft
with Mr. Morris and Ms. Traxler question by question and item by
item. The Commission had a number of issues added to the survey that
are unique to the community. Some of these issues included the joint
City/School relationship in terms of providing recreation
opportunities, the fact that the City has both a lake and a river
within its boundaries, and the fact that the community is large and
growing with substantial portions of the community undeveloped. This
question by question review of the survey took approximately two
hours and resulted in approximately 40 question units being added to
the survey. It was noted that the original survey distributed to the
Commission was not 60 question units but was comprised of 72 question
units.
The representatives from Decision Resources Ltd. indicated that they
would submit the final draft of survey questions to the City
Administrator for his review and that the survey was anticipated to
be conducted between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Accordingly, the
results of the survey should then be available to be reviewed by the
Commission during its January 3, 1990 meeting.
6.
Staff Updates
Charlie Blesener provided a general update to the Commission
regarding skating activities for the upcoming winter season.
Pat Klaers provided a general update regarding the proposed budget
that will be reviewed by the City Council.
7. Other Business
No items were discussed at this time.
8. Adjournment
By consensus the Park and Recreation Commission meeting was
adjourned. The meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation
Commission was adjourned at approximately 10:00 p.m.
Respe~ T{tted.
Patrick D. Kla\rs
City Administrator