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04-04-1990 PR MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1990 Members Present: Chair, Mike O'Brien, Rolfe Anderson (7:10), Dave Anderson, Todd Mixer, Clete Lipetzky, Barb Northway and Byron Houghtelin Members Absent: Marilyn VanPatten Also Present: Bill Sanders and Paul Page, Sanders & Associates Inc.; Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent; Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Charlie Blesener, Community Education Director (8:10) 1. Call Meetin~ to Order 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 4/4/90 Park & Recreation Commission A~enda DAVE ANDERSON MOVED COMMISSION AGENDA. CARRIED 6-0. TO APPROVE THE 4/4/90 PARK AND BARB NORTHWAY SECONDED THE MOTION. RECREATION THE MOTION 3. Consider 3/7/90 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes DAVE ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE 3/7/90 PARK AND COMMISSION MINUTES. BYRON HOUGHTELIN SECONDED THE MOTION. CARRIED 6-0. RECREATION THE MOTION 4. Open Mike Two property owners who live adjacent to the new Deerfield IV Park were present to discuss uses of the park, timing for development of the park and landscaping of the park. Street/Park Superintendent, Phil Hals, discussed development plans with these property owners. 5. Master Park and Recreation Plan/Sanders & Associates. Inc. Mr. Sanders distributed Draft #3 of the Master Park and Recreation Plan. It was noted that all of the changes discussed at the last meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission on March 7, 1990, have been incorporated into this latest draft of the Master Park and Recreation Plan. A general discussion took place regarding changes that were discussed at the last meeting and it was noted that Deerfield IV Park has been added to the plan in park service area #2 and that the local recreational standards (Page 55) have been revised to reflect the needs of Elk River as ranked by the Park and Recreation Commission. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes April 4, 1990 Page 2 . The City Administrator updated the Commission on efforts to purchase additional parkland adjacent to the Ridgewood East Park, as shown on the Comprehensive Park System Plan map. Phil Hals informed the Commission that he has become aware that there is an older gravel mine pit and adjacent property for sale and inquired as to whether or not he should attempt to obtain additional information regarding this property. The Commission indicated its desire to know more about this parcel of property. A brief discussion took place regarding the Gospador property to the south of Orono Park and the Gagne property north of Highway 10 in the Waco Street vacini ty. The City Administrator indicated that it was unlikely the City could obtain any of the Gospodar property and that discussions are taking place with Mr. Gagne regarding potential park use of his property and the need for right-of-way if the Waco Street bridge is extended over the Elk River north of Highway 10. At this time Mr. Sanders reviewed with the Commission in detail the implementation section of the Master Plan. This implementation section starts on approximately Page 87. . In review of the priorities of the plan, it was noted that consistent with the Commission's opinion and the public survey, trail land purchase and development was listed as the highest priority. The next highest priority was development of the existing parks, especially the larger area parks such as the Woodland Trails Park and the Hillside Park. The third highest priority was the purchase of additional new parkland, and the fourth highest priority was the development of special use facilities such as a community center or an outdoor swimming pool. Mr. Sanders reviewed potential financing for implementing the park plan. The first source discussed was the City's Capital Improvement Program which in Elk River has stressed municipal street improvements. It was indicated by Mr. Sanders that park improvements have to also be considered in the capital improvement planning process. A second financing tool discussed was park dedication fees. It was noted that in Elk River these fees are typically spent on an annual basis for park improvements. It is recommended that these fees be accumulated for major land acquisition needs and that the annual park improvement activities be funded through the City Capital Improvement Plan. The third financing technique discussed was a park bond referendum for larger overall park development. State and Federal grants as a financing tool was also discussed. . The final major financing tool that was discussed was the use of donations from non-profit organizations which typically have monies available through its pull tab operation. It was noted that this donation area could be a significant source of revenue in the City of Elk River and that efforts should be made to obtain funding from this source. The remaining financial tools available for park acquisition and development are less likely to be available in the future but are included in the Master Plan as options to review on an annual basis. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes April 4, 1990 Page 3 . Mr. Sanders then reviewed with the Commission the information included in the Appendix. This information included proposed ordinances and City policies along with a lengthy list of recommendations for implementation of park plan and improvement of the city-wide park system. It was noted that following up on these recommendations could take a significant amount of staff time and a full time park and recreation director may be needed in the future. The work outlined included development and enforcement of ordinances to protect the parks, formalizing the relationship between the City and the School and other governmental agencies, and agressively seeking funds for parkland purchase and improvements. Mr. Sanders and Mr. Page reviewed with the Commission the two focused area studies on Woodland Trails Park and Hillside Park that are included in the Appendix. These plans were reviewed in detail and the Commission requested certain adjustments in this document including deleting information regarding rare and endangered plants and animals plus adding financial information regarding total cost of the improvements that are proposed. At the last meeting on 3/7/90, the concept for both of these parks were reviewed and at this meeting the preliminary master plan for each park was reviewed. . A general discussion took place between Mr. Sanders and the Commission regarding how the Park and Recreation Plan should be presented to the public. The concept of a public hearing was debated. It was noted that this issue would be discussed with the City Council at a joint meeting in May. 6. Staff Uodates a. Charlie Blesener Community Education Director, Charlie Blesener, updated the Commission on the Elk River 2001 youth survey results. A handout was distributed showing the response of the 1513 surveys received. The answers are in percentages. The proposal to purchase ice skating time at the Elk River Ice Arena during the winter as part of the winter City recreation program was discussed. Charlie indicated that to rent space for a Sunday afternoon would cost approximately $70 per hour. It was the consensus of the Commission to pursue reserving approximately a total of six Sunday afternoons for two hours each during December, January, and February for open ice skating. . Construction of a warming house at Handke Pit was discussed. It was indicated that this project is scheduled for 1990 and it would be the desire of the Commission and staff to receive some voluntary assistance in this project. It was suggested that the Jaycee's may like to get involved both financially and with manpower. Arbor Day was discussed. Charlie is coordinating the project to plant approximately 1000 tree seedlings on the south boundary of Lion's Park. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes April 4, 1990 . . Page 4 Charlie updated the Commission on some of the history behind the City/School recreation relationship. It was noted that a joint powers agreement was discussed in early 1983, but no formal document has been located. A general update on summer recreation programs was provided by Charlie. b. Phil Hals Street/Park Superintendent, Phil Hals, reviewed with the Commission a list of proposed smaller capital improvements as shown in his March 2, 1990, memo. Past practice of the City has been to use a limited amount of park dedication funds annually for these type of improvements. The Park and Recreation Commission reviewed the list and selected $24,575 worth of improvements to submi t to the City Council for funding in 1990 from the park dedication fund. These projects as listed on the attached memo are items 1-4, 11, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 35, 36, 48, 50, 51 and 55. The City Administrator indicated that included with the most recent review of the City Capital Improvement Program, funds are reserved in the capital projects funds for improvement of the railroad trail and the soon to be acquired Barrington Park. Additionally, it was noted that the three items listed under Hillside Park are more maintenance type items and will be financed wi thin the City General Fund. These items relate to cleaning brush and debris at this park. c. Pat Klaers The City Administrator updated the Commission on the status of the preliminary plat of Auburn Commons. It was noted that this park is very near the soon to be acquired Barrington Park and therefore, it is in the best interest of the City to obtain funds in lieu of land as the park dedication requirement. 7. Other Business There were no items to discuss under this item. 8. Adjournment There being no further business, BARB NORTHWAY MOVED TO ADJOURN THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING. TODD MIXER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at approximately 10:35 p.m. P;d~tted' Pat Klaers City Administrator .