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11-07-1990 PR MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990 Members Present: Chair, Mike O'Brien, Clete Lipetzky, Dave Anderson, Todd Mixer, Byron Houghtelin (7: 05) and Rolfe Anderson (7:10) Members Absent: Marilyn VanPatten and Barb Northway Also Present: Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent; Charlie Blesener, Communi ty Education Director and Pat Klaers, City Administrator 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 11/7/90 Park and Recreation Commission A~enda Item 4.05, Cross Country Skiing Club, was added to the agenda under Open Mike, before discussion on the City trails and horses. DAVE ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE 11/7/90 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA AS AMENDED. TODD MIXER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3. Consider 10/3/90 Park and Recreation Commission Minutes CLETE LIPETZKY MOVED TO APPROVE THE 10/3/90 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES. TODD MIXER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4. Open Mike 4.05 Cross Country Skiin~ Club Mr. Rolli Ring-Jarvi, representing the Nordic Ski Club, was present to discuss signs for the cross country ski trails at the Woodland Trails Park and possible development of cross country trails in Lion's Park. Mr. Ring-Jarvi indicated that the Lion's Club has donated $230 for the purchase and installation of cross country ski trails signs in the Woodland Trails Park. It was indicated that these signs could be up year round, and some of the signs could be installed on trees. However, approximately 40 poles would be needed to place the signs in appropriate locations. The cost of the poles would be approximately $400. It was the consensus of the Park and Recreation Commission to spend some other improvement funds wi thin the Park budget for this project and, as time allows, to have the park crew help in the installation of the signs. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes November 7, 1990 Page 2 . Mr. Ring-Jarvi presented a letter from the Lion's Club which indicated that they supported the creation and maintenance of cross country ski trails in Lion's Community Park. This letter was dated November 7, 1990, and was from Mr. Wally Fox, Secretary of the Lion's Club. Phil Hals indicated that developing these trails in Lion's Park could be done with limited time and effort by the City park crew. The Park and Recreation Commission supported the development of these trails. 4.1 City Trails and Horses Dave Anderson stated that he has talked to a number of horse owners in the area of the Woodland Trails Park and discussed the issue of the trails being used and/or damaged by horses and the fact that the trails were developed specifically for cross country skiing. Dave indicated that he asked some of the horse owners to come to this Park and Recreation Commission meeting to discuss the issue. . Joe St. Dennis, who lives in the Greenhead Addition north of County Road #33, stated that horse owners have used Woodland Trails Park in the past and have used the abandoned railroad trail extensively for over five years. Mr. St. Dennis indicated that the Commission must address the needs of the horse owners in the area and consider the development of trails which are used for multiple purposes. Multi-use trails is consistent with DNR policy and makes for the best use of the available land for recreational purposes. The horse owners have no desire to use the trails during the winter season as this is unsafe footing for the horses; however, Mr. St. Dennis indicated that the trails could be used during non-winter seasons in conjunction with hiking and walking uses. The Commission discussed the issue of erosion on the trails due to horses using them and the issue of horse manure causing problems for citizens using the area for hiking and walking. Rose Allison stated that her daughter is a member of the Minnesota High School Rodeo Club and has used the area for working with her horses. She indicated that there are at least 41 horse riders wi thin the area and supports the multi-use of the City parks and trails. Mr. Ron Niziolek stated that the cross country ski club has put in a lot of work and effort in developing the trails and felt that horse riding would damage the trails. He indicated that this is a small park and horse riding in the area is not appropriate. Grace Ostom, Concord Street, indicated that the area is a public park and should be used for all public purposes. Furthermore, the City should develop and maintain the trail system and not have the ski club develop the trails and "assume" ownership. . Sue Deleano indicated that she owns a horse and lives in the City area of Elk River. She indicated that her only way out of the area is to use the railroad trail and requested that the City open up the use of the entire railroad trail to horses. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes November 7, 1990 Page 3 . Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent, indicated that the railroad trail is compacted gravel and is very firm. The railroad trail does not allow motorized vehicles and horses have done no damage to the railroad trail. Clete Lipetzky and Charlie Blesener left at this time (approx. 8:00). Doug Ostom indicated that most of the damage in the park areas due to horses is in the sandy areas and that the trails are very new at this time. However, after the trails have "firmed up", then no further damage to other trails would take place when used by horses. Discussion took place regarding the condition of the trails in the Woodland Trails Park and the railroad bed area. It was indicated that crushed limestone or wood chips is a good surface for horses but that a bi tuminous surface is not good for horses. It was noted that the railroad trail is wide enough for both a bituminous strip for such activities such as bicycling and hiking and also to allow an area for horses. DAVE ANDERSON MOVED TO CHANGE THE CITY POLICY TO ALLOW THE ENTIRE RAILROAD TRAIL TO BE USED BY HORSES. BYRON HOUGHTELIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. . Mr. Mike Gray, a Board Member of the Nordic Ski Club, indicated his concern that one unsportsman horseperson could destroy the entire ski trail and rights to use private land if they abused the privilege of using the trails in Woodland Trails Park. The Park and Recreation Commission agreed to further discuss this horse riding issue at a future meeting in 1991. 4.2 Elk River Youth Hockey Association Mr. Ron Johnson, representing the Elk River Youth Hockey Association was present to discuss the issue that was raised at the October 3, 1990, meeting regarding fencing for the outdoor rinks near the hockey arena. The fencing is desired at the southern end of the two rinks in order to protect the spectators and vehicles. Mr. Johnson indicated that there are no funds available from the school for the purchase and installation of the needed fences and that the Youth Hockey Association also has no funds available for this project. Phil Hals discussed a more economical alternative to the chain link fence proposal. The Commission discussed the appearance of the alternati ve and it was the consensus of the Commission that if funds are spent, then they should be spent on a chain link fence which is more permanent and more aesthetically pleasing. . Mr. Johnson indicated that the rink closest to the arena is the number one priority and the rink further east is the second priority. Discussion took place regarding possible reimbursement to the City in the future for the expenditure of these funds. It is estimated that . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes November 7, 1990 Page 4 Discussion took place regarding possible reimbursement to the City in the future for the expenditure of these funds. It is estimated that the fencing for the western rink at the southern end would be approximately $1500. ROLFE ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE EXPENDITURE OF UP TO $1500 FROM THE PARK AND RECREATION OTHER IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A 12' HIGH CHAIN LINK FENCE OF APPROXIMATELY 100' IN LENGTH. DAVE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Mr. Johnson noted that he will work with the Youth Hockey Association in helping to provide additional free skating time to the City for general use to the citizens. In this manner, the funds will be reimbursed to the community over a few years through public use of the hockey arena. Due to the lateness of the hour, the remaining agenda items were tabled until the next Park and Recreation Commission meeting in December, 1990. 9. Adjournment There being no further business, BYRON HOUGHTELIN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING. ROLFE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at approximately 9:50 p.m. Respect..fUllY ;.~Ub itted, 7P ff~- Patrick D. Klaers City Administrator