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04-03-1991 PR MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 1991 Members Present: Chair Dave Anderson, Byron Houghtelin, Dana Anderson, Clete Lipetzky, Marilyn VanPatten, Todd Mixer, Mike O'Brien Members Absent: Rolfe Anderson Also Present: Lion's Club Representatives Harold Gramstad and Bill Lampson; Horseback Rider's Representative Joe St. Dennis Staff Present: Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent 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 Dave Anderson. .., to. Consider 4/3/91 Park and Recreation Commission A~enda Chair Dave Anderson requested that Items #6 and #7 be moved up and heard before Item #5. COMMISSIONER O'BRIEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 4/3/91 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA AS AMENDED. COMMISSIONER HOUGHTELIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION. CARRIED 6-0. 3. Consider 3/6/91 Park and Recreation Commission Minutes CO~NISSIONER VANPATTEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 3/6/91 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION l\HNUTES. COMMISSIONER LIPETZKY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 4. Open Mike Harold Gramstad spoke on behalf of the Lion's Club indicating that plans are under way for the Club to finish the rest rooms and add some vandal resistant lighting to the Lion's shelter in Lion's Park. Mr. Gramstad also reported plans for goals for two soccer fields and backstops for two softball fields. The Lion's Club has discussed the issue of organized athletic groups using field in the park and they are opposed to such use. The Park and Recreation Commission requested that they reconsider their position on a year by year basis because of the present field shortage. Mr. Gramstad stated that the Lion's Club would like to cooperate with the City and establish a joint funding venture for another playground uni t in the park. Chair Anderson stated that the Park and Recreation Park & Recreation Commission Minutes April 3, 1991 Page 2 . Commission will be making funding recommendations to the City Council at the May 1 meeting and will consider some type of contribution to a playground equipment fund. Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals stated that he has had numerous requests for playground equipment at Lion's Park, especially a unit for elementary age children. Mr. Hals also said that he prefers to do the installation with his staff because they are familiar with the problem soil conditions and will take the extra precautions necessary to make it a long lasting structure. Joe St. Dennis addressed the Commission representing the area horseback riders. Mr. St. Dennis requested the removal of the snow fence gates on the railroad trail and also questioned the possibility of using the trails in Woodland Trails Park for horseback riding. Chair Anderson stated that he felt that the grass that was seeded last fall would still be "too tender" for use by horses this season. . Mr. St. Dennis suggested that the trails should be multi-use and that the horseback riders be allowed to use it on a trial basis. Mr. St. Dennis also stated that the horseback riders would avoid areas with erosion problems and would cut a "by pass" trail themselves in those areas. Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals stated that he does not believe it would be a maintenance problem and that he would assist the horseback riders in locating and marking new trails. Chair Dave Anderson stated that he would like to discuss the use of the trails by horseback riders at a future meeting and asked if Mr. St. Dennis would like to at tend. Mr. St. Dennis said he would like to be present at the future discussion and would start to do some preliminary work on trail relocation in the meantime. Mr. St. Dennis also reported that an acquaintance, also an Elk River resident, had been asked to leave the Woodland Trails Park while hiking last fall by a person who only identified themselves as a Ski Club member. Chair Anderson stated he would investigate the complaint. 6. PARK IMPROVEMENTS USING PARK DEDICATION FUNDS The Commission discussed the list of projects and costs prepared by Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals. Chair Anderson pointed out that the softball complex expenses of $5,000 should be $7,500, but that they are not drawn from this fund so should not be on this list. Chair Anderson also noted that the Handke warming house with the amount of $7,000 should be added to the list. . Chair Anderson asked Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals if there are items that need immediate action or if the Commission could table the list until the May meeting. Mr. Hals suggested that the Commission approve the purchase of $500 worth of grass seed for spring planting. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes April 3, 1991 Page 3 Commissioner Dana Anderson requested that $1,000 worth of ag lime for school softball diamonds be added to the list. Commissioner O'Brien also requested that two grills at $500 each be purchased for the Lion's Park Shelter #5. COMMISSIONER O'BRIEN MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE $500 IN GRASS SEED, $1,000 FOR AG LIME AND $1,000 FOR BARBECUE GRILLS. CO~lliISSIONER DANA ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 7. STAFF UPDATES Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals requested a clarification on the park clean up deposit policy. Phil also discussed the purchase of the Industrial Park lot that adjoins the School District parcel. The Industrial Park investors are asking $50,000 for the 16 acre parcel. Mr. Hals discussed the development of the E & 0 Tool parcel into 3 temporary softball fields. These fields would be leveled and seeded so that they could be used as soon as possible for organized youth athletics as well as for temporary parking for the 4th of July and the County Fair. Plans showing three scenarios were distributed. Mr. Hals presented a concept plan for developing athletic fields on the Katnis site and also reported plans to plant 2,000 trees to start a Park and Boulevard tree nursery at the rear of the property. The County Fair Parade was discussed. Phil Hals has been in touch with the parade chairman and has requested that the Parade Committee line up a clean up crew to pick up litter after the parade. Woodland Trails Park was discussed. Chair Anderson would like to have the following items completed: 1. The boundary area between the Park and the Golf Course be cleaned of all debris. {) ..... A smooth wire fence constructed on the property line with the Golf Course. 3. A hedge row planted along the fence on the property line. 4. Build an entrance road and parking lot on park property. 5. Install gates and fences at all access points including the railroad trail. Chair Anderson asked the Commission's permission to work with staff and develop costs connected with the preceding list. The Commission concurred with the request. . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes April 3, 1991 Page 4 Chair Anderson distributed a proposal from Mike Niziolek regarding restoring native prairie grasses to an area in the central part of Woodland Trails Park. A brief discussion was held on this item. COMMISSIONER O'BRIEN MOVED TO DO A ONE YEAR TEST BURN AT THE COST OF $500. COMMISSIONER HOUGHTELIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-1. Commissioner VanPatten cast the no vote. Clete Lipetzky left the meeting at this time (9:05 p.m). 5. DISCUSSION AREA WIDE RECREATION POSITION AND UPCOMING 4/11/91 COMMUNITY EDUCATION MEETING Marilyn Van Patten left at this time (9:20). Chair Anderson stated that the communication is moving forward with all of the municipalities in the School District but the Park and Recreation Commission members on the Committee, Rolfe Anderson and Clete Lipetzky were both absent at this time so a full report was not possible. Mr. Anderson also restated his position that he feels that the posi tion should start as a City of Elk River park and recreation director and then be expanded into an area wide recreation director and City park director job. Commissioner O'Brien stated that he feels the City needs a full time park advocate. Phil Hals questioned the value of a director position versus two additional park employees from an "amount of wages paid" viewpoint. Mike O'Brien left at this time (9:40 p.m.). Due to the declining number of Commission members remaining, discussion stopped. There being no further business, BYRON HOUGHTELIN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING. DANA ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. Respectfully submitted, Q~ tka Phil Hals Street/Park Superintendent