09-04-1991 PR MIN
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MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1991
Members Present:
Chair Dave Anderson, Commissioners Dana Anderson, Todd
Mixer, Byron Houghtelin, Clete Lipetzky and Rolfe
Anderson
Members Absent:
Commissioners Marilyn VanPatten and Mike O'Brien
Staff Present:
Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Phil Hals, Street/Park
Superintendent
Others Present:
Dave Anderson, Sherburne County Civil Defense Director
and Sheriff's Water Patrol Supervisor; Joe St. Dennis,
Horseback Rider's Association
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 7:15 p.m. by
Chairman Dave Anderson.
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Consider 9/4/91 Park & Recreation Commission Alenda
It was the consensus of the Commission that the agenda was acceptable
as presented.
3. Consider 8/7/91 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes
It was the consensus of the Commission that the 8/7/91 minutes were
acceptable as presented.
4. Open Mike
Nobody was present for this agenda item.
5. Discussion on Activities at Lake Orono
Dave Anderson, Sherburne County Water Patrol, addressed the Park and
Recreation Commission regarding the use of personal watercrafts
(Jet-skis). The County Water Patrol issued warning tickets in 1990 for
boating regulation violations and in 1991, citations with penalties
were issued county wide.
Mr. Anderson also stated that the Sheriff's Water Patrol keeps at least
one patrol boat on Lake Orono during weekends. He indicated that he
would like to meet with City staff to assist in making changes in the
Ci ty ordinance regarding the operation of watercrafts on Lake Orono
before the 1992 boating season. One issue to address is watercraft
operators who violate safety rules and not restrict those who operate
in a safe manner.
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Park & Recreation Commission Meeting
September 4, 1991
Page 2
The County does not have a jet-ski safety program at this time but may
look into establishing such a program in the future.
Mr. Anderson stated that the City of Big Lake has an attendant on duty
and charges $2.00 or $3.00 per vehicle for parking at their lakeshore
park and that the City of Elk River may want to look at a parking fee
in order to limit the use of the lake.
There was discussion about posting a sign with boating regulations and
if a larger sign would detract from the park atmosphere. Another idea
was to incorporate a somewhat larger sign than we now have with
handouts available for boaters.
6. Discussion on Area Horseback Riders
Joe St. Dennis was present as a representative of the local Horseback
Rider's Association regarding the use of Woodland Trails Park for
riding trails. The horseback riders would like to work with Park staff
to develop riding trails that could parallel ski trails and cross the
ski trails a minimum number of times.
Mr. St. Dennis stated that he would secure volunteers to help pull
brush and cut in trails. Mr. Hals indicated that his department would
do the design and layout and assist with trail development as time
permits.
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Discussion on Lion's Club Activities at Lion's Park
Chair Dave Anderson questioned the use of Lion's Park for 1992 soccer
and/or football. Phil Hals said that to date, the Lion's Club position
is to not allow organized athletics to use the park, but they will be
contacted again and, considering that it would be used a limited time
on an emergency basis, he assumes they will agree with the request.
8. Playground Updates
Phil Hals gave an update on the status of the following park
improvements:
Baldwin Park
Playground unit installed
Swing Set unit installed
Topsoil installed
Seeding not completed
Barrington Park
Playground unit installed
Swing Set unit installed
Volleyball Court installed
Basketball Court installed
Topsoil installed
Seeding not completed
Park & Recreation Commission Meeting
September 4, 1991
Page 3
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Lion's Park
Vita Course installed
Five park benches installed
Drop shot not completed
Swing set not completed
Youth exercise bars not completed
Pat Klaers informed t.he Park and Recreation Commission that the City
Council has not yet made a decision on the request from the Arts
Council for a $10,000 contribution. The amount of the City's
contribution will depend on monies available as the budget is finalized.
10. Update on Development of Recreation Fields behind Communi tv Education
Office
Phil Hals stated that the grading on the first two soccer fields at the
Community Education site is nearly complete and the irrigation
installation will be starting soon. Mr. Hals is hopeful that the
seeding on two fields will be done by September 14.
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Rolfe Anderson questioned the availability of electrical power to each
baseball field for the use of pitching machines for the Little League
teams. Mr. Hals stated that no one had made any such request and that
it would definitely be better to install it now rather than later. Mr.
HaJs also stated that the material costs for four baseball fields would
be approximately' $3,000. It was the consensus of the Park and
Recreation Commission that Mr. Hals make that an addition to the
project and use as much volunteer help as possible for the installation.
9.
Proposal for Area Wide Recreation Director
Pat Klaers reviewed the status of the Area Wide Recreation Director
position from the informational sheet supplied by Charlie Blesener.
Klaers stated that there will be a meeting on September 11, 1991, to
work out more of the job description details and budget concerns. As
the proposal now stands, the position calls for a $54,000 budget and
the City's contribution would be $31,000.
11. Discussion on Development Activities West Orono Park fE& 0 Tool)
Chairman Anderson suggested that the Park and Recreation Commission
take a look at the whole area including Orono Park, the fairgrounds,
the softball complex and the new City Hall complex as well as the E & 0
property. After an informal discussion, it was the consensus of the
Park and Recreation Commission that this item be considered at a future
meeting.
12.
Update on Woodland Trails Park Boundary
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Pat Klaers reviewed the request by Lloyd and Sue Nord to purchase
approximately two acres of park property to add to the size of their
homestead. At the time of the request, the Park and Recreation
Commission recommended against selling any park property. Mr. & Mrs.
Nord then asked if the City would be interested in purchasing their
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Park & Recreation Commission Meeting
September 4, 1991
Page 4
property. Mr. Klaers indicated that he thought it would be in t.he
Cit.y's best. int.erest. t.o maintain communication wit.h the Nord's although
the property may be more useful to the golf course than t.o the Ci ty
park. The Commission reconfirmed their position stated in August about
not having a strong desire to purchase this property.
15.
Ad.i ournmen t
There being no further business, COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON MOVED TO
ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER BYRON HOUGHTELIN SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
The meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at
9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Philip E. Hals
Street/Park Superintendent