03-11-1992 PR MIN
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MEETING 01<' 'rHE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
HELD AT THE COMMUNITY EDUCATION BUILDING
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
Members Present:
Dave Anderson, Byron Houghtelin, Mike O'Brien, Dana
Anderson, Clete Lipetzky (7:10), Clair Olson (7:30)
Members Absent:
Rolfe Anderson and Joe St. Dennis
Staff Present:
Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Phil Hals, Street/Park
Superintendent
Also Present:
Joe O'Keefe, Twyla O'Keefe, Mary Gunderson, Bob Dilly,
Bonnie Rule and Craig Hagman (7:50)
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.
2.
Consider 3/11/92 Park and Recreation Commission A~enda
COMMISSIONER O'BRIEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 3/11/92 PARK AND RECREATION
COMMISSION AGENDA. COMMISSIONER HOUGHTELIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
3.
Consider 2/5/92 Park and Recreation Commission Minutes
COMMISSIONER HOUGHTELIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 2/5/92 PARK AND RECREATION
COMMISSION MINUTES. COMMISSIONER O'BRIEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
4. Open Mik~
Bonnie Rule addressed comments to the Commission regarding the
operation of lights at the softball fields. She stated that the "spill
over" light is very bright at her residence on Simonet Drive and there
have been times when the lights have remained on until 2:30 a.m. Chair
Anderson explained that the lights should be out by 11: 00 p. m., but
some games do run later and that the field maintenance is often done
after the last game and the maintenance crew requires at least a few
lights. Chair Anderson stated that at one point last summer he was
personally doing some aerating on the fields after 1 :00 a.m. Dave
indicated that efforts will be made this year to more closely follow
the 11:00 p.m. guidelines.
5.
Park and Recreation Development Options for Orono Park/City Hall Site
Chair Dave Anderson introduced the topic of park and recreation
development over the next few years at the Orono Park/City Hall site.
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Park and Recreation Commission Minutes
March 11, 1992
Page 2
He reviewed the concept currently being discussed by the Commission and
requested citizen input at this time.
Joseph O'Keefe expressed his concern that the proposed basketball and
tennis courts located in the southeast corner of the new City Hall
complex not be lighted. Mr. O'Keefe would also prefer that the number
of courts be reduced.
Mary Gunderson stated that their property also abuts the proposed
basketball and tennis courts area and she too would prefer to reduce
the number of courts and to have the courts moved further to the west
on this 3 acre site.
Chair Anderson stated that tonight's discussion will mainly involve
park improvements for 1993 to 1995 and that there are limited funds
available at this time. Some trail development work is anticipated in
1992.
Mrs. O'Keefe stated that she would prefer more green space.
Pat Klaers asked the residents present if they would prefer a picnic
shelter instead of basketball or tennis courts since we are still in
the planning stage. Those residents present said they did not favor a
shelter in place of courts.
Bob Dilly questioned staff about the tree removal along the lakeshore.
Phil Hals stated that the plan was to remove the undesirable trees from
the lakeshore to minimize damage to the good trees and that this had
been accomplished. Several trees that have been severely trimmed by
utility companies along Orono Road will be removed at a later date.
Mr. O'Keefe questioned the removal of trees from the lakeside where
Orono Road touches Lake Orono. Pat Klaers indicated that the trees
removed in that area will be addressed with the reconstruction of Orono
Road.
Bob Dilly questioned underground utilities for Orono Road. Pat Klaers
suggested that he attend the 3/17/92 Utili ties Commission meeting at
4:00 p.m. and raise that question to them.
Craig Hagman expressed his concern for Wednesday evening meetings,
especially during Lent, and questioned if meetings on Wednesday could
begin after 8:00 p.m.
Pat KIaers requested to leave the meeting early, but offered the following
two update items:
The City Council is pursuing the purchase of the Nord property at the
entrance into Woodland TraUs Park. Chair Anderson stated that he does
not support this purchase.
Pat KIaers requested to set a da.te for a. future joint Park and
Recreation Commissi on/City Council meeting. After some discussion, a
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Park and Recreation Commission Minutes
March 11, 1992
Page 3
meeting was planned for April 13, at 8:00 p.m. following the EDA
meeting at City Hall.
Pat Klaers left the meeting at this time (8:00).
The Park and Recreation Commission discussed the use of the E & 0 Tool
property for additional softball fields. Chair Anderson requested that
staff look at adding a third field to the E & 0 site.
6. Consider Possible Park Improvements
The Park and Recreation Commission discussed the list of possible park
improvements by staff (see attachment dated 1/30/92).
COMMISSIONER HOUGHTELIN MOVED TO RECOMMEND A $16,000 EXPENDITURE FOR
DEERFIELD IV INCLUDING $10,000 FOR PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, $2,000 FOR A
1/2 BASKETBALL COURT, $1,000 FOR A VOLLEYBALL COURT AND $3,000 FOR A
LONG SLIDE. COMMISSIONER O'BRIEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 6-0.
Phil Hals noted that the City Council has allocated $10,000 from the
Capi tal Projects Reserve for this improvement so therefore not all of
this planned expenditure would have to come from Park Dedication funds.
Commissioner O'Brien requested that the City provide some improvements
to Tot Park. After some discussion, the Park and Recreation Commission
added Tot Lot and a sum of $1,500 (for a 1/2 basketball court) to the
park improvements list.
A memo from Charlie Blesener regarding some funding support for
playground equipment at the Community Education office for ECFE was
discussed. The Commission expressed a willingness to help and would
like a member of the ECFE Board to attend a future meeting and discuss
their needs, plans and goals.
The Commission discussed the improvements to the depot site along
Highway 10. The consensus was to put this item on the agenda for the
joint meeting with the City Council to discuss the boundary and how
much area should be left available to Boelter's towing.
CLETE LIPETZKY MOVED TO RECOMMEND SPENDING $14,950, IN ADDITION TO THE
DEERF'IELD IV IMPROVEMENT LISTED ABOVE, ON 1992 PARK IMPROVEMENTS AS
OU'fLINED IN PHIL HALS 1/30/92 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEMO, WITH
THE EXCEPTION OF ORONO PARK PICNIC TABLE BASES, HIKING TRAIL LIME ROCK
SURFACE AND HIKING TRAIL ASPHALT SURFACE AND THE ADDITION OF THE TOT
LOT ($1,500). COMMISSIONER HOUGHTELIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 6-0.
7.
Staff Updates
Phil Hals presented a proposed plat for 53 acres east of Highway 169
and north of 193rd Avenue and explained staff's recommendations for an
east/west semi-collector street, forty four feet wide, with a 10' bike
lane on one side and a north/south hiking/biking corridor that will
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March 11, 1992
Page 4
eventually connect 192nd and Carson with Deerfield I I Park. The next
phases of this development will offer an opportunity for the City to
acquire some park property, but that issue will be discussed when the
next plat is proposed.
The Park and Recreation Commission voiced strong support to all of
staff recommendations.
A short note from Dan Nicholson, who lives at 198th and Polk, was
presented to the Commission. Mr. Nicholson would like more hiking,
biking and horse trails available.
8. Other Business
The Park and Recreation Commission discussed meeting days and times and
Wednesdays appeared to be the day with the least conflicts for
Commission members. It was the consensus of the Commission to continue
to meet on the first Wednesday of each month starting at 7:00 p.m. with
the Open Mike portion of the meeting beginning at 8:00 p.m. during Lent.
The Park and Recreation Commission discussed skateboarders and the need
for a public skateboard course and it was the consensus of the
Commission that there are not enough people involved or a strong enough
interest to warrant a skateboard course.
9.
Ad.iournment
There being no further business, COMMISSIONER O'BRIEN MOVED TO ADJOURN
THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING. COMMISSIONER HOUGHTELIN
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
The meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at
9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Phu f/ah11~
Phil Hals
Street/Park Superintendent