05-06-1992 PR MIN
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MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
Members Present:
Chair, Dave Anderson; Commissioners Byron Houghtelin,
Rolfe Anderson, Joe st. Dennis, Dana Anderson (7:25
p.m.) and Clair Olson (8:20 p.m.)
Members Absent:
Clete Lipetzky, Mike O'Brien
Staff Present:
Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent; Charlie Blesener
(8:50 p.m.)
Others Present:
Jodi Gearou and Tim Boerger representing Early Childhood
Family Education
1. Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River
Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Anderson at
7:10 p.m.
2. Consider 5/6/92 Park and Recreation Commission Agenda
Chair Anderson added power boats and jet skis on Lake Orono under Item
#9.
COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE 5/6/92
RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA AS AMENDED. COMMISSIONER
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
PARK AND
HOUGHTELIN
3. Consider 4/13/92 Joint City Council/Park & Recreation Commission
Minutes
Correction under Item #6, $10.00 should read $10,000.
Correction under Item #8, 30 feet should read 300 feet.
COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE 4/13/92 JOINT CITY
COUNCIL/PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES AS CORRECTED.
COMMISSIONER HOUGHTELIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
4 . Open Mike
No one appeared for this item.
5. Consider Community Education Proposal for Park Equipment at the
Community Education Building
Jodi Gearou and Tim Boerger presented a plan for a playground structure
for Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), children ages 1 to 5
years, to be installed at the Community Education office site. The
plan as presented would cost approximately $12,000 with an additional
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Park & Recreation Commission Minutes
May 6, 1992
Page 2
$3,000 worth of landscaping. Mr. Boerger said that the 1990 child
count at ECFE was 574 per week.
Phil Hals, street/Park Superintendent, offered some comments regarding
design that may make the unit less expensive or add more play value for
the money.
Chair Anderson explained that
considers proposals and then makes
and the City Council then approves
the Park & Recreation Commission
a recommendation to the City Council
or denies the request.
Mr. Hals indicated that he would support the idea of the assembly of
the playground by his department as an additional donation by the City.
Mr. Boerger stated that a donation of $3,000 to $4,000 from the City
would be added to funds from District 728, fraternal organizations and
fundraisers to complete the project.
COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT
$3,500 BE GIVE TO ECFE FOR THIS PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT PURCHASE AS WELL
AS DONATING STREET/PARK DEPARTMENT TIME TO ASSEMBLE AND INSTALL THE
EQUIPMENT. COMMISSIONER HOUGHTELIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 4-0.
6.1. Continue Discussion on Plans for Orono Park and New City Hall Site
Phil Hals discussed
affect Orono Park
finish the clean up
the trail system,
courts and shelters
construction of new City Hall and how that would
improvements. Mr. Hals stated that he plans to
of the Gospodar site and do some base grading on
but most of the work on basketball courts, tennis
will be 1993 projects.
Chair Anderson discussed the disagreement with the Fair Board regarding
softball parking in the fairgrounds. Chair Anderson indicated he is
hopeful that the issue will be resolved by the City furnishing an
insurance certificate to the Fair Board at their 5/19/92 meeting.
6.2. Recreation Fields
Chair Anderson explained that the softball fields are at capacity for
league play and he could see the need for another four field complex by
1994 and another four field complex in 1995.
Commissioner Olson questioned the number of out of town teams that are
now in the league play. Chair Anderson stated that about 10 teams
currently have more than 3 out of town players per team.
Commissioner Dana Anderson suggested that the City acquire property for
an eight field complex that could eventually be lighted and turn the
current complex over to youth activities.
Chair Anderson stated that he feels that the Orono complex is still the
most prime property for softball playing.
Park & Recreation Commission Minutes
May 6, 1992
Page 3
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Commissioner Rolfe Anderson suggested building two temporary fields on
E & 0 Tool property and then the City should approach Bud Houlton to
purchase his flood plain land for a total athletic complex. The
Commission discussed other property that might be available for an
athletic complex and the Houlton site was most desireable followed by
the Barnier site on County Road #1 and the Holzem site on County Road
12 and Fillmore street.
Chair Anderson mentioned that youth baseball plans to raise $75,000 to
develop five Little League baseball fields.
The Commission asked that staff research these properties and any
others that might fill the need for athletic fields and report back at
a later meeting.
7. Continue Discussion on School District/City Joint Venture on Warming
House at Handke pit
Charlie Blesner explained the situation at the Handke pit regarding the
construction of a 15' X 30' building with a 15' X 20' area for the
warming house and 15' X 10' area for equipment storage. The present
building is outdated and needs much repair.
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Charlie questioned funding possibilities, not knowing how much the
School District would participate. Mr. Hals said that the City Council
had authorized $7,000 back in 1989 to help with the building
construction. Charlie Blesener stated that the main stumbling block to
the construction is where to locate a new building within the pit,
causing the least disruption to the playfield and maintain the
character of the pit as it now exists.
Mr. Hals questioned the possibility of rew~r~ng the old building,
adding infrared heat, new benches, shoe racks and a floor to make the
structure useable. Charlie Blesener and Phil Hals will meet with Roger
Hanson to discuss possibilities and update the Park and Recreation
Commission at a future meeting.
8. Update on Community Education Athletic Fields and Discussion on
Boundary Fencing
Phil Hals reported that the cool spring has slowed the growth of the
grass on the three soccer field, but the City has over seeded and
fertilized them and they are being irrigated so as soon as the turf
matures, the fields may be used for soccer.
The baseball field grading is nearly completed and the City plans to
have the irrigation installed before the planned August seeding. All
three youth baseball fields should be playable in the spring of 1993.
The varsity baseball field is the responsibility of the School District.
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Mr. Hals reported that the
Community Education fields
their property and would like
City staff feels that fences
adjoining property owners east of the
were concerned about foot traffic through
to have a separation fence installed.
connecting the outfield fences to separate
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Park & Recreation Commission Minutes
May 6, 1992
Page 4
the baseball fields from the railroad tracks should also be added to
the project.
The consensus of the Commission was that the additional fence is needed
and funding for the fence will be decided when the project is closer to
completion and the final costs are determined so we will know if there
is excess monies to use.
9. Other Business/Staff Updates
9a. Power Boats
Chair Anderson explained that he had been approached by a
radio-controlled power boat club asking permission to operate their
boats on Lion's Park pond. After a discussion, the consensus of the
Commission was to have Chair Anderson and Phil Hals meet with a club
representative and evaluate how much noise would be created. If the
noise did not seem excessive, Mr. Anderson and Mr. Hals would then have
the authority to allow boats on the pond for Saturday afternoons in May
as a trial period and staff could then evaluate any complaints from the
residents at that time.
9b. Jet Skis
Chair Anderson explained a personal encounter he had experienced with a
group of jet ski watercraft on Lake Orono. Mr. Anderson stated that
motor boats and jet skis create a hazardous combination on a lake as
small as Lake Orono. After discussing the jet ski issue, the
Commission decided to delay any formal action until the Sheriff's Water
Patrol had an opportunity to enforce the boating regulations.
10.
Adjournment
There being no further business, COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANDERSON MOVED TO
ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSION HOUGHTELIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
The meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission adjourned at
9:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Phil Hals
Street/Park Superintendent