10-14-2026 PRSR(2)
Parks and Recreation Commission
Regular Meeting
Agenda
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
6:30 PM
Elk River City Hall
▪ Regular meeting in Council Chambers
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. CONSIDER AGENDA
4. CONSIDER MINUTES
4.1 09-09-2026 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
5. OPEN FORUM
An opportunity to provide comments and feedback regarding items not on the agenda. Information provided in Open Forum
will not be discussed at this meeting; rather, the information will be referred to staff and/or scheduled for discussion at a
future meeting.
6. ACTION ITEMS
6.1 Saint Andrews Church Marathon
6.2 Master Fee Schedule for 2027
6.3 Wind Phone
7. DISCUSSION ITEMS
7.1 PT Complex Playground Netting - Funding
7.2 Framework Plan
8. PARKS AND RECREATION MANAGER UPDATE
8.1 Parks and Recreation Manager Update
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS
10. MOTION TO ADJOURN
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The Elk River Vision
A resilient, welcoming, and thriving community that leads through innovation, meaningful
engagement, exceptional service, and responsible planning for future generations.
Request for Action
To
Parks and Recreation Commission
Item Number
6.1
Meeting Date
October 14, 2026
Prepared By
Karen Wingard, Farmer's Market/Event Coordinator
Item Description
Saint Andrews Church Marathon
Reviewed by
Jeff Shelby
Joe Stremcha
Action Requested
Recommend, by motion, the use of the trails at Lion John Weicht Park on Friday, October 23, 2026 for the
Saint Andrews School Marathon.
Background/Discussion
Saint Andrews will present a proposal to hold a marathon for their students at Lion John Weicht Park on
Friday, October 23, 2026.
Financial Impact
None.
Mission/Policy/Goal
Help, not hinder, citizen quality of life.
Attachments
None
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The Elk River Vision
A resilient, welcoming, and thriving community that leads through innovation, meaningful
engagement, exceptional service, and responsible planning for future generations.
Request for Action
To
Parks and Recreation Commission
Item Number
6.2
Meeting Date
October 14, 2026
Prepared By
Jeff Shelby, Recreation Manager
Item Description
Master Fee Schedule for 2027
Reviewed by
Jeff Shelby
Joe Stremcha
Action Requested
Recommend, by motion, the 2027 Master Fee Schedule for Parks and Recreation programs and facilities.
Background/Discussion
Proposed changes to the 2027 Master Fee Schedule were reviewed by the P&R Commission during their
regular meeting on September 9.
Financial Impact
Revenue collected from Parks and Recreation programs and facilities is deposited into the General Fund.
Mission/Policy/Goal
Support the growth and development of the community.
Attachments
1. Master Fee Schedule with 2027 Changes
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The Elk River Vision
A resilient, welcoming, and thriving community that leads through innovation, meaningful
engagement, exceptional service, and responsible planning for future generations.
Request for Action
To
Parks and Recreation Commission
Item Number
6.3
Meeting Date
October 14, 2026
Prepared By
Jeff Shelby, Recreation Manager
Item Description
Wind Phone
Reviewed by
Joshua Mollan
Joe Stremcha
Action Requested
Recommend, by motion, that staff formally request funds for the wind phone project from the Economic
Development Authority.
Recommend, by motion, the appointment of Commissioner _______ to serve as the Parks and Recreation
Commission representative on the wind phone project ad-hoc committee, which will be composed of the
Parks and Recreation Manager, the Economic Development Specialist, a representative from the Economic
Development Authority, and two relevant business and/or community organization representatives.
Background/Discussion
After meeting with the Beautification and Public Art Committee and receiving support for the project, staff
are continuing to move forward with the project. A formal ask for funding and forming a project committee
are the next two steps in the process toward grant application.
Financial Impact
Project funding still to be determined via grant and other sources
Mission/Policy/Goal
Improve citizen quality of life.
Attachments
None
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The Elk River Vision
A resilient, welcoming, and thriving community that leads through innovation, meaningful
engagement, exceptional service, and responsible planning for future generations.
Request for Action
To
Parks and Recreation Commission
Item Number
7.1
Meeting Date
October 14, 2026
Prepared By
Jeff Shelby, Recreation Manager
Item Description
PT Complex Playground Netting - Funding
Reviewed by
Jeff Shelby
Joe Stremcha
Action Requested
Recommend, by motion, the City Council allocate $43,000 from the General Fund to be applied towards the
PT Complex Netting.
Background/Discussion
At the September commission meeting, the PT Complex Netting was discussed. Bids for the project came in
higher than expected, resulting in a need to provide funding to cover an approximate $78,000 balance
between money refunded to the city from the previous vendor and the total needed to complete the project.
The commission took the following action:
Moved by Commissioner Niziolek and seconded by Commissioner Varty to accept the Peterson
Companies bid to install protective netting at the Plants and Things Recreation Complex and ask City
Council to find an alternative funding source for the approximately $78,000. Motion carried 5-1.
Commissioner Anderson voted no.
The recommendation was presented to the City Council on September 21. The council approved, by motion,
the bid for the PT Complex Playground Netting, with the direction of discussing with the Parks & Recreation
Commission a cost-share mechanism for the project. Staff recommends the PT Complex Naming Rights
Sponsorship funds ($35,000) be used for the project with the remainder from the General Fund ($43,000).
Financial Impact
$78,000.
Mission/Policy/Goal
Responsible for every dollar - good stewards.
Attachments
None
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The Elk River Vision
A resilient, welcoming, and thriving community that leads through innovation, meaningful
engagement, exceptional service, and responsible planning for future generations.
Request for Action
To
Parks and Recreation Commission
Item Number
7.2
Meeting Date
October 14, 2026
Prepared By
Jeff Shelby, Recreation Manager
Item Description
Framework Plan
Reviewed by
Jeff Shelby
Joe Stremcha
Action Requested
Discuss the commission's upcoming meeting with ISG to continue developing the Parks and Recreation
Framework Plan.
Background/Discussion
During planning for the Parks and Recreation Framework Plan, commissioners each chose different subject
areas of interest that would be included in the plan and that they wished to discuss with the selected
consultant. The selected date for those discussions with ISG is Thursday, November 5, with time to be
determined. Staff will present a preliminary schedule for the afternoon.
Financial Impact
Funds for the Parks and Recreation Framework Plan have been budgeted for in the Park Improvement Fund.
Mission/Policy/Goal
Meet changing needs - agile.
Attachments
None
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Memorandum
To: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Jeff Shelby, Parks and Recreation Manager
Date: October 14, 2026
Subject: Parks and Recreation Staff Report
Senior Activity Center
September was another active month at the Senior Activity Center, with a variety of programs, special
events, and community partnerships. This past month, we partnered with National Honor Society
students from Elk River High School to offer free technology assistance to seniors. The program was well
received by both the students and the seniors who participated. The students will continue providing
technology assistance at the Senior Center on the second Tuesday of each month. The Hobby Showcase
was another highlight of the month. More than 25 Senior Activity Center members displayed their
hobbies and interests for the community to enjoy. The event was open to the public and was well
attended. Other September highlights included a day trip to the Llama Farm, two art classes, three
presentations, including a successful Brunch and Learn, and Coffee and Conversation with Officer Garcia.
Membership and attendance continue to grow. We have sold 575 memberships so far this year and
averaged 81 daily check-ins, with both numbers higher than they were at this time last year. We will begin
selling 2027 Memberships in November.
Community Events
Many people are enjoying the fall scene downtown. A special thank you to members of DERBA and Spikes
for their collaboration in making this happen again. The scene will stay up until November 9.
Downtown Trick or Treat will take place on Friday, October 23, from 2-6 p.m.
The outdoor farmers’ market season concluded on October 8. The indoor markets will take place the first
Thursday of the month from November – May, with the first one on November 5. New for this season we
will be combining SwapER events at the market. Each month will feature a different swap, and people can
bring items for the following month to the current month to drop off if they wish. We saw success a few
years ago with a garden swap event we hosted and have been looking for the right venue to bring this
back due to community interest. All swap events and details are listed on the website under the farmer's
market.
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Sports/Programs
Women's volleyball is currently the only adult league running. Warren is working on updating program
plans and looking at potential new programs to offer for both youth and adults. With staff attending the
annual Minnesota Recreation and Park Association annual conference next week, we look forward to
networking and hearing ideas from other cities across the state.
Fields
Fall field use is slowly ending for the 2026 season. Youth football is the last group using the fields for
games/practices. We anticipate field use to be wrapped up for the season around November 1. Park
maintenance has already begun winterizing fields and putting things away as they are able.
2027 Summer Concerts
Staff will be meeting with representatives of The Bank of Elk River later this month to discuss next
summer’s concert series and continued sponsorship.
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