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01-24-1994 CC MIN e MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1994 Members Present: Vice Mayor Farber, Councilmembers Scheel, Dietz and Holmgren Members Absent: Mayor Duitsman Staff Present: Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk; Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent Also Present: Jeff AsfahL 728 Area Recreation Coordinator 1. Call Meetina To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Vice Mayor Farber. 2. Consider 1/24/94 City Council Agenda e COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 1/24/94 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4~0. 3. Consider 1/18/94 City Council Minutes COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 1/18/94 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES. COUNC1LMEMBER SCHEEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4~0. 4. Consider Guidelines for Usage of Oak Knoll Fields Jeff AsfahL 728 Area Recreation Coordinator, presented the Council with proposed guidelines for usage of outdoor playfields. Jeff Asfahl stated that the main purpose for these guidelines is to avoid conflicts in scheduling of the fields. Jeff Asfahl indicated that these guidelines apply to the playfields located in Elk River that are owned by either the City, School District, or both. He indicated that the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission has voted to support these rules and further indicated that he would be presenting the guidelines to the School Board for its consideration. Fees were discussed by the Council. It was noted that the fees charged are minimal and are not charged to make a profit, but to keep the fields in good condition. e COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED GUIDELINES FOR USAGE OF OUTDOOR PLA YFIELDS TO BE REVIEWED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. City Council Minutes Joint Meeting of City Council and School Board January 24, 1994 Page 2 e 5.1. Interview of Library Board Applicant/Murray McNair The Council interviewed Mr. Murrary McNair who had submitted an application requesting appointment to the Library Board. 5.2. Consider Library Board Appointment COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL MOVED TO APPOINT MURRAY MCNAIR TO THE LIBRARY BOARD FOR A THREE YEAR TERM TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31,1996. COUNCILMEM8ER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 5.3. Update on Planninq Commission Applications The City Clerk informed the Council that the City has received one applicant for the Planning Commission vacancy. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO AMEND THE PREVIOUS MOTION TO EXTEND THE PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICATION DEADLINE DATE FROM JANUARY 21 TO JANUARY 28. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 6.1. Consider LCMR Grant Proposal - Mike Niziolek e Mike Niziolek, a District 728 teacher, appeared before the Council to request support for a grant application. The grant being requested is for a program called ELK, which stands for Environmental Learning Key. The program goals would be to establish an environmental education program and site in the City of Elk River. The site being proposed is Woodland Trails Park. The goal would also be to promote environmental education for students and citizens in Elk River. Mr. Niziolek indicated that matching grant funds are necessary to increase the leverage and likelihood of receiving a grant. Mr. Niziolek noted that funding for the program would cost about $258,000 which would include the developing of a nature center and environmental education sites in the Woodland Trails Park; supporting a community environmental education program; and development of future environmental education sites on naturally significant areas. The Council discussed funding of this program. Mr. Niziolek indicated that no funds have been designated from the School Board at this time. The Council discussed the future cost of maintenance of the building and the ongoing cost of a coordinator at the site. Councilmember Scheel questioned the validity of the request to preserve certain pockets of land in a City that is growing so fast. Mr. Niziolek indicated that he is committed to saving the green spaces available in the City - of Elk River. Councilmember Dietz noted that the school children would get the most benefit from this project. e Dave Anderson, Park and Recreation Commissioner, indicated that Mr. Niziolek presented this request to the Park and Recreation Commission. He indicated that the Park and Recreation Commission felt that at some point in the future there will be a building constructed at Woodland Trails Park. He indicated that although this request may seem a little premature, it might be wise for the City Council to consider the request as the building could be constructed for much less right now due to the grant money available. City Council Minutes Joint Meeting of City Council and School Board January 24, 1994 Page 3 e Councilmember Holmgren stated that at the time the City purchased the Woodland Trails Park, he took the position that the implementation of the environmental aspect of the pork would not be funded by the City. He further indicated that the City has made a significant contribution by purchasing the park. Councilmember Dietz indicated that he may reconsider the request if the School Board is in support of the request. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO CONTINUE THIS ISSUE UNTIL IT IS DISCUSSED WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD. COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 6.2. Consider Aa-Lime Improvement Reauest for School Recreation Fields Dana Anderson, Park and Recreation Commissioner, indicated that there is a concern over the condition of the ballfields located on School District property. He indicated that the Park and Recreation Commission is recommending the City of Elk River and the 728 School District split the cost of the ag-Iime required to bring the fields up to fair playing condition. The cost is $6,000 for the ag-Iime and $500 for six home plates and six pitching rubbers. The City's contribution amount would be $3,250. e Dana Anderson stated that the Park and Recreation Commission moved to recommend approval of the City's contribution. He further indicated that he is unsure as to whether or not the School District has responded to this proposal. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF $3,250 FOR THE PURCHASE OF AG-L1ME FOR THE SCHOOL FIELDS LOCATED IN THE CITY OF ELK RIVER IRREGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PAYS ITS SHARE OF $3,250. COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. It was the consensus of the Council that this money would come from the Parks General Fund operating budget that is designated for smaller capital outlay items. 9. Open Mike e Dave Anderson, Park and Recreation Chair, indicated that he was speaking on behalf of the Park and Recreation Commission in regard to the subject of the EDA Main Street Redevelopment Site. He indicated that the Park and Recreation Commission's first priority is to see the site as a park. He indicated that the location is the key to the riverwalk, and to bringing people downtown. He further stated that the property is significant to the future of the City because of the river and that it is not the desire of the Park and Recreation Commission to see it "plugged up" with a building. He further stated that if the Council does approve a building for the site, he would request that the Council wait until "a keeper" is proposed. He indicated that there may be some other proposal in the future that would utilize the site better. e tit e City Council Minutes Joint Meeting of City Council and School Board January 24, 1994 Page 4 7. Check Reqister COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE CHECK REGISTER. COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 8. Other Business Council member Scheel questioned whether the City had an ordinance for snowmobiles. She indicated that she felt it was dangerous for snowmobilers to be driving in the ditches against traffic as it is a hazard to the drivers on the highway. Discussion was held regarding this subject and it was concluded that enforcement of any type of ordinance requiring snowmobilers to drive on the right side of the highway would be almost impossible. 10. Adiournment There being no further business, COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER SCHEEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. The meeting of the Elk River City Council adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Re'umitted. ~a Thackeray City Clerk