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INFORMATION #6 10-16-2006 MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 1Jembers Present: Chair Polston-Hark, COlTI1IDssioners ..c\nderson, I<.uester, Nystrom, Niziolek, Peterson and Paige Staff Present: Bill1/Iaertz, Parks and Recreation Director; Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner; Tanya Love, Recording Secretary 1. Call l\iIeeting To Order Pursuant ta due call and notice thereof, the n1eeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation COlnmission \vas called to order at 6:35 p.ln. by Chair Polston-Hark. 2. Consider Septelnber 13~ 2006 Parks & Recreation C01ll1n1ssion ..c\genda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3.1.~\. Consider IvIinures of ~\ugust 9~ 2006 Parks & Recreation COllllrussion t:feeting MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 9, 2006 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 6- O. 3.2.B. Consider 1Jinutes of June 14~ 2006 Parks & Recreation COffiln1Ssion l:vleeting MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE TO APPROVE THE JUNE 14, 2006 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION IVIEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 6- O. 4. Parks & Recreation COlnnussioner to ~\ttend Septelnber 18~ 2006 Cir::" Council 11eeting and Septen1ber 12~ 2006 Planning COlnm1ssion lv'1eetings 4.1. Septelnber 18~ 2006 City Council1:vIeeting Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill rvIaertz \vill attend the September 18, 2006 City. CouncillvIeeting. 4.2. Septelnber 12~ 2006 Planning COlnmission ivIeeting Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill1:vlaertz \"vill attend the Septelnber 12, 2006 Planning COlllinlSsion l\'1eeting. Park & Recreation Commission IVllnutes September 13, 2006 Page 2 J. Open lV-like - None 6. Recreation IvIanager's Report - BilllvIaertz Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill lvIaertz presented to the COlrunission that the Parks and Recreation Departlnent scheduled 596 hours of ball tleld use, 8 hours of tennis court use, 21 hours of park use, 187 hours of indoor facility use and 443 hours of park shelter use. Ivfr. l\/Iaertz shared that the mold abatelnent at Lions Park Center \vas fllushed and everyone should be fully functioning in t\vo \veeks. lvfr. IvIaertz reported that $2,350 \vas raised for Ci\ER during dle first annual Pine\vood Golf Open. 1vIr. rVlaertz shared the Senior Center report. 7. Director's Report - Billl\iIaertz Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill l:vlaertz shared an update regarding the Park Dedication fund balance. 1\ofr. IvIaertz reported that the ~lvfC..c\. referendum passed by a 142-vote margin. lvIr. 1\Jaertz shared that City Council a\varded the Rivers Edge COlllillons bid to .i\merican Liberty Consttuctlon Inc. tIr. I:vlaerrz shared that dle \Xloodland Trails .r\.dclition Grant and 1\,faltnstrom Property Grant reques t \vere denied. IvIr. l\.laertz discussed \vith dle conun1ssion Inembers if they \vould support a deer hunt in t\vo of the city parks. COlnnussioner Niziolek stated that extensive education should be printed in the local ne\vspaper so residents \vould understand the significance of the probleln. COl1urussioner ~\nderson \vas surprised to read it in the paper since it had been discussed in the past and thought the Parks & Recreation COlrun1ssion should have been an integral party in the decision n~aking process and concerned that not all the issues have been considered. COlllinissioner I(uester agreed \vlth Cormnissloner _A.nderson that the deer population is too high and the safety details need to be \vorked out. COlmnissioner Niziolek asked \vhat dates \vere set, concerned about the scheduled Cross Counu)7 practices being held in \X.ioodland Trails Park and that it should be postponed one year. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL THAT FURTHER CONSIDERATION BE TAKEN ON SAFETY ISSUES, EDUCATION OF VEGITATION RULES, PARK ACCESS, FEE STRUCTURE AND POSTPONING FOR ONE YEAR. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Park & Recreation Commission i\Iinutes September 13, 2006 Page 3 Cotmnissioner I(uester asked \vhat site the \1vIC1.\ \vould be built on. l:vfr. 1tlaertz stated it \vould be located at the \vater to\ver site near Lake Orono. TIus site \vas on the l\'1aster Park Plan as a possible future park; the l\Jaster Park Plan list \\till need to be revis ed. 8.1. C01111uunity Events - Fright Night Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill lvIaertz shared that the 7th ..;\nnual Fright Night \vill be on Oct. 28th at Pine\vood Golf Course. There \\fill be a treat trail for younger children and a Horror Forest for the older participants. 8.2.1.\. Land Use Cases - Liberty Heights Estates Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner presented a prelitninary plat application for Liberty I-Ieights Estates, a 438 unit single falM}: residential subdivision on the east side of Elk River. The plat proposal includes an approxitnate lO-acre park south of the proposed school grounds, consistant \vith direction given during concept revie\v. During revie\v by Planning COlllilussion, it \vas suggested that a 2-acre park be added to the SOUdl side of the development, along \\ridl a green\vay trail tllrough blocks 4-8 to connect tlle t\vo parks and break up the long residen cial blocks. COllllrussioner Niziolek asked if tllere \vould be any guarantee that the proposed trail around tlle \vetland \vould be high enough to stay clear of flooding in reasonable conditions. t,'fr. Leeseberg stated that it \vas discussed and the plan is to build the develoPlnent in phases \\Thich \vill alIo\v the trail to be built at the correct elevation. COlrumssioner 1.\nderson asked if there \vould be an outlet in the developtnent and \vhat is the topography of the 2-acre park. lvlr. Leeseberg shared there \vould be an outlet on the \vest side of the developlnent and the proposed 2-acre park is made partially up of \vetland area. Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill IvIaertz shared that there \vould be less cash paid to park dedication; ho\vever this park \vill enhance dle developtnent. lVIOVED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER P AlGE TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL THE ADDITION OF A TWO ACRE PARK ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE DEVELOPMENT, AND THE ADDITION OF A MID BLOCK TRAIL THROUGH BLOCKS 4-8. MOTION FAILED 0-7. COlrunissioner 1.\nderson statedtl1at there is t\vo issues, the flIst issue is of supporting trail connections and the second is 2-acre park near the \vetland. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PETERSON TO RECOMMEND THAT STAFF WORK WITH DEVELOPER TO DETERMINE THE LOCATION OF THE T\VO ACRE PARK Park & Recreation Commission }\Iinutes September 13,2006 Page 4 ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE DEVELOPMENT NEAR THE WETLAND. MOTION PASSED 7-0. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM TO RECOMMEND THAT STAFF WORK WITH THE SCHOOL AND DEVELOPER REGARDING PLACEMENT OF FUTURE TRAILS AND A SUPPORTING TRAIL CONNECTION FROM THE SOUTHERN T\VO ACRE PARK. MOTION PASSED 7-0. 8.3.~\. Policy Issues - \\loodland Trails Interpretive Signage Peter IvIacDonagh, The I(estrel Design Group presented a revised proposal for signage, services and fees for the \,\loodland Trails Park Signage l\.iIaster Plan. Commissioner IZuester stated that tlus \vas the tllird discussion and had asked in the past that the human unpact on the land be included and \vas disappointed to see it \vas not in there again. Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill IvIaertz stated that the idea of dle human impact \vas brough t to a his toric sign vendor. Conu1ussioner Niziolek stated that it \vould be premature to accept this package \vith so many inconsistencies \\1.thin d1e park itself. COlll1nissioner .L~nderson stated several concerns regarding the plan and \vould like to consider a less expensive option. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTRO:rvl TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE SIGN PACKAGE CONCEPT AND DETAILS OF LOCATION AND SIGNAGE BE WORKED OUT AT STAFF LEVEL AND RESIDENT EXPERT. MOTION FAILED 3-4. COlnmissioner Niziolek asked ho\v much has been spent on dle project to date. 1\U. IvIaertz stated $15,000. Comtn1ssioner Niziolek shared his concerns that more Inoner \vould be spent on the product \\;.thout a cap and dlat for $15,000. \ve should have an acceptable product. COlnln1Ssioner .L\nderson stated that the)~ had asked to be involved in every step of developu1ent and \vas in sticker shock over dle price. COIlli1ussioner Paige asked \vhat the agreement \vas bet\veen The I(estrel Group and The City of Elk River. hTr. I:vJaertz stated the agreelnent \vas to bring the project to completion and not to exceed $15,000. Con11n1ssioner Peterson suggested that since the proposal has not been approved it should be adjusted and brought back. Park & Recreation Commission j\finutes September 13, 2006 Page 5 Ivlr. l\'iaertz proposed staff \vork \vith melnbers to lnove fOl"\vard \v-ith the project. 8.3.B. BrvIX Track Improven1ents Request Director of Parks and Recreation, BilllvIaertz shared a '\vish list" frolTI the B1fX track group. The BlvlX group is requesting d1e commission to consider and prioritize items for ll11provements at the track for the 2007 Park Capital Improvement budget. Gary Bar, 18222 Ogden St. N\Xl Elk River Scott Linett, 5334 142nd Lane, Ramsey i\:1ike Lindquist, 508 I<i.rh.\vell Dr. , St. Cloud Iv.like Lindquist, President of St. Cloud BrvlX Track; shared his recommendations in order of priority for in1prOVetnents at the track in Elk River. Ivfost unportant \vould be to build up the track \vith clay and get help from the cit)T \vith equipment use, second to expand the parking area to lneet the needs as track grO\VS, and third build bathroollls. COllumssioner ~\nderson stated he thought it \vas important to support volunteers and \vondered ho\v big the volunteer core group \vas. rvIr. Bar stated that there \vere only three main volunteers ho\vever lnore people \vould volunteer if asked to. COlllinissioner Paige asked \vhat type of track \vas \vanted and if the lights \vould be ren1oved. 1\Jr. Bar stated that the current tracks' corners \vere too tight and \vould like to lTIOVe the lights due to being in the \vay of the current track. IvIr. fvfaertz stated that staff could \'lark up various plans to place the BIvIX. track in a different park. 8.3.C. 1\Jeado\v Park Fencing Issue Director of Parks and Recreation, Billlv"faertz shared that a resident \vhose property. is adjacent to lvfeado\v Park had requested in 2005 that a fence be placed along the property' line to prevent park users froln entering his yard. The Commission denied this request. The resident has again requested the fence be installed and has offered to pay for half of the fence. The total cost of the fence is appromnately $1200. ~\fter meeting onsite \vith the neighbor and revie\vi.ng the park conditions, staff is recommending including improvement to [vfeado\v Park in the 2007 Park Capital Ilnprovelnent budget, including either a fence or .. . vegeta t1ve screelung. COlllin1Ssioner IZuester asked \vhat the lnajor use of this park is for the neighborhood. rvIr. 1faertz stated the park has one S\ving and is used for sliding in the \vinter. Comnussioner Paige asked \vhat staff recommended. l'vIr. rvIaertz stated that a four foot coated chain link fence \vas supported along \\-ith maintaining at the property line. Park & Recreation Commission :L\Iinutes September 13, 2006 Page 6 Conunissioner Niziolek stated it may be best to put money to"vards vegetative screening to help redirect the sliders. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO RECOMMEND PLACEMENT OF A FENCE BE INSTALLED AND MAINTANANCE OF PARK ALONG PROPERTY LINE. MOTION PASSED 6-1. 8.4..r\.. Discussion Iterns - Babcock Park Grand Re-Opening Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill I:vIaertz stated dlat transfer of Babcock park has been finalized and '\vould like to schedule a Grand Re-Opening in early next spring. There needs to be some rehabilitative "vork done fltst. COl1unissioner Paige asked is the excess sno\v "vould still be stored there in the \vinter after plo\ving. TvIt. rvlaertz stated that the sno\v \\till continue to be stored dlere for no\v. ConmUssioner .c\.nderson stated that this is one of the \vorst places to store the sno"v, first it is unsightly and second it luns off into the river \vith all the chemicals in it. 9.1..r\. Land Use Cases - None 9.2..;;\. Park Ilnprovelnent Lipdate Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill rvlaertz shared an update regarding the 2006 park unprovelnents. 10.1. LTpdate .;;\ugust 7 _ 2006 City Council!\ifeeting There \vas no update presented 10.1. LTpdate .;;\ugust 8_ 2006 Planning COlnnussion rvIeeting There \vas no update presented. 11. Other Business COlnnUssioner .<;"\nderson shared that the \Vl.nter '\valking trail has been taken care of by a local resident and has been successful. This years trail \vill be different as to avoid conflict \vith the cross-country skiers and \vould need assistance froln staff. COlrurussioner Niziolek asked \vhat the status on the lVlahnstrom property ",vas. Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill l\Iaertz stated dlat other funding such as contract for deed, donation and/or grants are being looked into \v1th tlle denial of tlle grant. 12. ..c\djournlnent There being no furtller business, the Ineeting adjourned at 9:45 pm. Park & Recreation Commission T\.unutes September 13, 2006 Page 7 RJ:;ted, Tanya Love Recording Secretary