3.0. SR 06-04-2007
Item# 3.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor & City Council/Parks & Recreation Commission
FROM: Lori Johnson, City Administrator
DATE: June 4, 2007
SUBJECT: Joint City Council I Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting
We are looking forward to updating the City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission
on the highlights and accomplishments of the Parks and Recreation department in the last
few years. This will be a good starting point for discussion on parks and recreation items of
interest to the Council and the Commission. As you can see from Parks and Recreation
Director Bill Maertz's attached memo, the Commission and Council have made
recommendations and taken action on many projects that have greatly improved the parks
and recreational activities in the City.
The agenda includes discussion on items ranging from the parks master plan to a senior
center update. First, Bill Maertz will start the meeting with a brief presentation on the
department's activities over the last few years. This will give us a good perspective for
discussion on the other agenda items starting with the Parks Master Plan that was last
updated in 1997 so it's due for review and an update. The Master Plan includes a trails and
parkway plan that was updated last year that we have been using as a guide to develop the
trail system. One of the needs now is for trail connections to link the trail sections that are
currently in place; this is a high priority need in order to make the city and its amenities, like
the new library and future YMCA, more accessible for pedestrians and bikers. As with any
department where the list of projects is longer than the funding available, setting project
priorities to match funding is important so we stay on focus to complete the highest
priorities with the funding that we have. At the meeting, the Council and Commission will
have an opportunity to identify projects they feel are high priority so that we're all working
towards achieving the same goals and so staff can work to make your priorities a reality. We
may have slightly different priorities as the Commission is a recommending body and the
Council takes final action, but in the end, we are all working towards the same goal of
creating and maintaining an outstanding parks and recreation system. As I mentioned,
funding the projects is an issue we need to look at since the park dedication fund most likely
will not be able to fund all of the park development, improvement and replacement projects,
and land acquisition coming in the next five to ten years. At the end of the agenda, Mr.
Maertz will give an update on the new library and progress on plans for the reuse of the
existing library for senior activities.
The City Council members and Parks and Recreation Commission members may also have
other items that they would like to discuss at the joint meeting. We've scheduled an hour for
the joint meeting; however, we can always take care of regular business and go back to the
joint meeting or continue the meeting to another date if we run out of time.
S:\Council\Lori\2007\Jointmeeting memo CC & parks&rec 06 04 07.doc
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council, Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director
DATE: June 3, 2007
SUBJECT: Joint City Council and Parks and Recreation Meeting
As the City of Elk Rivet continues to grow and develop there will be challenges for the City
Council and Parks and Recreation Commission to address. The park dedication fund will
receive substantial fees once the residential housing market revives. However, the majority
of these fees will be generated by three large developments which will require substantial
park infrastructure to serve their residents. This means that these fees cannot be counted on
to fund development of parks elsewhere in the city.
It can be assumed that there will be issues where commission recommendations and council
decisions diverge. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the programs and
projects that that have received broad support from both the City Council and Parks and
Recreation Commission.
The addition and development of recreation staff, approved by council, have greatly
expanded the recreation opportunities in Elk River. Summer of 2007 will debut a wide array
of new and expanded programs and community events (see attached). Highlights of these
are:
. Summer activities at Trout Brook Barn
. Sand Volleyball League, formally run by Elk River Bowl.
. Tennis Lessons
. Farmers Market at Orono Park
. Riverfront Concert Series at River's Edge Commons
. Safety Camp
. The Fallen Oak Duathalon
. 2nd Annual Pinewood Open
. Golf Camp
. Canoe and Kayak Lessons
. Eleven different sports camps
. Couples canoe ttip with dinner and downtown concert
. Youth golf League, Beginner and Advanced
. Skills Plus Hockey Camp
. Senior Center, Southern California Ten Day Tour
Park and facility development have received support from both the City Council and Parks
and Recreation Commission. Among the Park and Facility Improvements since 2004:
. Addition of arena managers office at ice arena
. Great Northern Trail pedestrian tunnel under CR 33 and related fencing and lights.
. Playgrounds and swing sets at West Oaks Park, Kliever Park Point, Kliever Lake
Fields, and Windsor Park
. Irrigated soccer field at Kliever Lake Fields
. Irrigated and lighted soccer/football Field at Youth Athletic Complex includes goal
posts and fencing.
. Double tennis court at Troutbrook Park
. Single rennis courr ar HigWands West
. Seven picnic shelters
. One mile of paved trail at HigWands East Park (Deerfield Hills)
. Trail connection at Kliever Park Point
. 11 new park entrance signs
. $35,000 worth of trees
. Lights for two rinks at Handke Stadium
. $10,000 towards Handke Stadium restoration
. Purchase of Pinewood executive nine hole golf course
. Four half-court basketball courts
. 4000 If of paved trail at Troutbrook Park
. Parking lot, plaza, and sidewalk at the Barn at Troutbrook Park
. 4700 If. paved trail and Boardwalk at Meadowvale Heights Park
. 16 Park benches, 16 new picnic tables
. Two new skate park features and 100 If. of trail at Lions Park
. Rain garden at Orono Park (partnership with Soil and Water Board)
. Shoreline filter strip at Orono boat landing (partnership with Soil and Warer Board)
. New dugouts at Orono softball complex
. Prairie restoration projects, at HigWands West, HigWands East ($3,000 grant), and
Kliever Park Point
. 1/2 acre Dog Park at Lions Park
. Rivers Edge Commons: amphitheatre, gazebo, splash fountain, Main street plaza.
. 5 acres in River Park development
. 78 acres addition to Woodland Trails ($1.2 million grant)
. 20 acres purchase Alba Ridge Park
. Expansion of Senior Programs at the old library building starting in fall of 2007
. Skating rinks at Fresno Park Mississippi Oaks Park and Toutbrook Park
Staff believes that this joint meeting is a great opportunity for an open discussion of goals
and funding strategies in order to build on these successes, and continue to make Elk River a
great place to lead an active, healthy lifestyle.
ATTACHMENTS
. Parks and Recreation Program Flyers