Loading...
7.0. SR 05-06-1996ITEM 7. r~ity of iver TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM Mayor & City Council Pat Klaers, Ci~inistrator May 6, 1996 Joint Meeting with the Park and Recreation Commission The annual joint meeting between the City Council and the Park and Recreation Commission is scheduled for this May 6, 1996, meeting. I hope to have the joint meeting discussion with the Commission begin before 7 p.m. and it is expected that there will be a sufficient number of topics to generate about two hours of dialog between the Commission and Council on park and recreation issues. The Commission reviewed joint meeting topics at its April meeting so I expect that Chair Dana Anderson will introduce a number of the discussion items. I do not attend the Park and Recreation Commission meetings. Phil Hals is the main Commission liaison, but Steve Rohlf was the main staff individual working on the park and recreation Master Plan and Steve Ach periodically attends to discuss development issues. There most likely are a number of smaller specific issues that the Commission will want to review with the Council, but some of the apparent discussion items seem to be as follows: The Council and Commission need to reach an agreement on trails. It seems that very few trail recommendations coming from the Commission are approved in their entirety and without changes by the Council. Everyone needs to get "on the same page" as to where trails should be located, what facilities should be connected by trails, how many trails the city should have, how wide the trails should be~ etc., and, in general, reach agreement on the overall philosophy and goals for a city trail system. It is important for the Commission and the Council to review key elements, components, philosophical positions, goals, etc., of the park and recreation Master Plan. This Master Plan needs to be reviewed at a public hearing and adopted by the City Council in the near future. 13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425 o It appears that the County Road 1 improvement project will begin in 1996. The Commission and Council need to review this project as it relates to pedestrians. This again relates to trail development. The main issues are a detached versus attached trail system and a tunnel underneath County Road I at the railroad trail location. If the trail is part of the road shoulder, then it is free to the city, but may not be perceived as being as safe as a detached trail. If a detached trail is constructed, it will cost the city approximately $150,000 and an important issue will be how to finance this improvement. There are a number of issues that need to be reviewed and dealt with if a tunnel is to be constructed as part of this project at the railroad trail location. o The city has recently purchased the Cass property and a large part of this site is anticipated to be put into active recreation fields. What type of fields, how the fields are to be financed, and how fast the fields are to be developed needs to be reviewed and agreed upon between the Commission and Council. o Typically at the joint meeting the City Council reviews and approves the smaller miscellaneous park improvements that the Commission recommends. These park improvements are in the $25-30,000 range and affect a variety of parks throughout the city and the money comes from the park dedication fund. council:jntprmtg Elk River Park and Recreation Commission March 13, 1996 Page 4 11. Discussion of 1996 Park Improvements Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent reviewed with the Commission some possible 1996 park improvements. COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND THE PARK IMPROVEMENTS AS FOLLOWS: .ORONO PARK REPLACETWO BARBECUE GRILLS $ 500 ADA PATHWAYS TO PLAYGROUND AND SHELTERS $ 2,000 STREET LIGHTS (FISHING PIER & BOAT LAUNCH) $ 2,000 .RIDGEWOOD EAST ADA PATHWAYS STREET LIGHTS ,LION'S PARK SEED DISTURBED AREA VANDAL PROOF BAND SHELL MOLDENHAUER PARK FULL BASKETBALL COURT DEERFIELD IV PARK TOPSOIL AND SEED ADA PATHWAYS $ 500 $ 800 $ 800 $ soo 4,000 $ 500 S 1.000 512,600 996 TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS (10' BITUMINOUS) MEADOWVALE HEIGHTS TRAIL SCHOOLVIEW TRAIL OAK KNOLL PARK TRAIL 2500 LF. $ 9,500 1000 LF. $ 4,000 1500 LF. $ 5,000 COMMISSIONER HUBERTY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 12. The Park & Recreation Commission would like to have Phil Hals recommend to the Uons to complete the trail system and install the playground equipment in Lions Park this year.