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02-11-2009 PR MIN• MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY I I, 2009 Members Present: Chair Nystrom, Commissioners Anderson, Larson, and Niziolek Council Liaison: Councilmember Zerwas Members Absent: Commissioner Boese Staff Present: Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director; Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner; Steve Benoit, Recreation Manager; Tonya Love, Recording Secretary 1. Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Nystrom. 2. Consider February 11.2009 Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda • Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz added Item 6.1. Woodland Trails Grant Update. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CARSON TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 11, 2009 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA AS AMENDED BY STAFF. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3. Consider Minutes of December 10, 2008 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 10, 2008 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4. Parks & Recreation Commissioner to Attend March 10, 2009 City Council Meeting_ and February 17.2009 Planning Commission Meetings 4.1. March 10, 2009 City Council Meeting Commissioner Anderson will attend the March 10, 2009 City Council Meeting. • 4.2. February 17.2009 Planning Commission Meeting Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2Ll February 11, 2009 • Commissioner Larson will attend the Februaryl7, 2009 Planning Commission Meeting. Open Mike - Gunther Sagan, 10616 203 Ave. NW Elk River, MN Elk River resident, Gunthar Sagan shared that with the help from Dave Anderson a Buckthorn Removal Information meeting will be held on Map 2, 2009 at 10am at Lions Park Center. A demonstration along with a video will be part of the presentation and people will have the opportunity to sign up as a volunteer to help in the removal of buckthorn. 6. Recreation Manager's Report -Steve Benoit Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit shared that over winter break we held a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament for grades four through eight and was held at the YMCA gymnasium. 40 teams participated in the tournament. Mr. Benoit shared the. Senior Center Coordinator's and the Ice Arena Manager's staff reports. 6.1. Woodland Trails Grant Update • Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared an update regarding the Restoration Grant. The DNR was informed that due to budget cuts the City would not be able to pay the $10,000 matching grant in 2009. The DNR stated that if the City could provide in-kind volunteer labor and maintenance they would put $12,500 towards the grant of invasive species removal and seeding with native plants. 7. Action/Discussion Items 7.1.A. Woodland Trails Park Winter Trail Usage Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that staff is looking for an adjustment to the Woodland Trails Park Winter Trail Use Policy. This park comprises nearly 400 acres and includes a well developed system of trails that are heavily used year round. Both in the summer and winter, the ski and walking trails are maintained by the same volunteer group that has been instrumental in their development. Combined with their year round trail maintenance, those volunteers save the City in excess of a full time position. Mr. Maertz shared that. the trails were developed for winter use and the decision was made to accommodate multiple uses on the same trail system. As winter park use increased by both skiers and walkers, some conflicts developed between the two • uses. In an effort to resolve those conflicts, a separate trail groomed for winter Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page °~ February 11, 2009 • walking and snowshoeing was developed. That trail is in its 4~' season and approximately 90% of non-skiers us that trail. While there have been some conflicts in recent years. the walking trail has served to minimise them. Mr. Maertz stated the following concerns. First, many walkers have dogs; instances have occurred where the dog has crossed to the opposite side of the trail as the owner, resulting in a skier being tripped by the leash. Second, skiers travel at speeds up to 45km per hour on some of the downhill trails sections raising the concern of a skier/walker collision. Third, youth have been sliding down the steepest hills on the trails creating a hazard for both themselves and skiers. Lastly, walking on groomed snow disturbs and compacts the groomed surface. This increases grooming demands and in extreme circumstances such as foot traffic on trails softened by warm temps, the foot prints can later freeze creating a trip hazard for skiers and an unpleasant surface for walkers. Mx. Maertz shared staff recommendations. First, the east edge of the Great Northern Trail, for its entire length from County Road 1, north to County Road 33, be designated as "Winter Walking Trail". The grade along with the designated route from the grade to the parking lot will continue to be shared by skiers. This establishes a critical North/South link for walkers. Second, the groomed walking trail be extended to the east utilizing the corridor between Ridgewood and Lafayette Woods to at least the point where the access trail from Tipton intersects this • corridor. The trail portion along the Ridgewood ski hill will be reviewed by staff because of its steep grade. Third, starting in the 2009-2010 winter season, skiing will only be allowed on designated ski trails in Woodland Trails Park when "snow covered". Lastly, trails east of the grade should remain closed to walking when snow covered for the remainder of this season. Elk River resident, Hal Austvold; 18211 Hudson St. Elk River. Questioned how much conflict there can be on the trail system if only 10% are interacting. Mr. Maertz stated that it will only take one accident to cause serious injury to someone, researched other local park trail policies and found that it is standard practice in parks to not co-mingle walkers and skiers. Mr. Austvold shared his concern of walkers being pushed off to the wayside to allow skiers to use the trails only a few months a year. Mr. Maertz stated that there are 4 miles of walking trails within Woodland Trails along with many other walking trails in parks in the City. Rogers resident, Susie Newman; 13012 Oakwood Dr, Rogers. Shared that Woodland Trails is a premiere trail system in the state of MN. It is very unique in setting and technicality. Concerned for walkers safety, has had encounters with walkers with dogs. If a newer skier were to have the same encounter it would be a • higher chance of an accident happening due to their inexperience. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Februarq 11, 2009 Page 4!~ Big Lake resident, Mark Rathbun; 22277 185' St. Big Lake. Shared that he uses the • trail system and participates in volunteer trail maintenance. Supports staff recommendations, from a safety concern trails are technically difficult going up and down, skiers may not expect a walker and would be surprised and it could lead to an accident. Elk River resident, Eileen Stambaugh, 14845 County Road 30, Elk River. Stated that she can appreciate both sides of the issue, glad there is a walking trail. Please keep the trail separate, however adding better signage for the walling trails would help lessen the confusion. Elk River resident, Angela. Austvold, 18211 Hudson St. Elk River. Shared concerns of safety issues such as skiers being on the walking trails or roller bladers and bikers during the other seasons on the walking trails. How will the commission protect the walkers during all seasons. Mr. Maertz stated that the goal is not to eliminate the walkers; the goal is to designate areas for each activity. Mr. Rathbun shared that the trails are used heavily by the Middle School and High School Ski teams who do not always have a lot of control and they need an area to learn. Typically you do not see a walker on the trail until you there on them due to the visibility of being heavily wooded and steep terrain. • Mr. Maertz stated that Woodland Trails has evolved over the years and has become busier each year. This is common practice in the state of MN to have separate trails for skiers and walkers for safety reasons. Commissioner Anderson stated that this is a good compromise to maintain both uses. Commissioner Niziolek stated that there should be very prominent postings as to what the winter trail usage is for, either walking or skiing. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CARSON TO ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS AS DISCUSSED FOR WOODLAND TRAILS PARK WINTER TRAIL USAGE ALONG WITH THE ADDITION OF POSTING PROPER SIGNAGE FOR BOTH TYPES OF TRAILS. MOTION CARRIED 4-0 7.2. DNR Grant Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz presented information regarding the DNR Local Trail Connection Grant. One part of the upcoming economic stimulus package that appears to be certain is that there will be approximately $20 million fox • transportation enhancements, such as trails, allocated for Minnesota. Staff has Park & Recreation Commission Minutes February 11, 2009 Page 50 . submitted a request for $1.2 million for the construction of the downtown to Babcock Park trail. Design and engineering fees would be approximately $167,000 and it is not clear at this time whether these costs would be eligible for funding through the stimulus bill. Staff has identified the DNR Local Trails Connection Grant as a potential funding source for these design fees. This grant program is designed `To promote relatively short trail connections betaveen where people live and desirable docation.r': The maximum grant is $100,000. As part of this grant application a City Council resolution is required. Mr. Maertz stated that staff is recommending that the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend to the City Council to authorize a resolution supporting the grant application. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CARSON TO RECOMMEND TO CITY COUNCIL TO AUTHORIZE A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE GRANT APPLICATION. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 7.3. Major Park Use -Lions Park -Mother's Day Concert Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit shared a major park use request for Lions Park • Bandshell for a Mother's Dap Concert to be held on Sunday, May 10`x, 2009 from 12-6pm and will feature approximately four groups playing a variety of music. Mr. Benoit stated that staff recommends that standard facility rental fees be applied, police presence be required at the event with the expense being covered by the group and that group will be responsible for any additional expenses incurred such as extra portable toilets or trash clean up as required. Commissioner Larson asked who would be hosting and paying for the event. Elk River resident, Vaughn Smith shared that he would be responsible for the event and was trying to create an opportunity for local youth to play. Mr. Smith also stated he would be meeting with the Women of Today for possible funding. Commissioner Niziolek stated that this would be a nice contribution to the community and the facility fee should be waived. Councilmember Zerwas shared that a Mother's Day concert could be held without police presence and in lieu of a park fee consider having a refundable deposit and have group clean up. • Mr. Smith stated there will not be an admission fee and was working on inviting the local Scout Packs to serve refreshments, etc. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 6^ February 11, 2009 • Commissioner Anderson agreed with the idea of no facility fees and that it is important to cover the costs such as extra portable toilets. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO ALLOW THE USE OF THE LIONS PARK BANDSHELL ON MAY 10, 2009 WITH NO FACILITY FEES AND POLICE PRESENCE. GROUP WILL PAY A DEPOSIT AND WORK WITH STAFF ON SECURING PORTABLE TOILETS IF NEEDED OR ANY OTHER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 8. U dates 8.1. Community Events Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit showcased Cold Bear Challenge and the Down Town Holiday event in a power point presentation. 8.2. Park Highlights Planner/Parks Planner, Chris Leeseberg showcased Trott Brook Park in a power point presentation. 9.1. U date an 20 2009 Ci Council Meetin -None • 9.2. Update ,~anuary 13, 2009 Planning Commission Meeting- None 10. Other Business Planner/Parks Planner, Chris Leeseberg shared that Dave Anderson received the MRPA Board and Commission Award and shared a short presentation. 11. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:03pm. Minutes preparpe~d bey Tonya Love. C~~TIYy{~~~10~"~-- Tonya Love Parks & Recreation Recording Secretary r Q ~ Qrd'- James Nystrom • Parks and Recreation Commission Chair