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11-12-2008 PR MIN• MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2008 Members Present: Chair Nystrom, Commissioners Anderson, Boese, Niziolek, and Scheldt Council Liaison: Councilxnember Zerwas Members Absent: Commissioner Larson Staff Present:. Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director; Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner; Steve Benoit, Recreation Manager; Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator; Stephanie Albin, Recreation Coordinator, 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 November 12 2008 Parks & Recreation Commission A enda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SCHULDT TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 12, 2008 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Minutes of Se,,,ptember 10, 2008 and October 8.2008 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SCHULDT AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 AND OCTOBER 8, 2008 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES WITH SUGGESTED CHANGE TO SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Parks & Recreation Commissioner to Attend November 172008 City Council Meeting and December 9.2008 Planning Commission Meetings 4.1. November 17, 2008 City Council Meeting • Park & Recreation Commission Minutes November 12, 2008 Page Z^ Commissioner Niziolek will attend the November 17, 2008 City Council Meeting. 4.2. December 9, 2008 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Nystrom will attend the December 9, 2008 Planning Commission Meeting. 5. Open Mike -None G. Recreation Manager's Report -Steve Benoit Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit shared that the Barn Dance Boogie event in September had a turnout of 50 participants. Families dressed up western style for this first time special event.. Mr. Benoit stated that the fall Eager Elks sports program is growing in popularity and had 22 participants for the fall classes. Mr. Benoit shared the Senior Center Coordinator's and-the Ice Arena Manager's staff reports. Director's Report -Bill Maertz Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that phase one of the River's Edge Trail was substantially complete and final completion would be mid- November. Mr. Maertz shared that the Clean Water Legacy Amendment was passed by referendum in the November 4`'' election. Staff will be working to identify and prioritizing potential projects in Elk River. 8.1. Action/Discussion Items 8.1.A. BMX Track Use Director of Parks and Recreation,. Bill Maertz shared that staff is looking for feedback regarding the future use of the BMX track at the Youth Athletic Complex (YAC). It has not been in use by any organized group for one year and the track's fencing and concession stand are in poor condition. Mr. Maertz stated that there is a shortage of parking at the YAC football/soccer field and the BMX track location would allow us to double the size of the parking lot. Commissioner Nystrom asked is there would be room at another park for a similar track if there was a need. in the future. • • Park & Recreation Commission Minutes November 12, 2008 • Mr. Maertz shared that other sites could always be looked at if the need were brought to the Commission. Commissioner Schuldt asked if there was a way to notify the public about the possibility of closing the track. Page 3D Commissioner Niziolek shared that there should be a comprehensive plan created for the site and published for the public. Commissioner Anderson asked that staff create a comprehensive plan and present different options at the December Commission meeting. 8.1.B. Land Fill End Use Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz presented staff recommendations regarding the Elk River Land Fill End Use Plan. Mr. Maertz shared the staff recommends that the end use plan for a potential expanded landfill, if approved, should remain consistent with the theme of passive recreation and native habitat developed in the approved plan developed in September 2002. The existing plan does not indicate a primary funding source and the Parks and Recreation Commission is requested to consider a recommendation to • the City Council that fiznding of this plan be included as part of the expansion approval negotiations. Mr. Maertz also shared the Parks and Recreation Commission is requested to consider a recommendation to the City Council that Waste Management be requested to contribute funds fox development of active recreation facilities as the City Council considers the expansion application, as a form of offset to the negative impacts of hosting a landfill. Commissioner Anderson stated he would like to add to the recommendations that the Parks and Recreation Commission and staff be involved with native plants species in regards to the grading issues. Commissioner Niziolek stated that there should be greater than aft of topsoil and that part of the trail system should include west by Rice Lake. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK TO RECOMMEND THE END USE PLAN FOR A POTENTIAL EXPANSION, TO REMAIN CONSISTENT WITH THE THEME OF PASSIVE RECREATION AND NATIVE HABITAT DEVELOPED AND APPROVED IN SEPTEMBER 2002. FUNDING OF THIS PLAN FOR THE ENTIRE SITE BE INCLUDED IF THE • EXPANSION IS APPROVED. WASTE MANAGEMENT BE REQUESTED TO CONTRIBUTE FUNDS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ACTIVE RECREATION FACILITIES, A FORM OF OFFSET TO THE Park & Recreation Commission Minutes November 12, 2008 Page 4~ NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF HOSTING A LANDFILL IF THE CITY i COUNCIL APPROVES THE EXPANSION. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION BE INVOLVED IN REVIEWING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE END USE PLAN AND THAT THE COMMISSION IS NOT ENDORSING OR OPPOSING THE ELK RIVER LAND FILL EXPANSION APPLICATION. MOTION CARRIED 4-1. 8.2. Policy Issues 8.2.A. Major Park Use -Lions Park -Central Lutheran Church Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit shared a major park use request for Lions Park and Woodland Trails Park from Central Lutheran Church for arun/walk event on Saturday, September 19, 2009. The goal is to promote fun and fitness and to provide a race opportunity in the Elk River Community. Commissioner Niziolek shared that if race started at Woodland Trails Park and completed at Lions Park that cars would be left in the Woodland Trails parking lot for an extended period of time. Central Lutheran Representative, Keith Terlinden stated that racers would be bused from Central Lutheran Church to Woodland Trails Park to begin the race there. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY • COMMISSIONER SCHULDT TO ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS OF NO FEES OR DEPOSIT BE CHARGED FOR THE USE OF THE PARKS, CENTRAL LUTHERAN WILL. COORDINATE SIGNAGE WITH THE PARKS AND STREETS DEPARTMENTS, ROUTE BE APPROVED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE GROUP WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY EXPENSES INCOURRED SUCH AS EXTRA PORTABLE TOILETS OR POLICE RESERVES IF NEEDED/REQUIRED AND ANY TRAIL MARKINGS WILL BE DONE WITH WASHABLE CHALK OR CONES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0 8.2.B. Woodland Trails Park -Winter Trails Use Commissioner Anderson discussed the winter walking trails at Woodland Trails Park. Sharing the reason for developing this system was to help keep walkers off the Nordic skiing trails, winter walkers create unsafe conditions on the Nordic skiing trails. 9. U dates 9.1. Community Events • Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5D November 12, 2008 . Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit showcased Fight Night in a power point presentation. 9.2. Park Highlights Planner/Parks Planner, Chris Leeseberg showcased Woodland Trails Park in a power point presentation. 10.1. Update October 20.2008 Citv Council Meeting- None 10.2. Update October 14, 2008 Planning Commission Meeting- None 11. Other Business Commissioner Schuldt announced that he would be resigning as commissioner and thanked the Parks & Recreation Commission for the opportunity to serve. Commissioner Nystrom thanked Commissioner Schuldt for his insights and time served as a Parks & Recreation Commissioner. 12. Adjournment • There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:50pm. Respectfully s~ed, C:,fU~. Tonga Love Recording Secretary •