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07-11-2007 PR MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER • PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, JULY I I, 2007 Members Present: Vice-Chair Paige, Commissioners Anderson, Boese, Larson and Scheldt Members Absent: Chair Nystrom and Commissioner Polston-Hork Staff Present: Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director; Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner; 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 Vice-Chair Paige. 2. Consider July 11, 2007 Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SCHULDT TO APPROVE THE JULY 11, 2007 PARKS • & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3. Consider Minutes of June 13.2007 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CARSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO APPROVE THE JUNE 13, 2007 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4. Parks & Recreation Commissioner to Attend July 16.2007 City Council Meeting_and July 10, 2007 Planning Commission Meetings 4.1. July 16.2007 City Council Meeting Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz will attend the July 16, 2007 City Council Meeting. 4.2. July 10.2007 Planning Commission Meeting Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz will attend the July 10, 2007 Planning Commission Meeting. • 5. Open Mike Park & Recreation Commission Minutes July 11, 2007 Page 2 6. Recreation Manager's Report -Tonya Love • Recreation Administrative Coordinator, Tonya Love shared that the Grand Opening at the new downtown River's Edge Commons Park was a success with an estimated 450 people in attendance. Ms. Love shared that staff is currently working on fall programming with the guide to be delivered August 1 S` to the public. Ms. Love stated that staff will be implementing a new program called "Park and Play" mid-summer and is are excited about the opportunity to provide neighborhood programs. Ms. Love shared that the River's Edge Commons Park has become a wonderful place to advertise programs and parks.. The maps, program guides and flyers disappear as quickly as staff puts them out. Ms. Love shared that Sue Kostanshek from the Senior Center is collaborating with the YMCA to offer Senior Fitness and mini field trips. Ms. Love stated that the Senior Center's Memory Loss.Workshop was very successful with 25 people in attendance who had never been to the Senior Center before. • Ms. Love share that the 2°d Annual Pinewood Open was well attended and raised over $2000 for C.A.E.R. Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared facility use hours. 7. Director's Report -Bill Maertz Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared images from the June 28`x' Riverfront Music Concert Series which featured the Killer Hayseeds. There was an estimated crowd of 1,000 people and there were no reports of any trouble or parking problems. 8. Action/Discussion Items 8.1. Community Events -None 8.2. Land Use Cases -None 8.3.A. P~ Issues - River's Edge Commons Park Policies Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz stated that in an effort to be proactive, and a significant amount of traffic each day, staff would like to set two policies for • the downtown River's Edge Commons Park. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 July 11, 2007 ------------------------------------ • Mr. Maertz shared the first policy relating to alcohol. Currently, City policy allows alcohol for "personal consumption" in City parks. With this park having a water feature where glass is not allowed as well as being a site for large family-orientated special events, staff is recommending the City implement an alcohol free policy for this park. Mr. Maertz shared the second policy relating to use of the bulletin board and brochure holders located on the kiosk. To keep the site neat and free of outside advertisement, staff recommends only allowing City materials to be posted in this space. This would include information from all city departments. Commissioner Larson asked if the sign policy would allow sponsors to post information during their sponsored events. Mr. Maertz stated that event sponsors would be allowed to post information during the sponsored event. Commissioner Paige asked if there will be smoking allowed. Mr. Maertz shared that there is already a no smoking policy in city parks when within 50 feet of children playing. Commissioner Paige shared that the River's Edge Commons Park is a peaceful place with a lot of detailed architecture. It would be very difficult to manage regular cleanings of the park with this amount of detail. Commissioner Schuldt asked how difficult it would be to enforce the no smoking policy. Mr. Maertz stated that it can be challenging however with the State wide ban coming into effect soon and with two bars on either side of the park the policy could duplicate the states. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CARSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO RECOMMEND ACCEPTING STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION OF MAKING RNER'S EDGE COMMONS PARK ALCOHOL FREE AND SMOKE FREE AND TO ONLY ALLOW CITY MATERIALS POSTED ON THE KIOSK. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 8.4.A. Discussion Items -Highway 169/Park Impacts Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz stated that several concerns have been brought to staffs attention regarding the Highway 169 improvement project. Some • concerns with the concept plan would be the elimination of any access to Babcock Park and that the Baldwin Park off of Highway 169 would potentially be taken. Pazk & Recreation Commission Minutes July 11, 2007 Page 4 Lastly, it may be 20 years before the projects are funded and it would be a good idea • to start a long range plan regarding the parks effected. MOVED BY COMMISSER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CARSON TO RECOMMEND THE COMMISSION FILL OUT THE MNDOT FORMS STATING THAT THEY CONCUR THAT BALDWIN PARK COULD BETAKEN AWAY AS IT WAS ACQUIRED LAND AND NOT PURCHASED WITH PARK DEDICATION FUNDS AND THAT BABCOCK PARK IS AN INVALUABLE AMENITY TO THE CITY AND ACCESS SHOULD REMAIN OPEN TO BABCOCK PARK MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 9. Information/Update Items 9.1. Land Use Cases -None 9.2.A. Park/Trail Development -Orono Park Master Plan Planner/Parks Planner, Chris Leeseberg shared an update regarding the latest revisions for Orono Park. Mr. Leeseberg shared some of the added amenities; a Farmers Market structure, a future connection under the Highway 10 Bridge to an area of northern city property, • and a splash pad in the main park area. Mr. Maertz shared that this will be an ongoing process to consider all the different alternatives for improving Orono Park. 9.2.B. Youth Athletic Complex Update Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz stated the architect firm looked at several improvements that totaled $658,000. The finance director asked to tighten up the budget before proceeding and work with the area youth groups in getting funding for the project. 9.2.C. Lions Park Band Shell Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared ongoing concerns for both the Parks and Recreation and Police Departments regarding the band shell. The Lions Park band shell has to be cleaned out and repaired almost daily because of garbage, graffiti, and destruction left behind by the young adults who frequent it. The Lions Park staff also has had to call the police on numerous occasions due to young adults smoking and doing suspected illegal behavior. Mr. Maertz shared that if the band shell were removed the current performances that • take place would still be able to do so on the stage. By removing the shell, a large Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Juiy i i, 2007 • obstacle would be removed allowing the entire park to be viewed and enjoyed whether you are on a walking path or on the road. Page 5 Mr. Maertz shared the concerns of the Chief of Police, Jeffrey Beahen. The band shell has always been a problem spot and a constant location for activity that is both undesirable and illegal. The primary draw for this location is the concealment that it offers juvenile or young adults from the supervising eyes of either park staff or local school officials and even the patrol officers who drive by day or night. Mr. Maertz also shared that Chief of Police, Jeffrey Beahen believes that the band shell is used very seldom for any sanctioned event, and the value of keeping there is far outweighed by the daily illegal and unwanted activity that occurs there. Removing it would clean up that area of the park, and make the general park a safer place for all to be. Commissioner Schuldt stated he agreed 100%. Commissioner Anderson shared that there may not be any other choice at this time. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SCHULDT AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BOESE TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO REMOVE THE LIONS PARK BAND SHELL ROOF. MOTION • CARRIED 5-0. Commissioner Anderson stated that there would be a safety issue once the roof is removed and railings will have to be installed according to code. 10.1. Update June 18, 2007 City Council Meeting_-None 10.1. Update June 12.2007 Planning Commission Meetins~- None 11. Other Business -None 12. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:13 pm. Res ectfully ubmitted, ~~~ Tonya Love Recording Secretary