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10-10-2007 PR MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER • PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2007 Members Present: Vice Chair Paige, Commissioners Anderson, Boese, Polston-Rork and Scheldt Members Absent: Chair Nystrom and Commissioner Larson. 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 6:34 p.m. by Vice Chair Paige. 2. Consider October 10, 2007 Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK AND SECONDED BY • COMMISSIONER SCHULDT TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 10, 2007 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Minutes of August 8, 2007 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting MOVED BY COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 8, 2007 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Parks & Recreation Commissioner to Attend October 15 2007 Citv Council Meeting and November 13.2007 Planning Commission Meetings 4.1. October 15.2007 City Council Meeting Commissioner Nystrom will attend the October 15, 2007 City Council Meeting. 4.2. November 13.2007 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Anderson will attend the November 13, 2007 Planning • Commission Meeting. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 October,l0th 2007 ------------------------------------ 5. Open Mike Austin Stevens, 21216 Vernon St. Elk River. Mr. Stevens presented his eagle scout project idea to make and place deer enclosures around smaller trees in Woodland Trails Park. The deer enclosures would prevent deer from attacking trees before maturing. 6. Commissioner Paige asked Austin to work with city staff to choose what park and trees would benefit from the placement of deer enclosures. Commissioner Anderson asked about the timing of the project and there would be trees replanted in the spring. Mr. Austin stated he could begin in late April and would need approval at this time to go out and solicit funding of $950 to make the 50 deer enclosures. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK TO RECOMMEND APPROVING THE EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT AND TO KEEP THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION INFORMED AND TO WORK WITH CITY STAFF. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Grace Ostien, 20842 Concord St. Elk River. Ms, Ostien shared her concern of not being able to drive horses in the ditches of County Road 33 any longer due to the fencing that was put up around the ends of the pedestrian tunnel. Commissioner Anderson stated this topic should be put on an agenda and staff should look into what acceptable uses of the trail are and to present pictures of the area. Ms. Ostien suggested that there could be a weekend where local horse owners volunteer to help get dead wood out of the trail area. Recreation Mana er's Report -Tonya Love Recreation Administrative Coordinator, Tonya Love shared that through a $4000 sponsorship with the Greater Minnesota Credit Union we were able to purchase a 9x16 foot inflatable movie screen. Movies in the park started in September.. Ms. Love shared September recreation programs, facility use and marketing efforts. Ms. Love shared that September was Senior Center month and many extra "special" events were held. Ms. Love stated that there was many Senior Center monetary gifts over $100. 7. Director's Report -Bill Maertz U • Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 October, 10th 2007 • Dir ector of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that the YMCA has broken ground with a completion date of October of 2008. Mr. Maertz clarified that the projects listed in the 5 pear CIP are not finalized, nor are there sufficient funds available to build these projects due to the downturn in the housing market. The 5-year CIP is a planning document that attempts to balance spending based on projected fee revenue. Mr. Maertz shared that the primary goal of the Ice Arena project would be to improve crown circulation, create a seating area for the concession stand and to address fire code issues related to room capacity. 8.1. Discussion Items -Information update on Invasive Species, ie: Buckthorn Gunther Sagan, gave a presentation on the invasive species; buckthorn. This invasive species plant has gotten into the Woodland Trails Park and is spreading quickly and will eventually choke out healthy forest trees. Mr. Sagan shared that it would be beneficial to have a `Buckthorn Busters" Day in area parks to start the process of getting rid of this plant. • Commissioner Anderson encouraged residents to start getting rid of Buckhorn on their own property and asked staff to consider looking into applying for grants to support purchasing the wrenches used to pull this invasive species. 8.2.A. Community Events -Downtown Movies Update Elk River Parks & Recreation Director Bill Maertz shared an update on the Movies in the Park. 8.2.B. 2008 River's Edge Concert Series Elk River Parks & Recreation Director Bill Maertz shared that the line up for the 2008 River's Edge Concerts Series has been booked and will include new acts and run a few weeks longer. 8.3.A. Policy Issues -Orono Pollination Garden Susan Bergstrom received a $500 grant from the University of Minnesota Extension to construct and maintain a pollination garden for teaching purposes and requested permission to plant it at the new Elk River Library. Commissioner Anderson likes the idea of having the garden at the library where it would be less subjective to destruction. • Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 October, 10th 2007 Elk River Parks & Recreation Director Bill Maertz stated that they would need to get • the Library Boards approval and pass it onto the city council. Commissioner Paige suggested working with the landscape architect of the library to get recommendations. 8.3.B. Orono Master Plan Planner/Park Planner Chris Leeseberg shared an updated plan of the Orono Master Plan. Elk River Parks & Recreation Director Bill Maertz stated that there will be parking constraints and having trails from City Hall to the park area would promote the use of that parking lot. 8.3.C. Major Park Use -River's Edge Commons Park Racch Recreation Administrative Coordinator, Tonya Love; shared a request for a major park use at River's Edge Commons Park for a wedding on Saturday, September 13, 2008. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER POLSTON-HORK AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF • MAJOR PARK USE OF RIVER'S EDGE COMMOMS PARK ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2008 WITH A $250 REFUNDABLE CLEAN-UP DEPOSIT FEE, A $100 PARK USE FEE. RENTER WOULD SECURE AND PAY FOR EXTRA TOILETS IF NEEDED. THROWING OF BIRD SEED, RICE OR ANY MATERIAL WOULD BE PROHIBITED AND THE STREET LEVEL PLAZA WILL REMAIN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 8.3.D. Maior Park Use -River's Edge Commons Park Fontaine Recreation Administrative Coordinator, Tonya Love; shared a request for a major park use at river's Edge Commons Park for a wedding on Saturday, June 27, 2008. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SCHULDT AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BOESE TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF MAJOR PARK USE OF RIVER'S EDGE COMMOMS PARK ON SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2008 WITH A $250 REFUNDABLE CLEAN-UP DEPOSIT FEE, A $100 PARK USE FEE. RENTER WOULD SECURE AND PAY FOR EXTRA TOILETS IF NEEDED. THROWING OF BIRD SEED, RICE OR ANY MATERIAL WOULD BE PROHIBITED AND THE STREET LEVEL PLAZA WILL REMAIN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. • 8.4. Discussion Items -None Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5 October,l0th 2007 • 9.1.A. Land Use Cases -None 9.2.A. Park/Trail Development -YAC Updates Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared an update regarding the YAC improvements. 9.2.B. Downtown Park Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared the total cost of the downtown park which came in under the bid amount. 10.1. Update September 17, 2007 Citv Council Meeting- None 10.1. Update October 9, 2007 Planning Commission Meeting- None 11. Other Business -None 12. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm. • Res ectfully ubmitted, ~;~~~~ Tonya Love Recording Secretary •