05-10-2006 PR MIN• MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
HELD AT CITY HALL
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2006
Members Present: Chair Polston-Rork, Commissioners Nystrom, Niziolek, Peterson and
Anderson
Absent Excused: Commissioners Paige and Kuester
Staff Present: Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director; Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park
Planner; Tonya Love, Recording Secretary
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 Polston-Hork.
2. Consider May 10.2006 Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK TO APPROVE THE MAY 10, 2006 PARKS &
RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
• 3. Consider Minutes of March 9.2006 Parks & Recreation Commission Meetine
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK TO APPROVE THE MARCH 9, 2006 PARKS AND
RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 4-
0.
4. Parks & Recreation Commissioner to Attend June 5. 2006 City Council Meeting and June
13, 2006 Planning Commission Meetings
4.1. Tune 5, 2006 City Council Meeting
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz will attend the June 5, 2006 City
Council Meeting.
4.2. Tune 13. 2006 Planning Commission Meeting
Commissioner Nystrom will attend the June 13, 2006 Planning Commission
Meeting.
5. Open Mike
Steve Bass, 10584 184" Ave. NW, Elk River; with the Trott Brook Single Family
• Homeowners Association.
Park & Recreation Commission Minutes
May 10, 2006
Page 2
Mr. Bass would like the Park and Recreation Commission to consider a "class 4" fee •
structure regarding the rental of the Trott Brook Farms Barn for civic non-profit
organizations.
6. Recreation Mana erg, 's Report -Bill Maertz
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz presented to the Commission that the Parks
and Recreation Department scheduled 70 hours of field use, 65.5 hours of indoor facility
use, 50 hours at the Program Facility and 8 hours of park use.
Mr. Maertz shared that it has been "all hands on deck" with the purchase of Pinewood Golf
Course. An additional page for the golf course has been created on the city's website.
Mr. Maertz reported that the Safe Schools Committee has been meeting regularly and
provides networking and resources for before, during and after school hours youth events.
Mr. Maertz shared the Senior Center monthly update.
Director's Report -Bill Maertz
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared an update regarding the Park
Dedication fund balance.
Mr. Maertz shared that staff requested $675,000 in grants from DNR and have been notified
about doing apre-awards tour in May. •
Mr. Maertz shared that bid openings for Rivers Edge Commons took place on May 9 and
staff will have to look at reducing the cost due to the bids coming in higher than the
estimate.
Mr. Maertz shared that the Library construction project will break ground in October 2006.
8.1. Community Events - Hinote's Hero's
Brian Thompson, representing Hinote's Hero's, a charity that raises money for the
Children's Hospitals in Minneapolis and Denver by Dan Hinote who is a current
Colorado Avalanche player and an Elk River graduate would like to reserve the entire
Orono Park on July 22, 2006 and have the fees waived to assist them in lowering
their cost.
Commissioner Anderson supports the request however would like to know if
Hinote's Hero's would take on any additional costs that come up such at needing
extra toilets bought out to the site.
Mr. Thompson stated the charity would be willing to pay for those services and
would be able to clean up the park after the event.
Commissioner Anderson asked where people would be parking. •
Park & Recreation Commission Minutes
May 10, 2006
Page 3
Mr. Thompson shared that the event will be shuttling attendees from the local hotel
to the park and later in the evening to the Elk River Bowl. The charity is also
working with the police regarding serving alcohol and that the number of people
attending the activities at the park will actually be around 100 and will hopefully grow
each year after that.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO WAIVE PARK RENTAL FEES FOR
HINOTE'S HERO'S CHARITY EVENT ON JULY 22, 2006. MOTION
CARRIED 4-0.
8.2.A Land Use Cases -Final Plat Approval of Shores of Briarwood 2~d Addition
Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner presented information regarding a request to create a
single lot subdivision. Staff recommends park dedication be paid in form of cash at the rate
applicable at the time of final plat approval.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO RECOMMEND ACCEPTING PARK
DEDICATION CASH AT THE RATE APPLICABLE AT THE TIME OF FINAL
PLAT APPROVAL, FOR ONE LOT. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
8.3.A. Policy Issues -Babcock Memorial Park
• Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared a proposal for the City of Elk River to
assume maintenance of Babcock Memorial Park. The Department of Transportation has
decided to no longer maintain the park with the intentions of closing off the parking area.
Staff has had conversations with MnDOT staff about the City of Elk River assuming
maintenance and operation of the park.
Mr. Maertz shared that Babcock Park has an historic significance as well as being a valuable
asset with the river access and a possible future trail link to Rivers Edge Commons. The
approximate cost would be $1650 per year for portable restrooms and ground maintenance.
Staff would pursue grants to help pay for restoration.
Commissioner Nystrom asked if this would be a year to year agreement.
Mr. Maertz stated it would be an on-going limited use permit.
Commissioner Niziolek stated that it is a wonderful opportunity and that for the first year
the dty should have a strong presence and have a grand opening.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL THAT THE
CITY ASSUME MAINTENANCE OF BABCOCK MEMORIAL PARK. MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
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Park & Recreation Commission Minutes
May 10, 2006
Page 4
8.3.B. Park Name for Barsody purchase •
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared potential names such at Alba Ridge
Park, Diamond Park, Pioneer Park, Brookview Park, Sunset Park and Northern Lights Park;
for the new park name. Staff is ordering new park entrance signs and needs a name for the
property.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL THE NAME
ALBA RIDGE PARK. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
8.3.C. Trail Plan Update and Revision
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared updates and revisions to the trail plan.
Commissioner Niziolek stated he is concerned about the legality of putting trails next to
ditches on the eastern half of the city. Not knowing what the future holds there are a
significant amount of trails planned and would not want to see it not happen because of
poor planning.
Mr. Maertz stated that staff can take a look at what other counties and cities are doing in the
area however City Council would like an updated plan to work with when making decisions
regarding future development.
Commissioner Anderson asked if there would be any harm in leaving the plan as is regarding •
the County Road 1 trail and if it can be changed in the future when needed.
Commissioner Niziolek stated concern over there needing to be a pedestrian crossing near
the gravel pit area and would like to see a snap shot plan of what surrounding communities
are doing and how we connect to them.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER PETERSON TO ACCEPT THE UPDATED TRAIL PLAN
CONTINGENT UPON SUGGESTED CHANGES BEING INCORPORATED
INTO PLAN. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
8.4.A. Discussion Items -Dog Regulations: Education and Enforcement
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz asked the commission members for ideas on
how to educate and enforce the cities dog regulations.
Commissioner Anderson stated he had been approached by concerned citizens asking for
additional signage and educational enforcement regarding dog regulations.
Chair Polston-Rork suggested putting the information in the city newsletter to refresh
peoples memories about the regulations.
Mr. Maertz stated he would have it put in the cities newsletter and the Parks and Recreation
Program Guide.
Paxk & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5
May 10, 2006
• 8.4.B. Discussion Items -ATV Traffic
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz asked the commission members for ideas on
how to educate and enforce the cities ATV regulations. ATV's are prohibited in all dty
parks and a good portion of the city.
Chair Polston-Rork suggested using the city newsletter and program guide for the education
on the ATV regulations as well.
9.1.A. Land Use Cases -None
9.2.A. 2006 Goals Update
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared an update regarding the 2006 goals.
10.1. Update March 6 and Apri13 2006 City Council Meeting
There was no update presented.
10.1. Update March 14 and April 11. 2006 Planning Commission Meeting
There was no update presented.
11. Other Business
• 12. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:32 pm.
Resp~(Jeycytfu~lly su_ omitted,
C`~ U Q,~Jw,,~rl"
Tonya Love
Recording Secretary