10-11-2006 PR MIN• MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
HELD AT CITY HALL
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER I I, 2006
Members Present: Chair Polston-Rork, Commissioners Anderson, Kuester, Nystrom,
Niaiolek, Peterson and Paige
Staff Present: Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director; Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park
Planner; Michele Bergh, Recreation Manager; 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-Rork.
2. Consider October 11.2006 Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER NYSTROM TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 11, 2006 PARKS &
RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
• 3. Consider Minutes of September 13. 2006 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
NYSTROM TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 PARKS AND
RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 5-
0.
4. Parks & Recreation Commissioner to Attend October 16 2006 City Council Meeting and
October 17. 2006 Planning Commission Meetings
4.1. October 16.2006 City Council Meeting
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz will attend the October 16, 2006 City
Council Meeting.
4.2. October 17, 2006 Planning Commission Meeting
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz will attend the October 17, 2006
Planning Commission Meeting.
Open Mike -
Brandon Barmes; 735 Caribou Lane, Eagan, MN 55123
Niandra Dayazjee; 1530 Sextant Ave., Maplewood, MN 55109
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Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2
October 11, 2006
Mr. Dayazjee, student with U of M Capstone Group presented to the Commission that the
Capstone Group will be working on trying to get the water back into the wetland area of
Woodland Trails Park.
Commissioner Paige asked what the timeframe of their project would be.
Mr. Barmes stated that their report is due by December 15, 2006 and would be able to
present it to the Commission in January 2007.
6. Recreation Manag_er's Report -Michele Bergh
Recreation Manager, Michele Bergh presented to the Commission that the Parks and
Recreation Department scheduled 452.75 hours of ball field use, 24.5 hours of park use, 271
hours of indoor facility use and 35.5 hours of park shelter use.
Ms. Bergh shared that the there were 24 employees that participated in the first annual
employee golf tournament.
Ms. Bergh reported that there were 71 racers for the three bike races held at Hillside Park.
There will also be two night races held in Oct. Ramsey Bike helped with prized and
advertising to local bike enthusiasts.
Ms. Bergh shared that the school district had recently changed their flyer polity in the
schools, which affects the Recreation department negatively.
Ms. Bergh shared that the Senior Center staff is planning and preparing to move into the old •
library building once the new library is finished.
Director's Report -Bill Maertz
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared an update regarding the Park
Dedication fund balance.
Mr. Maertz shared he would like the Commission to have a November workshop to
prioritize possible future park properties.
Commissioner Niziolek stated they should get permission to visit the potential properties
before the November workshop.
Mr. Maertz shared that all Parks and Recreation Department staff, which included
Pinewood, Library, Parks Maintenance, Arena, Recreation and Parks Planner met as a group
to do group visioning and work on department goals to strengthen the team.
8.1. Community Events -Major Park Use: Race for Juvenile Diabetes
Recreation Manager, Michele Bergh shared information for a request to use Woodland Trails
Park for the 15~ Annual Almost There Run on April 21, 2007. The race would be for the
Juvenile Diabetes Research FoundationQDRF). Tim Sass from Otsego is the organizer and
stated all the proceeds raised will be given. to JDRF. •
Pazk & Recreation Commission Minutes
October 11, 2006
Page 3
• Ms. Bergh shared the group would be responsible for signage prior to and during the event,
set up, ordering additional portable toilets if needed and clean up after the event.
Commission Anderson asked if the park would stay open during the race.
Mr. Bergh shared the park will remain open to other users during the race.
Commissioner Niziolek suggested that the organizers focus on using Meadowvale
Elementary for the starting point, due to more parking availability.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER NYSTROM AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER PAIGE TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO WAIVE
PARK USE FEES AND THE ORGANIZING GROUP WOULD BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR SIGNAGE PRIOR TO AND DURING THE
EVENT, SET UP OF EVENT, ORDERING OF ADDITIONAL
PROTABLE TOILETS IF NEEDED AND CLEAN UP AFTER THE
EVENT. MOTION PASSED G-0.
8.2.A. Land Use Cases -Preserve Ponds
Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner presented information on Preserve Ponds, a 381ot
subdivision adjacent to the southeast corner of River Park. subdivision. There are two
outlots being created for future development. Outlot A, which contains a large wetland and
. Outlot B which is located on the east side of the county road.
Commissioner Paige asked if a future trail connection to the southwest had been considered.
Mr. Leeseberg stated that they had not considered it.
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz stated staff would look into possible trail
connections on the south side.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PETERSON AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER NIZIOLEK TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ACCEPT
PARK DEDICATION IN THE FORM OF CASH AT THE RATE APPLICABLE
AT THE TIME OF FINAL PLAT APPROVAL AND OUTLOT B SHOULD
PROVIDE A TRAIL EASEMENT ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE REALIGNED
COUNTY ROAD 40 TO CONNECT WITH THE TRAIL EASEMENT TO BE
PROVIDED WITH THE PROPERTY TO THE NORTH AND STAFF TO
WORK OUT A TRAIL CONNECTIONS FOR THE WEST AND SOUTH SIDES.
MOTION PASSED 7-0.
8.2.B. Land Use Cases -Cranberry Ridge
Chris Leeseberg, Planner/Park Planner presented information regarding Cranberry Ridge.
Staff is currently working with developer in regards to traffic issues and re-alignment of
County Road 33. Planning Commission recommended tabling this item however the Parks
and Recreation Commission would be considering Park Dedication fees at this time based
• on comprehensive plan regardless of how layout ends up.
Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4
October i 1, 2006
Commissioner Anderson asked how County Road 33 will effect the layout.
Mr. Leeseberg stated that there are currently four different possibilities of how it could be
effected.
Commissioner Paige stated he was in favor of cash dedication and adding in trail easements
for future planning.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
PETERSON TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCILTO ACCEPT PARK
DEDICATION IN THE FORM OF CASH AT THE RATE APPLICABLE AT
THE TIME OF FINAL PLAT APPROVAL ALONG WITH STAFF
RECOMMENDATION OF TRAIL EASEMENTS. MOTION PASSED 7-0.
8.3.A. Policy Issues - Municipal Utilities Request at Camp Cozy
Elk River Municipal Utilities General Manager, Bryan Adams shared the proposed route on
the eastern boundary of Camp Cozy Park to install four electrical feeders for another new
data center in Elk River.
Commissioner Paige asked if there will be a continuous access road through the park.
Mr. Adams stated the access road will only be there during construction.
Commissioner Anderson shared his concerns regarding the wooded area that currently keeps
ATV and snowmobile users out of the park and if there were plans to keep that in tact.
Mr. Adams stated that they would be able to bore under ground in that area as to keep the
wooded area.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER PAIGE TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF COMMUNITY
EFFORT BETWEEN ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AND PARKS AND
RECREATION TO DESIGN ROUTE THROUGH PARK. MOTION PASSED 7-
0.
8.3.B. Review of potential deer hunt
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz presented an updated letter and regulations
from Chief Beahen regarding the changes to the deer hunt.
Commissioner Niziolek asked if the Elk River Country Club would be doing a hunt this
winter on their property and if the trail along the back side would be closed or signed to
warn people.
Mr. Maertz stated he would work with the Country Club regarding hunting on their property
near the Woodland Trails Park trail system.
Commissioner Anderson asked for next years dates so all the user groups could be notified
in advance.
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Park & Recreation Commission Minutes
October i 1, 2006
Page 5
• Commissioner Anderson stated that no motorized vehicles should be allowed beyond the
park gates; safety harnesses should be required while in deer stands and only taking out does
and possibly having a trophy buck.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PAIGE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
KUESTER TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL APPROVAL OF A FUTURE
SPECIAL DEER HUNT AS OUTLINED IN CHIEF BEAHEN'S
REGULATIONS ALONG WITH NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES BEYOND
PARK GATE ENTRANCE AND WEARING OF SAFETY HARNESSES WHILE
IN DEER STANDS. MOTION PASSED 7-0.
8.4.A. Discussion Items - 2007 Grant Applications
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that staff will be applying for a DNR
grant for Hillside City Park again in 2007. If awarded the $100,000 cost would be spread out
over a two year period.
Mr. Maertz also shared that staff is looking at applying for a grant to build a trail to connect
downtown to Babcock Memorial Park.
9.1.A. Land Use Cases -None
9.2.A. Park/Trail Developments
• Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared construction on Rivers Edge
Commons has begun.
10.1. Update September 18.2006 City Council Meeting
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that the primary discussion related to
Parks and Recreation was traffic flow and the removal of six parking spaces in front of the
Park.
10.1. Update September 26, 2006 Planning Commission Meeting
There was no update presented.
11. Other Business
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared information regarding a Downtown
Task Force, which was looking for a representative from the Parks & Recreation
Commission. The Downtown Task Force will meet for 7-8 months to study the north side
of the tracks and how it relates to the downtown area.
Commissioner Anderson nominated Commissioner Niziolek.
Commissioner Niziolek accepted.
• Chair Polston-Hork will attend as an alternate.
Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 6
October 11, 2006
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12. Adjournment
There. being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:30pm.
Resp~jeyctf~ully submitted,
Tonya Love
Recording Secretary
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