6.1. SR 08-07-1995~1 ~ ~Ri
FROM: Pat Klaers, City Ad ~ for
DATE: August 7, 1995
SUBJECT: EDA Site Parking Stalls
In April, the Park and Recreation Commission discussed the EDA site and its
appearance, use, and visibility in the downtown area. The Commission
ultimately recommended to the City Council that the four parking stalls in
front of the EDA site be eliminated in order to increase the visibility of this
green space in the downtown area. I believe that this motion was made in
anticipation of a riverwalk project happening in the future plus more people
currently using this green space since the Jackson Square parking lot
improvement project eliminated the other green space that used to be in the
downtown area.
The Council discussed this issue at its June 19 meeting and concurred with
the recommendation from the Park and Recreation Commission. The Council
did not want to lose parking stalls in the downtown area and the Mayor
suggested that diagonal parking be added on King Avenue so that there
would not be a net loss of parking spaces. All of the parking stalls on the
south side of Main Street are usually full, but there is also usually other
spaces within close proximity to the south side of Main Street that are open
and available for customers. This is especially true since Johnson's has
closed and will probably be more true in the future when Snyder's closes.
On Tuesday, August 1, the street crew painted over the parking stalls in
front of the EDA site, and city staff received about eight to ten phone calls
from concerned business owners and tenants in the downtown. Most callers
commented on the loss of the parking spaces in their vicinity, and were
concerned over the lack of notification that they had about losing the parking
stalls and the lack of opportunity to provide comments to the City Council on
this issue before a decision was made. In retrospect, it was probably a
mistake to have made this decision at the Council level without inviting some
of the property owners in to discuss the situation.
I have suggested to the people calling City Hall that they attend this Council
meeting and express their concerns and comments under the Open Mike
agenda item. I do not believe that we should reestablish these parking stalls
ITEM 6.1.
MEMORANDUM
V~~ TO: Mayor & City Council
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425
at this time as there is not a critical need for additional parking downtown at
this time. I believe the Council should take a "wait and see" approach and, if
more parking spaces are needed in the summer of 1996, these stalls can
always be reestablished. All Councilmembers are encouraged to drive by the
EDA site prior to our City Council meeting on Monday, August 7, 1995.
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Park and Recreation Cammiseion Meeting Page 5
April 12, .1995
12. Soccer Field/Baseball Field Update
City Hall Site Fields - After a brief discussion, Commissioner Olson volunteered to
do a letter to area residents inviting them to attend a meeting to comment on
the temporary use of two youth fields in the City Hall area. The meeting was
called for April 19, 1995, at City Hall at 7:00 p.m.
It was the consensus of the Park and Recreation Commission that unless there is
massive public resistance, this temporary use should be permitted.
WWTP Property Soccer Fields -Phil Hals distributed a handout with a design for
four 150' x 240' soccer fields and two 260' baseball fields including a cost
estimate for the construction. After a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the
Commission members that they should meet at the site at 6:15 p.m., on
Wednesday, April 19, so that they can make firsthand observations and that Phil
should investigate the possibilities of an unpaved parking lot and the elimination
of the fence and replacement with a tree buffer.
13. Consider Uses for EDA Site/Jackson Sauare
~..t
Phil Hals stated that Community Recreation may wish to sponsor some activities
at the EDA site. Phil also questioned how staff should deal with requests for other
group uses of the area.
After a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the group that we should wait until
we see what sort of activities are proposed before policy is established, and staff
should bring a cost estimate to the next Park and Recreation Commission
meeting for the addition of some benches on the EDA site.
COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL MOVE. TO ELIMINATE FOUR PARKING STALLS IN FRONT OF THE EDA SITE ON
MAIN STREET FOR INCREASED VISIBILITY. COMMISSIONER OLSON SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Jackson Sauare
Commissioner Tuttle stated that she had made contact with members of the
Community Theater group regarding the sign along Highway 10 in Jackson
Square. The theater group agreed to remove the center panel from the sign if
the city would pull out the footings and backfill the holes.
It was the consensus of the group that the sign removal proceed and that a
similar tree to those now in that area be planted in its place.
14a. Horses on City Trails
Commissioner Daleiden discussed the need for horse trails that are accessible for
.riders in the area so that horses are not treated as trespassers. Chair Anderson
offered his help in developing some horse trails along the railroad trail and in
Woodland Trails Park.
ity of ~ MEMORANDUM
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lk TO: Mayor & City Council
River
FROM: Phil Hals, Street/Park Supt.
DATE: June 19, 1995
SUBJECT: Parking on Main Street at EDA Site
At their regular meeting on June 14, 1995, the Park and Recreation
Commission discussed issues regarding the EDA site downtown.
As a result of that discussion, Commissioner Rolfe Anderson made a motion
to eliminate four parking stalls from Main Street in front of the EDA site by
having the city street/park department install a concrete curb and island.
Another issue was raised by Commissioner Tuttle regarding park benches for
the EDA site. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Rolfe Anderson
moved to recommend the purchase of two Model #57 benches (6 feet
long/redwood boards). Commissioner Tuttle seconded the motion. The
motion passed 4-0.
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s.lo.~
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425
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Elk River. City Council: A~Sinute~ Page 3
dune 19, 1995
5.9. Discussion on Fire Department Street Dance Planned for September 9, 1995
Fireman Tom Dillon updated the Council on the Elk River Fire Department's plans
for an open house and street dance on Saturday, September 9, 1995. He
informed the Council that the street dance will necessitate the closing of 4th
Street. He. further indicated that the Elk River Lion's will be selling liquor at the
event.
COUNCtLMEMBER SCHEEL MOVED TO SUPPORT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S OPEN HOUSE
AND STREET DANCE. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 4-0.
5.10a. Discuss Annual Use of Park Dedication Fees in Area Parks
Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals noted that the Park and Recreation
Commission has made a recommendation for the use of $25,000 of park
dedication funds for smaller improvements in parks throughout the city. The City
Council reviewed the Park and Recreation Commission's recommendations for
park improvements.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE PARK AND RECREATION
COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PARK EXPENDITURES AND ALSO TO
APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A FOUR FOOT TRAIL TENDERIZER FOR THE SUM OF $1,550
TO BE FUNDED FROM THE PARK EQUIPMENT RESERVE FUND. COUNCILMEMBER
HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
5.1 Ob. Update on Woodland Trails Park Grant Proaram
Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals updated the City Council on the park
improvements in Woodland Trails Park that are scheduled to be completed in
1995. He indicated that these improvements and expenditures will complete the
state grant project which was received a few years ago.
5.1 C1~. '~ `1~'#~~.4~t ~. Sfte
Street/Park Superintendent Phil Hals noted that the Park and Recreation
Comrriission has recommended that four parking stalls in front of the EDA site be
eliminated to increase the visibility of the green space and river. Phil Hals noted
that removing the parking stalls would encourage more activity at the site and
-would benefit the central business district.
Mayor Duitsman indicated he would be in favor of eliminating the four parking
stalls in front of the EDA site if angle parking could. be added to King Street. He
indicated that the addition of angle parking to King Street would increase the
number of parking stalls available in the downtown area.
The City Council discussed the issue of park benches for the EDA site. The Park
and Recreation Commission recommended the purchase of two six foot
redwood benches for the site. The City Council discussed the pros and cons of
wooden benches versus metal benches. It was the consensus of the Council to
have the Park and Recreation Commission review this matter and come back to
the Council with a recommendation at a future date.
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Elli River City Council Minutes Page 4
June Z9, 1995
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO CLOSE THE FOUR PARKING STALLS IN FRONT OF
THE EDA SITE AND TO HAVE THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION RESEARCH
THE STYLE AND COST OF BENCHES FOR THE .EDA SITE AND HAVE THE CITY ENGINEER
REVIEW THE POSSIBILITY OF ANGLE PARKING ON KING STREET. COUNCILMEMBER
HOLMGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
S.IOd. Accept Commission Clete Lipetzkv's Resignation and Authorize Advertisement for
Vacancy on the. Park and Recreation Commission
It was noted that Clete Lipetzky had not formally submitted a resignation from the
Park and Recreation Commission, therefore, it was the consensus of the Council
to take no action on this issue at this time.
5.11. Community Recreation Board Update by Councilmember Holmgren
Councilmember Holmgren updated the City Council on the topics and events
that took place at the last Community Recreation Board meeting. He noted that
the major topics were the need for space and more secretarial assistance.
5.12. Utilities Commission Update by Councilmember Dietz
Councilmember Dietz updated the City Council on the agenda topics and
discussion items from the last Utilities Commission meeting.
5.13. Consider Awarding Bid for Repainting of Wastewater Treatment Plant Building
City Engineer Terry Maurer noted that Rainbow, Inc., who was the low bidder for
the repainting of the WWTP building project, has requested to withdraw their
original .bid as they hod misinterpreted the bidding documents and
underestimated the project cost. Terry Maurer questioned whether the Council
would be willing to accept the new bid submitted by Rainbow, Inc., or
readverfise for the project. It was the consensus of the Council to take no action
until the Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent reviewed the issue.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMGREN MOVED TO TABLE THIS ISSUE UNTIL THE JUNE 26, 1995,
CITY COUNCIL MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
5.14. Update on County Road 1 Improvement Project Scheduled for 1995 and Consider
Resolution Requesting Traffic Study at School Street and Proctor Avenue
City Engineer Terry Maurer informed the Council that Sherburne County is
planning to move ahead for the proposed improvements for CSAH # 1 this year.
Terry Maurer reviewed the improvements that were planned to take place on
County Road 1.
Terry Maurer indicated thdt he had made the county aware of the city's desire to
consider the signalization of the intersection of CSAH # 1 and School Street. He
noted that the county engineer has requested the City Council to pass a
resolution requesting Sherburne County to order a traffic study at the intersection
of CSAH # 1 and School Street.
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