9. SR 05-03-2010` I Item # 9
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Cty'of
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River
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Lori Johnson, City Administrator
DATE: May 3, 2010
SUBJECT: Joint Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission and City
Council
On Monday evening, the City Council and Parks and Recreation will have an opportunity to
discuss issues of mutual interest relating to the City's parks and recreation system. The last
joint meeting of these two groups was held May 4, 2009. A copy of the minutes from that
meeting is attached for your review.
As you can see from those minutes, some of the items discussed are still pertinent such as a
desire to improve Orono Park, the need to complete trail connections and extensions
throughout the City to link the trail system together, and generally to take advantage of any
park opportunities that become available that fit within the city's parks master plan or overall
parks goals.
I have not received any specific requests for agenda items from either council members or
parks and recreation members. Therefore, there is not a great deal of background
information provided with this staff report. At the meeting, Parks and Recreation Director
Bill Maertz will provide an update on growth of the parks and recreation department and the
activities and improvements the department has undertaken in the past few years. Staff will
also be prepared to talk about parks financing and obligations still outstanding on prior land
purchases. If there is other specific background information you would like for the meeting,
please contact staff.
S:\Public Bodies\Council\I.ori\2010\Parks and Rec joint meeting memo 05 03 l0.doc
City Council Minutes
May 4, 2009
Page 5
Ms. Johnson stated a summary of the Council planning workshops were included in the
Council packet and to let staff know if there are any changes. The Council did not make any
changes or comments to the information as presented.
5.8. Discuss Council Worksession Agendas
Ms. Johnson reviewed the worksession agendas for May and June.
It was Council consensus to accept them as presented.
6. Other Business
There was no other business.
Council Updates
There were no Council updates.
8. Staff Updates
Ms. Johnson stated the application deadline for the fire chief position closed and that 25
applications were received.
Mayor Klinzing recessed the meeting at 7:15 p.m. in order for the meeting to move to the
~~;~` Upper Town conference room for a joint meeting with the Parks and Recreation
Commission.
.'a _
9. Recess to Worksession with Parks and Recreation Commission
Mayor Klinzing re-opened the meeting at 7:20 p.m.
9.1. Master Plan Update
Mr. Maertz presented his staff report. He noted the following:
^ Lake Orono Park is becoming dilapidated but has the potential to be a great park. A
master plan has been completed for it and now it needs a funding source.
^ Biggest need in the city is for trails and trail links; especially in the southeast part of the
city. The trails should be geared to link to the rail station.
^ Take advantage of opportunities that arise such as properties that may come up for sale
near Woodland Trails Park.
^ Preservation of green spaces.
Commissioner Anderson stated he appreciates the opportunity to meet with the Council and
indicated the Commission is looking for more activity. He stated the City needs to take
advantage of opportunities when they can.
Kailroad Trail
City Council Minutes
May 4, 2009
Page 6
Commissioner Nystrom stated the railroad trail could be a good asset for the community but
needs support to expand trail development in other communities.
Mayor Klinzing questioned what needs to happen in order to move trail development
forward.
Mr. Maertz stated the city could act as an informal organizer to coordinate groups to see
what it would take to get further development of the trail. He noted there have been past
issues with property acquisition from landowners and the county's willingness to assist. He
further stated these types of trails bring growth with bike rental shops and bed and breakfast
type businesses. He stated Council support and staff time would be needed.
Mayor Klinzing stated if a plan could be put together fox this whole project there is a good
chance it could get funding.
Mayor Klinzing and Councilmembers Westgaard and Zerwas stated it was worth making the
effort to try and get further development of the trail.
Park Funding
Mayor Klinzing questioned the future of park funding and stated a referendum may be
needed when the economy improves.
Councilmember Motin noted there has been frustration by both the Council and the Parks
and Recreation Commission with having to hold off on park projects due to funding issues.
He stated he is not opposed to a referendum but it would need to take place in the long-term
future.
Commissioner Anderson stated when the city is built out, park dedication will run dry and
other sources of funds will be needed.
Landfill E.xj~ansian
Councilmember Westgaard questioned if the commission has had a chance to review the
many plans that axe currently in the works such as the Focus Area Study, Landfill, gravel
training study, etc.
Councilmember Zerwas noted the commission spent quite a bit of time thinking and
planning for the landfill project.
Commissioner Anderson stated if the landfill expansion project is to move forward, the
Council may want to require them to complete offsite mitigation fox parks.
Commissioner Niziolek stated the future of park development lies within the gravel mining
study.
Recreational Programming
Mr. Maertz provided an update of recreation activities.
Councilmember Gumphrey questioned how the department monitored success with
programming.
Mr. Maertz stated feedback is received in the following ways:
City Council Minutes Page 7
May 4, 2009
^ Program makes a profit
^ Feedback from parents
^ Attendance
^ Evaluation forms
9.2. Volunteer O~t~or~ nines
Mr. Maertz reviewed his staff report. He reviewed current volunteer hours and recognized
the many people who serve as volunteers.
Commissioner Larson stated the collaboration between the city and the YMCA has been
great.
Commissioner Anderson noted there were many more volunteers who were inadvertently
left out of the staff report who should be recognized.
Mayor Klinzing asked if there was anyone at the city who acts as a volunteer coordinator. It
was noted there wasn't and that staff picks up where they can to organize volunteers.
Commissioner Larson stated the YMCA utilizes interns and currently has an intern who is
working on creating a comprehensive volunteer plan.
Non-Resident Fees
Mayor Klinzing asked about non-resident fees.
Mr. Maertz stated out-of--town residents who request the senior newsletter must pay more.
Elk River residents get a discount at Pinewood Golf Course. He stated they don't have issues
with non-residents taking up class space as many of the programs are designed to not be
limited.
Emporium
It was questioned what the future is for the Emporium.
Mr. Maertz stated this facility has been shut down due to budget cuts.
Ms. Johnson stated staff has been reviewing possible uses for the structure. She noted the
building is in the footprint of future TH169 Highway expansion plans. She stated staff has
reviewed various options for the building, but decided to wait to make a decision on the
building until next spring. Ms. Johnson stated the city could consider entering into a lease
but there are building code issues and improvements that would be needed. The estimated
cost to demolish the building is approximately $30,000 and staff didn't feel that was a wise
expenditure now. She also stated staff wants to be sure they won't need the space in the
future if the building is demolished.
Mayor Klinzing stated someone interested in leasing the space may be willing to pay for the
needed improvements due to the building location.
Commissioner Anderson noted that Central Lutheran Church spent the weekend with
hundreds of kids cleaning up the town.
City Council Minutes
May 4, 2009
Page 8
Mayor Klinzing suggested the Council send a letter to the church recognizing and thanking
them for cleaning up Elk River.
Commissioner Peterson questioned if the Commission had a park priority list.
Commissioner Anderson felt this would be a good topic for a future agenda.
Mr. Maertz stated it is part of the budget document each year.
Mayor Klinzing told the commission they need to let Council know if there axe any projects
that really need funding so the Council is aware of them.
Councilmember Zerwas commended the staff at Parks and Recreation for all the hard work
and hours they perform.
Commissioner Gumphrey stressed the need to have projects ready to go for possible grant
money and questioned if staff was ready.
Mr. Maertz stated they do have projects ready to go and he highlighted the Orono Park
project.
Discussion took place regarding Sherburne County's participation in park projects.
10. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
City Council at 8:25 p.m.
Tina Allard, City Clerk
Stephanie Klinzing, Mayor