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Park & Recreation Commission Minutes September S, 2010 Page 2 Mx. Benoit shared updates regarding the following; City Council holding a work session on September 13 to discuss the possibility of purchasing BaIley Point, hiring of the Parks and Recreation Director, lighting installed at Hillside Park parking lot and alley drainage next to River's Edge Park. Discussion Items 7.1.A. City Park Hours Polite Recreation Manager, Steve Benoit shared that concerns have been raised in regards to activities that occur in Elk River city parks after hours. Current city ordinance states that parks are open to the public from Gam to lOpm daily. However, there have cases where activities axe operating outside that timefxame. Examples include; Mountain bike riding at Hillside Ciry Paxk, hikers at Woodland Tralls Park and disk golf at Lions Park. Mx. Benoit stated that staff is looking for feedback from the commission on how to approach the issue of aftexhours park use. Possibilities include; adhere to current ordinance and not allow activities to occur outside park hours without a permit or adjust hours at certain parks based on use demands, which would require a change in the city ordinance. Chief of Police, Jeff Beahen shared that this issue is two-fold; with 44 parks it is challenging to know what afterhour's activities are allowed at which parks and to enforce that. Would like to be able to differentiate as to who can use the park after hours or not. Decision should be made based on the whole community. Commissioner I{axlsen stated that is the park has posted hours of operation than how is there a legitimate user? There shouldn't be anyone in the park. Chief Beahen agreed that the posted hours should keep all users out. Implementing a way to issue permits for after hours would be a way to keep track. Commissioner Anderson stated the only good way to differentiate who can use the park after posted hours would be to issue permits. Chief Beahen stated he would like to avoid issuing permits for after hours park use, which could catapult into all kinds of users looking to use all kinds of different parks. He asked the commission to look into this one issue at hand of using Hillside Park after hours for night riding. Commissioner Niziolek asked if Chief Beahen would be comfortable with night riding permits being issued along with being notified. Chief Beahen stated that it would be good to have a permit on the vehicle. Hillside City Park TxaIl Steward, Rich Omdahl shared that there are three fall night time races which will go past posted park hours; a lot of riders work latex shifts and