09-22-2003 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council ~[inutes Page 4 September 22, 2003 COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. City Administrator Pat Klaers reminded the Council that the homecoming parade is Friday, September 26, 2003. The Council should meet at 5 p.m. at St. Andrews Church. City Administrator Pat Klaers stated that the Recreation Assistant that was hired for Facilities and Programming decided not to accept the position. Mr. Fdaers stated that staff is working on fdling this position. City Administrator Pat Klaers indicated that the city will be charged staffing expenses for use of the Litde Theater after 11 p.m. on meeting nights. It was noted that the Council will begin meeting in the Little Theater on Monday, October 20, 2003. It was also noted that the next meeting of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority on Monday, October 27 will be held in the Litde Theater. Councilmember Dietz advised the City Council and City Engineer Terry Maurer that he has heard many positive comments regarding the work crew on the 4th Street project. Mr. Maurer stated that he will be sure to pass this information on to the crew. The Council recessed at 7:05 p.m. and reconvened at 7:10 p.m. for a joint meeting with the Park and Recreation Commission. 6. Joint Meeting with the Park and Recreation Commission Park and Recreation Chair Peterson thanked the Council for allowing the joint meeting to occur. The Commission has been participating in the Comprehensive Plan Update and has been working on an update to the Master Park and Recreation Plan. The Commission is very interested in the greenway initiatives that are proposed in the draft comprehensive plan and feel that there is an opportunity for utilizing this initiative to preserve the characteristics of the community that attracted residents to move here. Chair Peterson introduced Hannah Dunevitz, a Regional Plant Ecologist with the Department of Natural Resources. Ms. Dunevitz provided an overview of green infrastructure principles, the biological survey of Sherburne County, the seven county metro area wildlife habitat inventory and reviewed alternatives for protecting environmentally sensitive land. She also talked about rare plants and animals that are located within the Elk River area. She stated that in order to implement a greenway plan, more detailed mapping is needed based on the lack of information that is available. Commissioner Paul Paige then spoke regarding the steps to implement the greenway concept. Mr. Paige stated that prior to approaching developers and getting community buy-in that there needs to be education, careful planning, and long-term commitment to the concept. There will be continual change to the community by development; however,