Laserfiche WebLink
• SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER <br /> PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION <br /> HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL <br /> WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1997 <br /> Members Present: Chair Dana Anderson; Commissioners Kuester, Dave Anderson, <br /> Huberty, Rolfe Anderson (7:20 p.m.) <br /> Members Absent: Commissioners Olson, Madsen, and Westrum <br /> Also Present: Councilmember Thompson <br /> Staff Present: Phil Hals,Street/Park Superintendent and Pat Klaers, City <br /> Administrator <br /> 1. Call Meeting to Order <br /> Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the Elk River Park <br /> and Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Chair Dana <br /> Anderson. <br /> 2. Decision Resources Presentation on Community Survey <br /> Bill Morris of Decision Resources reviewed the results of the Community Survey that <br /> was conducted in late April/early May. The study contains the results of a <br /> telephone survey of 400 randomly selected residents. <br /> In an overview statement, Mr. Morris indicated that it was a big surprise to see the <br /> support for a community center in Elk River. This support is counter to the <br /> metropolitan trend which is moving away from supporting community centers. <br /> Mr. Morris also indicated that there is strong support for outside recreation issues <br /> and that a bond referendum could be successful on this topic. In comparing the <br /> two issues, the support was higher for a community center, but there are some <br /> concerns that need to be looked at with this community center proposal. <br /> Mr. Morris indicated that he would comment on some general statistics, but <br /> would concentrate on the park and recreation and community center questions <br /> • and leave the balance of the survey results to be presented later in a more <br /> comprehensive manner to the City Council. <br /> It was noted that what the residents liked best about Elk River is its location and <br /> "small town" feeling, and what the residents liked least about Elk River is its growth <br /> (i.e., traffic and crime). The high number of "nothing" responses to this like least <br /> question is unusual and it was noted that taxes are a low priority issue. <br /> The overall rating of the Park and Recreation facilities in Elk River dropped 14 <br /> percent from the 1989 survey and the total who found the facilities to be either <br /> • good or excellent (66 percent) is very low in comparison to metropolitan area <br /> communities. The city received especially low rankings from new residents. <br />