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Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes <br />November 13, 2024 <br />7. Discussion Items <br />7.1 Maher Property <br />Page 2 <br />Mr. Shelby presented his report. Chair Anderson explained that anytime the Commission and City of <br />Elk River consider adding park land to the system it is a process. He shared that the process should start with <br />being brought before the commission and then be discussed in future meetings. He also brought up that it is <br />hard to foresee opportunities of adding park land during master plan creation process since the potential park <br />land may not be available at that time. <br />Chair Anderson pointed out that John Maher, the owner of the potential park property being discussed <br />currently accessed his property via a gated off dirt path at the end of the cul de sac within Camp Cozy. He <br />pointed out that the current owner is looking to sell the property so potentially move south. <br />Commissioner Fermoyle asked what would happen to the house. Chair Anderson said it would most likely be <br />demolished. He shared that the house sits about thirty inches above the river and does not flood unless there <br />is an ice damn. Commissioners Stewart and Loidolt said they have walked the property before. Commissioner <br />Niziolek said that anytime there is riverfront property that becomes available it is very important for the <br />commission to take a look at it. Commissioner Niziolek said that this property would provide good canoe <br />access to the river. <br />Chair Anderson said he has canoed by the property many times and said it is very doable and there is even <br />some little whitewater upstream. He said it would be a good area for a picnic spot with a potential reservable <br />shelter. Commissioner Loidolt asked where the funds for this would come from. Mr. Stremcha said that the �._. <br />money could come from either park improvement or park dedication. Chair Anderson said the owner is <br />talking about $80,000 and the demolition of the house would be an additional cost. <br />Commissioner Stewart asked when the sale would take place. Chair Anderson said the owner would prefer <br />that the city purchase it so he would be willing to wait a bit. He is the unofficial park steward of Camp Cozy <br />and has been mowing the trails on his own with his own trailer for years. Commissioner Goodwin pointed <br />out that we will be losing a good amenity in what the owner provides. <br />Mr. Shelby asked if the commissioners would like staff to go to the Council to discuss adding this land to the <br />master plan and then have further discussions of purchase. It was a consensus of the commission to <br />recommend to the council to include this property in the master plan for possible purchase. <br />7.2 Nystrom Property <br />Mr. Shelby presented his report. The total property available is about 20 acres. Mr. Shelby reviewed the trails <br />on the sides of the property via the trail master plan slide included in the packet. Chair Anderson said the <br />current owners would be interested in having a portion of the property be used for potential future park use. <br />The property could potentially be sold as one piece or split into three. Chair Anderson said he and staff are <br />looking for input from the commission on whether there would be any interest to purchase it. The City of <br />Elk River could potentially purchase 3 to 5 acres instead of the whole piece. Commissioner Fermoyle asked if <br />10V18EI 81 <br />NAfURE <br />