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Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes November 12, 2025 --------- Page 3 of 6 commission. Councilmember Grupa reminded them that the City Council will be reviewing this as well and will have a lot to add so the Commission should focus on city parks and trails. Chair Anderson said he would like to suggest that he and Commissioner Stewart be on the committee. Councilmember Grupa said he would like to see this done before the first of the year. Moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Varty to table the proceeding before them for the proposed ordinance for electric powered bicycles and other power assisted vehicles. Motion carried 6-0. Moved by Commissioner Goodwin and seconded by Commissioner Loidolt, that a committee be created consisting of three commissioners, Chair Anderson, Commissioner Stewart, and Commissioner Niziolek to work on an updated draft of the e-bike and electric device ordinance with Parks and Recreation staff. Motion carried 6-0. 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS 7.1 Safety at Athletic Complexes Mr. Shelby presented his report. Mr. Shelby explained that staff did some research and contacted several other cities that have field complexes and what they have done as far as safety precautions. Staff did not find other cities that are taking action to do so other than existing fencing or boulders. St. Paul was the only city staff ran across which had done something and it was in reaction to an event that had taken place. Commissioner Niziolek said he was at a neighboring city athletic complex within 10 miles of Elk River where vehicles were driving in and around on the soccer fields. He said he could see the potential for something bad to happen if this is allowed. This was not within the City of Elk River. Commissioner Varty asked if the people were dropping kids off or messing around. Commissioner Niziolek said they were dropping kids off. Commissioner Loidolt said it sounds like a localized incident and that it is being done on a common basis. He also pointed out that they had vandalism out at the PT complex a few years ago by someone driving on the football field and asked Mr. Shelby if there was anything recently. Mr. Shelby said not that he can recall. Commissioner Loidolt shared he is all for safety but sometimes when you put up barriers you also limit freedom. He said that what St. Paul installed looks highly expensive and well thought out. He asked if we have checked pricing with Plaisted’s, etc. or anything. Mr. Shelby said no we haven’t. Commissioner Loidolt shared that he understands the concern for safety but asked if we are going to protect all fields and would we stop at fields or do parks and playgrounds as well? He also appreciates that the PT Complex sponsors want to protect people and are concerned about their safety. Commissioner Stewart asked if we had someone that has a security or safety type of background to look at the facilities to do a boot on the ground type of assessment. Mr. Shelby said that they would want to apply that to all the field complexes if they were going to do that. He asked if they were going to make any sort of adjustments etc., do they want to do that at just one facility or have someone look at multiple facilities? Mr. Stremcha said this could be something simple like making a recommendation to have the City of Elk DRAFTPage 4 of 25