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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-25 PRC Packet Stillwater Parks and Recreation Commission meetings are streamed live on the city website and available to view on Channel 16. Public can participate in the meeting by attending in person at City Hall, logging in online at zoomgov.com/join or by calling 1-646- 828-7666 and enter the meeting ID number: 161 250 2450 AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION October 25, 2021 @ 7PM I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. August 23, 2021 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes 2. September 27, 2021 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes IV. OPEN FORUM – the open forum allows the public to address the commission on subjects which are not a part of the meeting. Commission may take action, reply, or give direction to staff. Please limit your comments to 5 minutes or less. V. NEW BUSINESS 3. 2022-2023 St. Croix Valley Recreation Center and Lily Lake Facility Usage Rates 4. Staples Tennis/Pickle Ball Court Lights 5. Neighborhood Playground Survey Questions VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS VII. COMMISSION ITEMS VIII. ADJOURN 6. Next Meeting will begin at 7 pm on November 2, 2021. 216 4th Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-430-8800 www.ci.stillwater.mn.us PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES August 23, 2021 NOTE: Voices were not being picked up well by the mics throughout the meeting. REGULAR MEETING 6:00 P.M. Chairman Brandt called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Present: Chairman Brandt, Commissioners Christensen (arrived at 6:27), Johnson, MacSwain, Nelson, Souter, Council Representative Polehna Absent: Commissioner Weidner Staff: Parks Superintendent Grode APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of July 26, 2021 meeting Motion by Commissioner Souter, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to approve the July 26, 2021 meeting minutes. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. NEW BUSINESS Rivertown Fall Art Festival Event Application Parks Superintendent Grode stated that the Stillwater Area Chamber of Commerce submitted an application to hold the Rivertown Fall Art Festival October 2 & 3, 2021. Over 150 artists and food vendors are expected to attend. The north end of Lowell Park, and parking lots 5, 9, 10 and Mulberry Circle will be used. In case of flooding, Plan B is to use Lot 4 and close off Sam Bloomer Way if needed. Motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Chairman Brandt, to recommend that the City Council approve the Rivertown Fall Art Festival event in North Lowell Park, October 2 & 3, 2021. All in favor. Harvest Fest Event Application Mr. Grode stated that Summer Tuesdays, Inc. submitted an application for an event permit for Harvest Fest October 9 & 10, 2021. The event organizers are asking to use North Lowell Park and parking lots 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 and Mulberry Circle. Motion by Chairman Brandt, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to recommend that the City Council approve the event permit for Harvest Fest, October 9 & 10, 2021 in North Lowell Park. All in favor. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting August 23, 2021 Page 2 of 2 UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. COMMISSION ITEMS Councilmember Polehna provided an update on Chestnut Plaza and the riverwalk project. The Council is considering a proposal for use of the Shoddy Mill buildings. The Commission commended Councilmember Polehna on the great job organizing the Lift and Loop Event. After adjournment, the Commission toured Anez Ridge Park, Lily Lake Park, and Northland Park. No official business was conducted. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Chairman Brandt, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 6:32 p.m. ___________________________________________ David Brandt, Chair ATTEST: ________________________________________________ Jason Grode, Parks Superintendent 216 4th Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-430-8800 www.ci.stillwater.mn.us PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES September 27, 2021 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Chairman Brandt called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Present: Chairman Brandt, Commissioners Johnson, MacSwain, Nelson (arrived at 7:20 p.m.) Council Representative Polehna Absent: Commissioners Christensen, Souter, Weidner Staff: Parks Superintendent Grode APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of August 23, 2021 meeting There was no quorum, so no vote was taken. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. NEW BUSINESS Skate Park Ramp Donation Parks Superintendent Grode stated that John Tasch is offering to donate a skateboard ramp for the Skate Park. Staff recommends installing the ramp on the north side of the Skate Park. The Commission is asked to recommend that the City Council approve both the donation and the recommended location. John Tasch explained he is a teacher and lifelong skateboarder. He received the ramp as a gift but has no place to install it so he would like to donate it. Councilmember Polehna said the City is considering moving the Skate Park to Lily Lake. He supports accepting the ramp. He asked if the ramp is approved or certified. Mr. Tasch replied the ramp is better quality than anything that is at the current Skate Park. He explained that as a young man in his hometown in Wisconsin, when skateboarding was banned from the downtown area, he approached City Hall and was put on a Commission. The result was a City-funded skate park, which is a current trend. He is aware the current Skate Park is getting old and is not used much. He feels if there was a better quality park, more skateboarders would use it. He would be happy to get involved in the issue. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Nelson to recommend approval of the donation of the skateboard ramp. All in favor. Jorg Hills Estate Subdivision, 13187 Dellwood Road North Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting September 27, 2021 Page 2 of 3 Mr. Grode stated that Todd Ganz intends to purchase the 3.8-acre property at 13187 Dellwood Road and split it into two parcels. This lot was developed with one single family residence prior to being annexed into the City from Stillwater Township. The Comprehensive Plan does not identify this property as an area for future park development. It is not within a 1⁄4 Mile Park Service Area. While land dedication of 1⁄4-acre would be preferable in this location, the site has access constraints. Staff recommends a cash dedication of $2,500 for the subdivision’s park and trail obligations. These fees would be due prior to release of the plat for filing with Washington County. Commissioner MacSwain voiced concerned about about whether a future trail will be right up next to the 55 mph road. He would like to somehow ensure the trail will be offset from the roadway. Councilmember Polehna shared that MnDOT will not allow the City to put a trail on Hwy. 96. Superintendent Grode said he will check on whether or not a trail is possible in this area. Motion by Chairman Brandt, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to recommend that the City Council accept the payment in lieu of park and trail obligations of 13187 Dellwood Road North. All in favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. COMMISSION ITEMS Commissioner Nelson said he heard complaints from two families this week about skateboarders almost running over people on the trails. He also has had to swerve to avoid skateboarders. Chairman Brandt said he has been on the receiving end of people shouting verbal insults or cutting him off. Commissioner MacSwain said he too has been cut off by skateboarders. At the restroom there was a rail set up across the steps that he almost tripped on. Councilmember Polehna said the issue has been going on for years. He requested some action from the Commission to get the issue in front of the City Council. Motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner MacSwain, to request that the rules regarding skateboards be applied downtown with particular attention to trails. All in favor. Councilmember Polehna updated the Commission on the following: The City received a $1 million donation toward rehabilitating the former Aiple house for park uses. He is trying to leverage State money to improve both that park and Bridgeview Park. He is setting up a meeting to try to install a public dock downtown near the Shoddy Mill and possibly across the river at Kolliner Park. The riverbank stabilization project should start October 1. He commended City staff on the pickleball court. Superintendent Grode said the trail at Northland Park should be completed in the next couple weeks. The Rivertown Fall Art Festival and Harvest Fest are coming up in Lowell Park. Councilmember Polehna added that the World Snow Sculpting Contest will be here in January and fundraising is occurring for the event’s expenses. The pedestrian plaza will be decorated again and the Twinkle Parade will take place this holiday season. The City has a three year contract with MnDOT to put holiday lights on the bridge. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting September 27, 2021 Page 3 of 3 Commissioner MacSwain thanked City staff for all the improvements at Northland Park. He shared that last weekend, Sustainable Stillwater looked at visioning for improvements that may be appropriate in the Croixwood open space area. Chairman Brandt noted that the League of American Bicyclists is doing a survey as part of the City’s application for Bike Friendly Community. Councilmember Polehna added that a grant from Washington County paid for installation of bike racks downtown. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m. ___________________________________________ David Brandt, Chair ATTEST: ________________________________________________ Jason Grode, Parks Superintendent Memo TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Doug Brady MEETING DATE: October 25, 2021 RE: 2022-2023 St. Croix Valley Recreation Center and Lily Lake Arena facility usage rates DISCUSSION Due to increases in repair costs due to aging equipment and the increased maintenance, staff would propose that the Commission consider recommending an increase in the rental fees for the Recreation Center and Lily Lake Ice and the Recreation Center Field House for the 2022-2023 seasons. The current rates are as follows: Prime Time Non-Prime Time Rec. Center Ice $220/hour $165/hour Lily Lake Ice $215/hour $165/hour Full Field House $320/hour $260/hour Half Field House $220/hour $190/hour Staff has obtained the current rates from our peer facilities and our rates remain far below and competitive to these facilities. The following table illustrates current rates for comparable facilities for each of our facilities. Facility: Comparable Facility Rates: Recreation Center Ice & Woodbury $235/hour Lily Lake Ice SSP $225/hour Eagan $240/hour Full Field house W St. Paul $360/hour Bielenberg $350/hour Vadnais $350/hour For the 2022-2023 season staff is proposing that the rates to rent the facilities increase. The proposed rates are as follows: Prime Time Non-Prime Time Summer Ice Rec. Center Ice $225/hour $170/hour $170/hour Lily Lake Ice $220/hour $170/hour $170/hour Full Field House $325/hour $265/hour $170/hour Half Field House $225/hour $195/hour $170/hour STAFF RECOMMENDATION Recommend City Council approval of the above proposed rate schedule for the 2022-2023 season. Memo To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Jason Grode, Parks Superintendent Meeting Date: October 25, 2021 Re: Court Lights at Staples Park BACKGROUND The lights at the Staples Park tennis and pickle ball courts have been off for roughly 10 years. Recently, we’ve received interest from a few residents who have asked if the City would consider turning the lights back on so people could use those courts in the evenings when it is getting dark. One of the issues with the location of those courts is that the courts are surrounded by residential homes and that’s one of the primary reasons why the lights have not been on for quite some time. The City already has lighted pickle ball (& tennis) courts at Northland Park and Lily Park, which are located in areas that are not close to residential homes. Liberty Park is similar to Staples Park as far as vicinity to residential homes and does not have lights. There would be cost(s) associated with not only repairing the lights and bringing them to good working order, but also ongoing costs for maintenance and utility costs. RECOMMENDATION The Parks and Recreation Commission should review and discuss whether or not staff should pursue getting the lights at Staples Park tennis/pickle ball cour ts repaired and in good working order. Memo To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Jason Grode, Parks Superintendent Meeting Date: October 25, 2021 Re: Playground Survey Questions for Neighborhoods BACKGROUND The City of Stillwater replaces and refurbishes playgrounds each year to make them safer and ADA accessible for residents. In 2022, the City of Stillwater is planning to replace the playgrounds at Anez Ridge Park and Meadowlark Park. As was mentioned at a previous meeting, staff will send out a survey to the residents wh o live near those parks to get feedback on the equipment there and any other amenities. Below are some sample questions that could be included in the survey sent out to residents who live near those parks. Staff is asking for feedback from the Parks and Recreation Commission for questions to be included in the survey. 1. If the site contains trees. Would you prefer: a. More trees preserved and less open spaces b. More of a balance between preserving trees and providing open spaces c. Other suggestions: _____ 2. Would you like to see a park that provides: (select all that apply) a. Lots of open facilities and spaces for children b. More quiet, landscaped areas c. Benches and picnic tables d. Balance of open spaces and passive landscape areas e. Other suggestions: _____ 3. What type of park facilities would you like to see provided in this park: (select all that apply) a. Playground equipment for children ages 2 to 5 b. Playground equipment for children ages 5 to 12 c. Half-court basketball court d. Park shelter for picnics or social gatherings e. Other suggestions: _____ 4. Please list the number of children in your family in each age group: a. 2 to 5 years ______ b. 6 to 12 years ______ c. 12 to 18 years _____