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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-25 PRC MINStiliwater The 6irlhplace of Minnesota 216 4th Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-430-8800 www.ci.stillwater.mn.us PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES October 25, 2021 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Vice Chairwoman Souter called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Present: Vice Chairwoman Souter, Commissioners Johnson, MacSwain, Weidner Absent: Chairman Brandt, Commissioners Christensen and Nelson, Councilmember Polehna Staff: Parks Superintendent Grode, St. Croix Valley Recreation Center Manager Brady APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of August 23, 2021 meeting and September 27, 2021 meeting Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Vice Chair Souter, to approve the minutes of the August 23, 2021 meeting. All in favor. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner MacSwain, to approve the minutes of the September 27, 2021 meeting. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. NEW BUSINESS 2022-2023 St. Croix Valley Recreation Center and Lily Lake Facility Usage Rates Doug Brady, St. Croix Valley Recreation Center Manager, told the Commission that due to increases in repair costs due to aging equipment and increased staff costs, staff recommends 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. He said the rates are far below those of peer facilities. He provided proposed rate increases. Motion by Commissioner Weidner, seconded by Commissioner Johnson to recommend approval of the rate change for 2022-2023 for the Recreation Center and Lily Lake Ice and the Recreation Center Field House as proposed. All in favor. Staples Tennis/Pickle Ball Court Lights Mr. Grode stated that the lights at the Staples Park tennis and pickle ball courts have been off for roughly 10 years. A few residents have asked the City to turn the lights back on so people could use the courts in the evenings. The courts are surrounded by 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 and tennis courts at Northland Park and Lily Park, 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 costs associated with repairing the lights and Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting October 25, 2021 bringing them to good working order, and also ongoing costs for maintenance and utility costs. Minor repairs would be roughly $200-300 or more, if more electrical work is needed to get the lights in working order. Commissioner Johnson suggested turning the lights back on for a trial period of 1-2 years, perhaps on a timer. Otherwise the lights should be removed to not give the impression the courts are lit. Commissioner Weidner suggested turning the lights on, while also investigating a less intrusive downlit type of lighting for all the parks. This park would be a good area to start with. Commissioner MacSwain agreed that a less intrusive lighting design would be better. For example, the Northland Park lights are very bright. The City also should engage the neighbors in the discussion. Mr. Grode responded that the City could survey the neighborhood. Liberty Park will be resurfaced in 2022 and the City could also look at possibly putting lights there. Commissioner Weidner reminded Mr. Grode to check Liberty's development agreement which is very restrictive. Because the 2022 budget is set, it should be clear that new, less intrusive lights would not be installed until at least 2023. Mr. Grode stated the survey would just gauge support for the lights. He doubts the City would repair the existing lights this late in the year. Commissioner Weidner suggested moving forward with repair with the understanding that if it is more than $2,500, it would be brought back to the Commission. Vice Chair Souter said she would prefer the lights would shut off automatically at a certain time, or earlier if they aren't being used. Also she would support surveying nearby residents, at least giving them notice so they are aware the lights are going to be turned on. Motion by Commissioner Weidner, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to direct staff to pursue repair of existing lights unless the cost is more than $2,500 in which case it will be brought back to the Commission. All in favor. Neighborhood Playground Survey Questions Mr. Grode stated that in 2022, the City is planning to replace the playgrounds at Anez Ridge Park and Meadowlark Park. A survey will be sent to residents living near those parks to get feedback. He reviewed sample questions. Commissioner Johnson suggested adding a question, How often do you use the park? Commissioner Weidner asked, what is the geographic boundary for the survey? Mr. Grode answered 500 feet from the edge of the park property. He also would post a sign at the park to inform additional users. Commissioner Weidner said the survey area might be made larger since many residents walk to the parks. Commissioner MacSwain suggested having the survey available at the park also, perhaps via a scannable QR code at the playground structure. He also noted that drainage is very poor at Meadowlark Park and that a paved path might be more beneficial than a playground. The survey might address the desire for more trail connections to parks. Page 2 of 3 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting October 25, 2021 Mr. Grode said he will bring a map back to next meeting to discuss how many residents the surveys will be sent to, along with suggested signage, possibly with QR code. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. COMMISSION ITEMS Commissioner Johnson asked if the steps to the rock garden/sunken garden are included in the 2022 budget. Mr. Grode said he is not certain whether everything has been finalized by the City Council yet. He will update the Commission at the next meeting. He also brought up the idea of shutting down the tennis and pickleball courts for the season. Last winter there were issues caused by players clearing snow and using ice melt or rock salt causing surface damage. It would help preserve the nets if they are removed for the winter. An arbitrary date could be selected, or the City could do it once there is 1-2" of snowcover. Perhaps staff would look at locking the gates. Commissioner Johnson asked if a sign could be posted and the pickleball community informed about not putting salt down. She would hate to see the gate locked but is in favor of maintaining the courts the right way and taking down the nets. Commissioner MacSwain said it would be good to set a date each year to close the courts, maybe being more flexible the first year but post "starting next year it will be closed on (whatever) date." Vice Chair Souter said she would support posting a date when the courts will be closed for the season but November 1 may be too early, December 1 may be appropriate. She feels the sign should also state that the nets will be removed and that people should not put any chemicals on the surfaces. Commissioner Weidner said this item should be on the agenda and allow public input. Mr. Grode noted if the City removes the nets but does not lock the courts, people may bring in temporary nets. That still leaves the issue of individuals removing snow, possibly damaging the surface and using ice melt. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Weidner, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m. ATTEST: ode, Parr Superintendent Stephanie pouter, Vice Chair Page 3 of 3