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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-24 PRC MIN 216 4th Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-430-8800 www.ci.stillwater.mn.us PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES January 24, 2022 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Chairman Brandt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Chairman Brandt, Commissioners Christensen, Johnson, Nelson, Weidner Absent: Commissioners Macswain, Souter, Councilmember Polehna Staff: Parks Superintendent Grode annually, working with the Natural Resource Technician. Parks Superintendent Grode replied an inspection is done upon complaint but could be done properties. Many homeowners may not realize it is City land behind them. Commissioner Johnson asked if the City does an annual inspection of parkland adjacent to pictures that make it appear that a property goes straight down to the lake which is deceptive. or City Attorney to remind people that no one owns right down to the water. Realtors often use be a fire hazard. She asked that there be a letter sent out periodically by the Parks Commission place for ducks and geese. In addition, a walking trail has been piled with brush, which could chairs there, tacking things up on the trees and generally abusing the island, which is a nesting into the water. Another dock is being used by kids who have been sleeping there, hauling recurring and a dock that was built by a neighbor on the small island in Long Lake has fallen reminded of the rules and most cleaned up their abuse of the land. The problem is now Long Lake, putting up docks and parking boats and canoes. As a result, property owners were concern about property owners encroaching the open areas by clearcutting all the way to the Margaret Boettcher, a resident of Nightingale for 48 years, said in 2010 she brought forth a newsletter and web site. the public about open spaces and locations through an annual educational event, the City to clean up woody areas, decrease the mowed area, increase pollinator plantings, and educate existing homeowners adjacent to the open spaces that it is public land. She encouraged the City more signage making trails more visible and walkable, and reminders for homebuyers and area look like extensions of lawns, so community members are not using them. She suggested Louise (no last name given) shared her observation that public park spaces in the Croixwood OPEN FORUM minutes of the November 29, 2021 meeting. All in favor. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Christensen, to approve the Possible approval of minutes of November 29, 2021 meeting APPROVAL OF MINUTES Watson Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting January 24, 2022 Page 2 of 5 Ms. Boettcher suggested that signs showing the park boundary be placed on the lake side at the 145 foot line. Chairman Brandt remarked that with digital imagery, property lines are easy to investigate. This topic could be put on the agenda for next month for more information. Commissioner Christensen commented that not all City land is considered parkland. The Parks Commission is concerned with officially designated parkland. Commissioner Weidner said he would like more clarification whether the areas are designated as pathways and whether or not they are maintained. Commissioner Johnson suggested this topic be an ongoing agenda item. NEW BUSINESS 1330 5th Street South Resubdivision Park and Trail Dedication Requirements Parks Superintendent Grode stated that the applicant is requesting to split the property at 1330 5th Street South into two individual lots. An existing house will remain; a new lot for a future single-family residence would be created to the north. The property is not located within 1⁄4 mile of a park but is within 1⁄4 mile of a school with ballfields, playground equipment, and open field areas. The sidewalk and trail plan does not show existing or future sidewalks or trails in this location. Therefore, fees in the amount of $2,000 for parks and $500 for trails in lieu of land dedication is reasonable. Staff recommends that the Commission recommend the Council accept a cash dedication of $2,500 for the Resubdivision of 1330 5th Street South park and trail obligations. These fees would be due prior to the City’s release of new deeds for filing with Washington County. Motion by Chairman Brandt, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to recommend the Council accept a cash dedication of $2,500 for the Resubdivision of 1330 5th Street South park and trail obligations. All in favor. Anez Ridge Playground Structure Replacement Project Mr. Grode stated the City has budgeted $120,000 for replacement of two play structures in 2022 (Meadowlark Park and Anez Ridge Park). He provided a proposed design for Anez Ridge that fits within the current budget. The next step will be to gain feedback from the public on the City’s website and social media page and then bring back any feedback to the next meeting. The February 28 meeting will also be a public information meeting for additional feedback. Chair Brandt pointed out that when touring this park last summer, the Commissioners questioned how much use this play structure gets. He did some demographic analysis in this area and found there is no one under age 14 south of Shelton Drive. The area to the north has a larger percentage of young people but it isn’t known if they use this equipment. The trail accessing the area to the north is a rough single track path. This park is designed to serve people within 1/4 to 1/2 mile. Commissioner Johnson said it is hard to make a decision on playground equipment without neighborhood feedback to see if it is wise use of money in this area. Commissioner Weidner commented the area to the south is isolated from any other parkland so this would be the only park near them. Better playground equipment may bring more use. Commissioner Nelson remarked there are many homes nearby, it would be a $45,000 playground set that would last 15+ years and it’s on the schedule of playgrounds to update. He Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting January 24, 2022 Page 3 of 5 feels there is value in obtaining input but even if there are only a few people who use this park, and the City decides not to replace the playground, it would be making the statement that the City doesn’t want to continue to serve the playground needs. Commissioner Christensen added that because there are no kids there now, doesn’t mean in the future there won’t be, because houses get bought and sold all the time. Mr. Grode said feedback will be solicited via the web site and posting a sign at the park. Commissioner Weidner said that doesn’t seem sufficient to get an idea of the use of the park. Chairman Brandt said last month the Commission discussed doing a mailing to get feedback. Mr. Grode said the #1 concern with playgrounds is safety. When they reach 15-20 years old, it is hard to find replacement parts, so the structure would need to be removed if becomes unsafe. Aesthetics are also an issue, as playgrounds represent the City. Commissioner Weidner asked about annual maintenance costs. Mr. Grode said staff could pull the cost info. together. Commissioner Weidner asked if there is a formula that if a certain percentage of people in 1/4 mile say they want to use it, then the City keeps it? Mr. Grode said there is a tipping point and it’s difficult to remove a playground structure if even one person brings their children or grandchildren there. The City has roughly 20 parks and this one is surrounded by industrial zoning. That may be a decision-making factor. Commissioner Weidner noted regardless of feedback, it serves a purpose for those people who live in that area who don’t have much access to other playgrounds. Commissioner Christensen asked if the Commission has ever removed equipment without replacing it, other than Northland. He remarked that the discussion started out about what kind of equipment to get, rather than discussing whether or not to even replace it. Mr. Grode related that if a replacement is to be installed this year, pushing the decision past February 28 would push the shipping and installation later in the year. Chair Brandt asked about the cost of doing a survey, staff time and mailing, and to what extent it would influence the decision. Commissioner Christensen said, recalling the Pioneer Park project, the Commission needs to get at what the citizens want. Commissioner Weidner said if a survey is used, it should show what is proposed. Commissioner Nelson asked if the City has a way of assessing the state of individual playgrounds, or are they chosen for replacement based just on their age? A middle option seems to be to maintain what is there, if maintenance costs are not excessive. Mr. Grode replied both of these parks have wooden structures that have issues and it is difficult to find replacement parts. Accessibility is the other issue with Anez Ridge in particular. The City audits every playground every year more than once, and also does weekly or biweekly inspections. Both these parks have safety and aesthetics issues that need to be addressed. Commissioner Weidner asked to put this on the next meeting agenda with more info. about exactly what needs to be done, and costs associated with upkeep. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting January 24, 2022 Page 4 of 5 Commissioner Christensen reminded the Commission it is asking kids to go play on a play set that is almost 30 years old. Motion by Commissioner Weidner, seconded by Commissioner Christensen, to approve the playground design for Anez Ridge as proposed. Chair Brandt noted there is a cost to removing the structure and a cost to do a survey. He does not want to spend $10-15,000 to come to the same conclusion that it needs to be replaced. Mr. Grode said there is still have time to allow feedback till the February 28 meeting. But if the Commission wants to move in the direction of approving it without any feedback, that is fine. Chair Brandt remarked he would rather err on the side of communicating to people what the proposal is, than to just have it happen to them because that is not a good feeling. Motion failed 1-3–1 with Chairman Brandt, Commissioners Christensen and Johnson voting nay and Commissioner Nelson abstaining. Meadowlark Playground Structure Replacement Project Mr. Grode provided a proposal for the replacement playground structure at Meadowlark Park. Commissioner Johnson asked if there is a sign on the park entrance. Mr. Grode stated no. Staff is aware of the need for uniform signage and branding of the City, per discussion at a previous Commission meeting. Chair Brandt said he sees this park used a lot and he would like to ensure the neighborhood knows what is happening. Commissioner Christensen asked why the two play structures for Anez and Meadowlark are so different. Mr. Grode explained there is an effort to match the activities and size of the old structure. Memorial Bench Costs and Donation Program Review Mr. Grode reported that staff recommends increasing the donation for a new memorial bench from $1,500 to $1,800. The City’s cost for the benches has increased from $1,400 to $1657. Motion by Commissioner Weidner, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to recommend that the City Council increase the donation for a new memorial bench to $1,800. All in favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. COMMISSION ITEMS Commissioner Johnson asked the status on the ADA accessible playground at New Heights Charter School. Mr. Grode replied he talked to the principal in November and they are still fundraising. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Weidner, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. February 28, 2022. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting January 24, 2022 David Brandt, Chair ATTEST: aw2'9-wltGZ6 - f at Gr e, Parks S erintendent Page 5 of 5