HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-11-22 PRC MINParks and Recreation Board
Nov. 22, 1999
Present: David Junker, chairperson
Linda Amrein, Nancy Brown, Rich Cummings, Dawn Flinn, Al Liehr,
Rob McGarry, Del Peterson, Mike Polehna, and Steve Wolff
Absent: Sara Thingvold
Mr. Junker called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Approval of minutes: Ms. Amrein noted a typographical error in the third paragraph under the
report from the Parks Director — handing the paver program should be handling the paver
program. She also asked that the third paragraph under the discussion of Settlers' Park be
corrected to reflect that her question was whether Settlers' Park was to be a private park or a
public neighborhood park. Mr. Liehr, seconded by Mr. McGarry, moved approval of the minutes
of Oct. 25, 1999, as corrected; all in favor.
SCVAP prese�tiQn
Representatives of the St. Croix Valley Athletic Partnership (SCVAP) John Melville, executive
director, and Richard Siver, president of the board, gave a presentation about their organization.
Mr. Melville explained the SCVAP was incorporated in the fall of 1997, the outgrowth of a
partnership between the St. Croix Soccer Club and the St. Croix Valley Athletic Association.
The mission of SCVAP is to promote and advance youth athletics by providing facilities for
outdoor sports. The group serves over 4,300 kids. Mr. Melville updated the board on the status of
the Partnership's first facility, which is located on 50 acres in West Lakeland Township near
Interstate 94; the site is leased from the Belwin Foundation, an environmental learning
organization, at a cost of $1 a year. Phase 1 of the project, which provides 12 sports fields, has
been completed — the fields have been graded, grass planted and irrigation system installed — at a
cost of about $1.2 million.
Mr. Melville said the second phase of the project will be raising money for perimeter fencing,
paving of the parking area, construction of a concession building/ranger station, construction of a
maintenance building, operating costs. Once the capital is raised, there will be no further user
fees, he said. It is estimated that in the not too distant future, there will be a need for 105 acres to
site athletic facilities to serve the needs of youth. The Partnership currently is asking
communities in the group's service area, basically School District 834, to provide a pledge of
monetary support. Mr. Melville noted that 38 percent of the total number of kids served come
from Stillwater, and he appealed to the Parks Board to support the Partnership's request for
funding from the City Council.
Mr. Polehna noted that School District 834 is no longer interested in the Jaycee ball fields in
Stillwater, suggesting that land might be a possibility for future use by the SCVAP. Mr.
Cummings noted that the city of Stillwater and Stillwater Township are interested in working
cooperatively in the development of a community park complex, including sports fields, when
land becomes available in the annexation area, and suggested that might be a way for the city to
support the Partnership in the future.
Mr. Wolff raised the issue of the failure of a number of communities in the SCVAP service area
to support the city of Stillwater's request for support for the St. Croix Valley Recreation Center.
Mr. McGarry said the real issue is how much money the SCVAP is looking for.
Later in the meeting, Ms. Flinn, seconded by Mr. Liehr, made a motion indicating the Park
Board's support of the concept of the St. Croix Valley Athletic Partnership's mission to promote
youth athletics by providing facilities for outdoor sports; motion passed unanimously.
Settlers' Park and water res rvoir
Community Development Director Steve Russell and Jim McKnight, manager of the Stillwater
Water Department, were present for this discussion. Mr. McKnight stated that bids for
construction of the water reservoir were advertised the week prior to the Park Board meeting,
with bid opening set -for Dec. 20; construction will begin in spring. The construction plans and
specs were drawn up according to the park plans reviewed by the Park Board at the October
meeting, he said. The Water Department will be paying for the cost of paving the top of the
reservoir and setting the top for two tennis courts; the Water Department will not be striping or
providing nets for the courts. The extra cost for preparing the top of the reservoir for the courts,
rather than just soding the top, is $60,000, Mr. McKnight said. He also noted the Water Board
had recently given the city a lot in Oak Glen that had been purchased for a possible well site;
value of the lot, given for park/open space, is about $50,000, he said. Later in the discussion, Mr.
Russell pointed out the money from the sale of the lot will not go directly to the Parks
Department budget, rather it will go to the operating fund which could be used to bond for
capital outlay projects, including parks projects. Ms. Amrein said the Park Board should ask for a
clarification of where the money is going.
Mr. Wolff noted that when the Park Board initially gave its approval to the plans for Liberty on
the Lake, where Settlers' Park will be located, the Board didn't require as much park dedication
land in exchange for the developers providing and paying for all the park amenities, and
questioned why the Water Board, rather than the developer, should be required to pay for park
improvements. Mr. Russell noted the developer is paying for parking and pedestrian walkways
and a monument plaza. Mr. Wolff expressed his opinion that any monument should be placed on
the developers' land, not park land, and his concern in general about the proposed monument
plaza. Mr. Junker noted that the Park Board had given concept approval to the plans and the
developer needs to fine tune those plans. Mr. Russell stated when detailed park plans and
phasing are prepared, he will return to the Park Board with the developers.
In other matters, Mr. Russell asked for volunteers to work with a consultant and staff in
developing landscaping plans for the Brown's Creek/McKusick area. Ms. Flinn, Ms. Brown and
Mr. Cummings agreed to volunteer. Ms. Amrein asked why the tree ordinance had not come
before the Park Board. Mr. Russell explained that the official process is for the ordinance to be
heard by the Planning Commission and City Council as it is part of the city's zoning ordinance.
Dis ussion of police activities related to vandalism
Captain Craig Peterson represented the Police Department for the discussion. Captain Peterson
said officers know to watch Pioneer and Lowell Park for vandals. He said the department relies
on citizens calling regarding suspicious activities. Mr. Polehna provided information on
Washington County's reserve unit, unpaid volunteer reserves who assist in patrolling parks and
other activities. Captain Peterson said there is a possibility of using some members of the Police
Department's Explore Scout Troop to assist with park patrol; however, he said there are some
issues involved that he would have to investigate further to determine if that is a possibility.
Ms. Amrein spoke of the importance of awareness — asking hardware stores to notify the Police
Department if kids are buying too many cans of spray paint and going to immediate neighbors
asking them to call regarding any suspicious activities, etc.
Mr. Junker said he would like the Park Board to look into different alternatives to address the
problem. Captain Peterson said he would look into the possibility of using Explorers and/or a
reserve unit. Mr. Peterson concluded the discussion by noting it is important for the Police
Department to understand the Park Board is not satisfied with the status quo.
Park fees. Park Director's report.
Ms. Brown, seconded by Mr. Liehr, moved to set the park fees for 2000 as recommended by Mr.
Thomsen.
There was a brief discussion of Mr. Thomsen's list of possible projects for Pioneer Park. Ms.
Amrein noted that the original master plan for Pioneer Park calls for the removal of the band
shell. Before putting a new roof on the band shell, she said that issue should be addressed. Mr.
Peterson, seconded by Ms. Amrein, made a motion not to expend any money on the band shell
until the master plan has been revised to include the band shell; motion passed unanimously.
New business
Ms. Brown asked for support for the proposed tree ordinance and explained some of the elements
of the revised ordinance.
Mr. Peterson brought up the issue of the absence of a city liaison at the meeting and called it a
"frustrating" way to conduct business.
Mr. Junker reminded members whose terms expire at the end of 1999 to let City Clerk Morli
Weldon know if they want to continue to serve on the board.
It was agreed to hold the December meeting on Dec. 20 at the park building on Greeley Street.
Mr. Liehr, seconded by Mr. Peterson, moved to adjourn at 9:30 p.m.; all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Baker
Recording Secretary