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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-06-28 PRC MINParks and Recreation Board June 28, 1999 Present: David Junker, Chairperson Linda Amrein, Nancy Brown, Rich Cummings, Dawn Flinn, Al Liehr, Rob McGarry, Del Peterson, Sara Thingvold and Steve Wolff Others: Parks Director Tim Thomsen Absent: Mike Polehna Mr. Junker called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Approval of minutes: Mr. Liehr, seconded by Ms. Amrein, moved approval of the minutes of May 24, 1999; all in favor. Meadowlark Park Bill Jordan, 2212 Fairmeadows Road, appeared before the Board to express concerns about Meadowlawk Park. He spoke of the ongoing drainage problems at the park, the fact that the park has never been well maintained in the past, and the fact that the boundaries of the park have never been well defined. He also expressed concerns about recent park improvements, suggesting that the placement of the basketball court precluded other park uses. He also stated the drainage problems still have not been corrected and the park boundaries remain undefined. Mr. Thomsen and Board members noted the park improvements were developed based on neighborhood input. Based on input from neighbors, two park designs were developed and presented to neighbors at a meeting in which they expressed their preference for the plan being implemented, Mr. Thomsen said. Mr. Jordan suggested in future the survey needs to be improved in order to get the best possible use of city parks. Members did agree with Mr. Jordan's concerns about correcting the drainage problems and defining the park boundaries. After considerable discussion, Mr. Liehr moved to direct engineering staff to take another look at the park drainage and make sure any problems are corrected and to re-establish the park boundaries. Mr. Peterson seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Report from Park Director Mr. Thomsen referred to the letter from Jennifer Easton. He said he had met with Ms. Easton the previous week, and Ms. Easton indicated she does not have a problem with the City or the work done at Pioneer Park. Ms. Brown, member of Friends of Stillwater Park, said Ms. Easton is not pointing fingers; however, Ms. Easton has asked that 5150,000 be returned to her. Ms. Easton's original donation for the Pioneer Park work was given to Friends of Stillwater Parks and placed in stocks; the gift has since appreciated in value. Mr. Cummings suggested the matter be referred to City Attorney David Magnuson. Mr. Thomsen said $51,000 will pay off the last portion of the first phase improvements. A playground dedication ceremony is scheduled for July 23. Mr. Wolff, seconded by Ms. Thingvold, moved to direct Friends of Stillwater Parks to return to Ms. Easton any balance of her donation. Motion passed 8-0, with Mr. Peterson abstaining due to his employment with the firm handing the investment of Ms. Easton's gift, and Ms. Brown due to her membership on Friends of Stillwater Parks. Mr. Thomsen noted city departments are in the process of preparing next year's budgets. He asked that members who notice any needed capital outlay for parks contact him by July 12. Mr. Cummings noted that condemnation proceedings for the Neal/McKusick parcel will be completed and that land will be available for parks; he suggested that the Board needs to figure out what to do with the property as soon as possible. Mr. Cummings also noted that the state is looking at giving the city a $1 million tax-free loan for the McKusick Lake drainage issues which will have implications for the Mcicusick Lake trail system. Ms. Brown asked if the City could buy the Jaycee athletic fields; Mi. Cummings said there has been some preliminary discussion with the School District regarding the city giving the Amundson property to the district in exchange for the Old Athletic Field and Jaycee complex. Update on second ice sheet Mr. Junker referred to the note from Mr. Kriesel indicating the city was proceeding with the pro forma for the second ice sheet. The issue may come before the Park Board in July. New Business Ms. Brown said Friends of Parks has $200 for a rose garden in Pioneer Park and asked Mr. Thomsen if he knew where it was going to be located; Mr. Thomsen said he would accompany Ms. Brown to the park and discuss the location. Ms. Brown asked about possible signage/pavers indicating the garden was given in memory of the donor's mother. There was discussion as to how best to handle the memorial brick program, whether the city or Friends of Parks should be in charge of that program/account. Mr. Thomsen noted that all money the city generates from rental of ball fields goes into the general fund, rather than the park fund. Members agreed the memorial paver fund should be a separate account/program handled by Friends of Parks. Mr. McGarry made tliirr in the form of a motion seconded by Ms. Flinn; motion passed 9-0, with Ms. Brown abstaining. Ms. Thingvold informed members she is the new head volleyball coach for Stillwater Area High School. She plans a fund-raiser in which team members will do service projects, such as cleaning up city parks, and obtain pledges for the work they do. Members were in consensus that is a welcome idea. Mr. Liehr moved to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. It was agreed that unless there is some pressing business, there will be no meeting in July. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary Parks and Recreation Board May 24, 1999 Present: David Dunker, chairperson Linda Amrein, Rich Cummings, Dawn Flinn, Al Liehr, Del Peterson and Sara Thingvold Others: Parks Director Tim Thomsen; City Coordinator Nile Kriesel Absent: Rob McGarry, Mike Polehna, Steve Wolff (present at 7 p.m. but left prior to the start of the regular meeting) Prior to the regular meeting, the Board held its annual tour of park facilities. Mr. Junker called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Approval of minutes: Mr. Cummings, seconded by Mr. Liehr, moved approval of the minutes of April 26, 1999; all in favor. Report from Park Director Mr. Thomsen reviewed his memorandum listing expenditures for Pioneer Park improvements, including the funds donated by Ms. Easton. Mr. Kriesel said Ms. Easton seems pleased with what is being done. Mr. Junker asked if all the work/expenditures listed in the memorandum would be completed and paid for by July 1; Mr. Thomsen responded in the affirmative. Mr. Thomsen said Ms. Easton wants to be recognized only for the playground with a small plaque and saying in memory of her mother-in-law, Gina Easton. Mr. Thomsen said he is hoping to hold a dedication ceremony sometime in July. New business • Mr. Kriesel reported that the City has been working with the City of Mahtomedi on a proposal to build a second ice sheet at the Recreation Center. He said the proposal likely would go before the City Council in June. The goal is to have the new facility operational by 2000. He noted the City will need to maintain the Lily Lake Arena and will have to budget about $200,000 for improvements. He said the proposal will be brought back to the Park Board for the Board's review. • Request by David Rochlin to sell glow necklaces in City parks on July 4. Mr. Liehr moved approval, noting that Mr. Rochlin has done so in the past and there have never been any complaints and the sale is a fund-raiser for Trinity Lutheran Church. Ms. Thingvold seconded the motion; all in favor. • Ms. Amrein asked when the Recreation Center management contract comes up for renewal. Mr. Kriesel said the initial contract was for two years, based on performance. He said numbers will be looked at and brought to the Board. Mr. Peterson asked if there had been any negative comments. Mr. Kriesel said the only negative comments he had heard were not about management, but about the allocation of ice time for public skating. Ms. Thingvold asked if there would be more public skating with a second ice sheet. Mr. Kriesel said there will be about 20 percent more time, but a lot of that time would be at Lily Lake Arena. • Ms. Flinn noted the Midwest Environmental Educators Conference will be held at Stillwater Area High School Aug. 5-8. • Mr. Kriesel briefly discussed the possibility of holding a family -oriented New Year's event, with activities such as free skating, at the Recreation Center. Members were in consensus to pursue that idea. Old business • Mr. Kriesel reported that it appears the City will be doing decorative lighting in the downtown area. • Mr. Cummings requested that trash barrels be placed along the McKusick walking path and by the trailhead. Mr. Liehr, seconded by Ms. Thingvold, moved to adjourn at 8:05 p.m.; all in favor. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary