HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-01-25 PRC MINParks and Recreation Board
January 25, 1999
Present: David Junker, Chair
Linda Amrein, Nancy Brown, Rich Cummings, Al Liehr, Del Peterson,
Mike Polehna, Sara Thinglyold and Steve Wolff
Others: Parks Director Tim Thomsen and City Coordinator Nile Kriesel
Absent: Dawn Flinn and Rob McGarry
Chair David Junker called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. and welcomed new member
Sara Thingbold to the Commission.
Approval of Minutes:
Mr. Kriesel noted that the minutes of December 21, 1998 stated that the permit
processing fee for the use of parks was $5.00 but should have read: $25.00.
Mr. Liehr, seconded by Ms. Brown moved approval of the December 21, 1998 minutes as
corrected. All in favor.
Update on recreation Center activities.
Mr. Kriesel explained that Mr. Doug Brady, Manager of the St. croix Valley recreation
Center was at the meeting to provide an update on activities at the Center and to explain
the distribution of the hours for ice arena activities. Mr. Kriesel said that the City had
received some complaints regarding the time that had been set aside for open skating. Mr.
Brady explained that the open skate hours were about the same as in previous years. The
main reason that more hours were not available was due to the implementation of "free"
skate programs. In previous years only a handful of skaters participated in free skate
programs. However, this year over 340 people had signed up for the free skate program
which limited the number of hours available for open skating.
Mr. Brady said that he would be looking at the schedules for the next season and would
try to schedule more hours for open skate or at least hours that were more acceptable.
Mr. Brady also informed the Commission that a golf driving range would be available in
the fieldhouse on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. and
on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M., beginning February lst, 1999.
Parks and open space concept for proposed subdivision.
Mr. Steve Russell was present to discuss the proposed parks and open space issue related
to the proposed "Bergmann" subdivision. This new subdivision was located on South
62nd street adjacent to Manning Avenue. Mr. Russell explained that the developer was
offering to dedicate a 4.8 acre parcel of land plus 2.7 acres of land (including a 1.1 acre
pond) for a net 6.4 acres. Mr. Russell stated that this represented about 25% land
dedication whereas normally the City would receive about 8% to 10% land dedication.
The tradeoff for this amount of park dedication was that the density of the subdivision
was 6 to 8 units per acre versus 3 units per acre for land that is zoned single family. Some
discussion was held regarding the proposed density and the other amenities proposed by
the developers.
Motion by Ms. Brown, seconded by Mr. Lierh to approve park and open space concept
for the proposed Bergmann subdivision and to require that an escrow be established to
pay for appropriate amenities such as a basketball court, etc. All in favor
DNR Parks Grant funds
Mr. Russell explained that the City plans to apply for land acquisition grants that are
administered by the Department of Natural Resources. The grants were 50/50 matching
and would be used to acquire lands for parks, open space and trails. Mr. Russell
suggested that the grant applications be directed at acquiring lands for: expansion of,
Lowell Park at Mulberry Point, expansion of the open space area at Neal avenue (south of
the railroad tracks on McKusick Lake road), the Amundson property, and other lands that
may be available for trails and/or open space.
Parks Director's report:
Mr. Kriesel gave a brief update on parks activities. Eight out door rinks were being
maintained. Mr. Kriesel also said that construction on the bathroom facilities at Pioneer
Park was continuing and the work should be completed by Spring.
Skateboard facilities:
Mr. Tom Schweitz was at the meeting to discuss skateboard issues with the
Commsission. Mr. Schweitz said that Northland Park facilities was not adequate to
handle both skate boarding and inline skating. Mr. Schweitz further explained that Dick
Olsen, GWO, had offered to lease his warehouse (located adjacent to Grafitti) for use as a
skateboard facility at a cost of $800 per month. The cost of surfacing the area and to
purchase equipment was estimated to be $36,400. Mr. Schweitz said that he would be
asking the City of Stillwater to pay about 1/3 of the cost. Mr. Schweitz was directed to
obtain additional information and to report back to the Commission at the February
meeting.
Election of Officers
Motion by Ms.. Brown, seconded by Mr. Lierh to conduct a secret vote for the office of
Chair with Mr. Junker and Mr. Peterson candidates. The vote resulted in four votes for
Mr. Junker, four votes for Mr. Peterson and one abstention. The commission decided to
table this matter until the next meeting,
Adjournment:
Mr. Wolff moved, seconded by Mr. Liehr to adjourn meeting at 9:25 P.M. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Nile L. Kriesel
Recording Secretary
Parks and Recreation Board
December 21, 1998
Present: David Junker, Chair
Linda Amrein, Nancy Brown, Rich Cummings, Dawn Flinn, Al Liehr,
Rob McGarry, Del Peterson, Leah Peterson, Mike Polehna and Steve
Wolff
Others: Parks Director Tim Thomsen and City Coordinator Nile Kriesel
Absent: None
Chair David Junker called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. and welcomed students from
Stillwater Area High School government classes who were in attendance.
Approval of Minutes:
Ms. Amrein noted that the minutes stated that the next meeting was scheduled for
December 23, 1998 instead of December 21 st. Mr. Liehr, seconded by Ms. Brown moved
approval of November 23, 1998 minutes as corrected. All in favor.
Parks Director's report:
Mr. Thomsen gave a brief update on parks activities. Out door skating rinks were now
being flooded due to the return of cold weather. Construction on the bathroom facilities at
Pioneer Park had been started and should be ready for the summer season. Al Liehr said
that he had received a lot of positive comments about the upgraded Ramsey Grove Park.
Mr. Thomsen requested a fee of $5.00 be established for processing permits to consume.
Moved by Mr. Wolff, seconded by Mr. Peterson to approve a processing fee of 3O0 for 4—
permits to consume. All in favor. 25
Second arena — Mahtomedi:
Mr. Kriesel reported on the status of the possibility of partnering with the City of
Mahtomedi and the Mahtomedi Hockey Association to build a second indoor sheet of ice
at the recreation center. Stillwater City officials and St. Croix Valley Hockey Association
officials would be meeting with Mahtomedi officials on January 12, 1999 to further
discuss this issue.
Proposed park property:
Mr. Kriesel reported that the City's Open Space Committee is recommending the
acquisition of land lying south of McKusick Lake Road and west of Neal Avenue for use
as park land. This land is adjacent to land that the city has already acquired or is in the
process of acquiring and would create a significant park and open space area. This area is
subject to development as part of the orderly annexation and could be available within the
next year.
Request from City Chamber:
The City of Stillwater Area Chamber of Commerce submitted a request for a permit and
exclusive use of Lowell Park on July 4, 1999 to sell non-alcoholic refreshments to raise
funds for promoting the City of Stillwater. Mr. Liehr moved, seconded by Mr. Peterson to
approve a non-exclusive permit to sell refreshments in Lowell Park on July 4, 1999. All
in favor.
Adjournment:
Mr. Wolff moved, seconded by Mr. Liehr to adjourn meeting at 8:35 P.M. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Nile L. Kriesel
Recording Secretary