HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-09-28 PRC MINParks and Recreation Board
Sept. 28, 1998
Present: David Junker, chairperson
Linda Amrein, Nancy Brown, Dawn Flinn, Al Liehr, Rob McGarry,
Del Peterson and Leah Peterson
Others: Tim Thomsen, parks director
Absent: Rich Cummings, Mike Polehna and Steve Wolff
Mr. Junker called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. He welcomed government students from
Stillwater Area High School who were in attendance.
Approval of minutes: Mr. Liehr, seconded by Mr. Peterson, moved approval of the minutes of
Aug. 17, 1998. Ms. Amrein said it should be noted the August minutes were submitted by Rose
Holman, acting recording secretary. Amended motion passed unanimously.
Report from Parks Director
• Northland Park skateboard facility:
Mr. Thomsen reported he had visited the park several times in the early evening. He said the kids
using the facility are well-behaved. He said he had been talking with Tom Schwietz, Graffiti
Teen Center and Youth Service Bureau, about ways to reduce noise levels. While he said he
thought the facility has been "great," Mr. Thomsen noted that improvements will be needed if
Northland is to be used as a permanent site.
Tom Schwietz, who has been involved with the skateboard project from the beginning, suggested
that Northland Park was a "quick fix." He said he does not think Northland Park will work on a
permanent basis for several reasons: currently, skateboarders have to share the facility with in -
line skaters and can only use the facility until 5 p.m. during the summer; and the noise level can
be real frustrating for neighbors. Schwietz suggested that another site be found, a location where
noise will not be an issue with neighboring property owners. If the Park Board had a suggestion
for a location, he said he would raise funds for paving, fencing and building ramps.
Robin Gates, 2674 Hawthorne Lane, agreed that the kids are well—behaved, but she said the
constant noise is very frustrating. She said she supports having a place for skateboarders, but at a
location where neighbors could still enjoy their properties. Sound -proofing won't work at
Northland, she said. The Gateses also said there is "no comparison" of the noise level of
skateboarding vs. in -line skating. At a minimum, Mrs. Gates for a change in hours so there
would be a block of time without the continual noise, especially on the weekends. The Gateses
invited Park Board members to stop by their deck to hear the noise level first-hand.
There was some discussion regarding the potential for a skateboarding site at the Lily Lake
complex. There was some concern as to the accessibility of a Lily Lake site for the younger
skateboarders. Mr. Thomsen also pointed out that the Lily Lake parking lot is very busy during
the summer months and could be a safety concern for the younger kids.
Jon Cowen, Justin Wheelock and Ian Kane, all of whom use the Northland facility, commented
on the need for a place for skateboarders, as did Signe Cowen.
Mr. McGarry noted the Park Board has limited options for finding a location for a facility within
the city limits. Ms. Brown and Ms. Peterson suggested Rutherford Elementary School as a
possible location. Mr. Thomsen and Mr. Schwietz said they had previous discussions with
School District officials about the use of district property, but have heard nothing further from
school officials.
Mr. Junker brought the discussion to a close by thanking those in attendance for their input. He
stated that the Park Board will not be putting the matter on hold until next spring. Mr. Thomsen
will be working with Mr. Schwietz, and hopefully a solution can be found that will be "the best
of both worlds." Later, Mr. Dunker asked Park Board members to be thinking about the issue to
come up with ideas to explore; he also suggested that members take advantage of the Gateses
invitation to visit their property to get a perspective of the issues.
• Pioneer Park:
Mr. Thomsen reported that bids for remodeling the rest rooms have been advertised for a third
time, with bids due Oct. 1. He said he thought there were no bidders previously because of a
November 1998 completion date. This time, the completion date is May 1, 1999. He said the
delay in completing the rest room facility may mean completion of the remainder of the new
playground may be held back until after May of next year.
• Other items:
Mr. Thomsen reported that he and Planner Sue Fitzgerald had met with neighbors regarding
plans for Meadowlark Park; he passed out a preliminary park/landscaping plan. It was noted that
the $130,000 for Meadowlark Park improvements included in Mr. Thomsen's budget request had
been eliminated from administration's recommended budget. Mr. Thomsen said at least half of
the budget request is needed; the majority of the improvements could be done with $65,000, he
said.
Budget update
Mr. Junker noted that the proposed budget is "not set in stone."
Ms. Peterson expressed her concern that funding for flower gardens on Main Street has been
eliminated from the administration's recommended budget. She also spoke of a need for a park
designer, saying she had heard negative comments about some of the new play equipment, and
suggested that picnic shelters should be designed to be representative of the architecture of
Stillwater. Ms. Brown noted that vandalism is a factor to consider in the design of picnic
shelters.
Mr. Peterson said he agreed with Ms. Peterson's concern about eliminating the flower gardens.
Ms. Brown said she would like to work with Mr. Thomsen and Friends of Stillwater Parks to
develop native plantings for the gardens; using native materials would reduce maintenance costs,
she said. Mr. McGarry suggested contacting the City Chamber for funding assistance.
Mr. Junker, seconded by Mr. Liehr, moved to request that the City Council allocate $65,000 for
Meadowlark Park improvements in the 1999 budget. Ms. Amrein suggested amending the
motion to a "minimum of $65,000;" amended motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Liehr, moved to request that the City Council restore funding for
flower gardens at the two city entrances on Main Street; motion passed unanimously.
Update on AiilefKolliner parks and the Interstate bridge situation
Mr. Junker told board members that he, along with the chairs of the Planning Commission,
Heritage Preservation Commission and Downtown Parking Committee, had been approached by
Community Development Director Steve Russell prior to the Sept. 17 City Council meeting with
a request to provide input regarding concerns about the proposed bridge corridors. Mr. Dunker
said he sent a letter to the City Council that spoke in generalities about the future park use of the
Aiple property and he stated in the letter that the most southern bridge corridor would have the
least impact on the Aiple property.
Ms. Amrein expressed her concern about reading in the paper that all the commissions agreed
that MnDOT's original corridor was the most acceptable. She said she had a problem with "the
process." Ms. Amrein said she thought it was appropriate for Mr. Junker to say the Park Board is
concerned about the impact on the Aiple property but not to imply the board supports the
southern corridor. She also stated that what Mr. Junker said in his letter to the Council and what
Mr. Russell indicated in his memorandum to the Council are entirely different. Ms. Brown
concluded that if the Park Board has an issue, it's with the person who wrote the memorandum,
not with Mr. Junker's letter.
New business
Ms. Brown and Ms. Peterson talked briefly about a seminar, Keeping Nature in Community, they
had attended.
Ms. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Liehr, moved to adjourn at 8:50 p.m.; all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Baker
Recording Secretary