HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-05-18 PRC MINParks and Recreation Board
May 18, 1998
Present: David Dunker, chairperson
Linda Amrein, Nancy Brown, Rich Cummings, Al Liehr,
Del Peterson, Leah Peterson, and Steve Wolff
Others: Steve Russell, Community Development Director
Absent: Dawn Flinn, Rob McGarry and Mike Polehna
Mr. Junker called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Approval of minutes: Mr. Liehr moved to approve the minute of April 27, 1998. Ms. Brown
noted a typo in a reference to Ms. Amrein. Ms. Peterson asked to go on record opposed to
spending $15,000 for the play equipment at Northland Park until a plan is completed for the
entire park; she suggested that the play equipment, as proposed, is not in the best location. Ms.
Brown seconded the motion to approve the minutes as corrected, with Ms. Peterson's comments
noted for the record; motion passed unanimously.
Park Master Plan
Mr. Russell provided a hand-out from the Comprehensive Plan and a memo to the City Council
regarding a Park Master Plan. He also had copies of several plans from area cities. He further
noted that only four questionnaires he had asked Park Board members to complete had been
returned.
Mr. Russell outlined four questions that he thought the Park Board should address before
proceeding with a plan. The critical question, • he said, is who is the plan for? The city of
Stillwater only? The city and surrounding area? Region? He suggested a plan might be
significantly different depending on the answer to that question. Other questions to be addressed
include whether open space should be a portion of the plan; how a master plan would make the
Park Board's job easier; and what specific items — trails, linking park resources, handicapped
access, a pavilion, etc. — should be included in a plan.
Mr. Cummings noted that the $50,000 the City Council approved to hire a consultant to prepare a
master plan is not in this year's budget, so now is a good time to address the questions. He
suggested the possibility of asking citizens to evaluate park needs. He also suggested the
possibility of having the plan prepared in-house, hiring a parks director/manager whose job
description includes the preparation of a master plan. Mr. Russell said preparation of a master
plan is a lengthy process and probably should be done by a consultant; the need for a parks
director, he said, should come out of the master plan process.
The focus of the board's discussion centered on the need for a liaison/planning support person to
work with the board. Mr. Russell suggested that whatever the board does there should be a strong
consensus to do the master plan and include the need/justification for a park director as part of
the planning process.
Mr. Junker urged members to complete their questionnaires and return them to Mr. Russell.
Sports Facility update
Mr. Cummings noted the Spancrete strike had not been settled at the time of the meeting. Mr.
Russell informed members that additional TIF revenue will allow seating to be installed on both
sides of the arena; the City Council was expected to approve that change order at its next
meeting.
New business p,,e(,
Mr. Cummings stated#raill near Pioneer Park are dangerous and need to be repaired; that will be
a staff request item at a City Council meeting.
Ms. Amreiri suggested that members walk the Aiple property so everyone is familiar with the
property when the consultant meets with the board.
Old business
Ms. Peterson asked whether the city had hired a forester. Mr. Cummings said that action was on
the City Council agenda for the following day.
Ms. Peterson asked about a new tree ordinance. Mr. Junker noted developing a new tree
ordinance was one of the charges of the Open Space Committee.
Mr. Junker informed members that Fred Francis' request for a hot dog wagon in Lowell Park
during Music on the Waterfront concerts had been turned down by the City of Stillwater
Chamber of Commerce as the chamber had already agreed to allow Scout groups to sell food
items in the park during the concerts.
Mr. Wolff, seconded by Mr. Liehr, moved to adjourn at 8:15 p.m.; all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Baker
Recording Secretary