HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-23 PRC MINParks and Recreation Board
March 23, 1998
Present: David Junker, chairperson
Linda Amrein, Rich Cummings, Dawn Flinn, Al Liehr, Del Peterson,
Leah Peterson, and Steve Wolff
Absent: Nancy Brown, Rob McGarry and Mike Polehna
Also present: City Coordinator Nile Kriesel; Tim Thomsen, parks director
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
Feb. 23, 1998; all in favor.
Update on interviews for sports facility management services
Mr. Kriesel stated three firms had responded to request for proposals for management services. A
committee consisting of representatives from the soccer and hockey associations, the city of Oak
Park Heights, the Park and Recreation Board and city staff interviewed the three respondents,
with St. Croix Catering being the recommended firm.
Mr. Kriesel cited several factors that contributed to the committee's decision to recommend St.
Croix Catering: the firm is local; the firm's previous experience operating Lily Lake Ice Arena
should make for an easy transition; the firm has demonstrated marketing experience; and the
firm's suggested one year fees seem reasonable — the firm which ranked seconded wanted a five
year agreement and guaranteed revenues.
Dick Anderson of St. Croix Catering was present. He introduced Kevin Shields, who would
serve as general manager for the sports complex, Doug Bradley, who would be the on -site
manager, and Bob Anderson. Mr. Anderson noted that St. Croix Catering's expertise is in
promotion/marketing. He stated his people have spent a lot of time considering possible
programming. For example, Mr. Anderson stated he had talked with Mike Tracey of Stillwater
County Club regarding golf programs for the field house. He pointed out that some programming
will depend on whether the appropriate "tools" are provides — batting cages, pads, nets, etc.
Kevin Shields spoke briefly about some of his plans. He noted the key will be to develop
programming to augment the needs of the soccer/hockey associations, and he said it will take
some time to build up entry level programs. He also stated the city needs to develop priorities for
programming, mentioning a commitment to figure skating, for example.
Mr. Kriesel agreed that St. Croix Catering's role will be that of management. The city has to
develop priorities for ice time; St. Croix Catering will implement city policy. Mr. Kriesel also
noted that the city of Oak Park Heights' contribution to the sports facilities was based on the
understanding that figure skating will be a programming priority.
Joni Polehna, who was representing her husband, Mike, said they had a concern regarding
recreation programming. Recreation programming is different than marketing, she said. Mr.
Shield said if it is later determined that a person with recreational programming expertise is
needed, they will hire someone.
Mr. Peterson asked how the Park Board can be of assistance. Dick Anderson said the Park Board
needs to develop programming guidelines and perhaps form an ad hoc committee to work with
-� the sports facility management team. Mr. Kriesel agreed that an ad hoc committee will be
needed, especially given Oak Park Heights' concerns; he said at least for the first year of
operation, all interested groups — hockey and soccer associations — should be represented on the
committee.
Mr. Kriesel stated the City Council was scheduled to interview St. Croix Catering on April 7.
City staff then will negotiate an agreement with St. Croix Catering. The tentative timetable calls
for the draft agreement to be brought to the Park and Rec Board for approval at the April 27
meeting, with Council approval on May 5. He also said he would like to have a draft of a
management policy available for Park Board review on April 27.
Ms. Amrein asked the Park Board members, Mr. Junker and Mr. Cummings, who sat in on the
original interviewing, to explain the reasoning for the recommendation of St. Croix Catering. Mr.
Junker stated each of the three firms brought something different to the table. St. Croix Catering
was the unanimous choice of the ad hoc committee.
Mr. Wolff, seconded by Ms. Flinn, moved to recommend that the City Council approve St. Croix
Catering as the firm to provide management services for the sports facility, with the management
agreement to be brought back to the Park Board at its April 27 meeting. Motion passed
unanimously.
Update on Aiple property
Mr. Kriesel had provided a memo regarding the selection of the SRF Consulting Group to
prepare the master plan for the Aiple/Kolliner property. At the meeting, he passed out a
description of the work tasks the consultants will be performing. The timetable calls for the plan
to go to the City Council in August. Mr. Dunker, who sat in on the interview committee, said he
thought the three key people in the SRF group are "phenomenal."
Mr. Cummings expressed a concern, stating he thought the Park and Rec Board should be the
lead group in the project. Mr. Peterson asked how the Park Board can be involved in the project.
Mr. Kriesel said consultants will be working with an advisory group. Ms. Flinn and Mr. Peterson
expressed an interest in serving on the advisory group; Mr. Junker already is a member of the
group. Mr. Cummings, seconded by Mr. Liehr, moved to recommended that Dawn Flinn, Del
Peterson and David Junker be appointed to the advisory group. Motion passed unanimously.
Update on open space/forestry issue
A memo from Community Development Director Steve Russell was included in the agenda
packet; the memo included a draft of an open space program. Mr. Kriesel told members that the
City Council had approved the program, eliminating items No. 3 and No. 6. He noted the easy
thing will be to prepare the list of open spaces; the "real challenge" will to find funding for
acquisition.
Ms. Peterson said she had walked by the new school property that day. She told members that no
tree protection measures are being taken for the installation of sewer and water. She also told
members that a 200-year-old white oak, 144 inches in girth, had been cut down to construct the
cul de sac to the school; she provided photos of the tree. Ms. Peterson called for the Park Board
to immediately move to get a tree protection ordinance in place. Mr. Kriesel noted that
developing a tree protection ordinance is the charge of the new open space committee. Mr.
Kriesel also pointed out that, procedurally, the City Council could have a first reading of an
ordinance at its April 7 meeting, with the second reading April 27.
A discussion ensued regarding enforcement of the city's park/open space dedication
requirements. Mr. Wolff noted that trees will grow back, but not if the city gives up the land. He
and Mr. Peterson expressed their feeling that the city/park board "gave up land" in dealing with
the Liberty on Long Lake, Legends of Stillwater developers. Mr. Wolff said staff should be
directed to maximize the amount of property required of developers in future.
Mr. Junker closed the discussion regarding the tree ordinance by noting the open space
committee will develop the ordinance, and the ordinance will be brought back to the Park Board
for review.
Park Director's report
Mr. Thomsen reported that he and planner Sue Fitzgerald have been meeting with the Pioneer
Park donor. Also, he will be meeting with neighbors regarding plans for Meadowlark Park. Mr.
Cummings asked what was going to be done at Pioneer Park this year. Mr. Thomsen said the old
play equipment would be removed, with the new equipment to be installed in a different area of
the park. $300,000, $150,000 in matching funds, is available for phase I of the Pioneer Park
master plan.
A question was raised regarding trimming of trees in Pioneer Park and a letter to the editor that
had appeared in the Stillwater Gazette. Mr. Thomsen passed out a written response, noting the
matter was purely a maintenance issue. Ms. Amrein suggested that, in future, it might be wise to
inform neighbors of plans to do tree trimming. Ms. Peterson asked about plans for the terracing;
Mr. Thomsen said the terracing is included in the Pioneer Park master plan.
Mr. Thomsen passed out a list of major events planned for Lowell Park. He also noted that many
people have expressed interest in donating to the parks and suggested that the Park Board decide
on whether to pursue a paver program or some other type of donor acknowledgement.
New business
Ms. Peterson suggested that the Park Board consider pursuing a program similar to the "yellow
bike" program in Minneapolis. Members noted such a program might not enjoy similar success
due to the city's terrain and limited biking space in the downtown area. Ms. Peterson's motion to
pursue such a program died for lack of a second.
Mr. Cummings asked that Park Board consider adopting a "poop" ordinance for city parks/trails.
Mr. Thomsen will look into the matter.
Mr. Cummings brought up the issue of developing a comprehensive park and open space plan,
rather than doing planning piecemeal, referring to the Aiple and Pioneer Park master plans. He
moved to recommend that the City Council direct staff to issue RFPs for preparation of a
comprehensive park and open space plan. Ms. Peterson seconded the motion; motion passed
unanimously.
Ms. Amrein brought up the issue of a Parks Director/Manager so the parks department can be
brought to the same level as the police and fire departments. Mr. Cummings noted that is an
issue that likely will come up with the completion of the sports facility and the new
developments.
Ms. Amrein also noted that Mr. Junker had never formally been approved as chairperson for
1998. She made a motion that Mr. Junker continue to serve as chairperson. Mr. Liehr seconded
the motion; motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Wolff moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Baker
Recording Secretary