HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-12-15 PRC MINPark and Recreation Board
Dec. 15, 1997
Present: David Junker, chairperson
Linda Amrein, Nancy Brown, Rich Cummings, Al Liehr, Rob McGarry,
Ken Meister, Del Peterson, Leah Peterson, Mike Polehna and Steve Wolff
Others: Tim Thomsen, parks director; City Coordinator Nile Kriesel;
Greg Kopischke, representing Pemtom
Mr. Dunker called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
Approval of minutes: Mr. Liehr, seconded by Mr. Meister, moved approval of the minutes of
Nov. 24, 1997; all in favor.
Greg Kopischke reviewed the revised park/open space plan for the Legends of Stillwater. The
revised plan includes the dedication of outlot D, a parcel of slightly more than 3 and one-half
acres that could be used as a ballfield and tot lot/play area, and a new trail connecting outlots D
and E, brining the total park/open space dedication to just under 12 acres.
There was some discussion about the slope of outlot D, the amount of grading that would be
required to make the parcel useable, and whether the developer would be doing the grading. Mr.
Kopischke replied the parcel would probably be rough graded and seeded, depending on the
agreement with the City. Ms. Amrein asked whether the trail would still be constructed under the
revised plan and whether any park improvements would be included. Mr. Kriesel stated the trail
will be constructed, but the developer will not be providing any additional improvements to the
park dedication land, as proposed.
Mr. Meister pointed out a potential problem due to the proximity of one residential lot to outlot
D if the parcel is used as a ballfield. He suggested the outlot needed to be squared off with the
addition of the one residential site. Members concurred.
Mr. Liehr, seconded by Mr. Polehna, moved to accept the revised park dedication plan if the
developer provides the one residential site needed to square off outlot D. Mr. Kopischke asked if
the motion would preclude the developer from adjusting the plans to come up with an additional
buildable residential lot to replace the one the Park Board is requested to be dedicated along with
outlot D. Mr. Kriesel responded that would be acceptable as long as the wooded area and trails
are preserved as proposed. Motion to approve with the additional residential site adjacent to
outlot D passed unanimously.
Update on sports complex
Mr. Kriesel reported the project is going well and is one schedule. The City Council was to vote
on the bond issue at its Dec. 16 meeting. Mr. Cummings reported there is a move to reactivate
the Sports Facility Commission and to get the outdoor ice sheet included in the project.
Report from Parks Director
Mr. Thomsen reported that due to the weather, crews were still doing outdoor maintenance, such
as putting in footings for new picnic benches. The weather has not been good for getting hockey
or skating rinks going. Mr. Peterson asked if there would be a rink on Lily Lake. Mr. Thomsen
said that depends on the weather.
Mr. Thomsen referred to his memo regarding the request for funding for a rollerblading/year-
around hockey rink. Ms. Amrein said she would not be favor of taking the $8,000 budgeted for a
skateboarding area. Mr. Cummings suggested, and members agreed, that Mr. Soukup should be
invited to make a presentation to the Park Board.
New business
Ms. Peterson raised the issue of becoming a Tree City. The City needs to budget $2 per capita
and have a forester on staff in order to do so. She said she felt this is important as the City's park
system is growing.
Ms. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Liehr, moved to recommend that the City Council budget funds
to achieve the Tree City status.
In the discussion regarding the motion, members agreed that it is important for the City to be
"tree friendly" but felt that can be accomplished without the Tree City designation. Mr. Thomsen
noted that whenever a park is developed, the City plants numerous trees as part of the
development.
Ms. Peterson and Mr. Liehr then changed their motion to recommend that the City move toward
becoming a Tree City. Ms. Amrein said she would feel uncomfortable voting on the motion
before receiving more information; she also noted the time for budget requests is past. It was the
consensus of members to put the issue on the January agenda.
Ms. Brown provided members with a brochure from Elmhurst, Ill., regarding a possible fund-
raising idea. That city has a park area set with pavers which contain various messages; the pavers
are sold at $50 each. Ms. Brown suggested that perhaps Friends of Stillwater Parks might be
interested in undertaking a similar project here. Members asked Ms. Brown if she would contact
the city of Elmhurst for more information.
Other business
Mr. Junker reminded members whose terms expire to contact the City Clerk if they are interested
in reappointment. Mr. Meister stated that he will not be seeking reappointment; the Board
thanked Mr. Meister for his years of service.
On a motion by Mr. Liehr, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Baker
Recording Secretary
Park and Recreation Board
Nov. 24, 1997
Present: David Junker, chairperson
Linda Amrein, Nancy Brown, Rich Cummings, Al Liehr, Rob McGarry,
Ken Meister, Del Peterson, Mike Polehna and Steve Wolff
Absent: Leah Peterson
Others: City Coordinator Nile Kriesel; Community Development Director Steve Russell;
Robert and Paul Kroening, property owners; Dan Herbst, Marc Putnam and
Homer Tompkins, developers
Mr. Junker called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Approval of minutes: Mr. Liehr moved approval of the minutes of Oct. 27, 1997. Ms. Amrein
noted the minutes should be corrected to indicate the trail easement for the Pemton development
is along the lake only, not the entire perimeter of the property. Mr. Polehna seconded the motion
for approval of the minutes as corrected; motion passed unanimously.
Discussion of new development areas
Mr. Russell stated the net developable land in the Pemton development, Legends of Stillwater, is
70.08 acres; the city's required park dedication is 10 percent of the developable land or 7 acres.
Three areas of parks are proposed: 4.8 acres of oak savanna (4.14 after wetlands are excluded); a
.3-acre tot lot; and .36-acre trailhead/parking lot.
Mr. Russell said it is staff's recommendation that the parking lot is not needed as 62" Street will
be redesigned. As proposed, the Pemton development has a deficit of two to three acres in
required park dedication. Mr. Russell noted the developer had provided a memo regarding the
cost. He said the developers are looking at the cost approach, while the city's policy requires
specific acres of land for park dedication, unless the Park Board wants dollars in lieu of land; that
typically is done in "infill" situations, he said, which is not the case in the annexation area.
Mr. Cummings stated the tot lot concept is not what the Park Board is looking for. He said he
believed it was the consensus of members to put the tot lot and parking lot back into the
subdivision and provide a park of 2-3 acres where kids can run and play.
Mr. Herbst replied that if he had known from the beginning that the Park Board wanted a 7-acre
park, the development would have been laid out differently. He noted that the proposal protects
the woods and provides for a trail along the lake, which is what he thought the city wanted. He
also suggested that a neighborhood park would be better situated to the west of the Staloch
property.
Mr. Herbst further stated that nearly 25 acres of land will be in public domain — outlots,
wetlands. The developer is providing a trail, and, he said, the value of land in the oak forest far
exceeds the city's requirement for cash and land. Having to provide an additional 3-acre park
area would mean the loss of 20 lots, he said.
After considerable discussion, it was the consensus of the board to require the developer to
provide additional park space. Mr. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Liehr, moved to adhere to the 10
percent park land dedication requirement, and that in addition to the wooded area at the north of
the development, an additional 2.87 acres of land be provided. Ms. Amrein asked if the board
would be willing to negotiate. Mr. Kriesel suggested allowing staff to work with the developer
to acquire an additional 2.8 — 2.2 acre parcel.
Mr. Putnam and Mr. Tompkins presented the proposal for the Liberty on Long Lake (Newman
property) development. According to the staff report, the property includes 145 acres of
developable land; the requirement of dedication for residential property is 10 percent,
commercial property 7 percent. The total park dedication required is 14.23 acres. According to
the staff report, the following areas qualified as park/open space: a 3.0 acre parcel by Rutherford
Elementary School; 1.61 acres by the commercial site; the 1.63 acre Heritage Square; the 2.03
island park; .43 acres on the peninsula; and neighborhood greens totaling 1.79 acres. In all, the
developers are proposing 11.62 acres in park/open space. Due to the developments proximity to
the elementary school, staff indicated the land area could be adequate with some improvements.
Ms. Amrein raised a concern about deviating from the 10 percent requirement for one
development and not another. There was concern expressed about the neighborhood greens and
their usefulness as parks. Mr. Peterson also noted that unless there is a bridge to the island, the
island is of questionable value in fulfilling park dedication requirements.
Mr. Tompkins went through a list of potential uses and proposed amenities for all the park areas.
About $140,000 worth of improvements are proposed. Mr. Wolff asked about maintenance; Mr.
Tompkins said generally a homeowners' association is responsible for maintenance.
There was considerable discussion about how much credit, if any, should be given for the
proximity to the elementary school.
Mr. Liehr said considering all things, the proximity to the school, the 11.62 acres of land and the
$140,000 in identified amenities, he would move for approval; Mr. McGarry seconded the
motion. Motion passed 5-4, with Ms. Brown, Mr. Meister, Mr. Peterson and Mr. Wolff voting
no; Mr. Polehna was not present at the time of the vote.
Request for figure skating ice time
Mr. Kriesel shared the letter from Renee Sorenson requesting ice time for information only. Mr.
Kriesel said he had explained to Ms. Sorenson that management issues need to be addressed; ice
time issues will be addressed at a later date.
Parks Report
Mr. Junker provided a brief update. Staples Field has been blacktopped; Ramsey/Grove is
nearing completion. Due to the transition in seasons, Mr. Thomsen has reported things to be
"status quo/"
Membership
Mr. Junker noted that the terms of several members expire at year's end. Those who want to be
reappointed should send a letter to the City Clerk by Dec. 15, he said.
Sports complex update
Mr. Kriesel noted site preparation is under way. Mr. Cummings reported another $50,000 grant
had been received from the Andersen Foundation.
New business
Mr. Junker recommended that due to the holidays, the December meeting be held on the 15th
rather than the usual fourth Monday. The meeting will be held at the park building.
Mr. Junker also thanked members for their input and attendance at the last several meetings
regarding the annexation area proposals.
Adjournment: Mr. Wolff, seconded by Mr. Liehr, moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Baker
Recording Secretary