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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-08-25 PRC MINPARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Aug. 25, 1997 Present: Linda Amrein, Nancy Brown, Rich Cummings, Al Liehr, Ken Meister, Del Peterson, Leah Peterson, Mike Polehna and Steve Wolff Others: Tim Thomsen, Parks Director Absent: David Junker and Rob McGarry Vice Chair Del Peterson called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Approval of minutes Mr. Wolff, seconded by Mr. Liehr, moved approval of the minutes of June 23, 1997; motion passed unanimously. Update on Meadowlark Park Mr. Thomsen reported that the grading is 90 percent complete, with new drain tile and culvert to be installed soon. A plan for the park is in the beginning stages. Mr. Thomsen and Ms. Fitzgerald have met with neighbors; initially, neighbors were more concerned about grading and drainage, Mr. Thomsen reported. Once the drainage/grading is complete, neighbors will be revisited. Possible amenities include a picnic shelter, volleyball courts, barbecue pits, etc. Mr. Thomsen will keep the Park Commission informed as to the progress of the plan. Mr. Cummings suggested that if a public hearing is scheduled on the park plan, representatives of the Park Board should be in attendance. Long Lake surface water use update The City Council has held the first reading of an ordinance which would allow 25 horse power motors on pontoons, 10 horse power motors for other boats; the proposed ordinance would prohibit the use of personal watercraft. Ms. Amrein asked how the 25 horse power motors for pontoons got into the proposed ordinance. Mr. Cummings explained the Council had received "a lot of correspondence" from people on the lake who have pontoons; all have 25 hp motors. Ms. Peterson said she was "very shocked" by the Council's action and said she though the proposal should be returned to the Planning Commission and Park and Rec Board due to the changes. Mr. Peterson pointed out that the City Council has the final say; the Planning and Park and Rec Board's proposed ordinance was a recommendation only. Mr. Liehr said, "We weren't listed to and were not supported." Mr. Polehna suggested (sn, the DNR might not look favorably at treating boat owners differently -- allowing 25 hp for some and limiting other to 10 hp. Discussion of a skateboard facility Mr. Thomsen said he is looking into a couple of sites including the Stillwater Junior High School parking lot, the Old Athletic Field and Lily Lake. He said he has requested $18,000 in next year's budget for a skateboard site. Mr. Thomsen said he would not recommend that the City build equipment; that would require employing a full-time attendance. The proposal is to furnish a site and have the users provide their own equipment. In the week prior to the August meeting, skateboarders had been using the park area near Gannon's. Ms. Brown, who lives adjacent to the area, reported on the use and said, in generaly, the kids hadn't created a lot of problems. Mr. Cummings recommended that Mr. Thomsen continue discussions with District 834 to find a site for skateboarding. Mr. Pohlena made that in the form of a motion; Mr. Liehr seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. It was also recommended that Mr. Thomsen try to get the young people using the area by Gannon's to move down to Lily Lake now that softball is over. Update on Sports Complex Mr. Cummings and Mr. Polehna provided the update. The project went out for bids in mid -August; construction could begin in late fall if the Council ultimately approves a project of some sort. Mr. Polehna raised the issue of the proposal to have Public Works co - located at the sports facility site; he also questioned whether doing that would amount to using park dedication fees for Public Works. Mr. Thomsen noted that currently there is talk of purchasing the Rivard property for Public Works. Members were in consensus that the sports facility site would not be a good location for a Public Works facility; it also was noted that the Council never voted to locate Public Works at the sports facility/armory site. Ms. Brown, seconded by Mr. Liehr, moved to go on record stating the Park Board's opinion it would not be in the best interest of the citizens of Stillwater to locate a Public Works facility next to the sports complex. Motion passed unanimously. There was a philosophical discussion about supporting kids and providing facilities for their activities. Mr. Liehr noted that in June the Park and Rec Board went on record indicating strong support for the sports complex. Mr. Cummings suggested that members might want to follow that up with phone calls to their Council representatives indicating support for the project. New business Ms. Peterson suggested the formation of a committee to discuss issues related to Long Lake water use -- hours of operation, speed limits, etc. -- and bring a recommendation back to the City Council. Members expressed their understanding of Ms Peterson's position but were in consensus the matter is a dead issue at this point. Ms. Peterson was advised to tell residents who want stronger regulations to call their Council representative. There was a discussion of Mr. Thomsen's requested 1998 budget and administration's recommended budget. Mr. Cummings spoke in support of Mr. Thomsen's memo requesting a full-time secretary and the allocation of 50 percent of Sue Fitzgerald's time to park planning. Mr. Thomsen said Mr. Kriesel will not be recommending any new personnel. Mr. Liehr, seconded by Ms. Brown, moved to support Mr. Thomsen's memo requesting 50 percent of Ms. Fitzgerald's time for park planning, as well as a full-time secretary for the Parks Department; motion passed unanimously. There was a brief discussion regarding the requested and administration's recommended budget line items. Mr. Cummings noted the McKusick/Neal Avenue improvements were not completed because of issues related to the AUAR; there is no money budgeted for the improvements next year. Mr. Cummings also noted the recommended budget includes no funding for land acquisition or disc golf; also, the basketball court at Schulenberg Park is eliminated in the recommended budget. Mr. Cummings pointed out part of the budget problems is the fact the City may need to purchase a new fire truck. However, he said if anything is going to get done on the McKusick/Neal Avenue plans/improvements, the Park Board should make a point of getting some funding included in the 1998 budget. Old business Ms. Amrein asked whether there were any plans for getting public input on the use of the Aiple property. Mr. Cummings explained that the City Council has requested an update on the Lowell Park plan which includes the Aiple property; public hearings will be held in conjunction with that process. Mr. Polehna asked about the Lily Lake ice arena contract. He suggested the possibility of changing the length of the contract from October to May, rather than October to October, to allow the St. Croix Valley Hockey Association to consider their options of submitting a proposal to manage Lily Lake or provide financial support for a second ice sheet at the sports facility, should that project receive approval by the City Council. He also informed member that the sports complex near Belwin Nature Center in moving ahead. A question was raised about the annual park tour. Mr. Thomsen will contact Mr. Kriesel regarding those plans. Mr. Liehr, seconded by Mr. Meister moved to adjourn the meetng at 8:55 p.m.; all in favor. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording secretary