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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-24 PRC MINCity of Stillwater Parks and Recreation Commission Nov. 24, 2008 Present: Linda Amrein, chair David Brandt, Scott Christensen, Rob McGarry, Adam Nyberg, Solveg Peterson and Sandy Snellman Staff present: Planner Mike Pogge Ms. Amrein called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Approval of minutes: Mr. Christensen, seconded by Mr. Nyberg, moved approval of the minutes of Oct. 27, 2008. Ms. Peterson noted a typo in the third paragraph of the Action Items, "possibly" instead of "possible" and a missing hyphen in the first paragraph of the Informational Items. Mr. Christensen amended his motion to approval of the minutes as corrected. Mr. Nyberg amended his second; amended motion passed unanimously. ACTION ITEMS Request from Stillwater Junior High School for donation of Frisbee golf equipment — Mr. Pogge stated this request had gone before the Council and the Council referred the matter to the Parks Commission for its recommendation. He noted that the equipment was removed from use in 2005 and has been stored inside since that time. He said the City would like to see the equipment put to use, and the donor, Sunrise Rotary, is OK with the proposed donation to the Junior High School. Andy Olson, teacher at Stillwater Junior High School, was present and explained that the proposal is to have a nine -hole course and store the equipment inside when not in use to prevent vandalism which has occurred in the past. Mr. Olson outlined a possible course at the Junior High. Mr. Christensen asked about the cost of the equipment. Mr. Olson stated this is quality equipment which the School would not be able to afford to purchase on its own. Mr. Christensen noted that the previous course was in a poor location; Mr. Brandt said he did not think the Frisbee course was a compatible use for any other City park and moved approval of the requested donation. Ms. Peterson seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0, with Mr. Christensen abstaining. Staples Field basketball court — Mr. Pogge briefly reviewed the issue of the basketball court and gave a Power Point presentation on the results of the neighborhood survey. He noted that 200 properties were surveyed, with the results indicating that the neighborhood does use the park and most residents surveyed indicated they have not experienced any problem with the park. Regarding opinion as to how the basketball court should be utilized, Mr. Pogge noted that results are not clear cut as the survey format allowed more than one option. Basically, he st4ted the two highest preferred uses were reopening the basketball court or hockey, with without boards. The majority of responders, 73.8 percent favored an active use for the use, with 27.7 percent favoring passive use, he noted. Mr. Pogge also stated that there was no clear majority on a question regarding closure of several street segments bordering the park, and he noted that without a clear majority the Council is not likely to approve any street closures. Mr. Pogge suggested the options for the Commission were to resurvey the neighborhood limiting the number of options for reuse of the basketball court area or to work with the results of this survey and move forward. Park and Recreation Board Minutes November 24, 2008 Page 2 of 4 Mr. Nyberg said he would conclude that the basketball court is not being used because of an issue with noise and noted that any active use of the area will result in noise; he suggested that a passive use be considered. Mr. McGarry suggested that whatever the Commission decides, the decision will be contrary to the wishes of some of the neighbors. Mark Walker, 333 w. Aspen, suggested reopening the basketball court on a month -to - month trial basis. Mr. Brandt asked about shortening the hoops to make the use more attractive to younger children. Mr. Pogge said that creates a problem with vandalism. Mr. Brandt asked about having just one basket, a half -court use. Mr. Pogge stated that historically, the court was used for half -court play with just one hoop. Ms. Amrein said she was hoping the survey would provide the Commission with a clear answer on what use the residents would like to have there. Ms. Amrein noted that only 25 percent of the respondents wanted the basketball court reopened and suggested doing another, much more specific survey. Mr. McGarry and Mr. Nyberg suggested that the results of another survey would provide the same results — a division of opinion. Mark Olson, 921 Fifth St. N., suggested that if another survey is conducted, it be limited to the #1 active use and #1 passive use. Robert Walker questioned spending more money on another survey, saying in his opinion previous problems were due to lack of adequate police coverage. Mark Walker said he thought having one hoop would be good, noting that is what was there when he moved to his residence. He again suggested opening the court on a month -by -month basis. He also suggested that the area be patrolled by police and that the court be closed at 8 or 9 p.m. Ms. Amrein said she would not be comfortable with reopening the court without another survey. Burt Dvergsdal, 1001 N. Everett St., pointed out that the survey didn't provide respondents with the option of saying "no" to reopening the court. He suggested that the survey results are skewed because saying "no" was not an option. He suggested that a compromise would be removing the court and leaving it as a grassy area. He also questioned who initiated the suggestion of possibly reopening the court after the decision was made to close it. Ms. Snellman asked about the cost of doing another survey. Mr. Pogge said in addition to the cost of mailing, it would take about eight hours of staff time; Mr. Pogge cautioned that another survey might have a lower response rate. Ms. Amrein moved to direct staff to develop a new, refined survey, with more pointed options, for the Commission's consideration. Ms. Snellman seconded the motion. Motion failed 3-4, with Ms. Amrein, Ms. Peterson and Ms. Snellman voting in favor, and Mr. Brandt, Mr. Christensen, Mr. McGarry and Mr. Nyberg voting no. Park and Recreation Board Minutes November 24, 2008 Page 3 of 4 Mr. Nyberg moved to reopen the basketball court with one hoop, located on the east side of the court, on a trial basis. Mr. McGarry seconded the motion. Motion passed by unanimous vote Todd Sharkey, 1003, Fifth St. N., stated that the neighborhood is overwhelmingly opposed to basketball use and pointed out that a number of residents who are opposed were unable to attend this meeting. Mr. Pogge pointed out the Commission's action is a recommendation to the Council and there will be another opportunity for public comment when the Council considers the matter. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Comprehensive Plan draft review — Mr. Pogge gave a presentation highlighting the Parks/Trails chapter of the Comprehensive Plan update draft document. He noted that the City is on target with national standards for parks/trails; the document indicates the City will need another community level park by 2030, with a likely location in the Boutwell or South Twin Lakes area. He noted that the trails map indicates a future loop trail to be constructed in conjunction with the new bridge crossing, as well as the possible Zephyr trail. Mr. Pogge also noted that the City meets most standards for recreational facilities other than a community swimming pool. Mr. Pogge pointed out that the Comprehensive Plan is a guiding document, capturing community values. Mr. Pogge reviewed the proposed timetable for the ultimate adoption of the Plan in the summer of 2009. Mr. Brandt, seconded by Mr. McGarry, moved to recommend adoption of the Parks and Trails Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan update. Motion passed unanimously. Brown's Creek ski trail signs — A copy of the new signage for the Brown's Creek ski trails was included in the agenda packet. Myrtle Street/County 12 snow removal — Mr. Pogge said he had not received any information from Washington County regarding this request. Other items • Mr. Pogge told the Commission that the Water Board will begin drilling the new well in Legends Park at the beginning of December. He said there is a need for a 100' clearance during drilling which will eliminate the previous location for the ice rink in Legends Park for this year. He said staff is trying to relocate the rink to a location near the baseball field and will notify the neighborhood regarding the status of the ice rink. • Mr. Pogge asked for input about the possible purpose of a property adjacent to Staples Field. He noted there is money in the park acquisition fund for the purchase and possibly one other property. In the short-term, Mr. Pogge said, if the decision is made to purchase the property that is currently on the market, the plan would be to rent the property; long-term, he said the City would look at the purchase of adjoining properties. Mr. McGarry questioned spending money on the purchase without a long-term plan for the park, but he noted the Commission hasn't spent money on land acquisition and that is what the money is obligated for. Mr. Nyberg questioned the value of purchasing one parcel without a commitment to purchase the other adjacent parcels. Mr. Brandt pointed out that when the County purchased parcels for Lake Elmo and Big Marine regional parks, it had a clear idea of what it wanted the ultimate park boundaries to be. Mr. Nyberg asked if there are other City parks with adjacent properties that might be purchased. Ms. Amrein suggested the possible purchase of the Old Athletic Park and Recreation Board Minutes November 24, 2008 Page 4 of 4 Field. After discussion, it was consensus that this might not be the appropriate time for purchase of the property. Mr. Brandt said if the City does decide to proceed with the purchase, it needs to define what it wants the Tong -term boundaries of the park to be. • Ms. Amrein noted that the December meeting will take place Monday, Dec. 15, beginning at 6 p.m. with the annual holiday gathering to be hosted by Ms. Peterson. Mr. Nyberg, seconded by Mr. McGarry, moved to adjourn at 9:20 p.m Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary