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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-07-28 PRC MINCity of Stillwater Parks and Recreation Commission July 28, 2008 Present: Linda Amrein, chair David Brandt, Scott Christensen, Adam Nyberg and Solveg Peterson Staff present: Planner Mike Pogge Absent: Rob McGarry and Sandy Snellman Ms. Amrein called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. Approval of minutes: Mr. Nyberg, seconded by Mr. Brandt, moved approval of the June 30, 2008, minutes. Motion passed unanimously. Open House Legends Park well house - Mr. Pogge reviewed the history of the request for a new well/pump house in Legends Park. Robert Benson, Water Department manager, and Vern Jacobson, engineer for the Board of Water Commissioners, were present. Mr. Jacobson reviewed the proposed construction schedule. If approved, Mr. Jacobson said the well would be drilled during November -March, with construction of the well house/park improvements following the drilling — March through August. Mr. Jacobson noted that as part of this project, a monitoring well will be installed to monitor any influence on Brown's Creek, as required by the DNR. He also noted that due to constraints regarding impact on Brown's Creek, any new well must be located south of 75th Street. He explained the Water Board is committed to either working with the neighborhood to make desired park improvements or donating the money for the improvements. He reviewed several schematics of possible designs for a well house; he noted that if a park pavilion with restroom were to be attached to the well house, it would have to be at least 50 feet away from the well, according to Department of Health standards, as well as 50 feet away from the wetlands in the area. Mr. Nyberg asked about the footprint of the well house; Mr. Jacobson responded that 16x20' would likely be the minimum for the well house itself. Mr. Christensen asked about the height; Mr. Jacobson said there is not a great deal of height requirement and the well house could be 10 or 11' high if desired, depending on the preferred design. Ms. Amrein asked where the water goes and where it is treated; Mr. Jacobson and Mr. Benson explained the water goes into the City-wide system and is screened/treated on site, below ground. Mr. Nyberg asked when the Park Board would see actual proposed design for the well house; Mr. Jacobson responded that conceptual designs could be presented as soon as some input is received from neighbors and the Park Board. Mr. Christensen asked how the need for a new well had been determined. Mr. Jacobson reviewed the Water Board's responsibility and background regarding the cooperation of the Park Board and Water Board in construction of Well No. 11. The meeting was opened for public comment. Jack Serier, 3413 Barron's Way, said he had no problem with a new well, but said he would appreciate the opportunity to have input on the well house and have a tasteful design on the site. He also spoke in favor of amenities to the park that benefit the most Park and Recreation Board Minutes July 28, 2008 Page 2 of 5 people possible. He said he would like to avoid structures that weather easily, structures such as hockey boards and other high maintenance equipment. Jim Pierson, 3320 Barron's Way, asked whether any additional infrastructure would be required as part of the well/well house. Mr. Jacobson explained there will be a stretch of water main that will go from the well house to the water main and the driveway coming into the well house. It was noted the water main would come in off the park road. Mr. Pierson asked about electricity; Mr. Jacobson said there would be a transformer next to the pump house. Mr. Pierson asked about the size of pump house No. 11; Mr. Pogge stated that is 36'x24'. Mr. Jacobson and Mr. Benson noted that pump house is larger than what will be required for this new well. Mr. Pierson asked about chemical treatment; Mr. Jacobson said the only treatment is the addition of chlorine and fluoride. Mr. Pierson asked about the timetable for neighborhood input regarding the money to be spent on park amenities. Mr. Jacobson said the timetable would be to finish the specs and plans for drilling the well and then gather input in October and November regarding the well house design and park amenities for construction next spring. Mr. Pogge said if the Homeowner's Association has any priorities in mind, those should be communicated now or in the near future. Mr. Pogge listed some possible improvements: irrigation, replacement of the existing play equipment, some improvements to the turf/grading, and possible construction of a larger picnic pavilion. Mr. Pogge noted that there are limited funds, so not all the suggested improvements might be made. Mr. Pierson asked if there are other funds available for improvements; Mr. Pogge responded that for the park system as a whole, about $75,000 a year is budgeted for improvements. Mr. Pierson said his personal priorities for the park would be irrigation and grading, but said there are other ideas including the park equipment and gazebo. Dave Brynestad, 906 Sawyer Place, said residents are very dedicated to the park, speaking of an annual park cleanup and picnic, and ongoing activities in the park. He said field improvements just for safety's sake would be of benefit to soccer and other community sports that take place there. Other improvements that have been discussed, he said, and the Homeowner's Association and related committees would be willing to work with the engineering firm regarding design ideas. He said residents are very interested in a little stronger pavilion facility in the park, and he noted the Homeowner's Association has expended lots of funds on landscaping of the park. He suggested adding a drinking fountain to the possible list of amenities. When asked about the preferred size of a pavilion, Mr. Brynestad suggested perhaps a pavilion large enough to accommodate two picnic tables would be sufficient. There also was discussion about the location of the pavilion. Michele Berthiaume, 1059 Delano, spoke to the number of children in the area and stated the existing park is inadequate for the number of children and the equipment inadequate for the age differences. She said she thought this was a good opportunity to obtain funding for improvements that need to be done. Regarding the location of the pavilion, she stated her personal preference to keep things more to the south side of the site due to concerns about the safety of kids crossing the street; she suggested painting crosswalks on the street if the location is moved to the Barron's Way side of the park. She asked about the reason for drilling in winter; Mr. Jacobson explained that helps abate noise in the neighborhood. Ms. Berthiaume asked if the pump generates noise to the extent where it would be heard outside of the building; Mr. Jacobson stated this pump should be fairly quiet and noise should not be of concern. Park and Recreation Board Minutes July 28, 2008 Page 3 of 5 Kathryn Serier, 3413 Barron's Way, suggested the possibility of tying the pavilion into the design of the pump house, saying the existing pavilion just looks like a piece of steel. She stated her priority would be irrigation and playground equipment. Mr. Jacobson briefly reviewed possible ways the pavilion could be incorporated with the pump house. Susan Rinker, 1035 Delano Way, stated she runs an in -home daycare and brings 14 kids to the park on a daily basis. She said there are usually about 20 other kids in the park. She stated the play equipment is inadequate and noted that the equipment is geared to the 5-10 year age group, which is creating a safety issue; she said she would like to see some equipment geared to the older kids and younger kids. She also spoke in favor of irrigation. No other public comments were received. The resident of 1077 Delano Way participated in the ensuing discussion. There was a question about the approval process. Mr. Pogge explained that the next step would be to get Council approval of the use of the park for a well/well house. Mr. Jacobson said they would like at least one meeting with the homeowners to discuss their design preference for the well house, and then bring back concepts to the Park Board. Mr. Brandt asked if those concept plans would be just for the pump house or include the park improvements. Mr. Pogge stated at this point, it would be just for the pump house; staff and the Park Board would develop plans for the park improvements. Mr. Jacobson noted that if a pavilion is to be constructed separately from the pump house, they would like the two to match or be complementary in architectural style. Ms. Amrein asked those in attendance to indicate their preference as to whether the pavilion should be part of the pump house or a separate structure; it was consensus, by show of hands, that the two should be separate structures. Mr. Christensen asked if the work would make the park unusable next summer; Mr. Jacobson responded those are scheduling issues that can be dealt with, suggesting that perhaps the grading/turf work might be put off until late summer when the turf would likely take better. There was a question about an existing water connection and whether that would be removed when the irrigation system is put in. Mr. Brandt moved to recommend approval of the use of Legends Park for the pump house and that allocation of the money from the Water Board be designated solely for improvements to Legends Park. Mr. Christensen seconded the motion. There was discussion about perhaps clarifying the motion to direct that the money for the park improvements should be made directly to the Park Board. Mr. Pogge pointed out there may be some advantage to having a joint bid for a pump house and pavilion given that the two structures are to complement each other architecturally. There was a question about perhaps combining the pump house and pavilion and moving the combined structure farther south into the park; Mr. Nyberg noted there is an issue with access to the pump house and retaining the baseball field if the structure is moved as suggested. Mr. Brandt's motion passed unanimously. Action Items St. Croix Valley Recreation Center and Lily Lake rates - Mr. Pogge reviewed the proposed rates for the 2008-09 season, noting that the cost of natural gas and cost of operations keep increasing. He noted that for the most part, the Recreation Center is a self-sustaining operation and pointed out the proposed rates are still below those charged by comparable facilities. Mr. Pogge also noted that the proposal includes new rates for summer rentals, as currently Stillwater is higher than Somerset and North St. Paul in those rates and has lost some rentals due to that. He also pointed out that the ()et. - Park and Recreation Board Minutes July 28, 2008 Page 4 of 5 proposal includes a new family rate for open skating and open field. On a question by Mr. Nyberg, Mr. Pogge stated these are the rates being recommended by Recreation Center manager Doug Brady. Ms. Amrein suggested changing the terminology of "kid" rates to rates per "child." Mr. Christensen asked about the rate for open walks; Mr. Pogge clarified that the proposed open field rate is for active sports, not for walking. Mr. Brandt moved to approve the proposed rates for 2008-09 as submitted. Ms. Amrein seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Comprehensive Plan park improvement priorities — Mr. Pogge briefly reviewed the proposed list of park/trail improvement priorities developed by the Commission with staff's suggested additions/deletions. He briefly spoke to the proposal to replace the Chestnut Street, Laurel Street, Willard Street and Quarry Lane stairs as part of the trail improvements, noting this will be an expensive project and likely be funded through street improvements, rather than park funds. Ms. Amrein pointed out the Broadway Street stairs are not listed; Mr. Pogge agreed those stairs, referred to as the Main Street stairs, were inadvertently omitted and should be included. Ms. Amrein pointed out Millbrook is listed as both a neighborhood and community park; Mr. Pogge responded that there are two separate parks in Millbrook, the large community park and a smaller '006A-community park. Ms. Amrein suggested there might be some confusion over the reference; Mr. Pogge noted that eventually the parks will be named so there should be no confusion. Mr. Pogge spoke to the deletion of the suggestion to convert the dump site near the Jaycee fields to a park site, pointing out that is a source of contention with Public Works as the site is actively used by Public Works for snow storage and other uses. Ms. Amrein suggested including some language in the Comprehensive Plan about the future acquisition of the Old Athletic Field; Mr. Pogge stated that is included in the Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Amrein brought up the language related to Pioneer Park, referring to the fact there is a plan in place for that park that should either be followed or officially changed. Mr. Pogge noted the plan for Pioneer Park calls for the demolition of the band shell, while the proposal is to renovate the band shell; he suggested there needs to be a discussion about alternative locations for such programming or whether the City wishes to discontinue offering that type of programming altogether. Ms. Amrein pointed out that restructuring a portion of Laurel was also part of the plan; Mr. Pogge responded the plan has not been forgotten — it's a matter of funding. Ms. Amrein asked about Prairie Park and whether it should be listed; Mr. Pogge stated a park plan was done for that park and most of the work completed. Mr. Christensen expressed that the proposal seems heavy on parks and Tight on trails; he asked about including the completion of the McKusick Lake trail; Mr. Pogge stated that is included in the Comprehensive Plan, along with a master trail plan. Ms. Amrein moved to accept the list of the Comprehensive Plan park improvement priorities as presented, with the inclusion of the Broadway Street/Main Street steps in the trail improvements. Mr. Nyberg seconded the motion. Ms. Amrein asked about the language related to Staples Field — reopen basketball court or convert the current courts to another park use -- and whether that is what the Board wishes; it was consensus to leave that language. Motion to accept the list with the one change passed unanimously. Park and Recreation Board Minutes July 28, 2008 Page 5 of 5 Informational Items Parking ramp update — Mr. Pogge told the Commission the final ramp layout approved by the Council moved the entire structure 12 feet to the north to accommodate future expansion of the Lowell Inn. Moving the structure eliminates the potential for any park on the north side of the ramp and eliminated the possibility of having a walkway on the north side to the rear of the structure, he said. A number of alternatives are being looked at, including keeping a walkway to the park available in the rear, with a designated walkway inside the ramp that would take pedestrians to the rear with ramps up into the park. The park would include a shelter and rain gardens, he said. There are a number of unknowns at this time, he said, dependent on how bids come in. It was noted that any shelter would be constructed separate from the ramp project itself. There was discussion of the usability of the park space, especially by folks with mobility issues. Mr. Nyberg said he would like input on this option before spending dollars on getting access to the space if it isn't going to be utilized. Mr. Pogge noted the rain gardens would likely have to be done to meet storm water'etention requirements, but agreed there are some elements that would result in cost savings if they aren't done. Ms. Amrein agreed with Mr. Nyberg's suggestion to get additional input from Rivertown Commons' residents. Other items • There was discussion about the August neighborhood meeting regarding Staples Field. Ms. Amrein asked that a history of the issue be included in the agenda packet for the meeting. Mr. Nyberg said he would be looking for feedback regarding what that area of the park should be used for, basketball or some other use. There was discussion regarding the procedure for conducting the meeting, whether comments should be limited to five minutes duration and whether someone should be allowed to speak on more than one occasion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary