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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-25 PRC MINCity of Stillwater Parks and Recreation Commission Feb. 25, 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 7:02 p.m. Approval of minutes: Ms. Amrein noted corrections to the minutes of Jan. 28, 2998. 'H Related to the 2008 CIP list, Sunrise Park improvements should be $30,000, not $25,000 as listed in the minutes; cost of Triangle Park improvements is estimated at $25,000, a cost not listed in the minutes. Mr. Brandt referred to the paragraph at the bottom of page 1 related to property at the south end of Long Lake, noting that the City already owns the property in question and he was interesting in pursuing development of ec? the land rather than acquiring the land. Ms. Peterson noted a typo, on page 1, a capital B rather than small b. Ms. Amrein pointed out two typos in the information items "brief' should be "briefed" in the first item, and use of "it's, rather than "its" later in that item. Ms. Peterson pointed out two corrections in the third paragraph of page 2, a missing period at the end of the second sentence; change from suggesting to suggested in the fifth sentence; elimination of the word "and" in the second to the last sentence. Mr. Brandt, seconded by Ms. Snellman, moved to adopt the minutes of Jan. 28 as corrected; motion passed unanimously. Ms. Amrein asked members to accept a change in the agenda to allow Bruce Werre to address McKusick Lake parks and trails. He distributed some printed materials from the Comprehensive Plan. He noted that the City Council had asked that the proposed goals and policies in the draft Plan be refined. He said when he was part of the consensus - building and citizen advisory groups that participated in the Comprehensive Plan process, one of the recommended policies was to improve trail systems around City lakes, including completion of the trail around McKusick Lake. He stated that some of the recommendations — development of trails connecting the lake with other areas of the City, construction of a fishing pier, etc — were the result of the efforts of people who worked very hard in the late 1990s to put the Comprehensive Plan together. Ten years later, he noted the City is still looking at the development of these items, as well as a lot of other issues related to McKusick Lake. Mr. Werre also referred to a landscape plan developed in 1999 that proposed many enhancements around McKusick. He said there has been a tremendous amount of energy put into developing visions for McKusick Lake, and asked the Park Commission to look closely at the recommendations that have been on the table for many years. He questioned the Commission's decision to hold off on the surfacing of the former trolley trail, which would complete a segment of the McKusick trail and which had been a possible trail project in this year's work program. Mr. Werre noted that the trail is heavily used and the trolley segment can be dangerous in the winter months in its current unpaved condition. Ms. Amrein suggested the decision to hold off on paving the trolley trail may have something to do with the issues related to McKusick Lake itself and trying to determine how to address those issues. Mr. Werre asked why issues related to the condition of the Park and Recreation Board Minutes February 25, 2008 Page 2 of 5 Lake should impact the paving of the trail segment. Mr. Nyberg stated from the information he has received, something drastic is going to have to change with the Lake, and if that means changes to some of the inlets/outlets or some other solution, it doesn't make sense to spend money to pave the segment only to have it potentially removed as part of the Lake solution. Mr. Nyberg also suggested that it might be determined that an impervious trail surface adds to the Lake problems. Mr. Werre said he thought the primary issue related to the trolley trail had to do with pervious vs. impervious surfacing, and he suggested that a pervious surface for the trolley segment of the trail would require a great deal of excavating and fill and, in his opinion, an impervious surface would be cleaner and help prevent erosion. His main concern, he said, is further delaying recommendations that people have spent vast amounts of time in developing. He suggested that the citizens of Stillwater and users of the McKusick trail would not be in favor of further delaying completion of the trail, and he pointed out that studies to determine the durability of the new permeable surfaces could take years to complete. Mr. Nyberg noted that part of the reason the McKusick recommendations have not been implemented has to do with funding. Mr. Nyberg pointed out that there are many items in the original Comprehensive Plan that have not been accomplished yet due to funding constraints. Mr. Pogge reiterated that a Comprehensive Plan is a long-range document, with the current plan visioning out to 2030. Mr. Werre pointed out that there is $25,000 allocated for trail improvements in this year's park budget, and that, according to the minutes of the Jan. 28, 2008, Park Commission meeting, staff had recommended that a portion of the money be spent on bituminous surfacing of the trolley tracks. Mr. Christensen pointed out that the focus of discussion regarding this item at the January meeting was, as Mr. Nyberg stated, the advisability of proceeding with improving this trail segment given the other issues with McKusick Lake and possible actions related to solving the water quality problems. Mr. Christensen also pointed out that funding in this year's budget would only allow for the improvement of a small segment of the McKusick trail, not completion of the entire trail loop. Mr. McGarry noted that the trolley tracks already provide a trail connection and are usable now without being paved. Mr. Werre also spoke of the need for trash containers along the existing trail system and asked that the Board consider that at a minimum. Ms. Amrein said she didn't think the Commission was in a position to take any action at this meeting, again noting that the condition of the lake is a top priority for funding. Mr. Pogge stated that it was staff's recommendation to do the trolley track segment but said he understood the Commission's position regarding pervious vs. impervious surface and water quality. He said Mr. Werre is correct in his assessment of the amount of excavation that will be required in order to do a pervious surface there, but said there is something that staff could look at should the Commission so desire. Regarding trash cans, Mr. Pogge stated the City does have a standard container and pointed out the City was spending a lot of time maintaining the non-standard cans. He said a number of years ago, there were 10 trash cans around McKusick Lake; the trash cans were removed, he said, because there were several individuals using the cans as their personal trash receptacles. However, he said, the Commission could certainly ask that new trash cans be installed, noting that the CIP request has not yet been formally presented to the Council. Mr. Pogge said there is some money in reserve funds that could be used to install the trash containers should the Commission make that decision. Mr. Nyberg pointed out that in last month's discussion, the reserve funds were to be kept for unforeseen maintenance problems and said he would like to talk with Public Works Director Sanders before making any decision. Mr. Pogge said Mr. Sanders has indicated Park and Recreation Board Minutes February 25, 2008 Page 3 of 5 that he would have his crews pick up the trash if the Commission decides to install the receptacles. Mr. Christensen asked if the McKusick trail is the most heavily -used trail in the City; Mr. Pogge said it is one of the most used trails in the City. There was discussion as to how many more trash cans might be needed and possible locations for new receptacles. Mr. Werre suggested placing receptacles at each end of the bridge, at the entrance to the dike road and one at the park area. After further discussion regarding possible locations, Mr. Pogge suggested having staff come back with a map and make suggestions to the Board. Mr. Nyberg said he would not be in favor of placing five or six trash cans at McKusick as it would leave the reserve fund short to deal with possible emergency issues. Ms. Peterson asked about the process for getting plans, such as the documents Mr. Werre distributed, put into motion. Mr. Pogge stated the City has many plans, including a number of plans for Lowell Park, that have never been implemented. Mr. Pogge explained how plans are reviewed in the Comprehensive Plan and CIP (Capital Improvement Program) processes. Once a plan is placed in the CIP, the plan is reviewed during the Council's annual budget process. Mr. Pogge noted that in addition to the large capital improvement items, there is an annual budgeted amount for general park and trail improvement projects, and it was that amount that was discussed at the January meeting. Action Items Nightingale Estates Park review — Mr. Pogge reviewed the site and proposed four -lot subdivision — three new lots and one lot for an existing home. He reviewed the locations of an existing pond, drainage easement and conservation easement to protect trees and provide a visual buffer. Mr. Pogge explained that this development is required to provide 11 percent of the total area, or 6658.5 square feet, for parkland dedication or cash in lieu of land in the amount of $2,000 for each newly created lot. Mr. Pogge noted there is City parkland adjacent to the site, but given an existing driveway and the topography of the site, staff believes this is not a desirable piece of parkland and would recommend acceptance of the cash in lieu of land dedication. Also, the City requires $500 per lot for trail dedication. There are no existing improved sidewalks or trails, Mr. Pogge, noted, and it is staff's recommendation that the City accept the cash amount for trail dedication. Ms. Snellman asked about the status of the development. Mr. Pogge responded that the plan has been reviewed, and approved, by the Planning Commission and Joint Board and is to go to the Council in March. Ms. Amrein asked if the Watershed District had reviewed the plan; Mr. Pogge stated the Watershed District had not completed its review at this time, but is aware of the development plans. Ms. Amrein asked if the developers actually own a portion of Bruer's Pond; Mr. Pogge responded in the affirmative. Mr. Nyberg asked if it might not be worth trying to obtain the land dedication to perhaps provide some parking spots for the adjacent park. Mr. Brandt pointed out the existing park is not developed and really not a usable park the way it is. Mr. Pogge noted that the area around this site is highly developed and introduction of a parking lot likely would be opposed. Mr. McGarry pointed out the parks in this area have been a long-standing problem and were created before the City had the park dedication policy in place. Mr. McGarry moved to accept the cash in lieu of land for both the park and trail dedication for the Nightingale Estates project. Mr. Nyberg seconded the motion. Ms. Amrein expressed her concern with the proposed development in general. Motion passed unanimously. Park and Recreation Board Minutes February 25, 2008 Page 4 of 5 Fee structure for field reservations — Mr. Pogge stated the City had received a request from an adult soccer league to use the field at Sunrise Park for eight Monday night games, May through August. He noted the proposed use would not conflict with any other scheduled uses and staff believes this would be a good use for the field. Also, to remain consistent with fees charged for use of fields by other adult leagues and for high school athletics, he said the recommendation is to add language to the reservation/fee policy clarifying that the City does charge a fee for use of fields for high school athletic group and adult league games; that the City does accept reservations for the fields for practices, with no fee charged, but actual games take precedent over scheduled practices. The recommended language would further clarify that no damage deposit is required for these uses. Mr. Pogge stated the current fees are $20 for game use for the Lily Lake lower field and $15 for the Lily Lake upper field, and the recommendation is to charge $15 for the use of Sunrise Park for adult league/high school games. Mr. Brandt asked if there was a fee structure for every park; Mr. Pogge explained that these fields (Lily Lake and Sunrise) are the only fields used for adult or high school games, the other fields are used for youth games and the City does not charge for that use. There was a question as oht r high schcl(DI athletics referred to hrghs -looi age groups or School District teams, with Mr. McGarry and Mr. Christensen pointing out that the School District no longer schedules any of its games at City fields now that the high school complex has been completed. There was discussion as to the reason for charging high- school aged teams and not charging junior high or elementary -aged teams and the possibility of changing the policy to charge for adult league games only. Mr. McGarry suggested checking into the amount of staff time expended and the amount of fees generated before making any changes to the policy. Mr. Pogge stated he would bring additional information to the next meeting. It was consensus to allow the use of Sunrise Park for the adult soccer league games as requested. Ms. Amrein raised a question about the language of items No. 9 and 10 related to the reservation policy for Teddy Bear Park, which she found to be confusing as written. Mr. Pogge suggested language to address Ms. Amrein's concern. Ms. Amrein also noted an error in the language of the last sentence of item No. 10. Informational Items Park Improvement Priorities — Mr. Pogge referred to the park improvement priorities listed in the agenda packet, noting that the proposed priorities were taken, nearly word for word, from the 1995 Comprehensive Plan. He noted the wording had been changed to indicate develop and implement neighborhood park plans ...He asked that members review the list over the next month and possibly visit some of the parks and be prepared to discuss this item at next month's meeting. Also on next month's agenda, Mr. Pogge stated will be a discussion of issues related to Peace Park and the new parking ramp. During discussion, Mr. Pogge indicated that the priority list should include priorities for park improvements over the next 10 years. Other Items • Mr. Pogge informed the Commission that he, Mr. Turnblad and Councilmember Gag had meet with a resident who lives just north of Washington Square and has a number of concerns. He said the resident may appear before the Commission in the near future with requests related to programming, lighting and parking issues. • Mr. Pogge briefly addressed security features, including the location of "panic buttons." Park and Recreation Board Minutes February 25, 2008 Page 5 of 5 Meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m. on a motion by Mr. McGarry, seconded by Ms. Snellman. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary