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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-22 PRC MINCity of Stillwater Parks and Recreation Board October 22, 2007 Present: Linda Amrein, Chair, David Brandt, Rob McGarry, Adam Nyberg, and Sandy Snellman Staff present: Planner Mike Pogge Others present: Yvonne Klinnert, Courier News, and a number of Stillwater Area High School government class students. Absent: Scott Christensen and Cathy Sewilo Ms. Amrein called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Approval of minutes: Ms. Amrein noted a typographical error on page 3 of the previous month's minutes, "cold" instead of "could", and Mr. Brandt pointed out a misspelling of his name on page 2. Mr. Brandt, seconded by Ms. Snellman, moved approval of the minutes of Sept. 24, 2007, as corrected. Motion passed unanimously. Neighborhood Meeting Discussion of ice rink at Benson Park — Mr. Pogge noted the City had received several requests to expand the skating area at Benson Park. He said staff had identified three potential locations, behind the Water Department pump house (A), east of the gazebo (B), and an area by the sand volleyball court (C). He stated the locations behind the pump house and near the gazebo both could accommodate a rink 85' x 110', about half the size of a regulation hockey rink; the area by the volleyball court would be smaller, about 65' by 85'. He stated there would be some disruption at all three sites, whether due to the need to relocate trees or posts; all of the sites will require some grading, he noted. He also pointed out that the quality of the grass will be affected by winter flooding. Shawn Sanders of the Public Works Department reviewed some of the pros and cons of each of the three sites. Ms. Amrein opened the meeting to public comment. Rich Friedrich, 1398 Benson Blvd. E., asked about site A setbacks from neighboring property owners. Mr. Pogge stated that Rick Larson, 1549 Highland Court, the nearest neighbor, was OK with a rink at that location, and, in fact, would like to see a rink there. Mr. Friedrich asked if there would be a curfew for use of the rink. Mr. Sanders stated that all City parks close at 10 p.m. Mr. Friedrich stated his preference for site A. Bob Bugbee, 1427 Lydia Circle, and a Hockey Association board member, spoke of the possibility of using the softball/soccer field for the rink area. He pointed out that a rink in that location could be in the center of the park, the area is flat and wouldn't involve disruption of any trees, and it would enable a regulation size rink. He spoke of the possibility of the Hockey Association cooperating in providing boards. He also pointed out that the City of Lake Elmo has been flooding Lions Park in the winter for 30 years and is able to have the grass recover sufficiently for softball/baseball use in the summer. He stated that if use of the softball field isn't an option, site A would be a suitable location. Mr. Friedrich stated if grass is the issue that would preclude consideration of the use of the softball field, that is a non -issue — there is no grass there now. Mr. Pogge pointed out that if the Board was to consider using the soccer/softball field, another meeting would have to be scheduled and neighbors re -noticed. Park & Recreation Board Minutes October 22, 2007 2 of 3 Brent Voight, 1535 Highland Court, who lives in close proximity to site A, said he would be OK with a rink there as long as there are no lights and no boards. He questioned whether having a skating area at site A would affect any of the grass sprinkler heads. He said he thought site B would be better as it is not used as much in the summer. He also stated two other neighbors, Dave Wolf, 1513 Highland Court, and Mr. Larson were OK with site A as long as there are no lights. Later in the discussion, an unidentified resident of the Benson neighborhood raised a safety issue regarding kids sliding in the park and whether they might slide onto the skating area at site A. During discussion at the Board level, Mr. Brandt spoke in favor of site A. He said neighbors want an area for kids to skate, where they won't be kicked off by hockey sticks and pucks. He suggested trying site A and see what happens. Mr. Nyberg expressed a concern about the number of neighbors in close proximity to site A who might be impacted by the use; he spoke in favor of ite B where there are fewer neighbors who might be impacted r: Pogge noted no concerns have been raised by folks living near site A, and Ms. Snellman pointed out that all the affected property owners received notice of this meeting. Ms. Amrein said her first reaction was that maybe site A was too close to neighboring houses. Ms. Snellman spoke in favor of trying to flood a rink at site A, without expending a lot of staff time/money. Mr. Sanders reiterated that some grading will be required at any of the sites. Mr. McGarry noted that there will be maintenance issues should the softball/soccer field be flooded and the fields be left potentially unusable. He also pointed out that there will be issues regarding hockey/open skate regardless of the selected site, and he spoke of the uncertainty of weather. Mr. McGarry spoke in favor of utilizing the site that will require the least amount of work and still provide a good sized ice surface. Mr. Sanders pointed out that while there are some drainage issues with site B, it is in close proximity to the road and gazebo which skaters might be able to use for resting/tying skates, etc. Mr. Sanders also stated that he thought the trees at site B could be transplanted successfully. Mr. McGarry moved to direct staff to look at site B for the skating area, with the largest ice sheet that can be accommodated at that location. Ms. Amrein seconded the motion. Mr. Bugbee referred to the concern about the impact on grass and questioned whether it would be pleasing to have an area of mud at the front of the park. Mr. Friedrich spoke of the cost involved in transplanting trees, given the short skating season. Mr. Brandt expressed a concern about drainage at site B, and the potential that silt fences might be required. Mr. Brandt also pointed out that site A is in an underutilized portion of the park. Mr. McGarry withdrew his motion, and Ms. Amrein agreed to withdraw her second. Mr. McGarry moved to direct staff to look at site A for the skating area, with the largest ice sheet that location can accommodate, and to come back to the Board with any problems that might be encountered. Ms. Snellman seconded the motion. Motion passed 4-1, with Mr. Nyberg voting no. Action Items • Baseball Association request to install a scoreboard at the Public Works baseball field — Mr. Pogge stated the Baseball Association has received a $5,000 donation from a local business that the Association is proposing to use for the installation of a permanent scoreboard and other improvements at the Public Works baseball field. Mr. Pogge stated Park & Recreation Board Minutes October 22, 2007 3 of 3 staff's biggest concern is with maintenance, and the Baseball Association understands that the Association will be responsible for ongoing maintenance. Ms. Amrein noted that this money is over and above the money allocated to the Baseball Association by the City Council. Mr. Nyberg wondered whether there weren't more beneficial improvements that could be made. Mr. Pogge pointed out that the Baseball Association had made improvements including the installation of dugouts, safety capping for the fencing and windscreen using City funds. There was a discussion about whether advertising should be allowed on the scoreboard. Members felt generic messages would be OK, but not advertising for specific businesses. Ms. Amrein moved to authorize the Baseball Association to install a permanent scoreboard at the Public Works field, with the Park Board or City Council to give final approval to the scoreboard, especially in regard to potential advertising, and with the understanding that the Baseball Association is responsible for maintenance of the scoreboard. Ms. Snellman seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. • Special event permit for the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce to use Lowell Park for the 2008 Spring Art Fair and special event permit for the Greater Stillwater Chamber for use of Lowell Park for the 2008 Fall Colors Fine Art and Jazz Festival - Mr. Pogge pointed out that the agreement for use of Lowell Park is exactly the same as the agreement for the 2007 events. Mr. Pogge pointed out there is a possibility that the events, especially the fall event, might have to be relocated should the levee project commence next year, and he said the Chamber is aware of that possibility. Ms. Amrein noted a typographical error in the agenda packet introduction of the request that stated the fall event would take place in the "south" portion of Lowell Park; Mr. Pogge stated that was an error, the event will take place in the north portion of the park, as it did this year. Mr. Brandt, seconded by Ms. Snellman, moved to recommend Council approval of the agreements with the Chamber for use of Lowell Park for both the fall and spring art fairs in 2008. Motion passed unanimously. Informational Items Mr. Pogge stated staff had received a lot of calls regarding the possibility of developing a dog park after the recent newspaper article. He stated calls were about evenly split regarding the possibility. He stated neighbors near the Brown's Creek Reserve Park do not want a park located there. Mr. Sanders explained that dog parks are not necessarily fenced in, but are buffered from neighboring residential areas by trails and walks. Mr. Rogge stated a neighborhood meeting regarding a dog park will be scheduled after the first of the year. Ms. Arirein raised the issue of basketball at Staples Field. Mr. Pogge suggested that one option for reintroducing basketball would be for the City to purchase a couple of parcels that are immediately adjacent to the park. It was consensus that at this point, there is nothing the Park Board wishes to do regarding that issue. Mr. McGarry, seconded by Ms. Snellman, moved to adjourn at 8:15 pm. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker, Recording Secretary