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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-24 PRC MINCity of Stillwater Parks and Recreation Board Sept. 24, 2007 Present: Linda Amrein David Brandt, Scott Christensen, Rob McGarry, Adam Nyberg, Cathy Sewilo Staff present: Planner Mike Pogge Absent: Sandy Snellman Ms. Amrein called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Ms. Amrein welcomed new member, Scott Christensen. Mr. Christensen introduced himself and provided some personal background. Members introduced themselves to Mr. Christensen. Approval of minutes: Mr. McGarry, seconded by Mr. Brandt, moved approval of the minutes of July 23, 2007. Motion passed unanimously. ACTION ITEMS Gift for Teddy Bear Park — Mr. Pogge passed around a cross stitch piece, "Teddy Bear Picnic," that Stillwater resident Judith Hansen made and would like to give to the City to hang in the Teddy Bear Park building. Mr. Nyberg expressed a concern about setting a precedent in accepting the gift. Mr. Pogge stated that if other donations are made in the future, gifts can be judged on a case -by -case basis and can be declined if they are judged to be unsuitable in any way. Mr. Nyberg asked if the park donors had been contacted about the issue. Mr. Pogge pointed out that the donor' agreement with the City leaves the management of the park to the City. Ms. Amrein, seconded by Ms. Sewilo, moved to accept the gift from Judith Hansen for display in the Teddy Bear Park building. Ms. Amrein wondered if there should be a small plaque noting the donor's name. Mr. Pogge said he didn't think Ms. Hansen gave the piece for public recognition. Ms. Amrein said she would write a thank -you note to Ms. Hansen on behalf of the Board/City. Policies for use and reservation of City parks —Mr. Pogge explained that after the City Council approved the reservation policy for Teddy Bear Park, the Council asked that staff develop a reservation policy for all City parks. Mr. Pogge said staff is recommending one change — requiring a reservation/fee and damage deposit for weddings. The proposed policy also would formalize the practice of not charging fees to not -for -profit groups for use of City parks; a refundable damage deposit is required of all groups. Mr. Pogge briefly reviewed the proposed policy related to wedding use and spoke to some of the problems encountered with weddings that prompted the proposed policy. Currently, there is no fee to hold a wedding in a City park unless the party rents a park shelter. As proposed, a $50 fee would be charged to residents and $100 fee to non- residents to hold a wedding in a City park; a $50 refundable damage deposit would be required for all wedding reservations. Mr. McGarry spoke against charging a fee to residents for using a public park, an amenity residents are paying to provide; Mr. McGarry did agree with the need for a Park & Recreation Board Minutes September 24, 2007 2 of 3 reservation process so as to eliminate potential conflict in uses. Several members questioned whether the proposed damage deposit was adequate. Mr. Pogge stated staff thinks a $50 damage deposit is adequate. Mr. Christensen pointed out that requiring a damage deposit for use of open space in a park can be tricky as it could be difficult to prove who created any damage. Mr. McGarry moved to recommend adoption of a policy to require a $50 fee for non- residents and no fee for residents to reserve use of open space in a City park, with a $100 refundable damage deposit required for all reservations, resident and non-resident, for use of open space. Users who want to reserve a park shelter would pay that fee as well, it was noted. Ms. Sewilo seconded the motion. It was noted that some weddings could qualify as a large event and be subject to different fees under the current policy; it was consensus to let staff determine whether a wedding qualified as a special event. Mr. Pogge stated the proposed new policy also formalizes the past practice of not charging not -for -profit groups for use of City parks; all users are required to pay the refundable damage deposit, he noted. Mr. Pogge said the policy should be revised to indicate that non-profit groups are required to pay a fee for use of the band shell in Pioneer Park if lighting is required for a particular event. Ms. Amrein moved to revise the reservation/fee policy for the Pioneer Park band shell to require a fee from non-profit groups for events that require lighting of the band shell. Mr. McGarry seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Mr. Brandt, seconded by Mr. Nyberg, moved to recommend revising the damage deposit for reservation of the gazebo/picnic shelter to $100 to make it consistent with the policy for reservation of park open space. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Brandt, seconded by Ms. Amrein, moved to recommend adoption of the policy for application of fees as stated in the proposed revisions. Motion passed unanimously. Management agreement for St. Croix Valley Recreation Center — Mr. Pogge pointed out the proposed agreement between the City and St. Croix Caterers for management of the Recreation Center does not include any increase in the management fee. He stated the agreement has worked well and staff is recommending approval. Mr. McGarry, seconded by Mr. Brand moved to recommend adoption of the management agreement with St. Croix Caterers. Motion passed unanimously. INFORMATION ITEMS Dog park discussion — Mr. Pogge stated the issue of providing a dog park came up during the Comprehensive Plan discussions. He said dog parks are more common on the East and West coasts, but are relatively new to the Midwest. He noted that the City has open space requirements for residential areas, including condominiums and townhomes, but he said folks want big, open spaces for their pets. He noted there are some conflicts involved with dog parks. Mr. Pogge stated dog parks are generally fenced and owners are responsible for pet cleanup. One issue, he said, is maintenance of the area. Mr. McGarry pointed out that providing a dog park won't eliminate the problem of pet waste in other parks. Mr. Nyberg said a dog park is something that residents want and that the City is not providing. Mr. Christensen said he has seen such facilities in Oregon and said the parks were popular and well -used. Mr. McGarry said he was not opposed to the concept, but would like more information as to the specifics of such a facility. Mr. Brandt agreed with it would be worth more research as to where such a park Park & Recreation Board Minutes September 24, 2007 3 of 3 Gekl-be accommodated. Mr. Nyberg said Brown's Creek Reserve park appears to have some potential for a site. Camilla Correll, Stillwater, said she is glad the City is looking into providing such a facility and said she knows of many residents who would be willing to sign a petition in favor of providing a dog park. She spoke of her experience bringing her dog to facilities in Minneapolis and St. Paul and cited parks that are good examples of facilities that work well. Adopt a flower bed program — Mr. Pogge said the last community he worked with had such a program that was very successful. He said the City would likely provide a budget for flowers and provide a small plaque recognizing the volunteer(s) who maintain the flower beds. He said the intent would be to publicize the program to get groups/individuals involved. He said he would come back with a formal proposal. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Pogge noted Washington Square is pretty much complete. He said park lights were fitted with new refractors to cut down on the intensity of the lighting. He said there had been no calls complaining about the lighting, but said the situation would be monitored. He noted that most lights in the park turn off at 10 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary