Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-03-26 PRC MINCity of Stillwater Parks and Recreation Board March 26, 2007 Present: Linda Amrein, chair David Brandt, Paul Donna, Rob McGarry, Adam Nyberg and Sandy Snellman Absent: Cathy Sewilo Staff present: Planner Mike Pogge Ms. Amrein called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Approval of minutes: Ms. Amrein moved to approve the minutes of Feb. 26, 2007. Ms. Snellman seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Action Items Proposed 2006 programming for Teddy Bear Park — A list of proposed programming was included in the agenda packet. Mr. Pogge noted the schedule is subject to change, as additional performances may become available. Amy Gag, representing New Stillwater Park Foundation, was present and briefly reviewed the schedule. On a question by Ms. Amrein, it was noted that New Stillwater Park Foundation was formed by the Armstrongs, who developed and gave Teddy Bear Park to the City. Ms. Gag noted that the programming for May is geared toward preschoolers as school is still in session. She said performances in June and July feature as much local talent as possible, and she noted that a number of members of ArtReach Alliance donate their time and materials. Mr. McGarry asked about the number of participants. Ms. Gag stated that programs featuring animals from the Minnesota Zoo or the U of M Raptor Center are very popular and draw as many as 200 kids. Other performances are attended by 20 to 30 children, she said. Ms. Gag said programming is publicized on the City's web site, and flyers will be sent home with School District 834 children and Early Childhood Family Education participants. Mr. McGarry asked if performers sign contracts and whether City Attorney Magnuson had reviewed the contracts. Ms. Gag said performers do sign contracts. Mr. Pogge stated he would check with Mr. Magnuson to see if he had any concerns regarding the contracts. It was noted that 2007 might be the last year the Armstrongs provide programming assistance. Mr. Pogge said funding for ongoing programming will be a priority. Ms. Gag stated the Stillwater Area High School theater director is putting together a proposal for students to do episodic theater performances in the parks. She stated she believes the cost would be about $10,000. She said District 834 Community Education has some funding available, and suggested that is something the Park Board may want to consider for future programming. Mr. Brandt moved to approve the 2007 Teddy Bear Park programming as presented, with the understanding that the schedule is subject to change. Mr. McGarry seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Plans for Washington Park improvements — Dewey Thorbeck and Eric Olson of Thorbeck Architecture were present. Mr. Thorbeck reviewed the proposed improvements being done by the Armstrongs under the auspices of Teddy Bear Park Foundation. Mr. Thorbeck reviewed the site and sidewalk and path locations. He stated the major play structure will stay at its present location but the area will be re -graded and rubber Park & Recreation Board Minutes March 26, 2007 Page 2 of 4 surface area installed. The plan provides for 19 parking spaces. Major improvements described by Mr. Thorbeck include a Victorian -style pavilion with four picnic tables and performance area; permanent toilet facility (for summer use only) constructed of fieldstone with metal roof; climbing rock; gazebo with circular bench; three strombrellas; two barbecue grills; bike racks and racks for strollers; new fieldstone park sign; a 30' illuminated flagpole and new lighting. Mr. Thorbeck stated he was not sure whether the existing softball backstop would be replaced. He said much of the park layout would stay as is with some re -grading. An irrigation system will be installed, he said, and the park re -sodded, with additional landscaping. Mr. Thorbeck said the plan is to begin construction in early May, with the improvements 100 percent completed by July 15. Ms. Amrein asked about the lighting plan. Mr. Thorbeck stated the lighting would utilize cutoff fixtures so the area will be safe but not overly bright. He noted the wattage has been lowered and the number of proposed Tight standards reduced. Ms. Amrein asked if there are any memorial benches currently in Washington Park, as that might be an issue. Mr. Pogge said he would check on the bench issue. Mr. Thorbeck said the intent ✓icocu1i: is to utilize a Victorian style for the new benches; he suggested the existing benches could be moved to another location. Mr. Pogge said in addition to the benches, the intent is to utilize the existing gazebo in another park; he said staff is suggesting the gazebo be moved to the new Munkelwicz park if that is acceptable to the Board. Members were in consensus moving the gazebo to the Munkelwicz location would be acceptable. There was discussion about a name for the park. It was noted that the name was originally Washington Square Park, but overtime the name has simply become Washington Park. Ms. Amrein suggesting asking historian Don Empson about the name issue. Mr. Pogge said Mr. Empson has already commented on the issue and favors use of the original name. Members were in consensus favoring Washington Square as the name for the park. Much of the discussion centered on whether neighboring property owners should be notified and whether neighbors should be notified for input or information only. Ms. Amrein spoke in favor of informing neighbors. Mr. McGarry noted the Board is not required to hold a hearing -- the use isn't being changed and no variances are required. Mr. McGarry agreed there likely will be complaints due to additional traffic, but he suggested that is the Board's purpose — to increase park use. It was agreed to contact local papers to generate some positive publicity regarding the plans. Mr. Pogge said he would contact the publications; Mr. Nyberg asked that the attempt be made to generate some publicity prior to the Council meeting when this matter will be on the agenda. Mr. McGarry moved to recommend approval of the park improvement plans as submitted. Mr. Brandt seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Ms. Snellman moved to recommend that the name of the park revert to the original Washington Square. Ms. Amrein seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Legacy on Long Lake development plans — Mr. Pogge stated since the last meeting when the Board considered the plans, legislation has been introduced to allow the sale of the Jackson Wildlife Management Area to the City or some public entity. The DNR has indicated it will support the inclusion of the Jackson area in the development's open space requirement for determining the allowable density. Also, he said, at the Board's direction, the developer has contacted a landowner regarding the possibility of obtaining a Lakeshore parcel and that owner has indicated a willingness to deed the parcel for dedication as parkland. That parcel, he said, will provide right of access to the lake and Park & Recreation Board Minutes March 26, 2007 Page 3 of 4 also provide access to the City to maintain the weir. Ed Dulach, Elite Development, was present. Mr. Nyberg asked whether the City would have to contribute any funding for the purchase of the Jackson Wildlife Management Area. It was noted that as proposed, $50,000 of the developer's required $100,000 in cash in lieu of land park dedication would be used for the purchase, with the developer to pay 100 percent of the remaining cost of acquisition. There was a brief discussion about the provision of a trail easement along the existing 72nd Street roadbed; the easement will allow for construction of an 8' bituminous trail, it was noted. There was brief discussion about the potential for future ball fields on the adjacent church property. Mr. Dulach stated the developer will be contributing to the future improvement of the ball fields, such as by grading the area, Ms. Amrein asked about the requested variance for fence height that had been denied by the Planning Commission. Mr. Dulach said the request had to do with a wall to provide noise mitigation. That plan has been abandoned, he said, in favor of a natural berm with landscaping. Mr. McGarry suggested that without knowing the purchase price for the Jackson area, it might be premature to take action. Mr. Pogge pointed out that the statutory deadline for taking action on this application is April 4. Mr. Pogge also said staff beliefs that the proposed agreement is restrictive enough to protect the City from any potential costs. Mr. Dulach said he is certain the purchase price for the Jackson property will be more than $100,000, and he is comfortable with the condition that he pays $50,000 plus all additional cost for acquisition. Mr. Nyberg, seconded by Ms. Amrein, moved to recommend approval of the Elite Development requests for rezoning, preliminary plat approval, concept Planning Unit Development approval and vacation of excess 72nd Street right-of-way as conditioned. The four conditions of approval include: in addition to outiot D, the area shown as exhibit E be dedicated to the City as parkland; the developer pay $100,000 cash -in -lieu -of -land dedication; the City receives a letter from the Minnesota DNR approving the PUD worksheet prior to release of the final plan; and prior to the release of the final plat, the developer deposit sufficient funds with the City to cover the purchase of the Jackson WMA from the DNR, with the City agreeing to allow 50 percent of the developer's required cash -in -lieu of land dedication to be used for the purchase of the Jackson WMA and the City agreeing to allow the developer to calculate the open space in the Jackson WMA in their PUD open space calculations for the DNR for the development. Motion to recommend approval as conditioned passed unanimously. Trail dedication fund policy — Mr. Pogge explained that when the City revised its park dedication policy, it included a trail dedication requirement. He noted there are no funds in the trail dedication account as present, but the Liberty West developer will be paying into the fund soon. Staff is seeking direction from the Board as to what trails quality for funding, he said. Specifically, the question is whether sidewalks should be included, he said. Mr. Nyberg expressed a concern that funding sidewalks would result in folks asking for funding assistance in sidewalk replacement projects. Mr. Donna asked whether sidewalks counted toward the trail dedication requirement in new developments; Mr. Pogge responded that 5' sidewalks do not count toward the trail dedication requirement, trails must be 8" wide. Mr. Donna suggested that policy has already set a precedent. It was consensus of the Board that sidewalks not qualify trail dedication funding. Mr. Park & Recreation Board Minutes March 26, 2007 Page 4 of 4 Pogge pointed out that the City's trail plan does include sidewalks. Mr. McGarry suggested that sidewalks should be connector segments only. Mr. Pogge asked whether a policy should specify that a trail be of bituminous material. It was consensus material could vary depending on a trail's location, proximity to wetlands, lakes, etc. There was discussion as to whether dedication funds could be used for trail repair. Mr. McGarry said he would like dedication funds to be utilized for new trails only. Mr. Pogge said he would use comments made during the discussion to put together a policy for the Board's consideration. Appointments to the Comprehensive Plan steering committees — Mr. Brandt expressed a "reluctant" interest in serving on one of the committees, but said he was concerned about the time commitment given his schedule. Both Ms. Snellman and Mr. Donna said they could not commit to serving due to the required time commitment. Mr. McGarry asked about the possibility of having a primary and alternate representative on the steering committees. Mr. Nyberg explained that the intent is to keep the committee membership to a manageable number. Mr. McGarry said he would be willing to serve on the downtown committee. Ms. Amrein initially expressed a preference to serving on the downtown committee, but agreed to serve on the general committee given Mr. McGarry's business ties to the downtown. Ms. Snellman, seconded by Mr. Brandt, moved to appoint Ms. Amrein as the Park Board's representative to the Comprehensive Plan general steering committee and Mr. McGarry to the Downtown Plan steering committee. Motion passed unanimously. Information Items Munkelwicz park name — Mr. Pogge stated the Munkelwicz park improvements are nearing completion, and the Board should decide on a name for the park. He noted that there was not a great deal of enthusiasm for the names suggested in last year's name - the -park contest. Ms. Snellman and Mr. Brandt both spoke in favor of Brown's Creek Park given its location next to the Creek. Mr. Nyberg asked about the name Munkelwicz; it was pointed out the City purchased the property from Munkelwicz. Mr. McGarry, seconded by Ms. Snellman, moved to name the area Brown's Creek Park. Mr. Pogge pointed out that, by default, the nature area on the other side of the Zephyr tracks likely will also be known as Brown's Creek. Mr. McGarry amended his motion to recommend that both the Munkelwicz park area and the adjacent nature area be officially named Brown's Creek Park. Ms. Snellman's second stood. Amended motion passed unanimously. Johnson property donation — Mr. Pogge explained that Orville Johnson would like to donate the northern 10 acres of his property to a local unit of government. He said from a staff perspective, the offer presents a great opportunity. There was a brief discussion about the site and the possibility of acquiring adjacent property for access to South Twin Lake. Mr. Pogge noted that St. Croix Preparatory Academy is looking at a site to the east of the Johnson property, which might facilitate additional access. It was consensus the offer to donate the property was an opportunity to be pursued. Meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker, Recording Secretary