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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-25 PRC MIN•Ttjljwater The Birthplace of Minnesota 216 4th Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-430-8800 www.ci.stillwater.mn.us PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES April 25, 2022 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Vice Chair Souter called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Present: Vice Chair Souter, Commissioners Christensen, Johnson, Macswain, Councilmember Polehna Absent: Chairman Brandt, Commissioners Nelson and Weidner Staff: Parks Superintendent Grode, Public Works Director Sanders APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of March 28. 2022 meeting Motion by Commissioner Christensen, seconded by Commissioner Macswain, to approve the minutes of the March 28, 2022 meeting. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. NEW BUSINESS Bridge the Valley Bike Rally Event Application Parks Superintendent Grode stated that the 2022 Bridge the Valley Bike Rally event by Stillwater Sunrise Rotary Club is proposed for Sunday, August 14. This event includes multiple bike routes, all starting and finishing at the end of the Lift Bridge in Stillwater. The event organizer has requested the use of North Lowell Park and Parking Lots 4 and 5. The event organizer will be charged for any City services, materials rendered and parking spaces used according to the current fee schedule at the time of the event. Rick Heidick, event organizer, stated the biggest difference from last year is that the hub will move away from Chestnut and use the edge of the river more. They are adding food and drink vendors north of Myrtle, and expect to double attendance, with 900-1,000 expected. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Christensen, to recommend the Council approve the event application for 2022 Bridge the Valley Bike Rally. All in favor. Summer Tuesdays Event Application Mr. Grode stated that Summer Tuesdays, Inc. has applied for their 2022 special event permit. As with previous years, the event would occur on seven Tuesday evenings July 5-August 9 in North Lowell Park. The event organizer has requested the use of North Lowell Park and Parking Lots 4 and 5. The event organizer will be charged for any City services, materials and parking spaces used according to the current fee schedule at the time of the event. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting April 25, 2022 Public Works Director Sanders added that staff is recommending that Lot 4 be closed after Lumberjack Days to become the staging area for construction of the Chestnut Street Plaza project, so there may be some conflict with the Bike Rally and with this event using Lot 4. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Christensen, to recommend the Council approve the event permit for 2022 Summer Tuesdays, directing staff to work with the event organizers to accommodate any changes needed. All in favor. World Caring Day Event Application Mr. Grode stated that the event application for the 2022 CaringBridge World Caring Day event, submitted by CaringBridge, was withdrawn. Skateboard Park Introduction Mr. Sanders shared that at the April 19 City Council meeting, Missy Hause, local professional skateboard competitor, offered to assist with location and development of a new skateboard park. The current skateboard park is 20 years old and will be removed when the curling facility is added to the St. Croix Rec Center. While the Council did not commit at this time, they directed staff to consider possible locations and report to the Parks Commission for discussion. The Council suggested paving the Northland Park hockey rink as a temporary location for a skateboard park and staff is getting quotes for this. No action is required at this time; staff will begin looking at possible locations and update the Commission as needed. He added that there is $15 million in the state bonding bill for skateboard park funding throughout the State. Commissioner Christensen asked if a public meeting would be held to get input before making a decision to pave the rink. Mr. Sanders replied that the Council directed staff to look into it. The Council would have to decide how to fund it, as it was not budgeted for this year and would be well into five figures to do either concrete or asphalt. The skate structures would be temporary, and would be removed in the winter so the ice rink use would continue. Commissioner Christensen asked if "temporary" means until the City builds a new skate park. He noted Ms. Hause's rough estimate is about $500,000 so it may take years to raise the funds. Vice Chair Souter suggested notifying the neighborhood around Northland Park. Commissioner Macswain commented he is not sure if this temporary solution would solve the skateboarding problems downtown. He is concerned about spending money on a temporary solution versus applying it to a long term solution. Mr. Sanders said part of the issue may be that equipment at the current skate park is outdated. Staff will bring cost estimates back to the Parks Commission, have a public meeting and determine next steps. Friends of Lily Lake Presentation Mike Lyner, president of Friends of Lily Lake, explained the importance of Lily Lake as a community resource and introduced a report on the strategic vision for its future use. Barb Bickford, consultant, explained the process of gathering public input to refine the vision. Friends of Lily Lake request that the Commission accept the guiding principles. Mr. Lyner reviewed a phased implementation plan with short term, mid term and long term improvements. The group is seeking concept approval so the plan can be presented to the City Council and hopefully, start on some of the proposed short-term improvements to include: Page 2 of 5 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting April 25, 2022 create a one way traffic entry and exit system to increase safety, create canoe/kayak/paddleboard launch, make bathrooms year-round if possible, create an inclusive accessible playground, and build a berm to deflect the traffic sound away from the park. Councilmember Polehna said he does not support reopening of Lily Lake for swimming. Mr. Lyner replied none of the parts of the plan require that the lake reopen for swimming. Vice Chair Souter remarked the short term initiatives are types of things the Commission would consider in annual budget discussion. The longer term options would definitely need feedback from the broader community. Commissioner Christensen commended the group and pointed out that the Parks Commission is a maintenance and usage advisory board to the City Council. Decision -making on big ticket items is up to the City Council. The Aiple property and Bridgeview Park are waiting for budget allocations. He is not sure how this fits with the other projects being planned at this time. Mr. Lyner responded the idea is long term planning so obstacles are not put in the way of future improvement plans. Ms. Bickford added there are many items that could be done in a short time with volunteers at very little cost. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Christensen, to send the Friends of Lily Lake Strategic Visioning Plan to the Council for consideration. All in favor. New Heights North Hill Inclusive Playground Presentation Tom Kearney, Principal from the New Heights School, 614 West Mulberry Street, and Christie Hogan, teacher, reviewed a proposal for another partnership with the City to renovate the playground area. In February 2020, the Parks Commission voted to support the project, but the request at the time did not include a specific dollar amount requested. Mr. Kearney added that New Heights School now owns the building and has a relationship with the Madison Claire Foundation and Flagship Recreation to renovate the space to create an all inclusive playground. They are seeking a partnership with the City and a City contribution of $133,000 per year for three years plus ongoing maintenance costs. The project will cost about $800,000 total. Councilmember Polehna asked if the group priced this out without all the rubber surfacing. Ms. Hogan replied eliminating rubber surfacing on the playfield reduces the cost by about $200,000. They will do anything possible to get the price down but it must be accessible. Dana Millington, Madison Claire Foundation, explained that ADA Guidelines and what is truly accessible do not always match. A surface may be considered ADA acceptable but still may be very difficult to push a wheelchair on it. Commissioner Christensen asked the lifespan of a rubber surface. Ms. Hogan said about 10-20 years. She spoke of her passion for this project as an educator. Inclusivity means not only physically handicapped accessible but designed for those with autism, ADHD and other needs, adults with differing abilities, and community members. This project has community support; City support is necessary to obtain grants. Mr. Kearney acknowledged this is an ambitious project but it is a community project - the City wouldn't have to find land or construct it on its own. Page 3 of 5 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting April 25, 2022 Commissioner Johnson asked how much has been raised so far. Ms. Hogan replied about $45,000. Commissioner Christensen recognized, as a teacher, there is a segment of the population that is not being served with the equipment that is currently in all the parks. People who have children with special needs struggle to find appropriate play spaces. He supports the project. Public Works Director Sanders recounted seeing a similar park in Wausau that attracted 100- 150 children on a particular day. He is concerned about taking a neighborhood park and creating a community park which would have more use and require more parking. Input from the neighbors should be sought before moving forward. Mr. Kearney replied the school parking lot has 25-30 spaces and there is parking on Mulberry and in the front of the building. The school building has been there since 1938. They are trying to provide an opportunity for kids to play. He urged the Commission to remember it's not always about how neighbors are bothered but who is looking out for students. Some of the fears that community members imagine never come to fruition. Commissioner Macswain voiced budget concerns, considering there are about six neighborhood playgrounds that need to be replaced in 3 years. Each time the City postpones a project, people get angry. Mr. Grode replied the City is replacing two neighborhood playgrounds this year which are 26 years old. Mr. Sanders added the City has budgeted $120,000 for the next five years for playground equipment which would replace two playgrounds a year, but costs are going up. Vice Chair Souter asked, are there opportunities to scale the project back? Mr. Kearney replied there comes a point where it could get scaled back so much that it doesn't resemble the original goal. The committee is open to consideration as long as it stays inclusive and accessible. The suggested City contribution is not a demand, but a conversation starter. Commissioner Johnson remarked the project would really appeal to funders and grantors. Motion by Commissioner Johnson to recommend the City Council consider partnering with the New Heights Inclusive Playground Committee. Mr. Sanders asked what the timeline would be. Mr. Kearney replied because the group is still seeking support, it's hard to say. It has been discussed for two or three years now. At some point the interest will wane. The Community must understand it is a serious proposal. Mr. Sanders suggested getting on the City Council agenda in June and July when the Council starts budgeting for the following year. Councilmember Polehna suggested going to the City Administrator now to get on an agenda. Commissioner Christensen noted this was first proposed three years ago. He prefers to prioritize requests chronologically rather than committing to a newer request first. Motion seconded by Commissioner Christensen. All in favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. Page 4 of 5 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting DISCUSSION ITEMS April 25, 2022 Commission Member Updates Commissioner Christensen shared that tonight the House of Representatives passed the Legacy Bill which includes funding for some City projects. It still must pass through the Senate and be signed by the Governor. He also shared a note that a property owner put on his windshield while he was parked on Mary Lane, while he was out running on the new trail. Mr. Sanders said the property owner has complained many times about parking which is allowed because it is a City street. Commissioner Johnson asked status of the sunken garden project. Mr. Sanders said quotes have come in at $40-50,000 and the City budgeted $5,000. There may be funding available from the State but it hasn't been applied for yet. Commissioner Johnson asked the status of putting markers on property lines of open spaces in Croixwood. Mr. Grode said it is on the to do list. He will discuss sign samples at the May Commission meeting. Mr. Sanders added that the goats will be back this summer to remove buckthorn in the area. Councilmember Polehna said the City hired a consultant in conjunction with the Curling group to get a price estimate for the curling center. The City also is doing a pro -forma on anticipated operational costs. A new arena sound system will be installed at the Rec Center. Mr. Sanders reported the Armory Courts are being used as a COVID testing area. The new courts won't go in until that is done. Staff Updates Mr. Grode stated that Teddy Bear Park opened April 15. The Parks Department is looking for more seasonal workers. Mr. Sanders reported that City Planner Wittman left to become Community Development Director for Forest Lake. He stated the riverbank stabilization project continues with the pouring of the wall for the pedestrian trail extension. He also reported that the Council voted to close Sam Bloomer Way to vehicular traffic. Other Business There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Macswain, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. May 23, 2022. ATTEST. Jas•n Gro+e, Parks uperintendent vrw, 00z--- e) vl Soh , C. In u../1 v w a ✓77 a-11 a/2 `! / 2 2 Page 5 of 5