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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-11-28 PRC MINThe Birthplace of Minnesota 216 4th Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-430-8800 www.ci.stillwater.mn.us PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES November 28, 2022 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Chairwoman Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Chair Johnson, Commissioners Christensen, Larson, Lehmann, Macswain, Quie, Souter (arrived about 7:20) Councilmember Polehna Absent: None Staff: Parks Superintendent Grode APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of October 24. 2022 meeting Motion by Commissioner Quie, seconded by Commissioner Larson, to approve the minutes of the October 24, 2022 meeting. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. NEW BUSINESS Fencing for Public Works and Millbrook Parks Ballfields Parks Superintendent Grode summarized fencing needs at the ballfields at Public Works Park and Millbrook Park and stated that the Stillwater Area Baseball Association (SABA) has offered to help with these improvements to both ballfields. SABA is willing to pay up to $20,000 towards adding fencing, mow strips, gates, outfield wind screen, yellow capping and ag lime for the warning track. The City has up to $20,000 in remaining funds from the tennis court project at Settler's Park, which came in under budget. Staff recommends the City and SABA each contribute half of the cost (up to $20,000 each) towards the fencing projects in spring 2023. Dave Andrews, treasurer and Chris Rick, secretary, Stillwater Area Baseball Association, confirmed their interest in partnering with the City to improve the fields. Councilmember Polehna and Commissioner Christensen thanked the SABA for stepping forward to participate in this and many other projects through the years. Motion by Commissioner Macswain, seconded by Commissioner Lehmann, that the Parks and Recreation Commission supports that staff moves forward, and to recommend to the City Council with the Stillwater Area Baseball Association to each contribute 50% up to $20,000 to install fencing upgrades at both Public Works and Millbrook Parks. All in favor. Replacement Playgrounds for 2023 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting November 28, 2022 Mr. Grode stated that the City budgeted $120,000 for the replacement of two playground structures in 2023 (Old Athletic Field and the older structure at Washington Square Park). He presented proposals for Burke playground equipment from St. Croix Recreation. Their proposals are discounted through the State Contract. Burke is recommended because the company has ready inventory for replacement parts and good customer service. Commissioner Macswain asked how often neighborhood feedback is sought. Commissioner Christensen answered that the Commission has been seeking neighborhood input for about 4-5 years on certain park projects (Pioneer Park and Anez Ridge). Mr. Grode said the 3D models could be posted on the City website for feedback and the order could be placed in February. Commissioner Souter suggested posting a QR code and website link at each park for feedback. Commissioner Lehmann asked how the playgrounds are designed, and Mr. Grode replied that staff tries to match existing playground and amenities to upgraded options that incorporate fall zone protection. In some cases newer activities are included. Commissioner Macswain said he would like to see better accessibility at Washington Square, because currently the older structure is not as accessible for little kids. Mr. Grode explained that the play structure will be oriented to the transfer platform where a user would transfer from a wheelchair onto the play structure. The designers also orient slides facing north to stay cooler. Replacing sand with wood fiber will also improve accessibility. Motion by Commissioner Souter, seconded by Commissioner Quie, to direct staff to explore additional accessibility at Washington Square Park, post designs to the City web site and other social media for feedback, and consider posting a QR code or link at the respective parks to get feedback, and bring feedback to the January meeting. All in favor. Maintenance of South Main Stairs Mr. Grode shared email from a resident concerned about the condition of the South Main stairs located south of the Oasis Cafe. Since these stairs do not connect directly with the City's trail system, they are not maintained in the winter and there are signs posted stating this. Staff recommends continuing to not maintain the steps in the winter months and possibly completely block off the steps in the winter. Staff requests feedback from the Commission. Commissioner Quie said that, given the trail right across the street, more people may use the stairs and the City should do something with them. Commissioner Christensen remarked that drivers are getting better about stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks but there is no crosswalk in this location. Councilmember Polehna added that a painted crosswalk is not a guarantee of safety. The South Main stairs were considered low priority when the City did the other stairs. Mr. Grode noted the railing has some missing sections which could be replaced. Commissioner Quie asked if the area could be cleaned up so people can walk over to the Oasis. If the railings are replaced but the stairs are not maintained, he sees this as problematic. Mr. Grode said he would have to look into whether the easement is the State's to maintain. Chair Johnson commented that some of the Minneapolis parks have chains in winter, a clear message that users are there at their own risk. Page 2 of 4 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting November 28, 2022 Councilmember Polehna questioned whether MnDOT would want people walking along Highway 95 there. Commissioner Christensen said he is continually trying to educate motorists that a road is not just for cars. Pedestrians have just as much right to use the road as the motorists. Commissioner Macswain said that MnDOT may not even know about the stairs. Bringing it to their attention could make them ask the City to shut them down. There is a telephone pole so a walker has to jut out into the road and the speed limit is 50 mph there. Commissioner Christensen suggested giving MnDOT a choice: either work with the City on some sort of pathway along here, or pedestrians will walk on the surface of the road. He would like to see the stairs repaired and used. Councilmember Polehna questioned why the Commission is talking about these stairs as a park. Motion by Commissioner Quie, seconded by Commissioner Lehmann, to close the South Main Street stairs for winter 2022-23 and discuss the South Main Street stairs in the spring of 2023. Mr. Grode stated City staff is going to fix the railing no matter what. The question was more whether to shovel or block off the stairs for winter. Commissioner Macswain asked how this falls in with other priorities and whether it should be handled under Public Works. He agrees that it's a needed trail connection but is not sure if the Parks Commission is the right entity to handle it. All in favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Discussion on Trail Maintenance Mr. Grode provided the August 25, 2022 trail maintenance inspection report. He said that each year, $10,000 is budgeted for filling cracks, minor repairs and other minor maintenance. More involved maintenance (e.g. a seal coating program) and trail replacement projects are in the Capital Improvement Plan. Currently, $150,000 is scheduled for trail maintenance starting in 2028, but that could be moved up to 2024 or 2025 if the Parks and Recreation Commission would like to prioritize larger replacement trail or sidewalk projects. Often the County will work in trail replacement when they are doing street replacement in that area. Chair Johnson asked when Manning will be refurbished because the trail has huge tree roots coming up. Councilmember Polehna replied he has a meeting on that topic Wednesday. The City needs to establish a plan for the major maintenance of trails. Commissioner Larson asked how moving the trail maintenance to the 2024 budget rather than 2028 will affect the budget. Mr. Grode replied it would still have to go before the City Council. Commissioner Lehmann asked if there are any projects that would be highest priority, and Mr. Grode replied a number of them are County trails. Staff can do more prioritizing of this inspection information and see what the County plans to do in 2024. Motion by Commissioner Lehmann, seconded by Commissioner Larson, to recommend that City staff prioritize asphalt trail maintenance and replacement starting in 2024. All in favor. Page 3 of 4 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting November 28, 2022 DISCUSSION ITEMS Staff Updates Project Updates Superintendent Grode updated the Commission on repair of park signs, painting and refurbishment of the South Lowell Park flagpole, new tennis courts at Settler's Park, new playgrounds at Anez Ridge and Meadowlark Park, the new online Parks Reservation System, new irrigation system at Bergmann Park, and continued cleanup of dump sites on City property. Event Updates Mr. Grode reported that the World Snow Sculpting Championship will be in January 2023; the Twinkle Parade and Fireworks will be this Saturday; the Ice Cream Social will be the week after the snow sculpting; the Fat Tire Bike event and Brines Bocce Ball event will be in February. Commission Member Updates Commissioner Christensen stated this may be his last meeting if there is no December meeting. Chair Johnson reported the meetings will no longer be on Zoom. Councilmember Polehna reported that the City got a natural resources grant from Great River Greening for $100,000 for Lumberjack Landing; Chestnut Plaza is closed for the winter so the Christmas tree will be back in its original location this year; the Parks Commission should start thinking about a grand opening for the Chestnut Plaza in the spring. Commissioner Macswain thanked staff for removing the Northland Park fence. He said he attended an open house for 72nd Street and it seemed positive about trail access and safety. Chair Johnson said she attended the Sustainable Stillwater Fundraiser. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Macswain, seconded by Commissioner Christensen, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m. ATTEST: ode, Park uperintendent Page 4 of 4