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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-22 PRC Packet Stillwater Parks and Recreation Commission meetings are streamed live on the city website and available to view on Channel 16. Public can participate in the meeting by attending in person at City Hall. AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION May 22, 2023 @ 7 PM I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. April 24, 2023 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes V. OPEN FORUM – the open forum allows the public to address the commission on subjects which are not a part of the meeting. Commission may take action, reply, or give direction to staff. Please limit your comments to 5 minutes or less. VI. NEW BUSINESS 2. New Heights School North Hill Inclusive Playground Request VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS VIII. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Staff Updates (no packet materials) 4. Commission Member Updates (no packet materials) IX. ADJOURN Next Meeting: June 26, 2023 at 7 p.m. 216 4th Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-430-8800 www.ci.stillwater.mn.us PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES April 24, 2023 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Chairwoman Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Chair Johnson, Commissioners Haveles, Larson, Lehmann, Macswain, Quie, Souter, Councilmember Polehna Absent: None Staff: Parks Superintendent Grode APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of March 27, 2023 meeting Motion by Commissioner Souter, seconded by Commissioner Quie, to approve the minutes of the March 27, 2023 meeting. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. NEW BUSINESS Middle St. Croix Valley Regional Trail Master Plan Presentation Connor Schaefer, Senior Planner with Washington County, reviewed Washington County’s Middle St. Croix Valley Regional Trail Master Plan, which is a vision for a future multi-use trail that will run through Eastern Washington County from Downtown Afton to the St. Croix Boom Site. He explained the project, including public engagement, implementation considerations, route alternatives and implementation considerations. Mr. Schaefer discussed how the three route alternatives were determined, and showed the recommended long range regional route and interim route. Commissioner Souter asked if the stairs from the bluff south of the Oasis were considered as a connection point, and Mr. Schaefer replied the stairs are considered an access point, though it would be difficult for bikes and wheelchairs to use them. He added that Washington County will present this plan to the Stillwater City Council for their consideration and the final approval process in June-July. Existing routes can be designated as soon as the plan is approved; routes that have to be built may take five years. There will be a phased approach. Councilmember Polehna asked about maintenance and Mr. Schaefer replied they have a city- by-city approach to maintenance and will continue working with local agencies on how to best maintain, plow and mow the trails. Chair Johnson suggested car/trail intersections could use an S pattern system like she saw while biking in Germany, and Mr. Schaefer said he will take the suggestion to staff. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting April 24, 2023 Page 2 of 2 Commissioner Haveles asked if there is an estimate for usage, and Mr. Schaefer responded there are demand models that say “this trail could reach this usage.” Motion by Commissioner Lehmann, seconded by Commissioner Larson, to recommend that the City Council approve the Middle St. Croix Valley Regional Trail Master Plan. All in favor. Adopt-A-Park Program Mr. Grode explained that the City receives numerous phone calls and emails from individuals and groups who are interested in volunteering to help clean up the City’s parks. Staff recommends establishing an Adopt-A-Park Program. He reviewed proposed general guidelines for the program. Commissioner Haveles asked if a commercial for-profit business could adopt a park, and Mr. Grode replied it could be any group, no size limit. Commissioner Souter asked about volunteers signing a liability waiver, and Mr. Grode stated that staff can discuss with the City Attorney whether a liability waiver should be used. Motion by Commissioner Souter, seconded by Commissioner Quie, to approve the Adopt-A-Park Program. All in favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. DISCUSSION ITEMS Staff Updates Superintendent Grode reviewed which parks are open. Playground replacement items at the Old Athletic Field and Washington Square Park will be delivered in early to mid June. Commission Member Updates Councilmember Polehna shared that the City Council will approve the 72nd Street trail on Tuesday. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Souter, seconded by Chairman Johnson, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m. ___________________________________________ Pam Johnson, Chair ATTEST: ________________________________________________ Jason Grode, Parks Superintendent DATE: May 22, 2023 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Jason Grode, Parks Superintendent SUBJECT: New Heights School North Hill Inclusive Playground Request BACKGROUND Representatives from the New Heights School, located at 614 West Mulberry Street in Stillwater, will be present at the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to discuss their proposal for a partnership with the City to renovate the playground area located on the East side of their facility. At the February 24th, 2020 and the April 25th, 2022 Parks and Recreation Commission meetings, the New Heights school presented their proposal for a partnership with the City of Stillwater. The Parks and Recreation Commission voted in the past to recommend to City Council to support the proposed park, but the requests in the past have not included a specific dollar amount requested. They are requesting a specific commitment from the City in the form of a budget line item. ACTION REQUESTED The Parks and Recreation Commission should share their comments and feedback on the New Heights North Hill Playground presentation. If the Commission would like to make a recommendation to the City Council, a motion can be made to do so. Attachments: New Heights School North Hill Inclusive Playground Information Parks and Recreation Meeting 5/22/23 New Heights School is seeking support in the form of a partnership with The City of Stillwater to renovate the playground on the east side of the school building located at 614 Mulberry St. West. Our first effort together erected the play structure that is currently in place around the year 2000. The play apparatus,while still functional,is aging and has limits in terms of inclusivity. We are proposing,as you are well aware,an inclusive,or more inclusive playground to allow for people of all ages and abilities to access,play and enjoy the space together. We first pitched this to this group in February of 2020,but shortly thereafter,the pandemic hit. Since then,we have been to this body 2 other times and have been to the City Council meeting 2 times,for a total of 5 pitches.We still have no commitments and have not been told “no” either. We have been working to raise money and we have also scaled down the project. We have gained support from one of our local representatives,Representative Josiah Hill from the state legislature. We have received donations from The Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation,Then Manitou Fund,Friends of Stillwater Parks and Washington County,as well as other less local partners. Our efforts have raised between $75K and $90K;depending on how inclusive the project design ends up. Sadly,although we have received a nice level of financial support,the costs for this project are increasing;largely due to the new way of the world;simply meaning inflation,supply chain issues,the cost of fuel,and increases to labor costs. We need to get absolute support from the City or this project may not occur.We need a commitment or a rejection,either way,it will inform us whether we should continue or forfeit the plan.We believe a commitment comes in the form of a budget line that is due soon.