Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-25 PRC MIN216 4th Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 I� ] Ewa ter 651-430-8800 '' 1 www.stillwatermn.gov moo The Birthplace of Minnesota PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES September 25, 2023 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Vice Chair Macswain called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Vice Chair Macswain, Commissioners Haveles, Larson, Lehmann, Quie, Souter, Councilmember Polehna Absent: None Staff: Parks Superintendent Rogness, Public Works Director Sanders ELECTION OF OFFICERS Motion by Commissioner Souter, seconded by Commissioner Lehmann, to appoint Commissioner Macswain as Chair. All in favor. Motion by Commissioner Lehmann, seconded by Commissioner Larson, to appoint Commissioner Quie as Vice Chair. All in favor. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of August 28, 2023 meeting By consensus, the minutes were approved (no vote taken). OPEN FORUM Allison McGinnis, 415 Willard Street, President of Friends of Stillwater Area Dog Park, asked the City to consider cementing the areas below the gates due to freezing in the winter, and Superintendent Rogness agreed to meet with Ms. McGinnis at the site to take a look. NEW BUSINESS Millbrook Open Space - Park Concept Proposal Bradley Swanson, 3165 Marine Lane, a member of the Millbrook Home Owners' Association Board, presented a request to develop the open space area of Millbrook Park into a "Natural Play Structure" with natural stone, rock, wood and wild flowers to portray a "natural" outdoor environment. He showed examples and requested the Commission's guidance, support and funding. Once a final budget is established and the City's cost participation is determined, he will go back to residents with a set amount that the HOA would need to contribute. Total cost would be approximately $150-160,000 constructed by professional contractors, less if some work is done by volunteers. Public Works Director Sanders explained that the City budgets $150,000 annually for playground improvements which usually covers two parks each year on a schedule going out 4-5 years. This project could be done in stages, adding features over a 2-3 year period. The City also has an annual tree planting budget, so trees might be planted this year or next year. For Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting September 25, 2023 the trail/sidewalk, the City has started to put accessible trails to all playgrounds, so there are opportunities for City participation that may reduce some of the cost. Commissioner Haveles asked about parking and traffic, and Mr. Swanson replied that White Pine Way is fairly busy but Millbrook Circle has relatively low traffic volume and could be signed for park parking. Commissioner Macswain asked if fencing is proposed, and Mr. Swanson replied not currently, there would be wood chips and a grass buffer. Commissioner Haveles said he sees this kind of a park as more appropriate near Brown's Creek where it ends up being a transition from traditional playgrounds, to nature play, to trails. Councilmember Polehna agreed. He feels a neighborhood needs more of a playground for kids than a nature park. Mr. Sanders said this area was designed to be green space. There is a bigger park in the northwest corner of the development with a bigger playground structure and ballfields. Mr. Swanson remarked the park could be built in stages. A great first stage would be adding trees and a couple of stones. Chair Macswain commented that there is a connection to Brown's Creek Park and this is a great effort at encouraging use of this area. He would support inclusion into the 5 year CIP but not the next couple years because there are still some playgrounds that are not in good shape. He would like to ensure there is engagement from the HOA. Mr. Swanson said everyone's feedback is being sought. He will carry this feedback back to neighborhood. Motion by Commissioner Souter, seconded by Commissioner Lehmann, to direct staff to work with the Millbrook HOA on short term plantings and improvements within Millbrook open space and to recommend this area be considered for discussion in future CIP planning beginning in 2025, and to encourage the group to apply for grants. All in favor. Lily Lake & Staples Park Playground Initial Design Superintendent Rogness stated that the City has budgeted $150,000 for the replacement of two playground structures in 2024, Lily Lake Park and Staples Park. Staff would like to make the designs available to the public for input while the parks are still open. He explained three possible designs from St. Croix Recreation for each park using Burke playground equipment. Lily Lake Park playground would stay in the same location, increasing the surrounding enclosure to accommodate the possibility of a zip line. There are two possible designs for Staples Park in the existing location, and a third design in the southwest corner of the park, closer to the Community Garden, in response to calls from Community Garden members who would like the playground a little closer to the garden. The ballfield is available to Valley Athletic Association (VAA) but has not been used for ballgames for a long time. Councilmember Polehna suggested having a planning meeting with neighbors this winter to see if they still want the field. Commissioner Souter remarked if changes are considered, the City should make sure VAA is included. Page 2 of 5 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting September 25, 2023 Public Works Director Sanders said staff can take the footprint of the current playground area and show it where the ballfield is to get a feel of what the impact would be to the field area, and bring it back to the Commission for further discussion. Commissioner Haveles commented that because Lily Lake has parking, having a destination activity there (a zip line) is a good idea. Chairman Macswain added that Friends of Lily Lake had suggestions for the playground a couple years ago and maybe they should be invited to the next meeting to share thoughts. Lumberjack Landing Renaming Superintendent Rogness led discussion on a request from residents to reconsider the name Lumberjack Landing. Mr. Sanders gave background: the City took ownership of the Aiple property 5-6 years ago and did a master plan for a passive park. The Parks Commission was charged with coming up with a name for the park and the City solicited input in several ways. After reviewing suggestions, the Parks Commission recommended Old Mill Park but the City Council did not support that name. After more input, Riverside Park was recommended but the Council did not support that name. The Council then came up with the name Lumberjack Landing and this is the name the City has recognized since 2020 or 2021. Nine months to a year after the Council approved that name, a group came to the Council requesting a name change and the Council denied the request. At the last Council meeting, Mr. Sanders provided the Council with the current request to reconsider the name. He feels the Parks Commission has done its duty submitting names twice in the past. Councilmember Polehna noted the City used the same process when it named Bridgeview Park - had a contest. Commissioner Souter confirmed that the Commission was tasked with coming up with names, did a tour of the park and learned about the milling history of the site. She appreciates residents bringing the concern forward. Chairman Macswain recalled that when he joined the Commission, the Chair at the time and a couple Commission members were upset about the name. The Parks Commission is advisory to the Council and must remember that. Commissioner Quie commented it's a bigger question than a name. This property has been around for eons and historically, there are people who lived here prior to settlers. Maybe there can be two names as suggested in the letter. If this is the gateway to the St. Croix River, maybe the National Park Service and the Dakota people should weigh in. Councilmember Polehna remarked if a historic name is sought, it would be the Tamarack house which was the main trading area for Stillwater, however research showed there were no Tamarack trees on the property. Some people are upset it is not being called Aiple Park, but the City decided against naming it after a person. Ruth Alliband, 410 West Olive Street, said she wrote the letter asking everybody involved to look at this very carefully because the property presents an amazing opportunity. She referred to a book written in 1994, that stated that the Dakota stood on that very spot and said Still Water in Dakota. Page 3 of 5 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting September 25, 2023 Commissioner Haveles agreed the Park Service and the voices that weren't included in that first round should be heard. He would like to review all the plans including the name and give the National Park Service and the Native people a voice. Commissioner Souter said she is not opposed to having the name reconsidered. Regardless of where the name discussion goes, the history of the land will be honored. A woman (did not give name) read a recommendation requesting, on behalf of Stillwater area residents, that the Parks Commission make a formal recommendation to the City Council to appoint a citizens' panel to choose the name for the future park at the Aiple property. The current proposed name does not reflect the unique and special shoreline, the valuable tree community, the scenic riverway and history and input from the people of Stillwater. Ms. Alliband agreed that a panel of people could come up with a name for the ages. Councilmember Polehna responded that the Parks Commission is as unbiased as a group as can be found. Well over 200 names were already submitted. He is worried that a citizens' group could be biased. Chairman Macswain remarked that one of the challenges was 2020-2021 was difficult due to not being able to attend meetings because of COVID. He feels the Council and Commission tried their best to choose the best name. Motion by Commissioner Lehmann to recommend to the City Council to look again at the naming of Lumberjack Landing. Commissioner Quie wondered if the Council would be interested in having two names. He would like to get input from the National Park Service and the public at large. Councilmember Polehna responded this is a City park and he doesn't understand the idea of going to the National Park Service. They were invited to submit names last time. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Larson seconded. Chair Macswain restated the motion: that the Parks Commission recommends that the City Council relook at naming Lumberjack Landing and possibly adding a Native name to have two names for the park. All in favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Playground Replacement Procedure Mr. Rogness reviewed the playground replacement procedure and provided proposed revisions based on Commission discussion at recent meetings about soliciting residents' feedback. Chair Macswain said the City should make sure postcards have been delivered to residents near Lily Lake before the Commission's October meeting. Commissioner Haveles suggested making the signs bigger so they are readable by people driving by. Motion by Commissioner Souter, seconded by Commissioner Quie, to support the revised playground replacement procedure. All in favor. DISCUSSION ITEMS Page 4 of 5 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting September 25, 2023 Staff lJhciatcs Mr. Rogness stated the swings were installed at the Old Athletic Field; Millbrook steps were done; turf and sand was removed from Teddy Bear Park but the contractor is having trouble getting their vendors in. On the parks tour, he mentioned he has black mesh that could be used as a windscreen at Staples Park. Mr. Sanders added that the City Council consensus on the Aiple house was to convert it to a combination education center and boathouse; staff is meeting this week with an architect to begin coming up with costs. The City got a $6 million grant from the State for park improvements at Bridgeview Park, Lumberjack Landing and the Gazebo, so staff is working on costs to present to the State in order to move forward with an agreement. Estimates are being sought for temporary boat docks on the south end of the City; there is also discussion about how the Shoddy Mill and Bergstein buildings fit into the project. The Council's direction to staff is to see what can be done to not have those in the City. Another options is to possibly incorporate them into a bathroom and another picnic pavilion in that area; concepts will be brought to the Parks Commission. Motion by Commissioner Quie, seconded by Commissioner Souter, to go ahead with installing black screens at Staples Park. All in favor. Commission Member Updates Councilmember Polehna reported the 72nd Street trail is progressing, the Chestnut Plaza is open and he is starting to plan for a May 18, 2024 grand opening. Mr. Sanders said as part of a mill and overlay project on County Highway 5, Washington County will redo the trails on both sides of the roadway. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Quie, seconded b Commissioner Larson, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:38 p.m. Dan Macswain, Chair P gness, ParksS —u p ­erMte4l dent Page 5 of 5