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Home My WebLink About2023-11-27 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 November 27, 2023 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Vice Chairman Quie called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Vice Chairman Quie, Commissioners Haveles, Larson, Lehmann, Souter, Yetman Absent: Chairman Macswain and Councilmember Polehna Staff: Parks Superintendent Rogness APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of October 23, 2023 meeting Motion by Commissioner Larson, seconded by Commissioner Lehmann, to approve the minutes of the October 23, 2023 meeting. Motion passed 4-0-2 with Commissioners Haveles and Yetman abstaining. OPEN FORUM Shann Finwall, 410 Hickory Street West, spoke in favor of planned improvements at Staples Park. She noted the ballfield gets little use, so it might be a poor use of park space. She suggested adding a recycling can and a trail with native plantings if future budgets allow. NEW BUSINESS Introduction of New Commission Member - Joseph Yetman Commissioner Yetman introduced himself. Updates to 2024 Fee Schedule Mr. Rogness explained that currently, there is no application fee or late fee for standard "events" that take place on public property. "Special events" and "special events with contract" require an application fee of $50 or $100, and both hold a $500 late fee if the application isn't turned in on time. Staff suggests adding an application and late fee to standard "events" as incentive for organizers to submit applications by the deadline, which is 30 days prior to event. Additionally, as the current fee schedule stands, a standard event in Lowell park costs $0 to the organizer, whereas a resident using the Gazebo for a wedding ceremony would pay at minimum $100. Staff would like park reservation fees to apply to standard "events" as well. Motion by Commissioner Larson, seconded by Commissioner Yetman, to recommend that the City Council approve the new proposed fee schedule. All in favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Discover Stillwater Photo Sign - Lowell Park Kelly Nygaard, Discover Stillwater, explained the request for a sign permit for a freestanding frame style sign to provide photo opportunities in Lowell Park near the Historic Lift Bridge. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting November 27, 2023 Students in the Industrial Arts program at Stillwater Area Schools would fabricate the sign. The sign would have the Discover Stillwater logo on the front and a small plaque on the back indicating what hashtags to use to promote tourism. They have alternatively considered a selfie station with U-brackets to hold phones for picture taking. She reviewed design options and noted she has met with City staff to consider locations. Commissioner Lehmann asked if a local artist could be asked to design a selfie station, or if arts students could team with the industrial arts students to create the sign; and Ms. Nygaard replied that could be considered, but they are hoping to get the sign up before the World Snow Sculpting Championship. Commissioners discussed possible locations in Lowell Park. Vice Chairman Quie shared Chairman Macswain's written comments about preferred locations and designs. Commissioner Haveles asked if final approval needs to go through the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC), and Ms. Nygaard stated that Community Development Director Gladhill had advised her that it does not need to go through the HPC because it is in the park and not affixed to a historical property nor is it a permanent installation. Commissioner Haveles voiced a preference for the design that's a place to set the phone, rather than the frame. It could face multiple directions to get different views. Ms. Nygaard said they are open to either design but started with the frame design to facilitate social media shares, giving an automatic sense of place. Motion by Commissioner Souter, seconded by Commissioner Larson, to recommend the City Council approve the concept of a sign and to direct staff to work with Discover Stillwater and others on the most appropriate location and a suitable design. All in favor. Playground Update Mr. Rogness stated that $150,000 has been budgeted for the replacement of two playground structures in 2024 (Lily Lake and Staples Park), including improvements for accessibility. In addition, the community, as well as staff, would like to move the playground location at Staples Park to the Southwest section of the park. This would provide a more inviting atmosphere, and would be more easily accessible to the children of families working at the Community Garden. Staff would also like to add an ADA compliant swing, as requested by a family who frequents the park. Community feedback on the options for each park has been limited, but consistently supportive of new equipment. St. Croix Recreation will increase prices 5% after December 15, 2023. Staff recommends that the City expedite the approval process. Commissioner Souter asked if Lily Lake improvements will include the addition of a fence along Greeley, and Mr. Rogness said yes. Commissioner Haveles suggested using a zip line design where the user can be buckled in, and adding "Slow - Playground" signs near Staples Park. Commissioner Larson noted lighter colors are better for slides because they don't get as hot. Motion by Commissioner Souter, seconded by Commissioner Larson, to recommend that the City Council approve the playground replacement proposals with consideration for the changes Superintendent Rogness brought forward for accessibility updates and safety features. All in favor. Old Athletic Field Skating Rink Page 2 of 3 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting November 27, 2023 Mr. Rogness led discussion on expectations for the Old Athletic Field ice-skating rink. Due to the thick sand, staff struggles to establish suitable ice for skating and wastes gallons of water which seeps quickly through the sand. Last season, due to conditions, City staff was unable to establish ice. However, in years when suitable ice is obtained, parks staff has noticed very little to no use of the skating area. Neighbors have provided a lot of feedback that they really want the rink and there are many young children who use it a lot. They are also asking for a basketball court which could provide a better base for the rink. Staff would like the Commission to discuss expectations for the ice-skating rinks. Vice Chairman Quie asked if a tarp could be used as a base, and Mr. Rogness replied the City could lay large sheets of poly left from the flood, that may save a lot of water and a lot of time. Regarding the long term picture for outdoor skating rinks, Commissioner Souter noted the Rec Center has a large rink that could possibly go away with if the curling center moves forward, so she would not like to take away this rink as well. Mr. Rogness noted Chairman Macswain asked about utilization of Lily Lake: last year the City did not get it going but normally the City makes a ramp and uses tractors to blow it free of snow. Depending on weather, that is the plan for this year. DISCUSSION ITEMS Staff 11 dp ates Mr. Rogness reviewed what has been done for holiday decorations. He stated that Teddy Bear Park was closed last week due to weather. Pickleball nets will be collected this week. He said Public Works Director Sanders would like to gauge Commissioners' interest in exploring needs for trail connections, for example for future development planning. Commissioners agreed they are interested in discussing this in future meetings. Commission Member lJpdates Commissioner Haveles pointed out that with trees going dormant, it's even more evident that ash trees are on their way out. He would like to get proactive about changing over some of the trees in the parks to increase the diversity of types of trees. Mr. Rogness said he will ask Natural Resource Technician/Arborist Coyne to come to a meeting to discuss tree replacement. Commissioner Souter asked about the next Commission meeting (December 18), and Commissioners agreed that if there is business, there will be a meeting December 18 but if there is no business to discuss, then the December meeting will be cancelled and Mr. Rogness will let the Commissioners know. For a future meeting, Commissioner Souter requested an update on the Rec Center and Curling Center proposal. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Haveles, seconded by Cis Yetfiali tto a o ►1) in favor. The mm meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. =_ > � ATTE T� Chad Rogness, Parks Superintendent Page 3 of 3 Pab4-.Quie, Vide Chair