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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-02-26 PRC Packet CITY HAll: 216 NORTH FOURTH STillWATER, MINNESOTA 55082 PHONE: 612-439-6121 11. Adjournment . . 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Parks: Park f 7. 8. 9. The Stillwater Par in the City Co February 26, 1996 MEETING NOTICE STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD ,~villwater --- .:::::::: THE B I R T H P lAC E 0 ~l~, F MINNESOTA J J . . Old business Mr. Junker raised a question about the new park fees adopted by the City Friends of Stillwater Parks Ms. Gulden said she had received several calls suggesting that benches be placed at skating rinks so that's a place to sit while lacing skates. Mr. Thomsen said normally there are benches at all the rinks; however, this year, several of the benches had to be used in the new locker room at Lily Lake Arena. Mr. Cummings said he thought it was a good idea to have benches by all playgrounds. He noted that new benches are being purchased for the downtown area, and suggested that benches for the parks could possibly be tied into that purchase order. Ms. Fitzgerald said staff will be looking at all parks regarding equipment needs. Update on Pioneer Park Ms. Fitzgerald said she had met with the donor; the donor is energetic and wants to start meeting with the committee. The next committee meeting was scheduled for Feb. 8, she said, with the next public meeting set for Feb. 13 (that date was subsequently changed). Mr. Peterson asked about the status of the outside rink on Lily Lake. Mr. Thomsen said the rink was done, but said the recent rain had deteriorated the surface. Mr. Peterson suggested getting some publicity out regarding . the availability of the rink. Mr. Thomsen and Ms. Fitzgerald agreed to generate some publicity. Prior to adoption of the minutes of Dec. 18, 1995, members went through several items of concernfrom the group's tour of Lily Lake Ice Arena -- a bar on the door at the arena and exposed asbestos. Mr. Thomsen said he would check into those conditions. Mr. Liehr, seconded by Mr. Peterson, moved approval of the minutes of Dec. 18, 1995; all in favor. Mr. Junker called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Susan Fitzgerald, planning; Tim Thomsen, parks Others Present: David Junker, chairman Richard Cummings, Judy Gulden, AI Liehr, John Melville, Ken Meister, Rob McGarry, Delwin Peterson, Mike Polehna (7:40), Steve Wolff (7:20) PARK AND RECREATION BOARD Jan. 22, 1996 . Mr. Cummings and Mr. Polehna provided an update on the activities of the Sports Facility Commission. Mr. Cummings talked about the demand for additional soccer fields. The V AA says there is a need for about six more fields. Mr. Cummings said the V AA has indicated it would be willing to spend money to help improve fields, if the City helped with the purchase of land. He suggested there may be a possibility to obtain some additional land for soccer fields from the Abramowitz property in the annexation area. Mr. Thomsen asked about plans for the recently purchased property at Neal Avenue and McKusick Road. Mr. Cummings suggested a possible use might be a frisbee golf course, which would be inexpensive to construct and have a low maintenance cost. New business Mr. Cummings noted that the city had been given a new parcel of land by Fairy Falls Hill. He suggested that miscellaneous pieces of open space be included on the city's maps so people are aware the parcels are city- owned. Mr. Peterson asked for an update on the "pocket park" in the Wildwood Pines Addition. Mr. Liehr, who had volunteered to work with the neighbors, said he has not had a chance to meet with nieghbors or visit the site. Mr. Peterson said he thought the city should accept the property and allow the neighborhood to maintain the area. Ms. Fitzgerald noted there may be some legal issues involved. Mr. Melville said the request offers the Park Board the opportunity to define the concept of "pocket parks." Mr. Liehr said he would be meeting with the neighbors in the near future. Ms. Gulden asked whether anything will be done at Staples Field. Mr. Thomsen said there is no money in the budget to do any work this year; it will have to be budgeted for in 1997. Mr. Thomsen also noted there needs to be a meeting with neighbors to determine what improvements they would like to see. Ms. Gulden asked whether a new inventory of parks equipment would be completed. Mr. Thomsen said the inventory will be updated when the new equipment is installed -- sometime in April or May. . . . Council. He. said the fees for reservation of picnic shelters were not those recommended by the Park Board. Mr. Thomsen went through the new fees for use of Lowell Park and reservation of picnic shelters. Mr. Thomsen will be in charge of administering the issuance of park use permits. . Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording secretary Mr. Wolff, seconded by Mr. Meister, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m.; all in favor. election of Chair and Vice Chair Mr. Junker opened the floor to nominations for chairman. Mr. Wolff, seconded by Mr. Liehr, nominated David Junker as chairman for 1996. Ms. Gulden, seconded by Mr. Peterson, nominated John Melville as chairman. Mr. Wolff moved that nominations be closed. It was agreed to conduct the vote by secret ballot. Two ballots resulted in a 5-5 tie vote. It was agreed to defer the election until the February meeting. Park Board vaqancy Ms. Fitzgerald said Marguerite Rheinberger will not be serving another . term. She said no letters of interest have been received. In order to keep Ward representation equal, the new member should be from Ward 2. Members were asked to submit names of any interested people, and it was agreed to contact Eric Thole, councilman from Ward 2, to see if he knows of any interest in appointment. The Park Board explained that any assurances regarding the long-term future of Lily Lake Arena would have to come from the City Council. Members also indicated the hockey association is welcome to submit a proposal for the operation of Lily Lake when the current contract comes up for renewal in October. However, members cautioned there is a potential for major expenses should the cooling system have to be replaced in the not too distant future. The hockey association people were advised they should first get a commitment from the City Council regarding the long- term future of the arena. . Mr. Polehna said he had met that evening with the St. Croix Valley Hockey Association. The hockey association is concerned that once a new arena is constructed, Lily Lake Arena will be torn down. The association would like some assurance that Lily Lake will be maintained, and the association has indicated it would like to take over the operation/maintenance of the arena. Chris Aamodt, president of the hockey association, and Mark Loeffler, also of the hockey association, later appeared before the Park Board reiterating those concerns.