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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-03-25 PRC Packet . . ~ -~ r illwater "~ ~ ~ THE BIRTHPLACE OF MINNESOTA J STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING NOTICE March 25, 1996 The Stillwater Parks and Recreation the City council Chambers day, March 25, 1996 at 7:00 p.m. in AGENDA: 4. 5. 6. CITY HALL: 216 NORTH FOURTH STILLWATER, MINNESOTA 55082 PHONE: 612-439-6121 . . . PARK AND RECREATION BOARD Feb. 26, 1996 Present: David Junker, chairman Judy Gulden, Todd King, AI Liehr, John Melville, Ken Meister, Rob McGarry (7:30), Delwin Peterson, Mike Polehna, and Steve Wolff Absent: Richard Cummings Others: Susan Fitzgerald, planning; Tim Thomsen, parks Mr. Junker called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. He introduced new member Todd King. Mr. Wolff, seconded by Mr. Liehr, moved approval of the minutes of Jan. 22, 1966. Ms. Gulden asked that the minutes reflect that she had forwarded residents' concerns regarding basketball equipment. Motion for approval of the minutes as corrected passed unanimously. McKusick Lake - Sue Dixen Ms. Dixen indicated she had asked to be placed on the agenda to discuss landscaping of the north side of McKusick Lake. She said there are many interested people who would be willing to help with planting, fundraising, etc. Ms. Gulden said other communities do similar projects through a partnership with local businesses and organizations. Ms. Gulden also noted there is a possibility the city could apply for a Metropolitan Arts Council grant for a landscaping project. Ms. Fitzgerald said she would be willing to write a grant application requesting funds for an artist and landscape architect to work with the city on the project if the Park Board so directed. Mr. Thomsen pointed out that part of the property in question is county- owned land and the county would need to approve any project as well. Mr. Junker advised Ms. Dixen to talk with the county before getting too far into any project. Mr. Polehna provided the name of the county staff member to contact regarding regulations concerning setbacks, sightlines, etc. The Board thanked Ms. Dixen for her comments and suggested that she continue working with Ms. Fitzgerald, Ms. Gulden and Washington County staff and asked that she keep the Board abreast of the project. . . . New business Ms. Gulden asked about the date of the spring tour of the parks. She suggested that the Board should visit every park and that it might be advisable to develop a checklist to help members in assessing the parks. Mr. Melville agreed that it would be a good idea to develop a checklist, and he suggested that perhaps an outside group, such as Friends of the Parks, might assist the Board in reviewing the parks. It was agreed that Mr. Thomsen would develop some type of checklist for discussion at the March meeting. Mr. Junker suggested that members go out and visit some of the parks and take notes prior to the tour. Ms. Fitzgerald said that due to the upcoming construction at City Hall, the Board will be meeting in the Margaret Rivers Room of the Stillwater Public Library beginning with the March meeting. Ms. Gulden said she had attended a recent workshop where she talked with someone about trails. She said it would be a good idea for the Board to visit several different communities to see others are doing regarding trail systems. Mr. Polehna said he would bring a copy of Washington County's new Comp Plan, which includes a linear trail system, to the next meeting so members could see how city trails would tie into the county's system. Ms. Gulden informed members of a March 9 workshop that MnDOT was holding regarding community roadside landscaping projects. She noted there are several stretches of highways in the Stillwater area that might qualify for MnDOT assistance in landscaping. Mr. Peterson spoke briefly about an ad hoc committee that has been formed to work on water quality issues at Lily Lake. He said he would keep the Board updated on the committee's work. Ms. Fitzgerald said her upcoming priority projects include the Pioneer Park master plan, a plan for "No Name" park, and then the McKusick Lake project. She said a master plan will be developed for the McKusick project; the plan will be developed with lots of input from neighbors, she said. Old business Ms. Fitzgerald noted the availability of ice rinks had been publicized, as requested. Mr. Liehr said he still has to look at the Wildwood Pines "pocket park." . . . Friends of Stillwater Park$ Ms. Gulden introduced Pam Johnson who shared a number of comments and concerns with the Board regarding Northland Park. Some of Ms. Johnson's concerns centered on the playground equipment and location of the lower play area; the lack of park benches; the equipment and accessibility of the upper playground; the safety of the ramp at the warming house; the lack of trees; and the sidewalk (lack of) on Northland Avenue. Ms. Johnson provided photographs and some drawings of what she would like to see at the park. Ms. Fitzgerald noted that a plan will be developed for each city park, and she suggested that Northland Park might be a high priority because of its high use. Mr. Thomsen pointed out that a new swing set has been purchased for Northland Park and will be installed between the ballfield and horseshoe pits in the lower park area. Other projects completed at Northland include resurfacing of the tennis courts, installation of permanent boards for the hockey rink, installation of an outfield fence, lighting and replacement of the parking lot curbing. Members thanked Ms. Johnson for her presentation. They noted the issue is really one of raising the priority of parks with the City Council so funding is available to work on more than just one park per year, as is the current situation. Mr. Melville suggested that the Board should be keeping files of citizen feedback, such as Ms. Johnson's presentation. Mr. Thomsen will keep Ms. Johnson's materials. Ms. Gulden informed members that Friends of Stillwater Park has received its non-profit status. She also suggested that the Board needs to have some process to acknowledge citizens' efforts, such as the suggestions/recommendations that Friends of the Parks gave to the Board last year. Mr. Wolff volunteered to get some thank-you notes to acknowledge such efforts in the future. Park and Trail Deqication PQlicy Ms. Fitzgerald said the policy is basically ready to go to the City Council for its approval. She will bring any changes back to the Board. Mr. Polehna pointed out one inconsistency in the reference to the Park Board versus Park and Recreation Board; he also said the policy was a good one. Mr. Melville said he thought the city should know where it actually stands, in terms of usable land, in reference to the benchmarks for parks/trails. . . . PioneEtr Park update Ms. Fitzgerald said although the turnout for the last public meeting was not particularly high, most of the 20 in attendance were neighbors directly impacted by the park plan. She said she felt everyone left the meeting feeling good about the plan. A fairly strong concept plan has been developed, she said, with another public meeting scheduled for April 24. Dr. Willette - park visionino Mr. Junker asked members whether they wished to bring Dr. Willette back before the Board. Mr. Polehna pointed out the Board had just completed the Comprehensive Plan and has already developed its vision for the city's parks. Members agreed that it might be useful to do some visioning if it included other communities in the St. Croix Valley/school district. There continue to be some questions as to what Mr. Bradshaw had in mind in offering to fund Dr. Willette's work with the Board. Mr. Melville suggested that Mr. Cummings go back to Mr. Bradshaw and talk with him about the visioning proposal. Mr. Polehna made that in the form of a motion, with Mr. Cummings to report back at the next meeting. Mr. McGarry seconded the motion; all in favor. O~her bysiness Mr. Polehna reported on the progress of the Sports Facility Commission. He said the facility will be constructed on the original site in the city in order to tie the facility into the armory/community center, unless the funding for the armory falls through. He also provided an update on fundraising. Election of chairman Mr. King informed members that he would be abstaining. A secret ballot was conducted. Mr. Junker was elected chairman for 1996 by a vote of 5-4. Mr. Melville was asked to serve as vice-chairman. Mr. Peterson moved to adjourn the meeting at 9 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording secretary