Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-05-20 PRC Packet 1 } . e '- il:- "......- r illwater ~ --~ THE BIRTHPLACE OF MINNESOTA ~ STILL WATER PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING NOTICE May 20, 1996 The Stillwater Parks and Recreation Board will meet Monday, May 20, 1996 at 5:30 p.m. at the Parks Building, 1372 South Greeley Street. 1. 2. e 3. 4. 5. 6. - The Board will leave from the parking lot for a tour of City parks: No-Name Park. - AME;Z... ~l O~E- PAfLK Benson Park/Hospital property proposed soccer field. I3-acre site at McKusick Road and Neal Avenue. LeCuyer pocket park. Staples Field. Back to the Parks Building. AGENDA: 1. Approve minutes of Apri122, 1996. 2. David Rochlin, request to sell glow necklaces in Lowell Park on 4th of July. 3. Adjournment. - Following adjournment, the Board will have an end of the year pot luck. Hot dogs will be furnished. Everyone should bring a dish to share. - '\ CITY HALL: 216 NORTH FOURTH STILLWATER. MINNESOTA 55082 PHONE: 612-439-6121 J e PARK AND RECREATION BOARD April 22, 1996 Present: David Junker, chairman Rich Cummings, Judy Gulden, AI Liehr, John Melville, Ken Meister, Rob McGarry (8:05), Delwin Peterson, Mike Polehna, and Steve Wolff Absent: Todd King Others: Susan Fitzgerald, planning; Tim Thomsen, parks Mr. Junker called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Mr. Liehr, seconded by Mr. Polehna, moved approval of the minutes of Feb. 26, 1966. e Land for soccer field City Administrator Nile Kriesel reported that Lakeview Hospital has offered the use of 3+ acres of land behind Stillwater Clinic for soccer fields. Jeff Robertson, Lakeview Hospital administrator, was unable to attend the meeting; however, Mr. Kriesel said Mr. Robertson has indicated that while there is no guarantee regarding the length of time, it is unlikely the hospital will need the property for 5-10 years. The hospital would want some type of agreement with the city indemnifying the hospital for the usage, as well as classifying the property as tax exempt. Mr. Melville pointed out that unless additional fields can be secured, it might be necessary to start limiting the number of kids who can play soccer. Representatives of the Soccer Club and V AA soccer program, Ken Kurtilla, Paul Johnson and Jeff Priebe, were on hand for the discussion; they spoke of the need for additional fields and said their groups will be willing to help maintain and mark fields. Mr. Kriesel also suggested the possibility of using the National Guard Armory site in the industrial park area; construction of the Armory is probably three or four years away, he said. Ms. Fitzgerald, Mr. Junker and Mr. Polehna expressed a concern about parking issues, especially with Benson Park right across the street. Mr. Peterson suggested asking the clinic if they would be willing to allow use tit of the clinic parking lot in off hours. ~ I Mr. Liehr, seconded by Mr. Peterson, moved to direct staff to begin working with the soccer people in laying out 2 or 3 fields at the clinic site, as e well as to look at the potential for an additional field or practice fields at the Armory site, and to contact the clinic(s) regarding the possibility of shared use of parking lots. Motion passed unanimously. Tim Thomsen's report Mr. Thomsen reported that five parks -- Triangle, Schuelenberg, Washington, Northland and Benson parks -- would be getting updated play equipment. The equipment for Washington Park will be the first to be installed; that should take place in the next couple of weeks, he said. Mr. Peterson asked how it is decided where the equipment is placed in the park and whether there is any kind of planning or citizen input involved. Mr. Thomsen and Ms. Fitzgerald noted there are specific guidelines for placement of play equipment. Mr. Thomsen said the new equipment cost about $40,000. The old equipment cannot be reused because it does not meet safety standards. It also was noted that about $8,000 was "lost" because it was not spent in the last budget cycle. Mr. Thomsen said the city has received a request from Minnesota State Prison employees to keep the lights at Lily Lake on for about an hour and one-half longer than the regular shut-off time on June 14. The employees plan to have a game between two employee shifts; the game will be used to collect items for the food shelves... e Mr. Wolff, seconded by Mr. Liehr, moved to approve the request; all in favor. Mr. Melville suggested informing neighbors of the extended hours on June 14; Mr. Peterson suggested issuing a press release. Pioneer Park update Ms. Fitzgerald reported that the architects' final plan would be reviewed by the Planning Commission in May. A public meeting to review the final plan will be held May 29. Ms. Gulden suggested that posters be placed in high traffic areas advertising the public meeting date. Friends of Parks Ms. Gulden reported on a walk that had been held in conjunction with the National March for Parks; she said in future, the walk would be a good way to raise money for parks projects. She also reported that the 2nd annual e youth art exhibit would be on display at Lakeview Hospital during May. A ~ , ,. e $200 donation has been received; the money may be used to install a handicapped accessible garden at the south end of town. A small parcel of city-owned land (40 x 140) behind Len's Family Foods will be used as a sitting area; picnic benches will be installed. Other business Ms. Gulden again asked about basketball facilities for Ramsey or Staples parks. Mr. Thomsen said the Staples project has been put on hold until 1997 due to costs and several neighbors' objections. Regarding Ramsey, Mr. Thomsen said he hoped the court would be sealcoated in conjunction with the streets. Mr. Polehna suggested the possibility of installing two hoops at half court which would eliminate the need for fencing along the east side of the court area and still provide a place to shoot baskets. Ms. Gulden, seconded by Mr. Wolff, directed Mr. Thomsen to stall basketball hoops at Ramsey Park; motion passed unanimously. Mr. Polehna expressed his concern about the state of the Gannon property. e Ms. Gulden talked about the need to do strategic planning prior to initiating fundraising efforts. Mr. Cummings pointed out $125,000 is available for land acquisition; he suggested the mitigation area on McKusick as a possible site. There was a general discussion about identifying possible parcels. Ms. Fitzgerald noted that the Comprehensive Plan does identify areas for potential park locations. Mr. Polehna suggested that those areas identified in the Comprehensive Plan be included in the upcoming tour. Mr. Liehr reported on his visit to the Boutwell/LeCuyer property that neighbors have requested the city develop for park use. He said there is little usable area other than about a 10 x 20 area where a swing set, picnic table and fire pit could be installed, which is about what the neighbors have requested. Although he said there is not a lot of usable space, it is a "pleasant place to sit." It was agreed to include the site on the May 20 tour. Park Tour Mr. Junker urged members to become familiar with the areas prior to the tour. Areas to be included on the tour are the LeCuyer site, mitigation area/Neal Avenue, Benson Park, and the possible soccer area behind Stillwater Clinic. Ms. Gulden asked that the Washington School property be included. - New business ... .. Mr. Cummings reported on the city's plans to install sidewalks on Deer Path and Eagle Ridge, with a bike path along Myrtle to Jaycee park. Ultimately, sidewalks will go from Eagle Ridge to Neal Avenue to McKusick Road. A public hearing for the improvement is scheduled in May, he said. Mr. Meister suggested including the missing stretch of sidewalks on Northland Avenue to the bike trail in the project. e Ms. Fitzgerald reported that she and Mr. Thomsen have been working with neighbors in developing plans for No Name Park. A questionnaire has been sent to neighbors and a meeting scheduled for May 8. Mr. Peterson reported that the Lily Lake water quality committee would be presenting options for action to the City Council at its May 7 meeting. Mr. Polehna said the St. Croix Valley Fitness Coalition has put together walking routes through the city. The coalition asked him to inquire about the possibility of marking the routes with footprints painted on the sidewalks. The suggestion was not enthusiastically received. Old business Mr. Wolff provided thank you notes to be sent to guests. Mr. Junker suggested that "thank you's" be sent to Mr. Robertson and the e representatives from the Soccer Club/V AA. Mr. Wolff, seconded by Mr. Liehr, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m.; all in favor. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording secretary .