Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-07-15 PRC Packet e STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING NOTICE Julv 15. 1996 The Stillwater Parks and Recreation Parks Department Headqu , July 15, 1996 at 7:00 p.m. at the MN. AGENDA: e 4. 5. 6. e CITY HALL: 216 NORTH FOURTH STILLWATER, MINNESOTA 55082 PHONE: 612-439-6121 e e tit PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD June 24, 1996 Present: David Junker, chairman Rich Cummings, Judy Gulden, AI Liehr, John Melville, Rob McGarry, Delwin Peterson and Steve Wolff Others: Tim Thomsen, Parks Director; Sue Fitzgerald, Planning: Nile Kriesel, City Administrator Absent: Ken Meister and Mike Polehna Mr. Junker called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. Mr. Liehr, seconded by Mr. Peterson, moved approval of the minutes of May 20, 1996; all in favor Board Ouestionnaire Mr. Peterson handed out and briefly discussed a questionnaire he had prepared to assist in setting priorities for the budget process. Members were asked to fill out the questionnaire and return it to Mr. Thomsen or Ms. Fitzgerald as soon as possible. Budget discussion Mr. Thomsen listed some projects he felt should be considered for inclusion in next year's budget: rebuilding the wall at Pioneer Park from Cherry to Laurel Street; new fencing for O'Brien field at Lily Lake; basketball court at Staples; a four-foot fence at Triangle Park; replacing playground equipment at Sunrise Park; and overlay and new basketball standards at Ramsey/Grove Park. Building a boardwalk and replacing the fence at the Lily Lake beach area also was mentioned as a possible project; Mr. Thomsen noted that would be budgeted in the Ice Arena fund, rather than the Parks Department fund. Mr. Thomsen said he needed input from the board before July 17 when he will present the requested capital outlay budget. It was decided the board should meet July 1 5 in order to finalize the requested budget. The Pioneer Park wall will be a costly project. There was some discussion as to whether the project should be the responsibility of the city/public works vs. the park department. Mr. Junker asked about the fencing at Triangle park, whether it was proposed in response to a letter or in response to need. Mr. Thomsen said the park is used a lot by St. Croix Catholic School. Mr. Melville suggested e e e the possibility of some type of signage rather than fencing. Mr. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Melville, moved to install signage denoting "slow, playground" and not install a fence. Mr. McGarry suggested that if the board approves signage for Triangle Park, it might want to look at all other parks. Mr. Peterson and Mr. Melville agreed to amend the motion to include looking at all parks for possible signage for slow traffic; all in favor. Mr. Cummings talked about two possible project to consider for funding -- construction of a walkway along the southwest side of McKusick which would connect to Green Twig Way, and a Frisbee course for the McKusick/Neal property. Mr. Peterson suggested finding out the cost of setting up a Frisbee course for possible inclusion in the budget request. Mr. Melville brought up the issue of Gannon's parking lot. Mr. Junker noted the matter comes up at nearly every meeting. Ms. Fitzgerald said neighbors have suggested reducing the lot by one-half and leaving the remainder in green space. After a general discussion of the history and use of the lot, it was the consensus of members that the lot should be left as is and considered a dead issue. Mr. Cummings raised the issue of acquisition of property, about 23 acres, in the annexation area for a community park. There currently is a willing seller for one parcel. Mr. Cummings suggested that the city/park and rec board should act rather quickly as property values in the area will keep increasing. Community Director Steve Russell has suggested purchasing a parcel on a contract for deed basis; annual payments could potentially be made using park dedication fees. Mr. Melville, seconded by Mr. Peterson, moved approval of the concept of purchasing a parcel of property in the annexation area of sufficient size to accommodate a community park on a contract for deed basis, with the initial down payment not to exceed $1 50,000. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Melville asked about the Old Athletic Field; Mr. Thomsen said the School District will not give up the property at this point. Mr. Peterson said he would like to budget a study to give direction on the future use of the Aiple property. Mr. Kriesel said that was addressed in the plan for Lowell Park. Mr. Kriesel went through some of the proposed uses for the property. Mr. Kriesel said there has been some thought given to providing a transition period for the Aiple's use of a portion of the property. Mr. Wolff said the Park Board would prefer to have the land back under the city's and Park Board's control. It was decided to continue the discussion of the Aiple property to the next meeting. e Mr. Cummings asked whether Lowell Park improvements needed to be included in next year's budget considering the first phase of the levee will be completed this year. Mr. Kriesel said before anything is done in Lowell Park, the City Council will have to address the overall issue of what kind of use will be allowed in the park. Mr. Junker said something definitely has to be done at Staples Field next year and some kind of plan developed for the area. Mr. Junker suggested budgeting $30,000-$40,000 for Staples Field; Mr. Melville suggested meeting with the neighbors to develop a plan. Mr. Thomsen said there is $30,000 in the equipment budget which could be used to replace vandalized equipment at Sunrise Park; Mr. Melville suggested meeting with neighbors in that area also to help determine preferred park use. Items Mr. Thomsen was directed to obtain cost figures for to consider for inclusion in the budget include: Frisbee course; McKusick walkway; boardwalk at Lily Lake (out of the arena budget); fencing for O'Brien field; Staples field; Ramsey/Grove; Sunrise Park. e Mr. Thomsen said he will be requesting another maintenance person in his budget. Mr. Cummings asked Mr. Thomsen to obtain the amount of park dedication fees the city has received for the budget discussion. There was a discussion of Pam Johnson's letter and the concept of hiring a parks director/administrator and whether to include that position in this year's budget request. It was decided that issue would be addressed at the July 1 5 meeting when finalizing the requested budget. Other business · Pioneer Park Update -- Ms. Fitzgerald said the final concept plan will be presented to the City Council on July 16. She said she did not see anything happening in the park this year because of many functions that will be held in the park while the levee project is being completed. · "No-name: park has a name -- Anez Ridge Park. Ms. Fitzgerald said a neighborhood meeting has been set up to discuss a concept plan for the park. · There is a vacancy on the Park and Rec Board. Todd King, representing Ward 2, has resigned. The vacancy will be advertised. e e e e Mr. Liehr, seconded by Mr. Peterson, moved to adjourn the meeting; all in favor. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary