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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-06-26 PRC Packet CITY HALL: 216 NORTH FOURTH STILLWATER, MINNESOTA 55082 PHONE: 612-439-6121 e 6. 5. 4. 3. e A~enda: The Stillwater Parks an City Council Cham June 26, 1995 MEETING NOTICE STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD ~uillw(lter --- .:::::::: THE B I R T H P LAC E 0 --""5...,1" F MINNESOTA J J e Several members made comments about the soccer field near Kindercare, and the poor drainage of the field. !-lighway 5 Corridor Landscape Plan. Ms. Fitzgerald said she had $50,000 from the city to do landscaping along the Highway 5 corridor. She presented some drawings. She said the plan is to utilize low maintenance shrubs/trees and place some park benches near the strip development. Mr. Wolff expressed his concern about a TV antenna on property in Pioneer Park. It was agreed to direct Mr. Thomsen to take care of that issue. e Pioneer Park Scope of Work request. Ms. Fitzgerald said the Scope of Work request would be going before the e City Council at the council's July 11 meeting and asked for any comments. Mr. Cummings said he thought the council will have a lot of comments regarding the cost. There was a lengthy discussion regarding the pros and cons of spending $10,000-$15,000 to have a professional plan done. Members ultimately agreed on a motion that the Park Board agrees there is a need to have a professional plan, at a cost not to exceed $15,000, prepared for Pioneer Park. Ms. Gulden made that motion. Mr. Wolff seconded the motion; all in favor. Mr. Peterson volunteered to attend the July 11 City Council meeting to speak in favor of the request. Mr. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Melville, moved approval of the minutes of May 22, 1995. Mr. Junker called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Absent: None Others Susan Fitzgerald, planning Present: David Junker, chairman Richard Cummings, Judy Gulden, AI Liehr, Rob McGarry, John Melville, Ken Meister, Delwin Peterson, Mike Polehna Marguerite Rheinberger and Steve Wolff (7:30) PARK AND RECREATION BOARD June 26, 1995 e .. t ~'... Mr. Peterson asked if there was anything the board should do in A preparation for the budget. Mr. Cummings said although there will be a big - strain on the budget due to capital improvement projects, some money Mr. Melville said he is starting to get information back from clubs and organizations for the user survey he is preparing. Mr. Junker reported the walking path along the Benson property has been laid and the basketball court and equipment will be going in yet this year. Other business Mr. Polehna asked about the McKusick Road parking lot; Mr. Cummings said he would bring that issue before the City Council once again. Ms. Gulden asked who oversees the parks department budget. From there the discussion turned to the need to hire either a professional fundraiser or a full-time park planner. Mr. Cummings said the city is at a crossroads for parks/open space, with the Aiple property, the Lowell Park project and e expansion to the west of the city. The question is how to raise money to develop/acquire park properties; if the city doesn't have funding, a lot of property could be lost forever, he said. Mr. Melville suggested asking foundations to support a two-year position for parks projects. Mr. Cummings volunteered to make an appointment with the Margaret Rivers Foundation and Mr. Melville said he would approach the Andersen foundations; it was agreed that Mr. Cummings, Mr. Melville and Mr. Polehna would make the presentation requesting funding. Ms. Gulden asked what was being done about the basketball court at Staples Field and suggested that a picnic table and bench be placed at that park. Mr. Cummings noted there is the possibility of a street vacation that will allow for additional improvements at Staples Field. It was later agreed that a picnic table and bench should be installed at Staples Field, if one is available. Ms. Gulden asked what was happening regarding the landscaping of McKusick Lake Road. Mr. Polehna said he would talk to the county's project engineer regarding completion of the landscaping. Friends of Stillwater Parks Ms. Gulden reported that the group had planted some flower beds at the north end of town and was sponsoring a kazoo band for the Lumberjack Days parade. e Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording secretary Mr. Wolff, seconded by Mr. Junker, moved to adjourn at 9 p.m.; all in favor. Mr. Polehna reported on the armory funding. $917,000 in state money has already been encumbered for the project, and it appears there is a very good chance of receiving $2.69 million in federal money. He also noted that there is state money available to refurbish Lily Lake Ice Arena, and said somebody in the city should be going after that state grant money. may be available due to Cub/Target's early payment of assessments. Mr. Mevlille noted that according to ordinance, the Park and Recreation Board is responsible for developing the park budget. It was agreed to have Tim Thomsen and Finance Director Diane Deblon at the July 24 meeting to discuss budget issues. e e e "'11' Attached is the Scope of Work request for a pioneer Park Master Plan. The request will be presented to City Council at the July 11th meeting. Please review and make comments at the next meeting. Da: June 20, 1995 Re: pioneer Park Master Plan From: Sue Fitzgerald, City Planner To: Park and Recreation Board e e e Park Facilities: Since no formal park plan has ever been implemented for the park, there is no formal landscape plan, defined play area which is incorporated into the setting of the park, and an appropriate seating area for the band shell. Picnic shelters, park benches, and trash receptacles have been added to the park which serve a function but do not have an architectural detailing to enhance the park and its setting. The park does have restroom facilities and a small parking area. A circular drive was incorporated around the foundation of the Isacc Staples home which has served as a road. Development of a Pioneer Park Plan: Participants: In order to properly deV(~lop a Pioneer Park Plan, the City will need to hire a landscape architect, who has experience in working with historic sites and landscapes. This person will work with the project director who will administrate the planning process through a special Pioneer Park redevelopment committee. All community organizations will have an oppurtunity to be involved in the plan development process. including the Chamber of Commerce, Fraternal organizations, the Stillwater Parks and Recreation Board, and the Heritage Preservation Commission. In particular, the neighborhood residents around a the park will provide input to the planning process since they use and are impacted by _ the park. A park user survey may be a good way of gathering information on the Setting: Pioneer park is nestled above the Downtown Stillwater. The spectacular view from this site of the St. Croix river bluffs, the river, and Main Street is known throughout the Upper Midwest.. North .of the site is the Murdock home and West of the site is the North Hill residential neighborhood. The Ivory McKusick house, a National register site, faces the parks entrance along North second Street. e Description of Pioneer Park: History: Pioneer Park is named for the Pioneer Lumberman, Isaac Staples, who built a grand stone mansion on the site in 1875. The site is located above his mill which is located on North Main Street. The home was demolished by 1910 and it is unknown when the City took title of the property and developed it into a park. It is unlikely that a formal park plan was developed for this property since it not included in the Morell and Nichol's 1918 Master plan for Stillwater. Further historical research will need to be conducted on the Isaac Staples family as well as the Park and Recreation Board minutes prior to 1950 in order to determine when exactly Pioneer Park was named and designated as a park. The City of Stillwater is developing a master plan for the city's park system as part of the update of the Comprehensive Plan. Pioneer Park, one of the most used parks in the city and in need of major improvements will be the first on the agenda to be implemented with a master plan. Scope of Work Pioneer Park Plan e e e Costs: In order to prepare the plan the City will need to hire a landscape architect who has experience in historic sites and landscapes. It is estimated the costs of this study will be from 10 to 15 thousand dollars. This does not include the Project Directors time (City Planner), organizing the meetings, and mailings. e existing use, needs and expectations of park users. Timeline: It is estimated that it will take 4-5 months to prepare a plan for Pioneer Park. This timeline includes historical site research, existing conditions defining 4-5 meetings to gather public input and prepare and formalize adoption of the plan through the Parks Board, Planning Comission and Stillwater City Council.