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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-11-26 PRC Packet . . . ~H)~~te~ THE BIRTHPLACE OF MINNESOTA ~ STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING NOTICE November 26, 2001 The Stillwater Parks and Recreation Board will meet on Monday, November 26,2001 at 7:00 p,m. at Stillwater City Hall in the Council Chambers Conference Room 213, 216 N, 4th Street. AGENDA 1. Approval of October 22, 2001 Minutes, 2, Discussion of Maintenance of Kolliner Park - Gannon 3, Staples Park Planning, 4, Update Parks & Open Space Task Force. 5. Other items, CITY HALL: 216 NORTH FOURTH STILLWATER, MINNESOTA 55082 PHONE: 651-430-8800 <' .' . . . Parks and Recreation Board Oct. 22, 2001 Present: Mike Polehna, chairperson Linda Amrein, Dawn Flinn, David Junker, Wally Milbrandt and Sandy Snellman Others: Community Development Director Steve Russell, City Administrator Nile Kriesel Absent: Rob McGarry Mr. Polehna called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Approval of minutes: Mr. Junker, seconded by Mr. Milbrandt, moved approval of the minutes of Sept. 24, 2001, as presented; motion passed unanimously. Jim Gannon/Kolliner Park Mr. Gannon and his wife were present. Mr. Gannon explained that he/Valley Cruisers Club members pick up the park every weekend. Mr. Gannon also stated that he gets calls, sometimes in the middle of the night, from the St. Croix County, Wis., Sheriffs Department if there's trouble and either he or someone from Valley Towing responds to the situation, Regarding the boat being moored there, he said the boat has always been there. He also stated the City had an agreement that allowed the Club to moor the boat there in exchange for policing/cleaning the park. Mr. Kriesel stated he appreciates what the Mr. Gannon and club members have been doing, but expressed a concern about potential liability to the City if Mr. Gannon responds to potentially dangerous situations. Mr. Junker agreed that policing the area is far different than keeping the park clean; he did state he thought the Club's presence has been a benefit to the park. Ms. Flinn asked how important it is to moor the boat there; Mr. Gannon said it let's people know someone is around, and he stated that he or a Club member is on the boat nearly every weekend, Later in the meeting, members discussed their reaction to Mr, Gannon's presentation and thoughts regarding a possible recommendation to the City Council. Mr. Russell noted that enforcement should not be the role of Mr. Gannon or the Club, and members were in consensus that Mr. Gannon should not be involved in such situations. Mr. Milbrandt suggested the issue is whether the Board thinks the City is getting a good deal from the arrangement that allows the Club exclusive use of Kolliner Park, Mr, Milbrandt noted there is documentation that St. Croix County thinks the Club's presence is of benefit. Mr, Junker noted that the Club takes pride in what it has done at the park and said he thought the Club's presence is of benefit. Mr. Junker and Ms, Flinn said they thought the mooring of the boat there also was of benefit in giving the perception that someone is in the park. Ms, Amrein, as did other members, said the arrangement should be subject to annual renewal, and Mr. Russell said he thought the arrangement should be a written contract. Mr. Polehna said he had no problem with the Club cleaning and using the park, but said he had a problem with the boat; he also stated he would like to see statistics from St. Croix County. .". The matter will be discussed further at the November meeting, with a possible recommendation made to the City Council. . Lowell Park Plan Bill Sanders, consulting architect, presented revised plans that incorporated members' comments/concerns expressed during the August meeting, Mr. Sanders noted the revisions include the relocation of the performance/shelter, reduction in the scale of the tot lot and relocating the walks to tie into the performance structure. He stated the center circle at the north of the park is still envisioned as a feature of some sort - landscape/sculpture etc, Cost of the basic elements, minus the structures, is about $450,000. At Mr. Junker's request, Mr. Sanders provided the following breakdown: site preparation, $15,000; earth work, $25,000; walkways (some concrete pavers), $189,000; picnic tables (10 with concrete pads), $20,000; benches, $30,000; lighting (20), $70,000; signage, $10,000; landscaping, $48,000; concrete steps, $32,000; play area, $30,000-$40,000. Mr. Milbrandt expressed a concern that if significant performance events are moved to the north, picnic tables might not be in the appropriate positions. Mr. Sanders said that issue will be taken into consideration, allowing for flexibility so as not to interfere with events, Mr. Kriesel stated Hank Sampson was supposed to be in attendance to express the Noon Rotary Club's interest in assisting the City in paying for a formal. garden/fountain area. Mr. Polehna noted the issue of a permanent band shell structure was a concern at the last discussion; he suggested the possibility of having a portable facility, like the city of Plymouth has, rather than a permanent structure. There was some discussion regarding eliminating the proposed restroom. Mr. Russell noted that staff has reviewed that proposal and found the cost to be significant; he stated that it is unlikely the restroom or performance structure will be part of the first phase of implementation, . Ms. Amrein expressed a concern about the possible construction of a parking structure in the proposed plaza area at the Maple Island parking lot site, Mr. Junker, seconded by Ms. Snellman, moved to give conceptual approval to the revised plans; motion passed unanimously, Mr. Kriesel stated he will tell Mr. Sampson to work with Mr. Russell regarding the plans for the formal garden. Bicycle race David LaPorte was present representing Touchstone Energy Bicycle Festival, a four-day festival that raises funds for Camp Heartland. Organizers are interested in holding the road race portion of the event in Stillwater, Winona or Red Wing the weekend of June 15, Mr. LaPorte said he has had some initial conversations with some local people, as well as the Chamber which is supportive of holding the race here, The initial proposal is to have the race start and end in Lowell Park. Mr. Junker noted the race date coincides with the Taste of the Valley event and would be a great tie-in, Mr. Junker, seconded by Ms. Flinn, moved to endorse the concept of holding the bike race . " . . . in conjunction with the Taste of the Valley the weekend of June 14-16. Motion passed unanimously. Neal Avenue path Mr. Polehna said he had called Mrs. Bird, who had written to the Board with a request for a path on Neal Avenue and a concern about the lack of parks in that section of the City, and talked with her about the cost of the piece of property that had been considered for park use. It was noted that two parks will be developed in the near future - one in the Orrin Thompson development and the other at the city's public works facility. Mr. Russell also noted there is a potential for a bike/walking path along Neal Avenue that could be done in conjunction with a public improvement project. Boutwell Park update Mr. Russell said the bids came in high for the public works facility, Items have been removed from the park that will be re-bid separately, The park will not be in finished form immediately, but the substance of the park has not changed, he said. Old Athletic Field Mr, Russell said the plans have been presented to the District 834 School Board, and the Board has signed off on the plans, The City will be getting grant money for the play equipment. Board membership Members whose terms are expmng were asked to submit a letter of interest regarding re- appointment by Dec. 5. Other business Mr. Russell suggested that the Board revisit the Staples Field plans over the winter. Ms, Amrein asked about budget cuts, Mr, Milbrandt said the City Council had not approved any capital expenditure projects to date. Ms, Amrein also asked about the Downtown Parks/Open Space Task Force. The Task Force has been meeting the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, Mr. Junker, seconded by Mr, Polehna, moved to adjourn at 8:40 p.m,; all in favor, Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary ,. ) . ~i'w~te~ THE BI}...THPLAC~OF MINNESOTA i) city of ~tillwater Staples Park Neighborhood Survey The City of Stillwater is committed to providing excellent recreation facilities for your use, Stillwater Parks and Recreation Commission would like your assistance and input in their planning efforts for the Staples Park Complex. To help us understand which outdoor activities are the most important to the community, we are asking you to complete the enclosed survey. Please return the completed survey to City Hall by January 31, 2001. If you have questions or concerns, please call Sue Fitzgerald at 651-430-8822, or contact any member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Thank you for your assistance, STAPLES PARK SURVEY 1. Are you or any member of your family current users of Staples Park? Yes 55 No 23 If yes, which areas: Tennis Courts 29 Basketball Court 22 Playground Equipment 43 Ballfields 27 Ice Rink 44 .. How many people live in your household? 29 0 - 4 years old 20 5 - 9 years old 32 10 - 15 years old 93 16 - 49 years old LOver 50 years old 3, Have you experienced any problems when using the Park? Yes 25 No 48 . (see exhi bi t A) If yes, would you please elaborate 4, What, if any, additional enhancements or deletions would like to see made to Staples Park? Examples: Picnic Facilities Places to sit Volleyball Other 29 51 -L- . (OVER) CITY HALL: 216 NORTH FOURTH STILLWATERl MINNESOTA 55082 PHONE: 651-430-8800 r illwater ~ --~ ........... - THE BIRTHPLACE OF MINNESOTA i) City of Stillwater Staples Park Neighborhood Survey, continued 5, Would you favor closing the streets running through the Park? Yes33 No 35 6, How satisfied are you with the Park? Very Satisfied 9 Satisfied 35 Neutral25 Dissatisfied 6 Very Dissatisfied 3 7, Overall, how satisfied are you with the Park? Very Satisfied 14 Satisfied 28 Neutral 26 Dissatisfied 4 Very Dissatisfied 3 8, How safe do you feel when you visit the Park? Very Satisfied 21 Satisfied 36 Neutral13 Dissatisfied 2 Very Dissatisfied 1 9, How would you rate the Parks condition and maintenance? Excellent 8 Good 39 Fair 25 Poor 5 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE CITY HALL: 216 NORTH FOURTH STILLWATER? MINNESOTA 55082 PHONE: 651-430-8800 ~ \. . . . .. Exhibit A Staples Park Survey #3 Problems . Older boys/language 8 Courts locked 8 No bathrooms 2 No warming house 4 No skating lights 1 Dog messes 1 Need a better ballfield 1 Loud noises at night 1 Crowed ice irnk 1 More benches 1 Limited play equipment 1 Stray dogs 1 Fast driving 1 Enhancements Skateboarding 1 Bathrooms 2 Open basketball 1 Gardens 4 Outdoor pool 1 Fence around ballfield 3 More play equipment 6 Volleyball 8 . More trees 3 Warming house 5 Shelter 1 Hockey boards 2 . . ~. ...... r.... ":""'..... .. ~1 The purpose of this petition is to p~rmanently remove the basketball court on the corner of Martha and Aspen Streets in the City of Stillwater. Our neighborhood is being subjected to the following conditions: · Loud noise and profa~D' c:t all hours of the day · Personal thr~at~'~ hfe and property. · Property damage In tt\s~{form of broken windows · Trespass that inol~des exposure and urination · Alcohol consumption b~t@pth adults and minors We have worked with the park~~pmmisSion, the City Council, and most recently, the Stillwater Ralice Department to solve these problems but they have grown inc'reasingly worse. It is time to remove the basketball court and return quiet and safety to the neighborhood. . Name Address -"", u-r 0/.. - "'---'1 ) }7/(lH ~ Lf L t "~'\:~ L~i~' ~ ~-r 3~k':~ ~!~~ ~:t c3Z R' :/}, a~~ ~" . ~ l .' sc . ... . -~ . . . The purpose of this petition is to permanently remove the basketball court on the corner of Martha and Aspen Streets in the City of Stillwater. Our neighborhood is being subjected to the following conditions: · Loud noise and profanity at all hours of the day · Personal threats to life and property · Property damage in the form of broken windows · Trespass that includes exposure and urination · Alcohol consumption by both adults and minors We have worked with the Parks Commission, the City Council, and most recently, the Stillwater Police Department to solve these problems but they have grown increasingly worse. It is time to remove the basketball court and return quiet and safety to the neighborhood. Name Xr~jf .t/JtAA0. Address ? z Y IIJ /AI I L~ /:::.//LI