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Home My WebLink About2001-07-23 PRC Packet . . . ~iI~ate~ THE BIRTHPLACE OF MINNESOTA ~ STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING NOTICE JULY 23, 2001 The Stillwater Parks and Recreation Board will meet on Monday, June 25,2001 at 7:00 p,m, at Stillwater City Hall in the Council Chambers Conference Room 213, 216 N, 4th Street, AGENDA 1. Approval of June 25, 2001 Minutes. 2, Discussion of Boutwell Park Plan, 3, Consideration of Lowell Park Plan alternatives, 4, Other items, CITY HALL: 216 NORTH FOURTH STILLWATER, MINNESOTA 55082 PHONE: 651-430-8800 Parks and Recreation Board June 25, 2001 . Present: Mike Polehna, Chairperson Linda Amrein, Dawn Flinn, David Junker, Rob McGarry, Wally Milbrandt, and Sandy Snellman Staff: Community Development Director Steve Russell and Tim Thomsen, Public Works Superintendent Absent: None Approval of minutes of April 23, 2001. These minutes were approved at the May park walk- through. Park Maintenance Mr. Thomsen provided a summary of park department activities, schedule of the ball fields and calendar of permits, Mr. Thomsen noted that all but three of the park/open space areas are mowed on a weekly basis, with trash/garbage picked up on a daily basis. Mr. Junker asked if anything has been done at the Frisbee course, Mr. Thomsen said the grass had been burned off, the area seeded and baskets put back up, . Mr. Thomsen stated the boardwalk in the Creekside area will be completed, A meeting with neighbors ofthe Old Athletic Field has been scheduled to get input regarding desired playground equipment. He also stated the park in the Legends area is all washed out due to construction activities, and the developer will be responsible for repairing the damage, Handicapped Access to and in Citv Parks Mr, Russell stated he had received a call regarding a concern about parking for handicapped access to Pioneer Park. He suggested the Board might want to look at how all parks meet ADA requirements, Mr. Polehna noted the County did such an inventory and worked with Courage Center and Wilderness Inquiry people on the inventory, Mr, Thomsen noted that there is a handicapped drop-off area at Pioneer Park but no painted parking space, Bathrooms, picnic shelters and playground are all accessible, He said the only thing needed is to paint curbing and sign the space for handicapped parking, Mr. Junker, seconded by Mr, Milbrandt, moved to have staff review handicapped parking/drop- off availability in city parks. Motion passed unanimously, Request for Employee Parking at McKusick Trailhead Parking Lot Mr, Russell noted the parking lot is currently 2-hour parking, Mr, Gannon has requested that employee parking be allowed, using 5 or 6 spaces; there are only 8 or 9 spaces in the entire lot. Mr. Milbrandt noted there is on-street parking available for employee use, Mr. Junker, seconded by Ms. Flinn, moved to deny the request. Motion passed unanimously. . Mooring of Boat at Kolliner Park Mr, Russell said Jim GannonlValley Cruisers cleans up Kolliner Park and has been allowed use of the park in exchange for that service, Now, Mr, GannonlValley Cruisers has a boat moored at the park. Mr. Russell noted that other people have requested to moor boats there in the past. Mr. Junker pointed out Valley Cruisers has a one-year lease, renewable annually, for use of Kolliner Park, but the group has never come back before the Park Board with an update of activities as requested. . Mr. Milbrandt said he could find no documentation regarding permitting mooring of the boat. Mr, Milbrandt also stated St. Croix County/St. Joseph Township feel Valley Cruisers provides a needed service in policing the area, Mr. Junker stated he wanted to see an annual review of what the club does, would like to review the contract again, and have staff and Police Chief Dauffenbach work on the boat situation, Mr. Milbrandt stated the City Council is working on the boat issue, It was agreed to send Mr, Gannon a letter reminding the club that use of the park is subject to an annually renewable agreement. Aiple Park Proposal Included in the packet was a proposal from SRF Consulting Group for initial plans for the Aiple property, Mr. Russell noted the proposal represented an expenditure of about $29,000 for planning for $500,000 in improvements, Mr. Russell stated the Council had indicated a desire to make use of the property as soon as possible and, he said, this is the minimal cost to do that. Mr. Milbrandt said there are a lot of projects to be completed - the Lowell Park improvements, the Aiple property, the River Center plan - and the Council would like to know what the Parks Board thinks is a priority, Mr. Junker and Mr. McGarry indicated they felt Lowell Park was a priority; Mr, Polehna questioned by Lowell Park and the Aiple property projects couldn't be done at the same time; . Ms. Amrein brought up the issue of funding and the possibility of some kind of sales tax, Mr. Junker made a motion to indicate the Park Board felt that Lowell Park is a priority versus the Aiple property and later withdrew his motion, Mr. Russell said he will bring the issue back as a budget item at the next meeting, Requests for use of Lowell Park Included in the packet was an application from James Joseph Williams of Woodbury, a for-profit entity, to sell helium balloons in city parks year around, Mr, McGarry noted that ifMr, Williams obtains a peddlers' license from the City there is nothing that can prevent him from using city streets, Ms, Amrein moved to deny the request. Mr, Junker seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously, A Girl Scout troop had requested to sell items in Lowell Park during the 4th of July and Lumberjack Days, Mr. Milbrandt noted the City Council has already granted exclusive use of Lowell Park to St. Croix Events for Lumberjack Days. And because the request was received just prior to July 4, Mr, Milbrandt suggested denying the request until a better policy is developed for such requests, Mr, Junker, seconded by Mr. Milbrandt, moved to deny the request, indicating the reason was in order to develop a policy for considering such requests in the future, Motion passed unanimously, . John Kerschbaum was present and outlined a request to use the levee in Lowell Park to pick up passengers for rides in an old-world style gondola. Initially, the business would be limited to special events, weddings, etc" and later expanded to the public, He said he would like to move the boat up and down the levee waiting for business, He also would like to have some type of portable cart/chair to indicate when the boat was out, when it would be available, etc, The gondola would be stored permanently at his brother's place in Dutchtown, and the request is to . . . operate the business May-October. Mr, Kerschbaum also told the Board no licenses are required to operate the boat. He indicated he will be taking possession of the boat in mid-September, Mr, Milbrandt asked Mr, Kerschbaum if he had contacted any private docks for loading and unloading passengers, A concern about the issue of liability for allowing the use of the levee for such purpose was expressed, and it was suggested that City Attorney Magnuson be asked to explore the liability issue. Mr. Polehna suggested using the city dock, rather than the levee, Mr, Junker made a motion to approve pursuing the concept using the city dock, with the City Attorney to review liability issues and Mr. Kerschbaum to work with staff regarding the details, such as hours of operation, the location of the portable cart, etc, If all the details for use of the city docks are worked out satisfactorily, the motion was to allow Mr. Kerschbaum to conduct the business from September through October this year, with review after that time, Ms, Flinn seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously, Parkwood Lane T ownhome Development park Mr. Russell said the developer of the townhome development at County Road 5IParkwood Lane is seeking direction regarding park dedication or fee in lieu of land. The development will include 19 units on 3,8 acres, Mr, Russell stated in this instance, park dedication seems to make sense versus the fee in lieu of dedication. The developer was present, Members indicated it was difficult to make a determination without having any plans presented, During discussion, members indicated a preference that the park/open space area be on the west side of the property, and that a trail connection be provided, No action was taken other than to provide the developer direction for developing plans for a park/open space, Settler's Park Mr, Russell provided a brief update on the park. He noted all improvements are being done by the developers, Other items Ms, Amrein asked about action taking during the Board's May meeting regarding increasing fees at the St. Croix Recreation Center. Mr, Russell said the recommended action has been taken by the City Council, increasing the fees from $150 to $180, Ms, Flinn asked about the status of the ravine project. It was agreed to invite neighbors and City Engineer Klayton Eckles to the next meeting for an update on the project. Mr, Junker, seconded by Mr. Milbrandt, moved to adjourn at 8:50 p,m, All in favor. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary