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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-02-22 PRC MIN CITY OF STILLWATER STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2010 Present: Linda Amrein, chair David Brandt, Scott Christensen, Rob McGarry, Solveg Peterson and Mike Polehna Staff present: Asst. Public Works Superintendent Tim Moore Absent: Sandy Snellman Ms. Amrein called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Approval of the January 25, 2010 Minutes - Mr. McGarry, seconded by Mr. Brandt, moved approval of the minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously. It was noted that Mr. Polehna, as Council liaison, is no longer a voting member of the Commission. Action Items Special Event Applications Rivertown Art Festival (Lowell Park) Fall Colors Fine Art & Jazz Festival (Lowell Park) Mr. Moore noted that both the Rivertown Art Festival to be held May 15-16, 2010 and Fall Colors Fine Art and Jazz Festival to be held October 2-3, 2010 are contract events. The Council has already reviewed and approved the contracts, he said. Mr. Moore said the predicted high water levels on the St. Croix could present a problem for the spring art fair. Ms. Amrein asked about the fees, considering the Chamber is a non-profit entity. Mr. Moore explained that the $500 fee being charged the Chamber is due to the fact that exclusive use of Lowell Park is involved, and he noted these events involve contracts with the City, like Lumberjack Days. Mr. McGarry said the special events task force is also looking at tiering events, as contract events or special events, with different approvals and different requirements for the different types of events. There was discussion of the $1,000 fee being charged to the upcoming bike race, and it was noted any profits from that event are given to charity. Mr. McGarry said the recommendations from the task force include a $1 beautification fee per participant or booth, plus an event fee for use of City facilities/services/streets; the difficulty, he said, is determining how to establish the event fee. Mr. McGarry briefly discussed the task force proposal regarding the beautification fee and how that money would be expended. Mr. McGarry moved to approve the fall and spring art fairs for this year, noting that next year the process might be different, depending on the task force recommendations. Mr. Brandt seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Easter Egg Hunt (Washington Square) Mr. Moore noted that last year there had been some discussion regarding parking for the event. He said he spent some time at the event last year and thought people were respectful of neighbors, and didn’t observe people parking in driveways, etc. He noted that organizers have been asked, and agreed, to promote the availability of parking at Lily Lake to alleviate the problem. Mr. McGarry moved approval of the Knights of Columbus Easter Egg Hunt on April 3, 2010. Ms. Amrein seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Park and Recreation Board Minutes February 22, 2010 Page 2 of 3 March of Dimes Walk for Babies (Triangle Park) Mr. Moore noted this is an annual event and well-run operation. He said staff does place some picnic tables in the park, along with some garbage cans for the event. He said he has not noticed a lot of disruption to the community from this event. Mr. McGarry, seconded by Mr. Brandt, moved approval of the March of Dimes event on April 25, 2010. Motion passed unanimously. Blue Grass Music Concert (Pioneer Park) Mr. Moore stated this will be the first year of the event to be held at Pioneer Park. He noted that the applicant did indicate “for profit” on the application; he said he would clarify that status with organizers as it was his understanding that it was a non-profit event. It was noted that there is no admission charge. Mr. Moore said there was some concern by residents about parking on Laurel and some of the other side streets in the area. Mr. McGarry asked if there are any other events scheduled at the park that day that might be using the picnic shelters; Mr. Moore noted that staff handles that to ensure there are no other competing uses. Ms. Amrein suggested there might be a possibility of musicians’ CDs being offered for sale at the event and wondered if that was allowable or whether special approvals would be necessary. Ms. Peterson noted the Blue Grass community has a large following and suggested attendance could be huge, depending on where the event is advertised. Mr. Polehna spoke of the attendance at the Blue Grass festival at Lake Elmo Park. It was consensus to delay approval pending more information from the applicant. Gopher to Badger ½ Marathon (Brown’s Creek Park) Mr. Moore stated this event is staged in Hudson with a lot of the runners bused to Brown’s Creek starting point. He said there are only a couple roads utilized by the runners in town. He noted the event doesn’t require exclusive use of the park, and organizers provide portable toilets. Ms. Amrein noted that the Gasthaus is listed as the starting point in the proposal from the organizers and suggested that they need to update that information; she also pointed out the dates in the material are incorrect. Mr. Polehna noted a resident had expressed concerns about another event that entered Owens Street from McKusick and wondered whether that would be a problem again; Mr. Moore stated there was no problem last year. Mr. Christensen noted this event is a big fund-raiser for the Stillwater football team, which runs the aid stations for the event. Mr. Christensen pointed out that last year, the City had proposed charging the organizers $1 per participant for the downtown beautification fund; Mr. McGarry stated the task force is clarifying the definition of downtown and under new rules, this event wouldn’t be involved. Mr. Polehna expressed a concern about inconsistency, noting the bike race is asked to pay for Stillwater police assistance, while this event doesn’t have the same requirement. Mr. Christensen said he thought last year, the organizer agreed to pay for police services, with the $1 fee eliminated. There was discussion about the beautification fee and whether it should be designated for downtown or citywide. Mr. McGarry moved to approve Final Stretch’s use of Brown’s Creek Park for the race start for the Gopher to Badger ½ Marathon event on August 14, 2010. Mr. Brandt seconded the motion. There was further discussion about fees and profits involved. Motion to approve the use of Brown’s Creek Park for the race start passed unanimously. Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes (Pioneer Park) Mr. Moore noted this is another annual event, with no issues in the past. Mr. Christensen asked if there had been any problems having the event coincide with the fall art fair; it was noted that this has taken place for a number of years. Mr. McGarry moved to approve the American Diabetes Association’s application for the Walk to Fight Diabetes for 2010. Ms. Peterson seconded the motion. Ms. Amrein reiterated Mr. Christensen’s concern about having this event Park and Recreation Board Minutes February 22, 2010 Page 3 of 3 coincide with the fall art fair, speaking of potential parking problems. Mr. Moore noted that the fall art fair is the smaller of the two art fairs. Motion to approve the Walk to Fight Diabetes event on October 2, 2010 passed unanimously. Commission Items/Topics On a question by Ms. Amrein, Mr. Moore stated he would be bringing back the final draft of the turf management plan for discussion. Mr. Moore asked if there had been any feedback from the Red Bull pond hockey tournament, held the previous weekend. He said he stopped by and thought it was a great event. There was discussion of the outdoor ice at the Rec Center and how well everything has worked out. Mr. Brandt asked if the City ever receives information from the hotels after events such as the pond hockey tournament. Mr. Polehna suggested that it might be interesting to hear from the Convention and Visitors Bureau regarding that subject. Mr. Polehna noted there is now a vacancy on the Commission since he is no longer a voting member. Mr. Christensen stated he had received calls from the Pioneer Press regarding the dog park and asked whether staff had been contacted and responded, as he did not want to be a spokesperson for the City. Mr. Moore and Mr. Polehna said they both had returned calls. Mr. Polehna said he had expressed that the City has upcoming budget difficulties to deal with which will impact any future decision regarding a dog park. There was discussion as to what expectations the Commission might have given the dog park promoters. Mr. Moore stated the promoters were told there is no money for such a facility and no site; Mr. Moore said he would e-mail members copies of the minutes he sent to the Pioneer Press in response to questions about the dog park. It was noted the next meeting will be March 22. Mr. McGarry, seconded by Mr. Brandt, moved to adjourn at 8:06 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary