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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-25 PRC MIN CITY OF STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION JUNE 25, 2012 Present: Commissioners Don Stiff, Linda Amrein, Scott Christensen, David Brandt, Solveg Peterson, Sandy Snellman, Rob McGarry and Councilmember Mike Polehna Staff present: Assistant Public Works Superintendent Tim Moore St. Croix Rec Center Facility Manager, Doug Brady Chair Amrein called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Brandt, seconded by Commissioner Snellman, to approve the April 23, 2012 minutes. All in favor. OPEN FORUM No comments were received. ACTION ITEMS St. Croix Rec Center Outdoor Field Doug Brady, facility manager of the St. Croix Valley Recreation Center, and Todd Arens, volunteer with the Stillwater Area Lacrosse Association introduced themselves. Mr. Moore stated that Mr. Brady was approached by the Stillwater Area Lacrosse Association about using the outdoor skating rink area as a practice field for lacrosse from mid-May till early August beginning next year. He said it will have to be determined whether the field should be considered as part of the rec center, necessitating fees for use, or as a park, without fees charged. He added that city staff originally planned on readying the field for fall soccer because it takes a while to get turf established after the winter. Mr. Arens explained that because most of his lacrosse players also play hockey with the Mavericks program, it’s more convenient if their parents can drop them off for both sports’ practices at one time. He said the number of kids in the program has more than doubled this year, but that parents are upset because lacrosse as a sport is grossly underrepresented when it comes to use of city parks. For instance, there are many baseball diamonds, but no lacrosse fields. Mr. Arens added that the group had offered to help fund turf improvements at the outdoor field by contributing $1,500 for maintenance. He said another option for use as a practice field is across from the Subway and Snap Fitness. The lacrosse association currently pays $30/hour through school district for field use. Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 25, 2012 Page 2 of 3 Chair Amrein asked if Milbrook Park would be appropriate. Mr. Arens replied it is too inconvenient for parents. Mr. Moore told the commission to keep in mind that the city doesn’t reserve any fields for anything other than the games. If it’s practice, it’s first come first serve. Commissioner Snellman asked if the field in question would likely be used by anybody else. Mr. Arens responded that other than when the group holds practice, from 5 to 8:30, it would be unused from May till the end of July. He explained that the group can’t play games there because it’s too small. Mr. Brady said the soccer club has expressed interest in this field but nothing has been established yet. Mr. Arens offered to pay for a net to protect the warming house and anything else needed for lacrosse only. He expressed the opinion that if the group wants more than the city would provide in any other park, it should pay for those items. Otherwise, he is willing to pay to make it a little nicer in exchange for no rental fee. He would partner with Mr. Brady to make sure there’s a good turf established. Mr. Moore cautioned against creating a situation where, because of its economic investment, one group prevents other groups from using the field. Mr. Brady said irrigation may need to be upgraded at a cost of $4-8,000. He suggested the city may want to establish a schedule and a nominal fee for use of the field to make it clear who has it reserved. Chair Amrein said she would consider this field part of the rec center. She would be in favor of not charging them for use but requiring scheduling of it through the rec center. Mr. Arens said he doesn’t mind paying a nominal fee as long as it’s offset by whatever is donated up front. Mr. Brady said a benefit of requiring a nominal fee is for clarity on who has the field reserved. Motion by Commissioner McGarry, seconded by Commissioner Stiff, to direct city staff and rec center staff to work with the Stillwater Area Lacrosse Association to develop a plan for next year (2013) to improve the turf and to develop a priority and schedule for its use. All in favor. Mr. Polehna commented that the city has an intern this year from Mankato State who will be surveying every field in the school district and communicating with the various sports associations to determine their need for fields. The intern will report back to city and the city will determine where resources should be concentrated with the goal of establishing a clearinghouse so that all these groups work through one entity to schedule use of the facilities. Millbrook Park Mr. Moore said the city was not awarded the park improvement grant it applied for, so at this point the city should move forward to develop the park. He reported that the Council approved capital outlay of approximately $175,000 for 2012 to build a parking lot, develop a ballfield and install playground equipment. He recommended that the Park and Recreation Board Minutes June 25, 2012 Page 3 of 3 commission hold a neighborhood meeting on July 23 to review park plans with nearby residents. COMMISSION ITEMS/TOPICS It was noted that after the meeting, the commission would go on its annual park tour including Lowell Park and Ice Skating Rink Parks. Following the park tour, Park Commissioners were scheduled to meet at the home of Rob McGarry at 1101 Broadway Street N for the annual summer social. No official business was to be conducted at that time. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Chair Amrein seconded by Commissioner Stiff to adjourn. All in favor. 6:57 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary