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Home My WebLink About2014-02-24 PRC packetwater _ H E B I R? H°- A C E 0 {. M I N N F S 0 7 A\ CITY OF STILLWATER STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION NOTICE OF MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2014 AT 7:00 PM The City of Stillwater Parks and Recreation Commission will meet on Monday, February 24, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Stillwater City Hall, 216 North Fourth Street. AGENDA Approval of the January 27, 2014 Minutes 2. Open Forum - The Open Forum is a portion of the meeting to address the Board on subjects which are not a part of the meeting agenda. The Board may take action or reply at the time of the statement or may give direction to staff regarding investigation of the concerns expressed. Out of respect for others in attendance, please limit your comments to S minutes or less. Action Items 3. Commercial Use of City Parks 4. Armory Trail Improvements Commission Items/Toiics CITY OF STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION January 27, 2014 Present: Chairman Linda Amrein, Commissioners Scott Christensen, David Brandt, Solveg Peterson, Sandy Snellman, Don Stiff, Council Liaison Mike Polehna Absent: Commissioner Rob McGarry Staff present: Public Works Superintendent Tim Moore, Community Development Director Bill Turnblad Approval of Minutes - Motion by Brandt, seconded by Amrein, to approve the December 16, 2013 minutes. All in favor. OPEN FORUM - There were no public comments. ACTION ITEMS North Hill Community Garden Annual Review Moore conducted the annual review of the North Hill Community Garden. The garden group has been very organized and responsible in maintaining the site. Staff recommends that the City's agreement with the North Hill Community Garden group be renewed and that the Commission consider a longer term of two or three years. Adam Frederick and Jack Roddy, representing the North Hill Community Garden, stated that plot prices will remain the same as last year. Scholarships are available. They explained signs that are proposed to better identify the site and prevent theft. Motion by Snellman, seconded by Brandt, to recommend renewal of the contract for three years. All in favor. Master Plan for Barge Terminal Property Turnblad stated that the 1998 Master Plan for what was previously referred to as the "Aiple Property" needs to be updated. The two historic Bergstein buildings have been relocated onto the site, and a Loop Trail will be constructed by MnDOT as part of the St. Croix River Crossing. In addition, the Chamber of Commerce's Downtown Revitalization Committee is advocating for a municipal dock on the property. It will be in addition to the public slips that St. Croix Boat & Packet is required to provide under their agreement with the City. The City Council has asked staff and the Parks Commission to solicit bids from park planning consultants to update the Master Plan for this park. Park and Recreation Board Minutes January 27, 2014 Page 2 of 3 Amrein said she favors the idea of the area remaining more natural - she questioned the need for a concession stand as mentioned in previous plans. Christensen remarked that the concession could be rental of bikes, rollerblades or kayaks. Turnblad added that storage, vending machines and bathrooms could be located in the Bergstein buildings. Polehna suggested the Parks Commission work with the Chamber to decide where to construct the boat launch. Another idea would be to restore the beach at Kolliner Park so people could ride their bikes across the river and go swimming. Turnblad concurred that is why the City needs to plan comprehensively for all of its shoreline. Of all the property, the Barge Terminal property faces the most immediate pressure to develop a municipal dock. Because there are LCCMR grant dollars involved, the Aiple homestead property (a separate parcel north of downtown) will see a passive low maintenance use, for instance non - motorized boating and kayaks. This Commission will be very involved in its planning, as well. Moore pointed out the Commission doesn't have to pinpoint the exact recommended location for a municipal dock - the consultant will determine that, factoring in handicapped access and other issues. Turnblad suggested the Commission prepare a list of items it would like to include in the Master Plan, ask the consultant to help determine the market and availability of public docks in the area, how big it should be, who should run it, and so on. He added that generally, the DNR is supportive of public -owned transient docking, as opposed to more commercial slips. Regarding phasing, the dock will likely be built first, followed by the Loop Trail segments in 2016, then the DNR landing in 2017. Peterson said if the north Aiple property will carry the Aiple name in some way, out of respect for the Aiple family, maybe the southern Barge Terminal property could have a name reflecting the Native American heritage. Brent Peterson may help with this. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Brown's Creek Nature Preserve Mountain Bike Track Update Moore stated that staff has researched the original agreements developed for Brown's Creek Nature Preserve and determined that a single track bike course does not follow the original intent of the agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The agreement states that bikes are prohibited on the DNR property unless specifically stated in the park plan that was done at that point in time. Turnblad added that to update the park plan, the Commission would need to put together an amendment to the plan, which would have to be approved by the DNR. Although not impossible, it's not an easy process especially when funds have been Park and Recreation Board Minutes January 27, 2014 Page 3 of 3 released based on a plan that was already done. He recommends staff discuss the possibility with the DNR to prevent needless work. COMMISSION ITEMS /TOPICS Possible Dog Park Polehna reported that Washington County has signed a purchase agreement for property at the southeast corner of Manning and 96 for a possible dog park. Readiness Center (Armory) Polehna informed the Commission that the City was informed that it will receive $17 million federal and $3 million state funding for construction of the new armory, with construction to begin by May 2014. Chair Amrein noted that she will not be available for the Feb 24 meeting. Motion by Amrein, seconded by Christensen, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary water _1 T H E B I R T H P I . A C E OP M I N N E S O T A MEMORANDUM TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Tim Moore, Superintendent of Public Works r7-1/N DATE: February 19, 2014 SUBJECT: Commercial Use of Public Parks BACKGROUND Over the past few years the city has seen an increase of commercial use in city parks. A few examples of this use are boot camps by local fitness facilities, tennis lessons by private individuals, Segway's using McKusick Park parking lot as starting location. Additionally some of these private for profit businesses are posting signs in the parks advertising their services. DISCUSSION The topic before the commission is should these or other commercial endeavors be allowed in public parks and if so, what would be the perimeters of this (i.e. hours of operation, registration, fees to the city, restrictions on time periods, etc.). Attached is a summary of a short poll taken with some similar sized neighboring communities. Consensus is that these communities do not have any ordinance in place and they are interested in what the City of Stillwater will do. RECOMMENDATION The Parks and Recreation Commission should discuss and recommend to City Council whether to allow commercial endeavors in city parks and if so, with what restrictions /regulations or should prepare an ordinance addressing this issue. White Bear Lake Red Wing Hastings Oakdale If for profit - goes through special event process Bike Club using parking lot exlusive private use of public property goes through permit process - similar to our event app /fees At their Athletic complex - ok but if event occurs they if no exclusive use then they vendor allowed for one time must move are free to use it events only Food vendors allowed in Reservations pay special parks - goes through event rates /park rental rates vendoring procedure no posting allowed except No posting allowed on food vendor vehicles receives a portion of sales (registration fees) from the business MEMORANDUM TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Tim Moore, Superintendent of Public Works TIAL DATE: February 19, 2014 SUBJECT: Proposed Trail on Armory site BACKGROU14D The proposed Armory and Fire Station are now in the design phase. A trail is proposed between County Road 12 and Boutwell Avenue and is not included as part of the Armory project. This trail will be a key north /south connection for neighborhoods on both sides of County Road 12. DISCUSSION The City of Stillwater does not have money budgeted for this improvement. One avenue for funding would be to use money from the park dedication fund. Currently the fund has a balance of $331,000. An estimated cost for this improvement is approximately $50,000. RECOMMENDATION The Commission should discuss and recommend to City Council whether release funds for this trail improvement. Water T H E B I N T H P I. A C E O F M I N N E S 0 1 A MEMORANDUM TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Tim Moore, Superintendent of Public Works TIAL DATE: February 19, 2014 SUBJECT: Proposed Trail on Armory site BACKGROU14D The proposed Armory and Fire Station are now in the design phase. A trail is proposed between County Road 12 and Boutwell Avenue and is not included as part of the Armory project. This trail will be a key north /south connection for neighborhoods on both sides of County Road 12. DISCUSSION The City of Stillwater does not have money budgeted for this improvement. One avenue for funding would be to use money from the park dedication fund. Currently the fund has a balance of $331,000. An estimated cost for this improvement is approximately $50,000. RECOMMENDATION The Commission should discuss and recommend to City Council whether release funds for this trail improvement. L.Li II 1, 'il �>'�II''illl�il�'�� 9L 2 2 2 T E eV it i2 >w 0 9L 2 2 2 T E eV it i2