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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-04-27 PRC MINCITY OF STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING April 27, 2015 Present: Chair Linda Amrein, Commissioners David Brandt, Scott Christiansen, Rob McGarry, Solveg Peterson (arrived at 7:05), Sandy Snellman, Don Stiff, Council Liaison Mike Polehna Absent: None Staff present: Public Works Superintendent Tim Moore APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Brandt, seconded by Snellman, to approve the March 23, 2015 meeting minutes. All in favor. OPEN FORUM Hank Gray, board member of Stillwater Area Scholastic Cycling Advocates (SASCA), asked if the storage shed in the gravel parking lot near the Brown's Creek Trail could remain in place. They would like to use it for storage of tools to be used for building the mountain bike trail. Moore will check on this. ACTION ITEMS Friends of Stillwater Parks Dennis Conger, 517 Oak Street West, president of Friends of Stillwater Parks, reviewed 2015-2016 goals for Friends of Stillwater Parks. They feel they need to develop more interest and awareness of the organization and get new people involved. Moore provided background on how the City has worked with other volunteer groups. The City will continue to work with the individual volunteers on planting and maintaining the park areas. He asked if Friends of Stillwater Parks might be able to help procure funding for the programming at Teddy Bear Park. Mr. Conger stated this can be discussed at the next Friends of Stillwater Parks board meeting. Judy Gulden, 218 North Martha Street, Friends of Stillwater Parks, stated the City web site will need updating on who to contact. Kathy Black, Everett Street, and Diane Cutler, South Second Street, also provided input. 5 -Year CIP Work Plan Moore reviewed the proposed 5 -year CIP work plan from 2011, updating the Commission on progress of each item. He led discussion of possible additions and deletions from the list. Amrein asked about rebuilding the fence at Pioneer Park. Moore responded it is the fence along the bluffline. A pergola could be put somewhere near the low spot in the center of the park. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting April 27, 2015 Ms. Gulden suggested putting bricks there to outline the original building foundation. In the past, residents have indicated they wanted to know where the original building was. Councilmember Polehna remarked that the Pioneer Park bathroom, picnic shelter and playground are very much in need of updating. The bathroom is so bad, it should be imploded and rebuilt. Christiansen asked if bathrooms are planned for Bridgeview Park. He feels existing facilities should be maintained before building new facilities. Moore responded there is a reuse study being done on the Bergstein building which could possibly include bathrooms. Councilmember Polehna said complaints have come in that the horseshoe pits are in need of rebuilding. This might be added to the list. Burying overhead utility lines would be more of a community issue than a parks item. Christiansen asked if park dedication money from development could be used to improve the park area nearest to the development from which it was collected. McGarry responded that park dedication funding can't be used on an existing park. It is to be used for land acquisition or to build a trail, for instance. Councilmember Polehna expressed concerns about safety of the Main Street stairs. He acknowledged the stairs are well used. The City is seeking historic grant money to light the stairs. Moore added he is getting some estimates to try to procure some grants to fund replacement of the steps. Amrein noted a lot more could be done with Staples Field. Other commissioners noted that it is a very small ballfield and trees probably could not be added due to the proximity of the streets. She asked if the Commission could consider installing dog bag dispensers in some of the parks. Moore replied that staff feels dog owners should be responsible for their own bags. Every dispenser that is currently in a City park was donated. Park Donation Public Works Superintendent Moore stated a $1,000 donation was received from RBC Wealth Management, to be used for any park -related items. RBC Wealth Management employees are planning a volunteer day in June at Pioneer Park. Staff recommends the donation be used for playground and planting bed mulch to be spread by the volunteers. Motion by Commissioner Amrein, seconded by Snellman, to use the $1,000 RBC Wealth Management donation to purchase playground and planting bed mulch for Pioneer Park. All in favor. Page 2 of 3 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting April 27, 2015 INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Brown's Creek Park Use Moore reported that staff has been working on a draft agreement between the City and the Minnesota Off -Road Cyclists (MORC) for construction and management of a proposed one-way, single track trail in Brown's Creek Park. MORC will assist Stillwater Area Scholastic Cycling Advocates (SASCA) in the development of the trail. A Parks Commission public hearing is set for May 18 and a City Council hearing is tentatively set for June 2. Teddy Bear and Washington Square Summer Programs 2015 Moore presented proposed programming for Teddy Bear and Washington Square Park. COMMISSION ITEMS/TOPICS Brown's Creek State Trail Grand Opening June 6 Amrein encouraged Commissioners to attend this event. Reappointments to the Parks Commission Amrein noted that she, Christiansen and Snellman were reappointed to the Parks Commission. She doesn't mind being chair again but does not like to field media requests for quotes. She defers them to Polehna or Moore. Park Signs Amrein noticed that there is not a sign in every park. Perhaps this should be discussed. Christiansen suggested including the year the park was established. Councilmember Polehna commented that Washington County has a new policy mandating consistency in identification of all vehicles, buildings, signage and so on. He has asked the new City Administrator to discuss this issue at a workshop May 8. Group at Pioneer Park Amrein mentioned there has been a group using Pioneer Park in the early mornings. She asked if the City has been charging this group for the park use. Moore responded that staff is currently revising the language for such fees to go to the Council. Lowell Park Bathrooms Moore said the project should be completed soon. Brown's Creek Trail Councilmember Polehna noted that the first lift of pavement is on the trail. ADJOURNMENT Motion by , seconded by , to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary Page 3 of 3