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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-27 PRC MIN CITY OF STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING July 27, 2015 Present: Vice Chairman Rob McGarry, Commissioners David Brandt, Solveg Peterson, Don Stiff, Council Liaison Mike Polehna Absent: Chair Linda Amrein, Commissioners Scott Christiansen and Sandy Snellman Staff present: Public Works Superintendent Tim Moore APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the June 22, 2015 Parks Commission Meeting minutes was postponed to the next meeting. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. ACTION ITEMS Pickle Ball at Staples Field Superintendent Moore reminded the Commission that at the June 22, 2015 meeting, Sandy Hudson asked that pickle ball at Staples Field be put on the agenda for the July meeting. Participants are requesting that cracks on the court be filled, permanent straps be placed on the nets so they can be lowered, and lights be turned on in the fall from 6 8 p.m. Players also would like an additional court somewhere to be lined if possible. The sport of pickle ball is growing and this group is getting new players all the time. With the Staples Field courts seeing dwindling use for tennis, staff recommends the Commission consider permanently turning the courts into pickle ball courts. This would involve re lining the courts, installing new nets and filling the cracks. There is some maintenance money budgeted for Staples Field. With the smaller court size, one more pickle ball court could possibly be added. In regard to the group’s request that the lights be used during the fall, staff has been instructed by the City Council to not turn on the lights. There have been neighborhood complaints about the lights in the past. Because the lights have not been on for some time, their condition is unknown; therefore, turning the lights back on may take more work and incur greater expense. Staff feels that when changing the use of a park, the Commission should consider holding a neighborhood informational meeting to give the residents a chance to provide input. Council Representative Polehna mentioned that pickle ball was shut down in Florida because the paddles made so much noise. He recalled the basketball court at Staples generated complaints about the noise, so it was removed. Sandy Hudson, representing the pickle ball group, said they have never had a complaint in the neighborhood. There are two houses that face the courts. They don’t play late at night. They would like to have the lights on till 7:30 or 8:00 p.m. in Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting July 27, 2015 Page 2 of 4 the fall. As for noise, that may be a reason to hold a public hearing to see if neighborhood would be opposed to turning it into pickle ball only. Superintendent Moore added that the City has not received one complaint about the pickle ball use. Suzanne Sisson stated the court is used very little for tennis. The popularity of pickle ball is growing. Every night there are new players. Vice Chair McGarry responded he doesn’t have any issue with converting tennis courts as he seldom sees them used. Craig Williams stated that Staples Field is an unused asset. If would be nice to have some basic maintenance work done yet this year. Pickle ball courts are smaller, so five pickle ball courts would fit where the tennis courts are now. It would be nice to have an outdoor park bench for a place to sit down. He does not feel that neighbors would complain if the light is on until 8 p.m. Vice Chair McGarry suggested the Commission look at the cost estimates and then make a recommendation to the Council. In the meantime, maintenance could be done now. During the winter there could be a public informational meeting where the pickle ball players could explain the sport to the neighbors. Ms. Hudson remarked that there may be room for six pickle ball courts at Staples Field. She asked that if maintenance is done, a color other than blue be used for the lines. She thinks the interest in pickle ball would grow if the City had a good facility. Bruce Deger expressed skepticism about the location, not just based on the history of Staples Field but his experience with pickle ball courts around tennis communities. Increasing the number of courts also increases the noise and the need for parking. He urged the Commission to consider that too, as he would hate to see the courts shut down after investing a lot of time and money. Vice Chairman McGarry responded that parking is something to consider when determining if this is the best place to spend money. Motion by McGarry, seconded by Stiff, to direct staff to get cost estimates to convert Staples Field to pickle ball courts and also for the temporary maintenance measures requested. All in favor. Brown’s Creek Cove Superintendent Moore reported that WB Development LLC has submitted a preliminary plat application for a 15-lot single-family residential development to be known as Brown’s Creek Cove, located at the northwest quadrant of the intersection of Neal Avenue North and McKusick Road North. The developer proposes to donate Outlot A to the public to fulfill the public park dedication requirement. Outlot A Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting July 27, 2015 Page 3 of 4 includes an eight foot wide public bituminous trail along the edge of the Brown's Creek wetland buffer that would serve as a connecting link between the Millbrook Trails to the north and both the future Neal Avenue trail and the McKusick Trail. The trail would fulfill the subdivision's public trail dedication obligation. However, the trail's length and winding route along the edge of the wetland buffer will drive up its cost. Consequently, staff suggests that any cost above the standard trail dedication fee could be credited toward the public park dedication requirement. A trail segment should be provided along the north edge of Lot 1 to connect the Millbrook Trail directly to Neal Avenue. The Park Commission reviewed a similar plan in 2006 and determined that Outlot A should be private and not public. The Comprehensive Plan shows no public park needs on this site. Staff concurs, and recommends instead that the public park obligation should be satisfied by fee in lieu of land. Staff recommends a cash dedication of $26,000 for Brown's Creek Cove's park dedication obligations with the dedication fee to be adjusted to based on the trail connection cost in excess of $6,500. Staff also recommends construction of an eight foot wide bituminous trail to be dedicated to the public. Motion by Brandt, seconded by Peterson, to recommend the cash dedication of $26,000 for Brown’s Creek Cove with the dedication fee to be adjusted based on the trail connection costs in excess of $6,500. All in favor. Dog Water Recreation Area Commissioner Brandt said he has been asked about the possibility of having a dog exercise area that includes water access such as a similar area in White Bear Lake. No action was taken. Hazel Place Villas Superintendent Moore stated that the Planning Commission heard the preliminary plat request at their July 8 meeting, and determined the application should be tabled and the developer be directed to revise the plat to conform to the municipal subdivision regulations. Staff recommends the Parks and Recreation Commission table consideration of the Park and Trail dedication fees for Hazel Place Villas until the Planning Commission has made a recommendation on the preliminary plat. No action was taken. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Park Tour • Lowell Park (new bathroom) • Lowell Park Amphitheater • Bridgeview Park and Loop Trail • Staples Field Tennis Courts COMMISSION ITEMS/TOPICS Annual Summer Picnic Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting July 27, 2015 Page 4 of 4 After the park tour, Commissioners will be meeting at the home of Rob McGarry at 1101 Broadway Street North for the annual summer social. No official business will be conducted at that time. ADJOURNMENT Motion by McGarry, seconded by Stiff, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary