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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-12-19 PRC minutes CITY OF STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING December 19, 2016 Present: Chairwoman Linda Amrein, Commissioners David Brandt, Scott Christensen, Rob McGarry, Bill McGlynn, Sam Nelson, Sandy Snellman, Council Representative Mike Polehna Absent: None Staff present: Public Works Superintendent Tim Moore, Community Development Director Bill Turnblad APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of September 26, 2016 Parks Commission meeting minutes Motion by Chairwoman Amrein, seconded by Commissioner Snellman, to approve the September 26, 2016 meeting minutes. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. ACTION ITEMS Aiple Property Park Planning Community Development Director Turnblad explained that a concept plan is scheduled to go to the Council January 3. The property is currently owned by Washington County and is anticipated to be transferred to the City in the next couple months. The City will pay about $1.1 million for the property. The State has granted $1.25 million and the County will contribute almost $2 million to the project. A conservation easement will be placed on the property. Hoisington Koegler was hired by the City to inventory the site and help draft the plan. Mr. Turnblad reviewed the various existing site elements. During focus group meetings it became clear that the existing house probably won’t be able to be converted to public assembly space due to mechanical issues such as the need for a new roof, an elevator for ADA accessibility, sprinklers, septic system removal and sanitary sewer connection - all of which could cost about $1.1 million. Mr. Turnblad led discussion of the draft concept plan. The woodland near the southern end could be used for a fishing pier. A shorter term use could be parking that could be shared with the former Zephyr building. A trail connection would probably be created from the parking lot to the existing driveway. The DNR has an easement over the former railroad property, owned by David Paradeau. Mr. Turnblad went on to describe the central area which would be converted to some type of native grasses with a natural surface trail. The northerly part of this section Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting December 19, 2016 Page 2 of 6 could be mowed for a picnic area. The current residence would be demolished. There would also be an area to launch a canoe. Chairwoman Amrein asked whether the City or a private entity would operate the canoe rental. Mr. Turnblad replied there are many options ranging from self-service to a staffed facility. To the north is a beach area that can be made handicapped- accessible. Nearby there would be a connection to the Brown’s Creek State Trail. Commissioner Christensen asked if there is any thought of extending the beach. Mr. Turnblad replied the beach area is not ideal for swimming due to liability issues, but it is a good place to drop in boats and be close to the water. Commissioner McGlynn asked if there has been discussion of public boat docks. Mr. Turnblad replied that the funding requires non-motorized uses only. Two fishing piers are shown. Boat docks are more suited to the south end of the City. This park would be more about putting in a canoe and dropping in a fishing line - more passive uses. Commissioner McGlynn asked about bathrooms. Mr. Turnblad responded there probably will be portapotties for a while, not permanent structures. Whatever is put there will be heavily used by trail users. Design of the bathrooms will be part of the next planning phase. Council Representative Polehna noted that State Senator Karin Housley, who sponsored the legislation that provided the funding, told him the requirement to demolish the house was eliminated. Mr. Turnblad clarified that it is still in the agreement, so if there is interest in retaining the house, the original agreement would need to be amended. Councilman Polehna commented that the taxpayers have spent $4 million to buy this park, which is a lot of money, and making it all passive would eliminate a lot of park users. He understands the need for canoe and kayaking uses, and thinks the majority of the park can be handicapped accessible, but not everything needs to be. He has not yet made up his mind about demolishing the house. Commissioner McGarry said he doesn’t see much value in retaining the house. June Mathiowetz from the Washington County Land & Water Legacy Program said that at the public hearing, she didn’t hear the sentiment about keeping the house. She feels keeping the house would be an uphill battle. The foundation is cracking in places and the pool has mold covering the entire area. It’s sitting in a very wet place. Councilmember Polehna said he doesn’t disagree. If the City wants handicapped- accessible trails, they need to be hard surface trails. Commissioner Christensen remarked that the ELC at the high school was made handicapped-accessible but the whole thing didn’t need to be handicapped accessible, only a single trail. He acknowledged that every park doesn’t have to Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting December 19, 2016 Page 3 of 6 serve every need for everybody. He asked Councilmember Polehna to clarify what he was trying to say. Councilmember Polehna said he understands that but he still thinks people are going to want to walk down along the river. At another meeting, there were some stakeholders who were talking about eliminating the trail going through there, which would basically leave only a driveway to walk in, look at the river and walk out. Commissioner Christensen asked what was the reason for wanting to eliminate it. He suggested they can come to the Parks Commission meetings to discuss it. Councilmember Polehna said he doesn’t want someone in the future saying the City eliminated a group of people from using this park. He added that the focus group discussing the concept plan were more passive, while the Parks Commission tends to be more active. As far as he is concerned, the Parks Commission should have the final say before the draft concept plan goes to the Council. Commissioner Christensen asked, if the Commission approves the concept plan, then how much can it be changed? Community Development Director Turnblad responded that recommending the concept plan for approval means agreeing to the concepts of having certain use areas, parking outside the park, a trail that runs the entire length of the property, and a natural surface. Exact locations, for instance putting bathrooms close to the parking lot, would be determined later. Commissioner Brandt reminded the Commission that the City is putting a park on a major bike trail. He feels bikers are probably going to use the park more than anyone. Mr. Turnblad noted that the pushback received from the non-biking public was pretty vocal, saying the bikers already have their trail. Chairwoman Amrein said there could be bike racks available so bikers could park their bike there and enjoy the park. Commissioner McGarry that’s what they do in Lowell Park - they’re not riding their bikes on the grass there. Community Development Director Turnblad suggested it might make sense to have portapotties on both the north and south ends or perhaps someplace near the garage. The other one could be someplace nearer to the entrance to the park. It’s not that the City is discouraging bikers from using it. Commissioner Christensen stated he runs that trail every single day and sees many more walkers and runners than bikers on most days. Commissioner Snellman commented that, especially if there is canoe and kayak rental, the portapotties will be needed in those areas. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting December 19, 2016 Page 4 of 6 Chairwoman Amrein asked what if the theater project and its parking lot doesn’t get built? Mr. Turnblad replied whether or not the theater is built, the parking lot space is still available. Commissioner Nelson asked about the impact the change of use would have on wildlife particularly on the nearby island where people see bird migrations. Mr. Turnblad responded there will be less lawn area after the park improvements than before. He acknowledged that the presence of more people will impact wildlife. Chairwoman Amrein asked if cross country skiing would be allowed. Mr. Turnblad said he thinks the trail segment will only be about half to three-fourths of a mile, so it may not be suitable for cross country skiing but maybe snowshoeing. Commissioner Nelson suggested in the future there might be a nature preserve center with programming. Chairwoman Amrein pointed out Warner Nature Center, Belwin, and Carpenter all have programs for families. Mr. Turnblad added there are interpretive possibilities that don’t have to be contained within four walls. Community Development Director Turnblad stated the draft concept plan will go to the City Council January 3. If they approve the concept plan, then the conservation easement would be established and the City could close on the property in about 60 days. Then staff would determine when to start putting together the master plan, probably next fall. So next year at this time the City will be looking at the master plan. If the Council approves the concept plan, the house would be demolished as soon as possible after closing. Motion by McGarry, seconded by Christensen to recommend that the Council approve the concept plan as presented, with the trails and the portapotty adjustments discussed. All in favor. 2017 Capital Outlay Public Works Superintendent Moore presented the proposed capital outlay plan for 2017 which includes park improvements and equipment, as well as carryover of funds that were unspent in 2016. Commissioner Nelson asked about concrete stair rehabilitation. Mr. Moore replied that next to be done will be the Laurel Street stairs by Pioneer Park. As for the stairs near the Oasis, until there is good safe pedestrian access along the highway, staff doesn’t want to promote pedestrian usage there. Councilmember Polehna asked about the bathrooms at Pioneer Park. Mr. Moore replied that in 2018, staff will start to ask for capital outlay funding for that. This year they hope to hire an architect and do a design to get cost estimates. Commissioner Christensen remarked that the 2016 capital budget looks like very much like 2017. He asked the amount of the park fee revenue the City will receive Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting December 19, 2016 Page 5 of 6 for Hockey Day and the Ice Castle. Mr. Moore replied he does not know the Hockey Day dollar amount yet; staff is working on the contract. He will get Commissioner Christensen the revenue figure for the Ice Castle. The agreement was based on the Ice Castle’s previous agreement with Eden Prairie. Councilmember Polehna confirmed that Stillwater fees are consistent with what other communities have charged the Ice Castles. Mr. Moore added there is another staff meeting tomorrow about fees charged by the City for park activities. Commissioner Christensen questioned the lack of funding to implement the master trails plan done by Melissa Douglas. He hopes it is not just another study done for study’s sake. If any implementation of the plan is done in 2017, where will that money come from? Councilmember Polehna stated that some of the items have been done as part of street projects. Mr. Moore agreed that many items are incorporated into the street improvements, for instance signing and striping. Commissioner Nelson said if projects are consistently not getting done because of staff availability or some other reason (resulting in carryover budget items), then the City should look at a larger picture. Mr. Moore responded that a lot of funding is still earmarked for the same projects but staff has not gotten to those projects yet. Motion by Commissioner McGarry, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to recommend that the Council approve the 2017 capital outlay budget including carryovers as presented by staff. All in favor. INFORMATION ITEMS Brown’s Creek Trail Winter Maintenance Mr. Moore explained that City staff plowed the trail on December 24 on a trial basis. This went well and staff will continue working on a winter maintenance agreement with the DNR. A draft of the agreement will be provided for the Commission to review for recommendation to the Council. Councilmember Polehna said that Commissioner Kriesel and he met last week with the Wisconsin Trail Coalition, a group that is looking at doing some cooperative activities on trail systems, like mapping. Everyone in that group was amazed at how organized Stillwater is in promoting the trails. COMMISSION ITEMS/TOPICS Chairwoman Amrein reported a citizen asked her why the bathrooms in the pedestrian plaza and Lowell Park are closed in winter, especially with big crowds coming for the Ice Castle and Hockey Day. Councilmember Polehna replied that those entities are bringing in portapotties. Superintendent Moore explained that it’s not just the initial cost of winterizing the bathrooms with insulation and installing an HVAC system. There would be liabilities associated with maintaining the downtown bathrooms all winter long, like changing mats sometimes twice a day and heating. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting December 19, 2016 Page 6 of 6 There are also ongoing costs. The pedestrian plaza bathrooms were not insulated. The City insulated the Lowell Park bathrooms in case they wanted to winterize them in the future. Councilmember Polehna remarked he doesn’t know anyone who keeps their freestanding public bathrooms open in winter. Commissioner Christensen remarked that at the public meetings for the downtown plan, public bathrooms were one of the number one items. Commissioner Brandt reported he is involved with a metro standardization for city, county, state, and federal bike trails and parks as part of a nationwide effort. Chairwoman Amrein reminded the Commissioners they are invited to attend the 4:30 Council workshop meeting January 3rd when the Aiple concept plan will be discussed. Superintendent Moore said there are a couple skate-able ice rinks at Brown’s Creek and Northland; staff is working on Legends Park and a few other places. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Snellman, seconded by Commissioner McGarry, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:59 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary