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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-27 PRC minutes CITY OF STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING February 27, 2017 Present: Acting Chairman Rob McGarry, Commissioners David Brandt, Scott Christensen, Sam Nelson and Council Representative Mike Polehna Absent: Chairwoman Linda Amrein, Commissioners Bill McGlynn and Sandy Snellman Staff present: Public Works Superintendent Tim Moore APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of January 23, 2017 meeting minutes Motion by Commissioner Brandt, seconded by Commissioner Christensen, to approve the January 23, 2017 meeting minutes. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. ACTION ITEMS North Hill Community Garden Jack Roddy, representing the North Hill Community Garden, explained this will be the garden’s 6th year. Everything is going well. There are 41 plots including two sharing plots. Gardeners live throughout the City; 30-40% live fairly close by. He added that the garden is seeking a grant from the Middle St. Croix Water Management Organization for a plan to plant the west side with bushes to help manage the weeds. Public Works Superintendent Moore stated the community garden has been a very good tenant and there have not been any complaints. The agreement with the City is up for renewal; the last agreement was for a three-year period. Motion by Acting Chairman McGarry, seconded by Commissioner Brandt, to recommend that the City Council renew the three-year contract with the North Hill Community Garden. All in favor. INFORMATION ITEMS Skating Rink on Lily Lake Discussion Public Works Superintendent Moore stated that Councilmembers Polehna and Weidner suggested that an outdoor skating rink be considered on Lily Lake due to the popularity of the downtown ice rink. Mr. Moore confirmed the City’s insurance Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting February 27, 2017 Page 2 of 3 would cover this. The rink would be about the size of a football field. It would be located close to shore so the arena could be used as a warming house, and would not interfere with ice fishing. He agreed to keep the Commission updated. Sport Court at National Guard Armory Public Works Superintendent Moore informed the Commission that the City Council approved the purchase of a sport court for the National Guard Armory. The sport court will make the flooring in the assembly space more suitable for recreational use such as basketball, volleyball and pickle ball. Councilmember Polehna added that the sport court was planned for years but for some reason it had not been in the budget. COMMISSION ITEMS/TOPICS Public Works Superintendent Moore informed the Commission that the City will go out for RFPs to replace or renovate the bathrooms at Pioneer Park, and will start budgeting for replacement of the play structure and other improvements there. He also stated that vandalism of the downtown bathrooms is intermittent. The City tried to keep the bathrooms open till 2 a.m. twice in the last two years, but there was too much vandalism, so they are now closed at 10 p.m. He stated that Hockey Day Minnesota event organizers are doing restoration work on the site. ACTION ITEMS continued Stillwater Area Scholastic Cycling Advocates Request Hank Gray, 231 Everett Street North, Stillwater Area Scholastic Cycling Advocates, presented a request for a proposed mountain bike course on City-owned property on the east end of Shelton Drive, called the Anez annex. The 4.75 acre parcel of land was brought to his attention by City Planner Wittman who determined there were no major hurdles or impediments to advancing a proposal. He stated it is a very nice piece of land with features that would make a good beginner/intermediate mountain bike trail. He explained the property layout and boundaries. The proposed course would be approximately 5,300 feet, a little over a mile. It would consist of two parallel trails with 4-6 feet of completely undisturbed land between them. At the entrance to the property there could be a kiosk showing the map, rules, hours, and so on. Acting Chairman McGarry pointed out the land is not currently designated as a park. Commissioner Christensen said in the past, it was discussed whether the Parks Commission should deal with land that is not designated park land. Councilmember Polehna said the Commission may still make a recommendation to the City Council about use of the land. Mr. Gray said nothing is being requested from the City except permission to use the land. SASCA has up to $2 million insurance coverage. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting February 27, 2017 Page 3 of 3 Acting Chairman McGarry asked if SASCA would want exclusive use of the site. Mr. Gray stated no, they would not request exclusive use. While the trail system would be built for mountain biking, runners or walkers could absolutely use it. The land would be open to the public. Compared to the Valley View trail, this would be a more technical course. He highly doubts it would draw bikers from outside the immediate area. SASCA would not be putting in anything permanent. However, the team would be investing several thousand dollars, so in exchange for that they would want some type of assurance in an agreement with the City that the property would not be sold in the immediate future. A five year agreement would give SASCA the return on their investment. Public Works Superintendent Moore remarked that there should be a neighborhood meeting to address parking and other issues. He stated he will be in touch with SASCA about the next step and would want to see a preliminary layout of the trail. Motion by Acting Chairman McGarry, seconded by Commissioner Nelson to approve SASCA’s plan to build a mountain bike trail on the Anez annex property. All in favor. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Acting Chairman McGarry, seconded by Commissioner Brandt, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary