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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-21 PRC minutes CITY OF STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING May 21, 2018 Present: Chairwoman Linda Amrein, Commissioners David Brandt, Scott Christensen, Sam Nelson, Sandy Snellman; Council Representative Mike Polehna Absent: Commissioners Rob McGarry and Bill McGlynn Staff: Public Works Superintendent Tim Moore APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of April 23, 2018 meeting minutes No action taken on the April 23, 2018 minutes (agenda item was skipped). OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. ACTION ITEMS Friends of Stillwater Area Dog Park Water Request Allison McGinnis presented slides showing improvements made to the dog park by Boy and Girl Scouts. She said running water is very much needed at the park. The Jaycee Ballfields have allowed park users to use their spigot to fill jugs, and users have been bringing their own water, which is becoming cumbersome and unsightly. An online petition was submitted to the City. Since the users have mostly funded the park, they hope the City can finds funds to install water. The majority of dog parks in the U.S. have running water. It would also allow for additional improvements such as trees and grass. Public Works Superintendent Moore reviewed two possible sources to provide water to the dog park: from the watermain located on Myrtle Street approximately 600 feet away; or from the water service serving the Jaycee Ballfields, owned by the school district, approximately 550 feet from the dog park. He said staff polled other community dog parks and found that 11 had running water, 11 didn’t, and seven have a pond or some water feature at the park. Councilmember Polehna expressed concern about getting into contaminated soil if the pipes have to be buried 7-8 feet. Mr. Moore noted that when the City improved the Myrtle Street Lift Station, contaminated soil had to be replaced with clean soil and water in the high water table had to be treated. He said the project would need approval from the Minnesota Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting May 21, 2018 Page 2 of 4 Pollution Control Agency. A rough estimate of the cost would be $5,000 to 25,000. He could get more detailed quotes from contractors. Commissioner Christensen pointed out it is a well-used park, and $25,000 is about one-third the cost of playground equipment. He doesn’t think it’s unreasonable to provide water. Mr. Moore said staff is currently working on the capital budget. This could be added for next year. To do it this year, staff would have to go to the Council and ask for reallocation of funds. Councilmember Menikheim spoke in favor of providing running water to the park, which he said is a tremendous addition to the City. He feels the City should be able to come up with funding, and hopes the Commission will support it. Rhonda Bright Doiron spoke in favor of the proposal. She said dog parks promote community not just for residents but for visitors as well who do not know they will have to bring their own water. Scott Wallace said he feels the dog park is a success. As an environmental engineer, he believes the kind of water service required would have to be properly designed with approval of the Department of Health. $25,000 might be a high estimate but it depends on whether it is for year-round service vs seasonal. It comes down to the level of investment that the City wants to make. Mr. Moore recommended placing the pipes below the frost line so they don’t break in the winter. A study would cost $500-$1,000. Commissioner Christensen remarked that the project sounds like the perfect use of park dedication fees. Motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner _______, to direct City staff to look into providing running water for the dog park and to bring back further information for the Commission to consider. All in favor, 5-0. Pioneer Park Restroom Remodel Project Open House Architect Mark Balay reviewed plans for a Pioneer Park restroom building. He enlarged the building two feet and was able to fit in a second urinal. He presented two roofing options: a hip roof or a shed roof with a gable at the end of the building and the rest being a hip roof. He proposes a stone skirt around the building with the upper portion being brick similar to what was used for the Lowell Park restroom. Public Works Superintendent Moore suggested perhaps the roof should have a gable on both ends to eliminate the possibility of kids jumping onto the roof from the Second Street wall. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting May 21, 2018 Page 3 of 4 Councilmember Polehna asked about adding another toilet in the women’s room. Mr. Balay replied it comes down to budget. Chairwoman Amrein commented that people will be impressed by the bathroom if it’s clean, more than how many stalls are there. Mr. Moore noted that June to August, staff monitors the bathrooms morning and evening. They are locked at 10 p.m. Consensus of the Commission was they like the stone skirt, would prefer both ends of the roof have the gable, would like to replicate the Lowell Park bathrooms in terms of the same direction for the porch, brick, and interiors. They would like to include four fixtures in each restroom (men’s and women’s) if the budget allows. Motion by Brandt seconded by Snellman to recommend pursuing the gabled roof design with a gable on each end, the overhang to match the South Lowell Park bathroom overhang, limestone on the bottom and brick above for the exterior, and four fixtures on each side if they fit, depending on the budget, with three fixtures on each side as an alternative, also with the building entrance being on the east. All in favor 5-0. Mr. Moore said construction should begin Labor Day weekend. INFORMATION ITEMS Chairwoman Amrein asked for suggestions for the June parks tour. She would like to include the trail from the boats going south. Other locations will be the Dog Park and Pioneer Park. The Commission is invited to Commissioner McGarry’s home after the parks tour, as in past years. Councilmember Polehna informed the Commission that funding has been included in the state bonding bill for the St. Croix Riverbank erosion and integrative walkway project. COMMISSION ITEMS/TOPICS Commissioner Brandt stated that the North Star Grand Prix has been cancelled this year due to the loss of the Minneapolis and St. Paul venues due to construction. He also asked if something can be done about trails on Washington Avenue especially with the brewery expansion project. Mr. Moore responded that the entire industrial park has very little right-of-way; when the trail was added on Curve Crest, the City had to acquire easements. Commissioner Brandt suggested that before any more money is put into streets in the industrial park, the City should look at how the road is designed and how the road will be used in the next 50 years. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting May 21, 2018 Page 4 of 4 Commissioner Christensen said he talked to some people from Friends of the St. Croix, who want to have a couple of educational opportunities in the new park (Aiple). They were turned down by the City Administrator for reasons such as a tree branch might fall on them. He asked why the issues aren’t being fixed so groups who request permission can use the park. He is not saying he wants to advertise it, but feels that if a group wants to use it for an educational opportunity, they should be allowed to do so. Councilmember Polehna and Public Works Superintendent Moore said they will check with the City Administrator. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Snellman, seconded by Commissioner Brandt, to adjourn. All in favor, 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary