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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-08-27 PRC minutes CITY OF STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING August 27, 2018 Present: Acting Chairman Rob McGarry, Commissioners David Brandt, Scott Christensen, Bill McGlynn, Sam Nelson; Council Representative Mike Polehna Absent: Chairwoman Linda Amrein, Commissioner Sandy Snellman Staff: Public Works Superintendent Tim Moore, City Planner Abbi Wittman OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of July 23, 2018 meeting minutes Motion by Commissioner McGlynn, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to approve the July 23, 2018 meeting minutes. Motion passed, 5-0. ACTION ITEMS Comp Plan Update City Planner Wittman asked for Commission input on the draft of the Parks and Trails Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. She added that the Downtown Chapter includes development of a Master Plan for Lowell Park. Commissioner Brandt noted that when the bridge opens up for biking there will be a lot more demand for doing something with Kolliner Park. It will be interesting to see how development of new parks will compete for funding against projects and maintenance in existing parks. Ms. Wittman noted that as part of bridge mitigation, Kolliner Park was determined to remain a natural space without physical improvements. Commissioner Nelson noted there is a lot of undergrowth in Kolliner Park, and because of the underlying pavement, it’s natural for people to want to see what’s there. The City should either develop a plan for the site or remove the pavement. Ms. Wittman stated the City needs to have continued conversations with St. Croix County about the management of the property. There are jurisdictional challenges with enforcement. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting August 27, 2018 Page 2 of 6 Commissioner Nelson noted that Northland Park needs a lot of work. There is a beehive inside playground equipment and exposed rough concrete near climbing spots. He remarked that the City has a lot of parkland that is undeveloped. Perhaps the Commission should start declining more parkland or just be more intentional about the use. For instance, people are going onto the Aiple property all the time yet there’s a no trespassing sign there. Commissioner Christensen questioned why people wouldn’t be allowed to go onto the Aiple property, since it’s owned by the citizens of Stillwater. Councilmember Polehna responded that the Council has asked staff to bring back a report on how they propose to operate the area. Commissioner Christensen said there are lots of park plans but no money to develop them and now the Commission is being asked to cut $200,000 from the budget. Councilmember Polehna replied that the budget went up almost 7% just in health insurance costs and retiree costs. The question is how to balance the budget. He and Councilmember Weidner are pushing parks. For example, they are trying to get funding from the DNR for a boat launch, and had the Minnesota Rowing Club looking at the Aiple house to see if it might be modified to make it a rowing center. The City is also working on a cantilevered walkway along the river. Ms. Wittman noted it is a lot harder to do major park renovations like additions of rest rooms or new picnicking facilities if the items are not in the Comp Plan. Commissioner Nelson remarked that there appears to be a huge excess of community parks and a huge deficit of neighborhood parks. Another priority would be having more places to swim. Ms. Wittman asked all Commissioners to read the draft chapter and contact her in the next week with thoughts on what the Commission wants to achieve. Staff will have a draft plan for release to the public in mid-October. INFORMATION ITEMS Greenway Open House City Planner Wittman informed the Commission of the Central Greenway Regional Trail - Lake Elmo Segment Master Plan Open House, August 28, 2018. ACTION ITEMS continued Rivertown Fall Art Festival Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting August 27, 2018 Page 3 of 6 Public Works Superintendent Moore stated that the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce is proposing to hold the Rivertown Fall Art Festival October 6-7 in Lowell Park, Parking Lot 9 and possibly Lot 5. The Commission is asked to make a recommendation to the City Council. Stillwater Harvest Fest & Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off Mr. Moore stated that Summer Tuesdays Inc. is proposing to hold the Stillwater Harvest Fest and Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off October 13-14 in Lowell Park, Parking Lots 4, 5, and 9. The Commission is asked to make a recommendation to the City Council. Motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Brandt, to recommend that the Council approve the use of Lowell Park for the 2018 Rivertown Art Festival and to recommend that the Council approve the use of Lowell Park for the 2018 Stillwater Harvest Fest and Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off as requested. Motion passed, 5-0. Ice Castles Mr. Moore informed the Commission that Amanda Roseth of Ice Castles, LLC has applied for the Ice Castles event to be held in Lowell Park again this winter. Set-up would begin October 15 with the expectation of opening to the public in early January 2019. The event is proposed to be located in the same area as last year, however, the castle footprint would expand north toward the amphitheater. They request the use of Parking Lot 5 for ticket booths and portable toilets. The Commission is asked to provide a recommendation to the Council. Mr. Moore summarized staff concerns about the request. The Ice Castle occupies the space from October to May. The damage to the park tripled this past year, including $22,000 in sidewalk damage alone and $10,000 for a diesel fuel spill. The Ice Castles paid for all damages. Staff discussed the option of moving the Ice Castle to the field area across from the Oasis which may limit the damage. Councilmember Polehna remarked that 100,000 people visited the Ice Castle last year. Under the contract, the Ice Castle must pay the City a set amount for visitor volumes above a certain number. He agreed the clean-up of the site was terrible. Commissioner McGarry said he likes the idea of bringing in winter business, but there are consequences. Councilmember Polehna remarked that some businesses told him that the Ice Castle made their winter. But it creates a mess in the park. If it breaks the levy wall then the City will have a real problem. Commissioner Christensen asked what is the City gaining from having the Ice Castle here? Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting August 27, 2018 Page 4 of 6 Commissioner Nelson added, who is the event for? It’s great that the businesses benefit but he doesn’t feel the purpose of the parks is to bring tourists in to benefit businesses. He sees parks as primarily serving Stillwater citizens. Commissioner McGlynn pointed out the City needs the businesses to do well to keep them open. Commissioner McGarry recognized that the City wants its parks to be used and the Ice Castle brings attention to this park at a time when it’s not being used and does not cost the City. Commissioner Christensen expressed frustration that many groups are making money off the parks while the City can’t afford the parks it has. Commissioner Nelson stated that it feels like a lot of the riverfront properties exist for tourists to enjoy Stillwater, while at the same time, there is a deficit in neighborhood parks for the residents. Mr. Moore summarized that the Commission’s concerns with the Ice Castle appear to be: more money, a tighter timeline, liquidated damages, concern about expanding the footprint due to soil settlement, and the Commission would not be opposed to the Ice Castle moving to Bridgeview if there would be less damage there. He said perhaps the City should hire a consultant to do a study to assess the current condition of the levee wall and the gazebo, which experienced cracking, so that a comparison could be made if the Ice Castle causes damage. Commissioner Nelson noted if the Ice Castle is causing problems with the levee wall, it could cost millions of dollars. The Commission needs to know that before approving the Ice Castle for this winter. Mr. Moore noted that the Ice Castle structure itself grows as the winter progresses, due to wind and spraying every night. Last year they did a very good job of keeping the lower levee walk open all the way around the gazebo which was tough. Asked how much the structure weighs, Mr. Moore said it uses 13 million gallons of water times 8 pounds per gallon. Commission consensus was to direct Mr. Moore to bring back further information and make a recommendation in another month. No action was taken. 2019 Parks Capital Items Public Works Superintendent Moore provided the staff report on proposed 2019 Parks Capital Items. Administration is asking to reduce the Parks Capital Outlay budget for 2019 from $818,300 to $600,000. Staff is obtaining more information from Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting August 27, 2018 Page 5 of 6 potential vendors to receive more accurate estimates. He asked for input on options to reduce the capital outlay budget for 2019. Commissioner McGarry suggested eliminating the Laurel Street concrete stairs rehabilitation project costing $240,000. Mr. Moore stated the Laurel Street stairs are useable but they would be the next logical ones to redo. Commissioner Christensen commented, in this economy if the City can’t afford such projects now, when would the City ever be able to afford it? Councilmember Polehna replied the Council must look at the bottom line of the whole budget and decide what justifies a tax increase. Commissioner Christensen said it sounds like the Council will have to raise taxes if they ever want to redo the Laurel Street stairs. Maybe the City should get rid of all the hockey rinks this winter. Councilmember Polehna said the operating budget stayed pretty level, it’s the capital that needs to be cut. Commissioner Christensen pointed out that operating funds may be spent on capital items but capital funds may not be spent for operating expenses. Mr. Moore remarked that the City doesn’t pay for water, and existing employees do 95% of the flooding during the regular work week, so as far as saving any dollar amount - those are all given, constant costs. Councilmember Polehna said he feels there should be a separate equipment budget like a fleet management budget for items like tractors and trucks. Items like computer laptop replacement, security cameras at Teddy Bear Park and copier replacement should not be in the Parks budget. He will talk to the City Administrator about this. Commissioner Christensen commented that stairs and sidewalks are part of streets, so he is not even sure why those items are in the parks budget. Councilmember Polehna asked why is the Water Street elevated walk in the parks budget? He added that the cantilevered trail is being funded with partial state and partial City money, so more money is being spent on these things than is in the staff report and the budget. Commissioner Christensen asked that the Parks Commission be better informed of the total picture. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting August 27, 2018 Page 6 of 6 Motion by Commissioner McGarry, seconded by Commissioner Brandt, to recommend the removal of the Laurel Street Concrete Stairs Rehabilitation Project from the 2019 Parks Capital Outlay budget, in response to the request to reduce the budget from $818,300 to $600,000. Motion passed, 5-0. Outdoor Winter Rinks Mr. Moore provided a staff report questioning what should be a standard size ice rink. He acknowledged that the outdoor rinks at Northland, the Old Athletic Field and Lily Lake get the most use. He added that there is a possibility the City may need to take over the outdoor rink at the Rec Center this year, if there is not a new agreement with the Hockey Association. He stated that, after doing some grading at the Bergmann site, a bigger rink may be created there. Motion by Commissioner McGarry, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to recommend that the outdoor winter rinks for this winter be Lily Lake, Northland, Old Athletic Field, the Bergmann site, and if needed, the Rec Center. Motion passed 5-0. INFORMATION ITEMS continued Pioneer Park bathrooms Mr. Moore presented preliminary plans for the Pioneer Park bathrooms. The plans will go before the City Council in September authorization to advertise for bids. Dog Park Mr. Moore said quotes to provide water service in the Dog Park are around $25,000. He will bring more information to the next meeting. Trail at Bridgeview Park Mr. Moore said MnDOT is ahead of schedule on the upper trail at Bridgeview Park. It may be opening near the end of this week. COMMISSION ITEMS/TOPICS ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner McGlynn, seconded by Commissioner Christensen, to adjourn. All in favor, 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary