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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-28 PRC MinutesCITY OF STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING January 28, 2019 Present: Chairwoman Linda Amrein, Commissioners David Brandt, Scott Christensen, Bill McGlynn, Sam Nelson, Sandy Snellman, Council Representative Mike Polehna Absent: None Staff: Public Works Superintendent Tim Moore APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of December 17, 2018 meeting minutes Chairwoman Amrein requested an addition on Page 2, Information Items, stating the curling event took place at Lily Lake. Motion by Commissioner Snellman, seconded by Commissioner McGlynn, to approve the December 17, 2018 meeting minutes as amended. Motion passed, 6-0. OPEN FORUM Dan Macswain, 203 Northland Avenue, asked about the five year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and Northland Park maintenance upgrades. Superintendent Moore replied that staff hopes to redo the boards at Northland this summer and the City is looking for a location for a rink in the north part of town. ACTION ITEMS Settler’s Glen HOA Request for Ice Rinks in Prairie Park Mr. Moore presented a cost estimate of approximately $191,157 for two ice rinks at Prairie Park, in response to a request from the Settler’s Glen Single Family Association (homeowners’ association). Ron Ambrose, Settler’s Glen homeowners’ association, said there is a lot of interest in having ice rinks in the neighborhood. A combination hockey and recreational skating rink is proposed. It could have summer uses also. An informal petition had more than 100 names in support. Prairie Park is flat, with buffer space between the proposed rink site and homes, so the site is appropriate. Councilmember Polehna noted that the Liberty and Legends areas have lots of ponds for skating but there is nothing like that in Settler’s Glen. Mr. Moore presented the estimated cost breakdown. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting January 28, 2019 Page 2 of 5 Chairwoman Amrein asked about parking in the area. Mr. Ambrose said the rinks would attract mostly local kids, half of whom would walk there. Parking is not a significant issue. Chairwoman Amrein asked who would shovel snow off the rinks. Mr. Moore replied the City would maintain the rinks but would welcome any help. Commissioner Christensen asked how this request differs from the Legends and Liberty group asking for a rink last year, which was denied. Mr. Moore responded that Prairie Park is under-utilized compared to Legends Park, and has more room for rinks. Building a rink at Legends Park would be difficult due to the ballfield. Councilmember Polehna said the homeowners’ association in Liberty indicated they have enough drainage ponds to skate on. He suggested the City get creative in funding this project, such as having public works do the grading and contacting a group called The Tree Trust that builds rinks all over the county. Commissioner Snellman noted the Commission probably is in agreement it would be great to have rinks at Prairie Park, but there are budget concerns. Mr. Ambrose reminded the Commission that the park has been sitting idle since the neighborhood was built, while other parks continue to get things added to them. The homeowners’ group would like to have something done. Mr. Moore said the City rented a dozer and graded Northland for about $2,000, which could be done at Prairie Park. The City may have the opportunity this summer to get millings from a road project which could provide a base. Boards like those being placed in Northland would cost about $20,000. Commissioner Christensen asked if the money for the rinks would come directly out of Bridgeview Park funding or “where it would come from?” He is in favor of the rinks but is concerned that it would take funding away from developing a different park such as Bridgeview Park, repairs at Northland, or the Aiple property. He would not want to make this project a priority over other park projects that are already planned. Councilmember Polehna said he didn’t think funding for these rinks would impact funding for the other parks. The Commission should decide whether there should be rinks there, then staff can start putting programs together to make it happen. Commissioner Nelson stated that a third of the discussion involved, “does this actually make sense” and “we need to look City-wide.” Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting January 28, 2019 Page 3 of 5 Mr. Moore suggested staff approach the Council for funding from park dedication money to at least get the watermain installed this year. Asked if the homeowners’ association would contribute toward purchase of the boards, Mr. Ambrose replied that would have to be put up for a vote. A lot of people are willing to provide sweat equity. The project doesn’t all have to be done in a year. When it was brought up at the annual meeting, no one was opposed. The only negative was some concern that if there were lights, they be on no later than 9 p.m. Commissioner Brandt said he would like to see more investment in neighborhood parks, but every year there are groups that approach the Commission asking for a rink in their neighborhood and the Commission has said no in the past. This might be the best place for investing in a rink because this park seems under-utilized. In the next couple months, the Commission should look at all the neighborhood parks. Commissioner Nelson said it wasn’t that long ago that the Commission looked at where all the rinks are located. He also brought up the fact of the close proximity from park to park. Chairwoman Amrein asked if the homeowners’ association would solicit donations from civic groups. Mr. Ambrose responded that the issue is, they don’t own the park, it’s a City park. He doesn’t see it as the homeowners’ association’s responsibility to solicit funds. Motion by Commissioner Christensen, seconded by Commissioner Brandt, to approve the concept of hockey and skating rinks at Prairie Park and direct staff to bring back more estimates and budget numbers, and to review this request against the five-year CIP. Motion passed, 6-0. Preliminary Plat of Marylane Meadows Public Works Superintendent Moore presented the preliminary plat application for two parcels at 8313 & 8393 Marylane Avenue North, to be known as Marylane Meadows. Mark Guenther, Fenway Land Company, plans to develop 11 single family lots. The applicant has requested that the Parks Commission review the preliminary plat for park and trail purposes and forward a recommendation to the City Council. The Comprehensive Plan shows neither trail, nor park land required to be developed on the site. However, a trail segment across the property would be beneficial to connect the Settler's Glen trail system through the proposed subdivision and Rutherford Station to the regional trails on Manning Avenue and the Brown’s Creek Trail. Therefore, at staff’s recommendation, an outlot is proposed to be platted and improved with the trail segment. The standard park and trail fee for this project would be due on 9 of the 11 lots; the existing homes are exempt. The park fee for a single family home is $2,000 and the trail fee is $500, for a total of $22,500 park and Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting January 28, 2019 Page 4 of 5 trail fees. Staff recommends requiring the development of a bituminous trail across the site and requiring the balance of the park and trail dedication fee to be submitted prior to release of the plat for recording with Washington County. Mark Guenther, Fenway Land Company, said they would construct the trail in lieu of park and trail dedication fees. If the trail costs less than $22,500 they would install the trail and then pay the City the difference. Motion by Commissioner Snellman, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to approve the staff recommendation. Motion passed, 6-0. INFORMATION ITEMS Councilmember Polehna updated the Commission on Council items: Consultants are being sought to do a master plan for the Aiple property. The City was asked to continue the agreement with the Zephyr Theater but did not change anything because the City wants to know what’s going on with the Aiple property first. An engineer was hired to design the cantilevered trail and soil stabilization at Bridgeview Park. Work is beginning on a master plan for the Rec Center site. The City’s 20-year agreement for ice time for the Mahtomedi Hockey Association is expiring at the end of next year. Mahtomedi is planning to build a $14 million rink. The City is hiring a Zoning Administrator who will coordinate participation in the GreenStep Cities program. The City just approved buying more solar electricity to run the ice rink which will save over $1 million over the next 20-25 years. Mr. Moore reported that the Pioneer Park bathroom walls are up and windows are framed in. He presented graphics showing the three versions of the Pioneer Park playground. The recommended design doubles the ADA access and has a lot of features. The Mayor is trying to set up a meeting the first week in February. COMMISSION ITEMS/TOPICS Chairwoman Amrein stated that Rob McGarry resigned from the Commission. The City needs to advertise for applicants. Motion by Commissioner Christensen, seconded by Commissioner McGlynn, to elect Commissioner Brandt as Vice Chair. Motion passed, 6-0. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting January 28, 2019 Page 5 of 5 ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Snellman, seconded by Commissioner Brandt, to adjourn. All in favor, 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m.