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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-24 PRC Minutes CITY OF STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING June 24, 2019 Present: Chairwoman Linda Amrein, Commissioners David Brandt, Pam Johnson, Sam Nelson, Stephanie Souter, Council Representative Mike Polehna Absent: Commissioners Scott Christensen and Sandy Snellman Staff: Public Works Superintendent Tim Moore OPEN FORUM Patrick Nelson, 1118 First Street North, provided a handout listing some ideas for development of the Aiple Property. Councilmember Polehna stated that developing master plans for the Aiple Property and Bridgeview Park are priorities for next year. Community groups will be set up to discuss ideas. APPROVAL OF THE MAY 20, 2019 MINUTES Chairwoman Amrein referred to the last page where it says Chairwoman Amrein voiced concern about litter on the street. If Commissioners recall some of the specific ideas she brought up at that meeting, she would like to discuss them further. Commissioner Brandt commented that we would like people not to litter, but downtown litter is not the purview of the Parks Commission. Downtown groups are working on controlling litter. Chairwoman Amrein noted that in a sense, the downtown streets might be considered trails. Councilmember Polehna said he would not consider the downtown streets to be trails. He added that there are citizens who voluntarily pick up trash as they walk. Motion by Commissioner Brandt, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to approve the May 20, 2019 meeting minutes. Motion passed, 5–0. ACTION ITEMS 1422 North Martha Street - Recommendation for payment of fees in lieu of land Public Works Superintendent Moore explained that the Edmund H. Studtman trustees would like to sell their parents’ homestead at 1422 North Martha Street. They hope to subdivide the parcel into two lots and sell both. A $500 trail fee and a $2,000 park fee will be due to the City for Parcel 2 upon release of its deed for recording with Washington County. The park and trail fees would be in lieu of land. The Commission should consider the $2500 park and trail fee in lieu of land and make a recommendation to the City Council. Motion by Commissioner Brandt, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to recommend that the City Council approve the $2,000 park fee and the $500 trail fee as recommended by staff. Motion passed, 5–0. Prairie Park Neighborhood Survey Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting June 24, 2019 Page 2 of 4 Mr. Moore stated that a request was made a few months ago for ice rinks in Prairie Park in the Settlers Glen neighborhood. At the March 2019 meeting, a number of residents from the neighborhood voiced concern over the process of how the proposal came about. After discussion, the Commission tabled the proposal for ice rinks. In May, the Settlers Glen Homeowners’ Association (HOA) surveyed 156 households in the neighborhood about support for the rinks. He shared the responses. There were 108 responses, with 56 opposed, 40 in support and 12 indifferent. Commissioner Souter pointed out that the survey was conducted by the HOA, not the City. Councilmember Polehna explained that the proposal started when the HOA contacted Councilmember Weidner and the Council began talking about doing a master plan for the park and working with the neighborhood to come up with a consensus of what they want to see there. Commissioner Nelson remarked it makes sense to have a master plan. The Commission received confusing information about what people wanted with this park. He doesn’t think there is any reason that development of this park should be fast-tracked ahead of other projects. Commissioner Brandt said his initial concern was that it was a request out of the blue for something the Commission didn’t have on radar or in the budget. He noted the large amount of input from the residents regarding what they would like in their park. There has been lot of thought put into it and it’s definitely become a priority for the neighborhood to take a look at this. However, he would not support taking funding away from the projects that are already planned for this year. Mr. Moore said a master plan would cost around $25,000. If a plan is done next year, major improvements likely wouldn’t be completed until 2021, but there may be things that could be done by public works staff like maintaining the trail, upgrading the ballfield, fixing the backstop or planting trees. Councilmember Polehna said he would like to see a master plan for all the parks. As grants become available it would be nice to have plans in place. He explained the Tree Trust program which accomplishes some of the parks projects for the City. Monique Dosdall, 3328 Webster Court, Settlers Glen neighborhood, commented on the upkeep of what is currently at the park. She understands that Public Works is a small department with a lot of ground to cover. She realizes that the neighbors need to let the City know what needs to be fixed. Her concern about bringing in an outside group is that the HOA is biased in favor of the rinks. There are many neighbors who are against the rinks. The neighbors read a post on Facebook that said “great news, we’re getting a rink, it’s starting in the summer,” and nobody had heard anything about it. She has a concern that her voice will not be heard. Councilmember Polehna responded that the citizens and the HOA will be involved. It will be an open process so everyone has a say. Ms. Dosdall said her other concern is the numbers on the survey. Her entire neighborhood had the means to respond to the survey, but only 117 out of 158 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting June 24, 2019 Page 3 of 4 responded. Some people don’t want to get involved. One of her neighbors said they are afraid of retaliation. Of the 117, the majority, over 50% said they were opposed to the rinks. Joe Dama, 3352 Webster Court, referred to the Facebook post about the rinks going in. He went around door to door and found over 90% of the people had no idea this was going on. The neighbors can live with deferred maintenance because it’s a small park. He is concerned about how the hockey rink would be maintained in five years, and whether it is the right park for a hockey rink. There’s not adequate parking. He also pointed out there are a lot of walking trails that have cracks. The City should fix the things that need repair first. Mr. Moore explained that the public works budget is broken into five different funds. Each fund has a certain amount of maintenance every year including labor, fuel, and equipment repairs. There is some miscellaneous fund money and some money allocated for park facilities funds which is for all the parks. Chairwoman Amrein said she appreciates the fact that the neighborhood watches their parks. If they see something in ill repair they can contact Mr. Moore. 5 Year Capital Improvement Mr. Moore provided a summary of the proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for 2020. Staff started the budget process last week. The maintenance budget is due July 3. He also reviewed the updated 5-year CIP and asked the Commissioners to review progress and begin to think about projects to add or delete from the list. Commissioner Nelson suggested looking at purchasing additional neighborhood park property. The City should have at least twice as many neighborhood parks. One way to accomplish this is to consider buying small lots when they become available to help develop more neighborhood parks. Motion by Commissioner Brandt, seconded by Commissioner Souter, to recommend that a master park plan for Prairie Park be added to the budget for 2020. Motion passed, 5-0. Motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Souter, to add to the CIP a separate heading for neighborhood parks to better meet the goals of the Comprehensive Plan. Motion passed, 5-0. Ragnar Relay Mr. Moore stated that this year the Ragnar Relay organizers are asking to use Lowell Park for their switching location. The event is on Friday, August 16 with setup on Thursday August 15. Participants will start coming into Stillwater around 8 a.m. on August 16 and the last runners should be through around 2 p.m. They estimate at 11 a.m. Friday morning they will have 300 support vans in Stillwater. Chairwoman Amrein asked what advantage does Stillwater get out of this event? Mr. Moore replied there will be a lot of people at the switching stations and they expect to sell out all the hotel rooms that night with all the support staff. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting June 24, 2019 Page 4 of 4 Motion by Commissioner Brandt, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to approve the Ragnar Relay event. Motion passed, 5-0. Meadowlark Park Councilmember Polehna reported that the City was approached by the property owner at 314 Crestwood Terrace about donating a piece of property in return for the City cutting two trees down. The area is bordered on the west and south sides by Meadowlark Park. Mr. Moore stated it would probably cost about $2,500 to have the two trees removed. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to recommend that the City accept the park land donation. Motion passed, 5-0. INFORMATION ITEMS Boards and Commissions Picnic Mr. Moore reminded the Commissioners of the Boards and Commissions Picnic Thursday, August 22. Parks Tour and Picnic - Kolliner Park The Commission adjourned the meeting to the Parks Tour. No further official business was conducted. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Brandt, seconded by Chairwoman Amrein, to adjourn. All in favor, 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m.