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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-23 PRC MinutesCITY OF STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING September 23, 2019 Present: Vice Chairman David Brandt, Commissioners Scott Christensen, Pam Johnson, Sam Nelson, Sandy Snellman, Council Representative Mike Polehna Absent: Chairwoman Linda Amrein, Commissioner Stephanie Souter Staff: Public Works Superintendent Tim Moore, Public Works Director Shawn Sanders APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 26, 2019 MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Snellman, seconded by Commissioner Brandt, to approve the August 26, 2019 meeting minutes. Motion passed, 5-0. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. ACTION ITEMS Proposal for water fountain at Brown's Creek Station George Vania stated because the use of the Brown's Creek Trail has increased significantly, a drinking water fountain should be installed. He suggested a location east of the existing DNR structure on City property. Work would involve tapping the existing watermain, running an underground copper pipe and installing a concrete pad and fountain. The preliminary estimated cost would be $25,000, or less if an underground drill is not needed. Organizations that use the trail could be asked to help fund the fountain. The Water Board is in favor of the project. Commissioner Johnson expressed concern about the cost and how much the fountain would actually be used, because most cyclists bring their own water. Vice Chairman Brandt remarked that the fountain may not be used as much by seasoned bikers but would be used by tourists and occasional trail users. Motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Christensen, to approve the concept of a drinking fountain at Brown's Creek Trail. Motion passed, 5-0. Ice Castles Mr. Moore stated the City received an application from Ice Castles to construct an ice castle in North Lowell Park for the 2019-2020 winter season. They have requested the same location as 2017 with a larger footprint to the north. Depending on weather, it would occupy the park from October 15 until the end of April. Staff recommends limiting the size of the footprint to protect existing utilities, increasing the damage deposit and share of the gate, removal of the ice castle earlier in the spring, and requiring the list of contractors for restoration of the park to be submitted by January 31. The Parks Commission is asked to make a recommendation to the City Council. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting September 23, 2019 Amanda Roseth, Ice Castles, asked if the proposed map matches the footprint they had previously in Stillwater. Mr. Moore replied it is extended a little further north. Tom Bowman, Ice Castles representative, asked if the eastern wall is being pushed in. Public Works Director Sanders said the City is proposing that there be no ice within 20 feet of any wall because it would create too much pressure on the wall. Ms. Roseth said their concern with reducing the width of the ice castle is that the guest experience would become like a hallway and it would be difficult to create features and make it interactive. The other Ice Castle representative added that the mass of ice would be 20 feet from the wall but the ice tapers and would go into that 20 foot boundary. The PSI (pounds per square inch) is very little where it tapers. To compensate for not having any of the overspray go into the 20 foot boundary, they would have to push the whole thing in at least 10 feet. Mr. Moore pointed out that the soil is very wet and unstable there. Mr. Sanders stated that the gazebo is not supported or held in place by anything other than just its own weight. It has not been verified but it is suspected there might have been some cracking of the gazebo foundation the last time the ice castle was here. That is one of the reasons why the City would like to require that the entire structure including the overspray be 20 feet away from the gazebo. The short term effects might be minimal but sometimes it takes 3-4 years for the weight to have an effect on the foundations. The Corps spent millions of dollars to construct the foundation wall along the riverfront and it would be the City's cost if something goes wrong with it. The trunk sanitary sewer line takes 2/3 of the City sewage so it needs to be protected. The other Ice Castles representative stated that the weight is spread out so much that driving a car across the park would do more damage than the ice. Ms. Roseth added that the Ice Castles CEO never spoke with the civil engineer who analyzed the impacts the last time the ice castle was in Stillwater. It was discovered he was not using accurate information and was basing his calculations on the total use of water over 11 million gallons rather than the actually used water which was 3- 4 million gallons. This would be worth reevaluating. Mr. Sanders replied that issue has been worked out. Water weighs 62 pounds per cubic foot so a structure that is 10 feet high creates 600 pounds of pressure per square foot. That's quite a bit for unstable soils. Two years ago, their overspray against the gazebo was a good 8-10 feet up against the wall of the gazebo. Vice Chairman Brandt recognized more information is needed. The concept is good but staff will need to work with the Ice Castles to work out all the details to figure out if the footprint is going to work. Page 2 of 4 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting September 23, 2019 Commissioner Nelson said he feels the City can't risk damaging millions of dollars worth of retaining wall and should take seriously the advice of the civil engineer and City staff. However, the two years the ice castle was here, it was a great attraction. He is interested in seeing a real effort made to make it work. He is in favor of it happening if the City infrastructure can be protected. Commissioner Christensen pointed out that there has been water there flooded onto the gazebo for 13 of the last 18 months and it is underwater now. He is not against the ice castle, just pointing out the facts. George Vania, Water Board member, said the Board is concerned that the water usage not exceed 11 million gallons and that in the future it's reduced over time because the City is required to show a reduction in water usage. That needs to be understood. Ms. Roseth pointed out that is in the proposed contract. Motion by Commissioner Snellman, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to recommend that the City Council approve the concept of having the ice castle in the park and direct the Ice Castle staff to work closely with City staff to set the parameters of what the physical structure would look like. Commissioner Christensen asked for clarification of the Commission's role in the approval. Vice Chairman Brandt said the Commission is concerned with the use of the park and must rely on the engineer's recommendation as far as damage to the park. Mr. Sanders added that the Parks Commission is just looking at whether it's an activity that should be approved for the park. The engineering info. will all come out again at the City Council meeting. Motion passed, 5-0. Update on St. Croix_ Riverbank Restoration and Rivewwalk Project Public Works Director Sanders updated the Commission on the project. The design is almost done and then it will go out for bids. He provided pictures of the area and summarized the work to be done, to include the new riverwalk, the slope stabilization, and the installation of three 20 x 20' overlooks. Councilmember Polehna added that $1.65 million in State funding was procured because the river has eroded so much it threatened the main sewer line there. The City is contributing $1.65 million in tax increment financing money because the project will protect the City's infrastructure. INFORMATION ITEMS Mr. Moore reported that the Tree Trust finished the hockey boards at Northland Park. He also said the fountain at the Dog Park is in and operating. COMMISSION ITEMS/TOPICS Councilmember Polehna reported a group of individuals is interested in raising funds to build a world class Curling Center at the St. Croix Valley Recreation Center. He Page 3 of 4 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting September 23, 2019 also reported that he met with the Minnesota Rowing Club last week about their interest in making a rowing center out of the Aiple house. The lift bridge opening celebration is set for May 15 & 16, 2020 and will include a ribbon cutting, spaghetti dinner on the bridge, street dance, pancake breakfast, and hands across the bridge. Vice Chairman Brandt asked about bike racks being installed. Mr. Moore responded bike racks will be a topic for an upcoming discussion. A grant was received from Washington County to install some bike racks. Commissioner Johnson suggested including chargers for electric bikes, as they are increasing in popularity. Mr. Sanders asked that the Commission think about winter maintenance of the Loop Trail. The City is responsible for the Lift Bridge and the river crossing bridge up to the middle, but the Wisconsin side is not planning to do any winter maintenance. The City's agreement with MnDOT says it is the City's choice whether or not to plow. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chairman Brandt adjourned the meeting at 8:37 p.m. ATTEST: Tim Moore, Public Works Superintendent Linda Amrein, Chair c. Page 4 of 4