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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-22 PRC MINet, iliwater The Birthplace of Minnesota 216 4th Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-430-8800 www.ci.stillwater.mn.us PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES June 22, 2020 REGULAR MEETING 6:30 P.M. Chairman Brandt called the meeting to order via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. Present: Chairman David Brandt, Commissioners Linda Amrein, Scott Christensen, Sam Nelson, Sandy Snellman, Stephanie Souter, Council Representative Mike Polehna Absent: Commissioner Pam Johnson Staff: Public Works Superintendent Tim Moore APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Amrein pointed out a typo on page 2: "to recommended" should be "to recommend." Motion by Chairman Brandt, seconded by Commissioner Snellman, to approve the May 18, 2020 meeting minutes with the typo correction. All in favor. OPEN FORUM Louise Watson said she was attending on behalf of Sustainable Stillwater Natural Resources Work Group. Leslie Frick, 610 Main Street North Apt. 303, asked if a historical survey has been done for the Aiple Property. Mr. Moore said he did not know but will ask City Planner Wittman. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilmember Polehna said the use of Brown's Creek Park by the mountain bike team was approved at the last City Council meeting. NEW BUSINESS 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Plan Mr. Moore presented the draft 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for discussion. Councilmember Polehna suggested looking at how the City budgets for equipment. The Parks operation budget should be separate from capital improvement budget. He also asked about Lowell Park bike racks. Mr. Moore replied there is miscellaneous money in the operating budget that can be used for purchases like bike racks. Chairman Brandt noted that bike racks are very much needed downtown. Commissioner Amrein suggested allowing donors to have their name on a bike rack similar to the benches around the City. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting June 22, 2020 Councilmember Polehna replied the City has a gifts for parks program which should be promoted more. The City needs to come up with a standard bike rack and a standard picnic table for the parks. Commissioner Christiansen said he likes the bike rack and bench across from the Oasis. Councilmember Polehna and Commissioner Souter explained there are grants available through Washington County and the State. Commissioner Souter asked that funding for two or three more bike rack stations be considered for 2021. Mr. Moore said he will bring options for picnic tables and bike racks to the next meeting for discussion. He explained the budget process. Commissioners Snellman and Nelson remarked that better signage is needed on the bike trails. It is not clear that bicyclists are to walk their bikes on the trails downtown. Commissioner Nelson added that on the bridge, with the bike lanes being in the middle, he has seen many close calls with pedestrians going from one side to the other - they don't realize there are bikers going down the middle. Better signage is needed so people realize it is shared between both bikers and walkers. Councilmember Polehna noted that the City just received two electric bikes for use by the Police Department to police the trails. He remarked that in looking at the State bonding bill, some communities have their whole waterfront paid for by the State. So why isn't Stillwater getting more state funding? He feels the City should go after more State funding. Commissioner Christiansen said the short answer is that downtown improvements compete for legislative funding with projects like getting the roads fixed in front of WalMart and where the new Hy-Vee is going in. Name the Park/Aiple Property Tour The Commission will be asked to make a recommendation for a name at their July meeting. COMMISSION ITEMS/TOPICS Councilmember Polehna said that the Council agreed to move ahead with the organizations that are raising the money to add a curling center at the Rec Center. Also, he is heading up a committee trying to bring back the historic gardens and fountain to Lowell Park. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Snellman, seconded by Commissioner Christiansen, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m. The Commission adjourned to the Parks Tour at the Aiple property where Brent Peterson was to talk about the history of the property. c David Brandt, Chair ATTESTe�� 1 filitniA/ Tim Moore, Public Works Superintendent Page 2 of 2