Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-24 PRC MIN-AMENDED 216 4th Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-430-8800 www.ci.stillwater.mn.us PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES August 24, 2020 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Chairman Brandt called the meeting to order via Zoom at 7:02 p.m. Present: Chairman David Brandt, Commissioners Linda Amrein, Scott Christensen, Pam Johnson, Stephanie Souter, Council Representative Mike Polehna Absent: Commissioners Sam Nelson and Sandy Snellman Staff: Public Works Superintendent Tim Moore APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Amrein requested the following changes to the July 27, 2020 meeting minutes: 1. On page 1, “Councilmember Polehna noted the need for bike etiquette education especially on multi-use trails. Mr. Heidick that is part of the education component.” She thinks it should be clarified what “that” refers to. 2. On page 2, 1/3 down the page, “The end result for the community is to create an environment where bicycling can be a first choice for going to the store, going for a bike ride, and for commuting.” She thinks this should be rewritten because it does not make sense. She suggested the end of the sentence be changed to: “where bicycling can be a first choice for going to the store, getting exercise, and for commuting.” Chair Brandt suggested changing the end of the sentence to: “the end result for the community is to create a bicycle friendly environment.” Councilmember Polehna suggested removing the phrase “going for a bike ride.” Commissioner Amrein suggested that instead of “going for a bike ride” it should say: “getting exercise.” Chairman Brandt suggested removing “going for a bike ride” and changing the sentence to: “The end result for the community is to create an environment where bicycling can be a first choice for going to the store and for commuting.” 3. Commissioner Amrein asked if Councilmember should be one word or two. Councilmember Polehna affirmed that Councilmember is one word. 4. Commissioner Amrein pointed out under Park Amenities, paragraph 1, the last sentence that refers to Councilmember Junker does not include his first name. She wondered if Councilmember Junker’s first name should be added. Chairman Brandt said it is appropriate to include just the last name. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting August 24, 2020 Page 2 of 5 5. Commissioner Amrein said in the sentence, “He reported that Councilmember Junker got a donation to buy four bike racks for temporary use downtown until a plan is in place for permanent locations” the phrase “got a donation” should be changed to “received a donation.” 6. Commissioner Amrein said on page 3, in the sentence “Commissioner Souter agreed with Commissioner Snellman that opening up the rooms would be necessary of the building remains” the word “of” should be corrected to “if.” Motion by Chairman Brandt, seconded by Commissioner Amrein, to approve the July 27, 2020 meeting minutes with the above changes. All in favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Name the Park Mr. Moore stated that at the August 4 meeting, the City Council tabled the Name the Park agenda item to gain further input from the public. Councilmember Polehna added it is hoped by next meeting that another list of possible names will be presented to the Parks Commission. NEW BUSINESS C.I.P. (Capital Improvement Plan) Mr. Moore presented the 5 Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). For 2021, Parks capital outlay items amounted to $630,000 which was requested as part of the 2021 budget. At the City Council meeting on August 18, 2020, it was pointed out that there were several other requests for capital outlay and a number of permanent improvement projects. The Parks capital budget amount was reduced to $400,000. This amount may have to be further reduced. Mr. Moore asked the Commission to review the 2021 Parks capital outlay budget and prioritize capital outlay items based on reductions. Councilmember Polehna further explained that there is uncertainty about what will happen at the legislature with regard to local government aid. To be more fiscally conservative this year, the Council froze the capital improvement bonding that is normally done annually. Mr. Moore led discussion of items in the Parks capital outlay budget. Chairman Brandt said he would like to know which items will be most cost effective to include in the 2021 budget, and which items, if delayed another year, could result in greater cost in the long run. Mr. Moore stated that the mower, $36,000, needs to stay in the budget because it’s a lease to purchase. The current utility vehicle, proposed for replacement at a cost of $35,000, is a 1993 vehicle used for chemical applications on all parks. It may last another year if necessary. Commissioner Christensen remarked it looks like the two biggest items have to be cut - the play structures, $120,000 and the hard court rehabilitation, $135,000. Councilmember Polehna asked if the parking lot for the Palmer property could be delayed a year. Mr. Moore said the parking lot for the Palmer property could wait another year. Chairman Brandt asked if there are some play structures that are in dire condition. Mr. Moore replied the City has five old wood play structures. He would like to revisit the need for replacing the play structure at Anez Park and get input from the public. He thinks the play structure budget could probably be cut by half. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting August 24, 2020 Page 3 of 5 Commissioner Johnson said she would like to further study the need for play structures, since the trend is more toward trail use. Commissioner Souter noted that play structures get a lot of use, but she agreed that the dollar amount is a significant part of the budget, so maybe there is a way to cut the amount by replacing fewer structures. She agreed that the Palmer property parking lot could be postponed a year. She asked whether irrigation could be postponed. She would move trail improvements higher than priority 3. Chairman Brandt asked about the $45,000 trail connection line item in the budget. Mr. Moore replied the trail connection would be by Cub Foods where there is currently sidewalk. Commissioner Christensen commented the sidewalk is not the problem. Once someone crosses the street there is no way to get out to the trail. He asked how much money is in the trail fund from approving developments. Mr. Moore said there is approximately $125,000 in the trail fund. It is used for trails, however there are other developments coming in that it may need to be used for, in order to balance with the improvements associated with those developments. Chairman Brandt noted that the trail connection segment being discussed is from Cub Foods to Stillwater Boulevard. There is a sidewalk there. The $45,000 in the budget is to replace the sidewalk with an asphalt trail. As long as there is a surface right now that works, it should suffice for another year or two. Commissioner Amrein asked about the steps that go to Pioneer Park from Main Street. The steps are not in good shape. She would rather that money be spent on repair of the steps as opposed to being spent on the Pioneer Park pergola ($25,000). Chairman Brandt pointed out that the Pioneer Park pergola is budgeted for 2022. Commissioner Johnson asked where the irrigation is going to be installed. Mr. Moore replied the City has been irrigating its athletic fields. Irrigation needs to be completed at Bergmann field. Staples field has been prepared for irrigation. However, irrigation could be postponed because the most heavily used athletic fields have been irrigated and are in good shape. Commissioner Christensen asked about the status of other items such as tables and bike racks. Mr. Moore said the City purchased four temporary bike racks out of the operating budget. There are 10 new tables coming. The City also bought more pickleball nets. Chestnut Street Plaza will have bike racks which will be included in project costs. The City is working with Sustainable Stillwater on locations for bike racks, designs, and preliminary estimates of cost. Chairman Brandt commented that he would like to keep the $15,000 budgeted for the Sunken Garden in the 2021 budget, because it is a gem for the City and is getting a lot of use. He also would like to see bike racks and tables included in the budget. Councilmember Polehna asked if there is something the City needs to do downtown to encourage bicyclists. Commissioner Johnson said it would be nice to find a clever and humorous way to remind the bikers to alert pedestrians when they are approaching behind them. Commissioner Amrein remarked that bicyclists have to call out “on your left” when approaching another biker or somebody walking. Chairman Brandt said it is really difficult to police bicyclist behavior. The trails are attracting thousands of people coming from out of town. Some have never been on a trail before. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting August 24, 2020 Page 4 of 5 Councilmember Polehna agreed the City needs to do a better job of educating the public regarding etiquette for pedestrians and bicyclists sharing the trails. Chairman Brandt said the City can suggest to state agencies that it would like to see signage on the trails but that is out of the Commission’s jurisdiction. Commissioner Amrein said she would like to see some kind of incentive that could be given to bikers who watch an educational video on bike safety, for instance a certificate for 25% off in downtown stores or restaurants. Commissioner Christensen commented that the mixed uses on the bridge work well together because the sign is painted right onto the trail. That is why all that congestion works on the bridge. Signs that are on posts often are not read. Mr. Moore summarized the budget items proposed to be cut: utility vehicle, half of the play structure replacement, irrigation, parking lot for Palmer property, and Northland Park watermain extension. The total remaining tally is $381,900 after the cuts that the Commission has suggested. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Project Update Mr. Moore updated the Commission on several projects. The City website also has project updates. The Stream Bank Stabilization project is being reviewed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Army Corps of Engineers. Construction could begin this fall. The Neal Avenue street reconstruction is on schedule; the trail along the east side has been graded and gravel placed from White Pine Way to Eagle Ridge Trail. There are three properties at the south end of Neal at Boutwell for which the City is working on gaining easements, to be able to connect the trail from Walnut Creek all the way down to Boutwell. Easements were evidently never obtained back in the 1980s. Therefore, the trail could end at Eagle Ridge in October when construction season is over. A drinking fountain is being installed at Brown’s Creek Park. Councilmember Polehna asked why there is not a bike repair station at the north end of downtown. Mr. Moore agreed to check on putting a bike repair station at the north end of downtown. He continued his project update. The Planning Department had a public information meeting about the Chestnut Street Plaza on August 13, 2020. The concept will be reviewed by the Heritage Preservation Commission and MnDOT before going to the Council for final approval. The project is planned for construction in 2021. He provided graphics showing the three design options. Two of the designs include pedestrian and bike mixed use. He added that City staff is working with Sustainable Stillwater to look at designs for bike racks downtown. Locations being considered are near Nelson Street, Myrtle Street, and the bathrooms on the south end of Lowell Park. The Chestnut Street Plaza will have bike racks included as part of the project. Councilmember Polehna said he has been working with Sustainable Stillwater on making Stillwater a bike-friendly community, and working with the Chamber and Convention and Visitor Bureau on making businesses bike-friendly. OPEN FORUM Lael Smith (no address given) said she enjoyed listening to the meeting to learn how the Parks Commission works. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Souter, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting August 24, 2020 David Brandt, Chair ATT 114: Z Tim Moore, Public Works Superintendent Page 5 of 5