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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-28 PRC MINThe 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 28, 2021 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Chairman Brandt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Chairman Brandt, Commissioners Christensen, Johnson, MacSwain, Weidner, Council Representative Polehna Absent: Commissioners Nelson and Souter Staff: Parks Superintendent Grode APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of May 24, 2021 meeting Motion by Chair Brandt, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to approve the May 24, 2021 meeting minutes. Motion passed 4-0-1 with Commissioner Weidner abstaining. OPEN FORUM Larry Odebrecht, Millbrook Homeowners Association, asked what is the best way to get the park on the corner of Millbrook Circle and White Pine Way built out with simple amenities. Councilmember Polehna encouraged the homeowners' association to get consensus on what amenities the neighborhood wants, and then come before the Parks Commission. The Parks Commission would then make a recommendation to the Council based on what the neighborhood would like. Commissioner Weidner asked who is responsible for development of the park per the development agreement; in the past there was some question about who was responsible. Mr. Grode said he will ask Public Works Director Sanders for that information. Mr. Odebrecht will come up with a list of what the homeowners would like to see in the park. NEW BUSINESS Bicycle Friendly Community Certification Rick Heidick provided a presentation from Sustainable Stillwater on Bicycle Friendly Community Certification, and a sample resolution from the League of American Bicyclists. He emphasized that certification helps fulfill the 2040 Comprehensive Plan objectives of knitting together a network of streetscapes, open spaces, walkways, bikeways, and land uses to create amenities that attract and retain residents and businesses, and connect major activity centers, schools, downtown, scenic open space areas and lakes and other adjacent community systems. The City is already doing many of the things necessary for certification. Upon approval, the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting June 28, 2021 action plan/proposed resolution would be submitted to the City Council for review and approval July 6. Commissioner Christensen asked about bullet point #4, "make the City a model employer by encouraging bicycle use among its employees (e.g. by providing parking, showers and lockers, and establishing a city bicycle fleet)." Mr. Heidick replied that bullet point #4 is not an expectation for the City, but guidance for businesses to become bicycle friendly. Commissioner Johnson asked, what is a premium bike rack system? Mr. Heidick replied they are bike racks similar to the black racks that are by the Daily Grind. Councilmember Polehna added that the City got a $5,000+ grant from Washington County to install premium bike racks downtown. Commissioner MacSwain asked if the action plan may be changed over time. Mr. Heidick replied that not all communities do an action plan. The City can review the action plan at any time. Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Weidner, to support the action plan and recommend the Council adopt the resolution. All in favor. Night to Unite Event Application Mr. Grode reviewed the application for 2021 Night to Unite August 3. Motion by Chairman Brandt, seconded by Commissioner MacSwain, to recommend that the City Council approve the event permit for Night to Unite August 3, 2021. All in favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. COMMISSION ITEMS Event Updates: 4th of July, Lift and Loop Celebration Mr. Grode reviewed plans for the summertime events. The Ragnar Relay will use the Middle School rather than Lowell Park. The Lumberjack Days 5K and 10K will use Pioneer Park as in the past. This will go to the Council for approval of street closures. Lumberjack Days will not be happening this year. Commissioner Christensen noted that the Lumberjack race has been well publicized and people are already registering for it. Shouldn't the Parks Commission be the first step rather than getting it set up and then applying for an event permit? Mr. Grode pointed out that it was uncertain if there would be an opportunity to have the event this year. Typically the City asks for event permit applications to be submitted 30, 60 or 90 days prior, but that has been difficult this year due to COVID. Applications for events need to allow time for staff to iron out concerns and make edits before they are presented to the Commissions. Commissioner Christensen noted that one of the Parks Commission's most important tasks is to watch over the City's most popular parks and be familiar with exactly what is being pushed on to the City Council for possible approval, so that the surrounding neighborhoods are not deluged weekend after weekend with events. Page 2 of 3 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting June 28, 2021 Mr. Grode agreed to bring back details on the timelines for event applications. Commissioner MacSwain said he also would like to discuss improvements in the process that can be made, such as blocking off certain months in advance so event organizers can schedule around those. Councilmember Polehna summarized plans for the Lift and Loop Celebration August 14 on the plaza in front of the bridge. Many entities, organizations and individuals are involved. Commissioner Christensen mentioned that August 14 weekend has traditionally been the Badger/Gopher half marathon, though they have not applied this year. This is an example of the need for early application for events. Project Updates: Northland Park Pickleball courts. Northland Park Playground, steps near Pioneer Park Mr. Grode stated the Northland Park Pickleball courts should be completed in the next month. Chairman Brandt remarked that he received two calls from tennis players lamenting the loss of the tennis courts to pickleball courts. Mr. Grode reported that removal of the playgrounds at Northland Park has started. There will be one playground in the lower area. This project should be completed in mid to late July. The Pioneer Park/Laurel Street steps were completed June 25 and opened today. Councilmember Polehna asked if more memorial benches have been ordered. Mr. Grode said an order was just placed and they are out about 4-6 weeks. He asked about an annual park tour. Consensus was to meet at 6 p.m. August 23 at City Hall for a short Commission meeting, then go on the park tour. Councilmember Polehna stated that all permits are in hand for the riverbank stabilization project and the design is being finalized, for a start this fall. The Chestnut Plaza design is being finalized. The City is working on winter activities on the plaza area. Stillwater has been selected to host the World Snow Sculpting Championship in January, expected to draw 60,000 people. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Weidner, seconded by Chairman Brandt, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. ATTEST: Grode, ParlcCsl'Superintendent c David Brandt, Chair Page 3 of 3