CITY OF SAINT PETER, MINNESOTA
MINUTES OF THE PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
MEETING
March 21,
2011
Pursuant to due call and notice
thereof, a regular meeting of the Saint Peter Parks & Recreation Advisory
Board was conducted in the Conference Room of Public Works in the City of Saint
Peter on March 21, 2011.
A quorum present, Chairperson Jennifer Overcash called the meeting to order at 7:00
p.m.
The following Board Members were
present: David Detlefsen, Scott Fichtner, Bill Kautt, Jim Kruger, Michael Myhra, Jennifer Overcash and Diane Peterson. The
following Board Members were absent: Jeff Brand, Stuart Douglas and Kimberly Spriggs. The following ex-officio was present: Lewis Giesking, Director of Public Works. Also
present, Tim Mayo, Maintenance Superintendent.
Approval of Agenda – Bill Kautt made a motion, seconded by David Detlefsen to approve the agenda allowing Lewis Giesking to present a report on Moist
Soil Management.
Approval of Minutes – Bill Kautt made a motion, seconded by Jim
Kruger to approve the minutes of the February 22,
2011 meeting. With all in favor, the minutes were approved.
Report on Moist Soil Management – Lewis Giesking report on the Moist Soil
Management – Shorebird and Waterfowl Habitat proposed for the Stormwater area
east of the river on Hwy 99. If
approved the DNR would manage the water level in the spring, summer and fall. The 212
acre area of ponds already has interconnecting pipes, and the city pumps
stormwater out to the 63 and 77 acre sites.
Ideally the water would be kept between 4 and 18 inches for the proposed
shorebird and waterfowl habitat. For the
DNR to manage the area a
cooperative agreement with the city would need to be executed. The concept is new to Minnesota. No hunting would be permitted as it would be
a passive area. The gun range for the
Police Department would remain in place.
In a motion by Bill Kautt, seconded by Michael Myhra the
Parks Board recommended the city continue exploring the possibility of working
with the DNR for a Moist Soil Management Program to attract shorebirds and
waterfowl in the stormwater basin area located east of the river on Hwy
99. With all in favor, the motion
carried.
Kimberly Spriggs arrived at 7:15
p.m.
Report on Washington Avenue Link – Discussion of Improvements in Ramsey Park – Lewis Giesking reported on the Washington
Avenue Link Project. It was originally
part of the 1996 Transportation Plan; however, lack of funding has caused the
project to be differed. Conceptually the
project is about $3.7 million which would include the purchase of land and
homes in the Summit Community (27 homes potentially impacted). Meetings were held on March 15th
with property owners in the Daun Addition, Lampert Addition and Summit Communities. Concerns mentioned were the sand burs at Ramsey Park – A.K.A. Prickly Park and the
limited playground equipment in the park.
Four daycare homes are located in the immediate vicinity of the park. Options B1 and B2 in the packet give the best street access to the
park. Staff indicated that grant
potential for one half to three-fourths the cost of the playground equipment
have been identified. Next public
hearing is March 31st at 5:30 p.m.
Option B1 impacts the least number of homes. Potential construction 2012
and completion 2013. After a
lengthy discussion the Board indicated they would like to see a play structure
in Ramsey Park similar to the one in Warren
Park and also would like to see some skateboard tricks and a small ball diamond
for pick up games. Next Public Hearing
is scheduled for March 31st at 5:30 in the Community Center.
Skate Park – The Board discussed the
potential locations identified by city staff to place tricks for a “non-skate” skateboard park. In addition to the six locations identified
in the packet, the Board added a location on the corner of Elm and Fourth Street in Minnesota Square and a location on the old
basketball court at the Mill Pond. The
first three priorities for starting this process are: 1) Veterans Park on the old basketball court; 2)
Gault Park east of the shelter; and 3) Jefferson Park by the flagpole. In motion by Kim Spriggs, seconded by Scott Fichtner Resolution No. 2011-03
entitled “A Resolution Recommending Establishment of a “Non Place” Skateboard Park” was introduced. Upon roll call, with all in favor, the
Resolution was declared passed. A
completed copy of Resolution No. 2011-03 is contained in the Public Work’s book
entitled Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Resolutions.
Location of a Dog Park – Two locations were reviewed
by Lewis
Giesking. After a discussion the Board
felt the south site with the potential to fence five acres offered the best choice
due to the future expansion options, access off the Rabbit Road, trees, visibility and located
in relation to the trail system. In
motion by Bill Kautt, seconded by Jim Kruger Resolution No.2011-04 entitled “A Resolution Recommending A Location For A Dog Park” was introduced. Upon roll call, with all in favor, the
Resolution was declared passed. A
completed copy of Resolution No. 2011-04 is contained in the Public Work’s book
entitled Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Resolutions.
Reports –
Recreation and Leisure – Lewis Giesking
1. Applicants are being interviewed
with hiring recommendations to the City Council in April.
2. Summer brochure is underway.
3. Auditors determined that tax
must be charged on park shelter rental and community center room rentals.
Department of Public Works – Lewis Giesking and Tim Mayo
1. Astro Turf has been ordered for the
hockey rink, should arrive the end of the month. End wall with inset goal has been constructed
2. Scoreboards have been
ordered. Installation to follow around
tournament time after one more section of pavers is installed.
3. Baseball at South and possibly
at North will be addressed at the April meeting.
4. Net at Jefferson Field between
fields 1 and 2 similar to the one in Caswell Park. The foul balls really bounce off the
pavers. Needs to be as high the
backstop. Staff to investigate
possibilities.
Adjournment – Michael Myhra made a motion, seconded by David Detlefsen to adjourn the meeting. With all in favor, the meeting was adjourned
at 8:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David Detlefsen, Recording Secretary
/vwt
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February
22, 2011
Pursuant to due call and notice
thereof, a regular meeting of the Saint Peter Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
was conducted in Conference Room of Public Works in the City of Saint Peter on
February 22, 2011.
Lewis Giesking administered the Oath of Office
to Jennifer
Overcash.
A quorum present, Lewis Giesking called the meeting to order at 7:02
p.m.
The following Board Members were
present: David Detlefsen, Stuart Douglas, Scott Fichtner, Bill Kautt, Jim Kruger, Michael Myhra, Jennifer Overcash and Kimberly Spriggs. The following Board Members
were absent: Diane Peterson and Jeff Brand. The following ex-officios were
present: Lewis Giesking, Director of Public Works and Jane Timmerman, Recreation and Leisure
Services Director. Also present, Tim Mayo, Maintenance Superintendent.
Selection of Officers – Kim Spriggs made a motion,
seconded by David Detlefsen to nominate Jennifer Overcash as Chairperson. With all in
favor, the motion was approved. Jim Kruger made a motion, seconded by Kim
Spriggs to nominate Scott Fichtner as Vice-Chairperson. With all in favor,
the motion was approved. Scott Fichtner made a motion, seconded by Bill Kautt to nominate Dave Detlefsen as
Secretary. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
Approval of Agenda – Bill Kautt made a motion, seconded by Kim
Spriggs to approve the agenda allowing the unfinished and new business items with
visitors to be moved up since the visitors were present.
Approval of Minutes – Scott Fichtner made a motion,
seconded by Jim Kruger to approve the minutes of the October
18, 2010
meeting. With all in favor, the minutes
were approved.
Proposed New Scoreboards at Jefferson Park – Keith Hanson of 1601 Wood Duck Street, Saint Peter, MN representing the Adult Softball
Association approached the Board donating scoreboards at Jefferson Park. The Carl and Verna Schmidt Foundation has
awarded a $7,000.00 grant, $16,000 has been raised selling advertising to 8
local business at the rate of $2,000.00 for 12 years worth of advertising
(Field #1 – Pell Insurance and Volk Electric, Field #2 Arrow Ace Hardware and
Nicollet County Bank, Field #3 Skrove Automotive and
1st National Bank and Field #4 Nielsen Blacktopping and Volk
Plumbing and Heating) and the balance will come from the Softball Association
to install four new wireless scoreboards at Jefferson Fields 1, 2, 3 and 4. In
motion by Bill Kautt, seconded by Michael Myhra Resolution No. 2011-01
entitled “A Resolution Recommending Acceptance of Scoreboards for Jefferson
Fields” was introduced. Upon roll call,
with all in favor, the Resolution was declared passed. A completed copy of Resolution No. 2011-01 is
contained in the Public Work’s book entitled Parks and Recreation Advisory
Board Resolutions.
Use of small hockey rink for soccer program – Rusty Weiss of 35339 Long Hill Road, Kasota, MN representing the St. Peter
Soccer Club approached the Board about using the small hockey rink at Veteran’s
Memorial Park for summer time soccer.
The competition for practice space continues to be in high demand and
finding a location with lights would be a real asset for the St Peter Soccer
Club. The Club requested permission to
use the small hockey rink when it was not in use for ice skating. They would
purchase and install artificial turf during the off season. The Carl and Verna Schmidt Foundation has
awarded a $12,500.00 grant and the Association has $4,000.00 in pledges and
would use $10,000.00 from their savings to purchase the turf and end wall and
goals to make the space useable for soccer. They would store the turf during
the winter season. City assistance with
equipment would be requested for the installation and removal of the rolls
which weight 1,000 lbs each. In motion
by Kim Spriggs, seconded by David Detlefsen Resolution No. 2011-02 entitled
“A Resolution Recommending the Use of the Small Hockey Rink at Veteran’s
Memorial Park for Summer Time Soccer” was introduced. Upon roll call, with all in favor, the
Resolution was declared passed. A
completed copy of Resolution No. 2011-02 is contained in the Public Work’s book
entitled Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Resolutions.
Proposed Additional Baseball Fields –
Lewis Giesking reviewed the information in the packet pertaining to
improvements to the fields at North Intermediate and South Elementary Schools. After a lengthy discussion, staff was
directed to work with the Baseball Association and the School District to determine the feasibility of
expanding the fields.
Location of a Dog Park – Lewis Giesking and Tim Mayo reviewed potential parcels of
land in LeSueur County for a cooperative agreement to
provide a Dog Park. Staff was directed to investigate if Lot’s 18 and 19 would require a
paved parking surface if a Dog Park were to be placed there. If the parcels would not require paved
parking, staff was instructed to begin the process of obtaining approval for a
lease for the maintenance of the property with LeSueur County in exchange for the use of the
parcels for a Dog Park. A second potential option would be lots 6 and
7.
Skate Park – Lewis Giesking presented the
option of a non-place skate park as an potential solution to the “not in my
backyard” feelings that many people have regarding a skate park.. Staff was directed to identify potential site
options and report back. The general
consensus was this would be an excellent option to get some skate park features
out there.
Reports –
Recreation and Leisure – Jane Timmerman
1. Fall Recreation Report was
distributed. Gymnastics numbers are the result of having difficult securing
instructors.
2. Creative Play Place might have activities going on
during the Fun Run this fall.
3. Saint Peter Child Care Center
has moved into the Community Center.
4. Third Floor moved to North Intermediate School.
5. Girls on the Run Program –
builds self esteem, respect, and addresses nutrition – will be doing a 5k run.
6. Show shoe rentals are very
popular this year.
7. Kids Corner program for summer
will be held again.
8. Soccer Association using Vet’s
Field for recreation leagues.
9. Shelter reservations so far for
summer are: Minnesota Square – 13l Gorman 7; and Gault 1.
10. Summer positions application are
being accepted.
11. Discussion with Gustavus Adolphus College soon regarding field use.
Department of Public Works – Lewis Giesking and Tim Mayo
1. Competitive Field at Stones is
on hold due to objections from neighbors.
2. Hockey Rink did incredibly well
this winter – thanks to the Hockey Association for all their hard work!
3. Trail Snow removal continues to
go well but is time consuming.
4. Washington Avenue Link Public
Meeting to be held March 31st (first of 3). It will affect the area
from Davis Street through Summit Park to the intersection of Dodd Avenue. Environmental issues are being addressed.
Construction is a year and a half out.
5. Hwy 99 bridge relocation is not
scheduled to happen as planned.
6. Applying for federal grant for
pedestrian underpass north of 22 under highway 169 (location is to be out of
floodwaters). $740,000.00 estimated
cost.
Adjournment – Michael Myhra made a motion, seconded by Jim Kruger
to adjourn the meeting. With all in
favor, the meeting was adjourned at 9:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David Detlefsen, Recording Secretary
/vwt
