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City and trustees outline Stewart Beach master‑plan process; drainage dispute remains in litigation
Summary
City staff and park board trustees discussed an updated Stewart Beach master plan and a planned public‑private procurement timeline. Trustees and city attorneys said drainage issues affecting the beach are the subject of active litigation and will be handled through counsel and negotiated settlement talks.
City architectural project manager Dudley Anderson briefed the joint meeting April 16 on the Stewart Beach planning effort, which staff said will update the 2020 Rogers master plan, produce an investor prospectus and seek a development partner through a public‑private procurement process.
Anderson said council gave consensus direction on updating the plan and that staff would bring a methodology for the master‑developer approach to the next council meeting. He estimated that the full effort to select a developer could take roughly 12 to 13 months after approvals. "We're hoping that we can get the entire effort done to get a developer on board within 12 to 13 months," Anderson said.
Council members emphasized the need to accelerate work on a replacement facility for the beach patrol headquarters and urged staff to prioritize that component. "I urge council to move as expeditiously as possible on that beach patrol portion because I was in the trailer several times, and I don't want any fried or or broiled lifeguards down there," one council member said.
Trustees and council members also discussed public engagement and asked that prior public‑input materials from the 2019 planned master‑planning process be revalidated; staff said older outreach exists but will be updated before the developer solicitation. Trustees asked for a standing update from a park board liaison to the council on Stewart Beach procurement and vendor issues, and council agreed to add a recurring agenda item.
Several council members raised ongoing drainage problems at Stewart Beach and asked what immediate measures would be taken. Park Board legal counsel said a lawsuit is active concerning drainage, and counsel advised trustees and council to avoid discussing the details in open session. Both sides said they would seek a negotiated settlement through trial counsel and set a target to "button up" the issue by September, while cautioning that the outcome depends on litigation and negotiations.
Ending: Staff will bring a methodology and public‑engagement plan to the next council meeting for approval, develop a timeline for the beach‑patrol headquarters element, and coordinate legal counsel talks to pursue settlement on drainage matters. Both bodies agreed to include a Stewart Beach status item on future agendas.
