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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes February 15, 2011 Page 3 D. Other Unfinished Business Committee Member Straumann indicated that Ramsey County will be placing 300 benches throughout their regional parks and this would include the Tony Schmidt Regional Park. Ms. Olson recapped the 1,000 Bench Grant Program through Active Living Ramsey County. This was a program they looked at a couple of years ago and because of the requirements of the grant it was not cost - effective to move forward with it. They are making changes to the requirements and then this may be something the committee would like to revisit. Ms. Olson indicated that they will also have $5,000 from the Bench Implementation Program in 2011 and also have one donated bench they will be placing. She will bring back a map with placement of the benches to see if the committee agrees with the placement. Chair Scott asked if they would be doing the trail tour before placing the benches. Mr. Maurer indicated they could always order the benches and wait until after the trail tour to place. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. PTRC /Council Joint Work Session Agenda Chair Scott mentioned that their next meeting is the work session on Monday, March 21, and that since this falls on the Monday before their regularly scheduled PTRC meeting; they will not have the PTRC meeting. Ms. Olson indicated the packet includes a draft agenda for the March work session. She and Mr. Maurer impressed upon the committee that this is their meeting to find out where the Council would like the PTRC to spend their time and energy. Goal Setting, CP Rail Mural Contest, Valentine Park Improvements and CIP Input are suggested topics. In May the staff will start looking at the next 5 -Year CIP and she would like the committee to bring forth any ideas for improvements. Mr. Maurer indicated what the PTRC needs to discuss with Council is what investment they feel should be allocated to the park system over the next 5 to 10 years and what they feel is a reasonable investment in parks relative to the other areas they need to spend money on. He indicated the trail maintenance plan will also be on the agenda this year and any maintenance to the trails is also a CIP improvement that would fall under the parks designation. Another item of discussion would be in regards to trail expansion, which would fall under the CIP, and if Council feels the PTRC should look for grants for specific trials or if the PTRC should look for grants wherever they can find them. Committee Member Straumann asked where things were at regarding reconstruction of Old Snelling. Mr. Maurer indicated Council has all the information but basically has put on hold until the CIP is done to see if Old Snelling is a priority versus some of the other neighborhood streets. Mr. Maurer indicated he does not expect Council to discuss this