06-21-11 PTRC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes May 17, 2011 Page 4 C. Other Unfinished Business None 4. NEW BUSINESS B. Capital Improvement Program 2012 -2016 Ms. Olson informed that she included a listing of the CIP projects for 2012 -2016 and the next step will be for Council to review the projects. She recapped some of the things that are included every year like the basketball /tennis court rehabilitation and the park bench implementation. One item she added for discussion for 2012 was the Mounds View High School Trail Connection. She added this because last year students signed a petition on trying to get a trail from the bridge on New Brighton to Mounds View High School. Ms. Olson had engineering look at the project and it came to over $100,000 because of the grade and drainage issues. The suggestion was given to the petitioner, since it serves the school district as well, to see if the school district would cost share with the City. Ms. Olson informed that Council did bring this up at a worksession and would like the PTRC to weigh in on whether they think it is a high priority and if it should be looked at more. Discussion ensued on the issue and the committee members were in consensus to leave in the CIP for 2012. Ms. Olson suggested indicated that the addition of the library may create more pedestrian/bike traffic and the trail connection would be beneficial. Ms. Olson indicated that another item that was added for 2011 -2016 was the Forestry Implementation Plan and that this will include doing an inventory of all trees in the City and extra funding each year for tree removal and replacement. She stated that Superintendent Mooney came up with a great idea of using the simple tree software which will allow the forester to determine the type of tree, size, condition of the tree, and map the tree by merely pointing at it. This will also help track the diseased trees. Ms. Olson also stated that per suggestion of the Council they have put $5,000 aside each year for park amenities which will be used towards purchase of picnic tables in 2011. The consensus of the committee was that was an appropriate amenity purchase for 2011. Ms. Olson informed that she and Public Works Director Maurer are working on a trail maintenance plan. The trail rehabilitation fund will be used for trails that need to be reconstructed or resurfaced. She reiterated that even if the funding is in the CIP she will still need to bring to Council for approval to justify what will be spent. Ms. Olson stated that for the Hazelnut irrigation the City's contribution would amount to around $18,000 and NSSA had agreed to contribute $8,000 with the stipulation the irrigation is done in 2012. This irrigation project would include the soccer field around the pavilion and also the ballfield /outfield. Ms. Olson asked if there was anything they would like added in the CIP for 2012 or anything that they felt should be eliminated. She will be bringing this to Council in June. The members indicated they would like to use the $5,000 for park amenities for trail signage in 2012.