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Parks,Trails&Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes October 16,2012 Page 4 Committee Member O'Malley asked if we ever receive demographic information for the City and felt this would be beneficial to the staff planning activities. Ms. Olson responded that the City on occasion does utilize the census information. The demographics had gone through a large change the last 8 years to more seniors. However, the City is seeing that turn around again and the City is gaining more families with preschool aged children. Committee member O'Malley did not see the park tour under the goals and wondered if that should be added. Ms. Olson stated that it is listed in more generic terms however, if the committee wanted to add it more specifically, that could be done. Committee Member Straumann suggested that it could be added to ongoing/as needed goal number 7 - Look to enhance/add recreational opportunities in our parks. Utilize the annual park tour and trail walk results to assist in identifying needs. Parks and Recreation Manager Olson stated that she would like each committee member to identify 2-4 potential goals/priorities for 2013 and bring those to the next meeting for discussion. She encouraged the committee to then discuss and work on the goals at the next two meetings in preparation for the March joint session with Council. D. Freeway Park Improvement Discussion Parks and Recreation Manager Olson reported that the PTRC asked that the upper portion of Freeway Park be put on an upcoming agenda to discuss potential improvements. The park tour results identified this area as needing enhancements/improvements to the upper portion of the park. Ms. Olson indicated that since the committee tabled the off leash dog park discussions at their September meeting, staff took that project out of the Capital Improvement Project(CIP) and added Freeway Park Improvements for$7,500 as a place holder. The cost will depend on the recommended changes by the committee. The Council will be reviewing the CIP at their November work session. Ms. Olson stated that she met with one of the Public Works Tree Inspectors to discuss the possibility of adding plants/trees in the area directly north of the hockey rink for screening purposes. Ms. Olson reported that the recommendation is that plants will not do well in this area due to the amount of snow storage that occurs in the winter from the State/County plowing and the parking lot snow storage. Committee Member Michaelson asked if the City would take a soil sample and have it tested at the University of Minnesota. Ms. Olson indicated that she would ask the Public Works Director to consider this. However, she stated the main concern for plant growth is the snow storage versus the soil. Committee Member Messerly stated the soils in this area are not good. He gave a history of how the soils were brought in for the park. Committee Member O'Malley listed her ideas to consider for improvements. They included: • Paint outside of rink • Pave parking lot • Replace chain link fencing