09-24-13 PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes September 24, 2013 Page 5 C. Other New Business Committee Member Messerly indicated the City should check into the railroad bridge on Old Hwy 8 that feeds from Long Lake Regional Park across the freeway to the arsenal and this could be the last chance for a connection between Arden Hills and New Brighton. Ms. Olson indicated she would mention this to Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher. Committee Member Kramlinger indicated he is frustrated with the poor safety along Old Hwy 10 and other areas that do not have safe connections. He would like to start a subcommittee to see where those problem areas are and see if there are any low cost ideas for improving safety which might include restriping that street in order to make a walkway. Committee Member Larson mentioned she informed Ramsey County Commissioner Huffman about the safety issues on Hamline at the Night to Unite. Ms. Olson indicated that staff has explored restriping Old Highway 10 and she did talk to the County about it and they will not do restriping unless they are doing an actual resurfacing or a road improvement project. She indicated she will talk to Jim Tolaas and see if there are any plans to resurface in the near future. Committee Members Garretson and Van Valkenburg indicated they would be interested being on a subcommittee with Committee Member Kramlinger if one is formed. 5. REPORTS A.City Council Report Council Liaison Holmes stated that trail safety is a high Council priority. Ms. Holmes reported that the triangle parcel has been completed and that a gateway sign has been placed there and that another will also be placed at E2 and Cleveland by the 35W exit. Ms. Holmes reported that Bethel is looking at buying the Country Financial building. At this time the sale is still under consideration but Council has given Bethel approval to lease 26,000 sq. ft of the building. The main issues are tax dollars and travel between the campuses since the closest way is to cross the railroad tracks which Bethel does not want. Council Liaison Holmes informed that the old Holiday Inn is now the Eastwood Flats and that about 1/3 of it is has been rented to various college students. Ms. Holmes reported that there is some talk of a Goodwill Store being built on the property east of the E Street flats and asked the committee on their feedback. It was felt that traffic would be an issue and that a coffee shop or some type of community gathering establishment would be nice at that location.