02-26-13 PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes February 26, 2013 Page 3 Ms. Olson then reviewed the fourth priority, the Off-Leash Dog Park. Committee Member Michaelson indicated he has gone to Shoreview to find out what costs are involved with the off-leash dog park and any complaints they have had. Committee Member Michaelson indicated the only complaint they have had is folks would like to have the park set up so they can have small and large dogs all together and that they would like to have the park open longer during the year. Committee Member Straumann suggested they try to obtain the triangle property on Sunfish Lake from the National Guard for an off-leash dog park. Ms. Olson indicated that this property belonged to the National Guard and/or Army and would be difficult to obtain. She suggested the PTRC bring this up to Council if they feel this is something they would like a report on. Ms. Olson asked if there was anything else that should be added to the presentation. Ms. O’Malley questioned if they had not talked about trying to increase handicap accessibility. Ms. Olson indicated that this was part of the work plan and something they will be looking at on a regular basis. She indicated the City is ADA compliant in regards to the playgrounds and will soon be removing the existing gates for the trails. Committee Member Larson suggested they have a checklist when they do the parks/trail walk through and volunteered to work on creating such a list. C. Other Unfinished Business Ms. Olson introduced new Committee Member Matt Trites. 4. NEW BUSINESS None 5. REPORTS A. City Council Report Council Liaison Holmes informed that the County is getting ready to purchase the TCAAP property and that there will be a Joint Development Authority (JDA). The members of the Joint Development Authority are Mayor Grant and Councilmember Holden and Ramsey County Commissioners Rafael Ortega and Blake Huffman. The City appointed David Sands as the Chair of the JDA as it was felt he would be a good choice having Chaired the Planning Commission. Ms. Holmes indicated the first meeting is scheduled for tomorrow night, February 27, at 6:30 at City Hall. The JDA will start planning for the development of TCAAP. Ms. Holmes also informed the City had to do an AUAR which is an environmental study of how the development of TCAAP will affect not only the TCAAP land but the surrounding land (traffic and environmental) and then the City will also need to revamp the Master Plan that was prepared 5 years ago. Ms. Holmes mentioned that bids for the project are due sometime in March and that Representatives Bev Scalze and Barb Yarusso are working with the County to look at road improvements to get traffic up to TCAAP and to determine access points to the TCAAP property. Ms. Holmes informed that Blue Fox will be closing. John Roberts, who owns the industrial property behind Blue Fox, is purchasing the building and will be tearing it down in order to build a small strip mall.