11-19-13 PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 19, 2013 Page 3 with the stop sign at Sampson Park and removing the bumpers so the trail will be open in the winter; removing the fort and recliner in the woods at Cummings; and repainting the hockey rink. Other items that will be taken care of in the spring at Cummings Park is reseeding and taking out the big concrete slab, redoing the chips under the play structure and adding some rubber matting to increase safety underneath some of the bars at Cummings Park. Ms. Olson indicated currently there is no plan on replacing the play structure at Royal Hills for a larger one, since the one that is there is fairly new. She did talk to Public Works Director Maurer about the crosswalk which residents felt was in the wrong place and Mr. Maurer indicated the crosswalks were put back exactly where they were before the road was done. Committee Member Petersen felt that is not the point and asked if Mr. Maurer read the comments from the people that use the park. Ms. Olson stated that if the committiee feels the crosswalks are in the wrong location they could bring forth to Council to make that change as Mr. Maurer placed them where they were before. Ms. Holmes felt the best thing to do would be to go over there and look at the situation. Committee Member Petersen recapped that residents instead of crossing at the crosswalk cross by his house because they do not want to push strollers through the grass. Mr. Petersen indicated that one of the residents he has talked to several times said she and some neighbors would be willing to put together a letter and send it to the committee. The committee agreed that this would be a good idea and they would look at the situation. Ms. Olson reported she has e-mailed a couple residents who indicated interested on being on the PTRC and will also e-mail Jen Stephens as John Peck and Jane Larson will not be coming back next year. Committee Member Petersen indicated there were several comments about the tree limbs being hacked off on the trails. Ms. Olson informed that the City does not have the manpower to hand cut and trim like in the past but are now utilizing a machine to do that. Committee Member Trites questioned if Public Works could possibly mulch the debris. Ms. Olson indicated she would discuss this with Public Works Director Maurer. She indicated she believes the debris does get picked up but possibly not right away and that Public Works does not remove debris from a downed tree unless it is a hazard or it is impeding on a trail. Chuck Kachel expressed concern about where the Elmer L. Andersen trail crosses at Stowe Avenue and New Brighton Road. He indicated that when coming northbound there is a blind spot due to the hedges. Ms. Olson indicated those hedges have now been trimmed back and that seems to have improved the site lines. She indicated she can revisit this with City Engineer Anderson and will keep an eye on the area. Committee Member Trites asked if there was a specific phone number residents could call for downed branches or downed trees. Ms. Olson indicated the best approach would be for residents to call City Hall and staff can then get a message to Public Works.