04-15-14 PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes April 15, 2014 Page 3 lots/pocket parks are important. Mr. Maurer indicated staff is suggesting that these tot lots/pocket parks not be located at the farthest part and that they be more centrally located. Ms. Holmes asked whether the athletic complex was going to be somewhere in the blue flex. Mr. Maurer stated what staff is saying is that it needs to have access off of a County Road and it should not be located in an area that would require one to drive through a neighborhood. Committee Member Messerly asked if the adult softball fields were a must. Public Works Director Maurer indicated that the City is not obligated to have them but as Ms. Olson pointed out, most of softball leagues come out of businesses and the draft Master Plan has somewhere between 2 and 2.5 million square feet of offices, light industrial and commercial businesses. With that much square footage, staff anticipates there will be more softball teams that want to join leagues. Presently, with the current capacity, no teams can be added so it was felt that with this much square footage, there should be two more fields that could be programmed for adult softball. Mr. McClung also pointed out that this is a selling point to get corporate campuses and businesses to come to Arden Hills. Ms. Olson stated that those fields will be used for youth as well as adult softball and would follow the same policies as the current parks. Public Works Director Maurer reiterated that staff will put together a recommendation for Council at the April 21st work session. MOTION: Committee Member Stephens motioned to approve the TCAAP park recommendations as amended and to present to the City Council seconded by -0). B. Other Unfinished Business None. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Arden Hills Foundation Ms. Holmes provided the PTRC with a presentation on behalf of the Foundation as well as a cover sheet and brochure on the Foundation. She mentioned the Foundation would be holding some seminars which the PTRC members are welcome to attend. The th Balance for Life seminar is scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, from 7:00-8:30 and then on May 13 there is a Basics of State Planning seminar at City Hall. Ms. Holmes stated the Foundation is trying to contribute to the community with these free seminars in order to get interest in the Foundation and get people interested in contributing. Ms. Holmes indicated the PTRC can help the Foundation by volunteering or joining the board which rd meets the 3 Wednesday of each month at the Perkins on Lexington. Ms. Holmes reported that she will have an article in the May newsletter regarding the Foundation and that the Foundation is a way that residents can make tax-deductible contributions for City parks and trails. Ms. Holmes indicated that one thing the committee is working on is getting funding for the trail from Mounds View High School going west to New