09-19-06 PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING SEPTEMBER 19, 2006 Page 4 of 8 Committee Member Williams stated that he read in the paper that a number of cities are adding more to their levy to hedge their bet against the legislature reneging on the homestead credit. Has Arden Hills given any thought to that? Council Larson replied that it did not come up in discussions regarding the six percent levy. Speaking only for himself, he feels the City is under funded in its ability to raise capital funds. A two percent increase in the levy does not raise a lot of money. The utility funds are lower than they should be because for a long time the City did not increase City water and sewer rates and we are recognizing more and more that our pavement management projects have been more expensive then they have been in the past. We are replacing water infrastructures in the City, which cost money. We do not have a plan as to how we are going to fund capital improvements in the parks in the future. There was some talk about that,but the Council has not come to any resolution as to how that is going to be done. Committee Member Williams stated that when he read the article he thought it was worrisome that the legislature has reneged on their responsibility for the homestead credit. If they do this again next year, Arden Hills and all the communities that haven't figured for that are going to be in the hole and the six percent won't be six percent anymore and the City will have to make up that difference if the legislature does not come through with it. Committee Member Williams thanked Council Liaison Larson for Mr. Larson's allegiance to the PTRC by hearing the committee's recommendations, forwarding them to the Council and arguing what he thought was very rational information. Council Liaison Larson replied it has been a pleasure to work with the committee as the liaison. 6. PARKS,TRAILS,AND RECREATION UPDATE Michelle Olson provided the committee with the following update: • • Royal Hills and Floral Parks tennis and basketball courts were resurfaced. Committee Member McClung stated that his driveway is right across from the tennis court and he has seen more use after the courts were resurfaced. • Mounds View High School's tennis courts will be reconstructed next spring, 2007. The City decided to donate $8,000 towards the total cost of, approximately $140,000. The reason we contribute money towards this project is because we utilize their courts for team tennis and other lessons that require more than a couple courts. With our contribution, we get priority over many other groups, being only second to the school. We are also hoping to piggy back on that construction project with the Cummings Park tennis court. It is tentatively scheduled for next year and our goal is to follow a strict maintenance schedule for the courts into the future. • The Freeway Park warming house was torn down and the electrical obviously disconnected. Preparations are being made to move the Valentine Park building to Freeway. The location of the building coming to Freeway Park has been moved slightly to accommodate the size difference, site line, and set back requirements. Once secured at the new site, the building will need new paint or residing to make it look nicer. A mobile unit will be brought in for use at Valentine Park this winter. Ms. Olson and the Kris Giga, City Engineer, will work on bringing forward an overall assessment of Valentine Park. Because of the drainage issues, an assessment of the neighborhood may be needed. Nothing can really be done to the park unless we look at the whole picture because we do not want to make the drainage worse for one or the other. • The public works department structure was approved and the recruitment process is underway for a new public works director. Currently, five candidates have been interviewed. Under the new department structure, public works personnel will remain as one unit,handling both public works • and parks and recreation responsibilities. Ms. Olson has been promoted to Parks and Recreation Manager. She will deal with park maintenance and park related decisions will be made in