09-19-06 PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING SEPTEMBER 19, 2006 Page 6 of 8 • not do this without County involvement. This grant doesn't work without partnership and that point was discussed it at the sessions. All interested parties must be involved in a cooperative agreement. Committee Member McClung asked if we want to consider going north and south of County Road E2 on Old 10. That is close to the school, within the distance we would have a connection coming over on E2 from that. There are a lot of houses that go along that. We have already proposed the trail on Old 10 and if we are able to use some of the grant money to do some of that trail earlier instead of later,that would be a great kick start to finishing that trail. Even in the Skiles/Ridgewood Neighborhood coming up from County Road E up past Chatham to Lake Valentine Road, there are a lot of houses that all have kids in them in that school. Committee Member McClung commented that Michelle has done a wonderful job with her promotion and has provided the committee with wonderful information. He thanked her for her work. 7. TRAIL DEVELOPMENT—RAILROAD UNDERPASS Committee Member Straumann referenced pictures that were taken of the railroad underpass. He stated that Mr. Greg Mack of Ramsey County sent a bill to the City for its share of the cost for the railroad underpass, which is approximately$32,000. Ms. Olson stated that she spoke with Mr. Mack and was informed that the side by Tony Schmidt is going to be paved soon and they plan to gravel the other section to the lift station road. If the City is interested in doing a connection from Perry down to the lift station road, which would then connect to the north trail from the underpass, that would be a possibility that we move for that next. Basically the trail half is cleared, to the north. They still need to do a little more work in the tunnel because there are still a couple of disconnects with the underpass, but they will smooth that all out. Ms. Olson did go out with Jim Perron Public Works Superintendent, to take a look at grating for a trail from Little Lakes Little League ball field and winding it back down. The DNR has a local trail connection grant. With those underpass and trail now done, that section to Perry Park would now be an actual link. The DNR deadline is February 28`h. I am in the process of getting price estimates from the engineer. We couldn't have applied for this grant last year because it would not have gone anywhere officially. I think it is a worthwhile connection. It is clearly written that there must be a connection. That was the biggest factor for not applying at an earlier time. (50%cash match for up to 100,000.00) Committee Member Straumann initiated the discussion regarding the western half of Tony Schmidt Park and connecting trails. 8. PTRC STRATEGIES PLAN—FUNDING DISCUSSION Ms. Olson stated the committee needed to start talking about the funding part of the PTRC strategies. The park fund is diminishing and the committee needs to discuss funding options. Hopefully we will be able to discuss this with the Council at a work session. Before then, it is important for the committee to come up with some ideas. This item could be placed on next month's agenda and this month we start by brainstorming ideas that could be brought back for discussion next month. Committee Member Williams stated if the committee meets with the Council to discuss funding alternatives, he would like the committee to be in a position to make some fairly logical and comprehensive recommendations. That might require that funding be a major portion of an upcoming PTRC meeting, whether it is scheduled for the next meeting or the meeting after that. We should structure a meeting were this item is place at the beginning of the meeting to allow for adequate time,but staff has to do some work in order to energize that discussion. Committee Member Wheeler stated she agreed that funding needs to be the main focus of a meeting. One