10-17-06 PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING October 17 2006 Page 2 of 4 • Mr. Greg Hoag was hired as the public works director and will start on Monday, October 30'h • The finance director position has not been filled. The City will restart the recruitment process. • The Council and PTRC had a park tour yesterday. Mr. Hoag was also in attendance. • There was a discussion on goose removal that stemmed from previous goose removal efforts on Lake Johanna and complaints regarding wild turkey and deer. The Council's directive was for staff to develop a policy for City involvement when there are public safety issues. 4. PARKS,TRAILS,AND RECREATION UPDATE Michelle Olson provided the committee with the following update: • Cummings Park and Perry Park have been targeted several times during the summer by vandals. Several kids were caught smoking marijuana in the Cummings Pavilion. The old warming house at Cummings Park has had break ins and graffiti vandalism many times this summer. Also, picnic tables at Perry Park have been hit hard with graffiti this summer/fall. Ramsey County Sheriffs were informed and are working with us. • The building at Valentine Park was scheduled to be moved either last night or tonight. Once moved, electricity will be connected and repairs will be completed. • Repairs were been completed on warming houses: Perry got a new roof; Hazelnut was resided, repainted and smaller repairs completed. • Ms. Olson will meet with Jodi Yunger of Ramsey County this Friday to walk the trails off County Road E2. They will also look at the County Road E2 and County Road 10 area by Valentine Elementary to talk about safe routes to school. • • Ms. Olson was also working with the engineer on the Perry Park connection for the local grant Committee Member Williams asked Ms. Olson to elaborate on the nature of the vandalism at Perry Park. Ms. Olson stated that the graffiti was sexually explicit drawings and messages. Chair Henry asked if there was much vandalism at Tony Schmidt Park. Ms. Olson stated that vandalism used to be a big problem a few years ago when the park was renovated. Vandalism was especially problematic at the upper pavilion because it was more secluded. Ms. Olson stated she was not sure if it was still a problem, but would look into the matter. 5. PTRC PARK TOUR FOLLOW-UP Chair Henry thanked Ms. Olson for her work on the park tour. Chair Henry also thanked Council Liaison Larson and Committee Members Straumann and Wheeler for attending. Committee Member Wheeler commented on the lack of sidewalks in the city and stated the City needed to be more pedestrian friendly. Council liaison Larson stated that he has always felt Arden Hills was lacking in sidewalks and that it was a battle because residents in those neighborhoods did not seem to be concerned about sidewalks. 6. PTRC STRATEGIES PLAN—FUNDING DISCUSSION • Disc Golf Course/Bocce Golf Course Chair Henry stated the installation of a course would not cost very much and asked if there was an area in the city where the course could be installed. Chair Henry asked how much it would cost to put holes along the perimeter at Lindey's Park. Committee Member Baumann stated that if they were similar to what he