01-20-15 PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes January 20, 2015 Page 3 year schedule. She indicated they could also mention that residents can check the Arden Hills web page to see what parks are up next for equipment replacement. Committee Member O’Malley indicated she feels the PTRC is doing a good job of doing many of the things that the residents want. Committee Member Straumann suggested they administer another Community Analysis Survey in the near future, as it has been a couple years since the last survey was done. Community Gardens – Floral Park Committee Member O’Malley recapped that she along with Committee Member Messerly are the subcommittee working on how to rehabilitate the three gardens in Floral Park in order to turn them into gardens that will attract birds, butterflies and pollinating insects along with using native plants. She mentioned at one point the PTRC had discussed using Buzz from the U of M, however, they charge for their services. Instead they have found a volunteer, Dr. Mullens, who is a retired horticulture professor and lives in Arden Hills, to be their advisor. Ms. O’Malley indicated that Dr. Mullens has looked at the gardens and he feels they can be replenished with native plants. She stated that she and Committee Member Messerly are going to write an article for the newsletter asking residents for plant donations. She indicated they will also ask Council for some funding. Committee Member O’Malley asked if they would present the request for funding to Council at the March Work Session. Staff Liaison Grant indicated that Council is a little behind because of the TCAAP meetings, but she will get a finalized date when she knows their schedule. She also indicated that there is money in the budget for perennials. Ms. Grant suggested that maybe the PTRC could get donations from the Arden Hills Foundation and also put it on the website. Committee Member O’Malley asked if the committee members felt it was a good idea to move forward with this. It was the consensus of the committee to move forward with the pollinating gardens. The members also suggested that Mr. Mullen do a garden study and look at all the parks or that he come along on the PTRC park tour. Trail Report Committee Member Straumann provided the PTRC with a map showing the proposed trail at Rice Creek Commons. Mr. Straumann pointed out that the map also includes a proposed trail head for cross-country skiing. He indicated that snow making is a possibility as there is water stored in a reservoir on top of the hill. Mr. Straumann indicated that the entire metropolitan area is trying to have six different areas for cross- country skiing – Buck Hill, Elm Creek Park Reserve, Lake Elmo, Battle Creek, and this one would be #6. He then explained the map with the proposed infrastructure and also discussed other various trail segments that will be completed in the near future and ones that are needed. He stated one of his goals is to have a tri-city north/west Ramsey County trail hiking/biking day. Committee Member Straumann asked Ms. Grant how trails can be added to the trails map and if anyone could work on doing that. She indicated City Engineer Anderson has been really helpful and they could possibly have an insert showing the new segment. Discussion ensued on where various trail connections are needed and areas that have safety concerns because of needed trail segments. Ms. Straumann indicated that there will also be a trail from Bethel through Pine Tree Center going in this summer and from Flaherty’s over to Lindey’s. He asked Ms. Grant if she could provide periodic updates on the projects as City Engineer