05-27-1997 PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF ARDEN HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: May 20, 1997 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission n FROM: Cindy S. Walsh, Parks and Recreation Director/ � SUBJECT: May Agenda Report lll�� Letter and Possible Presentation from Colleen Daub I have enclosed a copy of the letter from Colleen Daub. I talked with her last year about a similar request. She indicated that she may be in attendance at the meeting to talk further about her request. I have a couple of thoughts about her request for"quick growth" fir trees as a sound barrier. Research indicates that it takes 50 feet of dense spruce trees to cause enough of a reduction in noise to make the drop in noise level discernable to the human ear. We need a minimum of a 3 decibel change to hear the difference. As an example, the County and State do not put in sound walls along roadways unless they can create a 5 decibel change. Most sound walls do not make a change much more than 5-6 decibels. The trees she suggests will not create a sound barrier. It may beautify the area for her and others since they will not have to look at Snelling Avenue, but they will still hear the traffic. The area she wants planted along Hwy 51 (Snelling Avenue) is a State of Minnesota road right- of-way area. I suggest that she plant trees in her own yard or talk to the State. I do not advise that the City start planting tress along roadways because we would set a precedence for other areas. Possible Highway 96 Trail Change City staff has been exploring ways to make the pedestrian trail safer from Hwy 10 west to New Brighton. I will update the Commission on the proposed plan for rerouting the trail and the County's commitment to apply for an ISTEA bridge over Hwy 10. 1998 Park Fund Budget and Long Range Planning The City Council discussed the Park Fund at their work session on May 19. The consensus was to have the Parks and Recreation Commission come up with a plan to spend down the Park Fund on an annuity type situation. At some point in time, the General Fund (City taxes) would begin to fund the park and trail improvements. The Council understands that spending the interest of approximately $22,000 per year will not make any worthwhile improvements. Council member Keim will be present at the beginning of the meeting to explain and discuss this issue further. The commission should work on a plan over the next few months. • Day in the Park The activities have been confirmed and everything should be ready to go. Please remind your